AYNSLEY:
Another restful and relaxing day for my parents. The weather on both coasts called for a lazy day with naps and warm food and my parents were happy to oblige. (Gary and I couldn't quite nap, but we sure were lazy!) Mom sounded great. This weekend was so relaxing and restorative, especially compared to last weekend. And after a week of hard work in physical therapy and seeing improvements from her last stay in the hospital, it was easier to enjoy the break. I know she'll be ready for the upcoming week of more hard work.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
8.13.11
AYNSLEY:
Today was a good day. My parents both slept in and had a relaxing, leisurely day. A dear friend came at 10am to spend time with Mom, allowing Dad to get out to the driving range and then home to shower. They enjoyed lunch with more friends, and Mom got in some great naps. I'm always happy when I hear of these restorative days, especially when Mom sounds happy and rested and not exhausted.
Gary and I celebrated our marriage with a New York reception that my fabulous in-laws hosted. Ross and Claudia, plus some very special people from Seattle, California and Chicago were in attendance in addition to our NY/NJ family and friends. It felt funny to be the pregnant "bride" but it was such a great opportunity to see many of the people that I've been missing with my frequent cross-country trips. Gary's extended family and friend network is very much like mine and it was an amazing day to be surrounded by love. And my parents received text messages, emails and video updates of the party: the speeches, the Beatles cover band (oh, yeah-that happened), and the many many well wishes for their future granddaughter.
Today was a good day. My parents both slept in and had a relaxing, leisurely day. A dear friend came at 10am to spend time with Mom, allowing Dad to get out to the driving range and then home to shower. They enjoyed lunch with more friends, and Mom got in some great naps. I'm always happy when I hear of these restorative days, especially when Mom sounds happy and rested and not exhausted.
Gary and I celebrated our marriage with a New York reception that my fabulous in-laws hosted. Ross and Claudia, plus some very special people from Seattle, California and Chicago were in attendance in addition to our NY/NJ family and friends. It felt funny to be the pregnant "bride" but it was such a great opportunity to see many of the people that I've been missing with my frequent cross-country trips. Gary's extended family and friend network is very much like mine and it was an amazing day to be surrounded by love. And my parents received text messages, emails and video updates of the party: the speeches, the Beatles cover band (oh, yeah-that happened), and the many many well wishes for their future granddaughter.
Friday, August 12, 2011
8.12.11
AYNSLEY:
Mom had her best day yet since being out of the hospital. She can tell she's making strength and balance gains and even though she's not nearly where she wants to be, she can see progress and that's encouraging. Hearing her say "I'm feeling good" when I ask how she is is pretty great. I'll take it any day.
Mom had her best day yet since being out of the hospital. She can tell she's making strength and balance gains and even though she's not nearly where she wants to be, she can see progress and that's encouraging. Hearing her say "I'm feeling good" when I ask how she is is pretty great. I'll take it any day.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
8.11.11
AYNSLEY:
Ross spent the night last night with Mom, which is always such a nice thing for so many reasons: Dad gets to sleep at home, shower before going to work and unwind a little bit; Ross doesn't have to wake up early so both he and Mom can sleep in as long as they want; Ross gets lots of quality time and Mom and vice versa, etc etc.
So, sleep in they did. And when Mom did wake up, it was a little easier to swallow than yesterday. Her x-rays came back clean and clear, so that's good news. I suggested that maybe there's something in the room air and if she sleeps with her mouth open, she inhales it and that's what's causing the difficulty. She doesn't think so, though.
The day was a good one: a challenging but rewarding PT session, including 15 minutes on the bike and a bit of a wobbly walk, but still a walk; an afternoon soak in the sun with some friends; an uninterrupted nap in the afternoon...her voice is clear and strong.
This weekend will be a little emotionally challenging: Gary and I have our NYC wedding reception on Saturday. I know my parents are disappointed to miss it and I think it's a reminder or a manifestation of all the things she's missed so far and is going to miss. We also have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow and it's just hard that she can't see the pictures of her future grandchild. I'm hoping that our little Pea (as fetus Cohen is known around our house) will be kicking rather aggressively by next week and she'll be at least able to feel the movement since she can't see the growth.
Ross spent the night last night with Mom, which is always such a nice thing for so many reasons: Dad gets to sleep at home, shower before going to work and unwind a little bit; Ross doesn't have to wake up early so both he and Mom can sleep in as long as they want; Ross gets lots of quality time and Mom and vice versa, etc etc.
So, sleep in they did. And when Mom did wake up, it was a little easier to swallow than yesterday. Her x-rays came back clean and clear, so that's good news. I suggested that maybe there's something in the room air and if she sleeps with her mouth open, she inhales it and that's what's causing the difficulty. She doesn't think so, though.
