Bruce Lee’s tenacity and determination to get back on his feet, after a spinal cord injury, in his biographical movie “Dragon” – served as a great way to explain to David how to work his arms and legs. He would mimic Lee’s movements and would stretch his arms to the back of his head. I was so appreciative of great movies like Dragon with such a positive and powerful message. David would tolerate longer periods of time sitting upright on the bed, which meant he was working his core muscles.
Sue and Hector Luis came to visit and David just laughed listening to their stories. He also enjoyed the visit of Uncle Carlos, Catherine, Josh, Christina and her baby boy Crimson. David was starting to be more attentive with every visit and followed the conversations.
Feeding David became a bit challenging. He would get agitated and stop eating or kept the food in his mouth. Every meal would be delivered and picked up at a scheduled time so I had to make sure he ate before they would pick up his plate. The dietician would always check the amount of food each patient had consumed. My concern was that if he lost weight, a feeding peg would have to be reinserted. The nurses and I came to the conclusion that David was no longer amused with puree food so, nurse Ms. Pam mentioned of ordering the next level type of food that would include chopped vegetables and rice.
With so many rainy days in Miami - being able to spend some time at the patio or at the front yard of the nursing home was sporadic. My schedule was the same every day. It had now been 5 months away from home, away from my own bed, from cooking in my own kitchen and from spending time with Jorge. I longed to see our dogs Princess and B-boy and my cat Calle. I was in for the long run but, I also knew I could “burn out” easily so I continuously prayed for peace when I felt anxious, for joy when I would become sad, for strength when I would feel weak. I also knew God never gives us more than what we can bear.
I specifically remember one morning, as I was about to leave my car to enter the nursing home, my stomach became a huge knot. I was experiencing high anxiety. I just wanted to sit in my car, not move and just cry. But, David was waiting for me. I had to move and had to get over this paralyzing sensation. I practically yelled for help from God and Our Lady. I expressed how there was no way I could go through the day feeling this way. I got out of the car, walked into the nursing home and attended to David. Then it dawned on me - when I got in my car around 10 pm - the anxiety had vanished during the entire day. God had come to my assistance. There was no doubt in my mind and in my heart that Mother Mary had been interceding for me. The anxiety had been real… but God’s Spirit had carried me all day long. I truly believe in the power of prayer. I don't know how else to tell others how much bigger God is.
I daydreamed of transferring David to a facility in Orlando but kept reminding myself that the signs of moving would come to us at the right time.
I also prayed for the gift of speech for him and trusted it would happen at the appropriate time as well.
I also prayed for the gift of speech for him and trusted it would happen at the appropriate time as well.
One October Sunday evening, as Jorge, Eddy, Karina and I finished dinner at Sergio’s; I shared my longing for home. We discussed some thoughts, possibilities and considered all the factors involved.
Then Eddy looked at me and with an authoritative confidence told me that he promised I would be home within the next 90 days, which meant by mid January. I knew moving back home entailed much and many people. It required the right decisions to ensure David would not loose any medical services. Even though I had already declared that I would stay in Miami regardless of how long it took, contemplating bringing David home soon infused a new vigor in me.
Then Eddy looked at me and with an authoritative confidence told me that he promised I would be home within the next 90 days, which meant by mid January. I knew moving back home entailed much and many people. It required the right decisions to ensure David would not loose any medical services. Even though I had already declared that I would stay in Miami regardless of how long it took, contemplating bringing David home soon infused a new vigor in me.
The next morning I told David about the tentative plan that Jorge and Eddy were working to send us back home within the next 90 days. I don’t recall if someone had said this or I had read it somewhere but all I kept thinking was that “where there is a vision, God has the provisions”.
I wrote down on a poster board, the numbers 90 down to 1 and crossed out the 90. The next day we would cross out 89 and so forth. I told him to point at the number he thought we would be moving and he pointed on 35 and then pointed at 36.
I wrote down on a poster board, the numbers 90 down to 1 and crossed out the 90. The next day we would cross out 89 and so forth. I told him to point at the number he thought we would be moving and he pointed on 35 and then pointed at 36.
We would not share this with anyone at the nursing home until we knew this was what God had in mind. We would continue to walk in faith making sure we wouldn’t move further or faster than what God wanted. We constantly asked the Lord for a sign.
The following week, Jorge flew to his niece’s wedding in Puerto Rico. He was saddened to leave us behind but had the mission of taking lots of pictures to show us when he would be back.
The following week, Jorge flew to his niece’s wedding in Puerto Rico. He was saddened to leave us behind but had the mission of taking lots of pictures to show us when he would be back.
David would enjoy the events available at the home. Certain days of the week in the lunchroom, therapist Harold would pass out hand weights and dance Cumbias (a typical dance from South America), encouraging the home residents to exercise. On Sundays, a couple would visit and gather residents in a meeting room and prayed the rosary. There would be ice cream days at the patio with tropical music in the background. There were also movie days with popcorn.
The staff would decorate the front lobby according to the festivity, which cheered up the home. Once the decorations for Halloween went up, it disheartened me to think we would spend the holidays at the nursing home.
Jorge had visited and requested information on short and long term stay, in-patient and outpatient at several places in Orlando for David. I began making phone calls and finding out the criteria and admission requirements. A representative from one of the facilities that Jorge liked the most, would be in town the following week and mentioned he could pass by to evaluate David and asses if he would be a candidate for their program.
David’s social worker had to arrange any changes in services so I spent some time with her explaining our plan of exploring various places in Central Florida and asked for her support and help.
The staff would decorate the front lobby according to the festivity, which cheered up the home. Once the decorations for Halloween went up, it disheartened me to think we would spend the holidays at the nursing home.
Jorge had visited and requested information on short and long term stay, in-patient and outpatient at several places in Orlando for David. I began making phone calls and finding out the criteria and admission requirements. A representative from one of the facilities that Jorge liked the most, would be in town the following week and mentioned he could pass by to evaluate David and asses if he would be a candidate for their program.
David’s social worker had to arrange any changes in services so I spent some time with her explaining our plan of exploring various places in Central Florida and asked for her support and help.
Therapists Julissa and Harold.
David’s therapists continued to compliment his efforts and believed he was ready for a more aggressive rehab program. They promised they would be praying for us to find the place that would be the right fit for him. A staff member mentioned that taking David home was the right thing to do.
All of a sudden it seemed as if everyone around us was on the same page and wanted us to know it was time to consider moving. I started making phone calls and researching for options.
We didn't know when or where but it felt as if the Lord was leading the way back home.
All of a sudden it seemed as if everyone around us was on the same page and wanted us to know it was time to consider moving. I started making phone calls and researching for options.
We didn't know when or where but it felt as if the Lord was leading the way back home.
