Lisa is back! I mean...the Lisa that we all know and Love is BACK! I have said that before, but after this 2nd shunt surgery, Lisa is truly back to her original personality, she is spunky, witty, smiley, and her opinionated self! Joe came with me to see her today. The last time he saw her was when she was in the hospital, when she was so weak she pleaded with me to "feed her" half way through her lunch. He was surprised and very happy to report that she is doing awesome!
She was in the therapy room when we came. She was picked up again by therapy due to her surgery. Last week was going to be her 1st week without therapy, due to her plataue issue. When I saw her in OT I was encouraged by what I watched her do. She lifted her right hand to the side, to the front and above her head; with the use of a cane which she held in both hands. I have a video from my phone but wish I knew how to transfer to the computer...aughhh. Anyway, she has this cute smile on her face the entire time she is exercising.
When I asked the OT if she sees a difference in her demeaner and her abilities, she said, "Oh yeah, This is the first time I have seen her since she got back to the nursing home and her range of motion is better and she is just doing alot better." WooHoo! We are so excited!
She (Lisa) asked me if I was staying out of trouble...Joe asked her is she was drinking beer or smoking cigarettes. She said something smart back and called him a turkey. She told him to "shut up!" Celeste, her OT laughed out loud, she has not heard Lisa say that before. Joe kept at it and Lisa kept up with it. Funny.
Karen told me that Lisa told her on Sunday night, that she did not want to go home to the apt until she can get out of bed all by herself...wow! That is huge! Karen thought that was awesome that she said that! On Saturday, Lisa took off her glasses and looked at me and pointed to her left eye and said, "Look Karla, my eye finally popped open!" She always said that it would, that it would "just take time"...She had a faith that only comes from above...She said she can see out of it...her pupil still points down, but she is tracking better! I asked her if she can see better and she asked me in an irritated voice..."Whatdoya think???" LOL!
Amy, Karen and I all think that she is the way she was the night we all spent the night together, before her surgeries. She fought so hard, and we fought so hard with her. It is not over! It is only beginning, but we are so thankful that we persisted and that we know her ways better than she does...that we are her voice! Yay!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
A world of difference
I took the kids to see Lisa today at the nursing home, Karen had gotten there just a few minutes before us. Lisa had the call button on for a while so Karen took her to the bathroom...too late. All the accidents she has been having are due to the UTI. She is in isolation. For precautionary reasons, they moved her room mate out of her room and Lisa has all kinds of gloves, plastic containers and such in her room. She apparently is contagious. She is on the highest dosage of the strongest antibiotic there is. She was resistant to the antibiotic they gave her first in the hospital. This one is 500mg 3 or 4 times a day! YIKES!
She is so very cute. She is soooo happy, so talkative and so stinkin cute! She is joking and is constantly smiling. It is a sight to see! The CNA's are glad to see her this way, they have commented how sweet she is and how good it is to see her smile. I don't recall her being this way since before her surgeries. She is just so jubilant! If that makes sense.
Karen had a long talk with Joe, the nurse. Lisa needs to drink her water. The sugar/sweeteners in the pepsi is not good for her, bacteria love sugar and feeds off of it. Water flushes everything out. Karen told Lisa that for every DP she drinks, she needs to drink at least 1 bottle of water, and 2 would be better. We told her that the more water she drinks, she will get to go home sooner. She was all about that! Don't know if that went in one ear and out the other though. Karen left and told Lisa to call her when she was finished with her bottle of water. She was drinking it though when I stayed with her for a little longer.
She watched Animal Planet with the kids. She wanted hugs and kisses from each one of them...Michele is the most reluctant. She is not the affectionate one and it kills her to give a hug, but she does and when Lisa asks her for a kiss, she will, the funny part is, when Lisa plants a kiss on her, she turns away and wipes it off. Funny!
We are planning something special for Lisa for when she gets to her apartment. We will be letting everyone know once we get all the details. Lisa is beaming from ear to ear. FINALLY! I just pray it lasts!
She is so very cute. She is soooo happy, so talkative and so stinkin cute! She is joking and is constantly smiling. It is a sight to see! The CNA's are glad to see her this way, they have commented how sweet she is and how good it is to see her smile. I don't recall her being this way since before her surgeries. She is just so jubilant! If that makes sense.
Karen had a long talk with Joe, the nurse. Lisa needs to drink her water. The sugar/sweeteners in the pepsi is not good for her, bacteria love sugar and feeds off of it. Water flushes everything out. Karen told Lisa that for every DP she drinks, she needs to drink at least 1 bottle of water, and 2 would be better. We told her that the more water she drinks, she will get to go home sooner. She was all about that! Don't know if that went in one ear and out the other though. Karen left and told Lisa to call her when she was finished with her bottle of water. She was drinking it though when I stayed with her for a little longer.
