Nancy Cotharn Update

Driving Solo!

2007-06-19T18:56:00.000-05:00

What a nice development!

Mom could've probably driven solo a couple of months ago, yet she played it safe. Now she is driving on her own; is blessedly independent; and is pleased as punch about it - as any of us would be.

I am also pleased as punch! I remember August of last year, when Mom's prognosis was still unknowable: link.

Mom and Dad at Denton Jazz Festival

2007-05-15T11:55:00.000-05:00

Jake is in the red T-shirt.

February Update

2007-02-20T17:04:00.000-06:00

Physical therapy for Mom's broken hip has ended. Henceforth, Mom will perform her own exercises, and allow time to work it's magic.

Blood pressure dosages, over the next three to four weeks, will be gradually cut in half. Mom's BP's have been very low, for many weeks - maybe for 10 to 12 weeks.

At the Dr's office, fully clothed - including shoes and piled-up hair, Mom weighed 117.5 lbs. She is 5'7" tall. She has been happily eating eating many desserts: ice cream, Wendy's Frosties, cheesecake, pie, cookies. Where would her weight be without those?!

Sense of Taste Improving

2007-01-20T15:45:00.000-06:00

So Mom thinks. This is welcome news.

We were told Mom's recovery would span approximately one year's time. She is nine months out from the incident.

Terminator IV: The Exercise Machines

2007-01-10T16:02:00.000-06:00

Mom started going to physical therapy at Baylor-All Saints. The first day, she stressed her lower back muscles on a machine, causing her to miss her second day of therapy, and to be in pain for several days.

Me: How did you hurt your back?

Mom: The therapist put me on a machine "for 10 minutes." Then, she walked away, got distracted, and left me on the machine for 15 minutes.

Me: Why didn't you turn the machine off?

Mom: I didn't know how. When she walked away, I just had to keep going.

Less Walking Cane

2007-01-04T16:53:00.000-06:00

When she goes out, Mom is occasionally leaving her walking cane behind. This is new.

We had an excellent Christmas in Denham Springs. Hope you did, also. Having lost 25% of her body weight, Mom received new clothing for Christmas gifts. Such fun for her.

Mom greatly enjoyed the Christmas cards and the Christmas letters she received. She thanks everyone for those.

Bruce and Lisa are building a new house - to better accommodate their needs. The house is quite beautiful. We are all excited.

In Wisconsin, the almost fatal Barbies were hits as Christmas gifts.

2006-12-19T14:38:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for checking in at The Nancy Update this year. We love you all.

Mom has recently enjoyed visiting with friends at Wedgwood Nursing Home. She has been on a furious Christmas shopping spree. She is prepping to visit Bruce & Lisa, Courtney & Baron, and Chaffee & Hoss, in Denham Springs, LA.

Mom is eating better, though most foods still do not taste as good to her as they once did. She still doesn't eat much - which is fine - because she is forming regular, more frequent eating habits.

In my opinion, Mom's balance has improved since she came home. She now makes natural movements, such as shifting weight to balance on one leg(to bend over), which she didn't make before. Her neurology has improved, incrementally, in all areas. I say "incrementally" because there's not much improvement remaining to be achieved. Mom's neurology is as solid as most anyone's who is walking and driving about. Her neurology is more solid than many in her age group. Mom still likes her environment to be orderly, and unchaotic. She is gaining strength all the time. She's still not a big math fan.

Me: I said I'd be ready to drive you at 7:00, but I won't be ready until 5 or 10 minutes after that. Still, there's almost zero chance we'll be late.

Mom: (semi-exasperated) Greg, don't make me deal with statistics!

PS: and a Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-22T13:51:00.000-06:00

For a celebration at her nephew Frank's house, Mom is preparing cornbread dressing, and giblet gravy. Dad is preparing banana pudding.

Mom and Dad considered a visit to Kansas City for Thanksgiving - to the home of Kris' parents: Don and Mary, and a visit with Austin and Kacy. They finally decided it was just a bit too much distance, and a bit too much excitement, at this time.

I think of Mom as recovered. However, she is a recovered person who is still gaining strength, and still likes some quiet and orderliness in her environment. Certain levels of excitement remain a bit overwhelming, and are not optimal environments for her. She has lived in calm environments for several months. Mom won't be visiting Chuck E. Cheese anytime soon. Dad either, come to think of it.*

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!!

*Not that Don and Mary's house resembles Chuck E. Cheese in any way - unless, you know, they were serving suboptimal pizza - and Don and Mary wouldn't do that!

Travelogue

2006-11-16T12:21:00.000-06:00

Aunt Patsy's funeral - pre-planned by her to the nth degree - went off beautifully. The only hitch occurred when the Ruston cemetery's funeral home closed for lunch between 12:00-1:00 PM, even though the graveside service was scheduled for 1:00 PM. This meant that mourners, who had just driven an hour from Bossier City, had no bathroom facilities. The cemetery funeral home made the mistake of leaving an emergency phone number on their front door. Aunt Jane seized my cellphone, called, spoke direct animal talk to the Ruston people, and got the situation resolved.

A nice thing about revisiting Ruston is the smell of pine trees. The cemetery was covered in pine needles. The smell of those particular pine needles, aged in that particular humidity, cured in that particular sandy dirt, is immutably buried in the recesses of one's memory. Moreso, even, than seeing Ruston: smelling Ruston is a calming, soothing experience.

We drove by the city swimming pool. It endures as it ever did - an American classic. We drove by the old Post Motor Co. Mom says the basic structure of the building is still intact, though the building has been much expanded and changed. Hood's BBQ is long gone. The family farm is unrecognizable. The house had become a vet's office; then a BBQ shack. The last time there, I thought I saw stakes set up on the farmland, as markers for residential streets. This time, we saw no signs of that. There are businesses on Farmerville Rd, but we saw nothing much built deeper into the old farm. The property itself is unrecognizable(to me, at least). Landmarks are gone. Topography is changed. We could not orient ourselves very much at all.

Mom handled the traveling pretty well. She took 250 mile trips on consecutive days, and ended up in Denham Springs, to visit Bruce and Lisa and family, and Jefferson Baptist Church.

Bruce and Lisa are excellent. Courtney is doing fine at Southeastern Louisiana: majoring in Elementary Education, and in a boy named Jon. Baron's football season ended just short of making the playoffs. This meant he was able to take me golfing, where I could watch his 300 yard drives sailing either into the fairway, or 100 yards into the trees. Baron doesn't overly worry about where they go, so long as they go far.

Mom spoiled Hoss and Chaffie, feeding them people-food from the kitchen. These are very smart dogs. Mom noticed they were careful to make way for her, and to kind of run interference for her as she moved around, so she would not be tripped up and fall. Herding dogs are surely experts about body language. Chaffie is very motherly; very protective.

Jefferson Baptist Church - heavily pro-life, and pro-family - enjoyed a sermon about respectfully submitting oneself to the authority of one's elected officials. Done right(and it's mostly done right - contrary to Hollywood's hysterical interpretations), organized religion is a blessing for mankind. Over the last six months, Jefferson Baptist parishioners have sent many prayers out for Mom. We are grateful.

In addition to the dogs, Mom spoiled us, by cooking up a storm. Lisa hit upon the idea of having an early Thanksgiving celebration, so we did. Baron introduced us to the wonders of Cajun-spice injected turkey. Cooking is good therapy for Mom, ahem.

Mom usually walks through houses without using a cane. Her balance is improving, albeit slowly. When walking, Mom doesn't yet pick her feet up as well as she will. This is, I think, residue of the ongoing recovery from hip surgery. Mom has to walk carefully over uneven ground: a brick floor, uneven grass/dirt, uneven pavement, a ridge in a smooth floor, a rise of renegade tile.

Mom once had a problem with peripheral vision. This caused her to be in danger of catching her foot on chair legs, or table legs, or people feet. This problem has greatly dissipated.

Neurologically, Mom continues to be outstanding. She still tires more quickly than she one day will.

Mom has turned me into some type of Jewish (Italian?) mother: "Eat! Eat! Why aren't you eating?!" Tiny portions are perfectly wonderful by me. However, they should occur several times a day. Mom has no respect for the concept of eating throughout the day. Left on her own, she might consistently eat one small meal a day, sans vegetables. Her chosen meal might be one taco, and three tortilla chips. She would supplement this through the day with Coca-Cola, and coffee. Sigh. Maybe I'll look up the nutritional value of Coca-Cola. I know it has carbs.

P.S. This is the one year anniversary of the tragic death of my cousin: Donnie Van Meter. I wrote about his graveside service here.

Patsy Caggiola, RIP

2006-11-04T10:55:00.000-06:00

Mom's eldest sister, Patsy, died in her sleep sometime around 5:00 am this morning. She leaves her devoted husband, Larry; and grieving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family and friends.

Aunt Patsy was a businesswoman before being a businesswoman was cool. She built Goins Beauty Schools up from the ground - by dint of iron will, and of business savvy. In those days, a woman in business had to be tough. She served as President, or as officer, of various State Beauty School agencies, and National Beauty School organizations.

Aunt Patsy believed in positive thinking. She was not one to criticize. Rather, she deliberately looked for positive aspects in every situation, and in every person.

Aunt Patsy believed in personal responsibility. She had this saying taped on every mirror in her home:

"This person is responsible for my happiness."

Aunt Patsy liked "The Greatest Salesman in the World", by Og Mandino. She loved "The Prophet," by Kahlil Gibran - sometimes she gave copies of it as gifts. She loved the "Left Behind" series of novels.

Aunt Patsy kept up a huge, and beautifully landscaped, backyard. Just two springs ago, local high school Seniors had their prom photos taken in her backyard. During the photo shoot, the street outside Patsy's house was lined with all manner of autos, trucks, and limos.

Aunt Patsy famously, and elaborately, decorated her home for Christmas each year. She had four complete sets of Christmas decorations - each with a different theme. She rotated decoration themes from year to year to year to year.

Aunt Patsy was able to visit Northern Europe this summer. She was recently able to attend the National Beauty School Convention, in Miami, to visit with some of her long-time friends. She was busily preparing for a visit from Mom, and from their other sister - Jane, during the days before her death.

We miss you, Aunt Patsy.

Mini Dramas: All Benign - So Far

2006-11-03T17:16:00.000-06:00

As the Aneurysms Turn

FYI's:

An aneurysm can be like a balloon which is attached to a blood vessel. Or it can be like a blister. An aneurysm doesn't cause a problem unless it bleeds.
22 mm = approx 1 inch
6 mm is a line of demarcation. Over 6 mm in size, an aneurysm should be treated. When under 6 mm in size, there is more danger from treatment than from the existing aneurysm.

Mom had an arteriogram on Wed. Her Interventional Neuro Radiologist(whew) is Dr. Ike Thacker, of Baylor Hospital, near downtown Dallas. Both her previously coiled aneurysms are holding up well. She has a 2.5 mm aneurysm at the base of one of her coiled aneurysms. This aneurysm needs to be watched. Mom will have another angiogram, or possibly an MRI, in 6 months. I'll update later with the official location of this aneurysm. It is behind her right eye, forward of her right ear, and nudged up against a major blood vessel.

Mom has three small aneurysms attached to an artery in the front of her brain. Two of these are less than 1 mm in size. The third aneurysm is less than 2mm in size. These three aneurysms seem not to overly worry Dr. Thacker. If they grow, he seems pretty confident they can be handled.

The good news is Mom's brain will be watched closely from here on. An aneurysm, which might otherwise have been allowed to grow to dangerous size, will instead be identified and treated.

The other good news, slightly off topic, is that Dr. Thacker said Mom's arteries are amazingly free of plaque. She has potential to be neurologically sharp well into her advanced years.

Return of: The Hair!

Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do, dum-de-de-dum! That's right fans: the hair is back. My digi-camera is broken, sadly. I'll try to put up a picture next week. Mom's hair is a big issue to at least 10% of Nancy Update readership - or maybe even 25% of readership - it's hard to calculate.

Almost Fatal Barbies

After an angiogram day Wed at Baylor Hosp; and after a Thursday which included only half a bagel for food; and after a vigourous 45 minutes of shopping for Barbies for 5 year old granddaughter; Mom chose the checkout line at Big Lots to frame her first ever faint.

Phone contact with after hours, on call doctor = "take her to get checked at the emergency room." I tried to talk him out of this recommendation, but he would not be persuaded.

Thereafter, had to karate chop and WWF drag a mad-as-heck Mom to the ER(aside: I was dis-inherited along the way). Between 6pm and 10pm, Mom was poked, stuck, and submitted to a variety of testing. She was then sent home with a diagnosis of "fainted due to exhaustion." The Barbies truly were almost fatal - to me - because she was so hacked off.

Debutante Party #2

Today, with hair returned to normal, Mom visited Wedgwood Nursing Home. After her visit, she was full of details about everyone she saw. The people at Wedgwood are her family. It's a love thing.

Home!

2006-10-30T17:26:00.000-06:00

:) ^_^

Ahhhhhh. Nice.

The final meeting at Pate was Fri. after lunch. Mom's neuro condition is superior to many people who are out walking the streets and working - especially the age 65+ persons. The Pate doctor gave her some homework, and joked that she and Dad could do it together, to see who did better.

Mom has zero neuro restrictions vis a vis staying home alone, or travelling around on her own. She is cleared to begin working, if she wants to.

