wildernessDad
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2006
- Messages
- 5,092
Glad that GM is out of that nasty place and into his happy place.
BroganMc's Live Blog from Disney
- Thread starter BroganMc
- Start date
Brogan, I know exactly what you mean
I find SSR so restorative on a healing level. You truly know you are doing something good for yourself when you are there.
It is truly a retreat not just a resort.
Sounds like SSR is working on Gm too.
Im also glad you have your cousin there with you and that you haven't lost your sense of humor
I find SSR so restorative on a healing level. You truly know you are doing something good for yourself when you are there. It is truly a retreat not just a resort.
Sounds like SSR is working on Gm too.
Im also glad you have your cousin there with you and that you haven't lost your sense of humor
Tarheel Tink
Cosmos mariner-destination unknown
- Joined
- Aug 21, 1999
- Messages
- 1,766
I've been a GM fan for a while now and just want to toss in my Get Well Soon!
Take care of yourself BroganMc; caretaker is a tough job as you and many of us know so I'm glad to know you are getting some help.
Best wishes and so happy you are at SSR- what a recovery place!
Take care of yourself BroganMc; caretaker is a tough job as you and many of us know so I'm glad to know you are getting some help.
Best wishes and so happy you are at SSR- what a recovery place!
BroganMc
It's not the age, it's the mileage
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 2,991
He's back...
Well Grandpa Mohawk has settled into SSR. He's a little rusty, understandably, and still getting his bearings in this new recovery mode. It's a lot of hard work learning to live life with one bum leg and battling through. But now he's getting himself up and back and forth across the studio.
We had a little bit of s slow start today. Seems we were all tired so had a long lie in. My cousin seems to have the hardest time of it since he's a nightowl. But he still got up and went on the breakfast run to AP.
Visiting nurse came around 1pm and did the intake paperwork. She's coming back every day for the next week between 8-9am so we'll have to switch to morning hours again.
GM can now lift his leg higher. The swelling is still there but slowly going down. He's also learning a few new tricks on how to use dressing sticks and the other methods I've picked up over the years in coping with limited mobility. Probably his worst time of it has been me. See I'm not one to coddle but gently encourage him to keep progressing. Until his PT's start coming, he needs someone to remind him to do his exercises and keep him from getting too complacent. It's tricky because we can't overdo or underdo it. Slowly we're settling into a routine of rest and recuperation.
After the nurse came by, I decided 24 hours was enough time to spend in this tiny room. A trip to Bell Services to pick up his elevating leg rests and we went out for a stroll. GM, my cousin and I ended up sitting by the Congress Park pool in a nice shadey spot. I went for drinks and lunch at AP (corn chowder for GM and an Asian Chicken Salad for my cousin and I).
GM was still game for a little walk so we took the waterfront path along DTD, including the nature path and back around to the gazebo. By the time we got back to the room it started sprinkling. GM was happy I let him just snooze on the sofa and went for drink refills. Our GP called from home and had a long talk with him about what happened and what he needs at home. I even called my sis and touched base about the visiting nurse instructions and routine. When it comes to medicine I look to my sis as the expert; she is a clinical pharmacist and has worked in hospitals for years. She was ok with things.
Another walk back to the Front Desk and I changed my MNSSHP tickets again. They were rescheduled for tonight (postponed from my birthday) but GM is nowhere up to that yet. So I've picked next Thursday, night before we leave. It'll be my last chance to go this year. I'm hoping GM might be up to a little outing via scooter or wheelchair by then, but worst comes to worst I can go alone. My brothers may also be flying in that night to take GM home Friday. Call me an optimist or diehard but I hate to give up on everything just yet.
While I was at the Carriage House those sprinkles turned to hard rain. So I took my time talking to the DVC Kiosk CM and looking at the pictures of BLT. I also stopped by Community Hall and got a big hug from Sundee. She stopped me talking just in time to point out 4 young ladies walking to the bus stop dressed to the nines for MNSSHP. There was Little Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland, a witch and my favorite... the Queen of Hearts with a lit-up skirt.
The pool movie was rescheduled for indoor. Since it is rainy and I know they keep that air on frigid, we just decided to stay in for the night. Cousin went for dinner at AP while my brother called GM to check in. Now we're watching Monsters Inc., a movie my cousin has never seen. I keep telling him he reminds me of Sully... big, a bit goofy but with a huge heart and very strong.
As for me, I'm taking on the impression of part drill sargeant and part nursemaid. The hardest part is knowing when to push and when to coddle. I've started tracking his medicine and vitals again (I'm a big recordkeeper) and doing his PT reps with him. (They do me just as much good anyway.) I am looking forward to that Sunday night outing though. I'm doubting GM will be up for it by then but I think he and my cousin will probably enjoy a quiet night in without me.
Well Grandpa Mohawk has settled into SSR. He's a little rusty, understandably, and still getting his bearings in this new recovery mode. It's a lot of hard work learning to live life with one bum leg and battling through. But now he's getting himself up and back and forth across the studio.
We had a little bit of s slow start today. Seems we were all tired so had a long lie in. My cousin seems to have the hardest time of it since he's a nightowl. But he still got up and went on the breakfast run to AP.
Visiting nurse came around 1pm and did the intake paperwork. She's coming back every day for the next week between 8-9am so we'll have to switch to morning hours again.
