Help when you least expect it
Interesting week: I was able to move Bruce's special WC delivery up a week and was finally able to get an appointment with the Spasticity Clinic but it is a ways off. As most of you know, Bruce's Neuro told him last week that he probably will not make any more progress. While I know from all of you that this is not true, Bruce is still very discouraged. We go to the pool almost daily and he still does his hour workout, including his laps, but will only walk in the pool or with therapy. Today was a work day. Bruce's big boss and close friend is away on vacation but Bruce still wanted to go in. This family is incredible and the brother and Dad are more than happy to have Bruce. As all of you know my greatest fear is the bathroom. Bruce had an accident on the second day there which was quickly and quietly cleaned up, but I was horrified. I insist on coming back every two hours to take him to the bathroom. Today I arrived back at 2 hours when one of his co-workers tells me he went to the bathroom several times with Mike. I checked Bruce out and there was a small spill on his shirt tail but he was otherwise dry. This co-worker has taken it upon herself to watch over Bruce while he is there. Since the brother was out of the building, I went to talk to Mike myself. Mike tells me that Bruce tells one of the female co-workers he has to go to the bathroom and they call Mike. As all of you know this is remarkable for a stranger to offer. If Bruce is holding himself up with a grab bar, everything else has to be done for him (no balance). However, Mike tells me he holds Bruce up from the back and Bruce does everything for himself. Even so, there must be some clean up involved. So I asked Bruce why he did not tell me how he went to the bathroom with Mike and he says "I was remiss" (we all know why). Anyway we are now practicing this method here at home. I couldn't thank Mike enough and just finished an Email to Bill to let him know and to thank him as well. Apparently Mike has two stroke survivors at home who are less disabled than Bruce but have given up. Mike said he told Bruce he was an inspiration. I am going to remind Bruce of this often and myself.
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