04 – After Stroke: Hospital to Rehab

Albert was going to be transported by van to Health South Rehabilitation Hospital in downtown Austin. He would receive physical, occupational, and speech and therapies. He would also have neurological testing to see where he had improved and where he was lacking. His insurance has set up transportation for him and me to travel to Austin the next day.

Loading Albert into the van was difficult but the driver who was an EMS driver was in control. He got Albert into the van I got into the van and we headed to Austin. It was the longest drive of my life because the driver had to drive the speed limit. At one point Albert needed to go to the restroom. The driver stopped the car at a large gas station/store. He got out and put Albert into his wheelchair. He wheeled Albert into the store and into the restroom and helped Albert go to the restroom. I watched the driver take care of Albert and learned from him. Albert wanted candy and I bought him candy which the driver didn’t care for. The driver got Albert back into the van and again headed to Austin.

Watching the driver, I learned how to get Albert into and out of a wheelchair, how to strap his legs in the wheelchair, and the best way to wheel him into and out of buildings. The trip from Nashville to Austin longest trip of my life but I learned valuable things along the way.

 As we got closer to Austin, Albert started to become more alert and aware of his surroundings. We were on I-35 and he started looking around I could see the excitement in his eyes; the anticipation in his eyes when we drove close to the exit that would take us to our house, The closer we got to our exit the more excited he was and then we drove past the exit. Albert’s anger flared. Using his phrases Main Menu and I need a break, Albert questioned why we were not going home. I told him we were going to rehab. This made him madder. I understood where he was coming from, but we were going to rehab.

We arrived at Health South Rehabilitation late Saturday night. Albert didn’t want to go in but eventually got wheeled into the building. Health South gave us a room and because Albert was so agitated, I spent the night with him. It was a good idea. The next morning Albert ate breakfast and we met with his doctor and some of the therapists, and I was excused to go home.