GM can now lift his leg higher. The swelling is still there but slowly going down. He's also learning a few new tricks on how to use dressing sticks and the other methods I've picked up over the years in coping with limited mobility. Probably his worst time of it has been me. See I'm not one to coddle but gently encourage him to keep progressing. Until his PT's start coming, he needs someone to remind him to do his exercises and keep him from getting too complacent. It's tricky because we can't overdo or underdo it. Slowly we're settling into a routine of rest and recuperation.
After the nurse came by, I decided 24 hours was enough time to spend in this tiny room. A trip to Bell Services to pick up his elevating leg rests and we went out for a stroll. GM, my cousin and I ended up sitting by the Congress Park pool in a nice shadey spot. I went for drinks and lunch at AP (corn chowder for GM and an Asian Chicken Salad for my cousin and I).
GM was still game for a little walk so we took the waterfront path along DTD, including the nature path and back around to the gazebo. By the time we got back to the room it started sprinkling. GM was happy I let him just snooze on the sofa and went for drink refills. Our GP called from home and had a long talk with him about what happened and what he needs at home. I even called my sis and touched base about the visiting nurse instructions and routine. When it comes to medicine I look to my sis as the expert; she is a clinical pharmacist and has worked in hospitals for years. She was ok with things.
Another walk back to the Front Desk and I changed my MNSSHP tickets again. They were rescheduled for tonight (postponed from my birthday) but GM is nowhere up to that yet. So I've picked next Thursday, night before we leave. It'll be my last chance to go this year. I'm hoping GM might be up to a little outing via scooter or wheelchair by then, but worst comes to worst I can go alone. My brothers may also be flying in that night to take GM home Friday. Call me an optimist or diehard but I hate to give up on everything just yet.
While I was at the Carriage House those sprinkles turned to hard rain. So I took my time talking to the DVC Kiosk CM and looking at the pictures of BLT. I also stopped by Community Hall and got a big hug from Sundee. She stopped me talking just in time to point out 4 young ladies walking to the bus stop dressed to the nines for MNSSHP. There was Little Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland, a witch and my favorite... the Queen of Hearts with a lit-up skirt.
The pool movie was rescheduled for indoor. Since it is rainy and I know they keep that air on frigid, we just decided to stay in for the night. Cousin went for dinner at AP while my brother called GM to check in. Now we're watching Monsters Inc., a movie my cousin has never seen. I keep telling him he reminds me of Sully... big, a bit goofy but with a huge heart and very strong.
As for me, I'm taking on the impression of part drill sargeant and part nursemaid. The hardest part is knowing when to push and when to coddle. I've started tracking his medicine and vitals again (I'm a big recordkeeper) and doing his PT reps with him. (They do me just as much good anyway.) I am looking forward to that Sunday night outing though. I'm doubting GM will be up for it by then but I think he and my cousin will probably enjoy a quiet night in without me.
jekjones1558
Always happy at Disney
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2000
- Messages
- 9,477
Wow! No cast? What if the leg gets bumped?
BroganMc
It's not the age, it's the mileage
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 2,991
There's a titanium rod pinned to his unbroken bones providing an internal cast. Nowadays they do not immobilize the leg but encourage patients to begin using it again. You can't put all your weight on it, but they want you to move it around to increase circulation, maintain muscle tone and encourage bone growth. GM has a bandage up his thigh protecting it from any bumps and he has strict instructions to be careful. We won't let him rotate the hip or strain in anyway.
I was shocked too when I was told he wouldn't have a cast and they'd get him outa bed the day after surgery. The goal today is to get back to normalcy as quickly as possible.
BroganMc
It's not the age, it's the mileage
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 2,991
Update: Another day and another milestone.
GM's visiting nurse had us all up by 7:30am. She observed GM do his own Lovanox injection (something he's taking for a week to prevent blood clots). His vitals were all normal and his leg has lost more swelling.
But it seems his orthopedist did not order PT as he was supposed to. So until we get home, I am his Pain & Torture Specialist. Fortunately I've had 30 years experience in the field and do all his assigned exercises for my own personal PT.
So after he dressed and before my shower, I led him in his routine. I'm a pretty good drill sargeant but I have learned a little heart being on the receiving end of PT for years. I saved his most painful exercise for last knowing it would hurt like the dickens and tire him out. he also got to just rest while I jumped into the shower.
Meanwhile my cousin went over to Bell Services and fetched GM's scooter. We thought perhaps it would make a better vehicle for him here. His wheelchair (as I expected) is not the most comfortable thing. It has a sling seat that sags in the middle and the elevating footrests are not very helpful. They're too short and put all the weight of his leg on his calf. With the scooter he has a higher, sturdier padded seat, enough leg room to stretch out and has that tiller in front to protect him from Disney crosscutters. It's also self propelled with a basket in front giving GM back a sense of independence outside the studio.
My goal for GM was to ease back into reality away from the hospital setting and remind himself that this was just a temporary setback instead of life-changing incident. Being at Disney he has all the accessibility he needs in the room as well as publicly.
So with my cousin carrying his walker (we still need a method of hauling that), GM in his scooter and me in my powerchair we set off for breakfast at Artist's Palette.
My job was to scope out a table, one outside in front of the bubbling springs and within earshot of the soft background music. It was under cover so protected from sun and rain. The weather was a perfect mid-80's, partly cloudy with a cool breeze making it even nicer than yesterday. There was even a rocking chair for GM to sit in, prop his foot up and eat breakfast.