She is not quite ready to drive. Her reaction time, and her peripheral perception, are not quite where they need to be. These conditions will likely resolve themselves over the next 6 to 12 weeks.

Mom does need, temporarily, to keep an eye on her balance. It is decent, but not excellent.

Leaving Pate was both sweet, and bittersweet. Pate has an outstanding staff of employees. We are friends with them, we love them, and we will miss them. Same with the residents.

The Pate doctor said that, during the last weeks of Mom's stay, she had become a de facto counselor for other residents. I observed the same dynamic vis a vis some of the staff. Mom is clearly back to herself, and ready to resume her normal life.

I am grateful.

Date Certain: Discharge on Oct. 27

2006-10-17T19:14:00.000-05:00

In another 10 days, Mom will have blown through every level of neuro-cognitive care which Pate provides. The head of Pate's neuro rehab says she is "a star" in the Rehab Building.

Pate has a four part program for regaining driving skills. Mom has now passed two of the four parts. Each part has approximately 10-13 sections. All sections in a part must be passed consecutively; without failing any section. Mom spent 5-6 weeks trying to get through Part I. She needed only one week to get through Part II. Momentum.

Mom's physical therapist is ready to move her off of a quad cane, and onto a regular cane. After leaving Pate, Mom will continue physical therapy for another 2-3 ish months, mostly to finish her recovery from hip surgery.

Angiogram To Be Scheduled

2006-10-17T19:06:00.000-05:00

Within the next 10 days, or so, Mom will have an angiogram to:

1. Check on the two aneurysm which were coiled in April - to be certain they are not leaking blood into her brain. It is a routine check.

2. Take a close look at Mom's third aneurysm. It was discovered in April, but was too small to do anything with at that time.

The procedure will be done at Baylor Hospital. It is unlikely, but not impossible, that Baylor doctors will do any further coiling, or anything surgical, in the near future.

Don't Step on the Lead

2006-10-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

I was going to share a couple of anecdotes. Instead, let's have this stand alone:

Mom will likely be coming home on Friday, Oct. 27.

The discharge decision - yea or nay - will be made next week.

Hollywood Smiles; "Shoot"

2006-10-06T13:14:00.000-05:00

Above is Rachel, of Flagstaff; and Doc, also of Flagstaff. Rachel and Doc are giving Austin, Max, and Kacy a strong challenge in the "Most Wholesome Photo" category. A horse always helps. And a Hollywood starlet smile. And mountains in the background. Rachel is a renowned horse-woman (within the family, at least!) She is Mom's grand-niece(?).

This is Lynn and Sam. Lynn is Rachel's Mom, and Nancy's niece. It's hard to say who is happier in this photo: Lynn, or Sam. You're welcome to vote in the comments. Lynn sent these pictures for Mom's collage of family photos. They are so nice, I decided to put them up here.

I do notice that Rachel's horse is standing still in the top photo, yet Rachel nevertheless wears a protective helmet. Lynn, in full "over age 29" flight, wears no protective helmet. Of all subjects in these photos - Rachel, Doc, Lynn, Sam - who is in greatest need of a helmet?

Mom's blood pressure is still highish. However, her systolic is consistently below 200, which is a relief. Dr. Johnson continues to diligently jigger with her medication dosages, in an ongoing effort to bring her blood pressure into a consistently normal range. I send him a list of her blood pressures every week, and he is very loyal about studying them.

I asked Dr. Johnson if we would ever know what caused Mom's blood pressure to rise. He evaded my question, and hustled me off his phone. I take that to mean we will never know - and only a foolish/bothersome layperson would ever ask such a question.

Mom understands her neurologic circumstances very well - and how close she came to a less exciting outcome. She is proud of her progress, and is determined to make a full recovery. She gets frustrated because, so often, she seems to be extremely recovered - only to be reminded, by something innocuous, that she still has a ways to go. She gets her confidence and hopes up - only to be exasperated by a simple neuro-mistake.

I spend the night with Mom sometimes. I got up one night when I heard her moving out of the bathroom. I asked if she felt comfortable and safe moving around in the dark.

Nancy: (confidently and declaratively) "I do, because I am very careful about my movements."

Nancy and Greg: (spend a moment silently marvelling at her progress)

Nancy: (Surveying her empty bed) "Where's Vachel?"

Greg: "He's not here."

Nancy: "Yes he is. He was just here last night!"

Greg: "Well, it's 4:00 AM. He hasn't been here after midnight. And he wasn't here before midnight, either."

Nancy: (takes a silent moment to realize she has dreamed/become confused about Vachel's presence. Takes a second silent moment to become exasperatedly angry with herself for becoming confused.) "Shoot!"

It was the most emphatic epithet she could reach for.

Gettin' Somewhere

2006-09-26T21:30:00.000-05:00

This is my Dad's brother, Kenneth; his wife, Billie - whom Mom loves from way back when they were both newly marrieds into the Cotharn family, and they could hang out and chat together; and their daughters: Debbie, Rhonda, Lisa, Kenny Beth, and Kerry - whom Mom has always had soft spots for - as they were sort of surrogate daughters for a Nancy who was trapped in a house full of men. Growing up, these five girls shared one bedroom in Robinson, TX. Worse, they shared one bathroom - with their Mom and Dad! Petticoat Junction and The Brady Bunch haven't got a thing on these girls. Peeking into the corner of the picture is Kendyl - the less loquacious half of Kendyl and Shelby.

Debbie left a sweet comment in a post on the Nancy Update:
Your mom is and has always been my role model for years. I wanted to raise my 3 boy just like she raised hers. She is my Hero. Tell her I am always thinking about her.

Debbie has said she fixed her sons' hair like Mom fixed our hair - and the hair got mussed up. She dressed her sons in white shorts, like Mom dressed us in white shorts - and the shorts got uncleanably dirty. She taught her sons good manners, like Mom did with us - but it didn't seem to take in quite the same fashion.

Of course, Debbie's sons are, now, much more polite than Bruce and Bradley...

Meanwhile: Mom's balance is progressing!

A week ago, Mom graduated from her walker, and began using a quad cane. A quad cane has four little legs at it's base. This week, Mom has been turned loose on the quad cane. She is allowed to use it without a therapist at her elbow. She now canes her way - steady as she goes - up and down the slope between Hilltop House and the Therapy Center. As Jerry Seinfeld observed about "No calls the next day":

"Well, now we're gettin' somewhere!"

Neuro-Cognitive Progress = Outstanding

2006-09-22T17:49:00.000-05:00

Pate sets neuro cognitive goals for Mom to meet - by certain dates. Mom is exceeding the neuro-cognitive goals Pate recently set for her. She is, now, where Pate hoped she would be by the end of October.

At this point, all therapists and Doctors are geared towards Mom making a full recovery. It looks doable. Hopes and expectations are sky-high.

At a later date, will write more detail about the neuro cognitive therapy processes.

(More new posts below.)

View from Hilltop House

2006-09-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

If you see a red square, where a picture should be, click on the red square. You can also click on the pics to see a larger pic.

This was taken in the evening, while standing on Mom's back porch, and facing towards the left. The white buildings are offices for Pate staff. The 200 yard distant house - at the top of the crest, is "West" house. It is the original residential house for rehabbing neuro patients. The nearest brick building is the therapy house. These houses can also be seen in these pictures. Since these pics were taken(early August), Pate has begun construction on a second therapy/office building, on the slope between the Temporary buildings and the West house.

Pivoting a bit to the right, and looking north, we can see the driveway leading from the therapy house to the road. The road runs east and west at this juncture. It is 140 yards from the road to the porch I am standing on. I sometimes imagine hitting a golf shot from the road, and up the gentle slope, into the prevailing southerly breeze, onto the porch at Hilltop House. I would hit a full 7 iron, and would try to keep it low, where it could bore into the breeze, and up the slope. If the wind caught too much of the shot, I would hit 6 iron during the following round.

Still looking above: across the road is "Main" house - the first house ever built on the property. Main house shelters residents who have permanent neurologic problems, and have no hope of getting better. They live at Main house for life. Main house has a lovely pool in the trees just behind it.

Pivoting further right, towards the northeast, we can see the Hilltop porch which would be my golfing green. The barn below is used for repairing equipment. Behind it, unseen in this pic, is a goat yard . Peeking just around the barn is the Recreation Barn - which also houses Pate accountants, et al. Peeking around the Rec Barn is a tiny barn for the horses Mom can see from her window - though not in this particular photo. The sculpture looking figure is the red tractor featured in the above linked photos.

Living at Hilltop House is lovely, and quietly peaceful.

Blood Pressure Update

2006-09-22T16:20:00.000-05:00

This is a lot of technical info for Bruce and Bradley and Jane. You might want to skip this post - unless you are a health care professional - or unless you like details.

50 mg Toprol is equal in strength to 10 mg Lisinopril.

Doctor Johnson came onto Mom's case on Monday.

Three weeks previously, her blood pressure had (75% of the time) begun shooting very high(over 200 systolic) in the early morning hours(4 am ish). Over 200 systolic is stroke danger level. Her BP would go to normal levels when she got up and started moving around.

Her BP also (40% of the time) begun going very low(under 100 systolic) in the early evening hours( 8 pm ish).

Before her BP went wacky, Mom was taking:
5 mg Lisinopril @ 7a
25 mg Toprol @ 7a

This dosage slowly increased, and changed around in timing, from 9/8 through 9/18, eventually becoming this dosage:
10 mg Lisinopril @ 7a
50 mg Toprol @ 8p

Despite the changes in dosages and timing, Mom's wacky BP numbers never leveled off.

Dr. Johnson ordered this for Monday:

10 mg Lisinopril 7a(already taken when he saw Mom)
5 mg Lisinopril 8p
50 mg Toprol 8p

7a Tuesday: BP was 171/73. Yea!

Dr. Johnson ordered this for Tue and Wed:
5 mg Lisinopril 7a
25 mg Toprol 7a
5 mg Lisinopril 8p
25 mg Toprol 8p

Mom's BP went extremely high Wed 6a, and Wed 10p(she had been sleeping since 7:30p). Thursday 6a was better: 184/80.

Dosage for Thus:
5 mg Lisinopril 7a
25 mg Toprol 7a
10 mg Lisinopril 8p
25 mg Toprol 8p

Mom's BP for Fri morning was perfect. She will continue the current dosages through the weekend.

No one knows the origin of the problem. The problem is not a clogged shunt - Mom would be experiencing headaches if that were the case. The problem is unlikely to be cardiac: Mom had cardiac testing done at both Harris-Methodist, and at Baylor. Her cardiology is normal for a 70 year old woman.

Mom has been taking low doses of BP medication for some years. To me, it is disturbing that the problem suddenly arose - after her BP had been staying in the normal range for months. It is further disturbing that the BP would go both very low and very high. It is further disturbing that the BP goes high when she is sleeping/laying horizontally.

I don't know if the genesis of the problem will ever be diagnosed. It could be an undetectable abberation which is generated in her brain. I will, when next I speak w/Dr. Johnson, question him more rigorously about the genesis of the problem, and about whether he believes he will ever determine what the genesis is -- versus simply jiggering with the medication, until the BP readings are under control.

I Got Nuthin

2006-09-19T19:43:00.000-05:00

Computer is goofing up again.

Digital Camera is broken.

All this equals yuck for the Nancy Update.

Plus, I got nuthin. My playtime - instead of being spent with the Nancy Update, has been spent daydreaming about effective offensive and defensive schemes for the 2nd and 3rd Grade Fitchburg(WI) NFL Sponsored Football League. They play 5 kids on a side; outlaw blocking, shotgun snaps, and pitchouts; can only rush from a start 7 yards off the scrimmage line; and rotate kids through every postition on the field. As you can see, coaching in this league presents a challenge!

Mom got to her beloved Internal Medicine Dr. yesterday. He is tweaking her blood pressure medication over today and tomorrow, and will reconsider his course of action after seeing her BP readings over these days. Her BP has been mysterious: too high in the mornings, too low in the evenings. I'll let you know how things go.

Mascots and Blood Pressure

2006-09-15T18:01:00.000-05:00

Thursday night, Mom and I ate delicious catfish in Howe, TX, which is just north of Van Alstyn, which is just north of Anna. We saw football games and football practices all along our drive to the restaurant - which got me wondering about the mascot of Howe High School - which clearly ought to be the "Now Brown Cows", as in:

"In other scores: Celina Bobcats - 21, Howe Now Brown Cows - 24. Congratulations, Now Brown Cows!"

What is the Howe High School mascot?
.
.
.
.
.
.
wait for it...
.
.
.
.
.
.
Bulldogs.

Sigh. There may not be a bulldog within a 30 mile radius of Howe High School. OTOH, now brown cows are all over the place.

Mom is experiencing high blood pressure: over 200 systolic, when she sleeps. When she sits up, her blood pressure goes back to normal levels. Her medication has been tweaked, but has not yet reduced the sleeping/horizontal systolic readings. We don't know what physical condition is causing the problem. Worrisome.

Debutant Ball

2006-09-11T18:16:00.000-05:00

(Cook Children's Hospital, circa 1959, corner of present day Henderson St. and Lancaster Ave. Mom worked at this hospital.)

Like a 70 year old debutant, Mom presented herself to the public on Saturday night, at Jeremy's Friends' Charity Auction, benefiting Cook Children's Hospital.

