Rehab

So we begin with Rehab. It is now June 3rd and Healthsouth has an available bed, so we take it for fear that there won't be one anytime soon. We pack everything up and she is transported to Healthsouth. I ride with her from the hospital in the transport van to Healthsouth. It is Thursday and this ordeal started 6 days ago. Wow, it was hard to even remember what day it was, much less the date.

She is admitted to Healthsouth, lots of questions and lots of paperwork, but she is in her bed and resting. I am answering the questions. Mom tells the nurse that I know more about her health than she does. She is so tired and just doing really well. It is an exhausting day and I sleep in the chair next to her bed. I am so thankful for my sisters, Karen and Patti. We work in shifts and take turns sitting with mom. I hate leaving her when it is not my turn to stay with her. We were told that we could not spend the night with her, but because she is not doing well they allow us to since her roommate has said it was okay. She has the sweetest roommate. Her name is Lavern, so I tease them both that they are Lavern and Shirley. We really like Lavern, she is such a sweet little christian lady. Her daughter is the administrative assistant here at Healthsouth and she is also so very kind.

The rehab stay begins. She starts therapy the day after admission and they waste no time. She sleeps through alot of the therapy. She is so tired the least amount of activity wears her out. We enjoy seeing Lavern everyday. She is so upbeat, she is scheduled to go home on the 8th.

So now it is Sunday and Mom is weighed, she has lost 8 pounds in four days. She is not eating well and Dr. Hennigan suggests a PEG tube. We had hoped to avoid this, but 8 pounds is alot to lose. On Monday the 7th we agree that she needs the tube. We think it will be several days before it is done since she is on aspirin and Plavix.

Well, PEG day is here, it is going to happen today, Tuesday June 8th. So much faster than expected. I am concerned that she has not been off of the aspirin/Plavix long enough but the surgeon placing the tube wants to do it.

Tuesday June 8th: We are leaving to go to GCH GI clinic to have the PEG tube placed today. As we are leaving, Ms. Lavern tells us that she will most likely be gone when we return. SHe hugs us by and tells us that she will be praying for all of us. I cry because we will miss her, she is so precious. But good for her she gets to go home.

We head off to GCH for the PEG tube and again I am able to stay with her until they take her in to the procedure room and then I get back to her as soon as they are done. The PEG insertion is uneventful and we head back to her room at Healthsouth. We return and Ms. Lavern is gone, her bed empty, one day we hope that mom's rehab bed will be empty and she will be at home, time will tell.