Facebook on January 1 at 7:45pm
When I got there Saturday, New Years Day, Harold was waiting for me excitedly. He told me about Danny's increasing movements as I entered the room. There was another aide at the bedside with him and Harold told her she could go help out on the floor because I was there. The girl looked at him with an unsure expression and he said, "It's ok. Kathy's good with him. We'll be fine" When she left he told me that this was the first time he ever knew of at Good Shepherd that a patient was assigned TWO aides to watch them...two to one supervision. He told me to just wait and see what Danny does now. It was only a few moments until I knew what Harold was talking about. Danny suddenly spun around quickly onto his stomach, got up on his elbows, then hands and knees, and tried crawling right up to the head of the bed before weakening and falling to his belly again. I was flabbergasted! He said, "Didn't I tell you he would do this?" He went on to tell me also, to my amazement, that that morning the nurse was trying to give Danny's feeding, and since he would not lie even remotely still, Harold had to hold Danny down with his hands on his shoulders. Well Danny mustered the strength to push upwards and sit up even with Harold holding him down. When Danny weakened after a moment he said to Harold, "Wow man, you're strong!" My mouth dropped open. "WHAT?" I exclaimed. For sure I had heard him wrong. Danny didn't say a sentence like that. But Harold seemed genuine and I believed him. He said he answered Danny by saying, "I'M strong?? Dude you lifted me straight up in the air!!" Harold went on and on about Danny's strength for awhile. I already knew he was a very powerful guy. I'd seen him lift the back of my car up on the mountain when we got stuck, and loosen an exhaust with his bare hands when a mechanic with tools was having a hard time with it. But I could not get over the fact that Danny spoke the way Harold said he did!!
Facebook on January 1 at 10:29pm
Sunday I arrived to find Danny in a veil bed, which was a netted cover on a large frame over the bed. It was fully enclosed and zippered from the outside. Danny was literally crawling to the head of the bed and trying to hang down to exit it by the time I left Saturday night, and he had nearly fallen out twice overnight. Now he was free to toss and turn and climb to his heart's content, but remain safe. He was sleeping now, and sleeping alot during the mornings and days, but awake carrying on all night. They adjusted some meds to help with it, but so far it wasn't working too well.
Mary Jo Donahue-fogarty wait a go! Keep up the good work. now comes the challenging days. Knock em dead in therapy!
January 2 at 11:12am
Kathleen Quinn-Farber
Thanx mary jo! His fight to succeed is evident esp in physical therapy. To see him standing n stepping was so wonderful yet heartbreaking. Danny is a person whos greatest pride comes from his appearance and posture and how he carries himself. To see him this way makes me proud that he is determined, yet breaks my heart that he is this way n must now struggle jus to get any normal semblance of life back. I just know he will be ok tho. I appreciate ur prayers n support.
January 2 at 11:32am
Mary Jo Donahue-fogarty Nothing short of a miracle! You know where to reach me if i can help you out anytime, don't hesitate to call. "we get by with a little help from our friends"
January 2 at 11:38am
Kathleen Quinn-Farber
Thanx so much. Right now my biggest thing just seems to be balance...of time, priorities, chores. I have been running myself ragged back n forth 2 the hosp. N have become a frequent flyer of drive thrus and such.
