Divine intervention; Miracle on Korczak Crescent
I had an opportunity to attend to my own work for school today while available to receive necessary personal calls towards Gilly’s ongoing care. It was a productive, calm day. I believe that Steven’s divine intervention last night in partnership with Yaron had something to do with it; I slept like a log for short intervals, but managed to fall back into a deep sleep after each interruption. Gilly was in good hands during the first Temodal evening; my energy level received a boost. Thanks guys!
Brad called with the final verdict; we have been granted 8 hours a week of care giving (as opposed to the 2 hours we originally had in place). 1 hour is on hold because there's a funding problem at the CSSS, but as soon as it clears, the hour will be applied to Gilly's care. Veronica, from a company called Paraide, will come on Mondays from 11:00 to 3:00 and Tuesdays from 2:00 to 5:00. I rearranged the hours for physio, so Gilly may be accompanied by Veronica on Mondays and Margaret on Thursdays.
A representative from the transport service I applied for called today to ensure that I received the information package. I explained that I haven’t had the time to look at it carefully, but I plan to at this point. I would not have sent him on transport alone, but now that his caregivers will accompany him to physio, we can activate this system as needed. It is a service offered by the city bus system, and so it costs a bus ticket a ride. I think that’s more than fair; it’s wonderful.
I received another important call; Louise from Lethbridge called to set up an appointment for an evaluation with their team of experts. She had called yesterday and spoke to Gilly. She asked if he is aphasic. I explained that he has not been formally diagnosed as such, but Robert said he believed it’s expressive aphasia. She asked several questions and determined that the case requires immediate action.
He will not be placed on a waiting list. Their clinic is held on Mondays and Thursdays. They’re booked solid this Monday so she wanted to have us come in on Thursday for two hours. I explained that this is the day we are scheduled to see the oncologist. Also, Gilly missed physio yesterday because of the delay in making the Temodal decision; I could have arranged for him to go in the end, but it was way too complicated being that it was Margaret’s first day and Steven was in town. He started Temodal 2 days late, so he’ll still be on Temodal on Monday, so I’ve cancelled physio. My instinct tells me that canceling next Thursday’s appointment for physio as well (meaning he’d not have physio for two full weeks) is unwise. 2 activities out in one day is more than enough, so I asked Louise if it can wait until the following Monday. She was adamant about a Thursday appointment; she said the team on Thursday is very experienced. She harped on the fact that the case is very complex and requires immediate expert attention. I was duly impressed with her genuine concern. She promised to call me back with an exact time, but we agreed it would take place a week from Thursday, and that I must attend.
She candidly asked, “Do you think your husband is capable of learning?” I wondered out loud why Robert would send us for an assessment at a rehabilitation center if this is not a possibility, but I admitted I do not know. I hope, with every fiber of my being, that he can relearn some of what he’s lost, and that he could learn a new past time to improve his quality of life in general. She agreed. When she signed off she wished me courage. I didn’t bother to say, “I have no choice.” Margaret led me to understand that I do; I have control over my reactions and responses. I will continue to be as brave as I can be, even when dealing with less than comfortable aspects of this whole situation, most of which revolve around the need for me to take on a role that differs in many ways from the role of ‘wife’ I once knew.
We’re on our way to Grandma’s for a pre-Hanukah gathering, since she’s off to Florida soon and will not be here to celebrate when the holiday appears on the calendar. Surrounded by family, latkes and dreidles, my spirits will surely rise with renewed hope for a miracle. Happy Un-Hanukah to all.
Brad called with the final verdict; we have been granted 8 hours a week of care giving (as opposed to the 2 hours we originally had in place). 1 hour is on hold because there's a funding problem at the CSSS, but as soon as it clears, the hour will be applied to Gilly's care. Veronica, from a company called Paraide, will come on Mondays from 11:00 to 3:00 and Tuesdays from 2:00 to 5:00. I rearranged the hours for physio, so Gilly may be accompanied by Veronica on Mondays and Margaret on Thursdays.
A representative from the transport service I applied for called today to ensure that I received the information package. I explained that I haven’t had the time to look at it carefully, but I plan to at this point. I would not have sent him on transport alone, but now that his caregivers will accompany him to physio, we can activate this system as needed. It is a service offered by the city bus system, and so it costs a bus ticket a ride. I think that’s more than fair; it’s wonderful.
I received another important call; Louise from Lethbridge called to set up an appointment for an evaluation with their team of experts. She had called yesterday and spoke to Gilly. She asked if he is aphasic. I explained that he has not been formally diagnosed as such, but Robert said he believed it’s expressive aphasia. She asked several questions and determined that the case requires immediate action.
He will not be placed on a waiting list. Their clinic is held on Mondays and Thursdays. They’re booked solid this Monday so she wanted to have us come in on Thursday for two hours. I explained that this is the day we are scheduled to see the oncologist. Also, Gilly missed physio yesterday because of the delay in making the Temodal decision; I could have arranged for him to go in the end, but it was way too complicated being that it was Margaret’s first day and Steven was in town. He started Temodal 2 days late, so he’ll still be on Temodal on Monday, so I’ve cancelled physio. My instinct tells me that canceling next Thursday’s appointment for physio as well (meaning he’d not have physio for two full weeks) is unwise. 2 activities out in one day is more than enough, so I asked Louise if it can wait until the following Monday. She was adamant about a Thursday appointment; she said the team on Thursday is very experienced. She harped on the fact that the case is very complex and requires immediate expert attention. I was duly impressed with her genuine concern. She promised to call me back with an exact time, but we agreed it would take place a week from Thursday, and that I must attend.
She candidly asked, “Do you think your husband is capable of learning?” I wondered out loud why Robert would send us for an assessment at a rehabilitation center if this is not a possibility, but I admitted I do not know. I hope, with every fiber of my being, that he can relearn some of what he’s lost, and that he could learn a new past time to improve his quality of life in general. She agreed. When she signed off she wished me courage. I didn’t bother to say, “I have no choice.” Margaret led me to understand that I do; I have control over my reactions and responses. I will continue to be as brave as I can be, even when dealing with less than comfortable aspects of this whole situation, most of which revolve around the need for me to take on a role that differs in many ways from the role of ‘wife’ I once knew.
We’re on our way to Grandma’s for a pre-Hanukah gathering, since she’s off to Florida soon and will not be here to celebrate when the holiday appears on the calendar. Surrounded by family, latkes and dreidles, my spirits will surely rise with renewed hope for a miracle. Happy Un-Hanukah to all.
posted by Gilly at 6:27 PM
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