{Karlton Bontrager}

Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th of September, 2002. Both mornings, I have been working on clearing insurance (based in London) issues and have started to “wean” myself from spending 12-14 hour days at ISIS. Karlton is at a point where he is able to do a lot for himself and with some assistance shower and get ready for the day. I feel he will do more if I am not around as much, so have decided to wait until around noon to make my appearance. By then he’s had his breakfast, shower, physio, and speech.

There was a question of moving Karlton out of his single room into a 4-bed ward, so he would have more interaction with others. He was not too keen on moving, so we talked, and he said he would go to the dining room for every meal. He said he would try to be sociable and talk with other patients. We thought Karlton was on the right track and thus avoided the move. When I arrived Thursday, a lot of his belongings were on his bed, and cards and pictures were taken off the walls. I asked him what was going on, and he said the nurses want him to move so “I just do what ‘they’ tell me to,” but he was not happy. He said he tried to talk to the charge nurse but had not had an opportunity yet. So of course I went to the nurses station, found her, and explained what was happening. No move for now.

This incident underscored some of the changes in Karlton I had been observing. What happened to his assertiveness? He was not happy with what was going on, and yet he was not able to tell the nurses. Was he afraid of the repercussions if he went against their wishes? He was able to tell me he definitely did not want to move. Did he not know what to do next? I have no answers. He is still quite vocal in other matters and in other instances, but this time he just said, “I just do what I’m told.” That is NOT the Karlton we all know.

Wednesday afternoon was acupuncture and massage day. He slept during most of the treatment. The acupuncturist came in and took his pulse and said it was good. Karlton was told to stand and try to shift all his weight on his left foot, rest, and do it over and over. He was also asked to try to see in his mind moving his fingers of his left hand. Time. Practice. Patience. Exercise. I’m sure he is tired of hearing all these words, but they are the steps he must take to his healing.

Thursday afternoon Helen came and did a reflexology session. She was going to do cranio-sacral too, but Nina and Sam stopped in with pizza and garlic bread, and you know Karlton and food … so Helen will come back another day.

We put a castor oil pack on Karlton’s back tonight. We hope the pain in his back will subside and go away for good! Thank you, Helen, for the water bottles!