She watched Animal Planet with the kids. She wanted hugs and kisses from each one of them...Michele is the most reluctant. She is not the affectionate one and it kills her to give a hug, but she does and when Lisa asks her for a kiss, she will, the funny part is, when Lisa plants a kiss on her, she turns away and wipes it off. Funny!
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| Lisa and Karla 1970 |
Friday, September 17, 2010
Lisa has been released!
Happy to report that Lisa is back at the nursing home. She is still very emotional and very tired. We did have some good laughs, but when I left her she started to cry. I told her I just needed to get my phone charged and run to the bank. She stopped crying and asked me to get her some money. I said SURE!!!!
Hoping she gets some rest in her familiar bed.
Hoping she gets some rest in her familiar bed.
My phone call
It's 8:26 and my phone rings...Lisa T shows up on my phone, I thought it was Karen since I asked her to call me to let me know how Lisa is doing, before I head up there. It wasn't Karen, it was Lisa!
I was so happy to hear her voice! It was strong and clear and happy.
L--Hi Karla!
K--Hi Lisa! I am so glad you called me! It is so good to hear your voice!
L--How are you?
K--I'm good, how are YOU?
L--I slept in til 8:00 this morning, I wanted to sleep in..(she's back)
K--that is great Lisa! did you sleep well last night?
L--Yes, I did
toward the end of our convo
K--I will be there to take you home, me, Amy or Karen.
L-- Who will take me? (she has her pick)
K--Lisa, it is sooo good to hear your voice, I love you!
L--It is good to hear your voice too...I love you, Karla!
Yay!
Yesterday the Dr and the nurses were commenting how hard she is (to read). They told me that they can't read her, so they are heavily relying on the sisters to tell them if she is baseline. She doesn't talk to them very well if we are not there, she doesn't talk about private issues.
Another phone call...from Karen this time, it's 8:47
She tells me that she is so much better today, she had a smile on her face, it showed in her voice.
Karen asked Lisa if she could see better, no answer. But Karen did say that she spotted her diet pepsi on the shelf in her room...it has been there since Monday. She can see!
They were watching Willard Scott on the Today show and he was wishing 100 year old birthdays. Karen asked Lisa if she would like to live to be 100? No, was her answer...
K--well if you make it to 100 and I make it to 100, you will still be older than me!
L--NO, I WON'T...I'LL BE DEAD!
Karen laughed, as did Lisa.
Thank you God, for Lisa, for her will to live, for her stubborness to not give up and for her determination. Not many people would want to keep going after all that she has and is going through.
And Lisa, is one that you will NEVER hear her ask "Why? (me)" I for one can't do that.
I was so happy to hear her voice! It was strong and clear and happy.
L--Hi Karla!
K--Hi Lisa! I am so glad you called me! It is so good to hear your voice!
L--How are you?
K--I'm good, how are YOU?
L--I slept in til 8:00 this morning, I wanted to sleep in..(she's back)
K--that is great Lisa! did you sleep well last night?
L--Yes, I did
toward the end of our convo
K--I will be there to take you home, me, Amy or Karen.
L-- Who will take me? (she has her pick)
K--Lisa, it is sooo good to hear your voice, I love you!
L--It is good to hear your voice too...I love you, Karla!
Yay!
Yesterday the Dr and the nurses were commenting how hard she is (to read). They told me that they can't read her, so they are heavily relying on the sisters to tell them if she is baseline. She doesn't talk to them very well if we are not there, she doesn't talk about private issues.
Another phone call...from Karen this time, it's 8:47
She tells me that she is so much better today, she had a smile on her face, it showed in her voice.
Karen asked Lisa if she could see better, no answer. But Karen did say that she spotted her diet pepsi on the shelf in her room...it has been there since Monday. She can see!
They were watching Willard Scott on the Today show and he was wishing 100 year old birthdays. Karen asked Lisa if she would like to live to be 100? No, was her answer...
K--well if you make it to 100 and I make it to 100, you will still be older than me!
L--NO, I WON'T...I'LL BE DEAD!
Karen laughed, as did Lisa.
Thank you God, for Lisa, for her will to live, for her stubborness to not give up and for her determination. Not many people would want to keep going after all that she has and is going through.
And Lisa, is one that you will NEVER hear her ask "Why? (me)" I for one can't do that.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
1st day after surgery
Karen went to see Lisa early this morning and was saddened to see the state she was in.
Lisa was confused, delirious and upset...she had her eyes open but told Karen she could not see!!!
