Category: Uncategorized
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Why is so depressing to visit a skilled nursing facility?
It occurred to me that every time I visit Kim ( which is almost always twice a day for 2+ hours) I walk out of the facility feeling drained and somewhat depressed even when I felt great going in or when I get the weekly good good news about him making progress. Why? Some research…
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First time in the dining room
I had noticed that some patients who looked just as challenged as Kim are in the facility’s dining room eating a better looking lunch everyday. So, today I rushed to be here before they brought him his lunch to his bed or to a windowless ‘activity’ room so I could get him to the dining…
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Learning how to walk again…
I found Kim yesterday with this physical therapist teaching him how to walk again. We are all so encouraged for how well he is recovering even if slowly. The physical therapist said that, because he was strong before the stroke, she is very pleased with his ability to take these baby steps. If you want…
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Overall shortage of nurses to reach 1.1 million by the end of the year!
www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-07-28/staff-shortages-choking-u-s-health-care-system The USA is again hiring nurses and healthcare personnel from other countries because of the current and incredible shortages we are facing. Many healthcare workers are overworked, underpaid, and not thanked for their work. We are experiencing this where Kim is mainly among nurse aids who really carry the bulk of the patient care.…
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Encouraging News
I spoke with the head of rehabilitation and she said that Kim’s made good progress! He’s now been approved to stay at the facility through September 20th and potentially longer if he continues to make progress. With about 50-75% assistance, he’s able to stand from his wheelchair, pivot from it to his bed and vice…
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Going for a ride
A routine that I’ve gotten into is to take Kim outside the facility and spend 30-60 minutes getting fresh air and sunshine. It is recommended that we get at least 15 minutes of sun daily so that our bodies manufacture vitamin D. Kim is deficient in this vitamins which is essential in fighting cancer. His…
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Should Kim continue cancer treatments given that that cancer/cancer treatment increases his odds of a stroke?
When Kim had the stroke 3 weeks ago, he was undergoing the 5th Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) cancer treatment. As mentioned in an earlier post, we struggled with the decision to continue these treatments because his quality of life had been significantly reduced. However, because the Azacytidine/Venetoclax treatment he was undergoing was working and, though…
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Taking Kim for a ride…
Sunday August 29 – taking Kim around the facility One thing that those who have not had cared ones at nursing facilities may not know, is that the nurses and nurses aids are there just to perform their mandated duties: dispense medication, clean the patients, make sure their TVs are on, and their doors open…
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The thing we most fear once in skilled nursing
At the main entrance of Future Care Chesapeake We’ve been taking Kim inside his skilled nursing facility in his wheel chair but today I decided to wheel him out the front entrance so he could get fresh air, sun, and could see the facility from the outside. Though slowly, he’s improving. However, I had a…
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Daniel, Lauren, and Kenai’s visit
At the skilled nursing facility It has been a wonderful 3 days having Daniel & Lauren visit us and meeting their 3 month old German Shepard puppy, Kenai. Yesterday, the nursing facility where Kim is, allowed us to bring Kenai inside. Kim loved seeing and petting the doggie. Kim was also put in a wheel…
Cunningham-Ramos AML & Stroke after TBI Journey 