He was feeling up to a challenge so decided (by himself) to walk into the lobby and use the rest room. My cousin took up his role of personal shadow for GM leaving me outside to watch the food and chat with a couple of SSR newbies just checking in to celebrte their anniversary. I pulled out the map and pointed out some of our favorite walking trails and shortcuts. Gave them the usual inside info about the bus routes, best pools and things to do at DTD for a romantic night out.
After breakfast we decided to stop into Community Hall for a bit. The sun was coming down strong making it decidedly hot and the air conditioning refreshingly cool inside CH. I noticed they were doing ceramics today so immediately signed up. I expected my cousin and Gm to head back to the room for a nap, but cousin had to paint a masterpiece horse figurine. He was mixing paints, texturizing the finish and doing all sorts of wild things I never heard of. The finished product looks better than anything CH staff did. I settled on a pumpkin snowwoman with a Baltimore Ravens outfit. GM just propped his foot up, dozed and observed.
There was lots to observe. My cousin and I painting, some little kids drawing and the Goodfellas playing the mother of all battles of RISK. It was a dad and his boys, all with thick New York accents daring each other to destroy one another.
It got a bit chilly in CH after a while so by 3pm, GM had us heading back to the studio for a mid-day nap. As I write this both he and cousin are curled up in their respective beds snoring. I pulled up one of my sleeptime playlists on the computer, snuck into the bathroom and called CM Linda about tomorrow.
I made my plans to meet the girls for F&W and fireworks tomorrow evening. I invted GM along but he's still tentative about that. Instead he's considering doing the MNSSHP on Thursday, at least for fireworks, parade and trick-or-treating. That would be our last night in Florida and two weeks after his surgery so may be very feasible.
We don't want to overdo things too much so no commando park touring or rides. But I figure if we can get GM to share positive Disney experiences post-accident it will turn this trip from disaster to adventure.
My brother worries we're working GM too hard but my cousin and I are probably the best rehab specialists he could have right now. He doesn't take a step without us there and I have him on a schedule for just about everything from medicine to check of the vitals to diet. This has become one of the best recovery facilities I've ever seen. And let's face it. The next 6 weeks at home are going to be plenty boring and difficult enough.
GM's visiting nurse had us all up by 7:30am. She observed GM do his own Lovanox injection (something he's taking for a week to prevent blood clots). His vitals were all normal and his leg has lost more swelling.
But it seems his orthopedist did not order PT as he was supposed to. So until we get home, I am his Pain & Torture Specialist. Fortunately I've had 30 years experience in the field and do all his assigned exercises for my own personal PT.
So after he dressed and before my shower, I led him in his routine. I'm a pretty good drill sargeant but I have learned a little heart being on the receiving end of PT for years. I saved his most painful exercise for last knowing it would hurt like the dickens and tire him out. he also got to just rest while I jumped into the shower.
Meanwhile my cousin went over to Bell Services and fetched GM's scooter. We thought perhaps it would make a better vehicle for him here. His wheelchair (as I expected) is not the most comfortable thing. It has a sling seat that sags in the middle and the elevating footrests are not very helpful. They're too short and put all the weight of his leg on his calf. With the scooter he has a higher, sturdier padded seat, enough leg room to stretch out and has that tiller in front to protect him from Disney crosscutters. It's also self propelled with a basket in front giving GM back a sense of independence outside the studio.
My goal for GM was to ease back into reality away from the hospital setting and remind himself that this was just a temporary setback instead of life-changing incident. Being at Disney he has all the accessibility he needs in the room as well as publicly.
So with my cousin carrying his walker (we still need a method of hauling that), GM in his scooter and me in my powerchair we set off for breakfast at Artist's Palette.
My job was to scope out a table, one outside in front of the bubbling springs and within earshot of the soft background music. It was under cover so protected from sun and rain. The weather was a perfect mid-80's, partly cloudy with a cool breeze making it even nicer than yesterday. There was even a rocking chair for GM to sit in, prop his foot up and eat breakfast.
He was feeling up to a challenge so decided (by himself) to walk into the lobby and use the rest room. My cousin took up his role of personal shadow for GM leaving me outside to watch the food and chat with a couple of SSR newbies just checking in to celebrte their anniversary. I pulled out the map and pointed out some of our favorite walking trails and shortcuts. Gave them the usual inside info about the bus routes, best pools and things to do at DTD for a romantic night out.
After breakfast we decided to stop into Community Hall for a bit. The sun was coming down strong making it decidedly hot and the air conditioning refreshingly cool inside CH. I noticed they were doing ceramics today so immediately signed up. I expected my cousin and Gm to head back to the room for a nap, but cousin had to paint a masterpiece horse figurine. He was mixing paints, texturizing the finish and doing all sorts of wild things I never heard of. The finished product looks better than anything CH staff did. I settled on a pumpkin snowwoman with a Baltimore Ravens outfit. GM just propped his foot up, dozed and observed.
There was lots to observe. My cousin and I painting, some little kids drawing and the Goodfellas playing the mother of all battles of RISK. It was a dad and his boys, all with thick New York accents daring each other to destroy one another.
