10 – Released from Rehab – Help!

Albert had been in rehab for almost a month and it was time for him to go home. Wednesday afternoon when I went to visit him, his doctor came into the room and told Albert and me that he was going to be released to go home that Friday. He said that Albert had made as much improvement as he was going to make in rehab that it was time for me to take him home. I panicked because I didn’t know what to do. Albert couldn’t walk on his own, couldn’t get up on his own, walked with a walker, and had a belt around his waist that the therapist lifted and guided him, and he couldn’t go to the restroom by himself. 

I told the doctor Albert couldn’t come home because I wasn’t able to take care of him. I panicked. I said he can’t walk on his own and he can’t go to the bathroom on his own. I said I work full-time and there’s no way I can stay home and take care of him.

The doctor and the nurses said without feeling, he’s going to be released on Friday and you’ll have to find someone to take care of him or quit your job and take care of him. 

I said I’m not taking him home on Friday. I can’t take care of somebody who can’t go to the restroom on their own. I can’t do it. I just can’t do it. 

That evening when I drove away from the rehab center, I was exasperated. I didn’t know what I was going to do because I knew I had to work to provide for Jordan, Albert, and me. Quitting my job wasn’t an option, and taking care of a disabled person who needed individual care wasn’t an option. What was I going to do?

I returned to the rehab center on Thursday afternoon and was told by the director that Albert could stay in rehab until Monday. I was happier and told her that I couldn’t take Albert home unless he was able to go to the restroom on his own. The physical therapist said that they would work on this. We had an enjoyable visit as I watched Albert walk up and down the hallway using his walker. Albert was still right side weak; he had a hard time balancing when he stood.  He could not use his right arm or hand and he was not able to communicate with me or others. He was disabled. I thought from time-to-time, “When is this going to end?” “When will he be able to talk again?”

I took the day off on Monday and headed to pick Albert up from rehab. Albert was happy to see me and ready to go home. We were packing Albert’s clothes when he asked to go to the restroom. The therapist pushed the walker toward Albert and allowed him to stand, get situated, and to walk with his walker to the restroom.  Albert opened the door with his left arm and went into the restroom on his own.  When he came out of the restroom, Albert had a proud look on his face and I was elated. The therapist and doctors heard me. They heard my cry. They heard and understood my cry. I have never been so thankful for the care that the physical, occupational, and speech therapists give to their patients, and that they gave to Albert.