Karen heard the fear in her voice and the look on her face. I called Karen about 20 minutes after she got there and when she told me I got off the phone and just cried. Pretty much all morning. This is soooo hard.
My kids had a 1/2 day today and we went to see Lisa this afternoon. She waved at us with eyes closed.
Did not really speak much, answered with head nods the usual questions. Her voice is weak and stubborn. She wants to get out of the hospital and it is not doing her any good to be upset about being there. Try explaining that to her. She has lost all control.
I will write more later...Lisa will be able to go back to the nursing home tomorrow if all goes well. She justs needs a break!
Lisa was confused, delirious and upset...she had her eyes open but told Karen she could not see!!!
Karen heard the fear in her voice and the look on her face. I called Karen about 20 minutes after she got there and when she told me I got off the phone and just cried. Pretty much all morning. This is soooo hard.
My kids had a 1/2 day today and we went to see Lisa this afternoon. She waved at us with eyes closed.
Did not really speak much, answered with head nods the usual questions. Her voice is weak and stubborn. She wants to get out of the hospital and it is not doing her any good to be upset about being there. Try explaining that to her. She has lost all control.
I will write more later...Lisa will be able to go back to the nursing home tomorrow if all goes well. She justs needs a break!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Something funny
OK, so we are waitng for the dr and dad has switched chairs over by the TV to watch America's got Talent...he has moved 4 times now. Funny!
She's Out
When Lisa gets to recovery we will see the Dr. We are waiting patiently:)
It's 4:33
Lisa is in surgery right now... we got to go up the back way with her.
Before we went though, I read a blonde joke to everyone in the room and Lisa was sleeping, or so we thought. I read the last line and we ALL could not stop laughing...Lisa opens one eye and has this look on her face and her little crooked smile turned into a laugh...It was priceless!!!!!!!!!! We looked at her and she just looked at us and shook her head. Karen asked if she liked the joke, she said, "That was pretty funny!" We needed that. Lisa did too.
Before we went though, I read a blonde joke to everyone in the room and Lisa was sleeping, or so we thought. I read the last line and we ALL could not stop laughing...Lisa opens one eye and has this look on her face and her little crooked smile turned into a laugh...It was priceless!!!!!!!!!! We looked at her and she just looked at us and shook her head. Karen asked if she liked the joke, she said, "That was pretty funny!" We needed that. Lisa did too.
3:30 and still waiting
The resident Dr was here and they will replace her shunt. He gave us reasons for the malfunctions. Dr Kattner wanted him to come down and answer questions we have. Very nice he is.
Our pastor came in and stayed about 15 minutes and we all prayed as Lisa had tears in her eyes. She will be OK. She should be going any minute now.
Our pastor came in and stayed about 15 minutes and we all prayed as Lisa had tears in her eyes. She will be OK. She should be going any minute now.
still here
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| right before she was wheeled out for surgery |
we are still waiting for O.R. to get here...
We are all here
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| July 2010 |
Lisa is worried. She is doing well though. Dad is asking us over and over if we want some Tami's soft caramel...he is not taking "NO" for an answer! It is a ritual that he gives the surgeons some hand made (straight from his kitchen) caramels! After each surgery...hopefully, this will be the last time for a long time!!!!
The nurses say we are pretty rowdy in here...said they will stay here for the day...we are being kinda loud, but then again, that is normal.
A time is set
It is 11:15 a.m. The anesthesiologist just came in, wanted the POA to sign consents...all of us could sign, but Karen is the lucky one.
Surgery will be sometime between 1:30 and 2:00.
We are all together, we are asking for your prayers for a successful surgery and for triumph for sister Lisa!
Surgery will be sometime between 1:30 and 2:00.
We are all together, we are asking for your prayers for a successful surgery and for triumph for sister Lisa!
Smiles
Lisa has had a busy morning already...a bath, a CT scan on her head, then another one about 2 hours later another CT scan on her tummy. They are prepping her for surgery but orders have not been given yet for surgery.
So far, they are going to do exploratory with the possibility of doing a replacement...this is what we are hoping for. Lisa can not handle any more! We want a new shunt...obviously, the one in her head is not working correctly and we don't want her to have it malfunction again in the near future...even in 5 years.
More to come
Dad was here at 8, I came at 9ish, Karen is here and Amy walked in and said Hi and Lisa gave her a huge smile and a hug and said, "I'm glad you're here" The nurse looked at me and smiled and said how sweet Lisa is...
hmmm...she was not thrilled to see me! LOL! I'm just a fixture!
Shana is here doing a quick EKG and the nuero tech tried to get blood from her but couldn't find a good vein...so they will come back and poke her again! Augghhh!
