26 July 2008

A Mum update, and an Award

I saw Mum the weekend after her stroke, and I must say that I was a little shocked, but also surprised at how well she seemed to be coping.

Her speech is slurred, but she is able to be understood.

She has regained movement in her left leg, but is not standing as yet. Her left arm is pretty much immobile, but she is able to shrug her shoulder. All in all she is making progress and some progress is definitely better than none at all.

Her spirits are amazingly high, she is giving cheek and complaining about the food she says that the food is 'S#!(' LOL. Her swallowing reflex has been affected and her food has to be the consistency of honey to prevent it going straight to her lungs, this is highly undesirable as she has a lung infection on top of everything else. She is very thirsty and is always asking for a weak black tea with a dash of cold water, or a beer LOL.

She has been dehydrated and has had a nasal-gastric tube put in place to increase her fluid intake, and the silly bugger pulled it out. It has been re-inserted, along with a trip to the hospital, she is now in a place that specialises in re-hab, for an x-ray to ensure that the positioning is correct and her right hand is now sporting a sock which has been taped on to prevent her from pulling it out again.

While I was visiting her she complained that her dentures had not been cleaned since the stroke, five days, so she asked me to clean them for her. Now, I am the only one in my family the youngest of five, that has their own teeth, and of all the people to ask, she asked me LOL. Well I gave it a shot and did the best that I could, she said that they felt better.

I would sincerely like to thank each and everyone of you that have left comments about Mum, it is so comforting to know that so many people are thinking of Mum and my family during this time. While talking to Dad on the phone one night, I told him that I had blogged about Mum and I told him about the messages that I had received, he was so touched he was actually crying and he said that it was wonderful to know that so many were thinking of us. Thanks everyone.

Ann has very kindly bestowed an award on me and my blog. On her blog she said that she was impressed with my cake decorating abilities, see previous posts where I made a Pirate Ship cake for Joel's birthday. Thanks so much Ann.

The 'rules' of the award are as follows:

1 Put the logo on your blog
2 Add a link to the person who awarded you
3 Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4 Add links to those blogs on yours
5 Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

I am not going to nominate any blogs, sorry Ann, but everyone who is a regular reader, or those who have left a comment regarding Mum, please accept this award from me.

My next post will include a prize, and some wip pictures.

21 comments:

mainely stitching said...

I'm so glad your Mum is making progress. It's slow recovering after a stroke, but the biggest factor in how far she'll recover is her own attitude - and it sounds like she has that in spades! :D

Anonymous said...

Sounds like your Mum is making good progress!

Karoline said...

Glad to hear your Mum is making progress

Anonymous said...

Your Mom, Dad and you will continue in our prayers. I'm happy to hear MUM is making progress.

I feel for her with the nasogastric tube. My DH had one --- said it was annoying!

Petra said...

Glad to hear your mum is making progress and has a little sense of humor, it's important!
Take care of yourself as well!
Petra

Carla said...

I'm glad to read your mom is doing better :)

Kim B said...

It sounds like your mom is in capable hands. Your whole family is in our prayers.

Ranae said...

I hope your mum continues to do well.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you were able to go visit your Mum. Times like this it is really important to be able to give a hug in person.

Praying for continued improvement in her health.

Monica said...

I'm sorry to hear about your mum's stroke, but I am so glad you were able to visit with her and shine her teeth for her... now she will more happily smile as she continues her road of healing.

My heart is with you and my prayers are for your Mum's rehab and recovery... may you all enjoy the tightness of your family bonds in the days ahead and find precious moments and thankfulness for all that this season holds, even though her stroke was not anticipated or desired. :)

hugs to you all...

Jenna said...

That had to be both a good and bad experience to see your mum for the first time since the stroke. Good to see how she is progressing in her recovery but bad to see how the stroke affected her. I'm sorry that you are all having to go through this difficult time, but I know you'll get through it and everything will be okay. *hug*

Dani - tkdchick said...

I'm glad your Mom is shoing signs of progress. You've got a long hard road infront of you... keep your chin up!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about your mum's stroke Joanne. Glad to read hear that she is coping well and making progress - I will keep your family in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I too, am sorry to hear about your Mum. She sounds like a strong person, so she may surprise you and be more like her old self in no time. You just never know.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I thought you may have misread the line about my brother's friend. If it had been my brother, I don't think I'd be blogging for a while.
Please visit again anytime.

Anonymous said...

Thankyou for your comment on my blog Joanne. I'm so sorry to hear about your mum, but glad to hear she's coping. My Aunt also had a stroke recently, she's in a similar state at the moment. Rapid response is the biggest factor in recovery, so lucky your dad was able to get your mum to hospital so fast.

Beatrice said...

Lovely for you to have received that award. Congratulations.
I'm glad to hear there is some improvement with your Mom. My thoughts are with all of you. Take care of yourself as well!

You asked if I was ready to do my HAED now. Well I promised myself I would do a bit of clean up in my WIP. bag first so probably not until the winter. If I can hold off.
In the mean time I'm enjoying the picture and getting used to it...It's Large!
Take care.

staci said...

So glad that you were able to see your mum. Sending lots of get well wishes for a full and speedy recovery :)

Hazel said...

Awww big hugs to you and your family through this very difficult time. xx

Sharon said...

Great to hear that your Mom is making progress and so lovely too that she is in good spirits. I wish I could send her that beer-lol That was just too cute! Wishing you all the best and congrats on your award!

Pumpkin said...

I am SO sorry to hear about your Mom Joanne! I'm very behind on my Blogs and emails so I have just read this :o( Please know that I am thinking of you and your family and wish your Mom the very best. It sounds like she is quite the fighter :o) ((((HUGS))))

I want to thank YOU for the support you gave me after Brie's accident. It's amazing how the internet can bring people together even though they have never met each other.

Lynn said...

Lots of hugs for you and your family during this difficult time. It is positive to see that your Mum is making progress though. Every little bit counts!

An Aussie girl who loves to cross stitch