Thanks for checking in on us. This is Kim. Typing has become a real chore for Jim, so, I volunteered to do an entry for him.
We can’t believe that it’s almost September!! The summer just flew by. We are very settled in with Mom – she’s a true blessing to us. For better or worse, though, we closed on our new house last Thursday. It’s about ½ block from Mom’s, so we’ll still spend lots of time with her!
We’re doing some updating before moving in – new paint, flooring, appliances, and a zero-threshold shower to allow Jim easy access. Kelly (my wonderful brother – also indispensable) and I did some shopping last Friday – brought paint and hardwood samples home. With everyone’s input, we have made decisions there. Next are appliances, countertops, and some new lighting. We’ll be all on one floor and the floorplan is very open- easy for Jim to tool around in!
Speaking of tooling around, his new power wheelchair arrived last week. We’re slowly working our way into that – it needed to be adjusted to fit him and we’re struggling with finding an easy way to help him out of it – right now it takes assistance under each arm for him to stand up. Most of the time there’s only one of us around for this. Thinking maybe a tension bar in a doorway might give us the right leverage? We’ll see. It operates with a joystick. Thank goodness Jim has spent “some time” playing video games - -who would’ve thought that that experience would come in handy!!
We finally have an aide Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30 (and M-F evenings 8 – 10). Two WONDERFUL ladies. It is such a relief knowing that Jim’s in such good hands when those hands can’t be mine! Don’t know how they’re compensated, but whatever it is, it’s not enough!
Jim is getting a bit weaker, but nothing too dramatic. He gets extremely impatient when trying to type. Threw a real temper tantrum the other night. I haven’t laughed that hard in a really long time!! He laughed too. He’s moving a little slower and not as far as he did. He’s been sticking to the back of Mom’s house – in “Bill’s Mancave” where my Dad used to hang out – TV, desk, recliner, his bedroom (with hospital bed), and bathroom. Miss being in the main house with Mom, but I think she’s a little relieved – she wasn’t a fan of some of the television we watch!
The next quarterly ALC Clinic appointment in Hershey is next Wednesday (9/2). Hope to see a speech pathologist – the first step in the process of getting the Tobii eye tracking technology – so he doesn’t have to type anymore. It’s usually a long day. They arrange for you to see all disciplines (from physical/occupational therapy and respiratory specialist to social worker and research staff) in one visit.
Please keep those cards and letters coming. Jim was so used to such an interactive, gregarious lifestyle. I know that he tires of looking at my mug all of the time!! If you’re in the area, visits are welcome too. My dear brothers, our friends KC and Paul, Eric Jesperson and Ellen have brightened his/our days with frequent stops. As always, thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. We hear you! Until next time - Kim & Jim