So far, they are going to do exploratory with the possibility of doing a replacement...this is what we are hoping for. Lisa can not handle any more! We want a new shunt...obviously, the one in her head is not working correctly and we don't want her to have it malfunction again in the near future...even in 5 years.
More to come
Dad was here at 8, I came at 9ish, Karen is here and Amy walked in and said Hi and Lisa gave her a huge smile and a hug and said, "I'm glad you're here" The nurse looked at me and smiled and said how sweet Lisa is...
hmmm...she was not thrilled to see me! LOL! I'm just a fixture!
Shana is here doing a quick EKG and the nuero tech tried to get blood from her but couldn't find a good vein...so they will come back and poke her again! Augghhh!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Quick Update
Lisa is having a rough time as of late.
I talked to the Dr who did her shunt. Lisa has enlarged ventrical valves that are half the size she had prior to her shunt when we almost lost her. They are enlarged again, due to a urinary tract infection. Don't ask me or anyone else how this happened...it is common and NO ONE knows how 2 different places in the body can have such an affect on the shunt...if you know, we were told, you will get the Pulitzer prize. Crazy!
Dr Kattner is concerned and told me he has been thinking about her case for a few days now. He has deliberated many things he can do and it came to just taking the current shunt out and replacing it entirely. It is obviously malfunctioned and he told me they sometime last 20 years without a problem. Unfortuneately, Lisa's didn't. He will retire in just 3 months. We are thankful that this did not happen when he was no longer practicing. He has her fresh in his mind from 3 short months ago and he remembered her vividly. He knows that this is the best way to go for her. He could have treated her with antibiotics with a chance of it not working...So this is where we are at.
I don't know when this all will take place. The dr said that he is waiting for the 48 hour cultures to come back, sometime tomorrow morning. He said that she is shunt dependent and he wants it to be right. He was informative and answered all my questions. He told me the surgery will be tomorrow afternoon and that it is an hour procedure and recovery is 1-2 days. I don't know much else.
Lisa is sooooo scared. She doesn't want to do anything without one her sisters there. I know that she prays...just like a child...I know God is listening to her!
Please pray for her as well, for the surgeons expert hands and for full and total recovery. She didn't sign up for this...we didn't either! May God's will be done!
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| Lisa surrounded by most of the Taminger cousins In July |
Monday, September 13, 2010
Poor Lisa
All you have to do is take one look at Lisa and she will start to cry then when you ask her how are you doing she screams out with her eyes shut crying saying I DON KNOW.
I picked Dalton up from school ran to the store to get her boy scout uniform and to let Charley (dog) out. So we get to the hospital and Lisa seems to be doing OK, I asked the nurse what they did and she said she wasn't in there but would get the nurse for me that was and by that time the Dr. went by and saw me in the room and explained to me what he did.
Dr. said that he took a tiny needle and put in her shunt to drain the some fluid from her brain he said it drained well they are taking every precaution they can. Taking the fluid to the lab making sure there is no bacteria. I said and if there is he said well that would no be a good situation. They would have to open her shunt and make it drain, that is not what they are thinking is going to happen but it could. I sure hope she doesn't have to go thru any more she is so tired of feeling so down and out.
Dalton was doing his homework and looks at Lisa and she's just balling. Dalton said Lisa I feel like that some times, I hope you feel better as she cries more. Laura her CNA is so nice to Lisa asks her Lisa what will make you feel better she goes ice cream? Dt. Pepsi? she goes yes and you all know what the yes was for, you guessed the Dt. Pepsi not the ice cream.
Meanwhile I'm on the phone it seems like all the time trying to figure out our lovely nursing home. The therapist says that they are stopping her therapy and Dr. says to continue so I'm in the process of calling everyone that I can to see what we can to do and how we can get the help that Lisa needs. It's a fight to get Lisa back to her old self, but with the help of wonderful people anything is possible we just have to fight to get it. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts everyday they are being answered.
So here we go again daily post till we get Lisa back again.
I picked Dalton up from school ran to the store to get her boy scout uniform and to let Charley (dog) out. So we get to the hospital and Lisa seems to be doing OK, I asked the nurse what they did and she said she wasn't in there but would get the nurse for me that was and by that time the Dr. went by and saw me in the room and explained to me what he did.
Dr. said that he took a tiny needle and put in her shunt to drain the some fluid from her brain he said it drained well they are taking every precaution they can. Taking the fluid to the lab making sure there is no bacteria. I said and if there is he said well that would no be a good situation. They would have to open her shunt and make it drain, that is not what they are thinking is going to happen but it could. I sure hope she doesn't have to go thru any more she is so tired of feeling so down and out.