It got a bit chilly in CH after a while so by 3pm, GM had us heading back to the studio for a mid-day nap. As I write this both he and cousin are curled up in their respective beds snoring. I pulled up one of my sleeptime playlists on the computer, snuck into the bathroom and called CM Linda about tomorrow.
I made my plans to meet the girls for F&W and fireworks tomorrow evening. I invted GM along but he's still tentative about that. Instead he's considering doing the MNSSHP on Thursday, at least for fireworks, parade and trick-or-treating. That would be our last night in Florida and two weeks after his surgery so may be very feasible.
We don't want to overdo things too much so no commando park touring or rides. But I figure if we can get GM to share positive Disney experiences post-accident it will turn this trip from disaster to adventure.
My brother worries we're working GM too hard but my cousin and I are probably the best rehab specialists he could have right now. He doesn't take a step without us there and I have him on a schedule for just about everything from medicine to check of the vitals to diet. This has become one of the best recovery facilities I've ever seen. And let's face it. The next 6 weeks at home are going to be plenty boring and difficult enough.
marshmallow
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2004
- Messages
- 74
Wow you really know your stuff when it comes to what your father needs. You are such a blessing for him. This really could have been an awful week for him but you are giving him excellent care and plenty of diversion without overtaxing him.
Hmmm maybe you could start your own recuperation/rehab business. People who have gone through a trauma of some sort meet you at SSR for a week of encouragement, tough love and therapy.
Anyway thanks for the updates, I know I am one of many who are following your progress. I hope you have wonderful weather for your girls night out.
Hmmm maybe you could start your own recuperation/rehab business. People who have gone through a trauma of some sort meet you at SSR for a week of encouragement, tough love and therapy.
Anyway thanks for the updates, I know I am one of many who are following your progress. I hope you have wonderful weather for your girls night out.
twinklebug
Home is where the heart is.
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2005
- Messages
- 9,641
Sounds like SSR s starting to work it's magic on GM
Now... about that cousin of yours... a great guy like that needs a great gal. Time for him to stop hiding ~way~ back in the pics under that hat. How bout a candid shot of him with a mickey bar? We'll get him a disney gal somehow. Maybe post an ad over on the singles thread
I think you've earned that girls time tomorrow... enjoy!!!
Now... about that cousin of yours... a great guy like that needs a great gal. Time for him to stop hiding ~way~ back in the pics under that hat. How bout a candid shot of him with a mickey bar? We'll get him a disney gal somehow. Maybe post an ad over on the singles thread
I think you've earned that girls time tomorrow... enjoy!!!
Sounds like SSR s starting to work it's magic on GM
Now... about that cousin of yours... a great guy like that needs a great gal. Time for him to stop hiding ~way~ back in the pics under that hat. How bout a candid shot of him with a mickey bar? We'll get him a disney gal somehow.
I think you've earned that girls time tomorrow... enjoy!!!
I agree...lets see some pics of the cousin! He sounds like a great guy. We are going to need some more info....post his stats please!
5forDiz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2001
- Messages
- 3,366
Glad to hear GM is making great progress & continued best wishes for complete recovery
.Have to say though that am dismayed by above statement - don't appreciate stereotyping - - too too much of it in the world in general, maybe I'm just being naive but I think of these boards as being a safe haven from it.
Karenj2
Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog!
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2002
- Messages
- 1,921
Brogan, you made me laugh out loud while reading your updates! You are SO strong and upbeat - I hope that you got the mini break you needed today (wasn't it today?)
Tell your cousin to give you a hug for me! As others have already said - if I ever need rehab for anything, I'm going to give you a call!
Tell GM I said hi, too, and tell him he's lookin' good! I'll say prayers for continued recovery...
Tell your cousin to give you a hug for me! As others have already said - if I ever need rehab for anything, I'm going to give you a call!
Tell GM I said hi, too, and tell him he's lookin' good! I'll say prayers for continued recovery...
BroganMc
It's not the age, it's the mileage
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 2,991
Update: Why the Road to Recovery is Rocky and Requires Teamwork
Where did I leave off? Ah, Saturday evening. After the nice restful afternoon nap, GM, my cousin and I got up for dinner. GM's leg swelling went down and he did his exercises. He has a set of 10 to do, his hardest a full leg lift off the bed. When he started them a week ago, he couldn't clear the mattress. Now he gets a good 3-4 inches up. As I expected (because I have the same problem) that first lift is the hardest and needs just a tad of assistance. Then we set a goal for him to hit on the way up (a hand in the air as a marker). The object of this exercise is not so much height as it is control, so you know you're tired when your leg drops to the mattress instead of lowering gently.
It hurts him but we can see he's getting stronger. He only drops his leg on the last two lifts and the pain subsides a bit quicker with each day.
We debated where to go to dinner. Usually we love going over to DTD and Wolfgang's or Raglan Road, but it's Saturday night and GM just isn't up to all the crowds yet. So we head back to Artist's Palette for dinner.
The air is a bit windy and chilly for GM so we make certain he has his fleece pullover (strange I know but older folk tend to run cooler than us youngbloods). He opts for Tomato Florentine soup and I get the Chicken Alfredo. My cousin gets the cheeseburger flatbread and we grab our regular table outside (warmer than the artic AC conditions inside).
By the time we head back (with a detour out on the Congress Park walkway to see DTD all lit up, GM is pooped. His leg is also swelling a bit again, so we decide it's time to just curl up in bed for the night. He's also starting to feel a bit depressed. Ever since his nap he's been thinking about all the clutter at home and the things he can't do with a broken leg.
