Out and About

Wednesday Evening: Good News
Philip and I were visiting with Fran in her room when in walked the Director of Pleasant Manor with good news. Fran’s latest lab reports regarding infections all came back negative. After 44 days of isolation, Fran is finally out of her room. The social worker, Belyne, stopped by to let Fran know that she come to take her on a ride (wheelchair) the next morning and show her around the center. Fran asked her where she would be able to find her and Belyne told her that she (Belyne) would find HER. We all laughed! The young, handsome CNA that Fran has a little crush on, immediately took down the “isolation” sign outside her room, put away the paper gowns and masks and gave her a wink. I could tell she was enjoying all the attention from everyone.

Thursday: First Day Out
Fran had a very busy day with very little time spent in her room. The PT and OT worked with her in the therapy room. They are encouraging her to help push when they assist her with standing up. They are also trying to help her relearn how to walk using the parallel bars and much assistance.

Following therapy was a wheel around the center and time spent outside on the porch. The temperature in Texas on Thursday was 81 degrees. Then it was chowtime. Following lunch there was a “pretty nails party” in the social hall and the social worker and Fran joined in. She even assisted Belyne in selecting her color, a pretty light pink.

A local singing group performed for 30 minutes, which I was told Fran totally enjoyed. She told me that maybe Phil could play in the hall soon. He already has been playing for the residents a couple times a week but Fran was never able to attend. He can now bring his keyboard home from her room and play for her in the residents' social hall for everyone to enjoy.

When I got off work on Thursday I went straight to the center to be with Fran for dinnertime. I couldn’t find her in her room and was directed to the dining hall. She was sitting with another female resident awaiting dinner. I sat with her through dinner and heard all about her day. Most of her details were pretty accurate with what the social worker had told me, a good sign. Fran told me she was tired and thought she better get to bed early and that I should to go home and make dinner for Phil. I jumped at the chance to get home early because it had been a hectic day at work. Philip was on call so I called him to report in and he was glad to hear about his mom’s day.

Friday: Tired from her Busy Thursday
Friday, late morning, Philip went over to visit Fran. He found her in her room by the door waiting for him. She was having trouble figuring out how to move around in her wheelchair. Phil took her around and even outside for a bit. She was confused more on Friday than when I had visited her on Thursday. I thought maybe it was because of her “big” day on Thursday, although it's is hard to say. Now that Fran’s infections are cleared up we are awaiting a Psych evaluation to measure her memory capacity. Hopefully the doctors can get together and try her on some memory meds.

Saturday: Miss America
I just got in from sharing an evening with Fran and watching the “Miss America Pageant”. She is beginning to enjoy TV again. For the past 44 days or so the TV was on, but Fran never seemed to focus on it. Once again - a little baby step but a positive one.

Next Tuesday Fran will get her hair trimmed and blown dry and seems to be looking forward to it. Phil and I are thinking about surprising her by bringing her home for a part of the day on Sunday. We will see how things go......