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. :)