Dalton was doing his homework and looks at Lisa and she's just balling. Dalton said Lisa I feel like that some times, I hope you feel better as she cries more. Laura her CNA is so nice to Lisa asks her Lisa what will make you feel better she goes ice cream? Dt. Pepsi? she goes yes and you all know what the yes was for, you guessed the Dt. Pepsi not the ice cream.
Meanwhile I'm on the phone it seems like all the time trying to figure out our lovely nursing home. The therapist says that they are stopping her therapy and Dr. says to continue so I'm in the process of calling everyone that I can to see what we can to do and how we can get the help that Lisa needs. It's a fight to get Lisa back to her old self, but with the help of wonderful people anything is possible we just have to fight to get it. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts everyday they are being answered.
So here we go again daily post till we get Lisa back again.
Lisa's fine
Karen called me a few minutes ago...it is a little after 3 pm...Lisa is having a little fluid drained from her brain as we speak. It is done bedside and no surgery is involved. I needed to get home and Karen needed to tend the store. Lisa is alone and I am sure, very scared. Karen is on her way, but it will be done when she gets there. The nurses say she is doing well.
We are dealing with much. There are some set backs and we are dealing with them as well as we can. Please pray for continued therapy, getting Lisa OUT of the nursing home, getting Lisa the support she will need to be successful in her home, and for Lisa to get stronger and to get back to normal if at all possible. She is having a hard time and she is so emotional.
There is so much to blog about, it will take a good long time to catch you up. I will try really hard to do that within the next few days.
Thanks for your patience!
We are dealing with much. There are some set backs and we are dealing with them as well as we can. Please pray for continued therapy, getting Lisa OUT of the nursing home, getting Lisa the support she will need to be successful in her home, and for Lisa to get stronger and to get back to normal if at all possible. She is having a hard time and she is so emotional.
There is so much to blog about, it will take a good long time to catch you up. I will try really hard to do that within the next few days.
Thanks for your patience!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
An email from Karla...
Just a quick note
Karen and I took Lisa to the ER today after she ate her lunch. Last night she fell while reaching for a DP and landed on the floor and split her lip open . We noticed increasing confusion and severe head tilt again this morning. That is something she had prior to her shunt surgery. After trying to figure things out we decided to take her to ER. We were there all day and after running a CT scan, X rays, urine tests and blood tests they decided to keep her overnight for observation. She has a bad UTI and her ventrical valves (???) are enlarged in her brain, it was not like that the last time they checked. The Dr who performed her shunt surgery will see her tomorrow to determine what to do.
Lisa is an emotional train wreck! She cries easily and she is just pitiful.
Please keep her in your thoughts.
Karen and I took Lisa to the ER today after she ate her lunch. Last night she fell while reaching for a DP and landed on the floor and split her lip open . We noticed increasing confusion and severe head tilt again this morning. That is something she had prior to her shunt surgery. After trying to figure things out we decided to take her to ER. We were there all day and after running a CT scan, X rays, urine tests and blood tests they decided to keep her overnight for observation. She has a bad UTI and her ventrical valves (???) are enlarged in her brain, it was not like that the last time they checked. The Dr who performed her shunt surgery will see her tomorrow to determine what to do.
Lisa is an emotional train wreck! She cries easily and she is just pitiful.
Please keep her in your thoughts.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Today with Lisa
Visiting Lisa, what do you expect? I expected Lisa to be in her room and just relaxing, working on her puzzles. Not today. She was in the hallway when we (kids and I) arrived. She was facing the nurses station, she seemed to be annoyed. I walked up to her and said "HI LISA", she turned and gave me the best smile in the world! When Lisa smiles at you, it's Golden!
Amy: HI LISA (big hug and kiss) I missed you Lisa!
Lisa: I missed you too, where have you been?
A: Sadly Lisa, I have been home dealing with a lot
L: Well that's no good
A: I know, been a rough couple of weeks, but I have been thinking about you tons
L: I know.. I have been thinking about you too!
A: So.. why are you out in the hallway?
L: They kicked me out of my room!" (me...huh?)
A: Do you have a new roommate?
L: Yes AMY (very angry), and she's always throwing up!
A: Ok,so is she OK now?
L: I doubt it, and I don't care! (She's adapting)
A: Lisa, I know you care, but have you asked her why she is so sick?
L: Not really, so what have you been up to? (ready to masterfully change the subject)
The kids and I took her outside and she was totally fascinated by the firetrucks and ambulances that came by. I said "Did you call 911?" Lisa said "No silly, your kids did!"
