December 24, 2010

Mom is on her way to the pool today!!! She slept for six hours last night, though not all necessarily restful, she is still having strange dreams that are no doubt a result of the medications that she is taking. The physical therapists will be working with her in the pool over the course of the next two days to get her a bit more limbered up from having been in bed for the vast majority of the last three months. 

The doctors plan to put her negative pressure machines back on this coming Monday. Though the doctors are giving her a break from the more traumatic surgical and tissue building procedures, the physical therapists now have their turn to run the show. Mom is an absolute trooper through all of this as she is constantly on the go trying to get stronger and get out of the hospital. She has spent the last few days up in the tilt table and on her Cadillac chair. We had a few spare minutes, while she was on the Cadillac to paint her toes so that she could be festive for Christmas like everyone else. She still tires very quickly but pushes through it so that she can continue to progress.

Her days are far from routine, but they do become monotonous as each day is filled with therapy, bandage changing, splinting, vocal exercise, skin therapy, and vital checks. She is incredibly strong willed, as we all know, and takes all of this in stride. She has even managed to maintain her wonderful sense of humor through everything. The nurses were discussing a lack of ski equipment for their upcoming trip just outside Mom's room a few days ago and he heard their conversation. When they came into the room she told them that she has an extra ski boot that they can have since she would only be needing one :) . She has no problem smiling through even her most hectic days. She also has no problem scolding people as my younger sister knows very well as does my uncle Loren. He came to visit last weekend and, upon entering her room, was asked: "Why aren't you at work!?" fortunately for Loren, it was a Saturday and once that bit of information was cleared up, he was no longer in trouble for fussing over her rather than being at the office. 

We all wish every single one of you a very Merry Christmas. Be mindful of family and safety over this wonderful holiday as you travel to be together.