My new motto is "One Day at a Time."

After 50 days in the hospital, I got to bring Mom home yesterday. I must admit that I was a little nervous about having both Mom and Dad here to take care of. Yesterday's discharge was a long, drawn-out process. But, it turned out to be a blessing because the very minute I was pulling out of the parking lot, my phone rang. It was the Moran Eye center calling and I was able to go pick up some documents I need for Dad that otherwise would have taken several more days to receive. Glad the timing worked out that I was able to pick up the documents while I was still at the hospital campus.

I know things will smooth out and I'll be able to figure out a routine with Mom and Dad once Dad is in school M-F and we know when home health will be coming. This morning it was 10:00 before I got my breakfast and 10:30 before I got my shower. But I did get Mom dressed, breakfasted, teeth brushed, toileted twice and up and down the stairs before then. Dad is really learning to be as independent as he can be and that will improve I know.

Another blessing is that the blind school arranged a ride for Dad back and forth to school until he gets trained to use the bus. That is a huge relief off my shoulders!

I am constantly praying for patience and long-suffering so that this can be as pleasant as possible for all of us.

One day at a time!

The wait is over. . . or is it?

Monday when Dad and I went to the hospital they moved Mom to rehab! What an interesting experience this is for me. I am learning so much about brains and how they work. I am amazed at how many processes are involved in eating. Picking up the spoon, rotating it in your hand properly, getting the spoon to the food, getting the food on the spoon, keeping the food on the spoon while you bring it to your mouth, getting the food into your mouth, closing your mouth on the spoon, pulling the spoon out and leaving the food in, then swallowing! Whew it makes me tired watching Mom re-learn all this. She has made incredible progress this week with rehab. She is awake most of the time and working hard to re-learn. She still has no short-term memory. I don't think she can read, although she can recognize letters. She repeats the same questions over and over. But she is walking with support and a walker.

This week I feel like the critical part is finally over and we are on the road to recovery! Finally! But she still has so much to learn. And so do I as care-giver. We have such a long road ahead of us. But another bit of good news. Dad is starting "blind school" this week as a day student. So, I will drop him off at 8:00 am and pick him up at 4:00 pm. While he is learning, I will go to the hospital and help mom with her therapy. We are going to have to re-figure this if Mom is released from rehab before Dad can get into the apartments and be a live-in student. But the sooner he is self-sufficient and independent, the sooner he can help me take care of Mom :)

I have a wonderful family! Lauren provided me with an opportunity to get away to play this weekend. Jessianne facilitated it. So, I went ice-climbing for the first time! In Ouray, Colorado. It was as hard as I thought it would be, but it was MUCH, MUCH funner than I thought. It was a really great weekend. Thanks girls! for giving me a respite! I love you!

Still Waiting

I keep wanting to wait to blog until I have news that Mom has been released from the hospital. But she hasn't. The doctors are keeping her, watching, hoping she will be strong enough to go right to rehab rather than a nursing facility and then rehab. In the mean time, she needs another surgery on Thursday to repair a small leak. Poor Mom!!!

Dad is staying with us for a while. This is all so up-in-the-air! We don't know how long Mom's recovery will take and we don't know what her abilities will be like when this is over. It's hard to make any plans. Still just taking it a day at a time. Still appreciating all the friends and family giving us so much love and support!