The day was a good one: a challenging but rewarding PT session, including 15 minutes on the bike and a bit of a wobbly walk, but still a walk; an afternoon soak in the sun with some friends; an uninterrupted nap in the afternoon...her voice is clear and strong.
This weekend will be a little emotionally challenging: Gary and I have our NYC wedding reception on Saturday. I know my parents are disappointed to miss it and I think it's a reminder or a manifestation of all the things she's missed so far and is going to miss. We also have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow and it's just hard that she can't see the pictures of her future grandchild. I'm hoping that our little Pea (as fetus Cohen is known around our house) will be kicking rather aggressively by next week and she'll be at least able to feel the movement since she can't see the growth.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
8.10.11
AYNSLEY:
Mom's swallowing is the same as yesterday. She had a visit from the speech pathologist who recommended swallowing between bites of food, drinking liquids between bites and eating slowly, which Mom has no problem with. She was able to eat well today, just slowly and with lots of extra swallows.
Mom also worked out with her physical therapist today for the first time since coming back from the hospital. The main issue aside from all of the strength loss is that she lists to the left when she thinks she's upright. So she worked really hard today on relearning where her body should be in space. Balance is so difficult when visual cues are missing.
Mom's swallowing is the same as yesterday. She had a visit from the speech pathologist who recommended swallowing between bites of food, drinking liquids between bites and eating slowly, which Mom has no problem with. She was able to eat well today, just slowly and with lots of extra swallows.
Mom also worked out with her physical therapist today for the first time since coming back from the hospital. The main issue aside from all of the strength loss is that she lists to the left when she thinks she's upright. So she worked really hard today on relearning where her body should be in space. Balance is so difficult when visual cues are missing.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
8.9.11
AYNSLEY:
Highlights:
Highlights:
- Last night's Book Club meeting was "awesome." No one really liked the book, but Mom loved getting together with everyone. I haven't heard her that enthusiastic about anything in a long time.
- Additional physical therapy sessions were approved by insurance, so Mom will get to work with her fabulous therapist some more times. Very exciting amid the strength and balance setbacks
- Mom woke up with a new inability to swallow. The doctor took chest X-rays and tested for thrush to investigate. Results should be in by Thursday. She was able to get one pill down all day and managed to eat a bit of breakfast and lunch-very soft food, very slowly. For dinner she's planning on dining on Chef Bob's specialty: PB&J
- Mom was pretty nauseous and tired all day. She declined an exercise session with the PT aide and instead tried to rest and fight the nausea. Luckily, she takes the anti-nausea medication through her chest port and doesn't need to swallow.
Monday, August 8, 2011
8.8.11
AYNSLEY:
Book club night! Though Mom (and Dad, who gets to listen in as Mom reads) weren't thrilled with this month's selection, it's always nice to have the group over and discuss. Mom looks forward to it-it's a relic of her not-sick life and it's important.
Again construction noise prevented Mom from getting any rest during the day, but it began at a reasonable 9am instead of 6:30am like yesterday. Finally in the later afternoon it was quiet enough for a nap, which she took advantage of. While she awake, she exercised with the physical therapy assistant: walking with assistance, stretching, strengthening exercises and riding the bike for a very respectable 12 minutes. I know her strength is not what it was before her most recent stay at Overlake, but today's therapy session sounded excellent.
On another note, as I was reading last weekend's Times during breakfast this morning, I came across this op-ed piece about the cancer drug shortages. From a political and business perspective, it's an interesting read. From the patient perspective, its very topic is just infuriating and heartbreaking.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/opinion/sunday/ezekiel-emanuel-cancer-patients.html
Book club night! Though Mom (and Dad, who gets to listen in as Mom reads) weren't thrilled with this month's selection, it's always nice to have the group over and discuss. Mom looks forward to it-it's a relic of her not-sick life and it's important.
Again construction noise prevented Mom from getting any rest during the day, but it began at a reasonable 9am instead of 6:30am like yesterday. Finally in the later afternoon it was quiet enough for a nap, which she took advantage of. While she awake, she exercised with the physical therapy assistant: walking with assistance, stretching, strengthening exercises and riding the bike for a very respectable 12 minutes. I know her strength is not what it was before her most recent stay at Overlake, but today's therapy session sounded excellent.
On another note, as I was reading last weekend's Times during breakfast this morning, I came across this op-ed piece about the cancer drug shortages. From a political and business perspective, it's an interesting read. From the patient perspective, its very topic is just infuriating and heartbreaking.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/opinion/sunday/ezekiel-emanuel-cancer-patients.html
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