She's up and at em!

When I got to the nursing home, Lisa was sitting in her chair, waiting for her breakfast. She was not a happy camper. She was HUNGRY! LOL! She let everyone know about it too. The PT just looked at her and didn't say a word. Lisa was kinda not wanting to show off her walking ability until she was done eating, but food was nowhere in sight and she didn't really have a choice. The PT whisked her off to the Therapy room and I grabbed my camera and Sydney, Michele and I followed them.

Lisa stood up all by herself and grabbed hold of the walker and had a bit of a challenge with getting her right hand to stay on the arm rest. She told us, "it doesn't want to stay there" I don't know if it will wake up. Please pray for that. She is bound and determined to walk though. That is what is going to get her out of there. She has asked both Karen and I "when will I leave here, our ?" our answer is always, "when you are walking" so, she pushes on. She is bored. She is used to being independent and doing things on her own. She is signed up for lots of things at the nursing home and got to go to Godfathers Pizza...she called me 3 times, and Karen 5 times that day and was just so happy to get out! The things we take for granted!

Getting back to the walking. Lisa needed just a touch from the PT to walk the length of the room. Her right leg is not really bending and she walks stiff legged for lack of a better term. She walks mid-line, which means, she walks like she is on a balance beam. I don't know if she always walked like that. I never payed any attention to it. That is not good though, not when you have balance issues. She needs to walk with her feet spread apart so she will not fall over. I bet she did walk mid line all of her life. She was a gymnast, and that is what got her to walk straight in the first place. I remember that Dad told me that before gymnastics, Lisa was not able to walk a straight line, AND that she dragged her right foot. So here we go again!

I hugged Lisa, told her how proud I was and kept encouraging her. I told the PT how much I thought she has improved. By the look on her face, I could tell that it is not as fast as she would like. She told me that her right leg may never come out of it....that is discouraging. I also know that I refuse to believe that. Lisa was never supposed to walk, skip, hop or jump. Lisa was never supposed to become the lady she is. If anything, that makes me and my sisters more determined to help push her through this. Mom and Dad never accepted the professional's prognosis as final word. With God, all things are possible. God will do miraculous work through Lisa. In His time.

Lisa will walk again, maybe with a walker, maybe not...but she WILL walk again. She is so stubborn and once she feels that everyone is pulling for her, she will perform. She asks "how'd I do?" and then after a positive response, she will say..."I'm doing good." Yes you are Lisa....yes you are!

9:00 appt.

I have a 9:00 appt with Lisa. She doesn't know it though....I talked to her PT today and asked her if I could come see her walk...she said she would go get her...(but she already performed for Karen an hour or so before I got to see her) and she was tired. I told the PT I would come back. I didn't want to risk her falling, due to fatigue. Her therapist is very happy about this as well. Lisa is so happy to walk, it is a step closer to getting home.

I am going to go to her PT therapy and see for myself what she has been wanting her sisters to see. She is so proud to show off to us. I am so proud to call her my own sister. I can't wait to see her and I will surely write about it...so...I will have to write more about it soon. I will be more excited than her I think:)) You go Lisa!

New Address

address will be updated soon

Lisa still looks forward to getting cards, so if you have some time she would love to hear from all of you.

Thank you for taking time out and read our post's, I look back when all this started and cant believe how many people truly LOVE Lisa it's so neat to see the support not only for Lisa but for our whole family. So with that said, thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and keep up the prayers they are truly answered.

Little trivia it has been 73 days since her first surgery, things didnt go as we thought but Lisa still shows us everyday how to love life and not to give up. Lisa is getting stronger with every day passing. I dont think I have ever heard Lisa say I cant do this, it's to hard, or I wish this didnt happen, if we all could be like Lisa life would be wonderful.

So get the cards coming, she truly loves getting them.

Thank You

This picture was taken July 4, 2009 at my house, It rained all day but, I remember Lisa as soon as she was done eating, Lisa wanted to get back home to her Apt. I hope she can get home soon and get to work like she would love to do.

Getting Out

Lisa is getting comfortable at her new home, this week Lisa has been getting out and doing things.

Monday, Lisa called me and said she was going to a birthday party she was getting out of her apt. to go down and celebrate someones birthday.

Tuesday, Lisa got her nails done at 1:30 she called me several times, very excited that her nails were painted and the it was FREE.

Today, Wednesday, Lisa went to Godfathers Pizza for lunch, they left at 10:30 and got back some time around 1:00 she called and said she ate 6 slices of pizza and said I should of come with her. Lisa is getting back to her old self she called me a total of 5 times today. I'm so glad she getting better.

