Home for the Holiday

Kristine and I met with the rehabilitation team today for a "family meeting." Kristine's mom also joined via conference call. We discussed Kristine's progress and plans for migrating her back into the real world. The doctor and the physical therapists all felt strongly that Kristine was ready to move to a day therapy program and that doing so would be good for her progress.

The plan is simple -- of course, in practice there will be tons of obstacles with which to contend. Kristine will conduct her physical therapy (PT) at home on Friday with her current therapist, Mike. This will allow for an even more practical framework and context to navigate through daily issues around the house. On Friday, she will move back home after 28 days in in-patient rehab. They originally planned to keep her over the weekend, but we all felt it best to start adjusting to home life while I had two full days off and since weekend therapy is generally a source of frustration for Kristine anyway.

The following week Kristine will not have therapy due to the holiday. We will be forced to adjust to some challenging circumstances. Fortunately, her parents will be back in town for a little over a week to help out. The following week, Kristine will transfer to a day rehabilitation center where she will be given more intense therapy from 9am to 3pm five days a week. The team believes that based on her current progress she will likely complete this phase of treatment within 2-4 weeks at which time she will continue a lighter form of therapy only a few days a week.

The rehabilitation team, and specifically the social worker, are helping to solve some of the other logistical details (e.g., Kristine's very own wheelchair, a specific type of side-raise commode, a shower seat, etc.). They are also exploring transportation options to and from day therapy for the weeks following Thanksgiving. Apparently is not the easiest service to lock down, but I have to believe that we can find a private service on our own, if necessary. We may have to rely on friends for transport help though until we get something set up.

We had considered moving Kristine out to Texas to live with her parents for a few months. There is a good rehab center relatively close by, she would have her parents' full attention and their house doesn't have stairs. The trouble is there's still cancer to deal with, so we need to remain in the area for doctor visits and potential treatment. For now it looks like we will remain in Philadelphia and do the best we can.