You can see what he's like....

This was the 'most helpful' (heavy on the sarcasm) comment on Mr Trifectagirl's neurological state of one of the interns on the stroke ward during the week after I asked how he was going.  I had to actually hunt a doctor down and ask because no-one has really been telling me anything on how he's going.  Over the course of this week he's stopped trying to speak as much, using 'thumbs up' to communicate, and isn't moving around the bed as much.

It's time for a move. He seems to be plateauing, which is understandable since his is in an acute care ward, not a rehab facility. At at least the the overall team think there is enough there to consider rehab, rather than just place him in a residential care facility for the next 30-40 years.

So, thankfully he is being assessed for transfer to a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) this week.  He just needs to behave, not play jokes and cooperate with the doctor while the assessment is on!! As my sister said, this is not the time to tick the 'I'm a vegetable' box.   And he wasn't happy when I told him I'll be there while the assessment will be occurring.

The next day I had a call from the liaison nurse at the BIRU - just as well I'd asked what was going on, otherwise I'd have been somewhat surprised by this call.  She was gobsmacked at the Doctor's comment, too!  The conversation was to find out some background on Mr Trifectagirl.  How independent was he prior to the stroke? Very. Did he drive?  Yes. Was he working? No, he was a full-time stay at home dad, plus doing some study. So he helped with housework?  No.  Mutual laughing.   What was he studying?  OH&S and Training.   Basically - he was a man in his mid-40's, going about his business, and then had this major brain injury event. 

So, yes I can see what he's like, but it seems I and the other professions on the team are seeing more than you do.