Mom/Deena/Granny is HOME!!!

She's doing GREAT & happy to be home!

Shopping Day! - Monday, February 22

I just got back with Deena from her "field trip" to Albertsons, where she performed remarkably well for being 10 days removed from brain surgery!! As part of her recovering the "executive functioning" portion of that frontal lobe, she was given a recipe for fudge brownies (which she will go in the kitchen tomorrow and prepare). She had to go to the store and buy all the required ingredients. I was a little concerned when I got here about 12:45 (to relieve Eric--in case I haven't mentioned it before, Eric and I are "tag-teaming" Deena--he comes in the morning and I in the afternoon and evening, or vice versa.) She did not have such a good night's sleep, so she was pretty tired and I worried about her going on this shopping venture. However, she did well--got to ride in the car--push the cart--the whole nine yards!

Her strength improves every day. Her movements are still slower and there is some imbalance along the way every now and then, but her functioning is definitely improving. I believe the plan is to still have her go home on Wednesday (YEAH!!) and continue with some out-patient therapy at a hospital nearer home.

I have tried to remember to pass on all of your thoughts and wishes and prayers for her, and she wants all of you to know how grateful she is for all of you.

Jaron

February 20 - Some Pictures

First Picture: David Wayne visiting my mother - David's had a terrible bout with cancer, yet he continues to smile, speak encouraging words to everyone, and handle his "situation" with grace and dignity.

Second Picture: Granny with Eric who along with my dad have been by my mom's side the whole time. They've been just awesome. Best caretakers money can't buy!

February 18, 2010 Update

I know I said yesterday was the last update, but we just had an evaluation with the team here, so I thought I would fill you in with that information. She is doing remarkably well, given the tremendous amount of swelling that had occurred prior to surgery, coupled with whatever the surgery produced. The upshot of the evaluation was that she will probably be here until next Wednesday, and then would be released to do out patient therapy from home.

Her movements have improved, her energy is coming back (although the therapy sessions pretty much exhaust her at this point), and her understanding improves each day. The pacing item seems to be the "executive functioning" element which I think I have described in earlier emails: inputting information, making a decision, initiating action to implement that decision, etc. It was that type of activity that was so difficult for her prior to the surgery--the swelling had significantly impacted that area apparently.

All in all, the team of therapists here were very impressed with her progress to this point, given the severity of her illness. We appreciate all the thoughts coming her way from all of you. I hope my next update will be--"She's Home"!!

Above is a picture of Granny in one of the hats her granddaughters picked out for her.

Jaron

“Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do.”

—Emmanuel Swedenborg
(1688-1772); philosopher, scientist, theologian

February 17, 2010

Eric had early morning duty today, and I drew the late shift, so this message is a little delayed. Given the fact that they have moved her into the Rehab section of Mayo, and everything seems to be going as smoothly as can be expected, this will probably be the last daily report for a while. Deena asked me to again tell you all thanx for your prayers, thoughts, best wishes and other good vibrations that have been sent her way in the last week. They have helped.

I think Deena was a little reticent about going into rehab, but she nows sees clearly that she needs the physical, occupational and speech therapy that they are providing her. She even admitted to me a few moments ago that she was pretty tired!! She has had over 3 hours of different therapies today, so I told her she deserved to be tired. She is in much better spirits today than yesterday. It's amazing what a good night's sleep will do for you!

I am assuming that they may keep her here at least a week, but that depends completely on her progress. If anything changes dramatically, I will let you know.

Thanx again for all your support through all of this!

Jaron

February 16, 2010

Deena had a little bit of a rough night last night--had a hard time falling asleep and then had elevated blood pressure during the night, so they had to give her medication for that. She is a little groggy this morning, but as I am typing this, she is sitting on the edge of the bed reading a magazine and perking up considerably.

It has been quite remarkable that she has had NO pain throughout all of this. None! They have given her no pain medication whatsoever. Even when they examine her incision or replace the covering, she doesn't feel one bit of discomfort. I think that fact alone has helped her to regain some of her mental faculties a little more quickly than we anticipated.

Today they will be moving her to an intense rehab wing here at Mayo where she will get at least 3 hours of therapy every day. We asked them how long she might be in there (given what, to us, appears to be some pretty dramatic improvement already). They gave an outside figure of 10 days, although they do a reevaluation every 2 or 3 days. Bottom line of all that is that if she continues to improve every day as she has in the last 5, I do not anticipate that she will be there for the 10 day period. She still gets checked on by the neurosurgeon and his assistants while there, and is completely monitored at all times as well. Of course, she wants to go home, but she did admit to wanting to tuck one of the nurses in her pocket and take her home with her!! I think the rehab effort will be comforting to her and to all of us.

Once she does get home, Darci, Shayna, Megan and Sami have already outfitted her with several hats, head scarves, housecoats and jammies!!

Once again, thanx to all of you for your prayers in Deena's behalf!

To confirm my earlier "perking up" assessment-she is currently getting a shower!! Even washing her 1/2 head of hair!!

Jaron

February 15, 2010

I arrived this morning about 6:30 and found her sitting on the edge of the bed reading a newspaper! Her physical strength is coming back remarkably for all the trauma she has been through. (For those of you who are a little squeamish, I will not include a photo of the incision, but it runs from ear to ear across the top of her head and currently has roughly 60 staples holding it back together!!) The Doctor just left and pronounced her doing very, very well, with the wound healing nicely and her demeanor, responsiveness, strength and appetite(!) representing a speedy recovery.

I think the current plan is to probably move her into the Mayo Rehab wing tomorrow. There she will receive at least 3 hours of intensive therapy (physical, functional, speech) every day. I am speculating that, given the progress of the last 5 days, she will not be long in that rehab facility. The purpose of that unit is to just make sure that she can function as safely and effectively as possible once she gets home.

All in all, her progress has been very satisfying. She is still swollen and discolored around her left eye and cheek, but that improves each day.

Once again, we are thankful for all your thoughts and prayers on her behalf!

Jaron