Happy Halloween

Hi Everyone. Sorry it's been a few days since we posted an update. Now that Mom is more herself, we spend more time at the hospital than we do blogging!

She is showing signs of improvement everyday. It really is amazing how much mobility she has gained in the week she's been in rehab. As her OT described it, Mom is going from a state of complete dependence to becoming independent, and, at times, that transition is rough, as Mom discovers what she can and can't do. She has to overcome a lot of fears as she starts to move things around again, but she is doing really well. This morning, I took her breakfast (she is now completely sick of hospital food!) and she asked for me just to sit it down and let her feed herself. It's not always easy or tidy for her, but she's been really good about testing her limits vs. just letting us do everything for her.

Each day, I print the personal e-mails sent to her and read them to her. She enjoys them. Know that she hears them and enjoys them, even though she isn't able to respond to you right now! She had her first phone call yesterday, with her long-time friend, Linda. She's still not quite up to talking a lot, but I don't think it will be long. She still can't pick up a phone and put it to her ear, so phone calls require quite a bit of coordination. I know many of you are missing her voice, so I will be sure to let you know when she's ready to talk.

I'm awaiting a call back from Dr. Coufal, Mom's orthopedic surgeon, to find out when her bone graft will be, and to ask some questions about her weight bearing status in her right arm and leg, which will affect her PT and OT. We should have a much better idea about her treatment plan once he calls me back.

Here's Mom's schedule for today, just so you have an idea of what her days look like:
8:30 Breakfast
9:15 OT
9:45 OT/PT
11:00 Psych
11:45 Speech Therapy
12:30 Lunch
1:45 PT
3:15 Recreational Therapy
5:30 Dinner

She has been busy in the evenings with visitors - lots of Geoff & Heather's friends have been stopping in to see her, plus Geoff, Heather and me. We'll be over there tonight carving pumpkins in her room after dinner. I don't think I'll trust her with a knife just yet!

That's all for now. Thanks for your support.

love,
jennifer