Well! Lee has made it through his first week of "boot camp" rehab at Duke's Center for Living. I promises to be quite a challenge for both of us, but most of all for Lee. Here is a typical day Monday -Friday:
Mon. 11:30 Class for Lee, 12:00 Lee eats his packed lunch, 12:30-3:3-rehab and 3:40-4;30 class.
Every Wednesday I join him for classes @ 11:30and again @ 3:40.
Lee has to take responsibility for getting out of the car and walking into the building mostly by himself. I follow along beside. My responsibility each day is to get him there with his oxygen and then go inside and prepare his tanks and supplies and take them to him. In the afternoon, I go in to get him and follow him to the car. A lot of teamwork! He is exhausted when we get back to the condo and usually has a long nap. We were actually wondering what we would do with our time here......too busy to even think!
Yesterday was an interesting day and I was able to observe the clients who are hoping to get new lungs. There were approx 15 people there...mostly men, but I did count 4-5 women. It seems that most of them were suffering from COPD , a pulmonary disorder that usually is the result of smoking, but can be damage from pneumonia and asthms, and allergies. I only saw one person under the age of 50 or 60, a young man who looked to be 16-20.....I would suspect he had cystic fibrosis..just guessing. Compared to everyone else Lee looked good...good color and breathing quietly. He did, however, require more oxygen than anyone else I observed. It would be so good if any young person thinking about smoking could walk through this center. Air hunger is a terrible thing and those who experience it could liken it to drowning.
Sitting in that room, I was conscious of how fortunate all of us are when we have healthy lungs. As I sat there, I was aware of coughing (spasmodic type) from so many and you could hear breathing from all areas of the room. Lee does not cough like that and he does breathe quietly.There have been some times when he is short on oxygen that he will have some coughing, but recovers rapidly.
On a happy note, Lee was able to do all the required sessions today with no problems. I guess he deserves a big HAPPY B UCKI!
Tomorrow is Saturday so I may not post unless something unusual happens. I plan to sit by the pool and Lee will walk around the pool. We will rest a bit to prepare for the next big week. Brenda
WOW! What a schedule...but more incredible...what great progress! We are praying hard here. Thank you Brenda for the info on this blog....after reading it we getting getting exhausted!
ReplyDeleteLee, so glad you are sticking it to the others....we expect you to be at the top of the class in a very short time!
Judy and Jim Herman
Brenda and Lee, It is so good to hear that you both have fallen into this new challenge with no problem. Here at the Curry Clubhouse, the boys pray for Lee's quick recovery and continued improvement. We know its hard, but you both can handle this as long as you stick together.
ReplyDeleteLee, I see Brenda is calling this boot camp. I remember back in July of 1988, A young man set out for a new adventure in the Army. Yes that young man was me. I can say now that on more than one occasion I asked myself, " Why are you putting yourself through all of this torture. You can call it quites at any time." As I think back as to why I didn't quite, I remember the day I shipped out, the look of pride on my father's face as I went into the MEP Station. I could not let down myself or the people at home that was counting on me.
That is what I guess my story is trying to say. We miss you and are counting on you coming home with a new set of lungs and getting back to the old Lee. We want to hear the stories about things on the farm, and we want to see what costume Brenda makes you wear this year for halloween. So keep working and we are proud of you!
Love the Curry Clubhouse
The first day of phase two reminds me of the first day of football practice and the first day of "two a day" practice. I was never so tired but never thought about not going back the next day. Keep going Pop! You have come along so far in the last few weeks so I know you will get through this.
ReplyDeletewell, it dont sound as if they are giving you time to get board! lol.. the pool sounds great,esp since its suppose to be soooooo hot today. Brenda, your fav. redneck house keeper is now on the net. Driving me nuts trying to figure out how to do things but "maybe" she will get the hang of it before I am committed! She says hello and she, along with all of us at Cat. Co. home health are praying for you guys and are Lees "back home" cheering team.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, we are all behind you!
Hi Lee,
ReplyDeleteI have been following your progress on Doug's Facebook page. Just wanted to let you know that I have been thinking about you and all the great times we had taking the kids to Maine those many years ago. I remember how cold it was there in the snow!!
Doug's analogy to those first days of football was a good one -- the dreaded "2-a-days" and how tired you get but the joy of finally getting in shape to do the game itself.
Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.