I expected this. Anytime someone goes from perfectly able to disabled it is a shock to the mind. And depression is never a good thing in an older person. So we talk, I listen, commiserate and console and finally remind GM of the one thing that gets me through such feelings... everytime you think of what you can't do remind yourself of something you can do. My cousin and I also reassure him with his list of accomplishments since just leaving the hospital. He's had rapid progress and needs us far less. He finally gets to sleep with me hoping and praying the blues go away for him.
I do talk to my sis just to check up on what the sibs planned for my dad's return trip. Seems my brother hadn't gotten around to calling her yet. I know nothing beyond what was supposed to happen and get a little frustrated.
Sunday... GM gets us all up because it's about time the visiting nurse came to give him his shot. This time I'm in the shower giving my hair a much needed washing (when you're a caretaker you have surprisingly little time for such things) and let GM and my cousin handle things. GM gives himself his morning shot and we see his leg swelling has gone down even more than its lowest the day before. Progress.
We were all getting a bit tired of waffles, eggs & bacon so this morning we decide to just eat in the room. I have to go down to the Front Desk and get the new keys for our stay extension. My cousin hands me the TV and DVD remotes on the way out the door. Both have dead batteries and need replacement. So while I'm at the Front Desk fumbling with the high counter (for some reason I never get to see the one CM available at the low wheelchair counters), my hands full of stuff and using my wheelchair seat as a table, another guest comes marching up to the desk demanding the CM helping me get him the Front Desk Manager.
The CM politely asks him what the issue is so she can get the correct manager to deal with it. He insists he have the "Front Desk Manager". You have a problem with your room, she asks? Yes, he growls, get him the manager NOW! Well out comes the manager and inquires what the problem is. Seems the guest was just weighing his bags for the airline check in and they are overweight by a couple pounds. I silently roll my eyes wondering what that has to do with the guest's room. Did he think housekeeping stuffed extra soaps in his luggage while he wasn't looking? And meanwhile here I am insisting I'll just stretch to reach the little credit card sign sheet and juggle my wheelchair seat worth of stuff, all the while wondering if my brother ever made arrangements for my dad's return trip and how we'll manage his broken leg around our two story house and whether his depression will return and make him give up fighting for recovery. But Mr. Guest is so furious over his heavy luggage he demands the Front Desk Manager credit his Dining Plan bill to give his family a free breakfast.
I grab some fresh fruit and cereal from AP and head back to the room. My cousin and GM have set up breakfast at the table and we all sit down to partake. The plan for the day was to eat in and head out later that afternoon. But as soon as I drill GM in his morning leg exercises things start to go awry.
I call my brother to find out what plans he's made for the flight home. Screaming children are in the background as he tells me he talked about it with my other brother but they hadn't set the plans yet. They were still juggling schedules and thinking about things. He tells me they were debating between an early 8am flight on AirTran and a 12:30pm flight on Southwest. Now GM and I have flown Southwest many times. We know how they handle accessibility and are more than comfortable with them. Plus the later flight works better for GM so we tell brother to go with that. He says he'll look into it.
Then I call to book the autotrain ride home for my cousin and I. No sooner do I book that then I learn something I didn't expect. My cousin absolutely needs a place to lay down over night before he can get up and drive the van home. That means having a roomette for him and those are on the second deck completely inaccessible for me. We spar a bit over what to do.
At this point I am so frustrated with everyone. GM's depression and complacency, my brother's lack of responsiveness, even my cousin's full stop need of a bed, I just lose it. I walk out the studio door leaving my cousin and GM curled up in their respective beds and head out for a walk. I phone that friend of mine I can say anything too. I whine, cry and vent about all my frustrations and the things I've been doing to keep things running smoothly. She compliments my caretaking but gives me some sound advice. Recovery is not a one-woman show but a team effort. It's time I let GM in on a few of the difficulties because he needs to take control himself and despite my fears he won't break.
So I dry my eyes, smile awkwardly at the people in Paddocks pool who overheard me and think I'm nuts, grab a drink refill at AP and head back to the room. GM and I talk. One of those hard, tearful but you feel much better later talks. I remind him of a cold truth: as bad as he feels he is far less crippled now than I am and yet I am still running around, independent as you please and making life work. I know he can get through this and back to able-bodied status. I guess you can say I shamed him out of depression.
And then we begin planning. We decide my cousin can take the van home a day earlier and get the roomette without me. I can fly home with GM and whichever brother flies down. My cousin and his dad (GM's older brother) can meet us at the airport and help us get settled at home. I like this plan better because it means I don't have to leave GM alone for a day in someone else's hands and I save myself an overnight journey on the train. So I call my brother to arrange airfare for me. I get voicemail.
It's about time for me to have that girl's night out and GM sends me off to get dressed. He and my cousin plan a guy's night out of their own. I turn over keys to my van to my cousin (praying he treats me baby well) and gt a lift to EPCOT. GM is doing so well now, we're more comfortable leaving him solo for the ride over. (Yes I'll still worry about him, but it's only 20-30 minutes.)
A walk over to the Dancing Fountain and I zoom around wondering if the friends I met will find me and if things will work out with GM (did I overload him with the truth, will my brother ever listen to his voicemail, did my cousin wreck my baby on the mile journey back to the resort?). God give me a sign.
