Grandma Sue's recovery

So, after having gotten both my vaccination shots I was able get back to Springfield to see mom! Recovery is coming along slowly but surely and everyone here has put in alot of work. She can move along with a quad cane and gets in and out of bed, onto wheelchair, up and down to use cane. She is determined to keep getting better and stronger and is so thankful for all the prayers and well wishes. Its means alot to the entire family. She still.has a little bit of trouble with memory and word recall, but really, who doesn't? She is looking good and feeling better and stronger with each day. There is still alot of work to be done but itll get there for sure!

Mom had the basel cell skin cancer removed from her right temple yesterday. They said they got it all, which is great! It's a 3 inch incision and they told me that the dressing would be ok until Friday when our shower helper comes, but somehow in the morning she tore or scratched it loose.. It was bleeding and oozing... But I patched it up ok.. I'm learning so much being a caregiver! Moms PT and OT professionals are pleased with her progress... She can move her right leg so...metimes and is able (mostly) to get her socks, shoes, afo, and even shirt on and off. She's very determined! Our next big step is trying to find accessible housing. We will need a lot of help moving... I know everyone wants help, so I'll let you know how and when. Peace, everyone. See more

Sorry I've not posted for so long. Been a very busy 6 weeks! We've been lucky enough to have PT and OT plus a shower professional each twice a week. So blessed! We were able to finally get Mom's AFO, and found a great shoe store with seriously awesome professionals who helped us find the right shoes, including extra inserts for the left shoe bc we had to buy giant size for the right. Awesome people at Plaza Shoes! Only $150!!!! We were so relieved. Mom continues to improve... on several incremental levels... She's doing a lot of her head/arm exercises on her own... Trying to do her transfers by herself but needs supervision even though she doesn't think she does (kind of dangerous, which is why I don't really sleep)! She loves all her magazines, and still tries to do crossword puzzles but it's hard with just the left hand. She's working so hard... Sorry she doesn't always want to talk. I offer her the phone but she's usually pretty tired. Peace everyone. See more

Charlene and I took Mom to the farmer's market today. Here she is in front of some of her flowers holding a few of the goodies we bought.

Mom wants to express her deep gratitude for the outpouring of love, kindness, and gifts for her happy birthday and also basic life needs. She came home Tuesday and we've been adjusting to our new reality. I guess on some level we were both just seeing "July 28, yay out of hospital" and knowing but yet not knowing how much work, adjustments, and challenges lay before us. We've had several people from home health care visit for evaluations. I am so glad I attended almost all... of her therapy sessions in the rehab hospital. I learned so much and am applying all that knowledge into our daily lives. I believe my sister Marie can learn and apply some of these things as well. The ramp that John built for back door is way too steep, so John is coming over tomorrow to build another ramp from the front door. We live in a very old house with narrow doorways and I just didn't think the chair would fit through front door but it does. Our other huge challenge right now is the bathroom. We are utilizing bedside toilet for now and that's ok. But again, bathroom is very narrow and her mobility is not at the level to get her in for bathing. Sponge baths and dry shampoo will do for now but she hasn't had a shower since Monday. HhC said they might be able to schedule something for next week.. I'm actually thinking about renting an accessible motel room just so she can have a shower. Mom and I both want to express our deep gratitude for our beautiful daughter/sister (respectively)Charlene. She's been here all week to help with transition from hospital to home. She bought and then put together Moms new bed. She also spent hundreds of dollars paying for some of Marie's needs so Mom doesn't have to worry about it for a couple of weeks. She's rearranged furniture, decluttered drawers and shelves, and come up with numerous creative and inspiring ideas . I do not know how we could have made it through this week without her. I'm so grateful to have the honor of sharing sisterhood with her. We're trying to create a new schedule for all of us. We're going to adopt hospital schedule of PT, OT, and SP every day. I've learned lots from the hospital and I also have some of this knowledge from working with special needs children. Mom's been having a lot of anxiety since she came home.. It's all so scary. We finally got her on the walker yesterday; she was too panicked to even try the first few days. She walked 42 feet yesterday... And this morning she was able to touch her chin with her right hand! She also started working on a crossword puzzle today. Again, thank you all so much! I know my Mom and I would normally send personal "thank you" notes... But this will have to suffice. With much love, gratitude, and peace Sue and Michele Pics are from yesterday, opening b'day gifts