Blog 18: It's Thursday!

(My beautiful orchid that my dear friend Henrik gave me)

Hi all! We are now playing catch-up to the blog. Since our last entry on Tuesday, I have attended physical therapy, interviewed another potential caregiver, looked at Kualoa Beach Park, got a new bed and took a lab test to find out my CO2 level. All of these activities, have centered around Jan, Natalie and Daniel's schedule of activity. 

For the last few days, I have been running as hard as I can away from catching a cold. So, on Tuesday, I decided to do land therapy instead of Aqua Therapy so not to exacerbate my cold. Daniel and Natalie have been taking good care of me, filling me up with vitamin C, green tea, nano greens and Zicam. 

My physician called me last weekend advising that I may have to have the Gastro Tube (I call it the gastronomic tube or the feeding tube) placed in the next month or near future. I knew this was coming about but was hoping it to be later, as once the tube is in place, I may not be able to go swimming anymore.   So I was very disappointed that I couldn't go swimming today because of this cold. I want to be able to swim in the ocean with Isabella who will be coming to visit me in a couple of weeks. 

Instead of swimming, Kathy, Punkin, Stote and Peggy came to our house and spent the afternoon. Picture this, Peggy is brushing my hair, Punkin is massaging one of my feet and Stote is massaging the other foot while Kathy is massaging Stote's back. How fun! Sorry we don't have a picture to prove it! Peggy and Stote even passed toileting 101 by taking me to the potty. Good going Stote and Peggy for the first time! They also relieved Natalie so she could go to work at Jan's office and gave Daniel a few hours to catch the south swell. So, we all thank you for coming up and making my day. Share the Care is here!

Last week, Daniel and I were at ACE Medical Supplies in Wahiawa to look for a sheep skin to put on the back of my power chair. While there, we talked to a sales lady who turned out to be the owner and a nurse acquaintance of mine. When we both recognized we knew each other, Violetta asked if I had a good bed. I told her we had a bed but I have been sleeping in my power chair for the last couple of weeks because of comfort. Violetta said she wanted to give me an air flow mattress that would prevent pressure sores and give me a good night's rest. So today, we received an Invacare MicroAir system bed. I don't know how to thank you enough, Violetta, as I don't think medical insurance would cover this bed. So thank you Violetta with all my heart. My bum thanks you too!

After the bed arrived, Daniel and Natalie had review class on the Hoyer Lift. It was fun to watch Daniel and Natalie learn how to use the Hoyer Lift, transferring each other from the bed to the wheelchair.  Natalie was pretending she couldn't move and Daniel put her into the power chair with the lift and she slithered down the front of the wheelchair to the floor. Practice, practice, practice!

Also this week, I was scheduled for an arterial blood gas lab test that measures acid/base balance, PH and the CO2 level in your blood. It is not official, but the lab tech said my test results were fine. Tomorrow I see my pulmonogist for the results and take another pulmonary function test (breathing test). Wish me good karma for blowing into the tube. 

We are still working on the Fourth of July BBQ and may change the location depending on what we can find available.  So we will keep you posted as time is of the essence. We are still looking for anyone that may be able to donate food such as hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, condiments, beverages, etc.

Until tomorrow... 

Goodnight Bella, Goodnight Spike! Nana loves you!

Goodnight Glizza!

Aloha, Vi