Code Derek

We're still getting ready for home, which means focusing on home skills. This morning, Linda and Fred did a flight of stairs (13 steps) down then up. It's a lot harder than the practice stairs. The stairs are deeper, and there is only a handrail on one side. It left her pretty winded, but not too tired to finish off with a little walking with Fred (and no walker). He kept her from losing her balance, but he was still impressed by how well she did when tired.

In OT we worked on transfers. It probably doesn't seem like much, but transfers that Linda can do without help become more important at home. It allows her to be home with people who don't have the skill to lift her.

Linda has decided to walk the last stretch of carpet out of the building. So last night we went down with the walker and practiced; we'll go again tonight. I learned today that the staff is planning a Code Derek for our departure. When we are ready to go, they'll call the code over the PA. Then nurses and therapists will line up along the walls to say goodbye. They often do it with patients that have had long stays like ours. We've been here 3.5 months, and we've worked with almost every therapist in the building. The code name goes back to the first patient who got that kind of goodbye.

I hope Linda can walk while crying.