Fostering Pride

He’s in.  He’s in.  He’s IN!

On or about Monday, Dad will be moved to a rehab facility 45 minutes north of here.  They have a dialysis center that supports PD.  Mom will not need to stay overnight.

Damn, we needed some good news.  Tomorrow makes 8 weeks since he walked into the hospital.

At the hospital, there is a very nice gift shop, and even a small bookstore.  I’m sorry to say that I’ve been in hospital gift shops before, and none of them seem to be as nice as this one.  If you can imagine a small art museum’s gift shop, you can get a good understanding of the quality of this hospital store.

The first time I went in there, 2 months ago, I noticed that they do a monthly drawing for a gift basket.  Nice items, like a basket full of Burt’s Bees or Tea Forte products.  “How sweet”, I thought.  “But Dad won’t still be here by April.  No use in signing up.”

How naive of me.

I’ve been in the gift shop many times, just wanting to get away from Dad’s room (especially when he’s…using facilities).  Last month, I thought the same as I did in March.  “How nice…but we won’t be here in May.”

It’s now May.  The rehab facility in our city turned Dad down.  Again.  They don’t feel that they can meet his “medical needs”.  I’ve got some anger about that, since it’s attached to a hospital, but I’m trying to move past it.  He has an “interview” today with a rehab facility 45 miles from our home, and there are a couple other possibilities that would be within a reasonable distance from home.  If those don’t work out, Mom is looking at bringing him home.  She wants Dad to heal, and he’s not going to get better where he’s at.  If she can get some PT and OT at home with Medicare, things should be manageable.  Surprisingly, their home is much more accessible for him than his hospital room.  He would be able to bathe himself (roll-in shower with grab bars, seat, and hand held sprayer), and use the toilet (ADA-height toilet, multiple grab bars).  And he would get some therapy with their cat, who has missed him these last 7+ weeks.

So I’m going to continue being optimistic…and not enter for this month’s basket.  Because, damnit…he won’t be there in June.

No, the bike isn’t my nightmare.  Just worried…but that’s what I do.

But I know my wife’s love of motorcycles started early:

And I can tell you that her excitement hasn’t waned in the least:

Despite her injury this weekend, she’s still bouncing about, excited about the new “toy”.

It’s happened, again.  This time, not to me. 

T fell in the yard on Saturday, tripping over the board on our planting bed.  It all seemed to happen in slow-motion, mostly sitting down hard on the soft dirt.  She bruised her thigh and arm, and we assumed that was the extent of the damage (this is not unusual for her).  Fast forward to last night, and T’s shoulder is in pain.  This morning, she was in tears, it hurt so much.  That’s when I drove her to the ER (no waiting this time!).

What we assume is that she hit her shoulder against the garage corner when she fell.  This caused her shoulder to *nearly* dislocate, tearing the ligaments around her clavicle.  So she’s outta commission this week, at least for much typing or riding the new toy.  Her arm’s in a sling, and she’s got good meds.

I think we’re starting to get a repuation as being klutzy.  I’d like to enjoy spring…instead of another fall.

Originally uploaded by BlondieKate

We were good to Mom. We’ve never had professional photos made of the two of us. Denim jackets are definately “us”, and we were fortunate to have a cousin-in-law-to-be works for a photo studio. A few of the resulting photos have been posted on flickr, but I’ve saved you all from the 100+ images taken today.

By Tex.

It’s been over 25 years ago since I was a on a bike on a regular basis and it was only a 125!!!  But when I laid eyes on this baby, I was gone!  She was perfect.  She’s got exactly the look I wanted, the older cruiser style.  She had the power I wanted for driving to work 25 miles away, 750cc, and she was a newer model - a 2005.  It all worked out well.  I brought her home on Tuesday and have only had her out 2x so far.

Currently, I only have a Learner’s Permit because when I moved to Iowa, I didn’t get my cycle license transferred over - they didn’t ask and I didn’t think about it either so it lapsed.  Damn.  Alas, I need to get more comfortable on it anyway so some time practicing will be good.  I also have a safety class scheduled for June 13th and then I’ll get my license.  Poor Blondie probably won’t even see me the following Saturday! *L*

Right now I have a friend with a license who has been gracious enough to take me out a couple of times.  By this time tomorrow, there will be 2 more licensed riders in her household, too!  They’re taking their test in the morning - Blondie said no. *L*

Swiped from a CNN video:

What one word best describes your mother(s)?

Right now, that word would probably be “strained”.  She’s tirelessly advocating for Dad to get moved to the rehab facility, driving 30 miles each way to see him, setting up/finishing his dialysis, and still trying to manage things at home.  Don’t know how she’s doing it, but God bless her. 

…because we’re not getting it.

Dad was denied entry into the rehab center.  They’re concerned that he can’t do 3 hours of PT.  The nurse who did his evaluation was shocked, so she’s resubmitting it.

His PD will be moved to later in the day, to start going overnight.  This will free him up during the day to possibly get more PT/OT done during the day.  We’re hoping to hear about the re-submission by the first of the week.

Could someone give this guy a chance?

He has a brother in another home, and they were able to get a variance on their license to be able to take him.  It’s better to keep sibs together as often as possible.

Just means that there’s another child out there for us.

Since this is a foster-parenting blog, here’s a little foster placement news.

We just got a call for a preemie, 2mo boy, S.  Bio was diluting his formula with water, so he’s underweight.  Otherwise, there are no medical issues.  Placement would be for 3-6 months.  He’s not able to follow with his eyes, so his attention isn’t there, but that could be because of the malnurishment or early birth.

T gave the “ok”, so I’m just waiting on a return call from the SW.

Damnit, we need good news around here.