April 27, 2010

Mom is doing sooo well everyone! She is participating in therapy 6 days a week and keeping the nurses busy with keeping up with her lol. She goes in and out of rooms, leaves her shoes, takes some books lol. We worry about her doing this but the ppl at this new place are soooo very nice and are completely unphased about it. They just say, "let her do it....it will help her learn". So, Johnny showed up today and she had all her stuff packed up in boxes lol. Despite her being a little confused, she is getting better and better with being able to have a conversation and understanding more. She reached out for Amelia today and when Amelia didn't want to go to her or hug her....Mom pretended to cry (which is a pretty complicated brain function) and then Amelia said "sorry Mimi and hugged her. :) Johnny has filled out more paperwork for us to be able to get her into adult daycare which means one step closer to her coming home. YAY! Will keep you posted :)

April 23, 2010

Oh my goodness guys! She is doing soooo great. As soon as Amelia and I walked in she instantly reached out for Amelia and said "oh, Amelia I missed you"! She told me a number of times how much she missed me too :) Her and Johnny were getting all her things settled in her NEW room since she was complained on by the lady in her last room for talking too much lol so she was moved). Oh and Johnny found her wandering into someones room and putting on their robe (whoops). Although her memory is still poor and her rambling is still there, she is doing better and better. And...even when she does ramble, a very slight verbal redirection is all that is needed because she is so calm and passive. Also, her sweetness did not go anywhere either :) I can't count the number of times she hugged or kissed us.

WAY TO GO MOM!!!! We knew you would work hard to get this far....and we know how hard you will continue to work too!

Love you so much!

April 22, 2010

Mom had a long trip yesterday from New Orleans back to here and although tired, she was in good spirits! It was a driver and nurse that went to get her and bring her back (which was really nice of them). She didn't get into town until almost 9 pm and Johnny met her up there to get her settled in and situated. He said she looked great....her color was good and even though she was tired....she still ate a dinner before bed. I spoke to her on the phone for a good while and she sounded great. Amelia and I plan to go up there here in a little while to visit and then Johnny will be up there too after he gets off work.
The new place for now is:

HERITAGE MANOR OF BOSSIER
2575 AIRLINE DRIVE
BOSSIER CITY, LA 71111

318-746-7466

Will add to this later tonight to let you all know how she is adjusting to her new temporary home. Bye for now

April 18, 2010

Just got off the phone with Mom as she is about to turn in for the night. Physically she is doing GREAT! She is also doing well with her continence...however, she is still really really confused. Tonight she told me that the darn raccoon bit her again on her leg and that is why it hurts so bad and why she is so sleepy. We are really hoping she will cognitively get better once she gets back here.....which will be next Wednesday. sigh. Don't get me wrong....I miss and love her very much but also believe Touro is the place she needs to be but unfortunately her insurance disagrees. They will deliver her to us if she goes to a nursing home.....so we are trying to find her one for a short period of time to where in the meantime we can try to get her into an adult daycare facility. She has already been approved for the EDA LA adult daycare program....thanks to Johnny for signing up for it. There are 2 places here in town and I have already been to one that a friend of mine Aunt goes to and was pleased. I will go by there again tomorrow to get the paperwork for Johnny and I to fill out. The social worker will get back in touch with me on what she found out about the new list of 5 nursing facilities tomorrow (as Mom has already been denied to 4 places on the old list so far). Willis Knighton actually said, "we do not feel that Pamela Rosado will ever cognitively get better". I was so angry and hurt.....so was Johnny. I hope they are not right and that Mom SOARS with improvement to prove them wrong.

She is so sweet and told me to tell everyone "not to worry about her bc she is A ok" :)

April 13, 2010

Wow do I have a lot to post! Mom is doing sooooooo well guys! Johnny and I drove down there Sunday morning and she was excited to see us. Although still mixed up, answering a ton of questions....even ones right before the aneurysm. Like, what street do you live on....what is the address! How about THAT for short term memory! YAY MOM! We went and stayed with Mom and Dad Dooley in Baton Rouge (thanks again guys...love ya) and drove back out to New Orleans Monday morning for me to take a class on brain injury (all components including her leaving Touro). Johnny dlearned all about what items they need for the house, how to use them and helped her with all her therapies. Let me tell you, from the little I saw and everything he was telling me....they WORK THEM OUT! Very intensive yet very warm and friendly environment. These therapist love their job and their patients. I was SUPER impressed! Oh, and get this.....on the fourth floor they have a 'mini town' that has a real car (for patients and families to practice properly getting in and out of it), a half bus, curbs, bridges, a mini diner, movie theater steps and seats, a mini grocery store and a fake bank". I am sure there a few more but these are the ones that stand out. All of these are used to simulate 'real life' situation and they are played out as if they were out in the world. This place is amazing and we can tell just how much it has helped her in the 3 weeks she has been there (she is walking on her own, with barely any balance problems). So here is where the bad news comes in. Sigh. She needs to stay there a little longer (even a few more weeks would be nice) because her cognitive part is still a lot lacking and needs to be there for the cognitive rehabilitation. Problem is.....insurance doesn't care about that part. They want her out April 21. She needs 24 hour supervision. Johnny can take FMLA (which will allow him to take the time off without losing his job....however.....it is unpaid leave. I can't take leave bc I am up for promotion and have already taken SOOOOO many days. So, it is looking like our options are: We bring her home and Johnny takes his leave when there is a mortgage to be paid still, or she goes into another nursing home. SIGH!
He and I are checking into options and programs to sign her up for (he has already made a ton of phone calls) but these programs take time and there is usually a waiting list involved. We still don't know what we are going to do but will keep you posted!

One thing to keep in mind (even with all this stress part) she is doing really really good guys! What a blessing that is! We are so proud of you Mom! LOVE YOU

April 6, 2010

Sorry for the long delay in updating the blog y'all! Mom is doing well and me, Brent and Johnny got to spend time with her this past weekend. (Amelia stayed at her Grandma and Papa's house in Baton Rouge). Both her Saturday and Sunday were filled with us hanging out with her talking, playing cards, doing laundry (she helped :) and strolling around to the observation area. She is in good spirits and adjusting well to and participating well with her therapies. She is still a good bit confused /rambling but we really really hope that improves as time goes on. I showed her video footage of Amelia as well as a ton of pictures....she really enjoyed this as you can imagine. They tentatively have her release date as April 21 (as in a few weeks) but from what I gathered from the nurse, it's a normal insurance thing to set a release date and then do an extension. Not sure what the next step will be after Touro....home health care? Not sure yet...but you can know one thing...she is getting better all the time and working her tail off to come home. Muwaahh Mom....we are so dang proud of you and love you sooooooooooooooo very much. It was great seeing you and keep up the good work. See you next weekend!