Today Diana continues her steady improvement. She is doing well despite the fact that she is constantly exhausted and often disheartened by the prospect of the long way she has to go. We try to bolster each other and keep our spirits up - we are reading a silly, funny book and already enjoying the fact that Mom's new room has a DVD player, so we can watch movies when the mood strikes.
She did finally sleep last night, and thus was feeling a bit better this morning. However, the looming specter of the dressing change today is making us both tense - it is such a painful process for her, and as with every procedure here, we never know when its going to happen, just "some time today." The anticipation lends greatly to the unpleasantness of the process.
She sat in her chair for over 2 hours today, which was good, but exhausting. She did stand and pivot from the chair to the bed, so we are both proud of how well she is progressing with physical therapy. She also had a visit from occupational therapy, which went well despite the fact that she was very tired and in some pain by the time the therapist arrived.
We also met with the discharge coordinator, who talked to us about options when Mom leaves the hospital. The one we are most excited about is an "Intensive Rehab" unit at another hospital in Portland - they would have to agree to admit her, after verifying that she is able to endure three hours of PT and OT per day. If accepted she would likely stay at this unit for 1 to 2 weeks - it sounds like the perfect option as it is still a hospital so she would be carefully looked after and taken care of, but the concentration would be on therapy and getting her mobile again. Please lend some of the positive energy you are sending Mom to getting her into the intensive rehab unit, as we feel it would be ideal and would give her a great start into her recovery.
In all other aspects, Diana is doing very well - her wounds are healing, her vital signs are all strong and stable, and the infection is resolving. Her main challenges now are keeping her pain under control and keeping her energy level up so that she feels strong and is motivated for therapy.
Thank you for continuing to send Diana your good and positive thoughts and prayers - she appreciates and needs them all, as she moves slowly down the seemingly long road back to her old self.
3 comments:
Aruba indeed! Even if it *isn't* in a tropical paradise, it still sounds like a great facility. Good thoughts, good thoughts...
Love you both,
Holly
Hi Diana,
Just read the email from Jessye and then your blog! My goodness girl you really have had a tough time of it!! Hope you are feeling better and on the road to recovery! Will say prayers too!! We need to see you at our next class reunion! I will continue to 'keep an eye' on you via the blog! Take care your old classmate. Diana Bragg Jones
Hey Mandy,
Give our love to your mom and tell her that I've put her on the prayer list at our church. I was so bummed to hear about all that she has been through but it sounds like she is on the mend and in very capable hands. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. (I'm totally with you on the Aruba thing, too!)
Take care,
Kari, Sarah (Schacker), Linnea and Joy
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