Here you go…
Dear Family & Friends of Steve Jelf,
It was a LONG day yesterday but at 2 pm MST we pulled into Steve new digs and got him checked in. I've received a LOT of requests for his new mailing address so I'm just going to put it here for anyone that wants to send him a card:
Weiser Care of Cascadia
331 East Park St
Weiser, ID 83672
Attn: Steve Jelf
He was VERY happy to come out here (we left when he was singing an old jingle to the staff) and we managed to get all the stuff from Chicago out here too. Speaking of which, I'd seen posts where various visitors had put their names/numbers in Steve's phone and my cousin saw the phone last month but the only traces we found were the power cable. It's gone (most likely out with the laundry). In other words, Steve doesn't currently have a phone. We'll be fixing that but frankly it's on a laundry list of other things he needs as well. I'll make sure to post when he's got it back up.
He is EXTREMELY anxious to get back online and that's my first priority (my wife is working on "the list"). Most especially, the Model T group but I haven't gotten anywhere because they all require authentication via a phone call (which we don't have) or his email account (which I don't have access to because he changed the password before his last trip and didn't enter it on his old iMac yet). I've asked but Steve can't remember either of them. If ANYONE can assist with this PLEASE email me at robert.parker@me.com.
In the mean time I'm stuff (prefs, pics, etc) from his iMac and camera to his new computer and hope to get it to him today or tomorrow.
Oh, he'll be getting a new email address too. His old one is tied to his TV provider and I'm also unable to reset it for the same reasons above (and the service will most likely be cancelled soon anyways). I'll post it here when I get it. This new email account WILL be set up on his new iPad and new MacBook (courtesy of his MANY friends) so he can do FaceTime video conferencing (and I'll see what I can do a a PC compatible app as well - anyone got a cross-platform suggestion other than Skype or Teams?). Needs to be EASY to use.
So, what happens now with Steve? Well, he's in rehab. He's is definitely better than he was a month ago or so but he is absolutely NOT able to live independently at this point. The brain controls a LOT of stuff and he's currently experiencing several notable issues.
Everything he eats has to be ground up and eaten in *small* bites with sips from a special cup to make sure he doesn't aspirate and get pneumonia. He also has to be monitored when he eats. To combat that, he was given a device to blow in but it appears the folks in Chicago neglected to pack that in his things so it's been added to "the list".
He set a record in Chicago just before we left and walked 575 feet with a walker! That's good (and he is HIGHLY motivated) but in order to stand up *to* walk he has to have assistance (also sitting down). Strength/dexterity also require assistance so he absolutely needs assistance with the bathroom, showering & getting dressed. The key word here is "ASSISTED".
Conversationally he is (usually) the Steve we all know and love but then he's not and mid-sentence he's in a different city/state/year/topic. He's got gaps in his memory that he new recognizes and seemed a bit confused as to what happened but I told him straight out that there was an accident and he got hit. He remembered that the next day and specifically asked whose fault it was (and I told him). He remember this yesterday as well.
His tendency to mix in cultural phrases/topics from the mid-1900's also tends to confuse people. In the past couple days I've personally seen him ask at least 6 doctors/nurses/care-providers that name of the Lone Ranger's nephew. Apparently EVERYONE back in the 1920s-40's new but not so much today. He also on more than one occasion started detailing the names/actions of an old radio serial which confused the HELL out of his occupational therapy person until I looked at Steve and said, "Dick Tracy, right?" and he smiled/nodded. He then got a bit of a tongue-lashing from said OT person about not doing that as it confuses the folks trying to help him. He did the same thing yesterday in Weiser when we checked him in and I had to humorously "remind" him that satire comes AFTER they know you're sane, which made him laugh. Clearly the Parker humor/satire part of his brain is intact (and wickedly so)...
At this point, what happens next is up to Steve. The insurance that pays for this is dependent on what kind progress he makes. It's also VERY expensive. Is there mathematically a chance he could return to the farm (his preferred option)? Sure - mathematically. If you look at his personal blog however, even before this accident he complained of difficulties with strength and getting up, had diabetes and a heart condition diagnosed.
As soon as he plateaus (or if he gets worse) then we're again looking at a long-term ASSISTED nursing facility (there's that word again). This situation will then trigger the dreaded "how do we pay for this" scenario. Frankly, the GoFundMe money will probably go towards this as other details of his future are revealed. VA facilities are an option (and being explored), other facilities here in Idaho and Winfield, KS as well. Again, *Steve* is the important thing here, period.
I know a number of you were bemoaning the lack of a Christmas newsletter from Steve this year so while we were waiting to board yesterday, I chatted with him about this. We've started a list of things he wanted to include but he needs to see the pics from his camera to complete this list. I'll be working on that that today. I'll make sure at a minimum said newsletter gets posted here as well.
Finally, Steve has over ten TIMES the number of FaceBook followers as I do and frankly THAT community, the visits he's had, the cards/gifts/calls and desire to reconnect is beyond motivational for him. Please keep it up. I was very amused to hear from an Model T group here in Idaho that-when they heard Steve was coming-indicated plans to visit *before* he even crossed state lines. The facility in Weiser was warned, BTW...
More news as needed - or possibly Steve himself depending on how far we get on "the list"...
-
Robert B. Parker
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 9, 2023, at 9:21 AM, Joe Kowalczyk
