All mom’s get-well cards and her digital frame of family pictures
We’re here!
Michelle and I flew in over night on Wednesday and came straight to Upstate Thursday morning. Mom was overjoyed to see us. The nurses said she kept asking when we were going to show up.
We found out from her nurses that she’s rather a celebrity on this floor. The team fight amongst themselves to be the one to be with her. They all know and love her personality and her stories.
We spent all morning with her, and then Daddyo showed up. Family around her is the best medicine.
We’ve known this, but we were able to witness it in-person: When her blood pressure is high and it’s pushing through her brain, that’s when her memory and cognition are the sharpest. Then mid day, they have her take a medication that stops the contractions of the blood vessels. This medication causes her blood pressure to drop, and so does her ability to stay focused.
When she tries to fall asleep, which she needs badly, they wake her up every hour to check her. This leads to delirium and exhaustion. Brutal cycle.
TODAY, August 30th I read her all of the notes of every get well card on her table. Pure joy. We brought mom her digital picture frame that rotates through thousands of photos we’ve all loaded on there. There’s pictures of the grandkids, the doggies and puppies, old pictures and new pictures, vacations and travels. She watches it and remembers all the stories around the photos and people.
I was there when her physical therapist came in. This lady was no bullshit. She needed to be a little stern to get Mom to focus and not watch the picture frame. But get this: I watched Mom sit up. I watched her stand up. I watched her move to a new chair in her room. I watched her stand up again. I watched her take steps forward. I watched her take steps backwards. I watched her stand on her tippie toes. I watched her take deep breaths and raise her hands above her head.
The PT said she has no significant weaknesses on either side of her body. She needs to walk! And walk she will. Walking will be a big part of next week, and from here on out.
Then the music therapist, Sierra, came in and played the guitar. Mom sang and remembered the word to Beatles songs with her. Like she IMMEDIATELY started singing and humming. And smiling so big. We obviously bragged about mom’s career as a music teacher. We showed Sierra some of the recorded songs that Mom played on piano at a recital she did in 2019 at Ithaca College. Sierra is going to come back with the choir on Tuesday. I told her to come by this room as often as she is here.
Anddd then a bunch of nurses and doctors came in. There was music, and bleeps and bloops, people talking over each other — a regular Friday party.
When they were gone. Things quieted down. Mom talked to Mia on the phone and gave her a very thorough round up of her busy day.
I talked to her case manager. We started thinking about all the different scenarios that will happen over the next few weeks. Lot’s of possibilities. We’re staying very positive.
Jake will be here tomorrow to bring her even more encouragement.
I’ll write again soon. Love to all of you.
- Luka and Michelle