Anthony began the day with mom this morning. Mom said she was happy to see him. Mom told me that she and Anthony went to sit outside and went for a walk too. Mom said that she and Anthony practiced standing as well.
Late yesterday afternoon, we found out the mom's main CNA has been moved to a new floor. The challenges never stop. It's always something. Mom responds so well to this CNA and does all the CNA asks. This CNA is the one, who yesterday, spoke to the PT and said that mom can walk, stand...and doesn't need the serita lift anymore and that all mom needs is patience.... Well, that CNA is gone. We can only hope that mom will respond as well to the new person with her. Confidence and motor planning (telling mom where and how to place her feet...verbally cuing her the right way to stand or walk...) are a big part of mom's progress and development now. Having consistency is a key factor. As always, it is what it is (as John likes to say)...so we put her in God's Hands once again.
Just before lunchtime, Dad came to be with mom. They sat together and watched TV this afternoon up until I arrived and after I left. I left work today for lunch and went to watch mom in physical therapy. The PT and OT work with mom in the hallway, the bathroom in her room and in her room now. The thrust of the therapy is to get mom to listen to, and perform for, Dad now rather than the PT and OT people. That said, I showed up for PT today. The OT and PT people took mom in the wheelchair into the hallway, placed the walker in front of her and asked her to stand. Mom stood but hunched over. The PT explained to me that walking involves lifting the leg and bending at the waist where the waist meets the upper thigh. In order to do this, a person needs to stand straight up. If a person isn't standing straight up and is hunched over, then the leg is already, essentially, in this bent position and, in order to lift the leg further to walk, it is nearly impossible do. Try it. Hunch over at the waist so that your body is shaped like an upsidedown 'L' then try to lift your leg to walk while in that position. It can't be done.
They managed to verbally prompt mom to stand up straight...and like magic, she can walk (not far or for long). Next, the PT and OT people stepped aside and let dad and me instruct mom. Mom didn't want to do anything for us. She kept telling us to be quiet because she would only listen to the PT and OT!!! Finally, the PT gently reminded mom that they (PT/OT people) won't be with mom at home....we, her family, will...so it is important that she listens to us. Mom frequently asks to sit down rather than continue standing or walking or trying to walk. The PT person said it is a matter of confidence at this point. Mom told us all that, "They don't know what to do!!!" in an indignant voice---referring to dad and me. Finally, dad and I were left to instruct mom... and she complied!! She stood for us (7 or 8 times---the last time she stood, she held the rail on the wall in the hallway and stood totally straight to a count of 200!!!!). The PT said that was good but told mom that a count of 200 isn't long enough to stand for a standing ovation at a theatrical performance. Mom stood for dad and I and then followed our directions to take a few steps...she took 4 steps for us!!! Progress!!
What a feeling it was to tell mom to look me in the eye and hold her head and body up straight and high to God and watch her take some steps!!!! Wow!! I began to cry. We told her how proud we are of her and how much we love her but she told us not to be too proud yet!! So like mom!
John came to see mom. He did a few activities with her. Dad was there when he arrived. He left shortly after. John talked to mom about Ava. Mom asked John about her. Dinner came and she ate. She had grilled cheese, peas and carrots and sliced pears. John made her eat the pears and she gave him a hard time. He said, "It could be worse, it could be prune juice!" Mom laughed. John had her write the date and what she ate and then write, "My pain in the neck son-in-law made me write." John did a fine motor task with her. It is a three pronged wooden puzzle with pieces that only fit on certain rods. She did well with the task. The phone rang and it was Ava. Mom and Ava spoke for a while and Ava told her she took a bus somewhere today. John asked mom what was the lowest fare for a bus or train ride that she remembered and mom said, "We use to buy tokens and I think they were 10 cents." John told her that the fare is more than $2 and mom couldn't believe it. The CNA put her to bed. A few times mom was very sad and said she wanted to get out of there and go home. I called and asked mom if she was having fun with John and she said, "Oh yea, a barrel of fun!" John stayed with mom and watched TV. When it was time he set her up for bed and put the food channel on and kissed her goodnight.
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