Saturday Update

July 19
By Linda

(I have to admit that part of my motivation for writing today is wanting to see what photo Clay finds to put with this when he posts it.)

Saturday staffing is completely different at the rehab center. Many of the nurses and therapists are unique to the weekends. Even the cafeteria is set up to feed just the patients but there is nothing really for family guests. I was concerned about being left in a holding pattern but I was pleasantly surprised how attentive and sensitive the "fill-in" staff could be. The therapy sessions were actually quite productive. Mom walked between the parallel bars 3 full lengths with the firm support of a kind of a sling around her back. She was engaged with the speech therapist and could repeat random sets of five numerals back to her after hearing each set just once. She sat on the edge of the table mat on her own for over half an hour, had her eyes fully open, and told the occupational therapist all about her children and details of each of her seven grandchildren, where they live, and what they are doing. (Who among you is at all surprised that she is most responsive when asked about her grandkids?) I am eager to see the main neurologist when he returns from vacation next week to see if we can't find something other than valium to work on her dizziness. She needs to be able to be fully engaged in her therapy process in order to gain back muscle strength. She is most alert and awake when the come around to give her the next ordered dose. That seems counterproductive, doesn't it?

Mom's brother Jay and his wife Peg come from Pennsylvania tomorrow afternoon. We are eager to spend some time together.