October 28, 2019 , 00:13, 18:50, 20:34  Paris times

November 5, 2019, 12:00pm; November 6, 2019, 4:33am California time

To Everyone Who Has Helped Me or Someone I Care About,

Acts of kindness come in countless forms, oftentimes given anonymously.

I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.

This blog post containing images of Parc Monceau, 8th arrondissement, Paris, France is to Thank You, the benevolent angels in all realms.

Today, October 28, 2019, my plan was to walk through Parc Monceau (enter at the grand gate at Avenue Van Dyck, exit at the grand gate at Avenue Velasquez). Well, Beauty distracted me. Twenty-eight minutes later, I realized I had walked a circle.

That is what I wish for you – may Beauty be with you always – may She lead you to where you need to go or come back to.

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http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/ Marie-Christine Cornet says: "I offer a body-based approach for healing and wellness. I believe that any step towards healing is a step towards evolution." photo by Teresa Jade LeYung

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All photographs taken by Teresa Jade LeYung on October 19,  24, 28, 2019, Parc Monceau, Paris, France

“Merci beaucoup to You,” says Story Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung

(formerly known as Teresa LeYung-Ryan).

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

If you’re looking for my blog posts pertaining to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity… https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog  look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get those posts.

Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris_photo_by_Sasa_et_Nan

As a story theme consultant, award-winning writer, and platform-building coach for pre-published and published authors, Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung empowers her clients to transform their dearest dreams into reality. Whether Teresa is in Paris, France or California USA, she helps writers identify their core themes.

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

October 1, 2019

HAPPY DOG GIVES COMFORT TO MIA, A CHILD IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FAMILY IN SAN FRANCISCO

Maria Kawah Leung's new book LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET: AND HOW THEY STAY STRONG IN AN UNHAPPY HOME

Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung loves MARIA KAWAH LEUNG‘s new children’s book LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET: AND HOW THEY STAY STRONG IN AN UNHAPPY HOME

Children’s book author MARIA KAWAH LEUNG shows how a girl named Mia and her loyal companion Happy Dog (he’s much much more than a stuffed animal) use their imagination to cope in an environment they have no control over – domestic violence. 

Together, they learn that friends do not have to always like the same things, and, that love means protecting and comforting each other. Author’s messages save lives – “When you’re scared or sad, talk to grown-ups you trust.”  and  “It’s not a child’s job to make parents happy.”

May all adults be like Ms. Chavez who notices a change in her student’s behavior and takes appropriate action. Heroes come in various shapes and sizes – in this story, they are a little girl, a fuzzy toy who is a beloved friend, and a school teacher.

While the story is set in San Francisco, the theme of family violence is worldwide, one that ought to be discussed openly without stigma. Empower children, give them a chance to blossom into healthy adults. Thank you, author and artist Maria Kawah Leung and illustrators Sandra Elyse Chavez and Maren Sleire Aasgaard, for shining the spotlight on dynamic duo Mia and Happy Dog and providing helpful resources.

Cheering for Mia, Happy Dog, all children and their loyal friends and advocates!

Your BIG fan Teresa Jade LeYung

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Get your copy of the book now  – only $1.99 USD – You can read LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET on your own device, on Kindle Cloud Reader (download from Amazon), or on your Kindle.

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Heroes-Bay-Street-Unhappy-ebook/dp/B07Y829C3M/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Little+Heroes+of+Bay+Street&qid=1569965313&s=books&sr=1-6

Mia's Happy Dog gets hugs from loyal fan Teresa Jade LeYung, photo by author Maria Kawah Leung

As an alumna of A Place of Her Own 2018, Teresa Jade LeYung of Love Made Of Heart says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”

As an award-winning author,  theme consultant and writing coach, Teresa empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality.

Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris, photo_by_Sasa_or_Nan

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

Author Teresa Jade LeYung’s New Monologue

“What The Man In 17-B Wanted”  Part 1

When my papa was admitted to the nursing home, the folks in Social Services asked me to complete a half-inch-thick packet. A lot of it was reading material. There was this sheet of paper asking for name of mortuary.

Why? In straight language, when a resident “expires” (dies), the nursing home must remove “the remains” (the dead body) out of the facilities within four hours of death.

Since there are three residents in a room, you just can’t leave a deceased person in his bed as though he were in a private home.