Rod, her friend came in the store and said that Lisa walked with very little assistance that she was so excited. So you go Lisa....................

Sunday

Life at the nursing home on the weekends, let me tell you, you realize your sister need you more on the weekends more than ever. I decided to skip my church service and go to church service with Lisa at the nursing home. I showed up around 10:15 and service is at 10:30, as soon as I arrived Lisa was upset she had the button pressed for 1/2 hour her neighbor said and still no one is coming to help her. Lisa said almost crying "I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM" and no one is taking me. I at first was thinking to myself well they don't want us to take her because we don't have the proper training but then I said to myself OK do I want her to wet her pants or do it my self when I am perfectly capable of taking her myself, my word we took our mom to the bathroom all the time there is no difference so I did and she went right away and very thankful that I showed up when I did. It just makes you want to be there all the time. That is the most frustrating part of her being there, when she presses the button she has to go, there is no waiting around.

The service was very nice I really enjoyed the pastor and singing of the traditional songs that he played on the guitar. During the last song we had visitor's it was Karla, Joe and the kids, Lisa was so excited to them. Then it was off to Lunch for Lisa, Karla and the kids stayed and I took off to visit my mother in law, she fell and bruised her ribs and having a hard time walking, her mom is 98 and in Le Roy nursing home, Martha goes 4 times a week and has not been there for 2 weeks. So I made lunch and took Martha Jane to see her mom. So yes I was a nursing home junkie today.

Saturday, Lisa calls me and said that Amy popped in and left, so I called Amy and asked if she went to see Lisa and she told me that she has not been there yet. I think she got confused because dad said she was coming and she was waiting for her. Amy, Ron and the kids finally showed up and Lisa was watching Wheel, she was so funny trying to tell me that Amy was crazy for just leaving I called her back and said that she was there crazy one that Amy hasn't even showed up. It was comical.

She also called me that night around 9:00 and said that her bathroom was flooded and she got a big kick out of that. Big time news in the nursing home she was so funny telling me.

1st Meeting

Today we had a meeting with the nursing home to see how Lisa is doing. They said Lisa stays in her room more than she gets out. They ask her if she wants to do activities and the only one she seems to do is BINGO I think that's because she only knows that, and is some what afraid to do something different. We told the lady in charge of activies that she needed to be pushed and say that maybe she would like to do this and that. She was explaining everything they do and I know Lisa would love to do everything they talked about. This is her 14th day at McLean Co. time goes by so fast.

They said that she walked 75 ft today with the walker with assistance and that is the farthest she has gotten. She is doing good but it's slow going. It's taking more time than what they anticipated. During the meeting Lisa broke down and cried, it was so sad because she just couldn't stop, I think it was because she is trying so hard, she wants to get back to her apt. and get back to work I feel so bad for her and hope things get moving faster for her.

So today we took Lisa outside to have some lunch, Lisa, Parker and I had Pizza Hut while Karla, Joe, Sydney, Chase and Michele had Wendy's it was hot out but there was wind and it didn't feel as hot as it was because were in the shade so it was nice. I got a phone call from Rod he's a friend that comes every night and visits Lisa and he said that Lisa couldn't stop talking about going outside and having lunch she kept going on how nice it was that she really enjoyed going outside.

Leaving Lisa, there was a man in a wheel chair and he looked at me and had the biggest smile on his face he goes I know you, I go you do from where he goes West Side Clothing it turns out there is quite a few people that are customers of the store living at the home.

Walking out I ran in to a guy who when we first brought Lisa to the Nursing home I had a little emotional break down, I had just left Lisa and felt sad for her he reassured me that his mother has been there for a long time and thinks this is the best nursing home he has seen. So he said that on Sundays there is a wonderful Pastor who speaks and that he would take Lisa down to hear him. So he told me that last week he took her and at the end pastor asked if there was any request for one last song and Lisa with out hesitation said that she wanted to hear "How Great thou Art" and she said that that was my Dad's favorite song. I asked Dad and he said that was new to him but I thought it was so sweet. I know that was one of my Moms for sure. He told me that's his mothers favorite song also.

Happy Birthday to Little Ms. Sydney today..............................

Karla took pictures today and hope to get them posted as soon as we can.

Getting back to normal...

