Journal entry by O’C Family Oc —
So sorry it's been too long since we updated. However, no update must mean nothing "major" to report, right?
RIGHT!
So these last 9 days since our last update have been focused on getting mom's balance, strength, and cognitive skills to a better place post-surgery. As we've mentioned before, Mom is doing inpatient rehab at Theda Care which includes three hours of therapy a day.
Occupational Therapy Update:
Mom doesn't have much trouble with showering, dressing herself and eating, but she needs to be given cues to keep her going. It's at a much slower pace, but she is able to take care of herself in that aspect. Interesting enough, the OT said that often times people recovering from brain surgery will eat really fast.
Speech Therapy Update:
I would say Mom has struggled the most in this area. I remember when speech therapy first started in the Neuro Unit and Mom wouldn't have the energy to keep a conversation. The simplest question, to us, would be the hardest thing for her to answer. Gradually she has gotten better with her cognitive thinking. Mom doesn't have any deficits with her speaking, but rather the thinking process. Some times speech therapy does working-memory activities. Some times the speech therapy slot is spent having a conversation about Mom's kids, grandkids, and my dad. You listen to her describe her family and your heart melts. You listen to her describe her talent and show her artwork and you feel proud for her. There is nothing ordinary about her, she is extraordinary and it shows through her art and through her conversations.
Physical Therapy Update:
Mom has progressed nicely with her Physical Therapy. She still needs assistance getting from point A to point B. She is still considered a "Fall Risk". All that said, she has increased her PT score significantly in only 5 days, so imagine how much more she will progress going forward!
What's next for Cheryll?
Well...The therapy team and the rehab doctor have agreed that based on mom's progress, she will be discharged into our care this Thursday. It's a tentative plan, in the event something happens prior to Thursday, but we are planning on Thursday being the day we take her home. Mom will be staying with Kayleigh, her youngest daughter, while her house is under construction. She will continue with therapies on an outpatient basis and will continue having check-ups with the neuro team. All of those details still need to be hashed out. Because of mom's unique situation, going through a lot of stressful situations since February, we want Mom to be with one of us at all times. She is going through a lot, understatement of the friggin' year, and if we can provide that friendly familiar face on a constant basis it might be the difference in her recovery.
What can you do to help?
Your words of encouragement have been wonderful. Once we get mom situated at Kayleigh's, I'm sure we will know more of what we need. Stay tuned!
Much love,
Lauren
RIGHT!
So these last 9 days since our last update have been focused on getting mom's balance, strength, and cognitive skills to a better place post-surgery. As we've mentioned before, Mom is doing inpatient rehab at Theda Care which includes three hours of therapy a day.
Occupational Therapy Update:
Mom doesn't have much trouble with showering, dressing herself and eating, but she needs to be given cues to keep her going. It's at a much slower pace, but she is able to take care of herself in that aspect. Interesting enough, the OT said that often times people recovering from brain surgery will eat really fast.
Speech Therapy Update:
I would say Mom has struggled the most in this area. I remember when speech therapy first started in the Neuro Unit and Mom wouldn't have the energy to keep a conversation. The simplest question, to us, would be the hardest thing for her to answer. Gradually she has gotten better with her cognitive thinking. Mom doesn't have any deficits with her speaking, but rather the thinking process. Some times speech therapy does working-memory activities. Some times the speech therapy slot is spent having a conversation about Mom's kids, grandkids, and my dad. You listen to her describe her family and your heart melts. You listen to her describe her talent and show her artwork and you feel proud for her. There is nothing ordinary about her, she is extraordinary and it shows through her art and through her conversations.
Physical Therapy Update:
Mom has progressed nicely with her Physical Therapy. She still needs assistance getting from point A to point B. She is still considered a "Fall Risk". All that said, she has increased her PT score significantly in only 5 days, so imagine how much more she will progress going forward!
What's next for Cheryll?
Well...The therapy team and the rehab doctor have agreed that based on mom's progress, she will be discharged into our care this Thursday. It's a tentative plan, in the event something happens prior to Thursday, but we are planning on Thursday being the day we take her home. Mom will be staying with Kayleigh, her youngest daughter, while her house is under construction. She will continue with therapies on an outpatient basis and will continue having check-ups with the neuro team. All of those details still need to be hashed out. Because of mom's unique situation, going through a lot of stressful situations since February, we want Mom to be with one of us at all times. She is going through a lot, understatement of the friggin' year, and if we can provide that friendly familiar face on a constant basis it might be the difference in her recovery.
What can you do to help?
Your words of encouragement have been wonderful. Once we get mom situated at Kayleigh's, I'm sure we will know more of what we need. Stay tuned!
Much love,
Lauren
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