We arrived at our house that afternoon. The rehabilitation center brought Steve home in a wheelchair accessible bus. There were signs posted all along our driveway and a huge banner on our fence that were welcoming him home. The employees that we worked with had gotten together and brought all of it over earlier that day. When Steve saw our dogs he called them over to him. They came to him but acted like they weren't sure who he was. That bothered him a little but he knew they would figure out who he was. We were at home for about an hour when a nurse aide from the home health agency showed up. She would be there until 10:00, after she put Steve to bed. Chad and Chase came home from school shortly after the aid arrived. It wasn't long before Steve felt real good about finally being at home.
We had aides in our home for about 3 months, due to my broken arm. One would arrive early in the morning to get Steve up then she left around 3:00. Then another aide would come and stay until 10:00, after Steve was bathed and put to bed. The insurance company, or any other agency, would not pay for a modification to our bathroom, so Steve has had bed baths since he came home from the hospital. The aides were a big asset to us due to the circumstances. I feel that Steve and I would have had a very tough time without their help. I could not imagine a family being sent home by themselves, after such a change in their lives, without some professional help.
Steve continued physical and occupational therapy at home. He had 2 therapists that would come to the house once a day. One of his therapist would transfer him into a standing frame and work with him on his handwriting. The other therapists worked with him on his transfers, from the wheel chair to the bed, and work with him on rolling from one side to the other. The standing frame helps his body with circulation of the blood and to help keep his muscles stretched in his legs.
A power wheelchair had been ordered for Steve but was not ready before time to come home. He was using a borrowed power chair while at the hospital but this chair was not available to come home with us. He came home in a manual wheelchair. This made it very difficult for him to get around the house without asking someone to push him around. Although he hated the fact that he was in a wheelchair, he was very happy to see the power chair arrive. He now had the ability to go '4 wheeling' again! He can go all around our property with this chair, he has only been stuck once.
An agency for the state, Spinal Cord Commission, helped some with getting some of the needed modifications to our home. They were able to install 2 ramps, one at our back door and the other at our patio door, for Steve to be able to get in and out of the house. They also replaced our patio doors so that the door opening would be wide enough for Steve to get through. Most of the other doorways in our house are plenty wide. We have not been able to do any modifications to our bathroom due to the expense. If Steve were living by himself he would need to have several other things modified. The Spinal Cord Commission has limited funds and had a set amount of money that could be spent to do modifications.
It took awhile to feel comfortable in our house again but we love it at our place. Steve will go out to his shop and look around at all of his tools. He has his customized Toyota sitting out there that he still enjoys looking at. His brother-in-law took him for a ride in it one day. Steve said it was fun, just not the same as when he used to take it out himself. I drive it sometimes to keep it running.
Oh, and the part about the dogs not recognizing Steve when he first came home... that only lasted a short time! One of the dogs would always be by his side. If the dog sitting beside him would need to leave him then the other one would come up and take it's place. Unfortunately, one of our dogs died. The one that we still have is never very far from Steve's side.
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