Family Update: We are beginning the second full day at Bridgepoint rehabilitation centre. Mom is starting to feel more settled in at comfortable with her surroundings and the care. The nursing and other staff are starting to look familiar and are all very friendly. The big news of the day is that Mom had her first two visitors yesterday, with more on the way today. We are all looking forward to Meg's arrival this evening, and she is even brining Whinnie! Their reunion will be a sight to see.
The Transfer
By Maureen Clout
The Gods were on our side it seems, despite a very difficult evening medically things continued to improve just enough to facilitate a transfer to the next step; and as luck and several hard working people went at it I was to be granted a bed at a wonderful new facility. The news arrived at 9.30am on Wednesday. Dr Fehlings had it in motion and I was to be at check in at 12:30pm that very day. The hospital discharge process went quickly and smoothly and our team of paramedics arrived to transfer me to Brigdepoint Medical Centre, a short thirty minute drive away. We had the two most caring and professional paramedics and it went smoothly.
Arriving anywhere by stretcher is not the best situation but it felt okay. Jerri was my gaurdian angel and drove in the back of the ambulance with me while Barry raced ahead to meet us there.
It had a different feel about it. I was very positive, relieved and happy. Things were moving on.
The grounds, the building, the surroundings and the view are breathtaking. I'm a little taken aback. Lyndhurst was always known for its beautiful and tranquil surroundings but this was a solid match.
Having spent two nightmarish night in a semi-private room with...eccentric roommates, I was concerned about roommates.
They wheeled me to me room at the end of the hallway passing few people along the way. Then will a sudden twist realized he had taken me to the Palliative Care floor and not the spinal rehab floor. With this realization, I thought I should make a joke, what else can you do? I said, "hey, I'm still kicking"! To which everyone looked at me and it was obvious, the joke was on me. I can kick, I can kick. It just takes me longer.
Off to the elevators again and this time we found my room. It was at the end of a quiet hallway. Finally we turn into this large private room with a wall of windows and a bed. I was afraid to breathe. This was my room?
The view out my window is the skyline of downtown Toronto; the Don Valley Parkway and the ball field where I watched Jerri play ball the night before my surgery is right out my window (Yes, I walked up that HUGE hill!). I cannot even believe how tranquil and quiet it all seems after my weeks experience. I take a minute, we all do.
The Transfer
By Maureen Clout
The Gods were on our side it seems, despite a very difficult evening medically things continued to improve just enough to facilitate a transfer to the next step; and as luck and several hard working people went at it I was to be granted a bed at a wonderful new facility. The news arrived at 9.30am on Wednesday. Dr Fehlings had it in motion and I was to be at check in at 12:30pm that very day. The hospital discharge process went quickly and smoothly and our team of paramedics arrived to transfer me to Brigdepoint Medical Centre, a short thirty minute drive away. We had the two most caring and professional paramedics and it went smoothly.
Arriving anywhere by stretcher is not the best situation but it felt okay. Jerri was my gaurdian angel and drove in the back of the ambulance with me while Barry raced ahead to meet us there.
It had a different feel about it. I was very positive, relieved and happy. Things were moving on.
The grounds, the building, the surroundings and the view are breathtaking. I'm a little taken aback. Lyndhurst was always known for its beautiful and tranquil surroundings but this was a solid match.
Having spent two nightmarish night in a semi-private room with...eccentric roommates, I was concerned about roommates.
They wheeled me to me room at the end of the hallway passing few people along the way. Then will a sudden twist realized he had taken me to the Palliative Care floor and not the spinal rehab floor. With this realization, I thought I should make a joke, what else can you do? I said, "hey, I'm still kicking"! To which everyone looked at me and it was obvious, the joke was on me. I can kick, I can kick. It just takes me longer.
Off to the elevators again and this time we found my room. It was at the end of a quiet hallway. Finally we turn into this large private room with a wall of windows and a bed. I was afraid to breathe. This was my room?
The view out my window is the skyline of downtown Toronto; the Don Valley Parkway and the ball field where I watched Jerri play ball the night before my surgery is right out my window (Yes, I walked up that HUGE hill!). I cannot even believe how tranquil and quiet it all seems after my weeks experience. I take a minute, we all do.
The intake process was a long convoluted, unorganized afternoon. My wonderful but deficient in English nurse and nurse practitioner went painstakingly through forms. I sent Barry and Jerri off to explore. I had no equipment until assessed. I was placed on my bed and stayed there for four hours without being able to move around. Finally Physio and occupational therapy arrived. Freedom! I have a wheelchair and a walker. Having spent a hour on the roof top terrace Jerri and Barry were anxious to show it to me and get me in the fresh air. I was willing.
The door opened and the breeze hit my face, the sun met me like a prisoner coming out for the first time. I can't imagine what we looked like to others. The sensory overload was overwhelming, but I was loving it. We walked around the building and went to different floors had a visit with a pet therapy dog we saw along the way. It was an eventful day.
'This will be okay' was quickly becoming my mantra despite some large gaps I was trying not to see.
In those gaps seemed to be the lack of people with injuries like mine, and well as others my age. There are a lot of stroke patients here, and a lot of people much older than me. I want to put those things away and enjoy what is good.
The day wore on and my medical needs were more of a concern than we had hoped and it was obvious that the strength here is more rehabilitation and not acute care. I felt spent and I knew Barry and Jerri were as well. I was wanting them to be able to have an early night and I would content myself with my new digs. But still not reliable to make it to the bathroom on my own or get myself to bed they were not comfortable to leave having seen me wait fifty minutes for a nurse to respond. We didn't have the system and it didn't have us. My bandage which was itching and rubbing required immediate changing. Finally at 10pm, three hours after I had thought they should leave, they left happily seeing me in bed and assured I would be looked after.
It was a better night. The pain is difficult and movement is limited, but I can do a little now. I roll myself well in bed and it makes all the difference.
They missed pain medication through the night but did respond when called.
All in all I am not sure where it all stands but the negative would have to be very bad to take away from the amazing facility itself.
It's 5.30 am. I am wide awake and would love a coffee. I just have to wait three more hours.
The door opened and the breeze hit my face, the sun met me like a prisoner coming out for the first time. I can't imagine what we looked like to others. The sensory overload was overwhelming, but I was loving it. We walked around the building and went to different floors had a visit with a pet therapy dog we saw along the way. It was an eventful day.
'This will be okay' was quickly becoming my mantra despite some large gaps I was trying not to see.
In those gaps seemed to be the lack of people with injuries like mine, and well as others my age. There are a lot of stroke patients here, and a lot of people much older than me. I want to put those things away and enjoy what is good.
The day wore on and my medical needs were more of a concern than we had hoped and it was obvious that the strength here is more rehabilitation and not acute care. I felt spent and I knew Barry and Jerri were as well. I was wanting them to be able to have an early night and I would content myself with my new digs. But still not reliable to make it to the bathroom on my own or get myself to bed they were not comfortable to leave having seen me wait fifty minutes for a nurse to respond. We didn't have the system and it didn't have us. My bandage which was itching and rubbing required immediate changing. Finally at 10pm, three hours after I had thought they should leave, they left happily seeing me in bed and assured I would be looked after.
It was a better night. The pain is difficult and movement is limited, but I can do a little now. I roll myself well in bed and it makes all the difference.
They missed pain medication through the night but did respond when called.
All in all I am not sure where it all stands but the negative would have to be very bad to take away from the amazing facility itself.
It's 5.30 am. I am wide awake and would love a coffee. I just have to wait three more hours.
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