February 26, 2009

This has been a very hard year for us. On Tuesday of this week my Mom passed away. She experienced poor health for the last several years but remained mentally alert and somewhat active. The celebration of her life and memorial service will be on Saturday, March 7th. She was a beautiful person with a great family and many good friends.

She enjoyed life and found fun in everything she did. Here is a happy picture of her and Char trying on silly hats .

She will be missed very much by all of us.

February 21, 2009

Today was another great day for Charlotte. We had visitors from Indiana who are staying in the Sunny South for a while to enjoy our great weather. Char’s cousin, Arnold Coates and his wife Barbara will be in Florida until April and decided to come see her. Barbara’s sister, Betty Townsend is also in Florida for a couple of weeks and joined them. Betty, Char and I were classmates through grade school and high school. It is hard to imagine that we have been out of high school for more than twenty years. When I told Char they were coming, she couldn’t remember them. When they arrived, she got excited as she remembered and exchanged big hugs and smiles with them. It is such a pleasure watching her make connections with her past.

Arnold is our inspiration as he suffered a similar fate a couple of years ago. He didn’t have a stroke like Char. He hit his head, which resulted in a severe blood clot that left him unable to walk or talk. Today you cannot detect that anything ever happened to him. He is back to normal and doing fantastic. He is known as the miracle man to his Doctors and family. I think Char is as determined as he was and will continue to improve until she is the same as prior to her stroke.

Arnold and Barbara

Char and Betty

We thank our Lord each day for all our magnificent friends and family. They have been such a tremendous help for Char. Without them she would never have been able to make such astonishing improvements.

February 6, 2009

Now that Char is home and doing better I thought I would add some pictures of her stay at the nursing home. With the Lord’s help Char progressed very rapidly from a wheelchair to walking in only a couple of weeks.

In the beginning, Jill helped Char exercise her leg.

Char resting after therapy.

Char and I walked these halls many times.

After only a week Char was getting better.

Kristie the therapist and Char at occupational therapy.

I don’t think this was one of her favorite machines.

Margaret the physical therapist and Char working on balance.

Here she is strengthening her legs.

This was her favorite nurse, Willie Nelson.

February 5, 2009

Charlotte is home! She was released from the nursing facility at 10: 30 today. When we arrived home some of the neighbors came to see her and brought a cake for the home coming celebration. They also tied balloons to our name sign and put pictures of Char and friends on our RV. Char was excited to see everyone and welcomed each into our home. We had a nice time visiting and enjoying a wonderful cake. After everyone left, Char was tired from the excitement and rested for the next hour.

My camera was not working correctly so sorry about the fuzzy pictures. At least Anna was able to get a clear picture of Char and me. Bill sent me another good picture that I'm adding.

Thanks Bill for this picture.

Thanks Anna for this picture.

February 2, 2009

January was a challenge for us. On the 6th, Char had a hemorrhagic stroke (brain bleed). She had surgery on the 7th and spent the next six days in the Neuro Critical Care Unit. Then she was moved to a rehab room for the next five days. On the 17th, Char left the hospital and went to a skilled nursing facility where she is now. It looks like she will get to go home on Thursday this week. We will continue therapy as an outpatient or in home until Char recovers fully.

At the time of her stroke, Char lost the use of her right side and could not speak. With the many prayers and therapy she received, she can now walk without assistance and can use her right hand and arm almost as good as before the stroke. She still cannot see very well with her right eye but that seems to be improving.

Since the stroke she has a condition called Wernicke’s Aphasia. This causes her difficulty expressing herself and understanding what is said to her. The stroke was on the left side of her brain in the area that controls speech and hearing. As she continues to heal, she is able to do more and more. The right side of her brain is now learning to compensate for any damage on the left side where she had her stroke.

She no longer is the quiet person she used to be. She loves to talk now and does so almost constantly. She gets very excited when she has visitors and enjoys telling stories about what is happening with her and her family.

Jill came from Colorado and stayed two weeks with me. She was a terrific help. Mike and I definitely appreciate her more now that we experienced such a traumatic time together. She jumped in and made most of the critical decisions required in the hospital and was our link between the hospital and the insurance company. She also helped with the selection of the skilled nursing facility. We might have been able to do things without her but it certainly would not have been as easy.

We want to give everyone a big THANKYOU for your prayers, cards, flowers and visits. It is extremely comforting to experience all the kindness and friendship you shared with us.

Thank You Lord for letting me keep my beautiful traveling companion and love of my life.