Mom saw the neurologist today, but of course, the visit didn't go without a hitch at the facility. Claudia and dad arrived at the facility at 7:30 a.m. as they were told to. The ambulance was late arriving (mom had to be transported in an ambulance due to the trach and vent). When all was finally settled with the ambulance, Claudia finds out that the ambulance crew had the wrong address to take mom to!!! She went to the nurse's station to let them know and of course she was received with sarcasm and ridicule as usual..."How do YOU know where she's supposed to go?" They finally listen to Claudia and make a few calls...but only to find out that they messed up the appointment---instead of taking mom to the office in Patchogue (a few minutes from where she is), the facility made the appointment in Bayshore---50 minutes away! It's always something!
Mom finally made it to her appointment and looked much calmer when she saw that dad and Claudia were there waiting for her. She looked confused and frightened about the ambulance... even though I tried to tell her what to expect today last night.
The doctor seems fabulous!!! (Dare I say that?) He tries to cure not only with medication if necessary but through natural means as well. He asked what he could do for us, mom...he went over her history very carefully and slowly with dad and Claudia. They told him that her hearing aids are being fixed so they weren't in today. He said that what we are doing with mom is wonderful and to continue and not stop ever! All the cognitive, physical, speech...therapies that our family and friends are doing is great. He said that it is good that she has made and continues to make progress, but he reminded us that on a scale of 1-10 (10 being full recovery), she is still only a 1-1 1/2 or so...but she's only been awake for 3 1/2 weeks. He said that she is definitely awake from the coma now. He said her progress and rate of progress is fine. He said her behavior is or can be typical for someone with a stroke and burst aneurysm--- alert, then foggy...during recovery...however, he is going to check some things out to rule out other factors that may be contributing to her foggy and sleepy states--- he is ordering blood work to check for:
- Ammonia levels
- Thyroid problems
- Lyme's Disease
- B 12
All these levels can cause cognitive issues and sleepiness...
He is also sending her for an EEG to see if the seizure medication is warranted or not (right now she isn't on it any more). He did see that she moved with purpose but wasn't able to do much on command for him (she is usually better focused with us than how she was with him). He saw her use her right and left arms purposefully to do things. The frontal lobe controls decision making and motor planning (we knew this already). It also controls emotions. He prescribed DIAPAT? only if the staff at the facility see her have a seizure. He is ordering a CAT Scan in order to look at what structural damage was done and where so that he can see where the bleed was and the CAT Scan will be given with no contrast. She will go back to see him on November 19. He can't give us any guarantees on her recovery because we don't know much about how the brain works and everyone is different. He had no medical records from the hospital or the facility today...they will be sent to him for review. The facility makes all the appointments for the CAT Scan and EEG...(how comforting...LOL).
All in all, good meeting, productive...new directions. He said there is nothing else our family can do for her other than what we are doing---we are already doing all we can. We need to continue all we are doing and with a drive forward---no slacking!
Sister Suzanne visited mom this afternoon...though it wasn't the best day to come since she was sleepy (she never seems to be alert when poor Suzanne comes! I wish she would be just once!). Dad, Aunt Carol, Aunt Sophie, Lenny and I visited her this afternoon and evening. She slept the whole time except for a few minutes of open eyes. She did kiss us all good-bye but with eyes closed...she looked wiped out and exhausted but in a good way.
Thanks for all the prayers! We keep all of you in prayer as well. Keep praying please.
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
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