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