Things have been very, very not normal these past few weeks...not too unusual for this time of year, but not normal. We are slowly getting back into the groove with visiting Lisa and helping her get better. The sidewalk sale was this past weekend and we had a couple thousand things to do to get ready for it. Lisa was on our minds, but we could not be in two places at once.

It was a crazy week. I went to see her on Friday around lunch time. I told her how hot and humid it was and told her that she would be glad that she was not in the heat. She asked me the date and I told her July 16th and she remembered it was sidewalk sale. She was frustrated and started to cry and said, "I missed it!" I called Karen for some quick advice and then reassured Lisa that I will bring her the next day...Her spirits lifted a little. I felt so bad for her. Sidewalk sale is always a time for our family to work together and just hang out and help customers. Lisa has ALWAYS been a part of it. We were going to make sure that she would be this year too...even if the heat index was above 100.

The Taminger's had our family reunion at the same time. Now, it was almost a year ago that the cousins got together for Uncle Jerry's funeral in Texas and thought it would be a big celebration with the 100 year Anniversary of the store. I do not recommend doing that again, (only because everyone felt that they were in the way while at the store) however, things got done that 5 adults and 7 kids (10 and under) would not have gotten done. So, a GIGANTIC thank you to ALL of you...each one of you did something to help us. Thank you!!!!!! Well, Lisa knew about the reunion, and remembered that it was going to be this particular weekend. She was upset. We had it lined up for visits to the nursing home, in shifts, so it wouldn't be an everyone come and everyone leave situation. But...she got to come for 2 hours! She was thrilled, and the smile on her face was priceless. She was soooooo happy, and was ready to go back to take a nap. It worked out perfect!

The PT talked to me about her future. What are we going to do? Where will she go? We haven't thought about that. It is too hard. She encouraged me to think about it...because, she said that her progress is very slow. I had tears in my eyes as she talked to me. She said she was sorry for upsetting me,  I just told her that it is hard to think about, so I don't, right now. We will though. We will.

We have a great family. We have so many cousins, and aunts, uncles, and even baby cousins that pray for Lisa. They pray for me and my dad and sisters. Thank you! There are no words to describe how much all of you mean to us. I thank God for us, for the closeness we have, although states and lives separate us. We really are close-knit and it is a wonderful feeling. Lisa, I know appreciates you too. She smiled the whole time she was at the store and everyone gathered around her. It was normal for once! for Lisa!

Lisa told me 3 times that Diane N came to see her, brought her a cold Diet Pepsi! She told Karen about 3 times too. Thank you Diane. You made her day, really, her week! and it was only Monday! I was going to try to visit her that day, but that wouldn't have compared to you! So, I am happy that someone from her past visited her. She told me again today, that you visited. Thank you. You made a difference!

Happy to Be

Lisa has the best attitude. People always say that those with Down Syndrome are always happy. That is a false statement. I do believe that those people are happy, but not always, and they have a stubborn streak beyond compare. Lisa is not Down Syndrome, but she has a stubborn streak in her too...it must be something that God gives them, to deal with life...or to teach others patience. Either way, I have noticed lately, that the old Lisa is back. The old Lisa that was before Mom got sick and died. Lisa changed during and after that time. It has been a very long time, since we have seen that Lisa. She used to have the best attitude and although she got stressed, she never really showed it bothered her. I can honestly say that Mom would be proud of her, proud of her baby girl that overcame so much as a child and a young lady. We can now add, as a woman that has suffered a stroke. Mom, we are so proud of her, and we miss you. I think you would be proud too.

When I left Lisa on Friday, at the nursing home. I cried. I hate that she is there. I hate that she has to be there. I hate that she is the very youngest there. It is not normal. It is what it is and I cannot change a thing. When I called her the next morning to ask her how her first night went. She responded with, "I like it here!" I needed that. We talked about her breakfast and about her roommate. She is so happy to talk on her phone. She is so happy to see people in the hallway. She is so happy to see people in her room, even if it is to take care of her roommate. She is just happy to be.


I called her before I went to visit her on Monday...asked her why she sounded sad...she told me that "I just miss Mom." I told her I did too. I know she thinks about her often. I wonder if she knows how much mom loved her...I am sure she does. Without my mom, Lisa would not be here. ..