Mom arrived fashionably late. As a heartfelt story about loving care was related at the front of the room, Mom made a slow-motion, grand entrance from the back of the room, accepting hugs and kisses along the way. Resplendent in fresh coif, pearl earrings, black blouse with bangles, and black pants, she maneuvered her walker through the crowd, and to a chair at one of the family tables. Stuffed mushrooms were consumed. Charity money was raised. A good time was had by all.

Milestone Shifts

2006-09-07T18:33:00.000-05:00

Several mornings ago, when Mom awoke, she began to watch out for her own safety in a way she had not before. No longer did she impulsively, if only occasionally, act in ways which endangered her. Something shifted - as seamlessly as it had weeks before, when Mom began swallowing effectively. Mom has since demonstrated, over a good number of consecutive days, that she can function independently and safely. If she is still a threat to make dangerous action choices, I cannot see it.

This is an improvement in short-term memory. It is tangible evidence that Mom's neurology is improving in that area. It is encouraging that Mom has made this improvement less than 5 months out from her injury.

Further, though the post below mentions the amazing, infallible chocolate sheet cake, it does not mention Mom's command of the kitchen as she cooked it. She did not meekly implement the recipe. She ruled the kitchen, with self-assurance and mastery. It was gratifying to watch.

Further further: as she ruled the kitchen, Mom stood for long minutes - maybe 10-15 minutes total, without holding onto anything for balance. She was holding onto spoons, bowls, and spatulas - but she was not using them to prop herself upright. Her balance is improving.

I've said Mom's physical strength is returning, and that her biggest remaining obstacles are short-term memory, and balance. There are smaller, subtler neurological obstacles to overcome - but they are just that: smaller. With her short-term memory and her balance showing good improvement, there is no reason to think the smaller obstacles will not also be conquered. Mom's outlook is quite bright. Gleaming, even.

Heartfelt thanks for: the prayers, God's grace, the body's ability to heal itself, 4 1/2 hours per day of neuro-cognitive therapy, 1 1/2 hours per day of physical/occupational therapy, the supportive and loving staff at Pate Rehabilitation, and supportive and loving family and friends.

Infallible Cake

2006-09-04T15:56:00.000-05:00

Mom baked a chocolate sheet cake for the Pate Rehab Dessert Contest. The cake only rose to about 2/3 proper height during baking. Mom said, "This is a cake failure. This happens sometimes. I guess I'll go ahead and put the icing on anyway." Her cake failure still earned her the contest's second place ribbon, out of about 25 entrants. Her entire cake failure was devoured during the contest party, with none left over for me. :(

The Jake Report

2006-09-01T23:45:00.000-05:00

Jake will be marching with the UNT Marching Band, at Royal Memorial Stadium(above), tomorrow morning. The Austin game is a road trip hors d'eouvre. The real meat comes in trips to Akron, Lafayette, and Monroe!

Note: ESPN II will broadcast tape of the DCI Finals on Tuesday, Sept 5, beginning at 7:00 PM CDT. Jake marched with the Concord Blue Devils, who finished in Third Place, out of 24 Division I Bands.

Jake is in a weird marching band place. He loved his summer, but he doesn't have the competitive band drive to do drum corps again next summer. Meantime, he is accustomed to the precision marching which is achieved by practicing 8 to 10 hours per day, and he is impatient with the UNT Marching Band's inferior level of excellence. So, Jake doesn't want to practice 8-10 hours a day, but he wants his band to display that level of excellence. He has set himself up for dissatisfaction.

Jake says it's difficult to explain to people what he did during the summer. They tend to think he is exaggerating his storytelling. He's left to protest: "No, really, we travelled all over the nation, and we played in front of tens of thousands of people. It was major cool. I swear." Audience: "Suuure it was. We believe you. Suuure we do." Jake: "No, really, we had high school groupie girls and everything!" Audience: "Suuure you did."

Jake's backpack, containing his MP3 player, was stolen during a tour stop early in the summer. As he travelled all over the nation, playing his drum corps instrument: Euphonium, this is what he missed the most:

1) His trombone
2) His guitar
3) His music(CD's + Computer/MP3 collection of music)

Oh, and wait, his Mom, his Grandmothers, and his family!! Wouldn't want to leave those out! Whew.

Yogi Berra/Madison Avenue Assessment

2006-08-31T23:09:00.000-05:00

By the first of August, Mom had improved 100% over where she was on July 4th.

Now, at the end of August, she has improved 100% over where she was during the first part of August.

Nancy Cotharn: Now 200% Improved!

Chest Thing Impersonates Terminators

2006-08-31T22:59:00.000-05:00

Remember how the Terminators would never die, but would repeatedly rise up, after they were seemingly killed? Its the same with this thing in my chest.

I'm preparing a giant pool of molten steel, as that's the only thing which worked on the Terminators.

Meanwhile, I don't feel too good, and I don't feel too generous about blogging. There's not anything exciting to tell, except that Mom is steadily doing better and better. This is fantastic, and wonderful, and strangely boring to me. I'm busy feeling sorry for myself, and concentrating on my misery, sluggishness, low-grade fever, and chest full of mucous - which, surely, cannot survive the giant pool of molten steel I am heating up in the yard - using, btw, only solar radiation, which, on Labor Day Weekend, is obviously sufficient for the task...

Not Just For College Girls

2006-08-27T21:39:00.000-05:00

Party pics.

Seasoned ladies like them, too, and delightedly pass them around the table.

Estrogen works in mysterious ways.

Outlook = Optimistic!

2006-08-25T17:31:00.000-05:00

My sinus/chest cold lingers, but is better, thanks to twice daily ingestions of Tylenol, Claritin D, Musinex, Echinacea w/Vitamin C, and Multi-Vitamins. Musinex, particularly, has helped the coughing, and aided sleep. Thanks, cousin Karen. Now, time for less blegh, more blog.

Mom is doing fantastic!

Her short-term memory is improving. It is a very, very good thing for that little train to chug along the tracks. Mom's balance is improving. Her physical strength is improving quite rapidly. Nancy is back, and she is the Nancy you have always known. The only question is whether she will come all the way back to, for instance, again work if she wants to, or again drive her Yukon all around Ft. Worth. Those now loom as real possibilities. Thanks for all the prayers. They surely have made a difference in getting to this point.

As have 4 1/2 hours of neuro-cognitive therapy each day. This week, Mom moved to Pate's upper level of neuro-cognitive therapy. She had entered somewhere in the middle level of Pate's neuro-cognitive program, and had spent 5 weeks working through the remainder of that level.

Therapists say Mom continues to have problems with "impulsivity". Impulsivity is a function of short term memory. Mom momentarily forgets that her strength and her balance are not yet normal. As a result, she continues to make some dangerous physical maneuvers. I witnessed Mom - when stymied by a narrow aisle of chairs - lift her walker up to her shoulders, then carry it forward for two steps, before setting it back down onto the ground. It brought a therapist running across the room, to remind her "that is not a safe maneuver." What can we glean?

Mom sometimes is allowed to walk on her own, within eyesight, but not within arm's reach, of therapists.
Mom, in lifting her walker into the air, is displaying Hulk-like 70 year old woman strength.
Balance is still a problem, which is why the maneuver was dangerous.
Short-term memory/impulsivity means Mom forgot that balance was still a problem.
Reasoning is still in the improvement stage, as Mom could've closed-up her walker, then carried the closed-up walker through the narrow space.
Morale is high. Self-confidence and determination are at high levels.

Think back to the days after April 17, when the possibility of death was a constant and near companion.... - Mom's current circumstances are quite a leap forward, yes? Yes!

Back Home: All is Blegh

2006-08-17T23:52:00.000-05:00

Mom is progressing steadily, and boringly. Excellent.

She has an infection, and it is making her a bit disoriented. Antibiotics will knock it out in a few days.

I've a sinus infection which is trying to get into my lungs. My brain is tired. My body is tired. All is blegh.

Interlude II

2006-08-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

In the DCI Finals, the Blue Devils finished 3rd. Their score was again less than a point behind the first place drum core. It was one of the closest Finals finishes in years.

I went to the Blue Devils rehearsal this afternoon. They were outstanding. Esprit de corps.

Their performance tonight was sharp and spirited. It was an excellent way to finish.

Cavaliers: 97.200
Phantom Regiment: 96.850
Blue Devils: 96.550

Interlude

2006-08-12T14:43:00.000-05:00

Austin watches Blue Devils' rehearse at Beloit College, which is one hour's drive south of Madison, near the Illinois border.
Around Austin are Blue Devils' supporters, many of whom stayed in an official fan hotel in Madison. They rode tour buses each day to Beloit College. To Austin's left is a family who travelled from Japan, to watch their drummer son/brother. They speak virtually no English.

Above right, Austin and Jake during a rehearsal break. Click on the picture, to see an enlargement of Austin's smile. During the same break, Jake held the football as Austin amazingly kicked a place kick through Beloit College's goal posts, earning a rousing cheer from the assembled band fans.

During the last 8 shows of the season, the Cavaliers(Rosemont, IL) and the Phantom Regiment(Huntley, IL) began to present a strong challenge to the Blue Devils. Thursday and Friday, all three teams finished within one point of each others' scores, with the Cavaliers finishing first both nights, and the Blue Devils finishing second both nights. The Blue Devils have a more complicated and interesting show. However, it is correspondingly more difficult to perform.

The finals are tonight. 30,000 attended on each of the previous two nights. At this point, the Blue Devils are underdogs - but theirs is the most fun show to watch.

Time to Visit; Blog Vacation; Send Pictures

2006-08-06T23:35:00.000-05:00

Time to Visit I:
Doug and Mark, who visit every Saturday, are going to New Mexico. Dad is going to the Cotharn Family Reunion, in Robinson, TX.

Blog Vacation:
I am driving to watch this trombonist:

play Euphonium in the DCI National Championships, in Madison, WI. I will be visiting these cowgirls:
And these Cowboys: Time to Visit II:
M-F, Mom rehabs from 7:30 to 3:30. You are welcome to visit between 3:30 and 6:30(when Mom likes to shower, and prep for bed). You can have dinner with Mom, if you are there at approx. 5:00 pm. Pate will provide dinner for guests.

Sat and Sun, Mom has no rehab, and no plans. You can visit any time of day, and you can spend the night on her Sitting Room couch-bed, which accomodates two people. You can shower in her fancy handicapped shower, and dry yourself with plush towels from Wooten. You can share breakfast, lunch, or dinner with Mom. Pate has cards and dominoes available, along with excellent playing tables. They have coffee, iced tea, and lemonade. Mom's fridge is stocked with Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, and homemade fudge.

If you're driving out from Weatherford, you can miss all traffic by driving to Denton, then taking Hwy 380 across to US 75, and then go N to exit 45. If you're driving in from Little Rock, you can hit Hwy 380 northeast of Dallas (off I-30, at Greenville) and miss all the Dallas traffic. Heck, Mom is almost in Texarkana already. In fact, during a spate of delirious road hypnosis, I realized how Anna got it's name: Anna is 1/3 of the way to Texarkanna.

Send Pictures:
On one wall of Mom's Sitting Room, we want to hang pictures of cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. However, we have almost zero pictures of cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. We need some Posts, Cotharns, Helgasons, Schwartinskis, Stringers, Lillards, et al. Please send pictures. You can postal mail pictures to Mom in Anna, or email pictures to me (addresses on sidebar). I will print emailed pics onto photo paper, then frame them.

Arrivederci!
I'll post if anything big happens. At this point, we want to see boring, boring, steady, steady progress - nothing big! A lack of news is good news. A boring blog is a good thing.

Jake - Up Close; Happy Shabbos

2006-08-05T11:27:00.000-05:00

I get email, regularly, from friends and relatives who have just heard about Mom's injuries, and about her ongoing recovery. One noted that all pictures of Jake were from a distance, and could I please include some closeups? Of course! No parent has to be asked twice! Above, Jake is framed in the right center background, holding his trombone. Below, he is ... lets see... on the right.

Most of the emails say something like: "How is she really doing?"

These emailers do not believe I am withholding important information - and I'm not. My Aunt Jane would kill me. Aunt June, too. My only break would be that Aunt Patsy doesn't use a computer. Rather, the emailers think I have forgotten to write about Mom's prognosis. I would love for that to be the case, because that would mean I knew her prognosis.

Physically: return of muscle, healing of broken hip, et al - things are looking really good. Mom is walking 400 feet each day. She also uses a wheelchair, but only b/c she is too fatigued to walk everywhere, all day. If things keep going as they are, the wheelchair will soon be thrown aside. Mom's physical strength is improving in leaps and bounds.

Her balance is still poor. Without her walker, she would probably fall every other time she attempted to walk. Even when using her walker, if she bumps it against something during a walk, she is a decent threat to go down.

Her taste buds/appetite have made a marked improvement, though she still doesn't eat the same portion sizes she did before. Nevertheless, I am hardly worried about this area.

Mom can maneuver a Wal-Mart go-cart like Danica Patrick.

Mom's long-term memory is not perfect, but it is good.

Her logic and reasoning is not perfect, but they are good.

Her short term memory is kinda, sorta, almost getting there - but it is not consistent yet. This is the area to watch. This is the area which stretches Mom's recovery from a few months, to maybe 8 - 12 months beyond her April 17 injury - or further. Brains often heal themselves, but it is a slow process. This area will determine whether Mom becomes an independent grandmother, who zooms her Yukon all over town; or an interesting, fun grandmother, who cannot go places without a friend.

