Mom’s update Friday, October 7, 2011
Kathy wrote: When I arrived to see mom this morning, I found her in bed crying…sobbing actually. Her breakfast was before her and she had eaten some of it, but she was sobbing. I asked what was wrong and she said, “I can’t do anything.” I pointed out to her that she could do lots of things and I gave her a tissue. She sobbed that she wants to go home. I told her it would be soon but she said, “Everyone keeps saying that but I don’t believe you!” She wanted to call dad. She kept saying she wants to go home to be with dad. We called dad and they talked and cried together. Dad said that mom’s new roommate cries a lot and he thinks that is why mom is crying. After I hung up with dad, I told her mom we needed to pray. I calmed her down and focused her back on breakfast. A nurse came in to give mom a heparin shot. She gets them in her stomach. I asked the nurse if these shots were discontinued and the nurse went to check and said, “Not yet.” Mom’s main nurse came in next and assured us that a call to the doctor regarding discontinuing the shots would take place this morning. The OT came in to see mom this morning. The OT explained that the correct splint for mom’s hand was not available so they ordered the splint for mom. In the meantime they gave mom a different splint that is not quite right but, it serves to keep the fingers of mom’s left hand open though slightly curled to keep the fingers spread apart. It is called a hand roll. Mom’s fingers (and just some of them) on the left hand are the only true physical damage to her body after the stroke, amazing. The OT also said something very encouraging. The OT explained that there are two main things to work on with mom with regard to using the toilet. One thing involves using the toilet. To use the toilet, mom needs to be able to move from a sitting to a standing position. Then she needs to twist her body to the side at the hips while pivoting her feet (moving one foot to the side, then turning the foot and bringing the other foot next to it) so she can sit down on the toilet. This is a much more complicated skill. The other easier skill involves transferring form a wheel chair to a commode. In this case, mom needs to move form a sitting position to a standing position (which she can do with a lot of consistency) and hold the standing position for a few seconds then, while she is standing, someone quickly skooches the wheelchair away and puts the commode behind her and mom sits. This is so much easier to do! BUT right now it is a two person job since mom can’t totally hold herself up for too long. Someone has to spot mom (watch that see doesn’t fall) while the other person moves the chair and places a commode under mom. BUT…it can happen soon. Today I showed mom the calendar and she picked out the day and date for yesterday. She answered that today is the same day as yesterday, “Thursday, October 6th, 2011.” When I told her that was yesterday and asked what today is she quickly said, “Oh, right, then today is Friday, October 7, 2011.” This is such a huge improvement in just a short matter of weeks. She couldn’t make heads or tails out of the calendar a few weeks back. We just kept working on it anyway. Mom said, “Gee, sometimes I just forget, like how I forgot to tell time.” Mom commented about how ‘These women are all very spiritual.” She was referring to the CNA’s One of the CNA’s came into mom’s room to help out. The CNA said that from the first day mom was at the facility in the respiratory unit there was a strong presence of God surrounding mom. The CNA’s said that the scripture verses on the walls of mom’s room was so inspiring and comforting. We read mom’s scripture verses, “Oh sleeper…arise and call upon your God” Jonah 1:6. We talked about how blessed mom is to have had so many spiritual people around her. The CNA said that a friend from church was in need last night and the CNA told the friend about mom and used mom’s story as a testimony of encouragement and faith. Then the CNA gave the friend the wristband we gave to all the CNA’s that says, “Don’t quit 5 mins B4 the miracle happens.” Mom and her story were again a source of inspiration to someone in need. Again God takes the lemons that life hands out and makes lemonade. This CNA told mom that mom was in the CNA’s spirit last night so the CNA prayed for mom all night. The CNA had the feeling that mom is going to be walking by the end of next week. Mom tried to remember what everyone’s middle name is asking, “What’s Terry’s middle name?” I said, “Therese…” and mom said, “Marie” which is correct. Then we went through everyone’s name and middle name. Mom got everyone’s middle name correct! Mom’s CNA showed mom a picture of the CNA’s daughter from her birthday party. Then mom and I read the speech I made at work last night. Mom wanted to know who I spoke in front of then, asked if I memorized the speech! When I told her I hadn’t memorized it, she asked, “Oh! Why not? You should have!” Mom made some phone calls then. She spoke to Anthony first. Then she called John and told him it is too bad the Yankees lost last night. She did the same with Jean. She called Ava next to see how she was. We didn’t do too many structured activities this morning because much of the morning was consumed with breakfast, toileting and her shower. Mom’s new roommate is very weepy. She is upset to be with the other residents for meals or socialization purposes. The roommate complained about everyone and everything. She seems to be sad about her situation (understandably so). Mom hears her roommate cry and joins right in. I told mom she has to be inspiration to her roommate and not join in.
After mom’s shower she brushed her teeth. She did so well. She even grabbed paper towels and wiped up the sink. She asked me to do her hair and makeup so we did that. Then mom began to cry (her roommate had already been crying). Mom cried about the fact that when she comes home Grammy won’t be there. Then dad came and we went for walk down to her old unit. Everyone was very happy to see her. The old pulmonologist said, “Mom is a testimony that we are all at God’s mercy and that she is a living miracle and one of the biggest reason’s that they keep going.” Next we went to the computer room and watched Jean and Ava on Youtube. Mom loved it! She said that she is jealous that Jean and Ava went and did something with their talent and that she is never did (as a young person). She said she is very proud of them. I went home and dad and mom ate lunch.
Dad spent the rest of the day with mom and put her to bed.
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