Home Sweet Home

Here I am writing again.

We are slowly adapting to being home and learning all the ropes.
The most challenging was mastering the morning shower.  But after a few trials and errors it seems we found a way that works. 

Our house feels more like Grand Central Station, with people in and out all the time.

Home Care Service started the week we came home.  We have a nurse, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist and a speech therapist.  Each one of them come about 3 times a week.  I like them and Bob is working well with them too.And he is working well with me too, whenever we have some time.

Bob continues to work hard at this therapy and still in good spirits.
Although we have a wheel chair on the ground floor, one on the first floor, and one on the second floor, he mostly walks using his hemi-walker (a walker for one hand only), and with me guarding him just in case.  He wears a gait belt (I hold this belt from the back while he walks) and splint to hold his right arm to prevent it for hanging down too much and damaging the shoulder.

Ours friends Bruce and Simone came on our first Tuesday at home bringing pizza and salad and joined us for dinner.  Bob had a little bit of wine with dinner for the first time in a long time....

The next day, Wednesday, we had a visit from Achilles and his son Henrique (our godchild).  It was nice having them here for these 5 days, and to see how big and gorgeous Henrique is.  We went for walks together, and as you can see, Bobby did not need to use his wheelchair (we took it just in case), and walked all the way from the house to the mail box and back.

Unfortunately, on the first Saturday home, he had a fall.  I was not holding him from the front as he was going down the step to the den, and he lost his balance and I could not control him. And down he went.  He hurt his face with the glasses frame, but other than that he was fine.  I, on the other hand, was a mess, crying a lot!  I could not lift him by myself and had to call 911.  They came very quickly, picked him up, established that all was well and that he did not need stitches on the face. 

 On the following day it was Mothers day, and we were going to Malu and Jason's, but because of the fall, they transferred the party here.






  Bobby got to meed Olivia for the first time.

 But, when Malu and Jason were leaving, Bob, who was upstairs alone while we were saying our good byes, sitting on the wheel chair, fell again.  We think he must have been trying to reach for this glasses that were on the bedside table and perhaps the wheel chair tipped over. This time nothing happened, and Achilles and Jason were able to lift him up.

I finally found a guy to come and stay with Bob for a few hours a week (3 hours 2 times a week) so that I can take time for myself.  He started last Tuesday.  I am slowly building the confidence to leave him alone with Bob for the 3 hours.  On Tuesday I stayed home and trained him, but on Thursday I left for about 1 of the 3 hours and the other 2 just stayed doing my things and left him in charge.

My friend Brenda once again showed what a great friend she is.  On Tuesday, she brought us dinner.  A delicious shrimp dish. 

Zoe turned 6 on Thursday, and they all came here for dinner on Friday to celebrate with us.  They brought dinner from a nearby Italian restaurant, and I had an ice cream cake for dessert.

Yesterday I took Bobby for a very needed haircut.  I took the opportunity to have a hair cut myself too.

Today we visited the Rodriguez for the first time.  We stopped at Paneras to get lunch, and headed their way. Jason played the role of handrail.  Bob climbed the side steps and walked up the grass area towards the backyard like a pro. It was good being able to do that and lovely to be with them. I was able to play with Zoe and Nico and to hold Olivia and Bob blew bubbles with the kids outside.

Tomorrow our friends Sally and Roger come for a visit again.  We are looking forward to having them here again.

So we go on...One day at a time, working hard.

Thanks for reading and for all the support.

Almost home

Hello everybody

In first place let me tell you that this is Shella writing, not Malu, so the writing may not be so good...

Malu had the baby on the wee hours of Thursday May 3rd. A gorgeous girl called Olivia Celina. I was lucky again and was able to be there at the delivery room, when this big girl (9 pd 7 oz and 19.5 in) arrived. Isn't she beautiful?












Bob is doing well, very anxious to go home. I think I have everything ready for him, but I am sure that when we are actually living there one thing or another may have to be changed.

The stair lifts are working well. Cecilia, Claudio, Lulu, Juju and Rita can attest to that. They came to visit Bob on the weekend of 4/28. I was supposed to meet them for lunch and then we would come to the Rehab to visit with Bob, but Bob surprised them and went to the restaurant too.

The next day Bob went out again, this time to the Japanese restaurant, with Malu, Jason, Zoe, Dominic, Bruce and Simone.

For both outings we only used the walker, not the wheel chair. He is getting stronger with the walking. I still am supposed to hold the gait belt, just in case he looses his balance, but I feel that this is happening less and less, and when it does, he balances himself and goes on walking. 

Debbie was here visiting this week. She arrived Wednesday afternoon and left Friday early evening. It was very good having her here, not only for Bob, but for me too. I was able to see Olivia being born, knowing that Bob was in good company.
I was finally able to sell my car, thanks to Jason's advice regarding the price (I had it too high), and Debbie's dedicated efforts posting it in Craig's List, filtering the emails and finally arranging the meet with the buyer. My friend Brenda helped too, driving with me to meet the buyer. It was such a relief for me. And I am so grateful, for all the help I had with that.

Bob is supposed to have some Home Care.  The visiting nurse should call  within 24 hours of us being home and then they will show up, evaluate Bobby and tell how many hours of therapy he will get, and for how long. Bob is aware that on the days that the therapists do not come to the house, he will have to work with me. That will be interesting.
After home care we will have outpatient therapy. But it is too early to say when and where.

I found a guy that will be helping me twice a week for 3 hours each time. This way I will be able to go out to do stuff and see the kids.

It was hard "moving out" of Jason and Malu's house today.  I am officially back at home tonight on my last night without Bobby. I am afraid of what lays ahead, but I will do my best to take good care of my dear husband.

Once we are settled I will try to write again.

Thanks for reading and for being so supportive. It has been very important for us.