What are the odds of the differing scenarios? It is unknowable. Mom's chances of making a full recovery are better than tiny, yet less than sure. That is a wide range, and that is where we are. No amount of pouting will change where we are - though I have tried. In Judaism, some things are said to be unknowable.
We are all Jews now.

La Chaim!

Shabbos - weekly day of rest in Judaism. It is observed, from before sundown on Friday until after nightfall on Saturday(Wikipedia).

Room 10: Hallway and Bedroom

2006-08-04T00:02:00.000-05:00

This is taken while standing in Mom's Sitting Room. It is the west wall of a tiny hallway which leads into her bedroom. Janet insisted on having all three of these pictures hung. L to R: Me, Bruce, and Bradley - all wearing the same blue suit. Mom loves these pics. They were hung in the Wooten den, near the back door.

Still in the sitting room. The Bear is on the east wall of the hallway. In about 1970, Mom bought prints of all the SWC mascots, and carefully varnished each onto a wooden plaque type of board. They have always look fabulous - although, either Bruce or Bradley once ice-picked the eyes out of several mascots. Mom fixed it, somehow.

Standing just inside the bedroom, looking at the east wall, we see Courtney and Jake dancing at Bradley and Kris' wedding; Nancy(of Nancy and Todd) hidden by a Precious Moment; the beautiful Patti Post (Gurvis' and JoAnn's daughter) at 4 years; Atchafalaya and Hoss in front of the Hibiscus. A drawing of Apaloosa colts is glared out.

Shifting right, we see Doug Melton's amazing handiwork: a hand-stitched rug. I don't know the official name for this type of creation, but I know it looks great above Mom's bed.

The south wall. These bluebonnet scenes hung on the den wall at Wooten - just as you came into the den from the kitchen. Patsy's plaque hangs by the door - decorated with, appropriately, blue flowers. It says:
I smile because you are my sister.
I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!
The door leads into a hallway, which leads to the Greatroom of Hilltop House.

The west wall. Janice and Ray Storey's tapestry is sandwiched between the picture and the bathroom door. It hangs four feet beyond the foot of Mom's bed. The tapestry has traveled with Mom: from hospital room, to hospital room, to rehab room - fourteen rooms in all. This is the text above the angel:
For He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
Psalms 91:11

Happy Mom

2006-08-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

Though the hair is not fixed, I could not bypass this shot of Mom, posing in her Wal-Mart go cart. She has just ravaged Wal-Mart, over about a 90 minute period, and her glee is palpable. She purchased everything from shoes to a DVD/VCR player. She drove her go cart like a drunk golfer drives a golf cart: full speed at all times. I let her go. She crashed a couple of times in the beginning, but then she mastered it like a pro.

Mom and I had a running, 30 minute disagreement about when we needed to leave Wal-Mart, and return to Anna. Mom refused to leave. In retrospect, the whole scene was like trying to get a child out of the pool. I played the part of the permissive, overwhelmed, helpless parent. Mom was the child who refused to depart the water.

Finally, Mom agreed to go, but then took off towards Garden Supplies, which was the opposite direction of the checkout lines. I figured she was looking for the checkout lines, and she didn't want to hear any more instruction from me. I waited for her to U-Turn, and return in my direction. Instead, she turned left by the garden hoses. I started walking the 30 yards distance towards garden hoses. I wasn't worried, b/c she was pinned in by the far end of the store. Nevertheless, she effectively ditched me! After a full search of Garden Supply, I enlisted a Wal-Mart associate to help, and we zoomed towards Auto Supply. No Nancy. It had been maybe five minutes - which is a long time, in that situation. I envisioned Mom exiting through a fire door, or falling off her cart while reaching for an item on a shelf.

The associate whisked me towards Customer Service, and then launched a storewide "Adam Alert" for: "70 year old female, driving a Wal-Mart motorized cart, blue sweater, gray sweatpants, eyeglasses, goes by 'Nancy'". The problem was, this exactly described about 20 customers then motoring around the Wal-Mart. Suddenly, I espied Mom, 30 yards distant, zooming towards Garden Supplies. I had to run, yelling her name, to catch up to that damn cart.

Mom had bananas in her basket, which means she traversed the entire width of the store, from Garden Supplies all the way across to Grocery, picked out bananas, bagged them, then began her return trip to find me. Finding me, she asked if I still needed to return some flip-flop sandals I had mentioned earlier. Luckily, I did not. More luckily, Mom was finally ready to acquiesce, and return to Anna. We checked out, go-carted to her Yukon, and took the picture at the top of this post.

Look at that picture again. I said she looks gleeful - and she does. But she also looks ... smug. She beat me. That is for certain.

Sleepy Summer

2006-08-01T13:12:00.000-05:00

Aunt Billie wishes Mom a smooth recovery! And, maybe, she wishes the photographer would finish up, so she can get back to preparing the muffins(?) which are behind her, on the counter.

Billie's daughter, cousin Kerrie, would wish Aunt Nancy a speedy recovery, if she wasn't sooooo tired. And who can blame her, as she must work + listen for the loquacious Kendyl and Shelby + slow down the wild-driving Lindsey.

Hip World

2006-07-31T18:00:00.000-05:00

Mom has a hairline fracture in the outer sheath of her left hip bone. The fracture likely occurred two weeks ago, when Mom arose in the night, and fell, on the way to the bathroom. The good news: the hairline fracture will heal on it's own. No surgery needed. It will not cause any interruption, or slowdown, in Mom's therapy.

You could stop reading now - as you have the news. Everything else is detail.

Above is a random x-ray of a healthy right hip. On Mom's left hip, she sustained a hairline fracture in the little thumb of bone which protrudes from the top rear of the lower, outer sheath. Mom's little thumb of bone appears detached from the lower sheath of her hip bone. In this x-ray of a right hip, you can see such a thumb of bone protruding inwards, near the nine o'clock position - which is why I included this picture. The thumb of sheath bone is attached to muscle.

To the left is a drawing of a healthy left hip. The thumb of bone would be on the back side of the lower sheath of bone - near the three o'clock position in this drawing.
To the left is a cutaway drawing of the metal ball and spike used in a partial hip replacement. The metal ball and spike from Mom's surgery are undamaged, and remain perfectly positioned.

The hairline fractured sheath of Mom's hip has been partially pulled from the bone by attached muscle. Possibly as a result, Mom's left leg might be shorter than her right leg - by less than an inch. She should be able to live with that, with little problem. Possibly as a result, her left leg might be slightly rotated towards the outside, rather than positioned with her left foot and left knee pointed more forward. She can live with this also. It's difficult to say how many degrees her left leg might remain rotated towards the outside. As her muscle tone increases, Mom's leg, knee, and foot might be pulled more towards the front.

There is only the slightest chance the hairline fracture will cause a serious problem. That serious problem, if it arose, would be a new dislocation of her left hip, caused by a lack of muscle support to the area.

We did not know, until today, that Mom's hip had a hairline fracture. The ER Doctor missed the fracture on the post-fall x-ray. Mom saw her Orthopedic Surgeon today, and he saw the fracture. Hopefully, this will merely be a blip, as Mom has been walking further and further distances since the fall. She is currently travelling 400 feet per day(editor's note: not 400 at one time, as I originally wrote). Insert your own sports analogy in the comments below.

Previous to the fall, I had been a pest about hip precautions. Mom had not been happy to be pestered. After her fall, as she lay on the floor, Mom's first thought was "I can't believe I did this". Her second thought was "I hope Greg doesn't find out."

Pate Rehab now keeps someone in Mom's Sitting Room all during the night, to ensure that she doesn't get up, and try to walk, without supervision. Mom is strong enough to rise and walk on her own. Since her balance is imperfect, she needs her walker, and some supervision.

Onward.

Grilled Cheese Progress!

2006-07-29T22:56:00.000-05:00

Mom, for the 6 weeks, has invariably eaten only 3 to 6 bites of her various meals. Something (likely neurological) caused her taste buds and/or her appetite to not be normal over that period.

Now, suddenly, she is eating better. Mom ate her entire vegetable course on Friday night. She ate an entire baked potato at Sat. lunch, and an entire grilled cheese sandwich at Sat. dinner. This type of eating has not happened before. A very good sign!

I hope this will turn out to be like her swallowing. She took therapy to help her swallowing - with little progress to show for that work. Then, after the hip surgery, during a period of zero therapy, something (likely neurological) shifted. Mom suddenly began swallowing perfectly - without aspirating.

I hope something (likely neurological) has shifted over the last days, and Mom will continue to display a normal appreciation of her food.

Happy Dogs

2006-07-29T18:33:00.000-05:00

Atchafalaya(Chaffie) and Hoss say "get well, Nancy!", as they pose in front of the Hibiscus which Mom got for Bruce and Lisa last year. Bruce and Lisa can see the plant out their kitchen and breakfast room windows.

Chaffie and Hoss laugh at any cat, or child, who believe they can show out better than a cattle dog. Chaffie is so named b/c she is the color of the muddy Atchafalaya River. Chaffie and Hoss were involved in the famous "dog rescue" operation several months ago, when Lisa slid out of bed and broke her leg during the night. Chaffie stood over Lisa's chest, as if to protect her, and licked her face. Hoss leapt into Bruce's bed, moved close to Bruce's ear, and let out a sharp bark. The sleeping Bruce nearly jumped through the roof - then nearly jumped through the roof again, when he noticed Lisa was not in her bed.

Chaffie and Hoss have a puppy who became a champion herding dog in the Southeastern U.S. Chaffie is a Red Heeler. Heelers discipline cows and bulls by leaping up and chomping onto their noses, then either giving a quick twist, or actually bringing the animal to it's knees. After either of these actions, the cow or bull is willing to go where-ever the dog wants them to go. A friend once saw a bull leap a fence with a Heeler chomped onto his nose during the entire flight. The bull went to his knees upon landing.

Chaffie loves water, and will happily leap into any 2 inch puddle. Hoss loves to seek out animals and varmints.

Orange Hibiscus blooms were first created at LSU.

Speaking of Hairstyles...

2006-07-28T14:08:00.000-05:00

Mary Long

2006-07-26T21:02:00.000-05:00

Mary - Janice Romo Storey's mother - passed from this Earth last Saturday evening. Mary was president of her Sunday School class at Wedgwood Baptist Church for many years, and was a long-term greeter at the sanctuary for Sunday services. Mary attended a Sunday School class, no matter what town she was in, every Sunday, for 48 years. Remarkable.

Mary was a resident at WNH for some months, after suffering a stroke. Mom was fond of her. Mom extends her condolences to Janice, and to Mary's family and friends.

Janet 3

2006-07-26T00:02:00.000-05:00

A comment! Hooray! Link:

"efficacious niece, Janet Dodson."

Efficacious-adj
having the power to produce a desired effect.

Hmmm. Pretty good. But what is a "desired effect" Janet has the power to produce? Multiple appearances in the Nancy Update?

Ellyce and Bob

2006-07-25T13:59:00.000-05:00

created a wonderful surprise, with a visit on Sunday, followed by kindly sending along pictures. I love Ellyce and Bob. We are lucky to have them in our family.

Notable: Mom's hair has been fluffed and styled for this pic!

Mom's room is directly behind her. You can see her windows, and her door, in between the photo subjects.

Ellyce and Bob had called from OKC, where they had attended a wedding, to get directions to Anna. If you ever need directions, or Nancy's postal mailing address, or my email address, remember that info is available on the right sidebar. On the other hand, if you're ever in OKC: call for directions, and come on down! But don't try Ellyce's trick: she correctly memorized detailed directions, w/o writing them down. That trick is only for trained professionals.

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

2006-07-24T17:46:00.000-05:00

Top three criticisms of the Nancy Update:

"Those are nice grandchildren - but, how is she DOING?"
"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!"
"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-
Have installed new type of comments at the bottom of posts. You can comment, easily and efficiently, w/o having to register with Blogger. You can also insert photos into your comments.

Brinlee Creek Ranch

2006-07-23T21:56:00.000-05:00

Mom is a horsewoman from way back. I shot this late in the day, facing east.

Pivoting in the same postition, this is what we see to the south. This is Hilltop House. Mom stays in Room 10 - which is the first room to the right of the big windows. She can watch the horses from her window.

Rotating more - towards the southwest. The social workers and case workers office in the white temporary buildings. The brick building on the right is the therapy center. Pate has 35 patients taking therapy, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.

Rotating now towards due west, for a full look at the therapy building. 100 yards beyond it, up the hill, barely visible through the trees, is another house for residents. Just out of camera range - to the right, is the country lane you drive in on. This was taken facing 180 degrees away from where Mom continued feeding the horses.

Janet 2

2006-07-22T11:52:00.000-05:00

Effervescent not quite right?! Well, I like it. A second try:

Mom, and efflorescent niece, Janet Dodson...
`

Friends; Stronger; Sidebar

2006-07-22T11:01:00.000-05:00

Mom is making friends - which is a happiness, and a comfort, to see. The staff love her. They brag and dote on her. A place like Pate Rehab is made or broken by the quality of it's people. Pate is an outstanding place to be.

Mom is getting noticeably stronger: physically, cognitively, and in stamina. It is very nice to watch this happening. She is ready to receive visitors, postcards, pictures, or brilliant crayon drawings.

