Claudia and Jean were with mom all day and I came by after my Hofstra presentation later in the early evening. Claudia and Jean said that mom was very alert all afternoon and had her eyes open ALOT!!! Wide open alot!! When Jean arrived today, he said, "Hi Nonny! It's me, Jean!" and she opened her eyes and smiled. Jean sang to her all afternoon---that's always a treat--and Nonny smiled and kept her eyes open alot. Claudia read to her and then she and Jean did her range of motion exercises with her arms, legs, hands and feet (moving her limbs...for her in a variety of positions so they don't stiffen up). I did aromatherapy with her-- her preference was the Frankincense again and I read to her and stroked her face... By the time I arrived, mom was tired visibly, but she still opened her eyes widely 2 xs in the 2 hours I was there and also kept them open half-way and a crack in between the wide openings. She had her eyes open most of the time I was there too. Sometimes when her eyes are open, mom appears not to see or focus on anything, while at other times, it is apparent that she is focusing and seeing things. Sometimes her eyes track and sometimes they don't. Sometimes they react to light and sometimes not.
It is my observation that, sometimes, mom recognizes us and smiles or cries when she opens her eyes, but other times, it is as though she can't focus her eyes well perhaps but hears better instead. It reminds me of what we call in special education, a sensory integration situation. Sensory integration means that someone may have difficulty integrating/combining all the senses at once and using them all at once. It seems that sometimes mom can use all her senses at once, but other times, it seems like she can only use one sense at a time. In any case, she is progressing forward in my eyes. As I told Con tonight, women have a 6-8 week recovery after a C-section---mom had brain trauma and it isn't even 4 weeks yet...so I think she is progressing well.
We asked why her left arm is swollen and why she had pain in her legs when we rubbed them yesterday and today. The nurse said it is likely due to her favoring motion in the right side over the left and that the pain in her legs could be due to arthritis. But the doctor decided to do a doplar sonogram on them to be sure.
Thank you soooo very much to all who have reached out to my dad with calls and letters and cards...he has been very touched by all the love and support.
It is so good to see mom open her eyes again....I pray that she recovers. I miss her so much. Keep up the prayers---they are working for us all.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Php. 4:6-7)
This is my prayer for us all. Be Blessed this day dear friends and family.
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