Day 59 - April 13, 2007 Friday

Terry has another doctor's (ENT) appointment today, so Lynn got there early. After the doctor's appointment they will be heading to Heritage House in New Castle. She is trying to get everything finished up in his room and get him ready for his appointment. It was tough to maneuver Terry around at the doctor's office with his wheelchair. They did a hearing test on him and then they saw the doctor. He asked several questions and documented his findings. He felt that a CAT scan might be a good idea. They went back to RHI after the appointment. It was about time for lunch when they got there. Lynn had asked for some pamphlets on the PT and those were on his bed when they got to his room. She has also kept a couple of his PT/OT schedules (with notes), the description of his progress (and goals) from the conference, and now the pamphlets. Hopefully it will help her to keep up with his progress. After lunch, the ambulance came to take Terry to Heritage House. Lynn followed in her car. It was a very long drive. When they got to HH, Cindy (admissions) was there to greet them. HH did not realize they were going to be arriving so late. PT/OT were also there right away. Lynn had to go with Cindy to fill out paperwork, while Terry was doing PT. 4 pm was when Terry's pain medication was due and HH did not have them yet. HH ordered them from the pharmacy but they weren't sure how long it would take to get them. HH only had a normal straight-back wheelchair, which would not work for Terry (later they said they were told that wheelchair would be ok). They started to look for a wheelchair that would work (had to ordered one). There was no bedside commode, either. Lynn was getting a little upset as time went and still no pain medication arrived. This had not been a smooth transition at all. HH was too much a nursing home (smells and all). Finally around 7:30 pm Terry's medicine arrived. By then everyone was flustered (Terry, Lynn, and the nurse). Terry said a prayer for her. Lynn was very upset and all she could see were the errors and bad points. She was ready to bring him homes ASAP. She wasn't sure how but it was going to happen. Lynn could not talk Terry into eating or drinking very much, which has been the case most of the time lately. They have begun to pray about it more regularly, as well as asking other to pray. He needs to be able to eat and drink to help him get better faster. She went home fairly late this night, feeling discouraged but determined to try and get him home.