Vision Therapy

Linda had vision therapy yesterday. She did amazing. All her doctors are amazed at how quickly she is recovering and able to do things. She is able to compensate for the loss of eye sight by turning her head. She is able to track things well. With her prescription glasses on she can see 20/20 out of her right eye and 25/20 out of her left. The swelling on her brain continues to go down. She still cannot read or write and has difficulty seeing things up close.

I am continually amazed at how she pushes forward. It is hard for her to remember things. Especially names of things. But she has been able to navigate and show me where to take her. She never forgot how to do laundry and can make her own breakfast. We are working with her to make her own lunches now.

She would love to talk to people on the phone so feel free to call.

Sorry, I started that last post several days ago and never finished it. What else has happened...

She met with an occupational therapist for an evaluation and she will be going in for OT three times a week in addition to the speech. I originally thought the OT was just for things like brushing her teeth, showering and other functional tasks, but it's actually different. OT will be able to help with vision things, and also with sequencing, which mom has trouble with. Remembering what comes next, and that sort of thing. Her strength is good though, so no problem there.

Her speech therapy went really well this morning and didn't stress or tire her out at all. We're all excited for Dawnelle to get here tomorrow!

Speech and Vision

Yesterday Mom had speech therapy. She did pretty well, the therapist said that she was 100% better than last week in the hospital. She will continue to have speech therapy for a while. She has a hard time with recall; knowing the right word to use when she's talking. But she talks a ton, so that will help. Mom is being really positive, I haven't seen her be more than mildly frustrated, and that is mostly with not being able to remember the right word or see something. She still has her sense of humor. :) She says that she is "starving" all the time and always "freezing".

She also had a visit with an optometrist. He did a field test of her range of vision, and she has lost half of her vision on both eyes. If the eye is a pie, the right half is gone. This mostly affects her right eye, and it has been frustrating for her. She is getting some prescription glasses to help her see better as far as distance that has a blue/grey tint to help calm things down vision-wise. We hope to get her classes tomorrow.

No more physical therapy!

Hey, this is Brittany. I drove to Wichita yesterday to help out. Mom was checked out of the rehab hospital because she didn't really need to be there. She had to be in group therapy and they were working on stuff that she had mastered a week ago. So, she's home. She went in for a physical therapy evaluation today, and they basically said that she doesn't need it. She can handle stairs, her balance is really good walking, and she's looking really strong. I don't think there is any more right side weakness. If there is any coordination problems, I think they are because of vision.

She's still having problems seeing. Anything small, like reading, she can't do. We're not sure if that will improve as her swelling goes down- but we hope so. Mom is talking a lot more- although it doesn't always come out making sense. But she's trying! When asked today how tall she is, she guessed eight feet. :) But her spirits seem really high compared to a week ago when I saw her last. And her strength and comprehension is a TON better. She couldn't come up with her own name when I left her in Phoenix, and when I came yesterday I asked her what my name was, and she got it!

I'll try to post once a day here, and get some pictures up. Dawnelle will be here next Wednesday. I'm glad that I can be here to help out. My kids love being here, and have also been good therapy for Grandma. Brooklyn asks her to help her get dressed and to read her books. She also asked her to jump on the trampoline with her, but I nixed that idea. Even though Mom was already up and getting ready to walk out the door!
Gotta watch that woman. :)

Carepage substitute:)

While Mom was at St. Josephs Christy updated a carepage to keep us all up to date but now that Mom is at Wesleys we thought we'd update a blog to keep those who are interested in the loop. I noticed when I typed my first entry that I have a hard time calling my Mom "Linda" so FYI- Mom and Linda are the same person and I'll probably use both all the time! We'll try to have whoever is there with Mom update at least a few times a week and put pictures on and let us know what progress she is making. Like I said before, we are keeping her visits just to family right now but I'm sure any letters or pictures or whatever would be great. Dad is at the hospital every day so he could bring anything to her. Thank you for all the prayers you've been sending her way- from what I've heard she has been such a hard worker but again- lots of work left. Thanks again everyone.

Kansas arrival...

Good news- Linda is back in Kansas! After a long evening of travel on Tuesday, Christy and Linda arrived safe and sound (and exhausted) in Wichita. Dan met them at the airport and took my Mom directly to the Wesley Rehab hospital. After evaluation on Wednesday they predict that Mom will be at the hospital for about 2 weeks and then will be able to return home, though she will need to return to the hospital daily for physical, occupational and speech therapy. Mom is having trouble speaking- she pretty much only says "okay" and "I don't know". She also has difficulty with her vision, it's blurry or double- I don't think we know for sure because she isn't talking. Until Linda is more verbal we are keeping her visits down to just family but when she is has more strength and speech I'm sure she would love visitors. Britt and her kiddos are coming out to help on Monday and I (Dawnelle) will be coming out on the 12th. It'll be a long road to recovery but Mom is one tough cookie.