After spending eleven days in the hospital, I was released and moved to a transitional care facility. The motorcycle accident resulted in injuries to my upper right arm, left wrist/hand, and right ankle, rendering me unable to independently feed, take care of myself, or walk independently.
Admitted to Transitional Care
I was admitted to a facility that had the capability to provide round-the-clock care for my difficult injuries. I was grateful to be at a facility equipped to handle my complex injuries and provide continuous care. The dedicated staff at the facility ensured that my needs were met and that I received the necessary treatments and therapies for my arm, wrist/hand, and ankle. Their expertise and support played a crucial role in my recovery journey.
The staff was incredibly kind and gently assisted me every day and night. I never felt I was a burden or neglected.
I received daily physical therapy sessions to aid in my mobility while wearing the boot on my right foot to protect the fractured ankle. My goal was to become proficient in navigating stairs independently, without relying on my arms for support. Although it was a difficult task, my therapist conducted strength training exercises to help me overcome this challenge.
One of the objectives during my stay was to gain independence in feeding myself. It was challenging as I am left-handed and right now can only use my right hand. The occupational therapist assisted me every day in mastering the skill of self-feeding. She suggested the use of specialized adaptive utensils to facilitate the process. These helped immensely.
Living in Transitional Care
Following six days in transitional care, my confidence in my abilities had grown. The care team inquired about my preference – returning home or continuing my stay at the facility. While I felt prepared, the ultimate decision rested on my husband’s willingness to assume the responsibilities that a round-the-clock professional team had been handling for me.
It was a big ask. The only things I had mastered were feeding myself, walking in the boot, and stairs. For everything else, I relied on assistance, from getting dressed to using the bathroom and everything in between. Mentally, I had prepared myself to stay or leave.
When my husband came to visit, I asked whether he would be willing to assist me around the clock or if I should remain longer. He just said, “Come home.’ I explained to him that he would have to do everything the staff now did for me. He acknowledged his understanding and stressed that I should return home. Wow. What a guy prepared to make a sacrifice for me despite his own health concerns.
Released from Transitional Care
We called the care team in to let them know I would be going home. I spent a total of seven day at the facility and gained the skills to be able to be released to my husbands care and head home. It hasn’t been easy for him but he hasn’t complained and has kept my spirits up.
P.S. I lost my job because of the accident. My former employer did set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.