Post #1: Another journey has begun

Dear All,

Please pardon the lateness of this posting. It has been a long day, jet lag is still there, and what has been happening, as you can imagine, is very challenging. I arrived in Palm Desert yesterday in the late afternoon. John picked me up at the airport and before heading to the house we stopped off at the Eisenhower Medical Center to see Mama. I saw her again today in the late afternoon before they moved her to a rehabiliation facility. John and I are heading over there tomorrow to see her and to assess what can be done to make her environ a bit more home-like and familiar looking.

As Kelley has so faithfully and dilgently reported, she passed the "swallow test" and has avoided having to have a stomach feeding tube inserted. Because of this she has now been able to be transferred to the rehab facility. This is vital as her continued improvement depends on a steady regimen of physical and speech therapy and other exercises and programs developed for persons who have suffered strokes. Her right side is still immobile, however she has a very strong grip with her left hand, was turning her head from side to side in response to the conversation around her - John on one side and me on the other - and was trying to adjust her sheet and blanket. Her expressions are in her face - the raised eyebrows, the curved-in-laughter side of her mouth, the tears that drop from her eyes from time to time. Her eyes vary between sharp and focused to misty and withdrawn. Although she can't speak, she does make slight cough-like sounds and moves her mouth in what appears to be attempts to speak. She responds to questions and comments, but some of her responses are difficult to interpret. It is still not possible to grasp exactly what she comprehends and what she doesn't.

It's a matter of time and day-to-day and step-by-step progrees. But the most heartwarming and encouraging note today came from the other woman patient in Mom's room . Her name is Rosalie and she looks roughly near the same age as Mom. While John and I were sitting and talking to Mom, the dividing-curtain between the two beds was suddenly pinched and drawn towards Rosalie's bed and she called out something. I went around to see if there was a problem and was astounded when, instead of a problem, Rosalie said (and I'm paraphrasing) "Your mother is a very lucky woman to be so very loved. Everybody loves her. A woman with that much love will survive and recover." Then Rosalie's own daughter arrived and was just as loving and gracious as her mother. I take this all as a most favorable omen!

John has been through emotional and physical hell. A more dedicated, loving presence at Mama's bedside I cannot imagine. He has sat with her daily, all day long giving her the most loving and upbeat-as-possible encouragement. Now that she is at the rehab facility a routine will develop that will aid John significantly and enable him to tend to himself, to take care of things at home and participate in activities that will help alleviate his stress.

So, more news tomorrow after we have visited the new facility and and watch the beginning of what I am certain in my heart will be continued improvement by Mom.

Good night and thanks to everyone for their continued love and support.

Melissa