Sorry I missed yesterday

Well, yesterday was a busy day! I toured two Skilled Nursing Facilities that were recommended by the hospital. The first one was called Briarwood and seemed more like a retirement center than a nursing home, at least in the main areas. It was very quiet, they have a little store that the residents run. There is a very nice dining room. Not that it is very likely that Nathan will eat in the dining room much. They have a nice therapy department but there was nothing going on. Very few visible staff. There are single, double and triple rooms. None of the singles are available. Which I don't think will go over too well. But we'll see. The second one (Monaco Parkway) I looked at was definitely more nursing home atmosphere. However, there was a lot of activity and the therapy room was in full use. They have a young staff and they were everywhere. They have a section that is more for short timers and that includes cable TV and their own phone and phone number. They don't have any private rooms available but said they would make every effort to keep him in a room by himself. Monaco is known for their wound care which is really essential for Nathan right now. I talked with my niece Tara and she has a friend in the industry and she provided her with some names of places that she is familiar with and would consider using. I need to go through that list today. Wanted to get this done first.

Yesterday Nathan sat on the edge of the bed by himself for 20 minutes or so. That is really huge when you think that last week he wasn't able to sit up all the way and had to have support. He was also able to do countless arm lifts and extensions while holding cans of Ensure. The therapists were pretty impressed. They also removed the wound vac which hurt like hell. I felt so sorry for him. But once it was off it seemed to be a little better. He's still suffering with the graft harvest site. He seems to think (and so do I) that once that heals he's going to feel quite a bit better and better able to move.

Hoping to get the catheter out today. They are talking about injecting him with dye and doing an x-ray before removing it to make sure the bladder is not leaking. Once that is gone he'll basically be tube free except for the IV line that they leave in for injections.

The therapists should be here anytime and are going to get him in a wheelchair so maybe we can go outside for a little bit. It has been so beautiful here and the fresh air will do him good.

Otherwise all is well and about the same.

Miss you all! Thanks for your continued support and love.

UPDATE

We've chosen:

Monaco Parkway Health & Rehab
895 S. Monaco Pkwy.
Denver, CO 80224
800-949-2159

He will most likely be transferred at the end of the week. I'll keep you posted.