Thursday, October 22, 2009
We're packing our bags . . .
We're packing our bags....wish us luck!!On the first of November I'm going on my annual trip with my sister....for some R&R.
And for a dose of creativity...enough to get me through for at least a year!!
Paul will be going to the Chelsea at Montville.
He will be there from the 1st of November til the 17th of November.
If anyone is inclined to drop him a note....here is the address:
Chelsea at Montville
Attention: Paul Zimmerman room# A 123
165 Changebridge Road
Montville, NJ 07045
We've lined up Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy sessions.
Visited the Doctor to get prescriptions and let him know the details of Paul's stay.
We're making all of Paul's menu selections ahead of time.
The NY Times is being delivered....friends are all chipping in.
I've lined up Fredy to stay at the house with Jac.
Paul's frig will be loaded with extras and he'll have photos and workbooks....
I feel as if I'm getting a dorm room put together!!
I've packing everything in the house that isn't nailed down.
He's been great about taking a break!
It's me that is as nervous as hell!!
I do have to say that Mary Beth and Lorraine from the Chelsea have been heaven sent!
We have spent hours with them....going over every little detail so that Paul is comfortable and safe.
They've fallen in love with him!
His spirit and drive are so evident that it is contagious!
Now....if everyone will send a prayer and a wish for a safe trip for both of us....
we'll be on our way!!
ps...and pray like hell that someone lines up his games.......lol
PSS...Tomorrow is Paul's Birthday...the 23rd!
Shhh...he hates to celebrate....but I found an Amarone....he won't mind that much!!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
American Conservative....this is a first....
An old classmate of Paul's called this week and asked...
"Has Paul seen the latest edition of American Conservative"?
Hmmmmm I said...."I don't think he has ever seen any copy of American Conservative". ............. ....... ...
A G Gancarski wrote a great piece.......
and Paul was one of the few living sport's writers mentioned in a positive light!!
"Has Paul seen the latest edition of American Conservative"?
Hmmmmm I said...."I don't think he has ever seen any copy of American Conservative". ............. ....... ...
A G Gancarski wrote a great piece.......
and Paul was one of the few living sport's writers mentioned in a positive light!!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Autumn coming in the door
We've been busy....as usual with rehab....and daily living.
It's Sunday....so that means F O O T B A L L ! !
I am not complaining....Paul is finally interested in keeping up his football schedule.
Which means I am in charge of the arrangements....food on time....newspapers in order....channels arranged.
Thank God, there is a Last-Channel-Viewed button on the remote. It makes it so much easier for Paul.
He can't figure out the numbers on the remote.
It is amazing the things that are impossible for him to do.
Simple things that he understands but can't quite get his body to perform.
He understands that the games are on 2 and 5 today....but there is no way he can find that on the remote.
The toughest aspect for him to conquer is speech.
We do the exercises over and over and over.....
mmmmmmmmmm
oooooooooooooo
dddddddddddd
doe doe doe doe doe
but he can only do them if he mimics what I do.
Most of the time he can mimic...sometimes he hits a glitch and can't make him mouth do what his brain is telling it to do.
(lol for those of you that know him well...your saying "what else is new?"
he always blurted things out without thinking.)
There are a few words that he uses...No and yah.
He is much better with NO.
He also gets the answer correct most of the time....but there are times when he says YAH and means NO. I can usually tell if he's off his mark...I ask again.
"are you sure?" He's usually surprised that he hadn't said it correctly.
We're working on gestures.
He usually starts with the "I have to go" gesture as a response for everything.
"nope wrong gesture...you just went"
He shakes it off and then tries again....and again and again.
Again and again and again and again times a million.
That is our life now.
Paul does not give up.
There is no one that can compete with his perseverance.
I'd put him up against anyone!!
Maybe there should be an Olympic competition for perseverance?
Yesterday Jonathan and Marge and MDavid drove out from the city to meet us for lunch!!
I can't believe the effort that so many make to keep in touch with Paul.
Once again Paul won the eating-the -most competition.
He also won the falling-out-of-his-chair event.
It was a soft roll...and then a soft landing. Not a big thump and his head was spared.
It did draw the attention of the rest of the diners...and I'm thankful for the assist from the big guy at the neighboring table.
I guess Paul's ass is rounder than it use to be?
Art Rooney Jr sure knows Paul....he sent chocolates.
Perfect!
Paul loves a piece of candy or two in the evening.
I'm sure you are all wondering...."is he packing on the pounds?"
No way....he is exercising non-stop, even on the days he doesn't go to rehab.
We start out the day with a round of massage...then he does some bench presses and over the head lifts.
He uses his cane as the bar.
He follows up with shoulder lifts...shrugs...etc.
Vocal & facial exercises round it off....
and that is before he has breakfast.
We are coming up to the year anniversary of Paul's first stroke....November 22nd.
November 22nd used to be the day Kennedy was assassinated....not anymore.
We've actually gotten into a good routine...and I try to remain patient....I surprise myself.
I think that it is possible to keep a better attitude because Paul is so upbeat.
We help each other.
I am planning a break in November.
I'm going with my sister...we have taken a trip every year during football season.
Last year I went with my good friend Barbara. Gail was home with her daughter.
This year we are heading out together again.
Paul is very supportive.
I am terrified...I have spent dozens of nights worrying.
