Too Much for Just 24 Hours
Every so Quite often, everything is happening at once with Ryan’s care. This is the point he is at now as it relates to his therapy and everything else normal (and abnormal) folks do during a day. Allow me to break it down:
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment. He spends 3 hours in effective treatment daily. When you add the time to inflate (15 minutes), deflate (5 minutes), and prep/transfers (10 minutes) this demands roughly four hours of the day.
- Infrared Treatment. He goes under the lamps twice a day for 30 minutes.
- Range-of-motion. A minimum of two hours per day.
- Standing frame. Again, two hours.
- Ultrasound Bone Stimulator. Twenty minutes.
While there are other therapies (e.g., sensation, music, etc) to the above, by my count, those five take over nine hours a day. We keep him up for around fourteen so you can see just how hectic it often becomes. I am as efficient as possible by combining therapies whenever possible. For example, I play music while he is in the HBOT or getting infrared.
One would think having an “extra” five hours is more than enough down time. Well, did I mention he needs fed, bathed, changed, administered medications, oral care, eye care, IBRF teleconferences, food preparation, and being massaged (him, not me) — to name a few. Good news is, without any bumps in the day we can fit it all in. Barely.
Bumps vs. Humps
Image via Wikipedia
I’m not talking about the good “bumps” here (reference Black Eyed Peas). Herein is the problem. Every day has its “bumps”. These are usually just things that need tended to like repair calls, insurance/medical billing errors, time in court, deliveries, dog needs, housework, nurses calling out, therapy agencies being jerks, this, that, and the other thing.
There are also good bumps (again, reference Black Eyed Peas), like fundraisers, writing this blog, doctor visits, and events vital to Ryan’s care. These are the bumps that give that fun feeling in your stomach, like when you experience zero-gravity on a roller coaster as you crest a hill at sixty miles per hour. Now that I think about it, maybe I should call those “humps”?
When we finally have Ryan tucked in at the end of the day, I don’t reflect on the the past twenty-four hours. Sure, I’ve tried but it’s just a blur. This is a serious problem for me that I’ve (mostly) remedied with the use of a huge planner. I frequently use this blog to find when something happened (and cower when I reread what I wrote).
Ahhh, the bliss of living in the moment!
Wait… what was I just saying?
I will continue to say that Ryan is Sure “Blessed” to have a Great Family like he does. And I will say you are more organized on things than what i would be. You have alot of things that you have to keep track of and know whats gone on. I agree you need a assistant But Your doing Great! “Hats off to Great Work”
I’m thinking you need an assistant — or six! Still here, thinking of you. Love
Ryan can thank God he has such a caring devoted father like you. Praying for you guys every day. Hang in there.
Ken your one heck of a father. It was my honor to meet Ryan and yourself. I wish all the best for your family.
You are one very organized individual! I don’t know if I could keep up with all you have for Ryan, he is one very blessed young man!
ALL THAT and still you find the time to write on this blog to update the many, many supporters of Ryan and your family! Truly remarkable. You have single-handedly given new meaning to the definition of “A SUPERMAN” …. Clark Kent who? P-L-E-A-S-E. How bout Ken Diviney!!?? That’s what I’m talking about !! AND I am more than positive that somewhere within him, RYAN is talking about you too and someday DUE in large part to YOUR unwavering care he WILL share that with you.
Your family is beautiful, inspiring and real.
May GOD’s grace shine on you and yours.
In Love and in prayer,
Keri and My Frankie from NY
You are amazing, Diviney family! I say family but I know that Ken does the lion’s share of the work, while Sue & Kari have their own arena of responsibilities. The saying goes, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” You have clearly mastered ‘Time Management 101’.
Wishing you a positive, bump-free day. SHSP!
URGENT MESSAGE for Ken posted as a message to his email.
PLEASE READ ASAP.
Galya,
I picked-up you email and replied, but in case you don’t see it: we had plugs inserted in Ryan’s ears to equalize the pressure of the HBOT upon compression and decompression. These eliminate any discomfort most would feel from the changes in pressure.
Thank you for your genuine concern looking out for Ryan.
Ken
The plugs don’t help that much. Please see my full response on an email to you.
Sincerely,
The No. 1 Diviney Team Fan in Lakeland Florida
AKA “That Stubborn Lady”
Nothing short of miraculous how you guys manage such a whirlwind schedule. I’m continuously amazed.
…as am I amazed by the socks in your avatar. 🙂