Some Progress in Therapy

Mother was pretty confused today trying to find out how to get to the Wellness Center and when to go. I patiently explained to her that she was in HHRC and the therapists will come for her. She said in her OP session she had to put clothespins on a rod and it felt like there was creme? on them so she only did 3. Her confusion is interesting because the first part of a sentence will be perfectly lucid but the second part is s-t-r-a-n-g-

I went and talked to Pam, her other therapist who said she did very well and she was pleased that Mom leaned forward better than she ever has. That's the first step towards getting up. Also, she observes that Mother is able to tolerate being in a chair much longer at a time AND that she hasn't mentioned pain today!

When Brother Philip was here, he sweet-talked the right people and finally Mother got a man therapist named Phil. Phil was taking her to therapy as we were leaving. He's very dedicated......Philip and Maribeth sent him a thank you note and a gift card for Outback. He REALLY appreciated the card but they're absolutely not allowed to accept anything like that. Hey, wanna go to Outback tonight? I'm buying!

This is sounding like a sob story - Meanwhile, I had my flu shot on Monday and it was the very first time that my arm didn't get sore. On Wednesday I woke up with a knot the size of a pea behind my ear and pain down my neck. By Thursday, both ears and down the sides of my neck were hurting. I called my doctor and he thinks it's a reaction to my flu shot and will take several days to go away. The knot is smaller and the pain of sort of better - my ears feel stopped up, too.

As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say, "If it ain't one thing, it's another!"

Happy Halloween!

She's Back in Town

Mother was transferred by stretcher in an ambulance yesterday from UVA Medical Center to Harrisonburg Health and Rehab. I'm pleased that her same room was available - especially since it took 2 weeks of annoyance with Verizon to get her phone set up.

Phil, Maribeth, and Levi are visiting her this week. Mother OK yesterday afternoon and really perked up when Levi came in. Phil still would like to take Mother to Texas for the winter so this will be a chance for him to see the equipment they use and to work with her therapists. The timing for Phil's visit worked out well for them to be with Mother here, instead of in Charlottesville. They are here for Uncle Bob's funeral today and we get to spend some time with them.

I'm taking a much-needed break and might even find time to plant the daffodil bulbs I bought 2 weeks ago.

Maybe Moving Tomorrow & Uncle Bob

It appears that Mother will be transferred back to Harrisonburg Health and Rehab in Harrisonburg tomorrow. I do hope it's not too soon! Ed and I came home today and were planning to take a break while Phil and Maribeth were here this week to visit Mother. This will work out well because we'll have a chance to be with them after all.

My Uncle Bob May was diagnosed with cancer less than 2 weeks ago. He had decided to have radiation treatments and was to start this coming week. Thursday, he was put back into the hospital and died on Friday night. The visitation will be Monday evening and the funeral Tuesday morning.

It will be strange because for my whole life, he's just always been there. He loved to take pictures of people and always got duplicates to give to them. He was amazing with numbers - could add a column of numbers faster than one could put them into a calculator. Who is going to keep us updated on exactly how much rain or snow we got? His testimony at church several months ago was very touching to the congregation and gives me comfort because we KNOW where he is right now.

I'm still trying to digest this news. Mother is very upset that she won't be able to go to the funeral but there are some circumstances where things, such as major back surgery, prevent us from doing all we'd prefer to do

Day by Day

There's not a lot to report these days. Mother is still having the hip pain and will be going to Hess Orthopedic on Monday. Hopefully, they'll consider a steroid shot to reduce inflammation or will find something specific to treat. She goes to Charlottesville for a follow-up visit with her surgeon on November 11th. The rehab center arranges all these trips with a transport service as she still goes on a gurney.

Ed has requested that I not discuss his health on this blog, so if you want information you can ask him. Things are looking OK for now. My fibromyalgia is still affecting me but if I keep the stress level down and take my 10 daily meds, I can function.

We're planning to leave for Florida right after Thanksgiving. December was the coldest month last year and it's already cool now (high of 51º for today with frost most nights). So, maybe I can return to Angelil Adventures "IN THEIR RV!" before too long.

A Better Day

Mother was much better today and had very little confusion. She was moved out of the step-down wing to a regular room this afternoon. That, in itself, is a good sign. Today she realized that her hip isn't hurting, which indicates they released the pressure on her spinal cord.

Phil and Maribeth flew in from Texas today for the JMU Parents' Weekend with Levi and will be coming over to Charlottesville for several days. It's possible that she'll return to Harrisonburg Health and Rehab Center next week. It would be nice if she would be transferred while they're here - IF she's ready. I don't want to rush anything.

Ed and I hate to miss being with Phil and Maribeth but I really need a rest so we will go home for a few days.

Rough Day

I'm sorry to report that Mother's not having a good day today. When I got there this morning, she was in a chair asleep and her hands were swollen and dark, the color of a bruise. This afternoon they had her back in bed with her arms up on pillows and the coloring was almost gone, although the swelling was still there.

She's not very responsive and can barely open her eyes. Her sugar level and potassium are both low today. They're having several specialists to assess what might be going on and they're coordinating adjustments in her meds. The nurse said she'll likely be on this "step-down" wing several more days.

This afternoon she said she didn't hurt - that's a good thing. She knew Ed and asked how he was. Besides that, I couldn't understand the few other statements she made. She drifted off and seemed to be sleeping peacefully when we left.

Sometimes humor helps - yesterday out of the blue she asked, "Am I tied to a pole?"

Frances May
6th Floor
UVa Health System
1215 Lee Street
Charlottesville, VA 22908

Mother is in a "step-down" room, which gives more attention than a regular room but less than an ICU wing. She is talking, though somewhat confused. Her incision goes from the tailbone up to her waistline and is draining as it should be.

One of my classmates from grade 1 through high school lives near Charlottesville and came over for lunch today. Linda Morris Powell and I had such fun talking and catching up on everything. It's nice to have Ed here as he monitors me - I've had a lot of fibro pain today so he insisted I not go back to see Mother this evening. I've had a nap and plan to retire for the night soon.