Mum (Marilyn) and Dad (Richard) Paul Mum’s and Dad’s Journey

Welcome to Mum's CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep Marilyn's family and friends updated in one place. 
We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

What happened that you are invited to a Caring Bridge page for our Mum (your friend, Marilyn)?  The story begins with preparing for travel across the Atlantic and along the coastline of Southern Europe. Amid the distractions of preparing for the long journey and readying AJ for an aortic valve replacement, Mum's comments about messy handwriting and tiredness escaped our notice. In retrospect, we know that these were likely first indicators of  a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

Fast forward to dinner on the ship (Jessica and Zoe) joined them in Barcelona, Mum began to have difficulty expressing herself fluently. She thought she was tired and that rest would help. Over the next day, rest did not help, so Dad (Dick) went down to the ship's doctor (who had become their friend and trusted physician after an episode of bronchitis in Portugal) in the morning. She stayed with the doctor all day under observation. The doctor determined Mum had experienced a Level 3 stroke and made preparations for her to get a CT scan on Corfu at the medical Clinic near the port when they docked. That was in the middle of the night on April 25th stateside and the morning in Europe. By that afternoon (mid-morning for us), they determined her condition was not stabilizing, yet, so she was transferred for admission into ICU at the Corfu Hospital. 

She is receiving excellent care. Kevin and Jessica's aunt (We consider her our relative, too.) helped us get in contact with an angel in the form of a Greek tour guide who went to the hospital to bring cell chargers and translation support. She helped Dad arrange for a night nurse to stay with Mum.  Colette, we love you.

What we know:  
Mum did have multiple TIA's.
She is alert, recognizes Dad, Jess, and Zoe.
She is confused. and somewhat disoriented, yet also somewhat aware of her situation.
The doctors diagnose this as a mild stroke.
Until she stabilizes enough for a medical flight to Paris, she will remain in their care.
Dad is doing well considering his enduring love and concern for Mum's health. "I  don't have to be anywhere, I am retired." He said that they will do as the doctors say and in no hurry to go anywhere until Mum is ready enough to make the trip to Paris for medical care.

Your love, prayers, and messages are welcome.  We know Mum and Dad have an incredibly loving and strong network of family and friends.

Tomorrow we begin the next day in this challenging journey.

Beth


PS: We know that this journey will result in a return to health for Mum. 
Soon enough she will be quilting, joining the ladies for book club, shopping for bargains at Soft Surroundings, Nordstrom's Rack, Gymboree, and, of course, Hope Hospice Thrift Shop  while she regales all with stories about her treasured  grandchildren and great grandchildren.