Group Grope

Mom had a big day of group activities. The OT had her in the kitchen with another lady making Greek Salad. Imagine this, Julia in the kitchen with a dull knife. Her right hand slicing and left hand steadying. Outcome perfectly sliced onions. Gaylen was super impressed. After lunch, Mom and I went to group speech therapy. The group consisted of a few other stroke patients and a young man with a brain injury from a motorcycle accident. Lots of discussion about every ones accidents and how they "arrived" at Herrick. In PT today, mom took several steps unassisted -- no walker, no cane! Gaylen and I continue to bug mom about sitting up in her chair during meals and as much as possible during the day. She would much rather lay down but it is time for her to be sitting up. Monday will involve more group therapy. She will be participating in a group Neuro-therapy sessions on Monday afternoon and now everyday after lunch is group speech therapy -- And if you know mom she is not excited about these "group" activities.

Nothing is Taboo

Today was game day, and we wore Mom out. Her morning was jam-packed with OT, PT, ST, more OT, more ST, and last PT. Over this 4 hour period, Mom completed an entire crossword puzzle, walked up stairs, did her hand eye coordination exercises, and then we all got to play TABOO! Oh, we had fun! How can you get someone to say the word Piano without using the words grande, ivory, keys, music or play.

Truly, mom made inspirational progress over the last two days. She is beginning to feel the beneficial effects of finding the right combination of medicine, a bleed that is shrinking and absorbing into her brain, and a real desire to get out of Herrick! Her dizziness is getting better each day. She has a target release date now (August 20) and has clear goals to achieve.

And that's where we need your help.

I think we are at the point where mom can use more visitors-both because she is up for the company, but also because her children need the help, too. Not more than one or two per day - because she still does get tired. BUT....The rule is that if you come, you have to play a game. Whatever game you choose is fine. If it involves cognitive thinking and fine motor skills, even better. They key here is to make Mom's brain work in lots of different ways. In this case it truly is a matter of practice makes perfect. We have a supply of cards, puzzles, and soduko on hand if you don't bring your own. The key here is to keep the brain active and relearning things that are not easy for mom to currently do (she won't be happy that I am giving away her secrets).

So if you want to visit with Mom, please contact angandalissa@gmail.com or kimbellg@gmail.com with your prefered day and time, and we'll schedule you as we can. We share a google calendar and can coordinate accordingly. Visits should not last longer than 45 minutes to an hour, but should ALWAYS include some brain teasing activity. Even if she says she doesn't want to. The best times to visit are at lunch time or after 2 pm. She always appreciates a relief from the food at Herrick, so meals are appreciated, though be aware that Mom is not eating much. (However effective this diet might be for Mom, I don't recommend it to anyone!)

I am so amazed at my Mom. Alissa and I watched her today in awe as she pushed herself, and we realized exactly where we got our sense of humor, as Mom cracked jokes through all her various therapies. And I can honestly say that this is when it really stinks to live in Texas, because I want nothing more right now than to watch the progress she makes each day, step by step, regaining the skills we all take for granted. And she will. The long term prognosis is very good. If you can survive this stroke, it really is the best stroke to have (no really, someone told us that today!).

Thanks to all for your continued postings and good thoughts. I know Mom feels loved and supported by all of you, and her children know that she has a strong support network and are grateful that we have been able to tap into it!

Gaylen

Finding New Paths...

I arrived this morning to find Mom doing much better. I have observed her entire therapy team in action and it is quite something! The key now is for mom to rewire her brain, and the faster she does it, the better. All the things that Mom struggles to do are the things that we need to make her do. The brain will rewire, but it needs a constant workout! We are foucsed on relearning the very movements we all take for granted, like adjusting your eyes when your head moves, or a looking at an object without moving your head. However, her reading is improving and her writing is coming along, too. She even did a word search and a crossword puzzle. Mom went onto this blog this morning and got caught up on everyone's nice posts. Yes, and she got to the blog herself! I told her next time, she was going to have to post something.

It appears that she will be at Herrick at least through the 20th. But she needs to be able to not use her wheel chair for basic getting around the house before they will send her home. She still tires easily because everything takes work-forming words and sentences, holding on a conversation etc. But this too, will improve with time.

I am off to deliver thai food for lunch. Gaylen

ButterCup-ButterCup-ButterCup

Can you keep saying that for a minute without messing up? That was just one exercise Mom had to do today. Herrick had her doing lots of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The OT therapist had her on the computer today. It was slow going she said, but she did manage to get onto the blog and read some of the posts and entries herself. The good wishes really keep her spirits up. The speech therapist gave Mom homework and I made her practice her tongue twisters as I painted her toes.

Here are just a few:
Friendly Frank flips fine flapjacks.
Twelve Twins twirled twelve twigs --- we both had trouble with this one
Six Slippery Snails slid slowly seaward -- I think this one was on an episode of the Brady Bunch.

The doctors are trying a new medication for her dizziness. The patches are not working. The dizziness continues to get in her way and makes it challenging to do everything. This morning, Gaylen and I were trying to imagine what it must be like to be dizzy ALL the time and we decided it is no wonder mom is so tired and only wants to be laying down.

$2.50 Beers

We all had a restful day. Mom laid low and is resting up for her big day tomorrow. Angella and I went to see Mama Mia and then came over to visit with mom. Mom actually ate the dinner Herrick served her.....a pretty decent grilled chicken sandwich. In this whole process, Angella and I have rediscovered Raleigh's on Telegraph. They have $2.50 pints after 5:00 everyday. It is a nice walk from Herrick.

Mom is scheduled to meet with her various therapist tomorrow and will surely be exhausted after her 4-6 hours. All the therapists will meet on Tuesday to map out a plan for her stay at Herrick. xo -alissa

A Shower At Last

Mom had a big day. Herrick kept her busy with both physical and speech therapy. They had her up and walking and are working with her on managing stairs. She said it was busy and tiring..and she reports she did everything they asked. Her dizziness is still a big issue and it makes it hard for her to do most things. Mark and I left mom after a meal of Chinese take out. We bought her a new portable DVD player to help with the boredom. Before bed, mom finally got a shower! She is feeling clean and refreshed and ready for a good night sleep. Mom gets to rest tomorrow and then she is back to more hard work on Monday.

Herrick Here She Comes....

I just learned from Angella, that Mom will be moving to the Herrick Rehab Center TODAY where she will go for continued physical therapy. Sounds like she will be kept very busy. Thanks to everyone's support and encouragement. This is a great milestone day for Mom!