Finally an Update!!!

I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to update. Probably because I keep hoping there will be some drastic change in my mom's condition....but there hasn't been. But...if you look at where she came from (refer back to the beginning of this blog...) she has made some pretty big leaps and bounds that we are SO grateful for! She has been referred to as a "miracle"....by her therapists and nurses. We would all have to agree!!

One of the biggest steps in her recovery is that she made it HOME!!! After over six long months of hospital and rehab care facilities...she made her way home to be greeted by her anxious family...homemade welcome home signs by her granddaughters....a newly painted bedroom...new carpet...and best of all...her new 'roller coaster' ride (aka the chair lift). Her loving husband is offering one free ride per person per lifetime. So come on over and experience it for yourself. :)

She is still suffering from extreme dizziness and nausea, so don't be offended if you come to visit and she keeps her eyes closed. She has a hard time opening them anymore because of how sick she gets if she does. But don't think she's sleeping....nope...she's fooled us enough with her little trick. She is usually well aware of what is going on, who is visiting, and not to mention every little sound that is made because her sense of hearing has taken over for her eyes.

Her sense of humor these days is off the hook! ;) She is so darn funny and quick to make light of any situation. If you are ever around when she starts to giggle...it is definitely contagious and probably the cutest thing you'll ever hear. She has started to get the feeling back in her upper lip and nose...so her smile is more of the smile we remember.

She has started to have regular physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions throughout the week. She continues to try her best, although most days she doesn't feel like doing much of anything. Do you blame her? Her speech is probably the biggest improvement that I can see after not seeing her during the week. She is easier to understand, and is able to regulate her breathing better. She is still considered monotone...but is working on her high opera voice and every once in awhile her old voice sneaks through. I personally think she sounds adorable...but she thinks she sounds weird and scary. My girls and I love calling and talking to her on the phone and can for the most part understand anything she says. That is huge considering the news awhile back that her left vocal chord was paralyzed.

She has an appointment tomorrow to check her inner ear for any problems that could be causing the dizziness and nausea that she is experiencing. We are praying that they can find out the problem and realign whatever they need to so she can start living more of a normal day to day life. Please send some prayers her way!!

She is currently still being fed through a feeding tube. She has had more of a desire to eat certain things (smoothies, soup, ice-cream, raspberries) but she's still a long way from eating more than a few spoonfuls of anything.

I still can't believe she is going on her eighth month since she first got sick. She has mentioned multiple times that when she wakes up in the morning she keeps hoping that it's all just been a bad dream. I can't wait for the day that we can all look back on this and say that we made it. My dad continues to be such a great support and caregiver to her. There's nothing that he doesn't do. (Except maybe wake up to the high pitched beep on the food monitor that he can't hear due to the frequency! haha) He is such a wonderful husband, dad, and bompy to his grand kids. We're lucky he's around to take such good care of our mom!

My mom has also 'adopted' a third daughter, Debby. Debby is a CNA and an answer to our prayers about who we could get to take care of my mom while my dad was at work. She does such a great job, and fits right in to our family. We also appreciate the help of Haydee (she works every other Friday) and the many friends who have offered their time to just come visit or fill in when needed. My mom is a lucky lady to be loved so much!

And once again....a HUGE THANK YOU to the many friends and family members that show my mom, and my dad, so much love and support. It's amazing to see all the acts of kindness that continue to be poured out to them even after all of this time. You have all been so kind and thoughtful to our entire family, we can't thank you enough!

Hopefully it won't take me two more months to update this again. If you are still checking in....let us know in a comment. We read them all to my mom and she loves hearing her friends kind words of encouragement.

These pictures were taken while she was still at Orchard Cove, meeting Raylee for the first time. As you can tell, she is still the most favorite Nana around.

Nana's 'Lagoon ride'