Home early! Janet fell asleep around five so I bolted as I have lots I can do away from the hospital.

She was awake in her chair when I arrived this afternoon so after posting the update and reading a card sent from Rita (Raju’s sister) we went out for a walk. I got a damp cloth to wipe her mouth before we went out and she grabbed it from my hand and did it herself. A first! Laurel really ought to be here now as there is more than enough wind to power her phone. Janet knew to hold onto her hat without being told. Very impressive. One gust caught us both by surprise though and I had to go for a run to retrieve her hat. Janet was very aware of the wind, the large waves at the beach and the noise associated with that. I think it was good for her. We managed to find a sunny quiet spot for a bit and call Mary/Gaga. I think there were too many distractions outside to allow Janet to focus on her mom’s voice but there were moments when she was tuned in.

Cam met us in the hall on the way back and saw his mom awake during the day for the first time in a while. Janet brightened right up when she saw him. I thought we might get a “hi” or a wave but no.

After a really good stretch Janet was out and so was I. Kind of a quiet day overall for Janet which good because I was busy. Hopefully Janet has a restful night and an active and progressive day tomorrow.

Slow start today. Janet sleepy till 9:30 or so. We practiced some sign language and “talking” before Tom showed up. Her nurse came in to give Janet’s meds and I asked about the antacid. Wondering if it’s still needed. She didn’t know but the Hospitalist was right outside the door so I asked him, he checked Janet’s chart and agreed to take her off it. Yay! One less med. I stretched Janet out and had her sitting on the edge of the bed when Tom arrived which wasn’t till 11:30. I guessed right though as he wanted to try a sliding board to transfer Janet from bed to wheelchair. It forces her to participate and for a first time she did well. Tom will try and find a slipperier one and teach me how to help her.

Janet was back to sleep right as Tom was done so I left to go do some pool and yard work. I’ve also been on the phone a lot with CPP and IH. Janet has been approved for CPP Disability but the amount is less than what LTC rent will be. Still working on it and making progress. Getting amazing help in both departments.

Going for a walk now.

During my lunch break, Cam stopped by but Janet was snoring away. Brenda visited Janet not long after that and read a couple books with her. I returned shortly after to find Janet awake and begging to be put to bed for some stretching. Well maybe not begging. We had a decent workout ending with some “standing”. She fell asleep minutes afterwards just as Cam showed up. You should stick to your late night shift Cam.

Janet had quite a long afternoon nap so she really must have been awake lots last night. I considered leaving but she woke up shortly after four and we practiced sign language. I was surprised to learn that what I had started teaching her for no is actually yes. No wonder she wasn’t doing it. I actually got some really good attempts at making the signs as if she remembers from teaching it at preschool. I also tried getting her to say hi. With some help she would open her mouth and exhale loudly. A few times she did it without help. I think she made a really good effort to speak.

After her dinner we went for a sunset walk to the beach. Too windy to stay long but it seemed to invigorate Janet as she did really well driving the new wheelchair back on her ward. Best yet. She was so cute as she wheeled up to the desk at the nurses station as if she wanted to talk to them. She had a nice happy face on and possibly was sensing a little freedom. Didn’t last long though as I got her back in bed, stretched out and tucked in so I could ride home before dark which is happening way too early now.

A successful day 100. Praying for ten times as much improvement over the next hundred.

Day 100.

Hard to believe but here it is. Seems like another lifetime ago that this all started.

Janet has had a good day so far despite the C diff. spiking up a little. It would appear as though she had a bit of a restless night as her blankets were all askew and she was in Houdieno position when I arrived. She managed to take off two straps and the splint and toss it on the floor. She couldn’t quite get the sleeve off but she sure tried. Tom and Leanne put her on her tummy for about thirty minutes this morning. Janet seemed a little uncomfortable this time and I think it was the C diff. Her legs responded really well though and she turned her head on command a number of times. I took her for a walk in the old wheelchair and she had a nice fifteen minute nap in the sun at the beach.

I spoke to the Access Coordinator, Lynn, and she gave me some interesting info on the residential care rates. I won’t go into detail here but will get to work on what she suggested. Wendy confirmed that Committee of Estate through a lawyer is the only way for me to get signing authority over Janet. Once I figure out when I need it I will start the process.

