Mums and October decorations for Connie’s room at Cayuga Medical
Hi Everybody,
This update is full of a flurry of micro improvements for Connie,
Mom is settled into her new digs at Cayuga Nursing and Rehab. Dad has her digital frame up and running. The specialists there say it’s important to decorate her room with photos and items that she remembers. Nostalgia and memory are really important for the brain.
He’s also reading to her when he’s there — books of hilarity and one’s she’s read before. I think the Harry Potter series is in progress.
Her responsiveness has been slow, but it’s happening. Last week during individual Facetime calls with all three of her kids, she woke up and recognized who was on the video line. There was a unmistakable sparkle in her eyes, and the faintest of smiles. She even tried to whisper something in response to all the love and adoration I was sending her. We were each texting and calling each other afterwards like, “guess what just happened!” That improvement alone has been so heartening for us.
Dad said he’s even tried out a few of his jokes on her. She raised her eye brows half in surprise and half in disapproval, which is what she usually does when he has bad jokes, so it’s good to know that hasn’t changed.
Her friend, Jody Creeden, has been bringing her flowers and gifts, including natural essential oil perfumes. Olfactory sensory experiences are powerful to wake up the deep compartments of the mind.
When I called on Sunday, Jody was in there with my dad. I was on speaker phone, and Jody kept asking mom to squeeze her hand if she recognized my voice or understood parts of my stories, and every time she would give Jody a big squeeze.
This week she will continue her PT, OT, and speech. They are working with her to get her upright and in the wheelchair so she can get outside to enjoy sights and smells of peak autumn atmosphere in the Finger Lakes. She’s doing lots of activities and exercises to start to sharpen her responses, thinking, speaking, etc.
It’s a long road, but we’re on it. We’re movin’.
I’ve been sending my dad recordings of my mom playing piano that we’ve done over the years. He said she’s recognizing her piano playing and the songs. Here is one below of mom playing on stage at Ithaca College on May 29, 2019.
Thank you all again for staying in tune with Connie’s recovery. The love and support from all her family and friends are going to continue motivating and encouraging her every single day. She’s always had discipline and determination, practice and work ethic. Those are important traits more than ever.
With love,
Luka
PS Jody and I were talking about how dogs feel always feel comfortable and cozy with Connie. So below are a couple images of Mom getting loved on by big dogs.