More talking and more happy and thankful the Old Lisa is back! The Therapist came and took Lisa for her session. SHE WALKED TO THE NURSES STATION WHILE I WAS THERE! I haven't seen her walk since before her surgery. She smiled for me the whole way there! No problems, no amount of "stuff" I'm dealing with compared to that precious smile and determination she had for me! YOU GO LISA! Just a couple of weeks ago, she moved her paralyzed arm for me! Just a couple of weeks ago, her eye is opening a little more! In just a couple of weeks, "God willing", she will be back to her apartment with assistance!
Nighttime prayers, Olivia prays for her "Amazing Aunt Lisa" and "Amazing other Aunts"! I asked her what is so amazing about Lisa, she said, "MOM.. She couldn't walk all summer and now she can walk!". I asked her what is so amazing about your "other" Aunts.. "Mom.. Aunt Karla is a photographer, Aunt Karen is a salesperson, and Aunt Renee is Dominique's * KJ's mom, and you are just a Mom.." Olivia has it right, we are a bunch of "Amazing Aunts & Mom's", she has a lot to emulate when she grows up, I mean becomes our age! Now if I can figure out what "just a mom" means...
Amy: HI LISA (big hug and kiss) I missed you Lisa!
Lisa: I missed you too, where have you been?
A: Sadly Lisa, I have been home dealing with a lot
L: Well that's no good
A: I know, been a rough couple of weeks, but I have been thinking about you tons
L: I know.. I have been thinking about you too!
A: So.. why are you out in the hallway?
L: They kicked me out of my room!" (me...huh?)
A: Do you have a new roommate?
L: Yes AMY (very angry), and she's always throwing up!
A: Ok,so is she OK now?
L: I doubt it, and I don't care! (She's adapting)
A: Lisa, I know you care, but have you asked her why she is so sick?
L: Not really, so what have you been up to? (ready to masterfully change the subject)
The kids and I took her outside and she was totally fascinated by the firetrucks and ambulances that came by. I said "Did you call 911?" Lisa said "No silly, your kids did!"
More talking and more happy and thankful the Old Lisa is back! The Therapist came and took Lisa for her session. SHE WALKED TO THE NURSES STATION WHILE I WAS THERE! I haven't seen her walk since before her surgery. She smiled for me the whole way there! No problems, no amount of "stuff" I'm dealing with compared to that precious smile and determination she had for me! YOU GO LISA! Just a couple of weeks ago, she moved her paralyzed arm for me! Just a couple of weeks ago, her eye is opening a little more! In just a couple of weeks, "God willing", she will be back to her apartment with assistance!
Nighttime prayers, Olivia prays for her "Amazing Aunt Lisa" and "Amazing other Aunts"! I asked her what is so amazing about Lisa, she said, "MOM.. She couldn't walk all summer and now she can walk!". I asked her what is so amazing about your "other" Aunts.. "Mom.. Aunt Karla is a photographer, Aunt Karen is a salesperson, and Aunt Renee is Dominique's * KJ's mom, and you are just a Mom.." Olivia has it right, we are a bunch of "Amazing Aunts & Mom's", she has a lot to emulate when she grows up, I mean becomes our age! Now if I can figure out what "just a mom" means...
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
AWESOME
Karen and I met at the nursing home this morning about 7:30. We got Lisa loaded up and went to see Dr Summerlin for an 8:00 appt. We were greeted in the waiting room by Carmen, the wonderful lady who is helping us get Lisa back into her apt. Lisa was in a mood again. I think she is just so frustrated and so depressed about her situation and she can't express herself. She cried before she left the nursing home. She was quiet the whole way there. Karen was trying to get her motivated, to be happy, to just try to act happy at least. This was going to be an important Dr appt. It was going to determine her fate, as it were.
Well, we get in the room and Karen is asking Lisa what her name was, and all her information...Lisa just looked at her with this huge smile and hit her...telling her she should know! It worked! Lisa was coming out her of slump.
Dr Summerlin came in and was so happy to see Lisa. She normally, or rarely, if ever, does not see her patients after they have been in Acute Rehab. She is not their doctor, she is just there to make sure that they are getting the right Rehab for their situation. She is helping us to determine how much Lisa has progressed. She is giving us hope...giving Lisa hope.
After a physical exam and some strength assessments, the Dr touched Lisa's right side of her body and asked if she could feel it, she rubbed her calf, her ankle, her arm and her shoulder. Nothing. Lisa told her she could not feel it. Sigh...Lisa was less than enthusiastic about the whole thing. Like we were wasting her time. Ha! She is her own person!
I did not realize how much she studied and knew about Lisa. She knew all about her previous accomplishments, about all the odds she has beaten and about the determination that she has. Lisa was clearly DONE...as in, spent, irritated, and she verbally said so...done.