I remember the night when my papa called me, to tell me that his roommate died, that he was afraid to sleep in the room and wanted me to go over there and take him to a hotel. I explained that he himself is a fall risk, I couldn’t just put him in a taxi and send him to a hotel. I suggested that he stay near the nurse’s station. Later that evening when I called his nurse, she said that he was in the hallway, fell asleep in his wheelchair. Later after his deceased roommate had been taken away, his CNA helped him back to bed.

Back to this sheet of paper … If this document isn’t filled out, then, at time of death, the dead body would be transported to the mortuary that the nursing home has a contract with. If that mortuary is not the one that the deceased or the deceased’s representative wanted, then, the representative would have to pay the “transfer” cost (moving dead body from first mortuary to second mortuary) in addition to the transport cost (the original ride from nursing home to the first mortuary).

The dollar amount of the transportation cost would come close to about 50 taxi rides to go half-way across town in San Francisco; double that if a “transfer” fee is incurred.

Every three or four months, the kindhearted staff would remind me about “that” sheet of paper.

Truthfully, I would like to know what my father wants. Does he want to be cremated or buried?  I can’t ask him.  The look on his face – when I dare to utter any word related to the subject of death – says: “Aah, daughter, so, that is why you are leaving me here.”

Most days, I say to myself: He’s so afraid of dying, he’ll be around another 15 years. I’ll probably die before he does.

[ Separate matter – regarding “Arbitration Agreement”  Thanks to two friends and the honesty of a staff member at the nursing home who spoke frankly…”If you don’t want to sign this…just write ‘decline to sign’ and date it.” http://www.canhr.org/arbitration/index.html  California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) says: “Don’t sign Arbitration Agreements in nursing homes and residential care facilities” ]

Sincerely,

Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris_photo_by_Sasa_or_Nan

Teresa Jade LeYung

an alumna of A Place of Her Own 2018

Teresa Jade LeYung of Love Made Of Heart says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”

As an award-winning author,  theme consultant and writing coach, Teresa empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality.

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

If you’re looking for my blog posts pertaining to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity… https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog  look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get those posts.

“Hungry Ghosts” Exhibit   August 10, 2019 – September 15, 2019

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art “Marin MOCA”

“Hungry Ghosts: the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience”

Art Talk: Saturday, August 24, 2019  1:00pm – 4:00pm. Artist Talk and Q & A with the artists who will share their personal journeys and art process.

500 Palm Drive, Novato, California 94949 415 506 0137

Museum Hours:
Wednesday – Friday  11am to 4pm
Saturday – Sunday  11am to 5pm

“Experiment D15” by artist Irene Wibawa

The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art presents “Hungry Ghosts,” an exhibit that explores the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience. Produced and curated by “A Place Of Her Own” Founder Cynthia Tom and Assistant Curator Maggie Yee, the show includes mixed media works by 14 women artists who examine their ancestral family patterns and stories through their artwork.

Ms. Tom explains: “PLACE is an organization with a powerful mission to support and promote the heartfelt aspirations of vibrant women. In order to change, thrive and lead, women must first acknowledge their significance in the world. Out of radical self-care comes a growing sense of power and clarity of one’s priorities. To have a place of one’s own is to proclaim that each and every woman matters.” MarinMOCA invites the public to engage with the powerful narrative and artwork in “Hungry Ghosts”

Participating Artists: Angela Bau, Frances Cachapero, Grace Hwang Lynch, Irene Wibawa, Julie Anderson, Lisa Rodondi, Manon Bogerd Wada, Natalie Sacramento, Paz Zamora, Reiko Fujii, Cynthia Tom, Maggie Yee, Sue Tom, Tomo Hirai.

Funded in Part by: California Arts Council, Do A Little Foundation and individual donors.

https://www.marinmoca.org/exhibitions/

https://www.aplaceofherown.org/events

I CHEER FOR THESE AWESOME ARTISTS WHO HELP HEAL OUR PLANET WITH THEIR WORKS OF BEAUTY.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

an alumna of A Place of Her Own 2018

Teresa Jade LeYung of Love Made Of Heart says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”

Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris_photo_by_Sasa_or_Nan

As an award-winning author,  theme consultant and writing coach, Teresa empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality.

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

WHAT:

Hungry Ghosts: Exploring the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience

Curated by Cynthia Tom and Maggie Yee for A PLACE OF HER OWN (™)

Funded in Part by: California Arts Council, Do A Little Foundation and individual donors.

Admission to the exhibition and programs is free and open to the public.

