Mom was in a great mood this morning…happier. Claudia started the day with her. She adjusted mom in the bed well because mom was all slumped in the bed. Claudia worked with mom’s arms and legs really well but as she got to her legs, breakfast came. Mom pierced the food with the fork independently—totally!!! Mom needed no help at all. She held the coffee cup alone too…but Claudia helped her anyway. The head of respiratory came in and said that mom is doing great but the therapist wouldn’t commit to anything concrete…wouldn’t answer when mom goes on the trach collar or what is next. The therapist just said that mom is doing good but we have to wait to see how she continues to do. The therapist made very vague statements---said no time frame for how long this step would be. Claudia and the CNA talked and watched “Good Morning America” and the more they talked, the more mom ate independently…the more they paid attention to mom, the less she did alone or ate. I forgot to mention also that, when I help or try to help mom eat by putting things on the fork or spoon, she dumps it off and does it over herself!!
Anthony came next to see mom. Mom did really good!! She was up and said hello to him. The Occupational Therapist came to bring mom lunch. The therapist said Occupational Therapy was going to stop as of today. They really didn’t need to coax mom much. Mom pierced with the fork---meat and broccoli. Mom ate rather quickly too. Mom ate about 2/3 of the meal alone. Anthony asked about the dentist again and the fact that no dentist has come yet. Mom talked a few times audibly and it was her voice. They played 3 Card Monty and mom loved it and pointed to the cards (the same one every time). Mom was into it!!! Anthony put the stack of cards in front of her and she moved them around and stacked them. Anthony had her giggling a few times too. When he left, mom began to fall asleep. The OT is being sent to other facilities now so no one works with mom when the OT isn’t there. Mom looked good again…more like herself…even the CNAs and the nurses see it. The head of respiratory saw mom eat alone this morning and was amazed too!!! Shocked!!
Dad arrived next to mom. They talked, and dad made sure mom drank plenty of juice today. He did mom’s physical therapy/range of motion exercises. They watched TV and mom napped on and off. Dad said that a gentleman came in with a guitar and played and sang to mom. Dad said when mom was awake, she was alert and talkative (mouthing). They also looked at a magazine together.
When I arrived this afternoon, mom was in her wheelchair and awake and alert. I had my dinner there and talked to her and dad. Mom was watching me as I talked. She appeared to be interested in what I was saying. Mom made a few comments to me today as well. She also had her cup of juice with the straw on the table in front of her and she was able to pick up the cup and drink from it totally independently!! Dinner came and mom was still in her chair which was good. She had 2 huge stuffed shells and lima beans (we didn’t give her the beans because they aren’t soft enough) and she had fruit (pears and peaches) for dessert. I cut up all her food and mom was grabbing small pieces of food with her fingers while I was using the utensils to cut the food. She was eager to eat. Once I finished cutting, I gave her the fork and she began to eat. Sometimes, would stab at the food and lift the fork to her mouth but there would be no food on the fork. I think this happens when she begins to become tired later in the day…but I am not too sure.
Con and Sammy and Anthony Michael joined dad later in the evening. Sammy called and said that mom was in bed and gave them all a big smile when they arrived. She mouthed some words and was in a good mood but not in the mood to do anything workwise. They watched TV and Con asked her how she was and mom mouthed, “I’m fine” and then they called Anthony on the phone and she mouthed in response to his question by phone, “I’m fine.” They hung out and talked and watched TV and “chillaxed” as Sammy says!! (word sandwich for chilled and relaxed!!)
“whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” Ecclesiastes 9:10
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