I sent the following out using the mass email addresses. If you read that, no reason to read this. I just noticed some people on here that weren't in the address bar of the email. I think that the email may be getting to more people. sps
Kate and I went to see Tom at the Encompass Rehab facility at 330 Ben White on Thursday. It was my first visit to Tom, and it was good to see Mr. Resilience. We stopped by at lunch time per the advice given on the CareBridge site. I hadn't been viewing that journal, and I didn't know Tom had moved. I wonder if there has been a bit of breakdown in communication, but maybe it's just my own typical negligence. I chose email in case some others feel out of the loop.
Tom was tired from the morning routine and about to restart therapy at 1pm. Kate is better at understanding Tom's intent when he communicates than I am. I believe he indicated that he wasn't seeing many people since the move. On CareBridge there are a few lovely posts and a request for friendly help in this mornings this weekend.
The facility is very nice and Tom responded very positively when asked about the staff. He rolled his eyes and grunted when asked about the difficulty of his regimen. I complimented his toughness and resilience, and he had a similar response to that. He smiled and waved in modesty when I, with great resentment, had to admit that he is my better as a man.
Having not seen him often, I can't make comparisons. He is, of course, dealing with about the most daunting course for recovery that I can imagine. I would surely have lost heart long ago in his position. I don't know if he was just tired or if I am just off in my judgment about what he is conveying, but I got the impression that Tom may be struggling. I hope Kate adds her opinion to this note as she has seen Tom more often and was, as I mentioned, better at interpreting Tom's verbal communication.
Marianne on the CareBridge site says that visits are difficult to schedule because of the extensive work Tom is doing during the day. She says that all patients are in their rooms and noon and 430pm for meals, so that may be your best shot. I think he would like to see his friends. I'll make an effort to go more often.
Just to acknowledge the situation, I remarked about how frustrated he must be as an articulate man having to fight so hard to get an idea across. Again, the roll of the eyes and shake of his head in agreement.
I'm not providing as much insight as I wish I could. I just try to report what I see and hear.
A visit with Tom is at once inspiring and demoralizing. He strives on as he has done with other obstacles. He is my better, and I like having a friend that I can say that about. He improves the people around him. The demoralizing part is that fate has put him here with no sure path out. One moment he's dining with a friend; the next moment he's down on the floor as though struck by lightning. Such a stunning change in just a few seconds.
We got a few smiles in our short visit. I shall try to do more of that in the days to come.
Best wishes to all and thanks for all the reports over the weeks,
Sean
Kate and I went to see Tom at the Encompass Rehab facility at 330 Ben White on Thursday. It was my first visit to Tom, and it was good to see Mr. Resilience. We stopped by at lunch time per the advice given on the CareBridge site. I hadn't been viewing that journal, and I didn't know Tom had moved. I wonder if there has been a bit of breakdown in communication, but maybe it's just my own typical negligence. I chose email in case some others feel out of the loop.
Tom was tired from the morning routine and about to restart therapy at 1pm. Kate is better at understanding Tom's intent when he communicates than I am. I believe he indicated that he wasn't seeing many people since the move. On CareBridge there are a few lovely posts and a request for friendly help in this mornings this weekend.
The facility is very nice and Tom responded very positively when asked about the staff. He rolled his eyes and grunted when asked about the difficulty of his regimen. I complimented his toughness and resilience, and he had a similar response to that. He smiled and waved in modesty when I, with great resentment, had to admit that he is my better as a man.
Having not seen him often, I can't make comparisons. He is, of course, dealing with about the most daunting course for recovery that I can imagine. I would surely have lost heart long ago in his position. I don't know if he was just tired or if I am just off in my judgment about what he is conveying, but I got the impression that Tom may be struggling. I hope Kate adds her opinion to this note as she has seen Tom more often and was, as I mentioned, better at interpreting Tom's verbal communication.
Marianne on the CareBridge site says that visits are difficult to schedule because of the extensive work Tom is doing during the day. She says that all patients are in their rooms and noon and 430pm for meals, so that may be your best shot. I think he would like to see his friends. I'll make an effort to go more often.
Just to acknowledge the situation, I remarked about how frustrated he must be as an articulate man having to fight so hard to get an idea across. Again, the roll of the eyes and shake of his head in agreement.
I'm not providing as much insight as I wish I could. I just try to report what I see and hear.
A visit with Tom is at once inspiring and demoralizing. He strives on as he has done with other obstacles. He is my better, and I like having a friend that I can say that about. He improves the people around him. The demoralizing part is that fate has put him here with no sure path out. One moment he's dining with a friend; the next moment he's down on the floor as though struck by lightning. Such a stunning change in just a few seconds.
We got a few smiles in our short visit. I shall try to do more of that in the days to come.
Best wishes to all and thanks for all the reports over the weeks,
Sean