All of a sudden I hear this voice cheerful cry out my name. I turn and there is Pako, the Botswanian college CM from Boma's who prompted this girl's night out. She'd never seen fireworks and has been ehre since January. She leaves just after Thanksgiving and her workmate Linda (a lady from my home town) needed help hijacking the girl for the event. Pako runs up to me and gives me a big hug. And then Linda is there hugging me. She has brought along her two adult children... a daughter who just turned 21 the day before and her son. We catch up a bit and then head off to Food & Wine Festival.
Before we clear the bridge to World Showcase my phone rings. It's my cousin letting me know he made it back to SSR safely and my van and GM in one piece. I can relax and have fun for the night.
So our rolling group heads left and starts off in Mexico. Alex (Linda's daughter) and I start off with margeuritas and corn & beef casserole. Alex is miffed she wasn't even carded. From there we wind our way around the world. Pako tells us that in her country to compliment a lady you say she is "fresh as a watermelon". It's a reference to skin texture and color but we Americans jest about being called a "watermelon" is probably an insult here due to the shape.
At the crossroads marketplace section, Pako tries to teach Alex and I how to play the drums with a true African beat. Alex's brother boasts he can dance but chickens out on a demonstration. EPCOT guests cheer being spared the indignity of our little mishap band.
By the time we get to Japan I insist my friends try the sweet Plum wine. I notice there's a Raspberry Sake as well so grab a glass of both for purely scientific reasons. I need to know which one is sweeter. The others get sushi. I wisely abstain knowing that three drinks and raw fish do not mix well in my stomach.
En route to America, we bump into another Boma refugee out for the night. With his spiked hair you'd never know he was anything more than just another guest. And for me it's a treat to see how the regular CMs kick back and enjoy the world. I silently think I'd be perfectly happy living and working here.
We get mardi gras beads at Lousianna which match my sparkly purple hat. We also take a group picture outside Italy before it gets too dark. Linda grabs me a German Reisling and Alex introduces me to the delicacy of a Grand Marnier Orange Slush in France. We wind up our journey at the Greek stand to get some salad and cheese & spinach pastry. By then it is near 8:30 and tie to get our fireworks spot.
I get to treat my abled-bodied friends to one of the perks of using a wheelchair... a fireworks viewing section. I like the one by Germany best so we head over there. It's not crowded so they all get a bench to themselves. We send Linda's kids out to get potato leek soup and beer from Ireland and just kick back and talk until fireworks.
Promptly at 9pm the show begins and my friends quickly see why I like this spot best. There in the distance left of Spaceship Earth we see Magic Kingdom's fireworks going off. So when Illuminations start you get two shows in one. Pako hides behind Linda's shoulder for the really big explosions but the smile on her face throughout is akin to a child's. And this time when it gets to the big emotional climax all I can think about is how truly magical Disney is.
It's a place where a girl with so many physical limitations can feel truly free and equal. A place where a 76 year old man can become a kid again and recover from an injury that would topple most people his age. It's also a place where friends are made in the unlikeliest situations, from a CM having a name tag with a home town to a girl from rural Africa seeing fireworks for the first time.
My friends insist on walking me to my bus and seeing me off. They are headed to an offsite hotel for the night and we all plan to meet up tomorrow at Boma's for dinner. Linda will be working but Pako wants a chance to see my dad one last time before she heads home. We trade cell phone numbers and contact info and I finally head off to my SSR bed.
When I get back my cousin is outside to give me an update. Seems the guys went over to DTD for the night and took the West Side pathway home. GM did his exercises and was curled up in bed for the night. My other brother called and got the litany of accomplishments our dad has made since chosing to recover here in Disney. That brother was certain my dad would need hospitalization after surgery and frowned on the idea of us staying here a week. But after hearing the list of things GM can do now, he was a bit stymied for words.
I really gotta feel for my sibs. They are so wrapped up in their kid-family lives they have a hard time understanding how GM and I live. We know we have limitations but we just find ways around them. Life is too short to wallow in the negative.
Until next time...
Where did I leave off? Ah, Saturday evening. After the nice restful afternoon nap, GM, my cousin and I got up for dinner. GM's leg swelling went down and he did his exercises. He has a set of 10 to do, his hardest a full leg lift off the bed. When he started them a week ago, he couldn't clear the mattress. Now he gets a good 3-4 inches up. As I expected (because I have the same problem) that first lift is the hardest and needs just a tad of assistance. Then we set a goal for him to hit on the way up (a hand in the air as a marker). The object of this exercise is not so much height as it is control, so you know you're tired when your leg drops to the mattress instead of lowering gently.
It hurts him but we can see he's getting stronger. He only drops his leg on the last two lifts and the pain subsides a bit quicker with each day.
We debated where to go to dinner. Usually we love going over to DTD and Wolfgang's or Raglan Road, but it's Saturday night and GM just isn't up to all the crowds yet. So we head back to Artist's Palette for dinner.
The air is a bit windy and chilly for GM so we make certain he has his fleece pullover (strange I know but older folk tend to run cooler than us youngbloods). He opts for Tomato Florentine soup and I get the Chicken Alfredo. My cousin gets the cheeseburger flatbread and we grab our regular table outside (warmer than the artic AC conditions inside).
