It was great seeing Bill yesterday -- the room he is in is spacious and it looks out at Hollyhock House, the Frank Lloyd Wright home which sits atop green Barnsdall park like an Aztec cake decoration.
Bill is astute, keeping track of what the nurse gives him for pain, glad to hear his heart is actually ok, but in the afternoons he is sleepy after PT and meds. He LOVES having visitors -- and having his hands warmed by cozy hands. Please come and visit if you are NOT sick with any of those lingering viruses going around.
His doctor, Mclaren? was lovely, open and helpful in answering questions (Bill asked that she call him 'Bill' instead of 'Professor Banks' -- but frankly, I like the more formal monikor because it reminds people that he is the customer and that he needs to be addressed directly...) His male nurse, Henry, was likewise glad to offer instruction and was very quick to respond to a call for pain medication and for turning/back rub.
Don't be frightened of Bill's blackened fingertips, they are not infected.. it is the way the body looks when the blood vessels stop doing their job. You can't 'catch' anything from holding his hands, gently stroking his arm, his face and head. But your hands need to be ABSOLUTELY clean.
I was embarassed that it took me several times to understand that Bill needed vasciline for his dry lips. He would touch his lips and then point beyond the foot of his bed to show me where the lip balm was sitting on top of the sink/dresser across from the bed. Three times I looked at the contraptions anchored at the foot of his bed and looked back with a shrug, asking if he needed something changed with those contraptions. But Bill is completely generous, forgiving and appreciative.
Meanwhile Bill Prinzmetal was absolutely expert help for Bill. He told me it felt great to learn from the Physical Therapist how to help get Bill in the correct position during the visit when he was first able to sit up by himself for a full two minutes. His doctor later said that was HUGE.. a good sign and an important first step. Bill P. knew just how to get the bed in the right position so Bill could crunch on a couple tiny ice chips -- just enough to moisten his mouth to aide talking. Then he knew to put it down again when Bill needed to rest (much more comfortable).
So don't worry about being there with other visitors, that's a great way to learn. And it is fun. It was wonderful to see Bill P. again. We hadn't seen each other more than once or twice since we last worked together, thirtyfive years ago in Bill's Pomona College Psych lab (in the basement of Mason Hall). :)
HERE's another Way to help. The doctor mentioned that the transition to the next phase of treatment -a Rehab Facility with or near Dialysis? - may be slowed a bit because the usual coordinator is on break this week.. but they want friends and family to visit the places on the list and give feedback to Abby as that decision approaches.
It was great seeing Bill yesterday -- the room he is in is spacious and it looks out at Hollyhock House, the Frank Lloyd Wright home which sits atop green Barnsdall park like an Aztec cake decoration.
ReplyDeleteBill is astute, keeping track of what the nurse gives him for pain, glad to hear his heart is actually ok, but in the afternoons he is sleepy after PT and meds. He LOVES having visitors -- and having his hands warmed by cozy hands. Please come and visit if you are NOT sick with any of those lingering viruses going around.
His doctor, Mclaren? was lovely, open and helpful in answering questions (Bill asked that she call him 'Bill' instead of 'Professor Banks' -- but frankly, I like the more formal monikor because it reminds people that he is the customer and that he needs to be addressed directly...) His male nurse, Henry, was likewise glad to offer instruction and was very quick to respond to a call for pain medication and for turning/back rub.
Don't be frightened of Bill's blackened fingertips, they are not infected.. it is the way the body looks when the blood vessels stop doing their job. You can't 'catch' anything from holding his hands, gently stroking his arm, his face and head. But your hands need to be ABSOLUTELY clean.
I was embarassed that it took me several times to understand that Bill needed vasciline for his dry lips. He would touch his lips and then point beyond the foot of his bed to show me where the lip balm was sitting on top of the sink/dresser across from the bed. Three times I looked at the contraptions anchored at the foot of his bed and looked back with a shrug, asking if he needed something changed with those contraptions. But Bill is completely generous, forgiving and appreciative.
Meanwhile Bill Prinzmetal was absolutely expert help for Bill. He told me it felt great to learn from the Physical Therapist how to help get Bill in the correct position during the visit when he was first able to sit up by himself for a full two minutes. His doctor later said that was HUGE.. a good sign and an important first step. Bill P. knew just how to get the bed in the right position so Bill could crunch on a couple tiny ice chips -- just enough to moisten his mouth to aide talking. Then he knew to put it down again when Bill needed to rest (much more comfortable).
So don't worry about being there with other visitors, that's a great way to learn. And it is fun. It was wonderful to see Bill P. again. We hadn't seen each other more than once or twice since we last worked together, thirtyfive years ago in Bill's Pomona College Psych lab (in the basement of Mason Hall). :)
HERE's another Way to help.
The doctor mentioned that the transition to the next phase of treatment -a Rehab Facility with or near Dialysis? - may be slowed a bit because the usual coordinator is on break this week.. but they want friends and family to visit the places on the list and give feedback to Abby as that decision approaches.