Dr looked at Lisa and said, "Lisa, all your life you have done what you have been told, you have always been told what to do...and you have gotten so far because of that." Lisa just looked down. She then said, "Lisa, I want to watch you walk." So we went out to the hallway and Lisa got to show her how she walks with the hemi walker. The dr was thrilled, told her how excited she was to watch her come so far since the last time she saw her! We could not have scripted this entire conversation better!!!! We told her about the plateau issue and she kinda had words for those people. She agreed with us, and she supported our mission, as it were, for more therapy. She rambled off many reasons and facts about a study about continuing therapy, and commented that Lisa is not even part of that study group, because Lisa continues to improve after everyone else has stopped (improving), it is who Lisa is, it is part of her history, it is impossible to make such a statement(about Lisa)! We have found someone who gets her! She understands Lisa! She wants Lisa to get back to her life, without being limited! Thank you!
Dr Summerlin saw Lisa 5 days after her stroke. She saw her nearly die. She saw how Lisa couldn't even open her eyes, much less respond to anything! She saw Lisa. She was absolutely thrilled to see how far she has come since the day she left the hospital!
Lisa did not want to go to see the therapists on 2nd floor. Too many memories??? I don't know. She gets teary eyed when we talk about her stroke, about her shunt. She is so brave! But we went up there and she was welcomed by many of her therapists, and one of her nurses. They were so happy to see her! Lisa was glad to see them...she was happy to leave too:) LOL!
Dr S gave Lisa her blessing to move back to the apartments, but she needs to continue working on getting out of bed and to work on her every day tasks. Carmen helped to explain all that she can do and to explain the supports needed. Dr S made some wonderful suggestions and she is in full support of Lisa getting back to the apts. One was to have OT and PT come to Lisa, for the first few weeks to figure out adaptions for real life inside her home! That is way better than what we came up with. If she prescribes it, they have to follow it...and she will prescribe it...for Lisa.
From my point of view, Lisa has some work ahead of her. But I believe that the only way that Lisa will recover to the best of her ability is to not hinder her. She needs to do for herself. She needs to have NO ONE do anything for her, things that she can do. No one needs to hold her bowl of ice cream because it slides...we can make an adaption and Lisa can figure it out. If you give in, an inch, the girl will take a mile! Anyone would! She is manipulative, but who isn't??? Really!
It is not going to be easy. Life has never been easy for Lisa. We all got comfortable with what Lisa accomplished and with what Lisa was able to do. That is not true anymore. Lisa has always needed us, and yes, we knew that. But now it is crucial for us to always be there for her. It took a stroke for us to figure it out. We're learning...more than we ever thought.
Lisa, you keep up the hard work! You are awesome, and everytime, Every. Single. Time. you ask us, "How'd I do?" the answer is, and always will be, "Awesome!"
Lisa will be much happier. She asked the Dr. "What date?" to move back...She looked at Lisa and smiled and told her by the end of Sept. We hope that the endless paperwork and the endless advocating will soon pay off. Lisa deserves it...we might even throw a party for her! Wanna come?
Well, we get in the room and Karen is asking Lisa what her name was, and all her information...Lisa just looked at her with this huge smile and hit her...telling her she should know! It worked! Lisa was coming out her of slump.
Dr Summerlin came in and was so happy to see Lisa. She normally, or rarely, if ever, does not see her patients after they have been in Acute Rehab. She is not their doctor, she is just there to make sure that they are getting the right Rehab for their situation. She is helping us to determine how much Lisa has progressed. She is giving us hope...giving Lisa hope.
After a physical exam and some strength assessments, the Dr touched Lisa's right side of her body and asked if she could feel it, she rubbed her calf, her ankle, her arm and her shoulder. Nothing. Lisa told her she could not feel it. Sigh...Lisa was less than enthusiastic about the whole thing. Like we were wasting her time. Ha! She is her own person!
I did not realize how much she studied and knew about Lisa. She knew all about her previous accomplishments, about all the odds she has beaten and about the determination that she has. Lisa was clearly DONE...as in, spent, irritated, and she verbally said so...done.
Dr looked at Lisa and said, "Lisa, all your life you have done what you have been told, you have always been told what to do...and you have gotten so far because of that." Lisa just looked down. She then said, "Lisa, I want to watch you walk." So we went out to the hallway and Lisa got to show her how she walks with the hemi walker. The dr was thrilled, told her how excited she was to watch her come so far since the last time she saw her! We could not have scripted this entire conversation better!!!! We told her about the plateau issue and she kinda had words for those people. She agreed with us, and she supported our mission, as it were, for more therapy. She rambled off many reasons and facts about a study about continuing therapy, and commented that Lisa is not even part of that study group, because Lisa continues to improve after everyone else has stopped (improving), it is who Lisa is, it is part of her history, it is impossible to make such a statement(about Lisa)! We have found someone who gets her! She understands Lisa! She wants Lisa to get back to her life, without being limited! Thank you!
