The newest edition to the house - the electric wheel chair - seems to be working out, for the most part. Dennis has a bit more freedom, a bit more ability to move from one spot to another without assistance from anyone else.
However,
The other day, he almost killed both of us by moving our solid wood dining table across the room. He had the speed set on rabbit instead of turtle, and couldn't move his hand off of the joy stick. I had my back to the whole thing, and heard the table moving behind me. I turned and yelled, "STOP, DENNIS." I have a very loud yell, and it was able to shock him into stopping. I am sure the neighbors were wondering, but who cares anymore.
New rule of the house: NO RABBIT!!
Of course, as I sit here and write this, he just slammed into me one more time, moving my chair a few feet across the room. He was on rabbit again.
How do you slow a boy down when he wants to get away?
Until later,
Ann and Dennis
Showing posts with label electric wheel chair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electric wheel chair. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
New "Stuff"
After 2 months, the electric wheel chair has arrived. There have been a few stubbed toes and the machine cornered me in the doorway once, but there have been no broken windows or dented furniture so far. The house is quite filled up with movers and shakers - a manual chair, a walker and now an electrical chair.
A tall toilet also was ordered and installed after 3 months of waiting. Unfortunately, I found out this morning, after emptying Urina (night bag) that it wasn't sealed properly. It's so much fun to wake up in the morning and find yourself standing in a pool of urine. Wakes a girl up.
The feeding tube is working well, and Dennis has only thrown up two days out of ten. Yesterday he threw up quite often, but by the end of the day the acid reflux had ended. Last night, however, Dennis managed to unhook the feeder, and there is another mess for Ann to clean up today. It's probably too late to do much of a clean up - the food is very thick and sticky and dries quickly. Doesn't matter too much, the whole carpet needs replacing anyway.
A medical bed is supposedly coming in a week or two, and I have no idea what to do with it. Our bedroom barely fits our bed, and Dennis' office is filled with the remains of what Dennis is hoarding and hanging on to for dear life. We will need to deal with this issue this weekend.
It's a stormy weekend, and a good weekend to stay home and pout. Looks like I have just about enough stuff to fuss about to pass the rainy day away.
Until Later,
Ann and Dennis
A tall toilet also was ordered and installed after 3 months of waiting. Unfortunately, I found out this morning, after emptying Urina (night bag) that it wasn't sealed properly. It's so much fun to wake up in the morning and find yourself standing in a pool of urine. Wakes a girl up.
The feeding tube is working well, and Dennis has only thrown up two days out of ten. Yesterday he threw up quite often, but by the end of the day the acid reflux had ended. Last night, however, Dennis managed to unhook the feeder, and there is another mess for Ann to clean up today. It's probably too late to do much of a clean up - the food is very thick and sticky and dries quickly. Doesn't matter too much, the whole carpet needs replacing anyway.
A medical bed is supposedly coming in a week or two, and I have no idea what to do with it. Our bedroom barely fits our bed, and Dennis' office is filled with the remains of what Dennis is hoarding and hanging on to for dear life. We will need to deal with this issue this weekend.
It's a stormy weekend, and a good weekend to stay home and pout. Looks like I have just about enough stuff to fuss about to pass the rainy day away.
Until Later,
Ann and Dennis
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Delays
Who is ultimately responsible?
We have been trying to get Dennis an electric wheelchair for more than two months. At first the problem was his crashing into walls, but another vendor found a chair that would work for him. It was selected 7 weeks ago.
Then there was the messaging between the OT and Dennis doctor; unclear messages, incomplete messages, and unanswered messages went back and forth. Next, both the OT and the doctor went on vacations. But now it is simply paperwork.
Last week I called both the doctor and the OT three times and was assured all was ready. The OT had faxed over the necessary forms to Dr Kiefer and he had sent them on to LTC Wheelchairs, "The Wheelchair Experts....Let our wheels do your walking!". Finally, everything was ready and a wheel chair was set to arrive soon.
No word from anyone as of yesterday, so I made more calls. First I called Rick, the OT, and he told me to check with LTC. LTC said Rick had not filled out his bits of information, so it had been sitting on the desk for another week. I called Rick back and told him what they said, and, while befuddled, he said he would take care of everything. Then I recalled LTC, and they assured me they were ready to rock and roll.
However, they cautioned me, there may be another delay due to insurance. They may want a preauthorization from yet another doctor.
What?
All this means is Dennis will nag me about calling, I now need to nag four people instead of three, and it will most likely be another month before he is able to sit in his shiny new wheel chair and
And who IS ultimately responsible? Me, I guess.
Until later,
Ann and Dennis
(54 days, 7 hours, 18 minutes to retirement)
We have been trying to get Dennis an electric wheelchair for more than two months. At first the problem was his crashing into walls, but another vendor found a chair that would work for him. It was selected 7 weeks ago.
