Moving Day

A quick update...Debbie was moved to the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation late this afternoon. She had run a fever earlier in the day but was well enough to move on. Heidi made it in earlier this evening and her and Dick were at the hospital tonight. Amy and I were able to go and spend some time with the "young marrieds" of our congregation tonight. It's the closest we've had to a date in a while. We had a good time and it was good to catch up on happenings outside of our little world. We will have more to report tomorrow.

A New Step

It looks like they will move Mom to Balor Rehab tomorrow. Everything is good for now.

The road divides...

Last night after my blog post, Daddy and I discussed what the doctors have been talking with Mom about.

Mom is going to go somewhere soon (a few days). She will either go to rehab or she will go to a skilled nursing facility. We all pray that she listens to her doctors and does what they ask. We want her to get out of bed and begin to walk and take care of herself.

If she doesn't, she will end up at a skilled nursing facility.

Medically, she is doing well. Let's all pray for her to want to begin to walk and get better.

Pray for Daddy, too.

"The One Good Thing About Today"

Today is Wednesday.  Ethan, bless him, has the kids at home.  I was able to come to the hospital and spend some time with my Mom by herself.  

I have spoken before about not knowing exactly what to talk about with my mom lately.  Tonight I didn't have any trouble at all!  I walked into the room and while I was washing my hands at her sink I asked her, "Mom how was your day?"  To which mom replied, "Well it was good and it was bad."  

Mom proceeded to tell me many things about her day.  She talked about how the nursing staff was not quick enough. (I am checking into this. I am sure it is fine, though.  Mom cannot really tell how much time passes right now.) She talked about one nurse that calls her "Debra".  She said that that was not her name and if she was going to call her that not to expect an answer.  Mom talked about physical therapy and how everyone told her she was going to rot in the bed if she didn't get out.  She talked about last night and how her head hurt so bad it was intolerable!  She couldn't lay her head down at all.  She spoke of Daddy snoring.  She also said that if she held her head up on her own the whole room would spin.  The whole time she was complaining, happiness continued to build up inside of me until I began to laugh.  I am not good at hiding my feelings. 

I was watching my mom talk quickly with a voice just a little louder than a whisper get animated.  I was trying to remember the last time she told me about her day and thought that it must have been the Friday of January 16th as I was driving home from school.  I noticed how her eyes focused on me and other things in the room.  I watched her gestures as she told me about things she was agitated about.  I smiled as I imagined the staff interacting with my mom who was really grumpy and thought how it must have been difficult for them and for my mom.   Aunt Cheryl called while we were talking and Mom said, "....and Amy is just sitting here laughing at me."  

I think all of the complaining is a good sign.  Mom is getting better.  She feels so good that she is bothered by things.  I think it would be a great time to pray for Daddy.  

Mom had a CAT scan this evening.  It may have been a routine one.  Mom and Aleta (Mom's friend who visited with her today) thought it might have been to check lumps under Mom's arms.  Mom says that she has had these bumps for years.  The doctors seemed to wonder earlier today if they could be blood clots or complications of Factor 5.  I will ask Dad and post tomorrow more information.  

Mom spoke again about rehabilitation.  I am not sure when she will go.  I will check with Daddy on that, too. 

Mom should have a good night.  Omar is one of her favorite nurses.  He is here tonight.  

After Mom was finished complaining, she laid her head down and closed her eyes.  I wasn't finished with her yet.  When we began the discussion about her day Mom said, "Well it was good and it was bad."  I wanted to know what happened that was good.  

Mom said, "You came to visit."  Then she closed her eyes.  

I smiled.  

PT: Physical therapy or Pain and Torture?

