Monday, September 3

Thoughts on the Aftermath....

of a stroke.

You might remember that I wrote a post titled Thermostat Wars recently. That has changed dramatically. Mr. kenju used to be hot all the time; sweating profusely if the thermostat was set above 68*. Guess what? Now, he wants it set to 72* or higher. It seems that high blood pressure (at least in his case) sets you on fire and bringing it to a more healthful level will lower your body temperature. Whereas I used to freeze in his presence, now I am too warm. HA! The hospital room has been hot and stuffy to me for the last 3-4 days. I don't know if that should be a warning to those of you who are hot all the time...maybe you need to have your blood pressure checked? At least, do that if you know it is not hot flashes....LOL. It's always something, isn't it? Gilda Radner knew what she was talking about.

Mr. kenju got all tired out today. They have therapy, even on Sunday, so this morning he was busy doing whatever it is they tell him to do. After lunch, our son and his family arrived, then our daughter and her nephew, and I got there at 2 pm. They were in the cafeteria, having spent part of their time together outside in the sunshine. Today was a perfect example of a perfect day: beautiful blue skies with nary a cloud, gently breezy, warm, but not too hot (as it has been all too often recently). Mr. kenju secretly enjoys being pushed in a wheelchair, I think....LOL. One grandaughter loves performing, and so she treated us (and many others in the cafeteria) to a dance that her sister had to do in cheerleading practice. She is only 9, but she probably dreams of being a cheerleader one day, and she is getting an early start at learning the routines. I don't think she realized that we were not the only people in the room who clapped when she finished.

We took mr. kenju back to his room; all seven of us. One of the male nurses looked askance at the big group, seeing as how they only allow 2 visitors per person. But he didn't say anything, as he could see how much mr. roommate was enjoying the crowd. Later, the roomie had 4 visitors, so we sort of evened it out...LOL

As soon as everyone left (except me), mr. kenju went down for a nap. He had been resting for about 10 minutes when a nurse (female, this time) came in, woke him up and tried to give him a bath before dinner. He turned her down flat, saying he needed to rest. We decided he would have a bath after dinner, since my opinion was that he smells like a billy goat after no proper showers in 12 days! Another problem is that he needed a haircut when he went to the hospital and after almost 2 weeks, his hair is way too long and curly. The longer it gets, the curlier it is. I told him I could find a hairdresser to come to the hospital to cut it, but he is afraid it will cost an arm and a leg to do that. I am going to ask when I get my hair cut on Tuesday, and maybe someone in my salon will do it for only a pittance above the normal charge? Ya' think?





18 comments:

BreadBox said...

I know my hairdressers here would do it for the extra that it costs them to get to the hospital (and actually, knowing them, they'd probably swallow most of that).
Do they also cut Mr K's hair? If not, I can see them taking a more shirty view...

Good luck with it...

N.

Travelin'Oma said...

Your cheerfulness is contagious. I'm sure it's helping Mr. Kenju a lot.

Raggedy said...

I am sure the big crowd made him feel grand. I think you can find a good deal for the hair cut. I was sorry to hear that Mr. kenju is in the hospital. I have missed you very much. My health is finally better. We did not have power all week because we got hit by a tornado last Sunday. I will try to come back later to catch up with the rest of your posts.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Have a wonderful day!
*^_^
(=':'=) hugs
(")_ (")Š from
the Cool Raggedy one

Chancy said...

Why don't you ask at the hospital and see if they have any arrangements for a barber or hair stylist who comes in on occasion and cuts the patients hair. It seems they might have such a person. Good luck with that.

I have a feeling that Mr K is going to be fine and dandy in no time. He has a super support system in you and the family.

Suburban Island said...

I'm sorry that I have been such a distracted reader of late. I didn't realize you had moved but now I know. Sorry to hear your husband is in the hospital.

-E said...

I think a nurse could probably tell you who comes in and cuts hair. I'm fairly certain it isn't too uncommon.

Take care and it sounds like you had a nice day. Michele sent me.

