We had a wonderful Thanksgiving together. We ate at Mom and Dad's house, but everyone helped out so Mom and Dad could just relax and enjoy the time together with family. Mom received a cute little treat from a neighbor called Blessing Mix, which contains different snack items such as m&m's, bugles, pretzels, etc. She enjoyed it so much that she wanted to make one for each family member. She and Dad spent quite a lot of time shopping for all the ingredients and then Mom carefully assembled a bag of goodies for each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild.
After dinner we had a special Thanksgiving program. Everyone gathered in the living room to watch a beautiful DVD put together by Jim Jr, set to the song, "The Climb," by Miley Cyrus. He included a few photos from the early days after the stroke, and then focused the rest on all the progress Mom has made. It was sobering to see where Mom started, and exhilarating to see the miracle of her recovery unfold before our eyes. After watching the DVD, everyone was invited to share their thoughts and feelings about the ordeal. Our focus was on the many miracles showered down upon us by the Lord, who opened countless doors so Mom could get the help she needed to recover. Mom then expressed her gratitude for everyone's love and support and we ended the program with yummy desserts. It was a wonderful evening.
This week brought several more miracles as well. On Monday Mom went to the hearing specialist where they discovered that her hearing loss was just a wax buildup, so now she can hear again!!! Her eyesight is getting better as well, and she continues to regain more and more fine motor function through diligent practice and her wonderful therapists.
As we begin this holiday season, we continue to be full of gratitude to have Mom with us, and in awe of all the progress she has made and continues to make. We are also thankful for each of you for the love and support shown us through this long process. Most of all we are grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has been with us every step of the way!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
November updates
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated the blog. (Can you spell SWINE FLU? I can!)
Mom has made absolutely amazing progress these past few weeks. She has been trying to cook more, and after one LONG afternoon in the kitchen that left her exhausted and still hungry, she has since had better luck. Mom has made her yummy macaroni and cheese along with her fabulous spaghetti, and although it takes a lot out of her, she wants to do the things she used to do.
To her delight, she finally figured out how to get down in the tub so she can take a bath as opposed to a shower. (Who ever knew it was so far DOWN from a standing position, not to mention equally as far back UP when you're finished?) She also washes her own hair and is maneuvering the blow dryer as well.
Mom continues to faithfully do her exercises and practice writing her name. In addition, she has begun using her computer again, typing with both hands! It is very, very slow and painstaking, but she is equally as determined. Early on, Mom couldn't remember where all the keys were on the keyboard, and several of them were worn off which made it extra hard to type. Undaunted, Mom carefully went downstairs and found her old typing textbook from high school (she knew right where it was!) and brought it up to the computer room so she could find the right keys. Thankfully, Randy had an extra keyboard, so now Mom can actually see the keys she is trying to use. Since handwriting is still a challenge, Mom is determined to use the computer to keep up with her correspondence. One of the things she feels the worst about these past few months is that she hasn't been able to write Jace his weekly missionary letter. She is determined to remedy that situation!
Mom's eye is finally getting a bit better. Her eye doctor admitted today that when he first saw her 3 weeks ago, he wasn't sure her eyesight would return because of the severity of the infection. Although it will take another two or three months, he is quite confident her vision will return. Whew!
We are also thrilled to report that the PEG line has been removed. HURRAH!!! It was a simple process done in the office, and other than a bit of discomfort at the time of removal, there was no pain involved. That's good, because all the pain at the time of insertion should have counted for alot!
New this week is the discovery that Mom has lost much of the hearing in her right ear. This wouldn't be unusual as a result of the stroke, so she has an appointment on Monday with a specialist to check things out more thoroughly.
This week Mom's sister, Louise, has been up from California to visit and help out. It has been so fun for them to spend time together laughing and reminiscing, and the week has gone by all too fast. As Mary Engelbreit says, "There is no friend like a sister in calm or stormy weather!" Mom is extra blessed in the sister department on both sides of the family!
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are especially grateful to have our dear Mother home again, and are in awe of the progress she has made. We are also grateful for each of you who have cried and rejoiced along with us these past four months. We couldn't have done it alone!
Mom has made absolutely amazing progress these past few weeks. She has been trying to cook more, and after one LONG afternoon in the kitchen that left her exhausted and still hungry, she has since had better luck. Mom has made her yummy macaroni and cheese along with her fabulous spaghetti, and although it takes a lot out of her, she wants to do the things she used to do.
To her delight, she finally figured out how to get down in the tub so she can take a bath as opposed to a shower. (Who ever knew it was so far DOWN from a standing position, not to mention equally as far back UP when you're finished?) She also washes her own hair and is maneuvering the blow dryer as well.
