"Merry Walking"

I (Philip) spent some time this past week with Momma May. Progress continues. Two days ago she walked about 70 feet in her “merry-walker” contraption. Yesterday she walked 120 feet and today she walked about 150 feet without direct assistance. That was all the way down the hall of the rehab facility and a full circle around the nurses' station.

She does still need a little boost to get to the standing position. I just grab the back of her pants and pull up on the count of three and up she stands. We laugh about me giving her a “wedgie” with the boost.

Mom still needs the “pep talk” to help her recognize her continuing accomplishments. She thinks she is stuck with her progress. Today I wagged my finger in her face and said, “Mom, don’t even think about saying that you are making no progress. Two days ago it was 70 feet, yesterday it was 120 feet, and today it was 150 feet. You’re kickin’ b#&%!”

My description to her finally sank in. She laughed a little laugh and a broke out in a big smile…. kind of like the smile on the cat who just ate the canary”. We both laughed. She was actually pretty pleased with herself.

She called Becky May and told her about how much she had walked. There was a certain excitement in her voice that was music to my ears. She was pleased with the day’s accomplishments and encouraged about her future.

We await mom’s summoning to the Baylor Institute of Rehabilitation in downtown Dallas. It is a 16-bed specialized unit and competitive to be admitted to. It might be next week or even a month before she gets to go. In the meantime, we are happy with her continued progress.

Tomorrow we will get Mom about 2 p.m. for a holiday cookout. Juicy cheeseburgers, sweltering hot dogs, bacon baked beans, mustard potato salad and apple sauce are on the menu. We might even have a little “happy hour” before the burgs and dogs go on the grill. I’m not sure what Maribeth has on the dessert menu, but I am sure it will be sweet. That is the part of the meal that Mom is really looking forward to

Before I left her this afternoon, I said, “Mom, just remember, if you lay in that bed like a vegetable, you will become one. You still have some living to do.” She smiled and thought a few seconds and then said, “Yes, I do”. HOPE LIVES ON!!

Hydrotherapy for Fran?

Fran saw a specialist Thursday and it was recommended that she go into Baylor Hospital Inpatient Rehab for hydrotherapy. Her 100 Medicare days will cover it and she may just need to be there 2-3 weeks. The hospital is in Dallas, about 30 minutes from Maribeth and Phil.

The doctor explained that in the water, she'll be able to use muscles and positions that she can't use now because of pain. Therefore, she'll build those muscles up and progress to walking more successfully without pain.

She is thinking about and is leaning towards it. Her first reaction was, "It'll mess up my schedule....I won't know all the nurses, etc." Phil asked that I encourage her to go, which I did.


Her comment to me was, "It's going to mean a lot more work for me....." That struck me.......and makes me wonder if she has Grandmama Freeman (her mother) in mind. Grandmama was pretty much an invalid who was pampered and babied for the last 20-30 years of her 96-year-long life.

I still encouraged her and reminded her that if she is serious about wanting to come home, she'll need to be able to get around better. I also told her that Ed just mailed a box of her swim suits and swim shoes on Saturday. Plus, she's used to exercising in the water from her years of going to the Wellness Center here in Virginia.

I haven't heard any more but when Phil sees a medical situation that can be improved, he pretty much digs in and works at it until he can make it happen. Kudos to Phil!

About Calling and Writing

Since the encouraging report of progress, I've talked to Mother a few times. If you do decide to call her, (972-825-7871), we've already mentioned speaking clearly and loudly. Ed and I have found that we have to listen carefully, too.

We get the impression that her thinking is clearer but wonder if the small strokes several weeks ago might have affected her speech a bit. Phil and Maribeth see her often so perhaps they are used to her speech. Just as parents of a young child can understand, others sometimes don't understand a word the child says!

If you'd like to send her a note or card, her address is:
Frances May
c/o Pleasant Manor Health and Rehab
3650 South I-35
Waxahachie, TX 75165