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Picture Credits: Karen Stack from http://KaraokeAnonymous.com
Hello all! How are you?
Me? I'm better. And it's all thanks to your continued words of encouragement. Thank you very much! Just so you know, if you guys write an email for Mom, I'll read it to her (a few times over every time I visit ). And if you send a cassette tape, I'll play it for her. I think both are good and will help encourage her very much!
Her tracheostomy was postponed due to the doctor's previous surgery taking much longer than scheduled. He was in the operating room for 10 hours and as tired as he looked... I didn't WANT him operating on Mom if he had offered. Good thing he didn't want to either. So, the surgery will be postponed until Monday sometime. I'll let you know as soon as I know anything about the time, and or results. They will look to place her in a "vent unit" (long term rehab place for people like Mom who are still on breathing machines, etc.).
Great news however, on other accounts. First, she waved good bye to Lonnie I guess the other day. And when I was there, her fingers were moving independently from her entire arm. Also, her left arm has been moving too, AND her left fingers. Her left foot moved so much it was nearly off the bed. Her eyes have been open more than ever and when she moves her face/mouth in a certain way it must be uncomfortable or painful as she winces and her eyebrows scrunch up. It looked like she was either trying to talk or she was gagging on the tubes in her mouth. The good news is that the doctor had never seen her do this and was very encouraged by it. He said she's definitely conscious if she's aware enough to either try to talk or gag and then wince like that. He said it also appeared that she was trying to focus, but could not be positive. We've been trying to tell him that forever. I'm so glad that he saw it with his own eyes.
When I held her hand, her fingers gently closed around mine. I was so happy I cried and kissed her forehead softly. I told her over and over I love her. I tell her all the time anyway...but I told her even MORE that day. Every day has its challenges, and every day there is something more to smile about. I know happiness is a choice and Mom would want me happy. My optimism remains and my stubborness as well. Mom taught me well, eh?
When speaking with the critical care doctor, I asked him about the meeting that I missed and this is what he told me. He said that the neurologist said she had a 5% chance of returning to "functional" life. Mom's friend Bob said that means being a productive citizen of society with a job and everything. Bill said that meant voluntary movement, speach, etc. The critical care doctor said it left a great deal open to interpretation, but that he was certain the doctor meant talking, walking, taking care of herself, and that her memory could very well still be in tact and that she'd know all of us... which is more than I thought possible there for awhile.
He said that of the assorted and scattered "spots" of inactivity in Mom's brain, that there was a large one in the back where vision could be affected which could explain why she seems to see us, but not really. He also said that particular spot appeared to be the result of a stroke...and we all know that sometimes those injuries can be recovered from.
Then he said that many of the other "spots" appeared to be a direct result of her diabetes. Now, Mom thought she was borderline diabetes but had never been diagnosed. Now...she's been diagnosed. The thing about this news is, these could be "old" injuries to the brain and not new ones resulting from the anurism. Therefore...there's not as much recovery as I thought lay ahead of us.
I know this for sure, as long as she keeps improving (and I don't care how slow it goes)...she has not reached her plateau and she still has a chance of returning to us. No matter what, I'm glad she's here and I'm so deeply grateful to have the honor to be her daughter.
On other notes in my life...
Mom's second husband had another daughter by his first wife. Her name is Beth and she came up from Illinois to visit with us this weekend and is staying with my brother Gene. Beth, her male friend, Gene, his wife Mandy, Mandy's neice who lives with them, Mandy's cousin Sarah, my sister Shirley, Shirley's son Nathan, and Shirley's son Jimmy Jr. all met at my house last night. It was nice to have everyone together! Earlier in the day my brother Lonnie, his girlfriend Sandy, and her son came over to show us Lonnies New-To-Him van. He was so proud of it, that it was paid for, and that he had the title in his hands I couldn't help but giggle. I love to see him smile and I'm really happy for him that he got some reliable transportation. He's obviously happy too as the Grand Canyon had some competition with Lonnie's smile yesterday!
Well, I'm off to make breakfast. We just finished my son DJ's paper route and are HUNGRY!
Take care,
BrytEyz
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