What a difference 2 weeks makes!!
2 weeks ago today Mom was moved to Vallejo. Last week Denise her Speech therapist did all the same test she did the first 2 days mom was there.
The first time she did them, it took the whole 1/2 hour session each time with her to go through them. This time she did all of them in only 1 1/2 hour session.

I should point out that in Speech Therapy they don't work on speech, they are working on recognizing left, reasoning, and spacial relations.

This is the one that I found most interesting. On the left is the one from the first day. Mom was asked to write the alphabet. At the time she had NO left, or spacial recognition. So she started at the bottom of the paper and then wrote up, right down the middle. (She thought she was at left)

Then on the right is the one she just did. As you can see she almost made it to the left!!! And this time she wrote from the left to the right.

This is so exciting to see. Again it is baby steps, but the hope is as she make these connections it will help "wake" everything else up.

Mom's New Trick

This is the first thing that Mom showed us when Debbie and I walked in yesterday morning!!

Week in Review

Sorry for the lack of updating, but Debbie has been here and we have been working really hard to get the house ready for Mom to come home in a couple of weeks.  Even though we haven’t posted life still goes on for Mom at the Rehabilitation Center.  Here is a quick review:

Last Friday:  Speech Therapist cleared her for a “soft” diet now instead of “puree”.  So no more mystery meats at every meal.  The other good news is that she can now drink regular water between meals.  This is a VERY exciting piece of news for Mom, because she LOVES water.  This also means that her swallow is getting stronger so that she can handle these changes without the chance of aspiration.  I also took her downstairs.  Every Friday there is a Farmer’s Market in the hospital parking lot.  I thought the fresh air would be good for her (and kind of didn’t give her a choice), but she went willingly.  We saw flowers, bakeries, fruit and veggie stands.  I think we’ll make this a regular occurrence.

Last Saturday:  No rest going on here.  Mom still had classes until 3pm.  They were group classes that had 4-6 people.  Then in the evening we took Emma and Grant up to have dinner with her.  We ate in the dinning room and even snuck in some KFC mashed potatoes and a peanut butter cookie.  We finished off the evening with a stroll around the hallways.  Grant pushing and Mom steering, it was a sight to see!!

Sunday:  This was a LITERALLY a day of rest for Mom.  Debbie and Karon went up to see her and spend the day.  Mom spent the morning in bed while they visited and decorated her room:

We wanted to show her just how many people love and support her, so we made little balloons and have names written on them.  Anyone who has commented on the blog, called, emailed, texted, sent cards/flowers, brought dinner, etc. is hanging on the wall for her to see. 

Monday:  Back to the grind of daily classes.  During Occupational Therapy she went on a problem solving “walk”.  One of the big things that they stress at the center is independence.  That obviously is the main goal for this whole process.  Soon she will be expected to get herself from her room to the correct therapy room for class.  To help get her familiar with doing this Monday was spent roaming the halls in her wheelchair with Dad and Gail (the therapist) following behind.  She had to propel herself with her right foot, and figure out how to get around obstacles in the hallway, scan her surrounds (due to her limited vision), and problem solve when she got stuck.  Dad thought it was a great class and that she has making great improvements in this area.

Tuesday:  One highlight of the day came during her GAIT class.  This is basically the class that deals with relearning how to walk.  Aaron (her therapist) helped her stand up from her wheelchair alongside a high padded table.  Then using her right hand for balance, with Aaron’s help, she takes a few steps.   Today Dad observed what previously only Aaron has been noticing.  That her left leg is starting to respond, when given cues, while standing to move in a forward stepping motion.  In the past she would step with the right, and Aaron would move the left.  Yesterday she was helping with the process.  Baby steps!!

Again, thanks is not enough for all you do.  Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Strokes 101

This week I went to a Family Orientation meeting at the Rehabilition Center. One of the things that they talked about, that struck me the most, was Risk Factors and Warning Signs of a stroke. So I guess my thoughts are kind of along the lines of: "If we can help only one other family from going through this type of tragedy, then it will all be worth it." So please read the following post and pass it on:

Stroke Risk Factors
Anyone can have a stroke no matter your age, race or gender. But, the chances of having a stroke increase if a person has certain risk factors, or criteria that can cause a stroke. The good news is that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented, and the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from stroke is to understand personal risk and how to manage it.
There are 2 types of risk factors for stroke: controllable and uncontrollable. Controllable risk factors generally fall into two categories: lifestyle risk factors or medical risk factors. Lifestyle risk factors can often be changed, while medical risk factors can usually be treated. Both types can be managed best by working with a doctor, who can prescribe medications and advise on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Uncontrollable risk factors include being over age 55, being male, being African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Controllable Risk Factors:
High Blood Pressure
Atrial Fibrillation
High Cholesterol
Diabetes
Atherosclerosis
Circulation Problems
Tobacco Use and Smoking
Alcohol Use
Physical Inactivity
Obesity

Uncontrollable Risk Factors:
Age
Gender
Race
Family History
Previous Stroke or TIA
Fibromuscular Dysplasia
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO or Hole in the Heart)


Warning Signs:

Unique Symptoms in Women
It is important to recognize stroke symptoms and act quickly.
Common stroke symptoms seen in both men and women:
Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg -- especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Women may report unique stroke symptoms:
sudden face and limb pain
sudden hiccups
sudden nausea
sudden general weakness
sudden chest pain
sudden shortness of breath
sudden palpitations

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms
Every minute counts for stroke patients and acting F.A.S.T. can lead patients to the stroke treatments they desperately need. The most effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first symptoms. Actually, many Americans are not aware that stroke patients may not be eligible for stroke treatments if they arrive at the hospital after the three-hour window.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test:
F—FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A—ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S—SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
T—TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

These are the goals that mom's therapy team set for her. They are hanging on her wall.

Here team includes the doctor, the speech therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist and her nurse case manager. They meet twice a week to evaluate progress. These are the goals that they set after meeting yesterday.

Sherrie spent all day with her yesterday and went to all her classes with her. She said that she is working very hard during all her classes and they even had her up yesterday standing and trying to take a few steps (with lots of help).

Its going to be a long road, but we know when mom puts her mind to something, she will do it.

Many of you have asked about visiting mom at the Rehabilitation Center. She is in therapy every day from 9-5. After these long days she is very tired, and needs her rest. So as of right now she is not up to visitors in the evenings.
If you would like to send her a personal note or card, please send it to Mom and Dad's house or to Sherries house. They will be taking mail, and other things up with them daily to read to her.
If you need one of their addresses email Sherrie here or Debbie here.
Again THANK YOU, for all of your love, support and understanding, and as soon as she is up to visitors we will be setting up a schedule and letting you know.

Somethings haven't changed. This was Mom's signature yesterday when they moved her to Vallejo. She still has nicer writing than both Sherrie and I.

In case you couldn't picture what her food looks like, this was last nights dinner. Dad sent this picture. I have no idea what it is, so use your imagination.