Bunn’s Prairie

After a day and a half I am still happy with this choice.  The staff all seem very well equipped to care for Kaley and all seem to care quite a bit for the residents at their facility.

I am sure that OT/PT/ST will begin in earnest in this new place.  It has become crystal clear that while therapies may have stopped for a legitimate reason at Regency, the were not restarted properly when they should have, most certainly for financial reasons.  Thank you American Health Care System.

There are no official visiting hours, so simply use your best judgment.  I have also updated the directions to Kaley post on the right.  Basically go to 169 and 5th/Lincoln Drive exit, head west after you get off the freeway to the stop sign.  Take a left at the stop sign, and they are the 2nd driveway on your left.  They’re the ones with all the construction going on (they are having a new rehabilitation unit open in April).

Just a quick update, the move today went relatively well.  Kaley is at now at Hopkins.  We’re still working out the transfer of care implementation details, but so far so good.

Sorry it’s been a while since I posted an update. Where to start?

First, I got my wish of hearing (and reading Kaley’s lips) of Kaley saying “I love you.” It was very nice. In fact, that’s happened a couple of times now. This ambien drug really works, for a time. We’re giving Kaley 1.25 mg at 5pm daily at this point. That low dose still appears strong enough to give Kaley the boost for about 10-20 minutes where she can speak and make jokes and truly look lucid. I haven’t started giving her the 3rd degree yet in trying to determine how much she remembers or comprehends when she is not how ambien, but early indications are that she remembers very much. If one wanted to visit Kaley while she is in this improved state, one should show up a little before 5pm and once the nurse gives the med give it about 5-10 minutes to take effect and enjoy. If she is sleeping, she probably won’t wake up from this. Yesterday and Friday she had very active days and the drug helped her where she looked more lucid and was able to mouth things (like “Hi Dave”) but she did not speak. After the initial effect wears off she may go to sleep. The could be for a number of reasons. First, speaking and what not takes a lot of energy. Second, we are giving her a sleep aid and it theoretically should put her to sleep for a time. I have seen a couple of times where she does not go to sleep though, so you’ll have to play it by ear.

The next announcement is that Kaley is being moved to Hopkins Care Center on Monday. We are all a little nervous about the move, as any change is scary. But at the same time, it appears that Regency has done all it can for Kaley and moving her to a place that will focus on therapies and a socio-centric care model may well be good for her. She will have private room while she is in there “short-term” unit. Residents are typically there for about 100 days or so (but some have been known to be there longer). If she gets transfered to one of their long term units, we will do what we can to get her a private room then too. Hopkins has a new rehab wing that is currently under construction that will open up in mid-April. We are looking forward to that. We are going to continue exploring other facilities in the mean time in anticipation of the move to long-term.

Thanks to all who have sent cards and wishes, gifts and flowers. Welcome visitors included families, choir buddy Mary, good friends Malia and Trisha with their little girls Aislin and Lillian. Rick and Sara brought birthday cards from our favorite fifth graders. We rolled Kaley through the hallways to deliver valentines to the staff. One nurse provided an authentic “singing telegram”! Kaley grinned as we sang “Happy Birthday” and blew out the candle herself. A few tastes of frosting brought a big smile. Andy brought DVD gifts and we all watched The Wizard of Oz, one of Kaley’s all-time favorites. Thanks to everyone!

I almost forgot! Feel free and send Kaley an e-card at the hospital using the link on the right (re-posted here for your convenience).

http://www.regencyhospital.com/epostcard/