Leaps and bounds!

Mom continues to improve this week. She went to the grocery store with Dad on Thursday and didn't need a wheelchair or even one of those riding carts. She just walked through the store with him! She's doing extremely well getting around the house and can even get up and down off the floor by herself. When you talk to her on the phone it sounds as if she's back to normal.

However, some basic skills still need relearning, and at times she's a bit of a danger to herself because she's in a familiar environment and wants to do all the things she's used to doing. For instance, she decided she wanted a toast, so she put a piece of bread in the microwave and turned it on for a very long time. Dad didn't realize what she had done until smoke started pouring out of the kitchen! She also decided she wanted to change the sheets on the bed, (despite the fact that Dad just did it on Thursday) so she took them all off and stuffed EVERYTHING in the washing machine at once - mattress pad, sheets AND blanket!!! Needless to say, they didn't quite fit and it took awhile to get everything laundered and back in place so they could go to bed!

But she is definitely improving in so many ways. I've been out of town since Wednesday and could hardly believe how well she did tonight at dinner using her RIGHT hand! And she is trying to work on her photos (although in a few weeks from now she will probably be frustrated with her current efforts!) She is also practicing how to write her name and is making pretty good progress. Dad writes her name in cursive at the top of the paper, and then she practices writing it below his example. In addition, she is lifting her weights several times each day in an effort to strengthen her arms. The best part of all is that she can laugh when things don't go well, instead of getting upset.

Medically she is improving as well. We are hoping to have the PEG line removed in the near future and are so glad she hasn't really needed it. Although her appetite is still not very great, she eats small portions at every meal and food hasn't been a struggle since we've gotten home.

The one big concern is Mom's right eye which has been infected on and off since the end of August. She has been on eye drops all this time, and her eye would seem to get better for a few days and then get red again. We just thought it was because she kept rubbing her eye and reinfecting it. However, Dad got her in to their ophthalmologist on Thursday, who said the drops actually caused a dangerous situation within her eye to where she currently has almost no vision at all on the right side. He put a special medicated contact in that eye, prescribed two different kinds of eyedrops, and wants to see her every 3 days. He feels everything will be fine, but is frustrated at the treatment she received. We are just grateful he knows what to do!!!

This week will be full of doctor appointments. Outpatient physical therapy begins on Wednesday, and will probably be three times a week, for three hours each time. In addition, there will be eye appointments as well as a visit with her regular internist who will be taking over Mom's care from all the inpatient physicians. Dad's becoming quite the scheduling genius, as well as a full time chauffeur!

The hospital has also agreed to provide ten more days of transitional care, where they pay for someone to come in and help out in any way needed for three hours each day. They will be coming in the afternoons, which will give Dad a bit of a break so he can run errands or work out in his shop for a bit, which will be so nice for him.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Although this is a bit tricky at times, Mom is progressing in leaps and bounds now that she is home. It's wonderful to have her back!