"...but, how is she DOING?"

Top three criticisms of the Nancy Update:

1. "Those are nice grandchildren - but, how is she DOING?"
2. "If you don't stop showing her without her hair fixed, I'm going to come after you. I told my husband: Don't you ever do that to me!"
3. "Effervescent isn't quite right. Efflorescent?! Don't make me laugh."

Starting w/#3:
I think Janet is still flowering as a wise and interesting person - and that is quite an attractive trait. Nevertheless, I aim to please, and have a thesaurus on layaway.

#2: Fresh hairdos only happen every couple of weeks, and typically last just a few days. I'll try to bring a camera during those periods. Personally, I think the slicked back hair looks kinda cool. However, the first few times you see it, it is a shock to the system. Mea culpa.

#1: "...but, how is she DOING?"
Since 6/25, which was three days after her VPS surgery, Mom is doing fabulous. She has made steady, steady progress in physical strength; physical stamina; ability to concentrate and maintain focus; and orientation to where she is, and to what her circumstances are. If you saw her over July 4th weekend, you would notice she is stronger in all respects today.

It's difficult to quantify Mom's status. I have my own personal sense of it. It's difficult to communicate that - and it's only one person's opinion, anyway.

If you sat down to chat with Mom, you would have a lively and fun conversation. She would seem like she always has been with you. She would have a command of facts and memories at her disposal. She would display logical thinking. She would make jokes, and laugh at jokes. She would display her typical personality. In the middle of this fun conversation, Mom might try to get up, sans walker, to take herself to the bathroom, or to get you a cup of coffee. She is never supposed to get up without supervision, and she is never supposed to walk w/o a walker. She would have forgotten these basic rules during your conversation. You were probably just that interesting and delightful.

This is a short term memory problem. It is semi-exasperating. Mom is so sharp, in so many areas, and is sharpening up more and more each week. I can almost taste her return to normal activities. However, if the short term memory problem doesn't get better, Mom will never be able to go out on her own - to the store, et al.

How long might it take for short term memory to return to a normal level? No one knows. Brains are mysterious. Maybe another year. Maybe longer. Maybe never. Many brain injuries seem to resolve after 8-12 months, so there is no reason to over-worry at this time. Mom is just over three months out from her injury.

Later this week, maybe Wed or Thus, I will have some limited, but hopefully interesting, info about how therapists quantify and rate Mom's progress.

FYI-
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