Hope
Hi Friends,
Today was a productive day for me. Thanks to sweet Monica, I was able to get some errands done that normally otherwise would have been very difficult using public transportation. Jillian and I visited mom earlier in the day, and when we arrived she was hanging out in her wheelchair in the hall. We thought since it was such a nice day, we'd investigate what it might take to be able to take her outside for a walk. It actually was much easier than we thought - they gave us an hour pass and we went outside! Had I known it was so easy, I would have done it days ago (although now that I think of it, she may not have been given clearance earlier)! We walked around the block a few times, and she got some fresh air and some sun...I think she really enjoyed it, and I know I did. When we got back inside, she got back into bed to rest a bit before her next therapy session, and Jillian and I left with Monica to run the errands.
When we returned, mom was just finishing up with her physical therapy session...the therapist told us they had gotten her yet another wheelchair...this one is not a tilt chair, does not have a headrest, and pretty much looks like a normal wheelchair. The difference is that it's a bit lower than a normal one, and the footrests were off. For her therapy today, they had her propel herself all the way around the unit in her new chair using her feet, and she did it! The therapist said she needed some prompting, and she took some rests along the way, but she made it all the way around! :)
The rest of the afternoon I just spent visiting with her and talking to her. Lilly was able to stop by for a bit before she had to go to work, and it was great to see her! At 5:30, I went to the weekly Circle of Caring session, and today's topic was "Personal Relationships After Brain Injury." It wasn't a whole lot I didn't already know or experience, but was sort of a validation of what to expect and what was happening, and that I should be thankful for what gifts I do have (i.e. when mom expresses concern for me) because it could be a lot worse. Ugh.
It's funny what we become thankful for...it's all so relative. Everything is, I suppose...but please, take the time and be thankful for what you have because you never know what tomorrow brings. I know it's going to be hard, but from now on I am going to make a supreme, conscious effort to appreciate what I have in the grand scheme of things. I have my mom...yes, she is different from the mom I had 5 1/2 weeks ago and always will be, but I have her...to hug and kiss, to tell me she loves me and to hold my hand. And I have all of you who care so much and don't hesitate to show it. I have my health so that I can work and take care of mom. And I have hope. In the face of all this, I'm holding on to hope with both hands.
Today was a productive day for me. Thanks to sweet Monica, I was able to get some errands done that normally otherwise would have been very difficult using public transportation. Jillian and I visited mom earlier in the day, and when we arrived she was hanging out in her wheelchair in the hall. We thought since it was such a nice day, we'd investigate what it might take to be able to take her outside for a walk. It actually was much easier than we thought - they gave us an hour pass and we went outside! Had I known it was so easy, I would have done it days ago (although now that I think of it, she may not have been given clearance earlier)! We walked around the block a few times, and she got some fresh air and some sun...I think she really enjoyed it, and I know I did. When we got back inside, she got back into bed to rest a bit before her next therapy session, and Jillian and I left with Monica to run the errands.
When we returned, mom was just finishing up with her physical therapy session...the therapist told us they had gotten her yet another wheelchair...this one is not a tilt chair, does not have a headrest, and pretty much looks like a normal wheelchair. The difference is that it's a bit lower than a normal one, and the footrests were off. For her therapy today, they had her propel herself all the way around the unit in her new chair using her feet, and she did it! The therapist said she needed some prompting, and she took some rests along the way, but she made it all the way around! :)
The rest of the afternoon I just spent visiting with her and talking to her. Lilly was able to stop by for a bit before she had to go to work, and it was great to see her! At 5:30, I went to the weekly Circle of Caring session, and today's topic was "Personal Relationships After Brain Injury." It wasn't a whole lot I didn't already know or experience, but was sort of a validation of what to expect and what was happening, and that I should be thankful for what gifts I do have (i.e. when mom expresses concern for me) because it could be a lot worse. Ugh.
It's funny what we become thankful for...it's all so relative. Everything is, I suppose...but please, take the time and be thankful for what you have because you never know what tomorrow brings. I know it's going to be hard, but from now on I am going to make a supreme, conscious effort to appreciate what I have in the grand scheme of things. I have my mom...yes, she is different from the mom I had 5 1/2 weeks ago and always will be, but I have her...to hug and kiss, to tell me she loves me and to hold my hand. And I have all of you who care so much and don't hesitate to show it. I have my health so that I can work and take care of mom. And I have hope. In the face of all this, I'm holding on to hope with both hands.
Comments
Love you, keep the reports on progress coming.