Met Nicky at a local diner on the corner for lunch and Arlene and Lee joined. We visited and ate then went around the corner to him in a train. We had a 2:30 appointment with the therapy team to review and set up the schedule for him that is kicking in since medicare has stopped paying.
Turns out he gets a free RNA program which is physical and occupational, and only have to pay for speech. Arlene and Lee had created a nice spreadsheet with projected budgets accounting for all three. Speech is of course the very most expensive, so its nice to be able to put the budget there instead.
Physical will consist of an arm and leg bike, walking etc...I believe they will also continue to assist him down to the dining room which he is enjoying. Speech wants 3 times a week for at least two weeks, then re-evalute. She is working on his swallowing and liquid intake. She says hes up and down with it...as soon as she thinks its time, he slides back a little.
He did have a moment of recognition a couple of days ago with Lee where he weeped a bit. Following an aha moment regarding swallowing. Still not sure what the tears were - happy sad frustration... I didnt want to pry him about it.
Hes really wanting to read, and cant get his Kindle to do the text to speech and if it does cant hear it in his headphones, so I brought it back with me and have it charged and working now. Im going to Hayward to have a beer with some friends tonight, and will see him tomorrow....or maybe after dinner since Im half out that way anyway.
Interesting part of the meeting was a review of the psychologists report which mentioned signs of Anhedonia.
Mostly interesting because its tied to dopamine which he takes a lot of - or the precusor to dopamine to be more accurate. There was also some other funny stuff that I immediately blurted out 'born with it' to.
Leaving here mid week next week. Will not visit again past Tuesday IF i get there Tuesday. If I go on tues I have to go super early so I can be here for the street cleaning parade at 12:30 and get the front spot so I can load my truck. From the time I get that parking spot to the time I leave I will not move my car. Ill spend the days local, cleaning, organizing and packing. I still haven't figured out how Im going to pack it and keep it secure but I'll wing it and do the roof cargo the morning of I suppose. I have a slow leak in my front tire that I need to get taken care of before....everyone say a prayer for safe travel. I will post check-ins to Facebook as I go for safety purposes.
No comments:
Post a Comment