WHO:

Angela Bau, Frances Cachapero, Irene Wibawa, Julie Anderson, Lisa Rodondi, Manon Bogerd Wada, Avotcja, Natalie Sacramento, Paz Zamora, Reiko Fujii, Cynthia Tom, Maggie Yee, Sue Tom, Tomo Hirai.

WHERE:

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MMOCA), 500 Palm Dr, Novato, CA 94949

DATES:

Saturday August 10, 2019 - exhibition opening reception - meet the artists 2:00-7:00pm; Cynthia Tom – Curator’s Talk: 3:30-4:00pm; MMOCA Reception 5-7 pm; gallery opens 11am – 7pm

August 24, 2019, 1:00-4:00pm Artists’ Talk (artists onsite 11:00am – 5:00pm)

September 15, 2019, 12:00-5:00pm  Last day to meet the artists

 

Hungry Ghosts:

Exploring the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience

Exhibit Dates: August 10 – September 15, 2019
Location: Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, 500 Palm Dr, Novato, CA 94949
Hours:  Wednesday – Friday  11:00am to 4:00pm;  Saturday – Sunday  11:00am to 5:00pm

 

July 30, 2019 California USA

Dear Writers and Readers,

If we are able to read and write and not be persecuted for doing so, we have the responsibility to speak our truths, as well as the truths of those who cannot speak for themselves.

I was lucky to be invited as an exhibitor at the 2019 “Hungry Ghosts: Exploring the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience” show, curated by Cynthia Tom and Maggie Yee for A PLACE OF HER OWN (™). Due to illness, I was unable to work on my piece, therefore, I will not be an exhibitor this time. I shall be there as a fan of all the artists, supporters and advocates.

Theme Consultant and Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung Supports Artists Who Face Hungry Ghosts

If curators Cynthia Tom and Maggie Yee invite me again, I shall exhibit:

Teresa Jade LeYung says:

“Hungry ghosts eat, I spit nails.

Let Self speak, I prevail.”

Special thanks to Coach MaryT for word-magic!

Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris_photo_by_Sasa_or_Nan

Teresa Jade LeYung of Love Made Of Heart says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”

As theme consultant and writing coach, Teresa empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality.

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

Blog Post 3 of 3 “Papa Makes Decision While In Nursing Home Again” by Teresa Jade LeYung

photo by Elley Chu

As writing coach and theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung, I ask my clients: “What does your main character want?”

Sometimes, the client’s response is: “I’m  not sure.”  Other times, the reply is: “Nothing.”

If the protagonist in a story wants nothing, then, what is the story?

There is always something!  Could it be that your Hero cannot accept what is happening to her/him?  Does he/she want life the way it was, not the way it is?

That is my father’s dilemma. He has lost control over his day-to-day activities. Ever since the hospitalization for Aspiration Pneumonia and urinary tract infection in July 2018. Ever since he could no longer live by himself.

No more going to the hallway or balcony with his walker to exercise or taking the elevator to go to the mailroom whenever he wants to. No more watching his Cantonese television programs with his girlfriend who lives in the building. No more telling his caregiver to stop by the grocery store and bring him a particular fruit or a Chinese pastry he is craving.  No more quarterly appointments with his UCSF neurologist or UCSF hi-tech physical therapy for movement-disorder.  What irony – the appointments he had labeled “unnecessary” and “there’s nothing wrong with me” are now out of reach and “Why can’t I go?”

When nursing home staff members ask him “Do you want anything? Do you need anything?” he raises his left hand to gesture “No” and smiles.

When I am with him, occasionally he will tell me in Cantonese: “I don’t want to stay here.” (I think to myself Oh, Papa, of course. You were independent, in spite of Parkinson’s Disease, in your studio apartment.  Aspiration Pneumonia and urinary tract infection created your decline and now you are in a nursing home, in a room with 2 other residents, no furniture of your own. I am sad for you. But, I know that you are safe and well cared for by dedicated staff.  You are a lucky guy.)

I do not lie to him. I say: “This is your home now. Nurses and CNAs take excellent care of you. You are safe here. You have friends here. If you exercise and get strong to the point that you can live on your own again, then, I will help you find another one.”  I reinforce my words by taking out a green exercise band from the top drawer of the nightstand.

I had bought the green band when I was getting physical therapy for my plantar fasciitis. Last month, I found the band, and used a thick permanent marker to write my father’s name on it.  [ If you don't put your name, room and bed number on an item, that item is likely to disappear.  Even if everything were labeled, staff and residents would still experience "missing items."]

