Check on Dave

Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are now taken.  If someone can only do Sundays, I can trade for Friday or Saturday.

I see blogspot.com stripped my email address from the last post. Here it is again, in disguised form only you can decode:  margoshohl at-sign mac dot com.

Not yet the end of the blog!

This post is especially for family and friends in the nyc area:  as David makes the transition back to his own place in the Village (354 W. 12th St., apt. 4C), it will reassure me (and him, a little) no end to set up a daily check-on-Dave schedule.  It is a third-floor walkup, and I have noticed that David is somewhat uncoordinated after his hospital stay and needs to be careful on the stairs, for instance.  He also could use help getting through some daily tasks, like grocery shopping, paying bills, keeping appointments, etc., since he has not recovered cognitively to a really independent standard.  

So here's what I propose, with David's permission:  I will physically show up at his place on Sundays.  Can any of you volunteer to check on him, at least by phone, one other day in the week for the next couple of weeks?  You could post a comment to this blog to claim a day, or email me and I will post the schedule as it develops.  I think it would not be out of place to suggest bringing a nutritious meal once in a while, either as part of the check-up schedule or on a happenstance basis. I don't think David is up for making much more than a bowl of cereal or microwaving prepared food at present.

Thank you from Dave--with full text

I'm extremely thankful to everyone for the online and in-person support over the past near-two months.  This includes my large loving family and a wide circle of generous friends.

In addition to providing me with support, this blog has been extraordinarily helpful to me in reconstructing what happened.  Without y0ur comments, I'd have forgotten much of this and that would have been a serious loss.  The affirmation that's been my privilege to receive in the course of this ordeal is the most precious blessing to come out of all this.

Other fringe benefits include a drastic cut in the amount of pills I have to take as well as a total cut in the amount of cigarettes I smoke.  I don't even need coffee anymore.

Thank you all for helping me turn something horrible into something to be grateful for.

Thank you from Dave

Glasses

We're down to the fine print, folks, which David will finally be able to read tomorrow when we pick up his new glasses.  He is continuing to do great, getting back to his regular walking schedule and less creaky by the day.  

Thanks for your kind words, Pete. The only reason I've been able to post upbeat reports is that David provided good material on a regular basis, for which I am most grateful. Because I wish everybody could have a brother like Dave!  

It has been encouraging and comforting to have you all reading the blog. Your responses--by comment, email and phone--all helped me feel like just one part of a greater community called Team Dave.

Let's give Margo a big hand! (from Peter)

The view from Alaska is that Margo has done a terrific job of being David's advocate while he was visiting Mr. and Mrs. Minor scales. On top of that she posted regularly to the blog to keep us all up on the latest. Her upbeat and clear posts were a tremendous comfort to all of us. I just wish we could ALL have a sister like Margo... Oh! Come to think of it, I do!

David discharged!

It's official--David is now residing in Riverdale.  Visitors, feel free to come on up whenever you find it convenient, or not too inconvenient.  By public transportation, take the 1 train to 231st, then the Bx7, Bx10 or Bx20 to 246th St. Cross the Henry Hudson Pkwy and the service road on the other side, and we're the first driveway on your left, 4525 & 4555 Henry Hudson Pkwy., alias "Briar Oaks".  First building you come to, apt. 1110.  By car, even easier, take the Henry Hudson Pkwy to exit 21, 246th St.  If you're coming from the city, turn left at the light to cross over the Parkway and the service road and then, as above, it is the first driveway on your left.  If you're coming south from Yonkers, just turn right at the light at the end of the ramp and left into the driveway.  David is now reunited with his cell phone, (718) 772 1923.

We popped by the intensive care unit(s) before leaving the hospital and all the nurses were amazed to see David looking so well!  There was much clucking and general hubbub.  Sam and Stella have taken to Dave being back with aplomb.  D and I took a walk!  He's a little creaky, but coming along surprisingly strongly.  

Thank you, Betty and Doug!

Our friends Betty and Doug came up with a very nice contractor named Stefano who looked Dave's apartment over and promised to do everything needed with minimal fuss.  Wow, Doug, your friends really love you.

Dave is looking forward to his discharge on Monday.  Emily and Alyson popped by and promised to spring him earlier if he wanted, but he seemed content to wait for the official word.  David has been getting LOTS of visitors, and he always says it is the high point of the day.

DingDingDingDingDingDingDingDingDing!!!

According to David's social worker, David is to be discharged (no pun intended) this Monday afternoon!  He will stay with us in Riverdale for an as yet undetermined length of time while getting his worldlegs back.