Dr Summerlin saw Lisa 5 days after her stroke. She saw her nearly die. She saw how Lisa couldn't even open her eyes, much less respond to anything! She saw Lisa. She was absolutely thrilled to see how far she has come since the day she left the hospital!
Lisa did not want to go to see the therapists on 2nd floor. Too many memories??? I don't know. She gets teary eyed when we talk about her stroke, about her shunt. She is so brave! But we went up there and she was welcomed by many of her therapists, and one of her nurses. They were so happy to see her! Lisa was glad to see them...she was happy to leave too:) LOL!
Dr S gave Lisa her blessing to move back to the apartments, but she needs to continue working on getting out of bed and to work on her every day tasks. Carmen helped to explain all that she can do and to explain the supports needed. Dr S made some wonderful suggestions and she is in full support of Lisa getting back to the apts. One was to have OT and PT come to Lisa, for the first few weeks to figure out adaptions for real life inside her home! That is way better than what we came up with. If she prescribes it, they have to follow it...and she will prescribe it...for Lisa.
From my point of view, Lisa has some work ahead of her. But I believe that the only way that Lisa will recover to the best of her ability is to not hinder her. She needs to do for herself. She needs to have NO ONE do anything for her, things that she can do. No one needs to hold her bowl of ice cream because it slides...we can make an adaption and Lisa can figure it out. If you give in, an inch, the girl will take a mile! Anyone would! She is manipulative, but who isn't??? Really!
It is not going to be easy. Life has never been easy for Lisa. We all got comfortable with what Lisa accomplished and with what Lisa was able to do. That is not true anymore. Lisa has always needed us, and yes, we knew that. But now it is crucial for us to always be there for her. It took a stroke for us to figure it out. We're learning...more than we ever thought.
Lisa, you keep up the hard work! You are awesome, and everytime, Every. Single. Time. you ask us, "How'd I do?" the answer is, and always will be, "Awesome!"
Lisa will be much happier. She asked the Dr. "What date?" to move back...She looked at Lisa and smiled and told her by the end of Sept. We hope that the endless paperwork and the endless advocating will soon pay off. Lisa deserves it...we might even throw a party for her! Wanna come?
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Focus
Our focus is to get Lisa back to her apt. We had an appt on Monday with Dr Ghee. He was such a sweet man who had never saw Lisa before and had not a clue why we were there to see him. Her surgeon recommended him to us, so we went...The nursing home is pushing for Lisa to get out because she has plateaued and we were able to get her in to see the Dr. sooner than expected. The dr had Lisa take 3 steps and watched her SLOWLY do what he asked her to do, which was to lock and unlock her brakes. He talked to her and asked her questions that she did not know how to answer (he didn't know how to talk to her) and she looked to us for help. She was in a mood anyway. She was very emotional that day and would cry at the drop of a pin. The Lisa I know didn't do that before, but then again, Lisa could always do for herself. She is frustrated! I would be too, and so would anyone else.
The reason why we were there was to get his professional opinion on whether Lisa should be a person who needs 24 hour care or if she could get the 30-40 hours a week...I took Lisa to the bathroom and Karen stayed back and talked to the Dr. When we wheeled Lisa out to the car, Karen took me aside and told me that the Dr said that she should be in 24 hour care!!!!! That was a blow. I understand him. I don't question his opinion. But....that was the very first time he saw her, he has not seen the improvements she has made. He never saw her when she was dying...and he doesn't know who he is talking about.
We are staying focused on our goal and we are getting things in order for another opinion. We are going to see the Dr that saw Lisa before and after her shunt. She saw Lisa at her very worst. We pray, oh how we pray that she will see that Lisa has improved and that she belongs in her home...
The reason why we were there was to get his professional opinion on whether Lisa should be a person who needs 24 hour care or if she could get the 30-40 hours a week...I took Lisa to the bathroom and Karen stayed back and talked to the Dr. When we wheeled Lisa out to the car, Karen took me aside and told me that the Dr said that she should be in 24 hour care!!!!! That was a blow. I understand him. I don't question his opinion. But....that was the very first time he saw her, he has not seen the improvements she has made. He never saw her when she was dying...and he doesn't know who he is talking about.
We are staying focused on our goal and we are getting things in order for another opinion. We are going to see the Dr that saw Lisa before and after her shunt. She saw Lisa at her very worst. We pray, oh how we pray that she will see that Lisa has improved and that she belongs in her home...
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