February 16, 2010

Although today started out rough because of headaches, it turned out to be a better day. When I got there around lunch she was sooo in pain that she wasn't answering her own name correctly and was talking a lot of random things. She said her name was Ronald McDonald and was very serious when she said it. She talked about 2 dogs named Tipsy and Topsy and was calling out to Joanne. We ate lunch together and she ate a terrific lunch even with her headache. She laid down after and took a nap. This afternoon she seemed in a little less pain and more herself. She smiled BIG when she saw Amelia as always :) and Amelia sat in her lap for a little while. Mom ate that up. Johnny, Mom, Amelia and I all had a sit down meeting with several (like 10-15) staff members such as administration, therapy people, etc to consult with what to do about her falls so that everyone is happy. They will provide a sitter in the morning time, do therapy after the sitter time....I will come for a 2 hour lunch (and stay at work an hour later) she will take her afternoon nap, go to more therapy and by that time Johnny will be there when he gets off. Long and short....she will have her days occupied with people being with her almost all the time so that she has less of a chance to fall. Also, they changed her wheelchair and have given her a helmet.....yes, you read that right....a helmet. But, it a soft padded boxing type not a football type...although, the football type is what the initially brought and we said.....ummmm no. Also, Johnny and I have contacted several facilities and support groups to find out where she needs to be and what steps we need to do to ger her there. Willis Knighton North (which once denied her) specializes more in brain injury and they are more of a rehab rather than nursing home/rehab so we have requested her to be evaluated again. Now, this may present a problem since she is all bruised and stitched up but we will see. Mark my words though....if they do deny her again....I will call Dr. Nanda, whom said she would be able to go there after LSU, every day until he signs off on it. We will keep you posted on what happens.

This evening she ate a good dinner, played cards with Johnny and brushed her teeth. She was still in a good bit of pain but was being rational and doing well. She at first refused her helmet until Johnny told her she was gonna get him in trouble by her not wearing it. Her response was, "Okay, give it to me....tighten it up for me". :)
We are still checking into options and have messages and emails out. You better believe we are doing whatever it takes to get Mom better and back home. We love you very much Mom!