Mom continues to faithfully do her exercises and practice writing her name. In addition, she has begun using her computer again, typing with both hands! It is very, very slow and painstaking, but she is equally as determined. Early on, Mom couldn't remember where all the keys were on the keyboard, and several of them were worn off which made it extra hard to type. Undaunted, Mom carefully went downstairs and found her old typing textbook from high school (she knew right where it was!) and brought it up to the computer room so she could find the right keys. Thankfully, Randy had an extra keyboard, so now Mom can actually see the keys she is trying to use. Since handwriting is still a challenge, Mom is determined to use the computer to keep up with her correspondence. One of the things she feels the worst about these past few months is that she hasn't been able to write Jace his weekly missionary letter. She is determined to remedy that situation!
Mom's eye is finally getting a bit better. Her eye doctor admitted today that when he first saw her 3 weeks ago, he wasn't sure her eyesight would return because of the severity of the infection. Although it will take another two or three months, he is quite confident her vision will return. Whew!
We are also thrilled to report that the PEG line has been removed. HURRAH!!! It was a simple process done in the office, and other than a bit of discomfort at the time of removal, there was no pain involved. That's good, because all the pain at the time of insertion should have counted for alot!
New this week is the discovery that Mom has lost much of the hearing in her right ear. This wouldn't be unusual as a result of the stroke, so she has an appointment on Monday with a specialist to check things out more thoroughly.
This week Mom's sister, Louise, has been up from California to visit and help out. It has been so fun for them to spend time together laughing and reminiscing, and the week has gone by all too fast. As Mary Engelbreit says, "There is no friend like a sister in calm or stormy weather!" Mom is extra blessed in the sister department on both sides of the family!
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are especially grateful to have our dear Mother home again, and are in awe of the progress she has made. We are also grateful for each of you who have cried and rejoiced along with us these past four months. We couldn't have done it alone!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
A Fast of Gratitude
Today has been a sweet day of fasting in gratitude for the miraculous events that have occurred over the past three months. We are in awe of the progress Mom has made. We know that Heavenly Father has been there for us through all the ups and downs, and has caused many miracles to occur. The highlight of the day was that Mom bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting. Although I wasn't there, I heard from several people that it was beautiful. I would imagine it was kind of like hearing from Lazarus!
This week Mom has continued to improve and can now do many things on her own. The various therapists have assigned "homework" and Mom is faithfully working at her assignments. She is supposed to do everything possible for herself, such as washing her own hair, doing the dishes, unloading the dishwasher and keeping track of her appointments on a calendar. She can eat well with her right hand and even helps with simple cooking tasks. Yesterday Mom and I went shopping for some new bed sheets and she walked around the entire store without even leaning on the shopping cart!!! She is diligently practicing writing her name and even signed the check when we went shopping. Although progress seems slow to her, cumulatively is is astounding, and she has come so far from where she was two weeks ago when she first came home!
Mom's right eye continues to slowly improve. This week the doctor removed the medicated patch and instructed Dad to put several different (EXPENSIVE!) eye drops in three times per day. He explained that Mom's eye is numb because of the stroke, which is actually a blessing at this point, as her condition would be excruciating to a normal eye. However, he still expects that the eye will recover and that Mom's vision will return.
We would like to sincerely thank each of you for your interest, prayers, fasting and kind acts too numerous to mention. Mom has been so eager to hear her story and thank each person who has helped her in any way. She wants to write thank you notes (now that's definitely our Mom!), so we're slowly and painstakingly working on letter writing! In the meantime, please know of our love and appreciation for all you have done for our family! We are so grateful!
This week Mom has continued to improve and can now do many things on her own. The various therapists have assigned "homework" and Mom is faithfully working at her assignments. She is supposed to do everything possible for herself, such as washing her own hair, doing the dishes, unloading the dishwasher and keeping track of her appointments on a calendar. She can eat well with her right hand and even helps with simple cooking tasks. Yesterday Mom and I went shopping for some new bed sheets and she walked around the entire store without even leaning on the shopping cart!!! She is diligently practicing writing her name and even signed the check when we went shopping. Although progress seems slow to her, cumulatively is is astounding, and she has come so far from where she was two weeks ago when she first came home!
Mom's right eye continues to slowly improve. This week the doctor removed the medicated patch and instructed Dad to put several different (EXPENSIVE!) eye drops in three times per day. He explained that Mom's eye is numb because of the stroke, which is actually a blessing at this point, as her condition would be excruciating to a normal eye. However, he still expects that the eye will recover and that Mom's vision will return.
We would like to sincerely thank each of you for your interest, prayers, fasting and kind acts too numerous to mention. Mom has been so eager to hear her story and thank each person who has helped her in any way. She wants to write thank you notes (now that's definitely our Mom!), so we're slowly and painstakingly working on letter writing! In the meantime, please know of our love and appreciation for all you have done for our family! We are so grateful!
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