The kids and I went to see her last night before she ate supper. She was sitting up in her wheelchair. She greeted us with, "I'm so glad you came!" (Well, of course we came.) On our way in, the PT asked me if I was Lisa's sister, Karen. I told her I was Karla. She was really interested in Lisa, and told us that they found her hand brace. Whew! She was without it for a day, and her poor little hand was curling up, and hurting her. She(the PT) told us she did not want us to do any transferring with Lisa at all. What? She explained that for safety and for liability, they could not let us help her get out of there. When I told her I understood, and that we helped her at the hospital all the time. She told me that she would be glad to show us how they do it and how we can help Lisa on weekends (when she does not have any therapy) with exercises to strengthen her legs, but they do not want us to help her walk, or anything that could cause her or us harm. Uhhhggggg! Now what? I totally understand. I totally do not question their policy. I totally want her better. She is totally not going to get the therapy that she did at the hospital. Everything will work out though, right?

She asked Karen the 2nd full day she was there. "Karen, when am I going to get out of here?" Karen told her..."We need to get you walking."

Lisa is signing herself out of the hospital...she spent 43 days there...

Lisa's eye is starting to open just a little bit, told Karen that she can see black and white out of it. Yay! She tells me that she can't see very good, that it frustrates her that her eyes are messed up. But even then, she does not complain. She is happy to be.

A new home for awhile

Lisa was discharged from the hospital this afternoon, but not without some tears. The therapists and a couple of her nurses were there to bid her farewell. Julie, one of her therapists, hugged her and said, "oh...God love ya", and tried not to cry, then the others who watched that, tried not to get teary eyed. Each one of them told her they were glad she was leaving, but didn't like to see her go. A few nurses cried too. It was bitter-sweet.

Karen drove Lisa to the nursing home with Parker and Sydney in tow. I followed. Karen had about an hour's worth of paper work to do, so we stayed back and got things all situated in Lisa's room. We made it as homey as we could, didn't go crazy like we did at the hospital. Lisa is so happy go lucky. Glad to be out of the hospital...but she is going into another situation somewhat like a hospital. She is the youngest one there. She is spry...her roommate is a sweet older lady who gets confused and cries often, for no apparent reason. I don't  know if this is a good thing. But we are not in control here.

She has in her heart that she is coming to Sidewalk Sale...and she might. She can only be out of the nursing home 2 times a month, 4 hours max. a month. The reason is because if medicaid sees that her family is taking her more often, then why should they pay for her when family can take care of her. Those are the rules, and we must live by their rules. I totally understand that, but that was a blow to me, personally. Oh, how I want this to be a speedy process. I pray for a miracle. But the miracle has already happened. She is still here.

Lisa has moved

Lisa is out of "Acute Therapy" at Bro-Menn Hospital and is now at McLean County Nursing Home in Normal! She called me twice and is very excited and is loving the sun shine!

No News yet

We don't know yet, if Lisa will be "accepted" to the nursing home of choice...that sounds weird doesn't it? Kinda stupid anyway. We hope that she will get out of the hospital tomorrow, but remains a mystery tonight.

One of my dear friends went to be with Lisa for lunch today so I could stay at the store. Thank you Mary;) I called Lisa this morning to let her know that I would not be there, she was fine with that. Mary called me after she got done with her lunch. She told me how "Lisa is such a joy!" She talked with Lisa about lots of things and the things that they have in common, like her daughter being in gymnastics, and her dad having a stroke. Lisa was interacting and Mary said she only said Damn, a couple of times...LOL!

When I was with her yesterday, I helped her to the bathroom, she did awesome. Just needed help with her pants up and down. She thanked me for helping her and told me I did a good job. Ummm, that is the other way around. She said it first, so it doesn't mean as much if I repeated it to her. So I just gave her knuckles. She smiled. Cute.

I talked to her about going to a rehab nursing home, told her that the very most important thing right now is walking, getting her legs strong and just trying to walk. I told her that it really doesn't matter that her arm isn't working right now, lots of people do everything one handed, but there is not much a person can do without walking...you know what I mean. That is not true. But the girl needs motivation, she is getting down on herself. She can walk, she thinks she can walk, (she will walk) and that is half the battle. Mind over Matter here:) Lisa loves to show off her walking abilities. The therapists love that smile that comes across her face after an accomplishment. I have heard them say that more than once.

 I will let you know about the nursing home situation as soon as I find out. It makes us sad that she has to go to the nursing home. Karen just called me, told me that the nursing home administrative nurse came to evaluate her, to see if they could deal with meet her needs...the nurses told Karen that the person who came, loved her, thought she was cute. She would definitely be lively! Funny note: the nurses told Karen that Lisa told off a man this morning telling him he was "drinking his apple juice waaayyy too fast."..Helllooo? Miss Lisa, drinks her diet Pepsi so fast, that you would have thought it was water, not acid going down your throat. I can imagine that man looking at her, and thinking that she needs to mind her own business. 2 minutes later...the man choked on his apple juice. The nurses were just waiting for a comment from Lisa after that...none. She just kept eating. So unlike her:) (Karen and) I could not stop laughing when I heard that. I can just hear Lisa's opinionated self.

