Weekend update

I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights. -- Terri Guillemets

Mom has been surrounded by family around the clock since Friday, February 10th. It's a testament to her that we all get along so well and aren't sick of each other yet!

Saturday

Saturday was an emotionally and physically exhausting day. There's nothing comfortable about the ICU for the patient or the family. It's a place designed to make you so uncomfortable that you heal quickly just so you can get out of there.

Mom wore a giant white gauze turban, IV's in both arms, an oxygen tube in her nose, a wrist brace, a blood pressure cuff on her arm, a catheter, and pressure cuffs on both calves to prevent blood clots. Her bed constantly vibrated, inflated and deflated, a technique designed to prevent blood clots. She was monitored constantly by multiple nurses, an endocrinologist, and physical therapist along with her neurosurgeon, primary care doctor and a social worker. She was not able to turn or lift her head or her right arm, and the nursing staff had to reposition her frequently to avoid soreness. With all the interruptions, it was remarkable that she ever got any sleep.

Finally on Saturday night, Mom's brace and one IV was removed, and she was moved to a private room, which is small but has a pull-out chair for a guest to sleep on and a handful of chairs. The oncology wing is undergoing renovation, so she's housed in part of the labor and delivery wing on the first floor. It's a cheerful, bright floor with pretty colors and wood floors, and the halls are decorated with pictures of babies. (We joked to Mom that we could get her some stirrups if she wanted to fit in with the other ladies.)

Sunday

Despite a somewhat restless night, Mom is having her best day since the surgery. She ate some bacon and a biscuit at breakfast and was relaxing when Charles, Macklin and I (Sara) showed up for a visit. We had paused in the hall to warn Macklin to be on his best behavior, and like a typical 3-year-old, he was loudly protesting. Apparently Mom heard his voice from 20 feet away and told Daddy to go get him RIGHT NOW:
That's my grandbaby. That's Macklin!

They had a wonderful visit, and seeing her precious grandson put the sparkle back in Mom's eyes. They shared stories, and Macklin helped Grandma practice her ABCs. (She remembered the tune but struggled with the letters.) Not to be outdone, her sweet granddaughters visited after church as well, and she was so happy to see them. Everyone got kisses and squeezes.

She also was visited briefly by two special friends, Nancy Sharma and Carolyn Kitchens. Carolyn remarked that one of the nurses told her Mom has had more visitors than anyone else in the hospital.

Mom and long-time friend, Nancy Sharma

Alicia and Sara shooed everyone away so Mom could eat lunch and work on her physical therapy. She has temporary loss of some peripheral vision in her right eye as well as decreased sensation in her right arm. We're confident it all will return with patience and therapy.

After a long morning of practicing her language plus arm and leg lifts with Alicia and Sara, Mom complained to Daddy:
Oh, Lord, these ladies worked me!

She may tease us, but she really wants to work hard. She's eager to return home as soon as possible and worries about her students, her garden, and her grandchildren. Mom has a life full of blessings, and she wants nothing more than to return to full health and be able to enjoy it all as soon as possible.

Daddy: If you would just close your eyes and take a nap...
Mom: It's hard. I've got things to do!