Then there was the messaging between the OT and Dennis doctor; unclear messages, incomplete messages, and unanswered messages went back and forth. Next, both the OT and the doctor went on vacations. But now it is simply paperwork.
Last week I called both the doctor and the OT three times and was assured all was ready. The OT had faxed over the necessary forms to Dr Kiefer and he had sent them on to LTC Wheelchairs, "The Wheelchair Experts....Let our wheels do your walking!". Finally, everything was ready and a wheel chair was set to arrive soon.
No word from anyone as of yesterday, so I made more calls. First I called Rick, the OT, and he told me to check with LTC. LTC said Rick had not filled out his bits of information, so it had been sitting on the desk for another week. I called Rick back and told him what they said, and, while befuddled, he said he would take care of everything. Then I recalled LTC, and they assured me they were ready to rock and roll.
However, they cautioned me, there may be another delay due to insurance. They may want a preauthorization from yet another doctor.
What?
All this means is Dennis will nag me about calling, I now need to nag four people instead of three, and it will most likely be another month before he is able to sit in his shiny new wheel chair and
Ride, Captain, ride, upon your mystery ship....
And who IS ultimately responsible? Me, I guess.
Until later,
Ann and Dennis
(54 days, 7 hours, 18 minutes to retirement)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Mini-Vacation Completed
I am back at work, and feeling a bit more replenished. I did manage to get a cold or the flu while I was out, so I was forced to stay in bed for 3 days. Believe it or not, I think that did as much for me as everything else. I am feeling better.
Dennis went to the Struther's Clinic's OT department yesterday for his second try with an electric wheel chair. I guess he tore the towel holder off of the bathroom wall when his wheel chair got away from him. Obviously this chair will not work.
But he is not giving up. He has an appointment next week with a company that sells other models of chairs. He is hoping he can find one that he can manage to control. More to come....
Until Later,
Ann and Dennis
Dennis went to the Struther's Clinic's OT department yesterday for his second try with an electric wheel chair. I guess he tore the towel holder off of the bathroom wall when his wheel chair got away from him. Obviously this chair will not work.
But he is not giving up. He has an appointment next week with a company that sells other models of chairs. He is hoping he can find one that he can manage to control. More to come....
Until Later,
Ann and Dennis
Friday, January 29, 2010
A Set Back
Dennis is seriously down in the dumps. Lots of negative talk coming out of his mouth. I am trying to give him space, let him dwell on the latest let-down, and giving him small amounts of positive thoughts to help him move forward.
He found out today that an electric wheel chair might just not be a possibility for him at this moment.
If you read the previous entry, you may have surmised that I did not go on this particular day to see the OT. I had expected just an easy visit, a choice for him to make, and let's call it a day. And that is what Dennis had expected, too. Neither one of us had prepared ourselves for a disappointment.
Since I wasn't there, and Dennis has not shared much with me, I don't have much information. But here is the gist of our conversation after he came home today.
Ann, "How was your day?"
Dennis, "No so ood." (Not so good)
Ann, "What happened?"
Dennis, "I rove ito e al." II drove into walls)
Ann, in a cheery voice, "Oh, don't worry too much about that. I heard just today, from Janet, that her husband also bumped into a few walls in the first few days with his new chair."
Dennis, "I ont ink I can et one." (I don't think I can get one)
Ann, "Oh."
Dennis, "an me i one ease." (Hand me my phone, please)
So I walk out and talk to Raquel. It seems it was a very disappointing visit. He wasn't able to control the chair at all. They will look in to alternatives, but for the moment he is very upset. I walked into his room (his hideout) just before I started writing this. He told me he was a wreck.
I tried more of my cheery talk, but right now he needs alone time. Truth be told, I still my alone time.
Until later,
Ann and Dennis
He found out today that an electric wheel chair might just not be a possibility for him at this moment.
If you read the previous entry, you may have surmised that I did not go on this particular day to see the OT. I had expected just an easy visit, a choice for him to make, and let's call it a day. And that is what Dennis had expected, too. Neither one of us had prepared ourselves for a disappointment.
Since I wasn't there, and Dennis has not shared much with me, I don't have much information. But here is the gist of our conversation after he came home today.
Ann, "How was your day?"
Dennis, "No so ood." (Not so good)
Ann, "What happened?"
Dennis, "I rove ito e al." II drove into walls)
Ann, in a cheery voice, "Oh, don't worry too much about that. I heard just today, from Janet, that her husband also bumped into a few walls in the first few days with his new chair."
Dennis, "I ont ink I can et one." (I don't think I can get one)
Ann, "Oh."