The news is not dramatic. Dramatic would actually be not the best thing. Instead, Mom is moving steadily forward in all areas. This is excellent. This is perfect. This does not make for a racy storyline. Still, mundane progress is what we are hoping for - although, when it comes to gaining brainpower, mundane is spectacular.

These will stay at the top of the sidebar links:

1: Anna: Address; Directions; Maps

2: 4/17 - 7/10: Nancy's Abbreviated History

Friends; Blue Devils

2006-07-22T01:24:00.000-05:00

Mom is perfectly happy in Anna, and this is how I can tell:
The residents and staff in Anna are becoming her friends.

She and I watched the Blue Devils rehearse on Friday night. Upon returning to Anna, at 10:00 PM, Mom regaled the available residents and staff with tales of the outstanding Blue Devils' sound, and of the outstanding young man who is her grandson. I could tell she was extra interested in telling her tale to this particular group, as the people in this group are becoming her friends. They were appropriately impressed with the Blue Devils, and with Jake. Mom glowed.

Above are three of Jake's great friends: Jenny, Anthony, and Jordan. They drove almost an hour to watch Jake's rehearsal on Wed. night. They are soon driving to San Antonio, to hang out with Jake on his Sunday off day. Jenny plays flute(All District). She is going to Texas Women's University, to major in Fashion Merchandising. Anthony plays trumpet(All Region), was a Drum Major, and is going to Ithaca College on a music scholarship. He wants to be a journalist. Jordan plays Saxaphone(5A All State), was a Drum Major, and is going to some niche college I can't remember, on a music scholarship. The college is in the east. Jordan wants to play professionally, for a career. He is immensely talented.

Wed night: Blue Devils' rehearse, as dusk approaches. I like this b/c it shows the crowd of instruments on the sideline. 75 people sat in the stands during this rehearsal, and about 40 of them appeared to be high school or junior high band students. The remaining crowd was evenly split between band directors and families/friends.

The Blue Devils are the Yankees of DCI, having won an unprecendented 11 championships. In this season's competitions, which have each included from 6 to 12 competitors, the Blue Devils are undefeated. They own 22 consecutive first place finishes.

Blue Devils regroup for another run through. Jake is on the 34 yard line, in gray shorts.

Notice the backpacks and water jugs on the track. Blue Devils individuals drink through their personal jugs of water, then refill their jugs from giant water coolers, which are provided. Repeat as needed. It was probably 95 degrees when this pic was taken, approx. 8:30 pm. They typically practice about 9 - 10 hours/day.

In the above picture, which was taken during a break, you can see the flag corps loves to throw their flags in the air. They toss them, and toss them, and toss them, at every available opportunity. They must read each night's wind, and adjust their flag handling accordingly. The Blue Devils have a Japanese guy, who speaks very little English, who is supposedly the World Champion at individual flag handling/throwing/et al. Universities now give scholarships to Flag Corps members. Whodathunkit?

Thus, after lunch: Blue Devils practice in 102 degree heat - which is 120+ degree heat on the artificial turf. Jake is leading the far right group towards a midfield position between the hash marks. You can see the back of his shoulders, as he strides towards the 46 yard line.

Godfather theme: This religious cross will soon morph into a dagger. Jake is in the dead center of the crossed planks - but cannot be seen. Too dense.

Janet

2006-07-21T15:07:00.000-05:00

Mom is doing excellently well. She is rehabbing steadily, and is making friends. More details in future.

Here is the first picture I've personally transferred from digital camera to computer: Mom, and effervescent niece, Janet Dodson.The caftan/gown is a gift from Cloe Harris.
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Jake and the Blue Devils

2006-07-19T00:44:00.000-05:00

My innocent child took off, the day after his H/S graduation, with this adult circus of marching band enthusiasts. They perform in competitions all across America: from CA to NC; from MN to MS; and points in between. They've performed in these 8 cites during the last 12 days: Dubuque; Indianapolis; Stillwater(MN); Mankato; Battle Creek; Louisville; Tupelo. You can see their entire July schedule here: http://www.bluedevils.org/calendar/

What amazes me is what big business the Blue Devils are, and what big business Drum Core International(DCI) is. The whole thing is a barnstorming tour. They roll into town, hold a giant competitive tournament, then roll on to the next town.
The skill level is quite amazing. The Blue Devils have mini-squads, which are sort of minor league development squads, for younger performers. Jake is one of the youngest performers on the adult squad: the A Squad. He is fortunate to be there - as several hundred tried out for about one hundred postions on the 2006 squad. Candidates came from other nations to try out. Here is the official page of videos which catalogue the 2006 season:
http://www.bluedevils.org/blueview/ The last 60 seconds of Episode 10 (train trip) show a nice sample from this year's July 8 show (Godfather theme) in Indianapolis. Jake is in there somewhere, blowing an Euphonium.

Several have said they wanted to go to Jake's July 20 show(Thus. night) in this area. Sadly, the show will be at Lake Highlands Stadium, in Richardson. The Blue Devils will perform at 10:08 PM. Tickets are $25 each. God Bless if you go to that! You can, instead, if you are an incredibly determined relative, show up at Blue Devil rehearsals and meals. The group will be rehearsing in Frisco on Wed, Thu, Fri. For that schedule, you can click on those days on the calendar: http://www.bluedevils.org/calendar/

Addendum: An account of Jake's and my trip home, during the Thanksgiving holidays, from a Drum Core team try-out. Its about the journey. Thankfully.

Testing

2006-07-18T14:22:00.000-05:00

Haloscan Comments.

Pictures likely coming late tonight.
Brinlee Creek Ranch is lovely.
Pate Rehab seems outstanding.

2006-07-18T14:15:00.000-05:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Visitors

2006-07-14T11:28:00.000-05:00

For the first 10-14 days of Mom's rehab stay, Dr. Dickson says it is best to have no more than 3-4 visitors at a time.

If we ever have more than 3 to 4 visitors planned, we should call ahead, so the staff can schedule a place for us to hang out. Brinlee Creek Ranch has a large Recreation Room, with a large screen television, which is perfect for this purpose. The staff would love to reserve it for us, as the Rec Room maybe doesn't get as much use as it deserves. Ships are happy on the ocean. Dogs are happy on the hunt. Recreation rooms are happy with raucous families using them.

Vachel has already threatened 10-12 visitors at one time. Dr. Dickson is confident Brinlee Creek can handle that number - in the Rec Room!

Anna: Address; Directions; Maps

2006-07-14T10:49:00.000-05:00

Address:

Nancy Cotharn
Pate Rehabilitation
10057 County Rd 472
Anna, TX 75409-8442

Hilltop House, Room 10

Physical Location:

Anna is about 10 minutes northeast of McKinney. In Anna, the Pate Rehab location is called "Brinlee Creek Ranch."

Yahoo Driving Directions(Updated):

8. Take TX-121 NORTH toward DALLAS

9. Take ramp onto US-75 NORTH toward SHERMAN - go 8.1 mi

10. Take exit #45 onto TX-121 NORTH (Right) toward BONHAM
(Greg's note: the moment you hit the exit ramp off of US-75, you are 5.6 miles from your next turn. Check your odometer, and see #13)
- go 0.7 mi

11. TX-121 NORTH becomes TX-5 NORTH - go 0.4 mi
(Greg's note: this is barely notable. Bear right where the road splits.)

12. Continue on TX-121 NORTH toward TRENTON/BONHAM - go 4.5 mi

13. Turn RIGHT on RD 1220
(Greg's Note: This is listed as "CR-420" on the Yahoo map, but the real-life road sign says "RD 1220". Look for this marker: a white sign, propped up on the right side of TX-121, advertising "Whiterock Baptist Church".
- go 1.2 mi (of scenic farmfield driving. When in doubt, turn left.)

14. Turn LEFT on CR-472 - go 0.9 (winding) mi
(of scenic farmfield driving. Keep a lookout for crop circles.)

15. Arrive at 10057 COUNTY ROAD 472, ANNA, TX
(Greg's Note: Hilltop House will be the third permanent building on your right, located 130 yards up a sloping hill. It somewhat resembles a hunting lodge.)

Mom is in Room 10, with a smile for you.

Link: Yahoo Maps
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Anna Coyotes

2006-07-13T23:19:00.000-05:00

80 miles, and 90 minutes, from Pate Rehab to the house. What does one think about during such a drive...?

I'm pleased that Anna High School's mascot is the Coyotes. It's always a missed opportunity when a high school ignores wordplay, or local symbolism, and selects a generic mascot such as bulldogs, tigers, or pirates. Coyotes is appropriate for the geographic area.

Still, Anna High School had opportunities for mascot greatness, yet could not steel themselves to take the leap. Consider:

Anna Bananas
Anna Kareninas
Anna Grams
Anna Hilators
Anna Nymouses
Anna Sthesiologists
Anna Gels
Anna Mals
Anna Oakleys
Anna Versaries
Anna Molies
Anna Tagonists
Anna Cedents
Anna Ticipation
Anna Dotes
Anna Archists
Anna Tipathy
Anna Condas
Anna Chronism
Anna Erobics
Anna Glyphs

Coyotes is perfectly appropriate - and yet, "Anna" is mascot gold. Sigh...

See below for my absolute favorite - a mascot which works on several levels, offers poster and cheer flexibility, and would've been a memorable part of mascot history:

Anna Cins

Forgive me.

Moving to Pate Rehabilitation; in Anna, TX

2006-07-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

As I type this, Mom is in transit. Pate has a lovely, perfectly appointed rehab facility in Anna, which is 10 minutes north of McKinney. They concentrate strictly on neurologic rehab patients.

Leaving Baylor Rehab is wistful. Mom made tremendous progress while she stayed here. I've thanked the therapists, doctors, nurses, techs, receptionists, social workers, janitors, and nutrition staff. I hope they have a true sense that they have made a contribution to Mom's rehabilitation, and to her life - and to the lives of all of us who care about her.

Composing this post is my last act at Baylor Rehab. Everyone is thanked, and I am walking straight out the door in about two minutes. I will greatly miss this convenient computer. It is against the rules for me to be using it. A friendly staffer lets me break the rules, which is always delicious. People will help you, if only you will tell them what you need. Life is good that way.

Onward.

4/17 to 7/10: Abbreviated History

2006-07-11T15:47:00.000-05:00

4/17 Subarachnoid Hemorrage + coded and revived.

Approx. 9:00 pm, went unconscious for approx. 10 minutes. Nancy regained consciousness for 10 minutes, then went unconscious again, as she was loading into the ambulance. She was again conscious in the ER.

Approx. 11:30 pm, Nancy coded as she was being wheeled to an MRI.

4/18
5:00 AM Nancy enters Neuro ICU.
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Coiling Procedure to resolve 2 aneurysm.

Approx 4/19 Shunt placed in brain.

4/22 Responding to verbal commands. Goes off ventilator, but remains intubated.

Note: Between 4/17 and approx. 4/30, Nancy will be intubated three separate times. She will eventually have difficulty producing volume with her voice, possibly due to the multiple intubations.

4/27 Shunt removed.
4/30 Extubated for the final time. Goes onto CPAP.
5/5 Leaves Neuro-ICU.
5/6 Respiratory difficulties (low SATS). Nancy returns to Neuro ICU.
5/9 Leaves Neuro ICU for the final time.
5/11 PEG inserted.
5/12 Goes to Kindred Hospital.
5/16 This link gives a family/chatty overview of this period.
5/19 Walks 100’
5/26 Goes to Harris Methodist Rehab.
5/28 Breaks hip while walking to bathroom.
5/30 Successful surgery to replace hip socket.
Note: Nancy remains drunk (on anaesthesia) for 5-6 days after surgery. Therapy is extremely limited, and she accomplishes little during the therapy.
6/8 Passes Barium Swallow Test. Now allowed to drink and eat orally.
6/9 Nancy to BIR.
6/15 Increasing cognition difficulty is noted. Hydro-cephalus is diagnosed. Therapy is once again greatly restricted, due to rapidly decreasing alertness and cognition. She accomplishes little during the therapy sessions.
6/22 VPS successful, at Baylor’s Roberts Hospital.
6/23 Nancy returns to BIR.
6/25 Rapid cognition progress is noted.
6/26 Therapy begins. Nancy will display much improvement over the coming days.
7/10 Walked into speech therapy and confidently announced she was at Baylor Rehab in Dallas. Speech therapist noted that, just as Nancy has definitively determined where she is, she is about to be discharged...

Where Are We: Memory

2006-07-11T08:51:00.000-05:00

Now comes immediate, and pretend-distraught, word from Patsy's granddaughter that Patsy's great-granddaughter was not about to cry; but was instead playing peek-a-boo. Let's pretend that suspicious peek-a-boo story is true. We'll pretend Abby is not actually thinking:
How long must I suffer the inane ministrations of this photographer? If someone doesn't save me I am going to cry!

If you think peek-a-boo, and you look at how Abby is calling upon all of her focus and concentration, you can almost see the wheels turning inside her brain. In a similar fashion, as Mom works to overcome short-term memory difficulties, you can almost see the wheels trying to turn in her brain.

Dad has described Mom, as best he could, as "not herself." Well-intentioned as that is, it's not my preferred description.
The wonderful thing about Mom is she is totally herself! She has her typical personality, she has her typical sense of humor. She cracks jokes. She remembers everybody, and everything, which happened before her hemorrage. She is wonderful to hang out and visit with.

