Mom opened her eyes 3 times today...!!!!!!!!!! The first time she did this was around midday when Claudia was sitting next to her snuggling and talking to her. Claudia said that, all of a sudden, mom opened her eyes widely and kept them that way--so Claudia moved her head in front of mom's eyes and said, "Hi Mom, it's me, Claudia" and mom looked at her and then a tear slid down her cheek.
The second time Mom opened her eyes was with Aunt Carol. Mom and Aunt Carol were alone in the room and Aunt Carol was talking to her when suddenly, Mom coughed and then opened her eyes widely. I don't remember if she recognized Aunt Carol or not; but she kept them open for a while (a minute or so...maybe less). This happened around 3:50 p.m.
The 3rd time Mom opened her eyes was with Anthony (my brother). He was stroking her hair and face and talking to her when she suddenly tried to open her eyes and did so a little crack...then Anthony opened her right eye all the way for her, then Mom opened the left eye widely and then Anthony let go and she kept both eyes opened for a while (definitely at least a minute). Anthony talked to her, and then mom cried (a tear slid down her cheek). This happened around 8:00 p.m.
Mom was and had been pretty non-active from 6-9 p.m. comparatively,. but still opened her eyes during this time.
When I visited mom at 8:00 a.m. this morning, I told her I was leaving the room for a minute and when I came back, I told her I was back and said, "I'm back! It's me! Kathy..." while scratching the palm of her hand and rubbing her leg. She turned to my voice and smiled a huge grin at me! I said, "Oh are you happy to see me?" and then she made a bigger grin (her eyes were closed though).
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!
We met the Recreation Therapist, Andrea, who is amazing like Shelby the Speech Therapist!! Andrea can't wait to work with mom. She is going to sing to her, read to her, turn on music or the TV to her favorite channels, do sensory stimulation...
We also met the Occupational Therapist, who reported that mom was totally unresponsive on Wednesday. I spoke to her at length about mom...she said to track her progress and that if mom demonstrated more "alert" times, she'd come do therapy with her.
We also met the physical therapist, he was very nice and is planning an in-service training for us at our request to learn what to do to work with mom---we will work with her but he can't until she can follow a command. But he was very receptive to learning about mom and hearing about her progress. A wonderful person.
Mom also moved her head side to side, up and down, moved her arm and foot and leg and hand (right side). Made MANY usual faces. She responded to the Frankincense today but not much to the vanilla. She continues to yawn alot. Dennis, the respiratory therapist, said that the yawning could be physiological or neurological---she may be getting the urge to yawn and does so or it could be a response to wanting more air. But with the vent, she supposedly can't breath in any air (or a limited amount?)...He said the yawning was "insignificant"...I think not---it's a new movement.
Dad and I went to speak to a Medicaid Advocate today to get some help with the Medicaid process as well....it was very informative. Then I took dad back to see mom before and after dinner with Aunt Carol.
A wonderfully long day...tired. Thanks for all the prayers and support...we all can't thank you all enough.
Love
Kath
And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while. ...Mark 6:31
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