Papa is in good hands with the nursing home staff. And, since November, he’s been receiving visits from a nurse, a chaplain and a social worker from Hospice By The Bay.  Also, he gets visits from former caregivers (with help from my sister, I can afford to pay them to visit), his daughter-in-law, his grandson, his girlfriend, a few other people, and me (his representative and advocate).

Who else feels loss of control?  Me.  When I see Papa not practicing safe eating behavior.

What is safe?

- Papa sits upright and is fully awake (should not be putting food or drink into his mouth if he is slouching or sleepy).

- Eat slowly.  He uses a teaspoon to put food or thickened liquid into mouth.  Chew.  Swallow. Swallow again.  Say “AAH” twice.  If you don’t hear a clear AAH, that means food/drink has not cleared past the throat.

-  Do NOT tilt head backward when swallowing (head-tilting increases risk of choking and aspiration)

Oh, how I get exasperated when I find out that someone gave him food that hasn’t been pureed by dietician or liquid that hasn’t been properly thickened by his nurse.  Last month, two other residents gave him something to chew (Chinese chew); the nurses explained to the two nice people that my father cannot just chew, that he has a swallowing problem, that he could accidentally swallow the food. The residents don’t understand that another episode of aspiration-pneumonia could be fatal. They can’t empathize.

That’s another question I ask my writing-clients – “Which characters are sympathized and which ones are empathized by your narrator?

I am indeed grateful that my father likes the staff at the nursing home, and the meals served to him, and that he gets to walk with his walker about 5 times a week with the CNAs who are especially trained.  I am indeed grateful to everyone in his life and mine.

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR 2019!

I wish everyone safety, abundant joy, and excellent health.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

 Teresa Jade LeYung – founder of Love Made of Heart (aka Teresa LeYung-Ryan) says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”  Teresa speaks openly through her writing and advocacy, her immigrant experience, and her knowing beauty.  As author, publisher, theme consultant, and a found-object artist, she empowers women to transform dreams into lifestyle. http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

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Saturday, February 16, 2019, 11AM – 3PM

at Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco, CA

Stepping Into Your Story: Artmaking to Access Your Identity

Workshop with visual artist / curator/ teacher Cynthia Tom

Go to  https://chsa.org/event/stepping-into-your-story-workshop-with-cynthia-tom/ and click on [ BUY TICKETS ]

Cynthia Tom, visual artist / curator/ teacher / founder of A PLACE OF HER OWN

Location

Chinese Historical Society of America
965 Clay St., San Francisco, California 94108

Seating is limited – admission to Cynthia Tom’s workshop on February 16, 2019 includes entry to CHSA galleries & exhibits.
$15;  $10 for Seniors over 62 and students with ID

Dress to be a little messy, collage workshop and lecture.

Go to  https://chsa.org/event/stepping-into-your-story-workshop-with-cynthia-tom/ and click on [ BUY TICKETS ]

“Stepping Into Your Story: Artmaking to Access Your Identity”

Workshop

with visual artist Cynthia Tom

Who are you? Why are you here and what for?

We provide an experiential workshop using intuitive artmaking techniques to access your inner stories in order to begin or continue your journey. In this workshop, using hands-on artmaking we begin to Explore, through discussion we learn how to Identify, and see how others Claim and use art to Proclaim their identity for healing and social change in the community. Our identity is forged by many seen and unseen forces. Take the time to discover, define and direct who you are with love and intention. While we can’t write your story in four hours, we can provide you with experiential and creative tools and next steps in defining and owning the power of You.

For Cynthia Tom’s website:  https://cynthiatom.com

For Cynthia Tom’s A PLACE OF HER OWN:  https://www.aplaceofherown.org

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Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Teresa Jade LeYung is an alumna of Cynthia Tom's class A PLACE OF HER OWN - photo by artist Reiko Fujii at 2018 artists' talks

Teresa Jade LeYung – founder of Love Made of Heart (aka Teresa LeYung-Ryan) speaks openly through her writing and advocacy, her immigrant experience, and her knowing Beauty.  As an author, a story consultant, and a found-object artist, she empowers women to transform their own stories and is often quoted as saying: “You think beauty,  You become Beauty.”

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

“We’ll Always Have Paris, Darling Friends,” says Teresa Jade LeYung Part 2

For now,  I go to Paris for Beauty.

Margie Yee Webb, her sister Anna, Teresa Jade LeYung, Sasa Southard enjoy le petit déjeuner_Paris 2017 photo by TLR 2017

In Paris, one buys bread (to be eaten that morning) that morning, not the day before. Then, one would buy bread which are baked that afternoon for the evening meal.

