Mom Update, July 8, 2011, Friday

Mom’s update July 8, 2011

Dad woke up mom this morning. She was a wake and talkative. Anthony and Anthony Michael came next. Anthony said that he couldn’t hear mom and he said, “Mom you need to speak up I can’t hear you.” Mom motioned with her finger for him to come here. Anthony moved close and she motioned again so Anthony moved closer. Mom then yelled in his ear and said, “Is this loud enough?” Then the head of respiratory and the pulmonologist came in and said how great mom was doing. Mom said the doctors, “Can I go home?” and they said not yet. Mom said, “Why not? You said I was doing better.” So much for being more aware. It is almost harder now that she is more aware.

When I arrived tonight mom was awake and looked anxious. I walked in and she said, “Oh good you’re here, let’s go.” I said where and she said home. I explained that she couldn’t go home because she needs to do more work. The respiratory therapist came in and told me that she asked mom what her name was (the therapist’s name) and mom couldn’t remember so she said it is easy to remember it is L--- it rhymes with respiratory! She came in a few times during the day and asked her. The last time she asked, mom said, “ooh you just told me…wait…L---“ That is great that she remembered because her long term memory is better than her short term memory.

I calmed mom down by playing soft music on the ipad and doing relaxation techniques of deep abdominal breathing. She finally relaxed and started to ask about the ipad. I switched from music to a program that has an under water scene and then “stickers” on top. You take each “sticker” or sea creature and drag them into the scene. She did this totally independently using the stylus. I then put on an ABA (applied Behavior Analysis) program for receptive identification of nouns. Mom had headphones on which helped her focus. She was able to identify quite a few pictures. She had difficulty with – glue, globe, ball and outlet. The only thing I could find similar is the “L”. I don’t think she can hear the “L” sound. Next we played memory but it was very difficult for her. I then had her play tangrams and she was able to drag a few shapes into place independently. We then watched TV and I was getting sleepy so I put the mitts on her but she was anxious the moment I put them back on. She kept trying to remove them so I had to stay and keep an eye on her. She asked why she needed them and I said to keep you safe. She asked why? I said I am not telling you so you don’t get any ideas. I sat a while and then the nurses came in to change her. I kissed her and we said a prayer and I left.

Peace and Love,

~ Claudia