Dennis, "an me i one ease." (Hand me my phone, please)
So I walk out and talk to Raquel. It seems it was a very disappointing visit. He wasn't able to control the chair at all. They will look in to alternatives, but for the moment he is very upset. I walked into his room (his hideout) just before I started writing this. He told me he was a wreck.
I tried more of my cheery talk, but right now he needs alone time. Truth be told, I still my alone time.
Until later,
Ann and Dennis
Monday, January 25, 2010
A New Conundrum
Dennis will be getting "fit" for an electric wheel chair on Friday. While I am happy about this, in so many ways, I am also concerned about the implications of this next step.
I know that the less he moves, the shorter his life becomes. Yet, an electric wheel chair will help him regain quite a bit of independence. He also has been very good about working out at the Courage Center weekly. Last week, he pumped legs, body and arms, 3 days.
Travel is still our passion, but how will an electric wheel chair impact our trips? Do rental agencies even stock accessible vans? And the airlines - how pissy will they be about an electric chair? Will they charge us an extra 3o dollars for mentioning the word? Then another 30 for scanning it by hand? And another 30 for the battery pack? And how do you charge a battery pack in another country?
Then there is the whole car business at home. Do we turn in our current leased car and purchase a new van? Or do we lease another Nissan Versa - it has proven perfect for folding up his manual chair and storing it in the back. It's also easy to get Dennis in and out of this car. But it definitely will not work for an electric chair.
In the meantime, we found the perfect computer communication devise today. It is being processed through insurance now, and will be built for him in the next week or so. In a couple of weeks, Dennis will be equipped with a new toy that will help him communicate in so many ways. I will look up the link and add it to one of my posts. It seems to be a dream come true for Dennis.
And soon we will be a 5 computer family. Some people collect pets, others surround themselves with children and grandchildren, and we have electronics. To each his own.
Until later,
Ann and Dennis
I know that the less he moves, the shorter his life becomes. Yet, an electric wheel chair will help him regain quite a bit of independence. He also has been very good about working out at the Courage Center weekly. Last week, he pumped legs, body and arms, 3 days.
Travel is still our passion, but how will an electric wheel chair impact our trips? Do rental agencies even stock accessible vans? And the airlines - how pissy will they be about an electric chair? Will they charge us an extra 3o dollars for mentioning the word? Then another 30 for scanning it by hand? And another 30 for the battery pack? And how do you charge a battery pack in another country?
Then there is the whole car business at home. Do we turn in our current leased car and purchase a new van? Or do we lease another Nissan Versa - it has proven perfect for folding up his manual chair and storing it in the back. It's also easy to get Dennis in and out of this car. But it definitely will not work for an electric chair.
In the meantime, we found the perfect computer communication devise today. It is being processed through insurance now, and will be built for him in the next week or so. In a couple of weeks, Dennis will be equipped with a new toy that will help him communicate in so many ways. I will look up the link and add it to one of my posts. It seems to be a dream come true for Dennis.
And soon we will be a 5 computer family. Some people collect pets, others surround themselves with children and grandchildren, and we have electronics. To each his own.
Until later,
Ann and Dennis
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A New Electronic Toy, coming soon.
Friday, Dennis and I went to the speech therapist for an assessment for assisted technology. We return next Tuesday morning to meet with the salesman and find the right fit for Dennis. Hopefully this will make a big improvement in Dennis' ability to communicate.
It will, however, mean another medical device in the house.
Next is an electric wheel chair and soon a medical bed.
I do not begrudge him any item that makes his life as full as possible. However, the syringe sitting on the kitchen counter top, along with the thickener, Miralax and the pill grinder are constant reminders that someone very sick lives here. The outfitted bathroom is easily recognized as a bathroom belonging to a disabled person. And a wheel chair, walker and soon an electric chair, while they serve their purposes, loom large over a small home and once again, remind.
I am getting used to the large, overstuffed, old-fashioned, brownish-colored tilt chair that sits among our modern leather furniture and HD flat screen living area, however. Well, not really, but he enjoys his football while sitting in it, so it's okay, after all.
And naturally, more to come.
Until then,
Ann and Dennis
It will, however, mean another medical device in the house.
Next is an electric wheel chair and soon a medical bed.
I do not begrudge him any item that makes his life as full as possible. However, the syringe sitting on the kitchen counter top, along with the thickener, Miralax and the pill grinder are constant reminders that someone very sick lives here. The outfitted bathroom is easily recognized as a bathroom belonging to a disabled person. And a wheel chair, walker and soon an electric chair, while they serve their purposes, loom large over a small home and once again, remind.
I am getting used to the large, overstuffed, old-fashioned, brownish-colored tilt chair that sits among our modern leather furniture and HD flat screen living area, however. Well, not really, but he enjoys his football while sitting in it, so it's okay, after all.
And naturally, more to come.
Until then,
Ann and Dennis
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