Dearest friends and loved ones!
Yesterday (Saturday) marked three weeks since George and I left San Antonio to return to Florida. During that time, I have learned all over again the necessity of relying on nurses and nurse aids to care for Kris, as we did last winter when we had to leave. But Kris is in a very different place this year. It is a long term care facility, which is geared more to good patient care than a stringent therapy program. That was good last year at RIOSA; but care and being active is obviously the key now. And, in spite of a few rough moments of trying to understand and convey concerns by telephone to the folks there at Country Care Manor, this email will serve as a real “message of hope” that everyone is trying very hard there, and we are extremely grateful.
In addition, Kris’s husband, Russ, has been there after work daily, and is able to spend more time with her on weekends than ever before. Her son and daughter are able to visit more as well. Since Kris is right there now and only 10 minutes away from their home, we feel it has made a fantastic difference. And, as I mentioned in the last update, Kris has rallied with an intensity and a drive to do more in such a short time than I could have ever imagined. That is in large part directly facilitated by Susan, the speech therapist, there at Country Care Manor. But, really, all the therapy folks are fantastic! In addition, the activities department seems to be taking Kris under their wing as well, getting her involved and doing things she hasn’t done before. The first week after we left, for example, I called one day to find Kris was playing Bingo with the residents and had already won three times! Three quarters! Now that’s cold hard cash!
The week before last, I called in the morning one day to find the nurses, activities and therapy folks were in the process of loading up the wheelchair van to take a group of ladies fishing! Fishing?!!! Yep! It was a picnic/fishing trip to a nearby pond and Kris was on her way out the door. A family friend was there and he was going along, too, which made it even nicer for Kris. The attached photo shows Kris and Susan (the therapist you’ve heard so much about) having lunch. Lunch?!!! Yep! Susan said Kris managed to eat several spoonsful of rice and beans (a Mexican dish), which she loves, and enjoyed it. Then she spotted a brownie with chocolate icing and enjoyed a bite or two of that, as well. I was amazed, delighted, and in tears! They were tears of great joy and being extremely thankful for all of the hope this brings.
What a relief it is to hear so many great things that Kris is doing. That makes it a bit more bearable for us now to learn to let go, which I realize I truly must do. This past week, Russell met with a Veterans Administration representative who met Kris at Country Care Manor, then followed Russ out to their home. The representative was there to inspect, advise and direct Russ as to what renovations should and/or could be done for Kris’s greatest benefit and welfare, and to enable her to finally come home. It is her greatest desire to live at home, I believe, and we truly want whatever is best for Kris. As Russell said, it will take quite a bit of renovating and he wants to do it right. Kris will have her own room and full bath with walk-in shower, a kitchenette with sink and a little refrigerator for certain medicines and things she may soon be able to eat. There will also be an access door to the outside in addition to the one inside, which is mandatory according to the VA rep, in case of fire. Russ said he wants to make a covered porch of her own so that she can be outside and get fresh air. But another requirement is to have a concrete walk all the way around to the front porch, then gradually ramped to the driveway. He’s also talked about a service that will send a trained sitter to care for Kris during the day, seven days a week. So he is making great plans, and Kris seems very excited and, of course, so are we!
In the meantime, I believe with all my heart that Kris will continue to heal and gain back more and more of her abilities. Russ put a phone in her room last week, and we are able to call when he or someone is there to give her the phone so that she can hold it to her ear. That helps more than you can imagine, just to hear her little “sounds” and know she is okay. Susan is also working to get Kris to speak again, and was able to have her say three vowels a week or so ago. The two of them have bonded tremendously, and Susan said she is not giving up on Kris. Hooray!!! That’s exactly what we wanted to hear!!!
So this is a message of great hope! Hope that, in time, Kris will be able to walk and talk, enjoy her favorite foods again, go shopping, swim and jog, and help Andrea with her school work. She may even help Joshua as he prepares to go to college next year. And, some day, maybe she and Russ can come for a visit right here in Sebring. These are all wonderful hopes and dreams and, with God’s help and healing and answers to prayer, any or all of the above will be cherished. We continuously thank God for how far Kris has already progressed, for all your wonderful prayers, and for the hope of fantastic things to come.
Blessings and love,
Carol and George
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