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As most of our readers are aware, your author is the wife of Rod Cohenour, author of the Cooking With Rod column that also appears monthly. We have enjoyed sharing our love of cooking with our readers and my hubby has been a most supportive (and patient) enabler of my Genealogy addiction! He has steadfastly endured my endless quests to break down my most intriguing and frustrating brick walls. He has prepared meals and tended to household chores while I spend "just a little bit more time ... think I may be onto something here, darling" as that time stretches into the wee hours. This month is different. All my attention has been focused on Rod. Thus, I pen this column in lieu of a Genealogy revelation, a look at what our lives have revolved around for the past month and a half.
My dear Rod has had a really tough time of it. Went into ER on the 12th of December with excruciating leg foot and knee pain. Tests revealed a very high level of uric acid (gout) with extremely high inflammation. Kept in ER all that day, overnight, and most of the next day before getting a room. Had to cancel his planned Green Light Laser surgery (termed lifesaving by his Urologist) scheduled for Dec 19th.
X-rays revealed a fresh spiral fracture of the fibula near
the right knee. Thankfully that was stabilized and did not require
surgery or immobilization with a cast or a boot. However, he was
transported to St. Ann's Skilled Nursing & Therapy Facility on the
17th.
There have been a couple of issues arising from the Siberian
Cold front, including the Facility's big water main freezing and
bursting which disabled the furnace, thrusting the whole place in the
freezer, basically, while overnight temps were an actual 3°. The staff
kept bringing heated blankets to wrap folks in. Rod was in his warm-up
pants and hoodie with hoodie up, under all his covers plus his heavy
George Foreman velour robe, and felt like a popsicle!
This week he has tested positive for COVID-19. He's been
moved into an isolation ward, a private room which has an ER-type
curtain for a "door". They have started him on the new Pfizer
Paxlovid-Dexamethasone series of antiviral meds that, in clinical trials
and treatments being followed show an 89% reduction in need for
hospitalization, significantly reduced recovery, and vastly lower need
for oxygen and much reduced serious symptoms and deaths. In fact, they
came in while we were talking and administered his current dosage.
Paxlovid-Dexamethasone. A one-two punch delivering a highly
effective anti-viral that stops Covid from being able to replicate in
new cells along with a corticosteroid that eases the inflammatory
destruction in lungs and kidneys etc.
In typical fashion for Rod, his spirits have been high as he
pushes himself to keep moving and deny pain any normal person would be
constantly complaining about. He cannot speak more highly about the care
he has received, both at Mercy Hospital and now at St. Ann's Skilled
Nursing & Therapy Facility. In Rod's view, every single person he
has interacted with at St. Ann's has shown the greatest care and
compassion. He called them "my angels." My personal experience with
staff at St. Ann's actually began before Rod was transported from Mercy
to their facility. I received a call advising "Your loved one is being
transported to our facility and should arrive momentarily." I was then
given a telephone number to contact, my caller inquired about my email
address for their use in providing additional contact information and
any material updates.
Shortly after that initial greeting, a second call from St.
Ann's introduced their Admissions Director with more information and her
personal contact information. I was requested to respond to a few
questions regarding Rod's current health and asked to email a photocopy
of his immunization records for Flu, Pneumonia, and Covid.
A third call came from Finance with important information
concerning our insurance coverage and what I could expect regarding cost
sharing. All of the contacts were conducted in a friendly and
professional manner.
One failing was on our part. I did not pack Rod's cell phone
in his luggage, not recognizing St. Ann's does not provide individual
room phones. The kind staff has been more than helpful in arranging for
him to have access to a cell phone in order for us to communicate on a
regular basis.
Rod has been quite well pleased with the food service, a
filling and tasty breakfast routinely consists of eggs (usually an
omelet), two rashers of thick sliced bacon, a bread option, hot oatmeal
(which he loves, and is most beneficial healthwise) along with a fruit
cup and some type juice.
His lunch and dinner meals have been varied, always tasty,
and served with attention to his dietary requirements. Their selection
of sugar-free desserts has been impressive: from tri-flavored sherbet
(lime, orange, berry) to pumpkin pie.
He has a specially designed Physical Therapy (focused on
mobility and legs) and Occupational Therapy (focused on upper body
strength) program, and enjoys those sessions even though he does
experience some discomfort.
In addition to his three squares a day, Rod has two snacks.
Those vary: a small bag of peanuts, a grilled cheese or chicken salad
sandwich, fruit, and cheese, or something pleasing. Every three and a
half to four hours he has food presented. Just long enough it is
welcome. Not so long he is actually hungry.
On one or two occasions, my heart has been broken when my
normally upbeat husband has displayed depression, even tears. He is a
gregarious person who delights in visiting with others. This isolation
does not suit him. He and I visit as long as the charge on the cell
phones holds out. This is the longest period of time we've ever spent
apart! He has now lived with non-stop pain since just before
Thanksgiving. It is amazing he has not shown more anguish.
He loves his furbabies and misses them terribly. When they
hear his voice on the speaker of my cellphone, they respond. Our ginger
tabby, Boy-Boy, runs to me, jumps on my chest, and nuzzles the phone.
Blaze howls her "I want my Daddy" howl. Penny perks up her ears and
looks around expectantly.
Rod believes in prayer. So do I. This is a time in our lives
we earnestly solicit prayer: that his recovery will be complete and
rapid, that no residual effects trouble him, and that he can return home
without that being troublesome for him. That our insurance company
shows compassion and practicality with regard to his readiness to leave
nursing care.
Ending this report with the greatest hopes that Rod will soon
be on the mend and his usual cheerful, busy self at home and HEALED!
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