Pat said...

Just been catching up an admiring the photos - especially your wedding which is ace!
Glad Mr K is coming on and sounds like he is coming to terms with events. I expect the one thing you are longing for is a return to normality. Re the temperature, it's the same here. Every cloud...
Re the haircut - why not offer the hairdresser one of your beautiful bouquets in return?

joared said...

Have been thinking of you and Mr. Kenju. Finally got back to catch up and in reading your previous posts, I am just now realizing that he had a stroke. Sounds like he's already regaining some of his skills which bodes well for his recovery.

Your wedding pictures are lovely. So what if the two of you don't look now like you did then. Same thing happened to my husband and I. I like to think that we became more "beautiful and handsome" on the inside as the years passed by, and I suspect the same coud be said for the two of you.

The wedding flowers you prepared were spectacular. I especially love blue flowers. Wish I could have smelled the Eucadorian rose.

Wonderful that Mr. Kenju and his roomate can enjoy each other. That can be a bonus to aid in recovery.

Also, I'm impressed to read your using the word "patience" so much, as that is so critical for Mr. Kenju and you, to just take each day as it comes along. So easy for me to write, more difficult to practice.

Wonderful Mr. Kenju's hand motor skills have improved so much for ease of self-feeding. Am sure the therapists are challenging him daily to maximize all those gains.

Very important that you get rest and take good care of yourself, Judy! You won't be any good to yourself or anyone else if you don't. Am sending healing wishes to Mr. Kenju and you.

November Rain said...

I am glad you are hanging in there
Here from Michelles

MaR said...

Things seem to be looking up (or growing longer, like Mr kenju's hair! Hope he doesn't need to be hospitalized much longer!

utenzi said...

I'm sure a few curls aren't going to hurt your husband, Judy. On the other hand, if it's bothering him then it's well worth the trouble and expense. He's got enough on his plate what with recovering from his stroke. Eliminating troublesome details like curly hair and billy goat smells is all to the good.

I'd never heard of a correlation between high blood pressure and heat preference before but it sounds like you two won't be fighting over the thermostat anymore which is nice.

Karen said...

Judy, wow, I was just reading in your older posts about Mr. Kenju. What a scary thing for both of you! I'm so glad that he's feeling better and especially that you and your family are rallying around him. I'm sure this is very difficult for him and you. I wish you all the best and hoping for a speedy recovery!

Just stopping by to say hello!

Joy Des Jardins said...

I think the hairdresser would do it for a small charge. Also...the hospital may have someone who does that kind of thing....check with them. I'm sure Mr. Kenju enjoyed all his visitors...even if he was tired out. How are you doing Judy? This kind of thing is just as tiring for family members. I hope you're getting a decent amount of rest.

Jamie Dawn said...

A curly-haired goat?? He's sounding a bit scruffy!
How GREAT that he is getting out into the sunshine and enjoying fun times with family.
He is on his way to getting OUT of that place and coming home to bug you 24-7.
I think a hair stylist will come and cut it for the price of the cut, and maybe a $10 fee for travelling. That sounds fair. I hope they wouldn't charge more than that. Tell them you are desperate! Your goat needs a good trimming!!!

Kay Dennison said...

I'll write you about some of this later but I'm glad to see Mr. kenju is progressing!

Anonymous said...

Well, yes, people with high blood pressure tend to sweat profusely and be hot all the time. So now you won't have a thermostat war any longer!
Glad to know that the news are so good. :)

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Most hospitals have barbers or beauticians they use. If mr. kenju goes to a regular barber who he really likes, you might be able to get them to stop by for an extra $20 or something.

Things sound great though aside from the hair (and shower sitch!), he seems to be in great spirits and recovering nicely.

Unique Designs from Zazzle said...

i think Mr. Kenju should curl those locks -- work it baby. lol

i'm just teasing.

I hope he continues to progress. Tell him he's got chores to do.

Our best to you and Mr. Kenju,

Shane & Suzanne