Good news: she can walk with one of those tall armed walkers. Bad news: she is randomly and with increasing frequency having terribly painful spasms. 

I have connected with one of the nurse managers and she is helping me connect with the nurses on changes that Meg and I request (communication can be a bear!)  I used to work at the Spinal  Cord Injury Center at the VA. It just occurred to me tonight that a medication called baclofen might help her with those spasms. You might ask why no one else has thought of this? Well, it’s been a slow process to figure out what’s going on and even slower to get medical attention. I am learning a lot.  I had no idea that there’s no access to specialists in a TCU unless you leave the building. Transportation is an out of pocket expense, which she can fortunately afford. Plus, you have to wait, like every other patient, for a specialist. So she won’t be seeing a neurologist until February 22. 

Meanwhile she’s being cared for by the gerontologist who works with the TCU and a nurse practitioner. They do not see her daily. And the nurses don’t know what they don’t observe. And so the observation has to come from family, which is really not cool. But it is what it is, so I am trying to stay on top of things. However, I am definitely asking for more help from the nurse manager so that I can just be my mother’s daughter! 

John is also doing a great job of being his mother’s son. And last weekend Todd and Elly were both able to visit which was great for her spirits. Leisa (Castle) Marz also made a visit which Meg loved.

 It’s just an awful situation and I feel so bad for my mom. Your prayers, messages, texts, calls are deeply appreciated.

Love

Sue