In a good sign, Mom also remembers much of what has happened since her hemorrage. This is maybe an indication that her brain is slowly repairing the damaged parts. She remembers who visited through the July 4th weekend, and what they talked about. Mom can detail everything about her potential shift in therapy emphasis, even after she had only heard those details one time. Mom's nurse says, even when Mom was having the most trouble with hydro-cephalus, she amazingly knew the medications she was taking, and stayed mostly on top of her dosages.

Yet, other instances of short term memory leave Mom grasping for answers. To give one example, Mom has trouble remembering where she is: Baylor Rehab; Dallas, Texas. It could be that the little pinprick of brain which stores this info is traumatized. It could be that Mom is less motivated, or less interested, in remembering this info(compared to family chit-chat, or medication groupings).

A good sign is that Mom is starting to zero in on where she is. When asked, she will answer - Shakespeare-style: "That is the question." She will then begin to focus - looking somewhat like Abby in the above pic. Her focus and memory is improving! Ago, Mom variously thought she was in Louisiana, Waco, or Florida, etc. She variously thought she was in different kinds of buildings. Now, she remembers she is in either Ft. Worth, or Dallas - though she might have trouble pinpointing which. I'm confident the therapists consider this a sign that Mom's brain is slowly building synapse connections, to compensate for the traumatized areas.

Mom usually has her building location pinned down to one of three places: Cook's Hospital(where she did her early nursing), Harris Methodist(where she stayed for weeks as a patient), or "Baylor Rehab" ("They don't want us just to call it 'Baylor'"). For some time, she has been using that exact order to guess which building she was in. When she is informed that she is not in Cook's; and she is informed that she is not in Harris; you can see a relieved, understanding expression come over her face. She is now sure she is at Baylor Rehab! And that this grueling ordeal of questions can abate, for a while.

Patsy 3

2006-07-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

To the right is Patsy's great-granddaughter: Abby. Now, I'm not an expert on childhood behavior, but that girl might be about to cry...

Patsy hasn't gained back any additional movement in her right arm and hand. She still has about 60% movement in the arm. She still can wiggle her fingers, but cannot make a fist.

On Saturday, Patsy had an additional incident of paralysis - also on her right side. The right side of her face became temporarily paralyzed. Today, Sunday, Patsy is speaking with no interference, and no problems. She told this story:

A lady came in to assess me, so I could go to a rehab center for therapy. She spoke to me as if I was a child. She said, "Can you push this two times?"

Well, you don't challenge me. I said "Lady, I can push that three times!"

She said "Oh no, you can't push that three times."

I said "You watch me."

And Greg, I don't know how I did it; and it was hard; but I was going to do it; and I pushed that thing three times. And she looked at me, and she said "Well, you did too good." Pushing that thing three times disqualified me from going to the rehab center!"

First Trip Home

2006-07-08T22:33:00.000-05:00

Here's Mom and Dad in the Plaza Beauty Salon. It is not the Plaza Beauty School. Mom's back-up beautician, Helen, is peeking from the back. Helen does Mom's hair on the days Yvonne is out of the shop. Helen did today's hair. Kudos!

Here's Mom with her loyal friend, and excellent nurse: Janice Romo Storey. They are posing in front of Mom's new Yukon, which is, seemingly impossibly, a bright midnight blue. It is beautiful - especially in the sunlight. It glimmers.

Janice spoils Mom by bringing her numerous gifts - some of which I play with, like a how-to calligraphy set. Janice has been at WNH for 27 years. Janice was my grandmother's nurse, and was with her on the night she(Ruth Post) died, in 1980. Janice and her husband, Ray, sent these pictures for the Nancy Update. Gracias.

It was wonderful to have Mom back in her own home. Before her hair appt, she hung out with Blake and Abby Boatright. She also studied pictures, and heard stories, from Doug Melton, about the latest dramatic production at WNH. It sounds like a two thumbs up, PG rated type of show(edging towards an R rating?!).

After Mom's hair appt, she took a two-hour nap in her own bed. It seemed like such a luxury.

Marker

2006-07-07T12:10:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow(Saturday), 82 days after Mom's hemorrage, she will ease into a vehicle, then ride to Ft. Worth for a day-visit to her home. I look forward to being commanded in various clean-up and straighten-up activities. The plants, thank goodness, will receive a professional inspection. It will be a nice day, and one I will be grateful to see.

Patsy 2

2006-07-05T22:38:00.000-05:00

Updating and correcting some info in the post below:

Doctors can't decide whether to call Patsy's incident a TIA, or a stroke. They are still running many tests.
Patsy has regained some movement in her right arm - maybe even most movement. However, she is not near any full range of motion in that arm. She has regained some movement in her right hand: she can wiggle her fingers. She cannot make a fist.
The incident happened at 8:45 AM, on Monday, July 3. By 9:05 AM, Patsy was at the hospital Emergency Room.
Patsy thinks Doctors think that the movement in her arm and hand will likely return. Doctors have told her she will need therapy.

Patsy and Larry had a wonderful time on their cruise. Their stateroom had a wide balcony, which overlooked the ocean. They visited these Baltic Sea(ish) cities:

Amsterdam
Berlin
St. Petersberg
Stockholm
Copenhagen

Aunt Patsy

2006-07-05T00:17:00.000-05:00

Monday afternoon, approx. 1:00 PM, Aunt Patsy suffered a Transient Ischemic Attack(TIA):

A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.
[...]
TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there's no injury to the brain.

By 5:00 PM, Aunt Patsy seemed to have made a virtually complete recovery from the TIA(according to Jimmy). She seems feisty as ever, but you are welcome to remember her in your prayers.

July 4th: Family

2006-07-04T23:59:00.000-05:00

Some happy grandchildren, with a proud grandmother. Clockwise from bottom left:
Austin: going into second grade.
Baron: going into eleventh grade.
Courtney: going into sophomore year at Louisiana Tech(Elem. Edu. major).
Kacy: 4 1/2
Mom

Thanks to Sharon for Mom's July 4th scarf and berets! Sharon is Activity Director at WNH.

Some happy children, and a happy mother. We are looking festively July 4th in this pic! Clockwise from bottom left:
Lisa: forty-...uh... maybe I better stop the age thing now.
Me
Bruce
Kris
Bradley
Mom

Can you can pick out, in the above picture, which person(s) might've voted for John Kerry?

Here's a group pic of everyone. Dad has snucken (should be a word) into this picture. I call this one:

"Portrait of a Happy Family and a Tiring Matriarch"

Thanks to Brooke Dodson for the photos! Bruuuoohhhkkk!! Someone might have helped Brooke out, but I can't seem to recall...

Note how Kacy and Austin (and, really, Courtney and Baron also) are workin' it in this picture - without even trying. "Wholesome" is oozing out of every pore, as if it has a life of its own. It cannot be restrained.

Ah. Youth.

More Steps

2006-06-30T16:39:00.000-05:00

forward in cognition. It's still the right direction. Now that Mom is finally able to have some therapy, she is improving. She is walking about 100' at this time.

I should mention that, a couple of weeks back, Lindsey Goins visited Mom all the way from "The Valley" outside of Los Angeles, CA. That's right, Lindsey is a Valley Girl. I believe Lindsey holds the record for person traveling the farthest to visit Mom.

Today was Party Day in Mom's room, and included these visitors:

Gurvis Post
Bradley Cotharn
Kris Cotharn
Austin Cotharn
Kacy Cotharn
Ronda Pippen
Jane Grismer
Jerry Grismer
Bruce Cotharn
Lisa Cotharn
Courtney Cotharn
Baron Cotharn
Greg Cotharn
Vachel Cotharn

In addition to all the visitors, Mom maintained her schedule with these therapies:

Occupational Therapy: today = dressing and bath activities
Physical Therapy: today = walking
Neuro-Psychology: "plays a critical role in planning cognitive rehabilitation activities with the treatment team members."
Speech Therapy: Mom's actual speech is good. Speech therapy focuses in on areas where Mom has difficulty with cognition: such as short-term memory. Today's session included working with calendars and dates. The therapist would point to significant dates on the calendar. Mom would later try to remember those dates, and why they were significant.

This has been the most fun day of Mom's entire recovery period. She is further along than she has ever been, and she greatly enjoyed all the visitors. Thank you, Nancy Beth and Todd, for scheduling a wedding.

Tiny Steps

2006-06-28T17:41:00.000-05:00

forward in cognition. It's the right direction.

Abby + Progress

2006-06-25T20:21:00.000-05:00

Flirting through Bossier City since 2005.

Progress! The shunt is working. Today, Mom recalls: where she is; where all her grandkids are; that Courtney attends Louisiana Tech, where: "The sign always said "Louisiana Polytechnic". Mom did not remember this info on Friday. It's obvious that excess cerebro-spinal fluid is draining out of her ventricles.

Mom started Physical Therapy today, which included a walk of about 50'. This means, if Mom received an accurate outlet pass, she could dribble from midcourt to the basket, then shoot a lay-up: if all opposition players suffered simultaneous catatonic episodes, and if Mom's teammates picked up her errant dribbles, and returned the ball to her. I doubt she would double-dribble, because:

She'd need to keep one hand on her walker, and
For gosh sakes - she knows the rules.

Where Are We?

2006-06-24T16:35:00.000-05:00

--Drunk on anaesthesia. After hip surgery, it took maybe 6 days to become undrunk. It took maybe 10 days for most all effects of anaesthesia to dissipate.

--Excess cerebro-spinal fluid (hopefully) being shunted into stomach cavity. Vital signs are good. The way to know everything is good is for 1) Mom's cognition to return to where it was before, and 2) CAT scans to show reduced ventricle size.

--Hip replacement looks good. Mom still must be careful not to cross her legs, turn her left foot inwards, or (when sitting) raise her left knee towards her stomach and above a 90 degree angle. Otherwise, she could dislocate/mess up her new hip, and require a second hip surgery. This is worrisome to me. I keep a sponge wedge placed between her lower legs, to prevent crossover. The rehab nurses are much more relaxed than a wacked out family member. They keep a pillow between her legs - or not, saying "Oh, let her relax a while - she'll be okay."

--Ready to return to therapy on Monday, even though might still be somewhat anaesthesia hung-over.

--Mom is happy, vibrant, and alert. She has trouble concentrating on reading, writing, or doing artwork. She needs something to do with her hands. Doing something with her hands makes her happy. I will ask if we can give her knitting needles. Other suggestions are appreciated.

Annika

2006-06-24T16:19:00.000-05:00

I take exception to previous characterizations about my fashion sense, and about the fashion sense of designers and photographers in my city, and in my state. The fashion community of Ogden, and of Utah in general, blends and matches colors with tasteful verve and whimsy. When you are operating on the hip edge of style, you cannot please everyone, and I/we do not expect to do so. But, I want this known: I am a good girl, and I luv my grandma.

Pump It Up

2006-06-23T15:54:00.000-05:00

Toria Post created an artwork of a little girl, with the caption: "Pump it up."

Mom: They (Baylor Rehab people) confuse me. They tell me to be careful with my movements. Then they put up a sign saying "Pump it up."

Baylor Rehab, Room 209

2006-06-23T15:48:00.000-05:00

Returned to same room at Baylor Rehab. Never had to remove crayoned pictures from the walls. Link for Directions. Mom is happy and alert.

Roberts Hospital; Room 1604

2006-06-22T16:34:00.000-05:00

At Baylor Hospital complex. Link for Directions.

Update: Mom is no longer at Roberts Hospital.

Surgery Went Good

2006-06-22T10:28:00.000-05:00

Mom is in recovery. Hooray!

VPS Surgery Scheduled

2006-06-21T15:02:00.000-05:00

to start approx. 7:30 - 8:00 AM Thursday (tomorrow).

Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt (VPS)

2006-06-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

(Bumped to top)

Since Thursday, Mom has experienced increasing cognition difficulty. This is likely due to hydro cephalus, which is a fancy name for having excess cerebro-spinal fluid in your ventricles. The fluid has possibly been accumulating since Mom's shunt was removed - approximately one month ago. She will have a VPS procedure this week, in hopes of curing the problem. Here's how it works:

A shunt will be inserted into her brain. The shunt will not be visible from outside her body. A tube will run from her shunt, through her body, and will empty excess cerebro spinal fluid into her Peritoneal Cavity (her stomach). Scroll to the middle of this web page for info and pictures about VPS.

Side effects include maybe a 25% chance the shunt will become plugged up and blocked. I assume, in that case, the shunt can be replaced. Blockage is more likely to occur in the initial weeks after VPS implantation. Sometimes, after a couple of years, during a routine examination, a shunt is found to be blocked. In this case, where the patient has shown no external symptoms of a problem, the patient's body will have been removing sufficient amounts of cerebro spinal fluid on it's own. This is another example of the body healing itself - on it's own schedule.Other side effects include about a 5% chance of infection, and about at 10% chance the shunt will cause further bleeding in the brain, i.e. subdural hematoma.

It's not a sure thing that her cognition problem is due to hydro cephalus. However, Doctors cannot find another problem. Doctors do believe they see increasing size in her ventricles, which would indicate accumulating cerebro spinal fluid. Hopefully, the shunt will reduce ventricle size, and return cognition to where it was before. I'll update, if and when the surgery occurs.

Workin It

2006-06-20T00:12:00.000-05:00

Abby: Hi! Good to see you guys! Especially since I love everybody!

Annika: Hush it, toots. Let's be serious. How come we haven't appeared on Nancy Update in forever? And how'd those cats get bumped to the top two times? We are waay cuter than those cats. Was it affirmative action?

