So...., he has a television with dvd-player, radio with remote control, books, dvd's and how do we and the other inhabitants of the nursing home know that it's Frank's stuff? Well some very nice nurses spend tonight quiet some time finding stickers to put on his belongings. And...they turned up with the most ugly green stickers you can imagine, but for it's goal very very effective. So Andre and I stickerd just about anything we could find and I decided to sticker Andre as well, for being "part of the furniture" (no offense Andre, just kidding, you know how much I appreciate what you're doing). So beware off the green sticker, once your taged........
All the books and dvd's are in the cupboard beside his bed in the bottom drawer. Tomorrow Rense will help to find some more stuff in Franks appartment, it's truly going to be a challange to find what he wants in his enormous library and collection of books and dvd's. Frank was happy with his books on the Zulu war and victory I brought him today, he indicated that he'd missed them and started to read immediately. Frank's said that "reading is no problem" so that's great, but it does cost him a lot of energy. Tomorrow the occupational therapist will help to find a way to make it easier for frank to read, it is a little difficult right now to hold the book and turn the pages laying on his back with one hand. So I hope they figure out something really smart.
Although I feel that Frank is improving bit by bit (very slowly) it is clear to me that he's having a very hard time. He told me that sleeping was difficult due to lot's of worries. Or as he said, "will it work out well or not (in typical Frank dutch: "wordt het iets of niets"). What he wishes for is to return to his home, with some help, but we all feel that it's going to be very difficult, not to say impossible, to achieve that goal. It makes him sad and although he is really giving the best he can he is also very aware of the situation he is in and the big big problems he's facing. And realizing that, tonight he told us, a part of him is longing for salvation. I assured him that wathever his path may bring, we'll stick together and we'll guide him through this horrible journey or, better fitted term for Frank, battle.
One of the things that really helps to keep up his spirits are postcards, letters etc.etc. And also the reactions to the blog. We read them to him and he wants to go and read the blog himself. So post messages and if it doesn't work just send me an email, than I post it for you.
Well that's it for today, and remember if you see anyone with it an ugly green sticker.... it belongs to Frank.
All the best Esther
When I came to visit Frank tonight he was reading a book. Of all things, this is the last I was expecting! The book, or better, the booklet was "2 men, 1 parashute. How brave are you?" Sometimes he was dozing off, just holding the book up with closed eyes. And then, wakening up again, head up, reading the next line.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenBut is wat not easy going for him and now I dare you, all 1200+ readers of this blog. Take a booklet, one you like alot. Something like an Osprey (my guess is that most of you will have one). Now go and sit in your favourit reading chair or better, lay down on your bed.
Are you comfortable? Good. Go and sit (or lay down) on your left hand, you can't use it! Try reading your book! That is what Frank is doing and he is doing that with success. How about you?
And now for the better. When Esther brought some of his books, one was titled "Zulu Wars", a heavy one! Some few hundred of pages thick. Oh, signed and dedicated to Frank by the author of cause. He was reading that too! (With a little help for keeping the book up.)
Please send him a postcard!
The visiting/postal adress for Frank is
BeantwoordenVerwijderenVerpleeghuis Margriet
T.a.v. dhr. Frank van den Bergh, dept. 3
Dr. Claas Noorduynsstraat 5
6522 AS Nijmegen
The Netherlands
0031-24-3275111 / 3275133
the selexys bookstore in the "koopgoot" sells bookseats (http://www.thebookseat.com/) maybe that's a good solution for Frank?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenThinking of him...
Saskia and Robert
I went to see Frank last Monday and witnessed his first exercises in swallowing. He had applesauce and it really tasted good. But, as Frank said, it needed some nutmeg. To me that was a good sign. His craving for things is coming back. He also lamented on a good glass of whiskey, before going to sleep and raw herring on bread. He was very pleased with the two photographs that Willem and Wibo brought. In Franks words: the people on that photo represent more expertise than any university can afford.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenDear Frank, do it, one step at the time.
Bro in law, Mike
Frank, I will be drinking a glass of Auchentosan on your well-being tonight.
BeantwoordenVerwijderencheers, Brinkie.
Those of you who have met me can use their imagination to picture me dancing around my apartment and cheering because I just read that Frank is reading. That is FANTASTIC AMAZING news.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenEsther and I will pick up books and magazines at Frank's library this evening, so he'll have more stuff to read soon.
And those of you that have met ME can imagine that MY dancing set off a few seismographs. The bad news is that I bought a really really nice book for Frank but selfishly (and more than a bit guiltily) decided to keep it for myself "as Frank wouldn't be able to read it for a while yet". Now I don't have any excuse left, so I'll give it to him anyway on Saturday, assuming my cold is gone.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenDe Zaag
To all the dancing people, try to understand that reading is looking at pages for aprox 15 min. and than dozing of again, so "building" a library for frank right now shows a lot of love and compassion, but isn't very worthwile. Besides I recieved a phonecall from Kalorama that there's a place for him there on a short notice. So better wait 'till he's on his more permanent location
BeantwoordenVerwijderenEsther, I strongly disagree that it isn't worthwhile. So what that Frank's not very good at reading yet, what counts is that he shows intrest again in the things he loves. It's the effort and the fighting spirit behind it that counts. This is as much a part of rehabilitation as the logopeditrician and physiotherapist are.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWalter
So true Walter, so true.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHe walter, of course you gotta give him the book, and stimulate him, I only meant that (and look what we've brought already) being moved within a few days/week, building a "home" where he's now isn't worthwile. We promised Frank to create his atmosphere for him and that's what we're gonna do for as long as neccesary. Thanks for all the care and attention
BeantwoordenVerwijderenAh ok, I misunderstood you then. The book I have for him is mostly large and pretty pictures anyway (uniforms of course ;-)) so it should be doable for him. And I can turn the pages for him if he likes.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenDe Zaag