Wednesday/Thursday update

by Judy

Wednesday was another coasting day for Doreen. She seems to need to
take some days to process all the things going on around her and simply
regroup and gain strength. She was inactive much of the day with her
eyes closed. We try to remember that each step of the journey is
another step along the journey.

Thursday has been a different day regarding activity. (And after four
days of being away, Linda clearly sees marked improvement as she takes
the baton of caring from Judy for a few days.) Doreen was helped by the
physical therapist to stand a few moments as she moved to a welcome new
piece of furniture--a potty chair. It was actually encouraging to hear
her complain of tired neck and shoulder muscles from so much physical
exertion! Carl noticed that she brightened considerably when grandson
Parker arrived for a visit. He was glad to be able to help her with
lunch. When he asked what she likes so much about the mandarin oranges,
she said she likes the juiciness. Occupational therapy induced good
responses with the left arm and some growth toward more balance as she
sits on the side of the bed for a minutes or so. We are being asked to
encourage her to practice using the left side. It's important to repeat
activities to strengthen the pathways in the brain that control each
movement.

Dr. Kachmann was so pleased with the different response from yesterday
that he questions whether or not he will need to insert the permanent
shunt. He will experiment with clamping off the drain on Monday to see
how she tolerates any fluid excess for a day and then decide from
there. We are eager to learn if she can avoid more surgical
intervention.

Doreen fed herself supper (mostly) and it was an adventure of catching
noodles and stabbing mandarin oranges with a fork. When Linda snitched
a bite of chicken saying she was making sure it was safe for Doreen to
eat, Doreen quiped that it would have been more helpful to have tested
the food before she had already eaten several bites. A point well made!
When she was given a choice of vanilla or chocolate pudding, she asked
for some of both with, of course, mandarin oranges on top.

She is humbled by the cards, visitors, calls, and all the love being
sent this way. We thank you.