" The Ritz Of Rehab""

06-17-2009

I stand corrected. I have been told that CareMeridian is affectionatley know as the Ritz of Rehab.

A statement that I am beginning to believe is true. From my weekend last, to the telephone conversations I had yesterday with AnneMarie, Dennis and Amy, I am totally convinced that Dar is getting all kinds of attention.

Newly nicknamed the "little princess", Dar has been very busy the last couple of days.

Dennis, PT has seen her twice and Amy, S/T, has been getting to know Dar.

I spoke to almost all of Dar's immediate attendenats yesterday and we are setting up a meeting for a week from this Friday to discuss a definitive game plan for Dar.

This is the time I will use to ask all of those important questions that come to mind when I am away from Dar.

Amy tells me that she has already put Dar's speaking valve back on to see how Dar tolerates it, remember Dar has not had it on in over 3 weeks. Dar did ok but fought it to a degree. In talking with Amy I was able to suggest some things that might help her as she works with Dar today. I believe that Dar just needs a little bit of time to get used to the valve again. Amy said that she was going to talk to Linda, S/T at Kentfield and gather more information that will help her with Dar. Amy was not aware that Dar had been eating forms of solid food and was getting close to haveing a solid food diet.

I will continue this post later and bring you more information.

1645 Hours

In as many days I have now talked to the folks at CareMeridian, twice, this time I was the one getting the surprize phone call. I had stepped out to the back yard for a moment and Speech Therapist Amy called and left a message for me to return her call.

When I did she told me that someone wanted to talk to me. Dar was on the other end of the line with her "speaking valve" back on. Usually we are together and make calls to friends and family so this time was a real treat. Maverick got to sing to Dar and you could hear her laughing in the back ground. It was very exciting to be able to hear and listen to her say "I love you".

It turns out that Amy needed more information about Dar's short inner cannula tube. Yesterday she had a standard length and did not do real well. After Amy talked to Linda from Kentfield she knew exactly what to do and Dar did not let her down. She has been jabbering for over an hour. Everyone was delighted to her her voice and see her interact and answer questions from Amy. Dar had some ice chips so that Amy could evaluate her swallowing and Dar did pretty darn good. I believe the plan will be to have Dar in the activity room where there are lots of people around and begin to leave the valve on for longer periods.

I am so looking forward to seeing her and being able to talk and laugh with her. We are already planning a wheelchair quad ride outside, maybe to town Saturday.

A week from this Monday is Dar's 46th birthday and Julie, the activity director is beginning to plan Dar's b-day party for all the residents of the "Ritz". Should be a gala day. We plan on having it on Sunday as I will come home on Saturday night and pick up my daughter, (dars step),. Jamiesue and our grandaughter Vanessa and head back down for the party Sunday afternoon.

A word of welcome to all of you that might want to travel to see Dar. You are more than welcome, in fact encouraged to go see her. Visiting hours are from 10am-8:00 pm. It is very important to the patient to have company, if she is busy in therapy, go with her, take her for a walk, sit with her outside, talk with her. I can't encourage you enough to go see her if you like. I know she would really, really like it. The address of Caremeridian is 2390 Sir Franscis Drake Blvd, Fairfax Calif. Real easy to find, mapquest and then head on out. I hope you will. Any day of the week.

Well I hope this brings a smile to your face as it did mine, I am so blessed that Dar was able to get into this facility. Bless you all for your prayers, I love each of you.

Talk soon,
Dar/Danny