The phrase “breakfast” in French is “le petit déjeuner“.

“Lunch” in French is “le déjeuner“.

“Dinner” in French is “le dîner”

author_Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_awe_of_Eiffel_Tower_and_Haussmann_architecture_photo_by_Margie_Yee_Webb 2017

www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160126-how-a-modern-city-was-born

In Jonathan Glancey‘s article “The Man Who Created Paris”  … In the 19th Century George-Eugène Haussmann completely redesigned and rebuilt the French capital…. Paris remains one of the world’s most visited cities, and of those tens of millions drawn to its remarkably compact centre each year, the Marais district exerts a magnetic pull.

Sasa_Southard_and_Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_front_of_I_Love_You_Wall - photo_by_Margie_Yee_Webb 2017

Le mur des je t’aime  According to https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71253/Le-mur-des-je-t-aime  The I Love You Wall is a work of art conceived by Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito.

Every city, every town, has special meaning.

For now,  I go to Paris for Beauty.

May everyone find her/his place of Beauty!

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Teresa Jade LeYung – founder of Love Made of Heart (aka Teresa LeYung-Ryan) speaks openly through her writing and advocacy, her immigrant experience, and her knowing beauty.  As an author, a story consultant, and a found-object artist, she empowers women to transform their own stories and is often quoted as saying: “You think beauty,  You are beauty.”

The following blog post (number 2 of 3 in this series) was written during the latter half of September 2018 and I am just now publishing it today January 7, 2019.

In my August 7, 2018 Blog Post entitled: Papa Makes Decision “Where Do I Go Now?”  After Hospitalization. While In Skilled Nursing Rehab … I had  declared that I (Teresa Jade LeYung) was writing to you not as a novelist, theme consultant or found-object artist but as a memoirist, older daughter of Mr. Leung. Well, I was wrong.  All my note-taking, reporting and advocacy skills are fueled by all my roles, including being a story/theme consultant, writing coach, and lover of cohesive scripts.

Story Question:   Will my father lose his Medi-Cal Bed in the nursing home?

Setting of this scene:

First floor of this establishment is mainly reserved for “patients” who have been referred by physicians to receive post-acute care after hospitalization. The first floor is where you’ll find the Skilled Nursing Facility staff (short-term care covered by Medicare); first floor is also where you’ll find the Rehab staff, the friendly faces at the reception area/front desk, and the offices of Director of Nursing and the Administrator.

The second and third floors are strictly for “residents” (receiving long-term care – some are private pay, others through Medi-Cal) and other administrative offices including Social Services.

Basement floor you’ll find Business Office, Maintenance, Food Service, Laundry Service, and staff lounge.

So, what happened after August 7, 2018?

Papa had difficulty living as a “resident” in one room with 2 roommates. His space included the hospital bed, a  20-inch by 24-inch bulletin board on the wall, an aisle wide enough for wheelchair, a nightstand  (for grooming and bathing paraphernalia), and a closet the size of a school locker.

On September  7, 2018, Nurse D. had called me that morning, telling me that my father had a fever of 105 degrees, that staff brought it down to 101.5, that they were sending him back to UCSF Hospital.

UCSF ER team reported to me that my father had another urinary tract infection – that explained the fever.  And, they saw a pressure ulcer in my father’s inner thigh, near the groin.  But why couldn’t he raise his right arm?  The team had a difficult time communicating with him because …  1) Parkinson’s Disease had impaired his speech  2) English is not his primary language  3) Later, they would find out that he had a stroke in the Pons part of his brain.

One long week in the 5-star Adult Acute Care Unit at UCSF.  Already burdened with Parkinson’s (swallowing difficulty) and now with a new stroke, my father was getting his medicine and nutrients through a tube that was inserted into his right nostril and lowered into his stomach.

A nurse checked on him every hour (including the hours between midnight and seven in the morning); every two hours the nurse and a PCA (patient care assistant) would “reposition” him so that he would not develop more pressure ulcers and bed sores.

I slept on the bed (big chair pulls out into a single-sized mattress) on two occasions.

* the first night after he was admitted, and

* the night he looked at me with moist eyes and whispered in Cantonese: “Don’t leave me.”

The attending physician (who was young, wise and gentle) called a family meeting.  In Papa’s room were my father, the doctor, a Cantonese-speaking interpreter, my husband and me.  The doctor reiterated what Papa was being treated for. Then the doctor said: “Mr. Leung. There is another matter. Do you want me to tell you?” Mr. father nodded yes.

