6.23.06- update

hi all:

just a quick update. mom had another good day! dad had her in the chair for 5 hours or so. she is continuing to talk...responding to his questions (usually yes and no questions) and repeating things she hears around her. it's all good!

the therapist also worked with her today. she had mom put lotion on her own hands and tried to have her put socks on herself. she did the lotion okay and almost got the socks on! the therapists say they will continue to work with her on bringing back the usual things she does. working on regaining the ability to do everyday familiar tasks is the first step. it's only a matter of time before it all gets easier for her!

mom is scheduled to head to rehab either monday or tuesday. keep your fingers crossed and say lots of prayers for a good weekend! she needs to stay healthy so they'll release her for rehab. she really is progressing a little every day. we all love you so much mom! you're doing great :)

much love,
xoxox
steph

and she talks again!

hi all:

another quick update! dad wanted me to post this one. he went back to the hospital to see mom tonight. he tried to stir her, started calling her name. she opened up her eyes and smiled really big at him! he asked her, "do you know who i am?" she nodded yes. he said, "say my name, say jeff." she said, "jeff." he told her, "snuggle up and get some sleep....because tomorrow we're going to work hard." she nodded yes and curled up. he said, "i love you...do you love me too?". she nodded yes and said, "i love you."

dad was so thrilled just to hear her voice and see her talk with her eyes open. after four weeks of not talking to her...what an incredible finish to the day!

i can't even believe she's talking! so amazing. mom and dad, all my love to you both. you take such good care of each other...i can only hope josh and i will grow to have the kind of marriage you do. keep your head up, mom, we all love you and think about you each and every day. we're going to get through this. i just know it!

much love to you all,
xoxox
steph

more cute pics

just some more cute pics of mom. check out her tan (from a recent trip to florida with dad)! just ignore the fact that i look a little ghostly next to her. these were taken the weekend right before the accident. mom and grandma came out to boston for a visit. we spent one night at a lovely b&b on the cape (where these pictures were taken). we had a fantastic weekend full of shopping, lounging and eating....all our favorite things! love you mom and grandma...and thanks for the great time! :)

much love,
xoxox
steph

update- 6.20.06

hi all:

just wanted to give you a quick update. not a whole lot new today except that mom is being treated for an infection. it's nothing too major, but she was running a fever. so, she's getting some medication now...should clear up in a day or two.
because of the infection...she's slept most of the day yesterday and today. the nurses and doctors say that's normal, though. nothing to worry about.

aunt cathy and dad checked out two more rehab facilites today (frazier in louisville and rehab of indiana in indianapolis). they both sound like great places. they'll be comparing notes and figuring out (along with help from the nurses and doctors) which place will be the best for mom. we'll be selecting a facility by friday....the earliest she could be transferred is next monday (i think!).

over the next few days, the hope is to plug the trach (still waiting to have that done) and get this infection cleared up. once she's medically ready and approved by a rehab facility....we'll arrange for her transfer.

keep the positive thoughts and prayers going for mom. she's fighting every day!! we love you mom!!

much love to you all,
xoxox
steph

back from a weekend visit...

hi all:

i'm home after a good weekend with mom! I arrived friday night and she was, of course, happily snoozing. i saw her awake for the first time on saturday around noon. it was so great to see her beautiful eyes open! when she's alert, she can answer questions by nodding her head (as long as you give her a few seconds to respond) and will even give you a big smile if your lucky!

sunday's routine was about the same. mom was awake when we got to the hospital around 11:00am. we got her into a chair (a special hospital chair) and sitting up for awhile. she did fantastic! we kept her up and alert for about and hour. she worked us good....moving around a lot and sitting up. she would turn her head to your voice, and respond to your questions. we tired her out, though, and after our workout she took a cozy afternoon snooze on her side.

we'll be calling the rehab facilities tomorrow as mom has been approved for rehab. keep your fingers crossed for an open bed at one of our top choices! we're hoping for an opening at a facility in ft. wayne. our hope is to be able to get her moved into rehab this week. we think she'll spend approximately 4-6 weeks in rehab...followed by outpatient rehab.

the only other update is that they'll be (hopefully) plugging the trach tube tomorrow. one less tube for mom to deal with! yay!

a little shout out to dad. happy father's day once again! we took him and uncle chris out for a father's day lunch today....at a sport's bar of course! anyway, for a guy who has been through a few rough weeks....he still manages to be a strong, loving dad. we love you very much dad!

overall, i really think she's made tremendous progress over the past few weeks. now it's just about time for the real work in rehab to begin. keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming. she's going to get through this....i truly believe that.

love you so much mom....keep staying strong and fighting every day. we all love you so much and are so proud of you!

much love to you all,
xoxox
steph