"There Is Hope On The Horizon"

February 3, 2010

0635 Hours

Good morning to everyone, Dar continues to rest and recuperate. I am still concerned that there is something still aloof. She is not experiencing any fever during the day and she appears to resting well, but just does not appear to be her usual “perky” self.

I can only imagine that she does not rest as well in her room as she does at home. There is always activity in and about her room; she has her moist air being constantly fed to her trach, which is forever making a swishing sound all day long. Would make it hard for even me to get restful sleep. Add to the noise of her equipment there is always some activity going on around her. Seems like the hospital is extremely busy these days.

We did get some news yesterday that I believe will be of help in the immediate future. I heard from our IHSS worker yesterday afternoon that she is processing Dar’s hours of “care” that could be provided Dar by “outside” help. Dar will receive 227 hours per month to start off and when we get her “paramedical” application completed she will then receive 282 hours per month. By my research and understanding of the IHSS program the maximum amount of hours that can be assigned are 283. IHSS does not pay for 24 hour around the clock care. All said, this would be of great benefit to Dar, Jamiesue and I. This will allow Jamie to have a set schedule, and we can begin to set up a regular “shift schedule”. I am already “crunching” ideas and schedules. I am “brainstorming” something along the lines of Jamie working 4 ten-hour shifts and hiring another “worker to work 3 twelve hour shifts every other weekend. By doing this it could avail me the opportunity to have a Saturday and Sunday every other weekend to rest and recuperate myself. Its all a numbers game and we will have to put all of our ideas on paper and decide which one will work the best for Dar and those taking care of her.

I was also given an idea yesterday that I am running with that maybe some of our local readers may have some input. It was suggested that I contact Butte College and inquire about the possibility of “picking” up some help through the Nursing Program. Maybe there might be an individual that would consider “bartering” help for Dar in exchange for room/board. Although our house is small and I would like to keep as much privacy for Dar and myself, we do have our 30-foot travel trailer that is on our property that could be used for “sleeping and study” quarters. Fully self contained and could used to save the “right” nursing student rent in their present situation. It’s an idea that we will have to “ponder”. We have a need but also may have something to offer that “special someone”. If you have an idea, please, please get in touch.

We have not heard any talk of discharge and I am still hoping that we will spend a little time at Rehab before coming home again.

Dr Park saw Dar yesterday and with discussion with Jamiesue and I we decided to “not” turn Dar’s “pump” up at this time. Dr Park wants Dar to be free of the pneumonia and at her best when the pump is turned up again. He does plan on returning today to refill the pump, as it will be due in just a few days.

Again, I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support for Darlene. One thing is very clear, when the decision to bring Dar home was made, neither Jamiesue nor I thought that it would be so intense and yes, draining. It has been a learning and sometimes all to frustrating period these last few weeks. My prayer would be that in the weeks to come Dar would continue to get stronger, build up her defenses, and the appropriate help will find its way to us. Please continue to pray for all of us, we need all the support we can get. Thank you all.

Love to everyone,

Dar/Danny/Jamiesue

Update, as of 1600 hours, we learned that Dar will going to Enloe Rehab again for a short stay after she gets rid of this stinking pneumonia. Yes, she still has it and that is what I was seeing yesterday while I was there. I knew something was just not right. Darlene is just too easy to read, I guess that is a good thing.

Dr. Park refilled Dar’s Baclofen pump this morning also.

Stay tuned.

Danny