March 31, 2007

It was a year ago that a friend and I went to Vallejo to bring Rand "home" from the rehab hospital where he had spent a long, lonely, grueling month. He came to his new home and lived there for about a month before going back into another hospital, followed by a stay in a nursing home until mid-July. It seems like all of that happened last month, not a year ago. Uff da.

On Saturday we had a brunch for Rand and Karen's "adopted little sister," Solveig and her husband from Sunol, CA, for a sort-of family reunion. Karen and Solveig have not seen each other in 40-50 years, so it was a real celebration. Rand was here for the brunch/reunion,

I got such a kick out of Kaj - is he an engineer or what?? Karen was setting the table and I put the lazy susan in the center. I wasn't sure it was centered so Kaj got a tape measure, measured all around and made sure it was right on the nose! What a hoot - picture below! I love having these two here!

The brunch with old friends went well and the six of us loved Kaj's smorbrod (open faced sandwiches)! Below are two pictures of his work - one in progress, the other of the finished product. He made a second platter of herring smorbrod that is not pictured. He made the marinade for two kinds of herring and both were delicious besides being beautiful! Karen was the sous-chef, preparing the garnishes, the fruit salad, generally keeping the kitchen straight, clean and both of us organized. Rand was here for five hours and seemed to enjoy himself. He was focused on the conversations as they moved from one topic to another, and wasn't ready to leave when I asked him. He stayed for another two hours before indicating that he needed to go home. He chose to stay in his wheelchair rather than transfer to a diningroom chair.

Tomorrow K and K will go to see Rand alone in the morning and then we are heading downtown to the San Jose Rep for a play in the afternoon. After that we only have two more days together before they head back to Madison, WI! I hate to see them leave.

Chef Kaj preparing the smorbrod - a work in progress!

The finished product! The equally impressive and delicious platter of herring smorbrod is not pictured.

Keep Rand close - he inhaled smorbrod all afternoon!

Love,
Connie

March 28, 2007

Rand was soooooooo happy to see Karen and Kaj today!!

Rand and Karen - a welcome hug! Kaj is reflected in the mirror.
They were with him in his physical therapy session this morning and again this afternoon when we had wine and cheese together. Karen and Kaj brought him a big box of Peason's Salted Nut Rolls which are very hard to come by in California, a package of Norwegian flag toothpicks and a framed copy of the wonderful picture below. That is Rand driving the Farmall tractor and Jerome pitching hay onto the wagon, Rand was probably 15 or so and Jerome was in college when Karen took this slide. Tomorrow we will hang this picture in his room.

While Rand was having lunch and a well deserved nap, K and K and I went grocery shopping. Kaj is going to make Danish Open Faced Sandwiches for a brunch we are having on Saturday. Yum, yum, yum! Right now he is making a dill marinade for herring. His smorbrod is such a treat!

Tomorrow we are going on an outing to Valley Fair so K and K can find the perfect outfits to wear to their 50th wedding anniversary party in Denmark in June. Rand and I will go along as the support team.

Later tomorrow afternoon, Jennie, the SLP, is bringing a rep to our house to show us a communication system designed to help people with severe aphasia and apraxia, like Rand. I don't understand how it works and am most anxious to see it in action. Jennie thinks that Rand would benefit from this device/program to help him communicate. This is one of two companies that produce this kind of thing and I will hear from the other one another time. Wouldn't that be wonderful if it could help? What a gift it would be to enable Rand to communicate on an effective level. Full report to follow.
Keep Rand close.
Love,
Connie

Two handsome dudes working in the field - Rand driving, Jerome pitching hay - circa 1955

March 21, 2007

Rand was so relieved to see me today - he couldn't figure out why I hadn't been to see him for a few days.  He forgot that I was in Portland, OR, with my cousins and he was worried.  I think he felt I had abandon him even though the trip was marked on the calendar.  He was fine, all is well, but he was very worried.

My aunt, cousins and I had a tearful, happy, sad, parting last night and this morning.  I think this is the last time I will see Liv, and I know it is the last time she and my aunt will see each other.  I have no idea when I will be able to return to Norway, if ever, and this is Liv's last trip to the USA.  We had such a good time together - they are the easiest company and so appreciative of everything.  I thoroughly enjoyed having them here and showing them around. Rand was so happy when they were with him. Jan and Liv were very relieved to see how good Rand looks and will bring reports back to the rest of the family.

Now I am washing sheets, towels, clothes, getting ready for Rand's sister Karen and her husband Kaj, to arrive next Tuesday from Madison, Wisconsin. They will be here until April 5. This is their first trip out here since Rand's stroke and probably the first trip here in close to 10 years. It will be so good to have there here again.

