Moving Bud to Aegis...sort of

Bud is moving into Apt. 202 at Aegis Assisted Living facility in Bellevue. Margie asked if I could pick up a few things Bud might need in his new studio apartment and help her get the place setup so it would be a welcoming home when he moved in on Friday. It was fun putting together an 'office basket' a 'kitchen basket' and a 'bathroom basket' for her and Bud. I was pretty clueless as to what they would need or what they had so I made sure to include a little of this, a little of than and a little of everything :)


Room 202 - Bud's new home at Aiges

When Margie and I began moving all of our loot into the apartment Nurse Ernie came to visit (Ernie will be Bud's nurse, cheerleader and life coach from what I can see - he is magnificent - Bud needs him). Ernie told Margie Bud has C. diff. and it is highly contagious so he can't move into his new apartment until it is cleared up.

What the heck is C. diff? I did a ton of reading on this disease as soon as I got home because Margie was receiving conflicting information from Bud's current rehab facility Pacific Regent and his soon-to-be new home Aiges. Aiges View: the personnel said this disease was highly contagious and would last 5-14 days and require quarantine of the patient with full glove, gown and mask precautions when anyone enters his room. Pacific Regent View: on the other hand, the personnel here were non-pulsed about it, no additional health precautions were being implemented and Bud was even being wheeled around to take pictures with staff before he left.

So I ask again, what the heck is C. diff?

According to the Mayo Clinic website: "C. diff (Clostridium difficile) is a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. Illness from C. difficile most commonly affects older adults in hospitals or in long term care facilities and typically occurs after use of antibiotic medications." Bud had been in and out of hospitals and rehab clinics for over 2 months and on numerous antibiotics due to various infections. It sounds like he was an accident just waiting to be found by C. diff. :(

Poor Margie. This was really over the top news. She put on her happy face and did all she could to take it in stride but I could see it was definitely a low blow. The move was an anticipated high spot in her overburdened world and the thought of paying for two places out-of-pocket crushed her spirits. World, it's not nice to kick a lady when she's down-didn't your mother teach you anything?

With the belief that Bud will be there as soon as possible we continued setting up the apartment. I must say, the whole place is easy to fall in love with. The personnel everywhere had a smile for us, a kind word and helpful hands if we needed them. The exterior of the building is beautiful, the grounds are well kept and I suspect will blossom into their real glory come spring. The interior is clean, inviting and quite lovely; colors are soothing yet attractive and aroma therapy brings a variety of inviting scents throughout the building. This isn't the cover-up spray you can find in a lot of facilities it is actually aroma therapy. Each area has a sign posted telling the reader about the aroma and the benefits.

Bud's hallway; computer lab is located at the end of the hall

I told Margie she should move in until Bud is ready to be transferred. It would be like going away to a hotel; a mini-vacation if you will. She would be located very close to where Bud is now. There would be no cooking because 3 absolutely delicious menus are prepared each day in the restaurant. She wouldn't have cleaning or laundry to do. And there are plenty of friendly residents to keep you company. In our short time there we met Dorothy who sports a gentle smile, soft voice and was an interesting conversationalist. She is a widow of Irish heritage with 3 daughters (Kathleen, Colleen and Dianne) and a son (James Scott). Her baby, Dianne, didn't get a good Irish name because Dorothy's dad teased her terribly throughout the whole pregnancy about her naming propensity; according to Dorothy it turned out just right because her youngest child Dianne beats to her own drummer :) See what I mean about friendly residents?

Bud's studio apartment is perfect. The kitchenette is surprisingly generous and even includes a table that will easily accommodate Bud and his wheel chair. There isn't an oven or stove as they want the residents to take their meals in the restaurant. There is a microwave for snacks or those times you just don't feel like more than a bowl of soup.

Margie finding a home for a little bit of this, that and everything.

The living space is ample enough for lots of company; something Margie is hoping Bud will have plenty of. John and the boys will bring his chair here (haha, they don't know that yet) and that will help Bud stay out of bed for more of the day. That is a good thing and absolutely necessary if he is to attain his goal of partial mobility. The furnished unit usually comes complete with a double or queen bed but because Margie rented a single sized hospital bed there is enough floor space left to engage in some wheel chair dancing :) Better watch out Margie, I saw a lot more ladies around than men!

I'm standing just inside the front entry with the kitchen on my right and the bathroom on my left.

I'm standing by the window (in the pic above).

On his floor is a comfortable, well stocked library complete with a roaring fire (gas insert of course), a computer lounge, laundry facilities, hair salon and private dining room for when they have us all over for dinner. Speaking of dinner...Margie and I were treated to a complimentary lunch in the restaurant (aka general dining room for residents and their visitors). The meal was spectacular. Seriously. It was top-notch restaurant worthy. They offer a daily special at each meal as well as a regular menu to order from. My spinach and blue cheese salad was so delicious I did not leave a crumb of anything uneaten; Ernie wanted to know if I would like to lick the plate :) Margie declared her chicken salad sandwich perfect and said she is a chicken salad connoisseur so that was high praise.

Library. A guest speaker is just around the corner out of sight. They regularly have guest speakers on a variety of topics.

Everything is in its place and Margie is taking a last look around before we leave.

Note: As of today (Saturday) Margie is doing much better. She says, "It is what it is and no amount of worry or fretting will change things." She calls herself Pollyanna; I think that is a good mindset when life is at its most challenging. The plan at the moment is for the doctor to re-test Bud towards the end of the week. He is on the proper antibiotic for C. diff so once he receives a clear test he has to wait 72 hours before moving into Aiges. Everyone anticipates the test will come up clear as his case is so mild. The hope is he'll be able to move to Aiges toward the beginning of the following week. Prayers, karma, magical spells or positive potions are wanted for a swift recovery and a happy move.