Just a quick update. Found out today that mom actually experienced a major stroke the did damage to the left parietal lobe of the brain (damage to the left parietal lobe can result in what is called "Gerstmann's Syndrome." It includes right-left confusion, difficulty with writing (agraphia) and difficulty with mathematics (acalculia). It can also produce disorders of language (aphasia) and the inability to perceive objects normally (agnosia). The stroke was caused by a large blood clot. We've been in a catch-22 situation with this because mom having had a brain bleed in the past, could not take blood thinners because of a risk of another bleed. Now, she is on aspirin as a blood thinner, a cholesterol drug to prevent plaque build-up and an antacid to counteract stomach problems from the aspirin.
Her blood pressure fluctuates between 150-172 on the top so she may soon need blood pressure medication.
Mom has difficulty swallowing and is not allowed to drink liquids of any kind yet. She does swallow pureed food though...more today than yesterday (10% yesterday and 50% today). She may need a feeding tube again in order to supplement her caloric intake so that her energy level increases.
She continues to either speak actual words but slurred or speak gibberish (non words). She gets speech therapy which focuses on cognitive skills (trying to speak or point to objects...) and swallowing (strengthening the muscles in her neck). Because she can't swallow well, she is beginning to pool the natural fluid from her sinuses of her head in her throat and chest. She is being monitored for signs of infection through blood work.
She is not well enough, awake enough, or active enough to remain in the Hospital's Rehab Center so we will be deciding either on a sub-acute skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation or taking her back home to receive therapy there.
She receives physical therapy in the form of range of motion exercises. She was unable to sit on the side of the bed on her own.
We continue to visit her and work with her when she is awake...singing, talking, counting, playing with the IPAD apps, listening to music, watching TV and doing range of motion exercises with her. She knows us all and sometimes uses our names. She still can say, "I love you" and "I want to go home" among other things. Our mission continues to focus on loving mom as we have all along this ordeal in her life. It's always been about how we can make her life, whatever condition she's in, better through love.
Will keep you all posted. Thanks for all the prayers.
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36
Her blood pressure fluctuates between 150-172 on the top so she may soon need blood pressure medication.
Mom has difficulty swallowing and is not allowed to drink liquids of any kind yet. She does swallow pureed food though...more today than yesterday (10% yesterday and 50% today). She may need a feeding tube again in order to supplement her caloric intake so that her energy level increases.
She continues to either speak actual words but slurred or speak gibberish (non words). She gets speech therapy which focuses on cognitive skills (trying to speak or point to objects...) and swallowing (strengthening the muscles in her neck). Because she can't swallow well, she is beginning to pool the natural fluid from her sinuses of her head in her throat and chest. She is being monitored for signs of infection through blood work.
She is not well enough, awake enough, or active enough to remain in the Hospital's Rehab Center so we will be deciding either on a sub-acute skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation or taking her back home to receive therapy there.
She receives physical therapy in the form of range of motion exercises. She was unable to sit on the side of the bed on her own.
We continue to visit her and work with her when she is awake...singing, talking, counting, playing with the IPAD apps, listening to music, watching TV and doing range of motion exercises with her. She knows us all and sometimes uses our names. She still can say, "I love you" and "I want to go home" among other things. Our mission continues to focus on loving mom as we have all along this ordeal in her life. It's always been about how we can make her life, whatever condition she's in, better through love.
Will keep you all posted. Thanks for all the prayers.
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36
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