Last week Vernon’s case manager pulled me aside to tell me something about Vernon. Inwardly groaning at what new bad news was to come, I followed him outside. He rarely comes to me with news so I knew it wouldn’t be good, especially after the last week or so of Dialysis troubles.

“It’s okay,” he assured me. “It’s good news.”

I still didn’t trust him. I was sure he was going to tell me Vernon had become too difficult a patient and we would need to find new care alternatives or perhaps that our insurance benefits had finally run out, so his news completely blindsided me.

“I was talking to the Director of Physical Therapy and he said he thinks that Vernon may be a good candidate for an Acute Rehab Hospital. Maybe in a few weeks, we can start asking for representatives to come out and asses him and see if he’s a fit.  Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Since I’ve already tried and failed to get into Rancho Los Amigos twice (although they only looked at his files, rather than sending someone out) it was hard to get excited about this news.  I was confused. This is what I wanted for him, yes…but I still worried that we were being kicked out.  Even if he were to be accepted, the rehab programs are usually 2 weeks long and then what?  Also, just that morning, I’d spoken to his PT and heard about how inconsistent his sessions had been. It was good news but it just didn’t fit with what I was seeing and hearing.

But that was a few days ago. The disbelief is thawing to hope again.  Since then, I have filled some of his PTs, OTs, and the Speech Therapist in on the idea. “Can we get him ready for this? What do you think?”

They all seem to think it would be the best thing for him and are joining me in the budding hope that it can happen.

So please join us in the hope that it will happen…if it is what is supposed to happen.

It still seems a long way off. Especially with the recent challenges that can make it feel like we aren’t moving forward at all.  Apparently the guys in charge think his inability to sit still and be comfortable are signs of mental improvement. He can’t sit in an upright wheelchair without trying to get out and stand or walk out of it. He can’t lie in a bed without trying to throw himself out. He regularly begs for me to take him home—or anywhere. It’s hard to take these as positives when its so much work to keep him still and so hard to leave him alone when the time comes.

So. We take a big breath and set our sails out again. What else can we do? But hope.

This is a video snapshot of where Vernon is today. Its difficult for him, but look how tall he gets!

On another note, Vernon’s AV Graft (in his arm) surgery has be rescheduled for Thursday. If I don’t blog before then, please keep that in your thoughts and prayers as well. Thank you, as always.

 

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