Kendyl and Shelby: We heard his computer was down, and he lost access to his picture files. Also, Nancy Update doesn't do affirmative action. Those cats must've been bumped to the top on merit. They were workin it. Look at us - this is how you work it! We are adorable!

Austin, Max, and Kacy: This is how you work it when you are kids from the Midwest - you do wholesome. We are so wholesome, we sweat whole milk! Also, animals help - woos the PETA crowd - and all the grandparents who love cute.

Annika: (grumble, grumble) You think that's workin it? I'll show you workin it... umph... puff... give me a minute...

Lindsey: Work it with a sexy vehicle. Readers love a hot woman posing with a sexy vehicle!

Jenny and Ling: We are adorable. No one can work it better than us. Your only hope of getting more pictures is affirmative action - oh, so sorry - Nancy Update doesn't do affirmative action. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Cats rule! Jenny and Ling rule! We rule!

Annika: Ta da! THIS is workin it! All y'all can eat your hearts out. We're playin' Ogden Rules, suckahs. Y'all cain't hang in the Mormon hood! Shout out to mah homeys, an mah unc Aaron. AAAROONN!!

Lindsey: omg - you are mixing cool colors, with hot colors, with medium colors. That is so slut!

Smokie: Yes, I think that is slut. What about you, Sassy?
Sassy: Hmmm. Yes. Slut. I concur. Very definitely. Quite unfair to the rest of us.

Kendyl:
Shelby: We say slut! Totally. What are you people in Utah thinking?! That color mix is totally unacceptable.

Abby: Can't we all get along? I love everybody. Let's be... um... nice... - is that fruit on that bikini?

Slut.

Baylor's Colorful Rehab Lineup

2006-06-15T17:05:00.000-05:00

From a web page for Baylor Institute of Rehabilitation:

Baylor Institute of Rehabilitation (BIR) has been named seven times in U.S. News and World Report as one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the U.S. BIR's Traumatic Brain Injury program has earned the rare distinction of being one of 16 federally designated "model systems" of care, in the country, for the treatment of persons with brain injuries.

From a Web Page for the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Treatment:

Brain injuries and the disabilities they cause are extremely complex. Often, patients with seemingly similar injuries do not have the same level of disability. Therefore, each patient is provided with an individualized treatment plan, based on an evaluation performed by members of the interdisciplinary treatment team and the goals of the patient and family.
[...]
A variety of specialists comprise the treatment team. Each specialist brings to the team an expertise in a specific area of neurological rehabilitation, and the team is assembled based on each patient's individual needs and may consist of all or some of the following:

(From the same web page) Mom meets with all of the following types of rehab professionals:

Physiatrist
The physiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The physiatrist manages the patient's medical needs, calling in appropriate physician specialists when necessary and leads the team in treatment planning to accomplish unified goals.

Neuropsychologist/Neuropsychology Therapist
The neuropsychologist is a PhD. level psychologist while the neuropsychology therapist is a Master's degree level psychologist with expertise in the area of brain/behavior relationships. Specialized testing is used to determine cognitive, intellectual and behavioral changes that may have resulted from the brain injury. The neuropsychologist/ neuropsychology therapist plays a critical role in planning cognitive rehabilitation activities with the treatment team members. They conduct preliminary testing for possible return to work or school and provide counseling and support for patients and family members.

Speech-Language Pathologist
These clinicians evaluate and treat difficulties in the areas of speech, language, thinking and swallowing. They coordinate each patient's treatment program to help ensure that cognitive and communication deficits are identified for maximizing participation in the program, so that patients have the opportunity for achieving outcome goals.

Occupational Therapist
This therapist's role is to assist in promoting independence and safety with activities of daily living through self-care skills and management of home activities. They evaluate the motor, sensory, visual, perceptual and cognitive deficits which may interfere with independent living skills. They assess and work to improve upper extremity (arm) weakness and spasticity, and evaluate the use of casting and splinting. The occupational therapist implements a treatment plan to teach self-care and activities of daily living. Adaptive devices may be recommended for the patient to achieve a greater level of independence in the home and community.

Physical Therapist
Physical therapy focuses on improving motor function, minimizing physical disabilities, and restoring normal movement patterns. The physical therapist assesses and treats the areas of strength, joint range of motion, balance, endurance, motor planning, gait, transfers and mobility. They will work to help the patient improve lower extremity (leg) weakness, muscle tone and spasticity.

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
These clinicians evaluate past leisure pursuits and help develop skills necessary for successful return to an active and healthy lifestyle. They act as a resource to the patient and family in identifying activities within the community that the whole family can continue to participate in after discharge.

Clinical Nurse Coordinator
The clinical nurse coordinator coordinates with all the people involved in planning and implementing the patient's treatment program. The coordinator will help with issues related to financial resources and be the primary contact and source of information about the patient's progress achieved in the treatment program.

Social Worker
The social worker works with the family to address issues related to discharge planning. She provides the family with information on follow-up therapy providers and community resources and makes referrals for continued services upon discharge from the hospital.

Rehabilitation Nurse
The responsibilities and involvement of the rehabilitation nurse vary, depending on the stage of recovery and level of care required by the patient. The nurse will monitor the patient's medical condition, level of alertness, nutrition, bowel and bladder function, response to medications and vital signs. The nurse also provides patient/family education.

Rehabilitation Assistant (RA)
Like the nurse, the rehab assistant provides varying degrees of support based on the patient's level of independence. The RA's primary role is to assist the patient with self-care activities in the patient's room. As the patient progresses in the treatment program and becomes capable of performing these activities more independently, the rehab assistant provides less hands-on care.

Moved to Room 209

2006-06-13T16:55:00.000-05:00

A private room, fit for a queen.

Directions to Baylor Rehab can be found here.

Swallowing = Good; Taste Buds = Discriminating

2006-06-13T16:43:00.000-05:00

Mom eats 3 or 4 bites of each meal. She then pronounces the meal a distasteful mess, and does not eat more. She is skinny. I'm hoping exercise will increase her appetite. Doctors have threatened to resume feeding her through her still-in-place stomach tube. She says that is fine, adding defiantly:
"I'd rather you do that than force me to eat this food."

Mom can only eat soft food. I've brought in food from the outside, then mashed it up. She didn't like that,either. I brought in a milk shake. She didn't like that. Maybe her taste buds need an adjustment period. Or, maybe she's become a food snob late in life, and will only eat 5-star cuisine. Calling Grady Spears.

Rehabbing the Brain

2006-06-13T16:29:00.000-05:00

One method is through the resumption of physical activity. Myriad parts of the brain are called to perform during physical activity.

Mom, for the first time ever, underwent a full day of therapy on Monday (3 hours minimum). She pronounced it a difficult day to get through, and had no trouble falling asleep.

Speech therapists ask questions which force patients to call upon different parts of the brain in order to answer. They zero in on the types of questions the patient has the most trouble answering. They put greater focus on those questions.

The brain will repair itself in many instances. When parts of the brain are called upon, the brain will create denser connectivity in those areas. Over time, the brain will adapt to what its user calls upon it to do. Through encouraging patients to use the damaged areas of their brains, speech therapists help patients create healing in their brains. It's just a theory, but everyone believes it works - including the ultimate skeptics: insurance companies.

Mom is quite good at listening to stories and recalling details. She is less good, but improving, at creating lists out of thin air, such as lists of animals, plants, trees, words that start with particular letters, etc. Speech therapists at Harris have already been working with Mom in this area. She has shown good improvement in the last 4 to 5 days.

Baylor Rehab Location

2006-06-10T14:37:00.000-05:00

Find Us

Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation
3505 Gaston Ave.
Dallas, TX 75246
(214) 820-9300

Directions, parking information and phone numbers

Mom is in Room 209 (Room 209 is Mom's new location, as of Monday, June 12).

Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation is a free standing, 4 story building. It is located on the north side of Gaston Ave, and directly across Gaston Ave. from Wadley Towers.

Thanks to the lovely Kathy Helgason: bank officer extraordinaire,
at Comerica Bank.

Swallow Follow Up

2006-06-10T14:03:00.000-05:00

It appears Mom's body healed itself. This was possibly due to finally having sufficient rest for her throat muscles, or due to some undetectable neurologic progress, or due to some combination of the two.

When Mom broke her hip, on May 28, all therapy designed to improve her swallowing stopped, and remained stopped right up to her second Barium swallow test, on approximately June 4. That swallow test revealed her to be swallowing everything perfectly. The doctor reading it said
"I don't know who had a bug up their behind about her swallowing, but she is fine."

Yet Mom had not been fine in her previous swallow tests. In addition, one speech therapist after another, upon examining Mom, had cluck clucked about her apparent swallowing problems, and about the likelihood of aspiration. In the one or two days before the second Barium swallow test, Mom's voice volume suddenly increased a good bit. I suspect this was an indication that the strength of her throat muscles had imperceptibly taken a step forward.

This is a micro example of the unknowableness, and the unpredictability, of Mom's recovery. Every brain patient recovers at their own rate. It's possible that different parts of the brain, and even different tiny bits of the brain, recover somewhat independently from each other. If neuro-surgeons understand it, they refuse to admit so. They refuse to predict the speed, or the eventual degree, of any recovery.

As a family member, or as a friend, we are left in a state of "not knowing." This is so frustrating. As humans, we want to know. We really, really want to know. Yet we are denied. Personally, I at least want to know odds of various recovery scenarios. I really, really want to know. Yet I am denied.

The only peace I can find is to look upon "not knowing" as a sign of God's all-knowingness, and as a reminder of my place in His universe. God knows and understands far beyond my capabilities. I can only look upon His creations with wonder. I can only look upon the human brain, and upon the body's ability to heal itself, with wonder. Some things cannot be understood. They are wonders.

2006-06-08T20:52:00.000-05:00

Guest blogger Bradley for a PC detached Greg:

Mom has been at Harris Hospital in Ft. Worth for the last several days, recovering from her hip surgery. She has recovered very well, even walking on it, and they are confident she can move out of Harris Hospital to refocus on her neurological rehabilitation.

Baylor Rehabilitation Center in Dallas has won the battle for Mom's business. We are told by the healthcare professionals that it is considered the best neurological rehabilitation center in North Texas. The location is next to Baylor Hospital, but I don't have an address. She is to be moved tomorrow morning, Friday, June 9. We anticipate she will be there for a few weeks.

Less Drunk on Anaesthesia

2006-06-06T14:58:00.000-05:00

And more ready for visitors. Mom may be leaving Harris in a couple of days, for a not-yet-determined destination. If you've been thinking of visiting, there may be no time like the present.

Swallowing: Good News

2006-06-06T14:52:00.000-05:00

Early results from a barium swallow test show that Mom is swallowing liquid into her stomach, and not into her lungs. Therefore, her Doctor has ordered a simple diet for her, which she can ingest by mouth. !! This is very big news indeed, as Mom was a serious candidate to have a stomach tube for life. This has all happened within the last two hours. This info comes second hand, from Dad. I will try to find more detail, and first hand detail, for a future update.

Hip Recovery More Complicated Than I Thought

2006-06-02T18:00:00.000-05:00

Update Note: My previous understanding of "6 months" was likely incorrect. Mom goes back to the hip surgeon approx. 8 weeks after her surgery. Some movement restrictions may be eliminated at that time.

The recovery from the broken hip will be more complicated than I thought on Tuesday. For six months, Mom must not rotate her left foot inwards, or she runs a real risk of dislodging, or otherwise messing up, her new hip socket. For six months, Mom must not raise her left knee at more than a ninety degree angle - as you might do if you were raising your knee to your chest, or she runs a real risk of damaging her new hip socket. There's something else to be wary of, but I cannot remember it at this time. And I'm neither on anaesthesia, nor narcotics!

Not Returning to Harris Rehab

2006-06-02T17:58:00.000-05:00

Harris Rehabilitation says they do not have the capability to do the intensive neurologic therapy Mom needs, and they will not be taking her back.

Only two local facilities are capable of providing what Mom needs: Baylor in Dallas, and HealthSouth. As of now, the leading contender for the honor of treating Mom is Baylor. I've spoken to four medical professionals I trust, and they all say Baylor provides the best neuro rehabilitation in this area.

Still Drunk on Anaesthesia

2006-06-02T17:36:00.000-05:00

Mom's surgery was Tuesday afternoon, and today she is still drunk, on some combination of lingering anaesthesia + current narcotics. Older patients have a harder time recovering from anaesthetic. Mom is saying plenty of cute/funny things. From Bruce:

[Mom asked] about clothes for Baron..after I told her she couldn't leave the hospital, she asked the nurse, "I have vacation time, I can leave and take my grandson shopping tomorrow, can't I?"

Last night, Mom asked for the phone.
Me: Who do you want to call?
Mom: Margaret.
Me: (laughing) Well, you don't need a phone to call her. She is dead.
Mom: (instantly distraught) Wha? You tell me she is dead, and you are laughing?!
Me: Mom, she's been dead for 10 years.
Mom: Well, I never. I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes.
(Note to self: next time, MaMa's on the roof, and we can't get her down.)

Swan Lake; Broken Hip; Successful Surgery; Room 590 in Sid Richardson Building

2006-05-30T17:53:00.000-05:00

Harris Rehab wanted Mom to be more independent. So, she took it upon herself to dance Swan Lake, solo, on the way to the toilet.