“In the CT-Scan for the urinary tract infection, we saw masses in your kidney. In order to know if it is cancer, we would need to operate.  Based on your age, your current health . . . ” Papa had already closed his eyes (he does that whenever he doesn’t want to hear what is being said).  The doctor asked: “What do you want, Mr. Leung?” Papa did respond in slurred speech, repeatedly: “I do not want to return to the hospital ever again.”

Then the doctor explained to him that the tube could not be a permanent solution, that it would be used for an additional 4 weeks only (to deliver medicine), and, that he would be given food (pureed) by someone hand-feeding him.  The day before discharge, nurse-on-duty taught me how to safely feed someone who has Dysphagia.

Two major concerns -  Aspiration Pneumonia Risk and Fall Risk

1.  Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder.  Dysphagia can lead to malnutrition, aspiration, and pneumonia. For swallowing-safety . . .

- Papa sits upright and is fully awake (do not put food or drink into his mouth if he is slouching or sleepy).

- Eat slowly.  Use teaspoon to put food or thickened liquid into mouth.  Chew.  Swallow. Swallow again.  Say “AAH” twice.  If you don’t hear a clear AAH, that means food/drink has not cleared past the throat.

2. Because he is a fall-risk patient and prone to get pressure ulcers, transferring from bed to chair and vice versa requires the presence of two PCAs (Patient Care Assistants); so does repositioning him in bed.

September 13, 2018 when UCSF doctor informed me that they would discharge Papa the following day (Sept 14) , I requested that they discharge him on September 15.  I pointed out: “My father had not eaten any food by mouth.  You tell me that tonight is when a nurse will hand-feed him. Please let him have at least one full day experiencing being fed by another person.”

Here we go again!  Facts: Skilled Nursing IS post-acute care (short-term care) and IS covered by Medicare.  After Skilled Nursing discharges Papa, he would be returned to long-term care; long-term care is NOT covered  by Medicare.

Medi-Cal can hold a bed for a resident up to 7 days only. What should I do?

I talked to the case manager at the hospital; I talked to the director of social services at the facilities where Papa came from right before they sent him to the hospital; I talked to friends who had resources for me.

Then I asked myself this question:

What does Papa need right now?  Not next week, not next month . . . what does he need today and the next few weeks?

Answer:  Papa needs transition – a bed where he would receive get post-acute care – where he would receive rehabilitation.  Give up his long-term bed for now?  YES! 

If Papa is sent back to the third floor (where he was as a “resident”), even though, according to hospital discharge papers, he is supposed to receive post-acute care, how would that be possible at the facility where post-acute care is on the first floor? How would they be able to send 3 shifts of nurse and .CNA to the third floor for just one patient (my father)?

September 16, 2018 Where is Papa now? 

On the first floor of the nursing home – the Skilled Nursing Facility floor, receiving excellent care from saintly nurses and angelic CNAs and wondrous rehabilitation from the super team of physical therapists, occupational atherapists, and speech/swallowing therapist as well as Activities team. The folks who are in all the other departments also make this facility remarkable. After Papa completes rehab, he will be bounced back to resident-status.

And, I give thanks to the building, standing 3-story tall (4 stories when counting the basement level). Oh, if this building could talk! How many patients, residents, and employees has she housed over the decades?

I will publish blog post #3 of 3 of this series soon.

I wish everyone safety, excellent health and abundant joy.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Teresa Jade LeYung – founder of Love Made of Heart (aka Teresa LeYung-Ryan) speaks openly through her writing and advocacy, her immigrant experience, and her knowing beauty.  As an author, a story consultant, and a found-object artist, she empowers women to transform their own stories and is often quoted as saying: “You think beauty,  You are beauty.”

Thank you, Mary Jung of Pacific & Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition (PAAWBAC) and Cynthia Tom of A PLACE OF HER OWN, for inviting us to this event:

Saturday, September 15th, 2018, 5:30pm – 9:30 pm

Asian Women’s Shelter – 30th Anniversary Gala

I wish everyone safety, excellent health and abundant joy.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teresa Jade LeYung – founder of Love Made of Heart (aka Teresa LeYung-Ryan) speaks openly through her writing and advocacy, her immigrant experience, and her knowing beauty.  As an author, a story consultant, and a found-object artist, she empowers women to transform their own stories and is often quoted as saying: “I think beauty. I am beauty.” Please visit  http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/