Post #3: A Long Road Ahead

Dear Everyone,

The better news is that today Anita was moved from Room 10A to Room 9A at Premier Healthcare. This is a beneficial change as her former roommate, Rita, although a nice enough person was also a very talkative and rather nosiy one. Anita's new roommate is an older woman who appears to be very quiet. Addtionally this roommate keeps the window blinds open which allows Mother to look out at green trees and the outside.

However, today was also discouraging. I was informed by her speech therapist that Mother is not only refusing to engage in speech therapy but worse, she is refusing to eat. Refusal to eat is a typical symptom of depression. The depression was expected but that's hardly a consolation. Of course, we all are constantly encouraging her to eat and to do her physical, occupational and speech therapy, but ultimately the decision to fight her way back is hers. As a consequence, John did not have a good day today and really needs all the support possible.

The "upside" is that it is still early on. It has been barely a week since the stroke and the professionals at Premier are saying that it can take from two to three weeks before the patient's "self-direction" can be determined. So we must wait and see.

A plus for Anita today was that my brother Ed arrived and spent the bulk of the day with her. I observed them together and Mom was responding and clearly (to me and to Ed) comprehending what was being said and was happy that he was here. This is a positive sign.

So a mixed bag kind of day. Hopefully I can report more positive news tomorrow.
Melissa


.