Not really. I kid. Mom did fall while walking herself to the toilet. She was supposed to have called a nurse to help her. In her own words:
I did a pirouette, fell, and could tell something was wrong.
The nurses found her sitting on the floor of her room, calling for help, with a broken left hip socket.

This afternoon's surgery, to replace her hip socket, was successful. Mom will be moved to

Room 590

Sid Richardson Building.

She will be able to walk on her new hip socket possibly as soon as tomorrow(Wed). She will go back to Harris Rehab approx. Friday, and will begin a full rehab schedule on Monday. The overall impact of the broken hip will be to move her rehab schedule back by one week.

Unrelated:
There are lots of male ballet dancers who are famous, but almost zero female ballet dancers. Does anyone know if there is a reason for this? Is it just a fluke?

Impressed with Harris Rehab

2006-05-27T16:34:00.000-05:00

The Harris therapists: speech, physical, occupational, have been very professional. Am impressed with their plans for Mom. Things will really get cooking beginning Tuesday.

Harris does not want nurses doing every little thing for Mom. They want her to shift herself around her bed, and walk (supervised) around the hospital, and do things for herself. They want her to increase her independence.

Speaking of independence, I got a laugh at her response to a question from her speech therapist:
What would you do if you lost your credit card?
I would call one of my sons....

Continued progress and another move

2006-05-25T19:55:00.000-05:00

Bradley here, guest blogging again for Greg's ailing PC:

Mom continues to progress in a slow but steady pace. She had spent the last two weeks at Kindred Hospital, an acute care facility. The doctors are pleased enough with her progress that they are moving her tomorrow to Harris Hospital Rehabilitation Center, near downtown Ft. Worth, to

Room #300 in the Sid Richardson building

(this is now confirmed).

The primary reason for the move is that she can sustain up to 3 hours of physical therapy per day, which is good enough to be over the hurdle of the acute care facility. Anyone planning to visit please redirect your route to Harris.

Other tidbits gleaned from a distance:

She is now walking, aided, up to 250 feet. To continue in the spirit of Greg's sports analogies, she fielded a kickoff at the goal line and burst through the wedge and away from the secondary defenders, only to get tripped up by the kicker at the 16 yard line.

Her voice is louder, although still a far measure away from full volume. The best way to describe it is that in a perfectly quiet room, you can hear her speak from 10 feet away. Greg did relate that the other day everyone was standing outside the room, and Mom wanted something. In a clear, commanding voice, she called "Jake!". It was so startling and exciting that she used a normal voice, everyone rushed in to hear, but she was back to low volume instantly. Apparently Mom needs proper motivation plus a grandchild to get good volume.

They have been doing electric stimulation therapy with her throat to help with her swallowing/aspiration issues. No revolutionary development to report yet.

Snippets

2006-05-24T13:06:00.000-05:00

Jenny Robertson's FedEx penguin return was Monday's top story in Baton Rouge's newspaper: The Advocate. Way to go, Jen.

Later on Saturday, Doug Melton and Mark Carter visited Mom, to round out the Saturday visitors. She loves to see those guys.

Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday were days of long distance relatives' visits:

Sister Pat Caggiola, and husband Larry, from Bossier City.
Sister Jane Grismer, and husband Jerry, from Little Rock.
Sister June Post, and son Frank, long distance from Colleyville!
Grandson Baron, from Denham Springs, LA.
Also, Tommy from WNH, Connie from WNH, and prolific mother Stephanie Hunsinger(and I'm sure I missed some people - apologies).

Still, this was not enough, as Mom demanded Janet and Bob Dodson's appearance:
Me: "Janet and Bob were just here on Saturday."
Mom: "They are retired now, and they can come visit again."

Austin and Kacy have provided decorative artwork for the walls of Mom's room at Kindred. Toria Post has also contributed her considered art talents to the room. (Nancy Cotharn Update desires emailed pictures of Toria[creating her art] and Preston[in Tae Kwon Do stance])

Mom is demanding her cell phone. She made her first outgoing call on her room phone: a late night call to the nurses' station at WNH. Shape up, whoever is on duty. She might show up in person next time.

My son (Jake) played a DVD of a Jazz Band song performance for Mom. Other visitors were in the room, so he turned off the DVD after one song:
Mom(insistent, pointing at the laptop computer): "Play the rest of the concert!"
Jake: "These people don't want to watch the entire concert."
Mom(matter of factly): "If they don't want to watch, they can leave the room."
You should know that we all watched (most of) the rest of the concert.

Note: Jake's Jazz Concert was expertly filmed by my beautiful and brilliant film school graduate cousin: Brooke Dodson. She is for hire -for weddings and parties. She is accomodating, and pleasant, and is the most talented videographer you could possibly hire, as she already has two years post graduate experience in the business, and has produced and shot two dramatic movies, along with documentary and for-hire projects. Get her now, before her schedule becomes completely overloaded with commercial and movie shoots:

SBDodson Productions

sbdodson [at] gmail.com

She'll be the best contractor you've hired in years.

I am being firsthand reminded of all the nice things Mom does on a consistent basis. She is ordering me to take on her various tasks:

Go and get Jake's awards framed - in nice frames, so he can be proud of them. Do it before he leaves for California.
Go and pick up sandwiches for everyone who is coming to visit.
Go and make sure Baron gets high quality golf shoes, and pay for them(I got partially out of that task, as I do dislike shopping).
Do x,y, and z around the house. Prepare these beds for these persons. Set up this area for people to do their make-up. Purchase this food to feed them while they are at the house. And this juice. And these desserts.

Come to think of it, I've shirked almost every one of those tasks. For all of you who are unsandwiched, unjuiced, undesserted, and in possession of unframed awards: you clearly cannot count on me.

An old story: Nurses frequently awaken Mom, and ask her the month and the year, to make sure she is thinking clearly, and nothing untoward is happening with her brain. I walked in her room one day, just as she was waking up:
Me: "Hi Mom! Are you awake? Do you know what month it is?"
Mom(gives an exasperated sigh): "Everybody asks me that!"

Jake visited Mom in full graduation gown. She loved that.

Baron purchased Mom a Mark Texiera jersey/t-shirt. She loved that.

Thanks from her for all the flowers and plants! We're desperately trying to keep the plants alive, until Mom can get home and give them some expert care.

Bank officer cousin Kathy Helgason opened an account for Jake. Baron and I sat in:

Kathy(typing info into computer + singsonging):
"I know your Grandmother's maiden name!"

Baron Post Cotharn:
"What is it?"

[...]

Kathy:
"Jake, what is your address?"

Jake(who just moved to a new house):
"Um... I've got to call my Mom!"

Kathy(reassuringly):
"That's okay. Can you tell me your phone number?"

Jake(frantically clicking keys on his cellphone):
"I've got to call my Mom!!"

Kindred Hospital, Room 212:

Aunt Jane:
"My great-grandchild Annika is sooo happy!"

Aunt Patsy:
"I've never seen my great-grandchild Abby shed a tear! She is the happiest baby ever! And she never sees a stranger!"

Aunt Jane:
"Annika is sooo personable. She just glows when she meets new people! And she's under contract, you know - as a professional model!"

Aunt Patsy:
"Abby is just beautiful! Leslie dresses her in the most adorable outfits!"

Aunt Jane:
"You should see Annika in her modeling outfits! She's so adorable in this bikini!"

Aunt Patsy: et al; ad infinitum.

Aunt Jane: et al; ad infinitum.

Vachel(sitting in chair): zzzzz

Larry(sitting in chair): zzzzz

Jerry(sitting in chair): zzzzz

Mom:
"That is so interesting! Tell me more. Wait, let me tell you about Kacy...."

120'

2006-05-20T15:01:00.000-05:00

Mom corrected me today. She is no longer walking 1oo', but is now walking 120'.

Mom had nurses' aides helping with her hair and make-up this morning, so she would be ready for her visitors. Apparently, the nurses' aides much enjoyed playing around in Mom's extensive make-up kit. As for me, I enjoy playing around with Mom's hair. It is a wonderland.

I'm slighting everyone who has ever visited her, but Mom has much enjoyed her visitors so far today:

Her beloved niece Jenny Robertson - who shelters the famous emailing cats: Jenny and Ling, visited all the way from Mud Island, in Memphis, TN. Jenny has coordinated GMA and the Today show to publicize FedEx's transporting of penguins back to the New Orlean's Zoo. Look for that story on Monday.
Beloved niece Nancy Dodson, who took time off from planning her July 1 wedding to visit Mom again, and to show off her "soon to be a bride" glow.
Janet and Bob Dodson, who came to make sure I was watering their gift of an ivy topiary.
Claudine Allbaugh, dietary consultant for WNH, whose son is currently flying C-130's out of Bagram AFB.
Tommy, of WNH, and his wife: Rochelle(who works at Kindred on the 3rd floor).
Marshall and Cloe Harris, who drove in from Granbury - the new boom town of north central Texas, to kindly dish about their grandchildren: the cheerleaders, Marshall Harris III, and the not-shy triplets.

The day is still young...

Walking 100'

2006-05-19T14:38:00.000-05:00

Which means Mom is ready to sharply single into the left field corner, round first at a not so brisk pace (if the left fielder kicks the ball around in the corner awhile, then the SS drops the relay throw), skid her walker to a stop in the basepath dirt, then do a 180 and return safely to the bag (if the SS has tossed the relay into the first base stands).

Also sitting up for 2 1/2 hours.

Also receiving some therapy. The goal is to become strong enough to receive 3 hours therapy per day.

Swallowing

2006-05-17T14:01:00.000-05:00

The Bad News:
This is a problem Mom may not be able to beat. The Speech Therapist says she aspirates even on her own saliva. The Speech Therapist says whether she recovers proper swallowing ability is completely unpredictable. However, the Speech Therapist was not encouraged by Mom's situation at this time.

The Good News:
People who cannot swallow properly can still go back to work, and can still lead full lives. They just do not eat or drink. They receive nutrition and fluids through a stomach tube.

The Problem:
may be either fatigue-based, or neurology-based.

The Treatment:
1. Electronic Stimulation(E-Stim) of the throat muscles. Usually, if the patient is to recover swallowing ability, they will recover it after 7-10 E-Stim treatments. If not, the treatments can continue for some months.
2. Time. Parts of the brain, which are still partially swollen, might spontaneously reduce to normal size. Proper swallowing ability might spontaneously return.

Overview

2006-05-16T13:31:00.000-05:00

One month out from the bleeding aneurysm. Where are we?

Chances of Survival = outstanding. Would be a big fluke if anything life-threatening happened at this time.

Physical:

Sitting up 90 minutes at a time. Can stand, with help, for very short periods.
Mom is impatient to be allowed more physical activity. Physical therapy and Occupational therapy are beginning to crank up to higher levels.
Swallowing problem persists (swallows liquid into lungs w/o coughing it back up). Treated by machine which stimulates muscles of throat. I am unclear on the prognosis for recovery, and will ask the Dr. about this tomorrow.
Speech therapy has begun. Mom's voice volume immediately improved after her Monday therapy session. Her voice is now three times as strong as it was last week, and stronger than it was even Monday morning. If you focus, you can (just) understand her words from across the hospital room.

Neuro:

Mom shows good memory for things which happened before her incident. She shows medium good short-term memory, which is an improvement.

One problem might be termed a problem of focus. She will be talking along, sharp as a tack, then seemingly forget what the ongoing conversation is about, and wander off onto another subject.

Second, when she awakens from sleep, it takes 5 or 10 minutes of awakeness for her to re-orient to her current circumstances. In truth, Mom has always awakened slowly (like her eldest granddaughter: Courtney). This might've been something we could've anticipated :)

The long term neuro outlook is not predictable. She could make a full neuro recovery (per the neuro surgeon) in a few months. She could make a full recovery in a year. She could make a 90% or 95% recovery in a year, and a full recovery in approx. two years. She could make any type of partial recovery inside any of that time frame, yet not quite make it to a full recovery. She could suddenly stop recovering exactly where she is now - which, btw, is not any type of terrible place. Mom is healthy, and she has recovered her typical personality. She is entertaining. She has a good and happy sense of humor. There is plenty of her to love. And she has plenty of love to dole out - especially if you are one of her grandchildren.

Incremental Progress

2006-05-13T14:12:00.000-05:00

Mom's orientation to her surroundings has improved. Her short term memory is still spotty, but it has also improved. Her voice is still weak, but it is twice as strong as it was early in the week.

Overview:

Mom is physically in a strong place - compared to where she has been. She is sitting up for some of each day. She is moving arms and legs more and more, and showing more and more strength.

Mom is mentally still in a difficult place. However, she continues to get incrementally better, and incrementally better some more, at her own pace. She is right there in some conversations, and is very sharp. She drifts sometimes, and begins speaking of things which are totally unrelated to the conversation happening in the room. I absolutely feel her awareness has gotten better this week. She still has a distance to go, if she is to return to where she was before her incident.

Moved to Kindred Hospital

2006-05-13T14:07:00.000-05:00

Directions to Kindred:

West on I-20 past Hulen Mall (stay left when the highway splits at Hulen Mall)

South on Bryant Irvin for 1.1 miles (this exit is immediately after the highway split)

Turn right on Oakbend Tr.(there's a stop light), then continue almost to end of street (approx. 1/4 mi). Kindred is on the left.

Room 212.

Bring chit chatty news. Mom loves that.