Home, Days 2-5

Things have been going pretty constantly around here, so time is kinda limited to when Mom takes naps. =) She's had the home health company out, so she's got a nurse and a physical therapist working with her a couple times a week. Otherwise, we've been hanging out, watching some TV, and playing games. I (Olivia) have actually been cooking (no, don't call poison control), and making sure Mom is safe and taken care of during the day. She's been doing pretty good taking care of herself though, what with showering, getting dressed, getting up and down stairs, and those sorts of things, so we're doing pretty good.

She hasn't made her way to the computer yet, but that's on the goal list. Mom does say hi, and thank you for all your love, support, and prayers. She's waving from the next room as I type this. =)

Home, Day 1

SHE'S HOME!!! *happy dance*

Acute Rehab, Days 21-22

Mom's medications have been adjusted, so her nausea is under control now. She's still coming home on Thursday, so we're all excited and nervous at the same time. But overall, we'll be really glad to have Mom home again. =)

Acute Rehab, Days 17-20

Mom was nauseous this weekend, so they've put her on IV fluids. The plan is still for her to come home on Thursday, so hopefully things can get straightened out by then. She'll have people coming to the house for therapy and things, so they'll still be making sure she's okay, even when she's home.

Acute Rehab, Day 16

Mom was moved to a private room today, which is most likely where she'll be for the next week. I got to see her walk down the hallway with her walker, so I've been there for her first (again) steps, and now her most recent steps. Things will most likely be status quo, with steady progress, until she comes home. Keep your prayers going that she doesn't have any further setbacks. =)

Acute Rehab, Day 15

YES!!! Mom is scheduled to come home next Thursday!!! She's been walking up and down stairs, walking all around, sitting up on the side of the bed to eat, all sorts of wonderful stuff. She still gets worn out easily, but she'll be functional at home!

Acute Rehab, Day 14

I (Olivia) heard a beautiful saying today, and I wanted to share it. I was talking to some friends out here about when Mom gets better, comes home, and is able to take care of herself, and how we'll be leaving the area once all that happens. Oddly enough, I miss Florida, and being out here since the middle of December has been an experience, and time I wouldn't trade for the world, but I do need to get back to my apartment, if just to water my orchid and drive my car.

One of my friends said "there will indeed be a rainbow in our hearts at that time", which I just loved. Just like you need some rain with the sun to make a rainbow, you need the hard times to appreciate the good, and the leaving of someone to appreciate having them around.

My mom is the strongest woman I know, and I admire her endlessly. She has had a tough life, and she's come through it with her grace and sense of humor intact. I love her more than anything in this world, and since you know her, you must know what I mean, and why. Sorry to have made this post not about Mom's health, but I felt the strong need to share that saying with you.

Acute Rehab, Days 10-13

Mom had therapy on Friday and Saturday, and both were good days. No therapy on Sunday, so she kicked back and just relaxed. Today, she had therapy, and went up stairs! Six steps, and she did it twice, not just one-by-one, but one foot after another! She was really happy.

The spot where the trache was is almost totally closed up. It's taken longer to heal than we were told, but she's been taking longer to heal for everything, so this isn't something that alarms us. They basically just have a bandage over it right now.

We've been telling her bit by bit the things that you all have been reading about for the last few months. Because she was sedated for so long, there are a lot of things she doesn't know about. When she found out how long she was in ICU, she was absolutely floored. Not that I blame her. And with Easter coming up, this will be another holiday that she's in the hospital. But she's up in spirits, and we're happy to be with her.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They're working, but she's not home yet, so please, keep them coming. She also loves to get cards, so you can send them to the house, and we'll be sure to bring them in to her. Thank you again.

Acute Rehab, Day 9

Mom had her therapies today, which went well. She has two other roommates in the room she's in, so the space she's in is rather small. There's talk about moving her to a private room, but until then, please don't send any flowers to her, or anything more than cards right now, because she is feeling cramped with the stuff she has to have around her already. =) The thought is appreciated, but the timing just isn't good right now.

Acute Rehab, Day 8

Mom had her evaluations again today, and things went well, so she's starting therapies again tomorrow. She was a little nauseous this afternoon, but that passed.

Acute Rehab (continued), Day 7

Okay, day 1/7, however you want to look at it. =) Mom was moved back to the rehab floor today, so the strenuous days will be happening again. Hooray for rehab! =)

Hospital, Days 1-4

Okay, sorry to leave everyone hanging. Y'all knew as much as I did. Mom only spent one night in CCU. She was septic, which is what they think caused her pain and breathing problem. She did not have a heart attack.

She was moved to the medical/surgical floor Friday, and then the oncology floor on Saturday, where she has been since. She's been moved so much because of a lack of room space.

She's not quite ready to go back to the rehab floor, but there's also no room on that floor right now. She does have her cell phone with her again, so phone calls, flowers, visitors, etc., can go through her.

Keep the prayers coming. =)

ICU (again), Day 1

Pardon my french, but fudgesicle. Mom couldn't breathe this morning, and had chest pains, so they moved her into ICU. They have to do some scans to see what's going on, make sure she didn't have a heart attack, and figure out a game plan. It's not nearly as major as the last time she was in ICU (thank God), but it's still ICU. This time, it's mostly for observation, just to make sure she's okay. Pray extra for her today, please.

ICU rules are back in force. No visitors except for immediate family, no flowers, and she can't have any valuables in her room, so her cell phone is back at the house for now. Cards are more than welcome, they're encouraged, so you can send them to the house, and we'll make sure she gets them.

As it was pointed out to me, Mom is developing a pattern. She gets better, then has a setback, is on a plateau for awhile, then gets better again. So this is just another one of the setbacks. Still, grrrrrr.

Acute Rehab, Day 6

Better day! Mom walked to the nurse's station down the hall and back today with her walker. The therapists are saying at this pace, she won't need the walker at all pretty soon. Hooray! =)

Acute Rehab, Day 5

Good day! Mom walked to the door of her room and back to her bed twice with a walker! And *lightbulb*, I think they've figured out how to fix the nausea. Apparently, that can be a side effect of dehydration, so Mom's drinking a lot more liquids, and feeling better! Ta-da! Time to do a happy dance, and keep her in your prayers.

Acute Rehab, Day 4

Mom had some pretty bad nausea today, but she still did her therapies. She says she probably didn't do as much as they wanted her to do, but the fact that she pushed through her nausea is an improvement. She was sitting up in a chair for awhile too. Keep her in your prayers, she's still fighting. =)

Acute Rehab, Day 3

No therapy on Sundays, so it was a kick-back day, and Mom enjoyed the Sunday evening programming on TV. =)

Acute Rehab, Day 2

Mom had her evaluations today with all her therapists, and everything went well. She was a little nauseous, but she pushed through.