"Prayers Got Me Through"

Mom is doing well today.  She is beginning to fall back into her old patterns again.  For example, my mom is really not a napper.  Today - she was too busy to take a nap.  It was completely her.  Even in college I planned my days around naps.  So today - I took Mom to speech therapy in downtown Dallas followed by lunch at Bueno and two drive through errands.  After which Mom really wanted to stop by Daddy's office to see him.  

At Daddy's office we ran into her friends the Van Amburghs.  Mom got to visit with them a few minutes before Luke began to cry (because the car wasn't moving).  We jumped into the car and went home.  It took me about a half hour to put Avery down for a nap.  Luke took a bit longer but by 3:00 all were in bed - except for Mom.  I left her on the couch and tried to catch some sleep myself.  When I awoke, she was still in the living room.  She had written down recipes from the Internet to try, written one or two thank you notes, checked the blog (I have to be careful with what I say now - Mom is a follower... ) and she had watched some TV.  

She soon had a visit from two more of her friends bringing food and smiles.  The visit really picked her spirits up.  We had a family dinner and then put the kids to bed.  

All in all - a very good day!  

I was most excited about her blood sugar level.  She didn't always let me test her.  In fact, she only let me test her once today (should be four times), but when I did - before dinner- her blood sugar level was 94!  It hasn't been normal in the evening until tonight.  

More about speech therapy - Mom's first day was today.  We were unsuccessful at locating a speech therapist near us that was able to see new patients.  SO, Mom is taking speech therapy from Baylor Rehab downtown.  (This was the last building she stayed in, but she will now be working with their outpatient department.)  The therapist is young.  Every time Mom tells about therapy she comments on how young the therapist is.  I didn't go into therapy with her because I had the kids and this was the day of evaluation for Mom.  I didn't want Mom to be distracted by the children.  So, while Avery, Luke and I looked for acorns and smelled flowers around the hospital enjoying the sunshine - Mom sat in a room with this lady and took tests.  She told me about a test for visual discrimination (like which object is different), a test for making a schedule, and a test for comprehension (she had to read a passage and then answer questions).  When Mom got home she said her head really hurt.  She blamed it on Ethan (for therapy the day before), Avery being too noisy, and speech (because she was concentrating so hard).  Even with a headache she didn't want to take pain meds because we think they make her sick.  Next week she will go three times to speech.  The first one, Daddy will be at.  The therapist wants to speak with him about goals.  At that meeting they may talk about not having to see Mom three times a week.  The therapist seems to think Mom might not need that many times each week.  She is going to e-mail the suggestion to have less speech therapy each week to the doctor who is currently on vacation out of the country.  

Physical therapy.  Mom went on Wednesday to physical therapy.  Ethan only had her there about 45 minutes.  He worked her hard, though during that time.  One of my favorite things they did was to have Mom stand without the walker and we played "balloon volleyball."  Avery was able to begin to hit the balloon to Mom, but when we found her aim wasn't great - I got to.  I am very good at "balloon volleyball".  It is a talent I didn't know I had.  Mom did very well, too.  She was able to reach up with both of her hands at different times and hit the balloon back to me.  

For tomorrow - Mom will go to physical therapy in the morning and then the beauty shop in the late afternoon.  (Remember, I plan for naps.)  Ethan, Avery, Luke and I are going to go home tomorrow.  Avery really misses her bed.  Daddy's brother (Uncle Bobby) and his son (Spencer) are coming for the weekend.  We should be back at Mom's house on Sunday evening.  

Mom was talking on the phone earlier.  She said something that stuck with me that I wanted you all to hear.  Mom was talking to her friend and said, "Prayers are what have gotten me through this so far."  She is right.  We have all been praying and God listened to us.  Thank you so very much for praying for my mom.  She thanks you, too.   Isn't prayer amazing?