"How will he get by without me?"
"Will he be safe?"
"Will he be able to make himself understood?"
When I tell him my concerns he laughs and waves them off....he doesn't want me to worry.
But I worry!
But I also really, really need a break.
I need some creative time.
This sounds nuts....but I'm actually looking forward to the flight. Sitting still and doing nothing but listening to music.
It's been months since I used my iPod.
When I am next to Paul we listen to his music and if I go into the next room I have the monitor on and I'm still listening to his music.
Really I am not bitching...so please no messages about how terribly selfish I am.
I know....I'm a selfish wench...you don't have to tell me!!
When my sister was here in August I went to several places to find just the right place for Paul to go when I am away. It was the 6th place and it felt just right.
Everyone seemed happy....and very active and supportive of each other.
Paul will have his own studio....so he'll have time alone.
He likes some solitude.
You wouldn't believe the process of getting him ready. The doctor's visits....nursing evaluation..forms...shots....TB test.....the packing......the hauling. Paul just shakes his head.
"Just put my stuff in a bag and drop me off"!!
Please wish us luck...I'll leave on the 1st of November.
It's Sunday....so that means F O O T B A L L ! !
I am not complaining....Paul is finally interested in keeping up his football schedule.
Which means I am in charge of the arrangements....food on time....newspapers in order....channels arranged.
Thank God, there is a Last-Channel-Viewed button on the remote. It makes it so much easier for Paul.
He can't figure out the numbers on the remote.
It is amazing the things that are impossible for him to do.
Simple things that he understands but can't quite get his body to perform.
He understands that the games are on 2 and 5 today....but there is no way he can find that on the remote.
The toughest aspect for him to conquer is speech.
We do the exercises over and over and over.....
mmmmmmmmmm
oooooooooooooo
dddddddddddd
doe doe doe doe doe
but he can only do them if he mimics what I do.
Most of the time he can mimic...sometimes he hits a glitch and can't make him mouth do what his brain is telling it to do.
(lol for those of you that know him well...your saying "what else is new?"
he always blurted things out without thinking.)
There are a few words that he uses...No and yah.
He is much better with NO.
He also gets the answer correct most of the time....but there are times when he says YAH and means NO. I can usually tell if he's off his mark...I ask again.
"are you sure?" He's usually surprised that he hadn't said it correctly.
We're working on gestures.
He usually starts with the "I have to go" gesture as a response for everything.
"nope wrong gesture...you just went"
He shakes it off and then tries again....and again and again.
Again and again and again and again times a million.
That is our life now.
Paul does not give up.
There is no one that can compete with his perseverance.
I'd put him up against anyone!!
Maybe there should be an Olympic competition for perseverance?
Yesterday Jonathan and Marge and MDavid drove out from the city to meet us for lunch!!
I can't believe the effort that so many make to keep in touch with Paul.
Once again Paul won the eating-the -most competition.
He also won the falling-out-of-his-chair event.
It was a soft roll...and then a soft landing. Not a big thump and his head was spared.
It did draw the attention of the rest of the diners...and I'm thankful for the assist from the big guy at the neighboring table.
I guess Paul's ass is rounder than it use to be?
Art Rooney Jr sure knows Paul....he sent chocolates.
Perfect!
Paul loves a piece of candy or two in the evening.
I'm sure you are all wondering...."is he packing on the pounds?"
No way....he is exercising non-stop, even on the days he doesn't go to rehab.
We start out the day with a round of massage...then he does some bench presses and over the head lifts.
He uses his cane as the bar.
He follows up with shoulder lifts...shrugs...etc.
Vocal & facial exercises round it off....
and that is before he has breakfast.
We are coming up to the year anniversary of Paul's first stroke....November 22nd.
November 22nd used to be the day Kennedy was assassinated....not anymore.
We've actually gotten into a good routine...and I try to remain patient....I surprise myself.
I think that it is possible to keep a better attitude because Paul is so upbeat.
We help each other.
I am planning a break in November.
I'm going with my sister...we have taken a trip every year during football season.
Last year I went with my good friend Barbara. Gail was home with her daughter.
This year we are heading out together again.
Paul is very supportive.
I am terrified...I have spent dozens of nights worrying.
"How will he get by without me?"
"Will he be safe?"
"Will he be able to make himself understood?"
When I tell him my concerns he laughs and waves them off....he doesn't want me to worry.
But I worry!
But I also really, really need a break.
I need some creative time.
This sounds nuts....but I'm actually looking forward to the flight. Sitting still and doing nothing but listening to music.
It's been months since I used my iPod.
When I am next to Paul we listen to his music and if I go into the next room I have the monitor on and I'm still listening to his music.
Really I am not bitching...so please no messages about how terribly selfish I am.
I know....I'm a selfish wench...you don't have to tell me!!
When my sister was here in August I went to several places to find just the right place for Paul to go when I am away. It was the 6th place and it felt just right.
Everyone seemed happy....and very active and supportive of each other.
Paul will have his own studio....so he'll have time alone.
He likes some solitude.
You wouldn't believe the process of getting him ready. The doctor's visits....nursing evaluation..forms...shots....TB test.....the packing......the hauling. Paul just shakes his head.
"Just put my stuff in a bag and drop me off"!!
Please wish us luck...I'll leave on the 1st of November.
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