| 01-28-2006 The other day Lori, an aide at Jake's group home, told Jake to empty the trash... and he did. He managed to grasp the plastic between his hands/wrists and pull it up with the help of this teeth, then someone tied it for him and he took it out to the trash can. Makes me wonder what Jake would do if Lori told him to get his sorry butt out of that chair and walk. |
| Jake has another UTI. I usually don't even mention them anymore because they seem to be a constant in his life. But this time the doc put him on Levaquin. One pill a day for 14 days. Usually antibiotics do a number on his gut - he is very sick the entire time he is on them. But Levaquin only gives him slight nausea in early a.m. The drug seems to affect his appetite - it makes him hungry. |
| He has an infection control doc now. She has told him that he might need to go on a low dose of antibiotic to ward off these ever-constant UTI's. I told him he needs to seriously think about that. It might mean constant gut problems; plus what happens when he needs an antibiotic? |
| Jake has some options to be pro-active in this area. If you have followed his story for any length of time you will know that he had surgery in May of 2003. They took 15" of Jake's colon and formed a 'bladder' with a stoma (hole) by his belly button. This was a Mitrofanoff procedure. Literally, he urinates through his navel. This eliminated the ever-present Foley, which was causing UTI's. |
| The aides will be using different methods to cath Jake now. They will use alcohol wipes; and small packets of gel instead of a tube. Hopefully this will cut down his risk of infection. |
| Jake is working with his Axis worker about schooling. They help with finding jobs but he is hoping they will help with college. |
| Jake is also getting involved in the 'Think First' program. People with special stories go to high schools and talk about their situation so kids think before they act (like diving into shallow water). A nurse accompanies the speaker so he/she can give general medical information about the speakers' handicap. |
| Jake is going to massage therapy at the Courage Center on Feb 8th. He also will start PT soon. |
| His daily schedule will be changing. This is so he will become accustomed to a longer time frame in his chair every day. Right now his cares start at 9:00 and he is in his chair by 10:00; soon that will change so he is in his chair by 8:00. This will allow for an easier classroom schedule and doc appointments. |
| Early afternoons he is always put back in his bed for about an hour to ease the pressure on his skin. His skin wound needs about two years to completely heal. This time will not change. |
| He now is put into bed at 8:00 p.m. and that will change to 10:00. So in effect, Jake will be in his chair for about 4 more hours every day. |
| He has expressed a desire for a small camera. He wants to take pictures of his new family. So soon we might get some photos. |
| And in regards to his trash-taking-out, yes, I asked him to try a different method than using his teeth. I gently reminded him what could be in that trash. :) |