My life starts at Ephrata Manor...

Yesterday was a blur and yet very vivid at the same time.  It started normally at the hospital with vampires arriving well before dawn.  Checkups and therapy happened at the routine times.  Then everything changed when I learned that I would be going to Ephrata Manor Nursing Home.  Yes, not many people here even know where Parkesburg is located, so I am well out of my comfort and friend zone.  Sheila lives about 10 minutes away.  She showed up for a visit, along with her dog, Waldo.  She helped by unpacking clothing and getting bags from the hospital unpacked. I am moved in, for all intents and purposes.

I know that many of you have visited nursing homes before.  My dad lived in a couple of them prior to his death.  I visited him daily and really thought I knew how he felt.

WRONG!!!

First of all, I was bombarded with people.  Admins, dietary, occupational therapy, physical therapy, medical, doctors, more admin and nurses.  Registered nurses, CNAs and just plain aides.  They were delightful, all of them.

I now have a roommate.  The lady in the bed by the door is a tiny little thing with a soft, squeaky voice.  She barely speaks and is very quiet.  Almost like not having a roommate at all.  Her name is Denudo or Dinudo.  She eats all of her meals in her room instead of the dining room.  After having dinner tonight, I can see why.  I also ate in my room last night.  While we were relaxing, a tall gentleman came into our room.  I had no idea who he was, but Dinudo spoke to him and then he wandered over to my side of the room.  He wandered to my half of the room, opened my closet, played with the middle hinge on the bathroom door and stopped and stared at me.  I smiled and said hello.  He turned on his heel, marched to the middle of the room, stopped and farted and then marched out of the room.  Turns out he is a long time resident and may have been in my side of the room at one time.  I am fine as long as he stays away and does not try to evict me!!

The residents look at me oddly.  I am young, they do not trust me. Do you remember cliches in school.  Little groups of  boys and girls who talked about you as you walked by.  No different here.  Tonight, when I went in to get supper, the nurse who wheeled me down asked two lovely ladies if I could sit with them.  I got a no... so and so would be in along with whats her name. So I sat a table with Norman, who really wanted to be alone.  When Dave Gehman showed up for a quick visit and prayer, the man was rude enough to wave a friendly handshake away.  I may have to rethink eating in the dining room during peak hours.

The funny thing, and it happened in my dad's homes, is that the residents begin lining up 30 minutes before the meal.  I think they are afraid they are going to run out of food.  But I will bide my time and head down for food after the first sitting!  Much nicer company.

So, the room is nice, the place is clean... no foul odors.  Some odd characters wandering around but I need to be tolerant that.  I may very well be one of the loonies some day.  Therapy was intense.  Similar exercises but instead of 20 reps, they require 30.  I can handle it and it will get me out of here faster.

Annette is going to try to drive out from Parkesburg tomorrow.  I am looking forward to it.  Sunday is a Christmas Open House with food and snacks and music.  I hear the shrimp is to die for!

I slept like I died last night.  The Vampires did not wake me.  I got up once to pee, but slept until well past 8:00 AM.  Nice breakfast with homemade raisin bread. and then therapy.  The big meal is at lunch and supper is soup and sandwiches.  I am likely to loose some weight while I am here.  If any of you come visit, bring snacks!!!

So, here is the blog for today.  I am not allowed to go anywhere without assistance.  Hopefully next week, I will graduate to independent moving!  It is, after all, my goal.