Weekend Update

Sunday, June 8
by Karen

Today Doreen has slept much of the day. She had a visit from the physical and occupational therapists this morning, and they reported to us that she worked very hard sitting on the edge of the bed (with significant support), lifting both legs, and concentrating very hard to keep her balance. She also completed exercises (with the help of a daughter) several times – and each time she got just a little bit stronger. After finishing the required number of repetitions, she often will do several more on her own (with her stronger right side).

She has not been very excited about the pureed foods. They are not quite up to her culinary standards. In fact, if we can get her to take a few “bites” (she objects to the use of this word with food in this form), we feel successful. Several times today she requested foods more to her liking – toast with jelly and mandarin oranges, for example.

Many of you have asked how Carl is doing throughout this situation. His attitude has been extremely positive and he has been lovingly attentive to Doreen each and every day. The details of the experience are often difficult for him to recall and navigating the hospital corridors has proven to be a significant challenge. We have been staying in North Manchester every night, which means that we are on the road for about 40 minutes every morning and every evening. He is rather weary from all of the travel, stress and worry, but he remains very optimistic and hopeful.

Now, as we read back through the entries from the last few days, we realize that our perspective from seeing her every day may lead us to report her progress as faster and farther than it may appear to others who did not see where she started 10 days ago. We tend to focus on the positive steps we see each day, because they are so exciting to us, but we probably need to clarify that these have been “baby steps.” While she is able to communicate with us in a coherent (and even conversational) manner, her speech is slow and in a low whisper. She knows that she is in the hospital and that she had brain surgery, but she is still confused about where she is. (She has asked several times today whether we are in Elgin and she has requested that we bring her some mandarin oranges from her cupboards.) And, while she is able to show some small movements with her left hand and while she is able to move her left leg during exercises, these occur only with great effort and concentration. Her right side has been much stronger than her left, but even her movements with this side are difficult and take much thought and effort.

We just want to make it clear that this is going to be a LONG process of recovery (maybe a year or so), and that it is likely that she will not return to the same level of physical ability that she exhibited before the hemorrhage and surgery. However, we remain very optimistic and encouraged by the baby steps we see her take every day. She continues to inspire us with her effort and determination!

Thank you for all of your inquiries, cards, calls and visits. She feels quite loved and supported and she wants us to pass along her gratitude. She can have visitors, but they should be limited to only a few at a time.

FYI – Linda and Lee returned to Elgin this morning because of work commitments, and Judy and Dick are going back to Lafayette for their employment duties. Therefore, if you want to contact Carl or Doreen, Karen’s mobile phone would be the one to use until Wednesday. At that time, Judy will come back to Fort Wayne as Karen returns to Kansas for a while to be with her family and to finish teaching a class that has been covered by one of her colleagues while she’s been in Indiana.