First Post

July 16, 2024

We know there are so many who love Mamma and would like to know how she is doing.  As much as we would love to be able to talk to everyone, it is just not possible.  Obviously, we want to guard her privacy, so no names will be used here, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation in refraining from social media posting of any and all private information, including her name.  Imagine if it were you in her shoes. 

It will be 2 weeks tomorrow since her admission to the hospital due to a stroke.  It affected her right arm and right leg.  Everything else is intact.  Her speech is just fine. She is eating and swallowing good.  

She is currently participating in daily physical therapy and occupational therapy.  She is gaining strength in her arm and her leg, is sitting up on the side of the bed some and is no longer leaning to the right as before.  She squeezes our hand, reaches at times, and can touch her face.  She has come a long way in a very short period of time. God is so good.

Now, as far as visits.  I am sure many of you are wondering how to see her.  As much as I hate being the bad guy, here goes.   

We appreciate all the prayers for healing going up on her behalf, however, ....her room is very small, about as big as my shoe. There is only room for those who are there to care for her, and we even bump into one another so we have to be very selective.  We have doctors, nurses, physical therapy, and occupational therapy in and out all day long, and there is no room for anyone to come and sit.  We spend our time assisting with her care, helping in changing linens, bathing, etc. and we definitely want to guard her dignity and avoid her having an audience. 

She tends to become distracted and edgy if people she is not used to are hanging around and our goal is to keep her happy, calm, comfortable, and focused.  As difficult as it may be, we are confident everyone will realize this has to be about her needs, and what is best for her recovery.   We need to ask ourselves, " Is this just what I myself want to do, or what is actually best for her." We have no time to visit or entertain anyone.  Our focus has to be on our Sweet Mamma, and no one else.  We are confident that everyone who loves her will understand.  As said before, we will keep the blog updated on any new developments so everyone who loves her can follow her progress.  Thank you, all of you who read this for your understanding.  Keep those prayers coming please!  They are working!

Until next time, God's peace and blessings be upon you, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen. 

July 18th 

Mom sat up today on the side of the bed for 3 minutes alone, with no one holding on to her.  God is so good!  

July 23

It has been a busy week.  Physical Therapy started getting Mom up to sit in her wheelchair a few hours each day. It really tuckers her out, but it is necessary to strengthen her stomach and back muscles.  

Sometimes it seems like it is 3 steps forward, 2 steps back, and 2 steps forward again.  Today, Mom wasn't feeling well, and was experiencing pain under her breastbone and neck.  She also had some stomach pain. After contacting the nurse, who took her vitals,( which were good by the way)  she contacted the Nurse Practitioner, who ordered a series of xrays, blood work, and urine test.  We are waiting for results. She is resting comfortably now, but it is obvious she is still experiencing some pain.  We are not expecting anything serious, however. we are so thankful they were proactive.  Will post again when we hear something.  Thank you so much for your prayers. Until later.....

update: The x-rays of chest and abdominal area are completed. The blood work and urine test will be done overnight. Will be late tomorrow, possibly Friday before we hear anything.

July 26

Mom's test results came back great. Dr. said her numbers were better than hers, lol! She was a little constipated, and a wee bit dehydrated, so we are working on hopefully not letting that happen again!

She is in good spirits, and although it is baby steps, she is doing good, her appetite is normal, and she is sitting longer at a time in her chair, to help build more core strength. 

Will keep posting any updates.  Please keep the prayers coming!  Until next time, May God bless you abundantly, each and every one. 

July 28

Mamma is up to 4-1/2 hours sitting in her chair. She was also moving her right arm some today.  She is also being more talkative, at least to us, and is finally starting to talk to some of the nurses.  One of them knocked on the door of her room, and she yelled, " come in!" in that sweet little voice of hers. It was so precious! It will take some time, but she is doing good.  Thank you everyone, for your prayers! We specifically ask for prayer for the doctors, nurses, and therapists working with her, that they will be so guided by the power of the Holy Spirit, and for total restoration for mom,  and for those of us caring for her, that we will be given supernatural wisdom in caring for her, that we too, will be guided by the Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Power of the Holy Spirit. 

Thank you for your prayers.  🙂

August 5, 2024

Sweet Mamma is making really good progress.  She is up in her chair now about 6 hours each day. She was sitting on the side of her bed (though she still struggles to keep from falling over),  and even attempted to put a little weight on her right leg. It may seem like a small thing, but believe me, she was starting from zero, so it's a big thing! God is so very good!  We are optimistic, and Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy are optimistic as well.  They say, it will take some time, but she will get there! Looking forward to that day. in Jesus' name, Amen!!!

