Mom had another really great day today. She started out sleepy at noon when dad and I arrived. She was in the company of some close family members (Bobby, Danny, and Barbara). I began to gradually wake her a bit but waited to really wake her until around 1:15 or so. She continues to open her eyes when shaken at the shoulders (I don't remember if I mentioned this or not but--when someone is in mom's condition, you need to be a bit forceful in order to stimulate the person). She moves both her feet now -- mostly the right foot, but she is beginning to move the left foot with greater consistency each day. Anthony, Con, Anthony Michael, Samantha, Terry, Dad and i were with her all afternoon (Anthony's friend, Guy, joined us for part of the time as well). We played the "sound" portion of "Outdoor Sound Bingo" and "Household Sound Bingo" (Claudia found these at the teaching supply store). We play the sounds on her CD player and name each one as it sounds. We did aromatherapy...she smelled my perfume (she wears the same one I do), the peppermint toothpaste, the frankincense, and the vanilla---her favorite today was vanilla. As Samantha sat by her side stroking her arm and kissing her hand, Mom raised her hand with Sam's in it to her mouth. While I did her "range of motion" physical therapy (this involves moving her fingers, toes, wrists, ankles, legs and arms), she gave some resistance with her left arm!!!! This is big stuff because her left side is her weakest! When Danny and Barbara and Bobby were there, I told mom I was going to start her arm exercises and Danny pointed out that, each time I told her I was about to exercise her arm (left one), she'd slightly lift her right arm!! (Is she beginning to follow commands????). We also worked on following commands---she needs to do this in order to qualify for therapy---we began with, "Wipe your chin" by giving her a small cloth in her right hand and asking her to do it. We use the same exact words each time and begin with a full, manual, hand over hand prompt...then we just touched her hand and her chin, labeling each one and giving the command, then we just gave the command alone. She was able to follow the command to, "Wipe your chin" 4 times independently on command!!!!!! We played music and sang to her. I also did a manicure and pedicure for her. Claudia and Aunt Sophie came to see her later in the evening. Claudia said she was sleepy and decided to let mom rest.
I continue to stand in awe of the brain and how it works. Watching mom's recovery is fascinating...like you can see each individual piece of her mind coming to the surface of her existence from some deep recess of her mind...one by one each part surfaces...occasionally, 2 pieces meet and there is sensory integration. For now, it seems as if it is difficult for her to execute tasks (but she is really trying to). I pray for the day when her mind will, once again, become whole and integrated.
Thanks for the prayers. Know that I lift each of you up in prayer as well. Keep praying. xxxooo
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; " (Philippians 4:6)
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