In honor of day 100 I put together a little video depicting some of Janet’s achievements to date. Please use the link below to view the video. It is a private video not to be re posted or shared anywhere else. The password to view it is Houdieno.
http://vimeo.com/47988844

Grateful for the progress made over these first 100 days and praying for full healing.

Heidi was visiting Janet when I returned after lunch. She was stylin in her bright green Team Save Janet t shirt. Janet had a short nap after that and I was able to stretch her out when she woke up. She is much looser today than yesterday. I think the tilt table helped this morning and perhaps her calmness today. She was a little mellow most of the day. Carrie dropped by (not in regulation TSJ gear) for a chat. Always good to have your positive energy and soothing presence in the room Carrie. Thanks for the love you pour into Janet and all of the family.

Janet was very active after some stretching so I decided to try some standing from sitting work with her. Once again after a couple tries she was able to get super close to straight up and she was smiling the whole time. I can tell its a workout for her but she loves it.

Social Worker, Wendy, came in during this part of the workout so I let Janet sit in on the conversation. I asked Wendy for clarification on this Committee of Estate thing and if the Provincial Guardian and Trustee would actually appoint me Committee of Janet. She had not heard of that before but would call them to find out for sure. She thinks it’s pay the lawyers or designate the PGT to administer Janet’s life. Lawyers it is unless she learns different. We also talked about Janet’s condition and if Dr. Jones had spoken to me. I said we had chatted a few times. She meant serious sit down map out a plan for Janet. I said no. Wendy said he had written in the chart and mentioned to the charge nurse that he would have that conversation with me instead of another team meeting. Wendy implied that there may be reason for Dr. McCann to reassess Janet in light of the progress she is making. I’m not getting my hopes up and I think one thing that prevented that discussion is Dr. McCann is still on vacation. Maybe next week.

Janet sat on the edge of the bed unassisted, watching and listening the whole twenty minutes Wendy was in the room. She was very bright and Wendy noticed that for sure. Cool. I got her into the new wheelchair and we called Mary/Gaga. Again, Janet was tuned in the whole time her mom was talking. Janet drove her wheelchair all the way from her bed to outside the door in one go. Arlene watched her and got a little teary eyed. She hadn’t seen Janet do that yet. The hallway was a little busy so I drove to the elevators where I helped Janet get her hand to the button and she pushed it by herself for the first time. We headed for rehab as earlier in the day I found a room with a large mirror in it and I wanted Janet to see herself for the first time in three months. The mirror I was aiming for was not in the greatest spot but thankfully a physiotherapist was there and turned around this cool mirror on wheels for us to use. It’s hard to gauge Janet’s reaction. I think she knew she was looking at herself as she seemed a little overwhelmed and emotional kinda like the first times we went out into the ward. I’m still really unsure of what exactly she sees too. We went to the beach but felt a couple raindrops so headed back in. Good thing too as Janet F. had arrived for her visit. We owe you a t shirt Janet. Remind me next time. Janet loved reading a Dr. Seuss book Janet F. brought in.

During dinner I coached Janet on the hand signals for yes and no. I think she’s catching on. We called Andrew to wish him a late happy birthday. Janet certainly recognized the voice and I think we’ll do more of this. Dinner ended and Christi and I put Janet to bed and she was asleep by 7:15. Solid day.

Praying for complete healing and giving thanks for the love from so many people.

Busy day so far for Janet. She was sleeping when I arrived then her nurses came in to wash her up. Reports are that the C diff. is pretty much done. The run of medication Janet was on for it has ended so if all is good for a couple days we can lose the gowns and gloves. Yay!

Tom and Leanne arrived right after the nurses left. I misunderstood Laurel’s note about the tipping chair yesterday. It was not the new wheelchair Janet was in but one of the desk chairs we sit in. Tom had her in one with the “desk” pulled in front trying to get her to write. He didn’t offer an explanation for the tipping incident but I think he feels like he went one step too far with Janet yesterday. This morning they put Janet on the tilt table for thirty minutes and she tolerated it very well. The best yet. She only got agitated in the last five to ten minutes and let out a big sigh of relief when she got back down to level.

It was weigh in day for Janet today and I got teach Arlene and Kristi how to weigh Janet using the sling. Neither of them had done it before. My resume keeps building. Wish I could have gotten a bigger number as Janet has lost a little weight this time. Hopefully when the C diff. is gone they can ramp up the formula a bit.

Janet is napping now getting ready for an active afternoon.