I (Ethan) was able to make it up to Baylor this morning to visit Debbie. Luckily, the occupational therapist was there trying to convince Debbie to sit up in bed. She had been doing so for 15 minutes and Debbie had not budged. We both talked to her about how important it was for her to get up and get moving if she wishes to achieve her goals. She was being very good about redirecting the conversation toward other things, like her grandkids, the food, whatever, as we kept trying to encourage her to slide her legs to the edge of the table. It was during this exchange that I had a Grandma Smith flashback. Debbie's mom would some times do similar things to throw us off of what we were attempting to get her to do. (I'm secretly hoping that Debbie never reads this particular post)
Well, after some coaxing she did in fact sit up at the side of the bed and do a few stretches for her arms and back. She didn't want to stretch her neck at all since she can feel the shunt tubing where it runs from her neck to her back. She also gets dizzy and nauseous if she moves her head much. She has gotten very weak and deconditioned from lying in bed for 5+ weeks. After the OT left, I was telling her how important it was to move and what benefits she would receive from being more active and what risks she keeps by not moving. Debbie stopped me and told me she had already had this lecture today. Three times. :-) I couldn't help but laugh.
After all this she was able to eat a little lunch, though she was interrupted 3 more times in short order by nurses and dietitians. She ate her soup and a roll and seemed fairly tired after that. I had to leave to go to work and saw her physical therapist in the hall. I was disappointed since she was going to see Debbie soon and I couldn't stay any longer. I told her I would be back Thursday morning and hopefully we can talk more and I can observe/help the PT. I have a feeling she didn't have much luck this afternoon getting Debbie up.
All that said, Debbie looks well. She laughs, she gets aggravated, she's ready to get out of the hospital, and she's talking about Dick, her girls, and her grandkids constantly which I take all as signs she is recovering well from her surgeries. Now if we could just get her out of bed.....

Monday, Monday

A quick Ethan post...Debbie had a good day by all reports. Her fever has not returned, she was somewhat talkative, and if being somewhat combative is a sign of improvement then we can add that to the list as well. She also had her IV's removed today. Now this has more to do with them not working and the medical staff not being able to start a good IV line than with significant improvement. However she has had no difficulty taking oral medication so they feel fine giving her her meds orally for the most part. Also, her liver seems to be be better, not great, but better than the past few days. The liver damage appears to be from just the volume of medications it has had to process. Hopefully, the liver will repair over time, luckily its the one major internal organ that can regenerate. A therapist of some sort came by today, not sure if physical or occupational but assuming physical by the sound of it, to get Debbie up and out of bed for a few minutes. This didn't go very well, she was dizzy and felt nauseous  when sat up and refused to stand or move much at all. She invoked the "my son in law is a PT and he will take care of me" statement that I'm sure will make me a hit on 3rd floor Truett. I'm planning on stopping by in the morning to encourage Debbie and talk to the PT and/or OT if I can catch them. Amy said she will post more tomorrow when she gets a chance.

A Sunny Sunday

Today my dad wore green to church.  When he came over to the hospital and walked into the room it was like Spring had arrived.  The green reminded me of March and Spring and Daddy was in a great mood.  

It has been wonderful to see my mom and dad together so much.  Usually, when Daddy is at the hospital I am not.  We are trying to give each other time to be away while still giving Mom a family member at the hospital.  Today, I did get to stay with them both a little.  

When Daddy walked in, Mom had me working to keep her beautiful.  Before the hospital Mom would go to the beauty shop often.  This was something she never did when I was growing up.  It was a treat that she began when her mother was living with them.  Grandma Smith would have her hair done each week.  She would also get her nails done.  Sometimes, Mom would get her nails done too.  What was then a treat has now become a habit for Mom.  I will tell you, I am not good at being a spa person, though.  I didn't even have the correct music to play - only an Alan Jackson CD that we had already listened to for "church."  I will do better next time.  

Back to Daddy - he walked in and came directly over to Mom.  He greeted her with one of his "Hi, Good-lookin!" comments and gave her a kiss.  Just with them talking small talk Mom's face lit up and color returned to her.  She had blush on her cheeks and she looked radiant!  I am so very glad my mom and my dad love each other! 

Mom had a good day.  She saw many doctors.  We didn't see the liver doctor, though.  They even ran tests on Mom, but through it all today she was positive.  She only had one little frustration that she told a doctor all about - and that was that she wasn't sure she was getting to know her grandson Luke.  She worried that he was changing so much and she was missing it.  She commented that Avery knew who she was, but Luke didn't.  

About three hours later, I brought her Luke.  Avery and Ethan went to an outside 4 year old birthday party.  Luke couldn't attend because it was a bit cold to keep him outside for awhile.  SO - we just happened to find our way back to the hospital.  

Mom enjoyed seeing him, but was frustrated that she couldn't hold him very well.  Her arms would get tired quickly.  We tried putting pillows up under him and turning him around to rest on her legs, but nothing worked.  She did marvel at his size - (14.5 lbs three weeks ago) and she enjoyed the talking and singing he did for her.  

Tonight, Mom is with Daddy.  She asked to wash her face and brush her teeth with things from home instead of hospital things.  When she did, she felt even better.  Her fever never returned today.  We are hoping this is a good sign.  

For this week Mom will work on getting up and moving.  She sat in a chair today for 30 minutes.  She will do that and also do things like walk.  It will not be an easy week for her, but we are hoping that she will find the strength to do it.