August 11

it's hard to believe that it's already been 4 weeks since Mom began physical therapy and occupational therapy along with speech therapy.  She's doing pretty good, but I know that it's not going as quickly as she would like, or any of us for that matter. However, progress is being made, and it's just going to take a little time, and it is really way too soon to expect any huge milestones.  Everyone is very hopeful and we get really excited when we realize that she's been moving het right leg and right arm. But as with any of us, I'm pretty sure she's getting really bored, and is looking forward to getting more movement in her arm and leg. Through it all , she has not lost her sense of humor. She doesn't talk a whole lot these days, except for maybe in the evenings and some of those words aren't real clear. Most days, a few words is pretty much all you're going to get but she's got a few phrases down pat, like "no", and "stop that", or "quit that". However, every once in awhile seemingly out of the blue, she'll say something so clearly and so appropriate for the situation that it kind of throws you aback. Like the other day for example. One of the CNAs was putting her back into her bed after being up for several hours sitting in her chair. As the CNA started lifting her in the Hoyer, and gently placed her on her bed, she very clearly said " I don't know who thought this would be a good idea".  At first I was shocked, then I just had to burst out laughing.  Yes, Sweet Mamma is getting better Praise God, and it couldn't happen without your continued prayers.  Please keep them coming! Until next time, God's peace, love, and blessings to you always, in Jesus' name, Amen.

August 25, 2024

Sweet Mamma is starting to eat different foods instead of just pureed food.  We sometimes make her things from home we know she likes. So far, a few things from home have been approved by the speech therapist, and looking forward to more being approved soon. 

She is sitting up on the side of the bed for longer periods of time, and has begun trying to hold a spoon and feeding herself. still needs practice on that, but she will get there!

She is talking more and making good sense, and can recognize a joke and laughs. Her vitals are great, & appetite is great.  She seems relaxed and happy, Praise God! 

Thank you for your prayers. They are working!

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

September 4, 2024

Sweet mama is continuing getting better a little at a time day by day. She had a lot more energy this past week, is sitting up in a chair for longer periods of time, and is moving around a lot at night, like throwing her covers off lifting her legs, and she is able to lift her head and her neck up several inches all by herself now. She has been staying in good spirits, has a wonderful attitude towards her physical therapy her occupational therapy and Her speech therapy. We are very pleased with the progress that she's making, and we appreciate prayers so very much, because we all know that we can do our part, she can do her part, but at the end of the day, all of us are dependent upon God. Thank you so much for the prayers that we know are going up for her every single day. You have no idea how very much they are appreciated. Until next time may God bless each and everyone reading this and keep you safe in Jesus name we pray, amen.

September 23, 2024

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted! Mom is doing really good, she's eating good and staying in good spirits. She's been able to sit up from longer periods of time, and she's sitting up straighter which is a good thing. She still having some issues with her leg, and her arm is well but her arm she is actually trying to use now, at least sometimes. So we're trying very hard to always stay on her right side, so that she will remember that she has that arm that needs to be used. We found a new product that seems very promising to help with her physical therapy and occupational therapy. It's called a physiopedal, and it'll exercise the hands arms and the legs / feet. And what is so great about this one, is it has an assist mode which means that it does most of the work in the pedaling and also with the arms and as time goes by it allows you to go on the manual operation instead of the assist. It's a really great invention targeted towards stroke victims to allow them to get more physical therapy and occupational therapy at the very beginning rather than having to wait until they reach a certain point before they could use pedals. Will let you know how that goes.

October 11, 2024

It has been a while since a post. Things have been super busy.  The physio pedal has been a huge success.  She is able to exercise her arms and her legs, and it is really helping!  She is able to bear weight for short periods of time now.  She gets pretty tired from working so hard in her recovery.  She is doing great, and will be going home soon. So happy!

 

October 27, 2024

it is so hard to believe that it is been 2 weeks since my last post. Things have been really busy on the homefront. Mama came home exactly 2 weeks ago today. She was really happy to get home and get in her comfortable bed. She's doing well, however it has taken a while for home health to get started on what it was that she needed, but we've been diligent in making sure that she gets her exercises and that she spends time on her physio pedal. There are those days though that she would much rather stay in bed! I can't say I blame her, I have those days too, but we can't give into it. Her appetite is really good, and her blood pressure has been stellar. She does sleep a lot more than she used to, but if you think about it after everything she's been through I imagine she is pretty tired. Will try to do better at keeping up with everything in and posting. We love you all please keep the prayers coming! 

November 30, 2024

Hoping you all had a nice Thanksgiving holiday.  Mom and I stayed true to our tradition of  putting up the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving evening.  We were so tired, we ended up falling asleep in the living room after enjoying our traditional Thanksgiving meal. It was a truly enjoyable day.  Mom is doing well. She is up to 30 minutes a day on her physio pedal. She is eating good, and even feeds herself at times, and can hold her own drink.  She is communicating more effectively and seems to be enjoying her life more.  She misses having more people around though. At rehab, there was always something going on and lots of different faces popping in to say hi. Now, no one even calls.   Her phone number is the same as it has always been, and she has it right here at home, so hoping you guys will start calling her. She would love that.  Until next time, God's love and peace to you always.