Mom has been in the hospital this time for a month. The stroke occurred on April 23. Two months to the day of having the stroke, she had a heart attack. I was holding her hand when she told me of pain between her shoulder blades. I am glad she was not alone. Test later confirmed what I thought was happening at the time. There is heart damage, but she is not a candidate for cardiac cath due to her physical state. We are now taking life day by day and at moments minute by minute.

Take care
Teresa

Mom is still going through a difficult time. She has been in the hospital this time for two weeks. I sent her to a rehab twenty miles from our home after having her home for four days. She needed around the clock care from a nursing staff. The occupational therapist recommended this place and the care seemed to be good. However, she was only there a few days. They called me and said they needed to send her to the hospital. She had a fever and we later found out infection in the decubitus ulcer. None of which was the fault of the more recent rehab. Once she is released from the hospital, I hope this rehab will take her back. As of now, she is fighting gout and body pain from being in bed for two months.

If this isn't enough, I was involved in a car accident on June 15. I was in the left turn lane, waiting to turn at the hospital, when I was rear ended and shoved into the car in front of me. The woman behind me had been hit by a truck and shoved into me. I am sore but seem to be doing fine for now. I ended up going to the hospital by ambulance because of the pain in my back. They took x-rays and nothing is broken. My car just has scratches on the bumper. I was told that the bumper of the vehicle behind me went under my car. I took by car to the shop today and everything underneath looks fine.

I hope you all are doing fine. I miss blogging, but I have gotten some reading done and some stitching. My computer is still being worked on. I have been late in getting a disc to the man working on it. I was finally able to mail it today.

Take care and thanks so much for all of your prayers.

Teresa

Mom is going through a very difficult time. Yesterday she was taken from rehab back to the hospital. She has acute renal failure, dehydration and pneumonia. Also, all the good bacteria in the intestines is gone and having to be replaced. Anyone who is cleaning her has to wear protective gear to prevent them from becoming infected. I have been told her condition can be reversed. I pray they are right. She will not be returning to rehab, I will bring her home.

I think of the goals I had for her, getting her home and taking care of her. Still, I can only think in the present day. I feel selfish in expressing how tired I am when Mom is doing everything she can to hang on. When I ask her what she wants me to pray for, she says she wants to be well. When I left her today, after staying the night, she seemed to be resting. During the night she called my name and let me know she was in agony. She received pain meds which seemed to help. I thank the LORD that she is now in a hospital where I trust the care she will receive.

I went to the rehab center today and spoke to the administrator and the nurse supervisor about my views on their facility. I told the truth as to what I saw with my mom and other patients. I don't know If it helped them, but I do know that it helped me. I spoke on behalf of the patients who are not capable of participating in their own care. It seems like everything today is disposable, including people. It amazes me what blind spots people have unless it involves their loved ones.

When I first went to "tour" the rehab, I met a woman in admissions who had only worked there for a few weeks. I had a chance to talk with her today "off the record." I told her she was too nice to work there and to please look for another job. She cried, I think because of her tender heart, and told me she needed her job. I told her I would pray to God that He find her a better job and for her to start looking for work elsewhere. I could tell on her face that she is already burnt out.

I have to go now, I have other business to attend to. Thanks for stopping by and I will let Mom know of your encouraging words.

Take care
Teresa

Mom has been in rehab for a week. The result of the stroke is a left side neglect. Her mind ignores the left side, so she doesn't have use of her left side, arm or leg. At this time she cannot swallow food. I pray that soon she will at least be able to swallow soft foods. It is difficult to tell her she cannot have water when she asks for it. A feeding tube has been surgically placed in her stomach, she pulled out the first one that went through the nose to the stomach. She has to be turned in the bed and after being in bed eighteen days, she has skin sheering on her backsides.

Her mind is excellent, it is her body that has her trapped. I am learning how to turn her in bed and use a lift to put her into a wheelchair. I didn't finish nursing school, but I am now getting an education in physical and occupational therapy. Speech therapy will be next. I will end up with a degree, if not from college, from rehab and home health.

I am in the process of moving the furniture in our home to accommodate our new living arrangements. The living room will become her new bedroom, her bedroom will become my den. Our living room is the largest room in the house and I will be able to fit a hospital bed and other equipment more easily. When the physical therapist suggested using her bedroom as a den, I thought it was cruel, but to be honest she may never use that room again. It breaks my heart to admit that, it hurts worse to say it out loud. She said to use my bedroom to sleep and the den to try to relax.

I don't know if Mom has a sense of time. I tell her the month, date and day when I visit. I haven't told her how long she will be in rehab. One of her doctors told me to stay in the present day and don't think about tomorrow. There are simply times when I can only get through the day minute by minute.

My computer is being worked on. I hope to have it back by the time WE go home. I have gotten some stitching done when Mom sleeps. I am currently working on Christmas ornaments for my church. Mostly, I pray. If anyone reading this believes in the power of prayer, please include us on your prayer list.

I know that God is with Mom and me on this journey. I hope by writing about it, others will gain a better understanding of what it is like to be the victim of a stroke and what it is like to be their. caregiver. If anyone has been through this before and has suggestions for me, please leave a comment.

Always remember that LOVE is powerful.

Teresa

Update on Mom

My mother has been moved from the hospital to a rehab center. It is estimated that she will be there four to six weeks and then I will be able to bring her home. I CAN'T WAIT!!! I promise to write more later.

A friend of my niece has my computer tower, in hopes of fixing it. If he does, I will be able to update more often from home.

I will let Mom know about your comments.

Thanks so much!
Love to you all!

Teresa