On May 30, 2008, at 2:06 PM, Gary Teller wrote:
> Be mindful of one of the cardinal rules of caregiving-make
> sure you and your wife continue to take care of your own physical and
> mental well being.
Amen! It's an easy rule to remember and a hard one to implement. Last
night we both made it back to Round Pond at the same time, had a few
hours, ate dinner together at a good restaurant down by the harbor,
then she went back to Portland and I stayed here to work in a shop
today. I'm working tonight supporting an agency client, and will be
going back to Portland in the morning. Good Lord willing and the
crick don't rise, we'll move Ben to a hospital in Boothbay Harbor
tomorrow for another five weeks of IV therapy. It's a whole lot
closer. In fact, Joan works for the hospital's occupational health
department.
Funny, the shift between medical concerns and political concerns as
hospitals and skilled care facilities either said yes or no to Ben's
placement based on Medicaid reimbursement. His condition continues to
improve, however, so that's good. Moving to a new hospital may be a
bit tricky, as he tends to like things consistent. But the agency
that supports him is committed, even though he's technically off the
books right now until they can work out a reimbursement agreement
with the hospital. It would take about fifteen minutes without a
trained caregiver there before they came screaming for help.
Fortunately, the hospital he's going to has provided a number of
mentally handicapped individuals with long-term medical care in the
past, so in theory they know the drill, or, more accurately, they
know there is a drill. If they will listen to us about the non-
medical aspects of Benjamin management, things could go rather
smoothly. And truth to tell, I'd rather have a Ben demonstrating his
range of behaviors than a Ben slowly fading away like a vampire's
latest victim.
This has all been one of those educations one hopes to avoid. <g> And
wasn't someone else recently discussing a Teutonic philosopher known
for such sayings as "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger"?
From time to time I'd like to dig that fellow up, hang his remains,
and then bury him again.
I DON'T WANT TO BE ANY STRONGER!!!
Sorry. <g>
--Bob
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