Shocking improvement

Yesterday and today were good days for my mother. Sunday afternoon her niece (Janet) and family came to visit and stayed an hour and a half. Mom was awake the entire time and spoke often. Dad was trying to think of a quartet that he and Mom really like. It's been years since they've heard them perform. Dad couldn't think of the name, but right away, Mom knew! Dad was with her most of the day. He said she never complained about pain until evening. She was alert and lucid enough to tell the nurse that she DOES want resuscitated. She told Dad, "I want to live. I've been here before (meaning sick), and I've gotten better." We have decided that if Mom is coherent, and can make the decisions for herself, then we must abide by those wishes. If she gets sick, and chances are she will, she will likely ask to be taken to the hospital.

Today I was in twice. The first time she asked for clothes, she wanted to get dressed. They took her to physical therapy today and later she was scheduled for occupational therapy. She is still confused about where she is. When I first arrived she asked, "Did you have trouble finding the place?" I said, "You mean this place?" "Yes" she replied. I grew up only a mile from the Lutheran Home and I've been there numerous times so I knew she wasn't' sure where she was, so I asked her. She told me "New Oxford community". I told her she was at the Lutheran Home. Later when asked about where she was by the speech pathologist, Mom gave the same reply. We then told her again were she is. Then the SP asked what town the Lutheran Home is in, and Mom said New Oxford. (It's in Gettysburg) So, still some confusion.

I went home to Dad's and he and I got her clothes together. When we went back over to the home Mom was feeding herself -- NO HELP! Wow! Yesterday and today she ate a great deal more than she had been. We are trying not to get our hopes up, but it is good to see her improving and not seeming to suffer so much with pain. Don't know how long that will last, but we'll take what we can get! Today I trimmed and filed Mom's nails. I told her she needed bright red nail polish! She laughed! She also laughed today when Kaden peek-a-booed her from behind the curtain.

The speech pathologist is going to be working with Mom on her eating, speech and memory. She is also undergoing physical and occupational therapy. In the past we felt like some of this was too much for Mom. We'll see.

Dad was not feeling the best this morning. His anxieties are starting to resurface. He is under so much stress and uncertainty. These are difficult times, and we feel like rougher times are ahead.