Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Home At Last!

It was a much longer day than we expected, but Don and I are both finally relaxing at HOME!!

His discharge was originally scheduled for 1:15 this afternoon. We were told about 11:00 that it would be delayed because an emergency happened down the hall that took both doctors on duty a couple of hours to resolve.

After Don’s OT and PT sessions, he decided to skip the Rehab unit’s lunch and go to the hospital’s cafeteria instead. On the way we saw Dr. Goodman, and had a nice chat in the hall. Don told him we were just waiting for the discharge order from him, but we knew there was a lot of paperwork involved so we’d be patient.

After lunch we just chilled for awhile and waited for nurse Brett to come review all the meds, prescriptions, what to take, what not to take, precautions and other paperwork. Social worker Lagreta got Don a new two-wheel walker, covered by Medicare. It turns out that the person from her office on duty yesterday didn’t have the full story when she said we could only have one similar device within 5 years, and we should save the Medicare coverage in case Don needed a wheelchair, much more expensive than a walker. Lagreta said if he needs a wheelchair it will be a new incident and Medicare will cover it.

The 4-wheel ‘rollator’ walker I ordered from Amazon, that was supposed to arrive on Tuesday, didn’t. It may be that the FedEx truck was stuck in the haboob (big dust storm) in Phoenix yesterday. Anyway, the end result is that we now have the rollator (still in the box, waiting until I have the energy to assemble it) for outdoor use, and the two-wheel walker for inside. Don’s already making good use of it for getting around the motorhome. I’m really happy now that we have both devices.

We didn’t get out of the hospital until around 4 pm, and then had to stop at WalMart to drop off a ton of prescriptions and pick up a couple of other things. Then we found a Walgreen’s that carries the protein shakes and picked up a few to tide him over until we can get a shipment from Amazon at a much lower price.

It was after 5 when we got home. I had planned a special dinner, pork chops with carmelized onions, steamed spinach, and salad. I was a little tired when I started cooking but I didn’t want to back out of the plan, then I was really tired after cleaning up the kitchen. But we both enjoyed the meal!

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Can you tell Don’s happy to be home?

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Later we reviewed his meds and think we figured out what he was supposed to take before bedtime. I told him he’s going to have to find a younger wife because I’m beat after this long, busy day. But nothing will be better than waking up together tomorrow and NOT having to drive to the hospital. He starts his outpatient dialysis at Fresenius on 6th Ave. tomorrow, so we’ll have another new experience.

18 comments:

  1. I know it is overwhelming! But, give it a few days to get into a new routine. You will be fine. I know what you mean about a younger wife, ha ha. Larry is looking at battery operated chairs, but there is no way I could lift one into the back of the CRV! He will need a younger and much stronger wife, ha ha. Hugs to you both.

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  2. Home Sweet Home. Don does look happy and even though your tired, I'm sure you are very happy, too! Best wishes on your dialysis adventures ahead. J&C

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  3. Hooray. There's no place like home. Things will again fall into routine hugs

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  4. Welcome Home! Rest well tonight and enjoy each other's company. Tell Don he can put together the rollator tomorrow as part of his OT activity. {{{HUGS TO THE TWO OF YOU}}}

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  5. Welcome Home! Rest well tonight and enjoy each other's company. Tell Don he can put together the rollator tomorrow as part of his OT activity. {{{HUGS TO THE TWO OF YOU}}}

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  6. I hope there are no more hospital visits in your future. Dialysis is a bump in the road but at least it's not too far down the road and I hope very temporary. Glad he is home with you now.

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  7. Awesome! So happy Don is finally back home again.

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  8. What wonderful news! Wishing continued progress for Don, and some good down time for you!

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  9. Welcome home Don. Don't let Sharon get away since the younger ones don't have the staying power she has. Good luck with dialysis.

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  10. Great to see Don home and smiling. You both have great attitudes and thats more than half the battle. Enjoy your new adventures and remember to laugh.

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  11. Great news. You will fall into a routine very soon. Don will continue to get stronger each day and soon you will be travelling again.

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  12. More great news. Welcome home. Live Strong!!!!!

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  13. So glad you are home! Please take care of both of you!!

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  14. We're so happy for you! You both passed all tests with flying colors. Now, just RELAX and catch a deep breath!!

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  15. Glad that Don is now home. Looks like you prepared a very nice welcome home dinner, even though you were tired.

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  16. God bless you both and welcome home Don !

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