On the positive side of things, it seems like Chris is vocalizing a bit more than usual lately, somewhat correlated with recently stopping the anti-convulsant Gabapentin?
For instance, when we shifted him up in the bed last night, he groaned at us, like, “Stop moving me around, y’all!”. Makes ya smile.
When it looks like the money is about to run out, your long-term prognosis is suddenly worsened.
In an attempt to make a geriatric nursing home look like an appealing alternative to LTAC, the hospital discontinued all physical and occupational therapy today. The medical director claimed it’s due to lack of gains and possibility for future gains, despite what the PT/OT therapists report during the actual therapies.
I’m not sure what to say at this point. Chris was fortunate enough to be a Party Member, to outline things in Orwellian terms. He went to college, he chose a challenging field and he worked hard at his job. What do you do when your Party Membership is revoked?
My folks told me that Chris had another swallow study yesterday evening. The swallowing part works, but he’s unable to propel the material with the back of his tongue.
I’d guess that after more than four months of not eating anything, that’d be challenging for anyone.
THANK YOU to all the folks who’ve come down to the hospital to visit Chris this weekend. It’s therapeutic for us, and it’s good for Chris to see and hear the people that are rooting for him to recover. Thanks, y’all.
Figured I’d also provide a general status update. We’re not sure where we’re heading next. And we’re not sure when “next” is at this point. Chris is too young for a nursing home to take him, but the hospital and his insurance are balking about him staying at Texas NeuroRehab (a long-term acute care facility).
Last night was shower night for Chris (done by my mom and one of the hospital techs, John); Chris always looks very relaxed after getting cleaned up in the shower chair. My girlfriend Maria and her dad came down to the hospital last night, too – always good for Chris to see and hear new people. We left around 22:15 – Chris was conked out.
Along those lines, and I suppose while we’re still at Texas Neuro: I’d like to encourage folks to visit Chris this weekend. We’re doing the moto thing on Sunday, but we’ll naturally be there all weekend with Chris (weekend visiting hours are noon-9pm).
Texas NeuroRehab
Bluebonnet Hospital
1604 W. Dittmar Rd.
Austin, TX 78745
Visitors are great for Chris, and for us, too – sometimes feels kinda lonely out there, especially for my parents, since they aren’t from Austin. Living in an RV park off of I-35 doesn’t lift your spirits, ya know? (and yeah, we all lived in my apartment at the start of the move to Austin, but it’s 22 miles from the hospital… in Austin rush hour traffic)
I’ve rounded up a few ARL:UT folks for a motorcycle ride down to Texas NeuroRehab on Sunday. We’re going to meet up at the north Austin Taco Deli at 10AM, have some breakfast, and head out to the hospital at 10:30AM.
Google Maps Route down to the hospital from Taco Deli (via Spicewood Springs Road and Loop 360).
Taco Deli was part of the weekend routine every time Chris came up to Austin to hang out. We’d usually go to Dunkin Donuts afterward and then back to the apartment, before going down to Town Lake to run.
My mom and I had dinner last night at the T.G.I. Friday’s off Slaughter Lane near the hospital. Next to our table, admist all the franchise restaurant kitsch, was a quote on the wallpaper from William Allen White:
“I am not afraid of tomorrow,
for I have seen yesterday and I love today.”
Figured I’d transition away from using Facebook for updates on Chris, and go to this more accessible format for folks.