By the time we head back (with a detour out on the Congress Park walkway to see DTD all lit up, GM is pooped. His leg is also swelling a bit again, so we decide it's time to just curl up in bed for the night. He's also starting to feel a bit depressed. Ever since his nap he's been thinking about all the clutter at home and the things he can't do with a broken leg.
I expected this. Anytime someone goes from perfectly able to disabled it is a shock to the mind. And depression is never a good thing in an older person. So we talk, I listen, commiserate and console and finally remind GM of the one thing that gets me through such feelings... everytime you think of what you can't do remind yourself of something you can do. My cousin and I also reassure him with his list of accomplishments since just leaving the hospital. He's had rapid progress and needs us far less. He finally gets to sleep with me hoping and praying the blues go away for him.
I do talk to my sis just to check up on what the sibs planned for my dad's return trip. Seems my brother hadn't gotten around to calling her yet. I know nothing beyond what was supposed to happen and get a little frustrated.
Sunday... GM gets us all up because it's about time the visiting nurse came to give him his shot. This time I'm in the shower giving my hair a much needed washing (when you're a caretaker you have surprisingly little time for such things) and let GM and my cousin handle things. GM gives himself his morning shot and we see his leg swelling has gone down even more than its lowest the day before. Progress.
We were all getting a bit tired of waffles, eggs & bacon so this morning we decide to just eat in the room. I have to go down to the Front Desk and get the new keys for our stay extension. My cousin hands me the TV and DVD remotes on the way out the door. Both have dead batteries and need replacement. So while I'm at the Front Desk fumbling with the high counter (for some reason I never get to see the one CM available at the low wheelchair counters), my hands full of stuff and using my wheelchair seat as a table, another guest comes marching up to the desk demanding the CM helping me get him the Front Desk Manager.
The CM politely asks him what the issue is so she can get the correct manager to deal with it. He insists he have the "Front Desk Manager". You have a problem with your room, she asks? Yes, he growls, get him the manager NOW! Well out comes the manager and inquires what the problem is. Seems the guest was just weighing his bags for the airline check in and they are overweight by a couple pounds. I silently roll my eyes wondering what that has to do with the guest's room. Did he think housekeeping stuffed extra soaps in his luggage while he wasn't looking? And meanwhile here I am insisting I'll just stretch to reach the little credit card sign sheet and juggle my wheelchair seat worth of stuff, all the while wondering if my brother ever made arrangements for my dad's return trip and how we'll manage his broken leg around our two story house and whether his depression will return and make him give up fighting for recovery. But Mr. Guest is so furious over his heavy luggage he demands the Front Desk Manager credit his Dining Plan bill to give his family a free breakfast.
I grab some fresh fruit and cereal from AP and head back to the room. My cousin and GM have set up breakfast at the table and we all sit down to partake. The plan for the day was to eat in and head out later that afternoon. But as soon as I drill GM in his morning leg exercises things start to go awry.
I call my brother to find out what plans he's made for the flight home. Screaming children are in the background as he tells me he talked about it with my other brother but they hadn't set the plans yet. They were still juggling schedules and thinking about things. He tells me they were debating between an early 8am flight on AirTran and a 12:30pm flight on Southwest. Now GM and I have flown Southwest many times. We know how they handle accessibility and are more than comfortable with them. Plus the later flight works better for GM so we tell brother to go with that. He says he'll look into it.
Then I call to book the autotrain ride home for my cousin and I. No sooner do I book that then I learn something I didn't expect. My cousin absolutely needs a place to lay down over night before he can get up and drive the van home. That means having a roomette for him and those are on the second deck completely inaccessible for me. We spar a bit over what to do.
At this point I am so frustrated with everyone. GM's depression and complacency, my brother's lack of responsiveness, even my cousin's full stop need of a bed, I just lose it. I walk out the studio door leaving my cousin and GM curled up in their respective beds and head out for a walk. I phone that friend of mine I can say anything too. I whine, cry and vent about all my frustrations and the things I've been doing to keep things running smoothly. She compliments my caretaking but gives me some sound advice. Recovery is not a one-woman show but a team effort. It's time I let GM in on a few of the difficulties because he needs to take control himself and despite my fears he won't break.
So I dry my eyes, smile awkwardly at the people in Paddocks pool who overheard me and think I'm nuts, grab a drink refill at AP and head back to the room. GM and I talk. One of those hard, tearful but you feel much better later talks. I remind him of a cold truth: as bad as he feels he is far less crippled now than I am and yet I am still running around, independent as you please and making life work. I know he can get through this and back to able-bodied status. I guess you can say I shamed him out of depression.
And then we begin planning. We decide my cousin can take the van home a day earlier and get the roomette without me. I can fly home with GM and whichever brother flies down. My cousin and his dad (GM's older brother) can meet us at the airport and help us get settled at home. I like this plan better because it means I don't have to leave GM alone for a day in someone else's hands and I save myself an overnight journey on the train. So I call my brother to arrange airfare for me. I get voicemail.
It's about time for me to have that girl's night out and GM sends me off to get dressed. He and my cousin plan a guy's night out of their own. I turn over keys to my van to my cousin (praying he treats me baby well) and gt a lift to EPCOT. GM is doing so well now, we're more comfortable leaving him solo for the ride over. (Yes I'll still worry about him, but it's only 20-30 minutes.)