Keep Lisa in your prayers, it is yet another transition that she will have to make. It is another one for us too.

Denial

Today, actually, yesterday, started out pretty normal. I went to see Lisa around lunch time, Sydney came with. We had a package for Lisa from Aunt Vera. Lisa was so excited and it was so cute to see the expression on her face as she was opening the package. It was a fun pink flamingo sitting on a swing holding some cards. Lisa thought it was crazy. When it hangs, he swings. Very fun.

Lisa remembered that it was her Olive Garden annual picnic today. She got tears in her eyes and put her hand over her face to try to stop them. It is the first time I have seen her cry because she hurts emotionally in a very long time, years I would say. I told her I was so sorry and hugged her. No consolation was going to help today. She is frustrated, bored out of her mind and she hurts from not being out and about. It made me tear up as well. I feel her pain. I can't imagine what she is going through. I just know that she is just like anyone else and that she wants to be better. In a separate incident, after lunch, she told me that she wishes that she "could do this by myself" (go to the bathroom). I just tell her that she will, and she is getting better everyday. She listens, but doesn't believe me. I think that she really is getting better, but she is getting down on herself. The cards are getting fewer and the visits from others have been fewer too. I feel so sad for her.

I get back to the store and Karen is on the phone. The place that we thought Lisa would go to for Rehabilitation denied her. We don't fully know why. Lisa is young and Developmentally Delayed...and had a stroke. Those first two combinations are the two strikes against her, against us. She gets out on Friday...we have 2 days to figure this out. Those of you who know us, know we are trying to get ready for the HUGE sale for the store coming next week. The timing is off, well, the timing is never right when something of this nature happens. I just don't understand. But this is what God has planned for us. I just can't help but think that none of this would have happened if we didn't make the decision to go for the surgery...but we were helping her, we honestly wanted her to have no more seizures, that is what she wanted. This is so "damn" hard. That little D word was in honor of Lisa:) She would have said that too:))

Karen and Dad called about 10 different nursing homes while trying to run the store. Denial was pretty much the word of the day. Have you ever had the feeling that people are denying you, because of something that you can't help, or didn't do? There is no description for that feeling except for hurtfulness. We don't get it...we just love Lisa, and want [her to go] somewhere who wants to help her.

Today, Karen and I will visit the nursing home that said yes. We had 2 that said yes, but only one that is recommended. Maybe that is where God wanted her all along. It is hard to tell right now. We are overwhelmed with everything. Life. Sale. and getting Lisa better. Lisa deserves that. She is still up there on the priority list, God is making sure she is number one. Next to Him.

Been awhile

Been awhile is a phrase Lisa uses often. That is how long it has been since I have blogged. Sorry.
Lisa is back to being Lisa, mind wise, opinion wise and talking wise. She is a total crack up! LOL!!
She is quite proud of her new found walking abilities, even if she can't walk. (She is on the parallel bars when she walks)  She is trying really hard and she is really doing well. She is walking backwards too! She is not getting her balance down though. She loses it, but almost always has someone to catch her. She says that she cannot see very well. She is not able to see directly below her, so that is a challenge.

She told the therapists the other day, who knew Lisa was in the room, because I like to put body splash spray on her (and me) when I am there, that "Karla makes me smell" I thought that was cute, and the therapists got a laugh out of it. They told me that Lisa is the life of the party during group therapy on Fridays. I bet she is, literally! and I bet most of the patients don't know how to take her. She is bossy, snarly, as one OT says, and she says what is on her mind. No holding back for her! If I ran across someone like that, not knowing him or her...I can't say that I would become a fan myself...But the therapists saw her at her worst, when she was to the point of near death...so they are all loving that girl!

She had her nails painted by Karen for 4th of July...Karen said that her right hand wanted to keep curling up on her, and it was really hard for her to paint them, but she got the job done, and Lisa is loving the compliments she is getting for her nails.

Karen has a video of Lisa walking and doing some OT work...she can't figure out how to put it on the blog...it is quite funny to watch Lisa do something, totally different than what was instructed. She wants to do things "her" way. That has not changed.

Until next time, have a happy and safe 4th.