The picture below is of Rand with my Norwegian cousins, Jan and Liv. Liv has declared herself to be "President of Rand's Fan Club!"

Love,
Connie

March 23, 2007

Today I wasn't sure of the date when filling out a form and Rand provided it - we were sitting on the back patio so he had no access to a calendar, yet he knew the date exactly! He never ceases to amaze me.

Good friends who work with Rand faithfully every week were there again today. I tried to be a fly on the wall and, once again, was so thrilled with what he is able to do with speech and vocabulary. He does wonderfully when things are in a pattern and he has someone to follow. The carry over and retention are still iffy, but every day he comes up with new words in his speech. He was down on himself again this afternoon because of his frustration with his lack of speech. He was in tears for awhile, but got through that. Boredom is a problem, too. He will not join the rest of the residents in the main room because he can not communicate. He has no interest in the activities that they do (mostly "girl stuff") but he also doesn't make the effort and can not initiate a request. I need to talk to Manny and see if he will take him into the main room for a few hours every day. Being alone so much is not good and Rand can not initiate anything for himself. Formal speech therapy begins again on Monday after a two week hiatus.

This afternoon I brought some chips and a beer over for Rand. The owner/doctor was there and commented on the fact that Rand is gaining weight - very true. He suggested that his treats/candy/cake/cookie intake be rationed and I agree. The last thing he needs is extra weight to carry around. When you come to visit, please try to bring boring, healthy stuff for him or at least not calorie laden things every time. Thanks.

My cousins left for Oslo last night from LA, via Munich. They are home tonight safe and sound after traveling for 23 hours. Uff da.

All is well. Spring has definitely sprung and I am anxious to get flowers planted, the garden set up, etc. I just need to carve out the time.

Love,
Connie

March 7, 2007

Today Rand had a grueling workout in OT and PT. This epistle chronicles about 45 minutes of his time on the treadmill in physical therapy. I've put similar photos online before, but this time, Rand is walking without holding on to anything. He is learning to stand straight and tall, to keep his head up, his chest out and to depend on himself for balance - no mean feat! Laura, the PT and Thuan, the CNA, are supporting him as necessary, but Rand is working so, so hard. I think you can see it in his face. By the time the session was over, Rand's right leg was quivering uncontrollably with fatigue.


Rand, Laura and Thuan (back of his head) on the treadmill. Notice that Rand is holding his hands, not balancing himself with the handrails.


After 10 minutes the fatigue is starting to show.


Rand responds to the admonition to "keep your head up - chest out!!
>
Now, to stand straight and tall, head up, chest out and balance, balance, balance!

A precarious step off the treadmill with support from Thuan, Laura and the cane


Taking steps using his own sense of balance and support from Laura

I hope this gives you some idea of what Rand is going through to try to relearn to move under his own power, to regain confidence, balance and to take a few steps unassisted. The goal is not to have him walk down the street again, it is to have him walk a few feet to the table, the shower, the bathroom, the bed, a chair, etc. He's working so hard, six days a week and it is exhausting, but he's making progress. It brings tears to my eyes to watch him, but he never gives up, is always willing to go the extra distance. He's quite a guy.

Keep him close in your hearts and prayers.

Love,
Connie

March 5, 2007

Lordy, lordy. Our taxman arrived at 5:30 p.m. and left at the stroke of midnight! It is officially March 5 as I'm writing this. I am so glad that that marathon is over for the year - maybe forever. Next year should be a piece of cake compared to the last couple of years. We'll meet again this summer to do some financial analysis, projections and reviews.

It was such a beautiful day that Rand and I went for a long walk. Guess what we discovered!?!? The "Rand Elness Memorial Handicapped Curbs" are about to be installed at both ends of Antigua Drive! Last summer/fall I wrote a letter asking how the City of San Jose could approve the establishment of an assisted living home for six mobility impaired adults and then not provide handicapped curbs on the sidewalks for wheelchairs and walkers as required by federal law. I got a visit from the City Engineer who agreed totally and said that Antigua Dr. would be at the top of the 2007 budget priority list. Here we are and it is happening!! WHOOPIE!! Maybe I can put Rand's initials in the wet cement!

A friend visited this afternoon and brought beautiful camillias.

I have a pile of things to do tomorrow as a result of tonight's marathon, then I have a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, Rand has speech therapy and then I meet with Jennie to get her appraisal of Rand's speech situation and potential. It will be another long day.

Keep Rand close. All is well.

Love,
Connie