A walk over to the Dancing Fountain and I zoom around wondering if the friends I met will find me and if things will work out with GM (did I overload him with the truth, will my brother ever listen to his voicemail, did my cousin wreck my baby on the mile journey back to the resort?). God give me a sign.
All of a sudden I hear this voice cheerful cry out my name. I turn and there is Pako, the Botswanian college CM from Boma's who prompted this girl's night out. She'd never seen fireworks and has been ehre since January. She leaves just after Thanksgiving and her workmate Linda (a lady from my home town) needed help hijacking the girl for the event. Pako runs up to me and gives me a big hug. And then Linda is there hugging me. She has brought along her two adult children... a daughter who just turned 21 the day before and her son. We catch up a bit and then head off to Food & Wine Festival.
Before we clear the bridge to World Showcase my phone rings. It's my cousin letting me know he made it back to SSR safely and my van and GM in one piece. I can relax and have fun for the night.
So our rolling group heads left and starts off in Mexico. Alex (Linda's daughter) and I start off with margeuritas and corn & beef casserole. Alex is miffed she wasn't even carded. From there we wind our way around the world. Pako tells us that in her country to compliment a lady you say she is "fresh as a watermelon". It's a reference to skin texture and color but we Americans jest about being called a "watermelon" is probably an insult here due to the shape.
At the crossroads marketplace section, Pako tries to teach Alex and I how to play the drums with a true African beat. Alex's brother boasts he can dance but chickens out on a demonstration. EPCOT guests cheer being spared the indignity of our little mishap band.
By the time we get to Japan I insist my friends try the sweet Plum wine. I notice there's a Raspberry Sake as well so grab a glass of both for purely scientific reasons. I need to know which one is sweeter. The others get sushi. I wisely abstain knowing that three drinks and raw fish do not mix well in my stomach.
En route to America, we bump into another Boma refugee out for the night. With his spiked hair you'd never know he was anything more than just another guest. And for me it's a treat to see how the regular CMs kick back and enjoy the world. I silently think I'd be perfectly happy living and working here.
We get mardi gras beads at Lousianna which match my sparkly purple hat. We also take a group picture outside Italy before it gets too dark. Linda grabs me a German Reisling and Alex introduces me to the delicacy of a Grand Marnier Orange Slush in France. We wind up our journey at the Greek stand to get some salad and cheese & spinach pastry. By then it is near 8:30 and tie to get our fireworks spot.
I get to treat my abled-bodied friends to one of the perks of using a wheelchair... a fireworks viewing section. I like the one by Germany best so we head over there. It's not crowded so they all get a bench to themselves. We send Linda's kids out to get potato leek soup and beer from Ireland and just kick back and talk until fireworks.
Promptly at 9pm the show begins and my friends quickly see why I like this spot best. There in the distance left of Spaceship Earth we see Magic Kingdom's fireworks going off. So when Illuminations start you get two shows in one. Pako hides behind Linda's shoulder for the really big explosions but the smile on her face throughout is akin to a child's. And this time when it gets to the big emotional climax all I can think about is how truly magical Disney is.
It's a place where a girl with so many physical limitations can feel truly free and equal. A place where a 76 year old man can become a kid again and recover from an injury that would topple most people his age. It's also a place where friends are made in the unlikeliest situations, from a CM having a name tag with a home town to a girl from rural Africa seeing fireworks for the first time.
My friends insist on walking me to my bus and seeing me off. They are headed to an offsite hotel for the night and we all plan to meet up tomorrow at Boma's for dinner. Linda will be working but Pako wants a chance to see my dad one last time before she heads home. We trade cell phone numbers and contact info and I finally head off to my SSR bed.
When I get back my cousin is outside to give me an update. Seems the guys went over to DTD for the night and took the West Side pathway home. GM did his exercises and was curled up in bed for the night. My other brother called and got the litany of accomplishments our dad has made since chosing to recover here in Disney. That brother was certain my dad would need hospitalization after surgery and frowned on the idea of us staying here a week. But after hearing the list of things GM can do now, he was a bit stymied for words.
I really gotta feel for my sibs. They are so wrapped up in their kid-family lives they have a hard time understanding how GM and I live. We know we have limitations but we just find ways around them. Life is too short to wallow in the negative.
Until next time...
BroganMc
It's not the age, it's the mileage
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 2,991
Have to say though that am dismayed by above statement - don't appreciate stereotyping - - too too much of it in the world in general, maybe I'm just being naive but I think of these boards as being a safe haven from it.
I didn't mean it as a slur. Just that the way that family was interacting (particularly their word choices of "destroy" and "cheating" and "I'll wipe you off the map") with that particular accent struck me as amusing. They were having a great time of it. Reminded me a lot of my brother's family. The boys were very competitive, as was the dad. I never did figure out who won though. I don't think it mattered.
ChelleinNC
Say "Hi" to Art the Greeter for me!
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2007
- Messages
- 3,804
What a wonderful girls night out! 
Sounds like it was just the "medicine" you needed Glad to hear the guys got a night out as well 
Being a patient is hard and caretaking is hard, with
& 
I'm sure you'll both come out of this stronger than ever 
Sounds like it was just the "medicine" you needed Glad to hear the guys got a night out as well Being a patient is hard and caretaking is hard, with
& I'm sure you'll both come out of this stronger than ever -
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