Hello to Everyone!
It's been a while since I have last written an update to you so we thought it was time for one now. So much has happened in the last weeks. Mom went for her kidney stone blasting and all went well. She is still catching up on xrays, MRIs, hearing evaluations etc. Each doctor she visits gives her a clean bill of health! Thank God!
Mom continues to progress. She is more and more aware and lucid and involved with the world each day. When I call her on the phone now, I can't believe that we can actually have a conversation!! I don't get to see her more than twice a week now that she is home since I live and work so far from her, so when I call, she actually teases me!! Once, lately when I called, dad answered the phone and then handed it off to mom saying, "Here, say hello, someone wants to talk to you." Mom replied, "Who wants to talk to me?" in an annoyed tone, so dad said, "It's Kathy." It was then that I heard mom's joking and teasing voice saying, "Oh really? Kathy who??" (emphasis on the 'who')!!! She knew it was me but she joked and said, "I don't know any Kathys!"
For Valentine's Day, Dad gave mom a real surprise....he had her wedding band fixed. When she had the stroke and burst aneurysm, the hospital staff had to cut the ring off her finger. She hasn't worn it in over 19 months. She was sooo thrilled to get it back all in one piece!! She told me all about it on our next phone call. She was so excited.
Once when I recently visited mom, I noticed dad had a small, plastic, white box in his shirt pocket. I asked what it was and he and mom proudly showed me the 'set-up' they had created: In front of mom, on the table, was a small box with a doorbell on it. Whenever dad leaves the room, he can't hear mom calling him, so now, mom presses the doorbell on the table and it rings in the box in dad's pocket so he can hear her!!
Anthony continues to work really hard and well with mom on physical therapy. He has her walking with the walker at least 25 feet each time he works with her. Anthony is just as good, if not better than, any certified physical therapist. He has a natural knack for understanding how each muscle works with the other and for explaining in basic verbal and visual terms how to move. Mom relates so well to him. Dad follows behind mom with the wheelchair as Anthony kneels on the floor in front of mom helping her to move the walker forward at times and verbally prompting her to walk.
The other day, Anthony started to have mom practice walking outside! She loved it. He also took mom to the kitchen sink and had her stand at the sink and wash a cup, bowl, plate, knife, fork and spoon!!!! He said he remembered the facility OT doing things like this with mom so he thought it was time to expand her program. Mom stood there, at the sink, washing and said, "Hey....who's idea was this anyway?" I guess she is afraid that the work will soon begin!!!
Claudia and Dad took mom to "Uncle Guiseppe's" food store and she loved it!! We also took mom to the movies last Monday to see "The Iron Lady" with John, Anthony Michael, Claudia, me and Dad. She was thrilled to go!! Mom, Dad, Aunt Carol, Nancy and I used to go to the movies at least once a week.
Claudia brought mom to Applebees yesterday with Claudia's friends from work. Claudia said mom was quiet and observing alot around her. Mom remembered some of the people too! She talked a bit with everyone but mostly sat and 'people watched' and took it all in.
Mom recognizes all the landmarks along the way to her various destinations too. She comments on places, landmarks, where people live, what's on the way there etc. She frequently asks questions for validation as well.
The other day, Jean and Claudia and John brought mom outside at mom and dad's house and played baseball with her!!! She used a whiffle ball and bat and Jean said that she made many connections and hit the ball!!
All in all, it is great to have mom home. Her weekly, Monday through Friday, aide is now consistently the same person for a few months now. The weekend aide now varies. Dad and mom seem to be in a routine now too. Dad runs errands and gets out to have breakfast with his buddies a few times a week. He also goes to church too. Though he is getting a little antsy and stir crazy at times. As I have said before, he likes to gallivant!!
Mom goes to get the stoma in her neck closed (along with the surrounding cartilage) on March 6. This procedure will take 45 minutes to an hour to complete. It should help mom's breathing and speaking ability as well. It will also lower the risk of infections -- airborne and otherwise from open exposure.
We will continue to keep you updated. We continue to keep you and your loved ones in prayer. Thanks for all the prayers. Miracles do happen.
"The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness." Psalm 57:10
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