The days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Laura faithfully arrived every morning as she went on to work. She went home at the end of eight hours to relieve Laura. He remained happy, content, and positive through it all. Their son finished college and graduated just before their “First Christmas.” “Year One” came and went, and she remained in a fog of work, dressing him, feeding him, loving him, taking him to the bathroom, putting his feet up and down, up and down…up…and…down… His communication improved more each day, but he still experienced moments of aphasia (forgetting words) and looping (repeating words).
The money ran out after Year One, and she had to reduce Laura’s hours to part-time, since her insurance wouldn’t cover home health care. People asked, “Does he really need full-time care?” Yes, he did. He needed help getting out of his recliner into his wheelchair. He needed help getting to the bathroom. He needed help while in the bathroom. He needed help getting a glass of water and lunch. He needed help taking a shower. He couldn’t get himself out of the house in an emergency. He couldn’t make a phone call. Yes, he needed full-time care…all the time. And she had to work. And there was no more savings to pay for his care.
She was referred to LifeStream Services for help with his needs. With their help she did the thing she did not want to do, but knew she had no other choice: she applied on his behalf for Medicaid. He was approved, and suddenly services were available to him again. Laura was hired by a local home health agency full-time, and was able to come back to care for him. This was a huge blessing for Laura, him, and her.
Her counselor recommended calling Vocational Rehab for help with job training and other services. They met with Dena, a wonderful case worker, and Vern, her seeing-eye Black Lab. Dena filed paperwork for evaluation with the Rehab Hospital in Indy. The paperwork took months to get through, not surprisingly.
By March, she was at the end of her rope emotionally and physically. She found an inexpensive flight to St. Pete, Florida, and spent several days with a long-ago girlfriend. Her folks, their son, and Laura took care of him the whole time she was away. She was ready to return home, glad it was confirmed that home was still her favorite place to be. But she realized she’d need to get away for a few days every few months.
She decided they should try returning to church, so they attended on Easter Sunday after Year One. A small handful of people stopped to say hi, but most just gawked and walked the other way. It was a painful reintroduction to church, especially after not hearing from anyone on the staff since he was at Lutheran Hospital the week of January 5, 2014. She was a little bitter about it, but soon realized those weren’t productive thoughts. She thanked God that she was brought up in a supportive, Christian family, and knew that the building and the people weren’t what mattered. Eventually, she found a church online that they both appreciated, and they could watch in their family room.
Their son, six months out of college, moved closer to work and further from home by May 2015, and they were suddenly official empty-nesters. Their daughter and son-in-law still lived in town, were working, enjoying married life, and raising two puppies. Their daughter was halfway through her master’s degree by this time.
…but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Rush Strokes 