Very Good Things: Mom edition

After a rocky start to the week, Mom has met her goals for the past two days! Way to go, Mom! We are so proud of her. Not only that, but she seems more and more engaged, not only with us, but with the aides and nurses at her facility. She's joking with the aides and remembering their names (and introducing them to us!). Tonight she actually invited us to stay through dinner and didn't want us to go. The best part of all of this is she is having some real physical challenges in the bathroom arena (these things happen when she is super anxious) and she is still working hard at therapy. We are so thrilled, I can't even tell you.

Highlights from today: Mom stood with assistance for four minutes (magic number, I guess) and practiced transfers (moving from one seated place to another). She only slipped into negativity once while we were there and was very gracious when the nurse asked her to wait for something. As I mentioned above, she was joking and friendly with the aides who helped her, and then when we went down to the dining room she chatted a little with her table mates. The most encouraging sign to me happened after the aide got her in place at the table and left. Mom was cold and Dad asked if she wanted some hot chocolate. She mumbled something about wanting some, "if there was someone to get it for me." Then, instead of feeling sorry for herself, when she heard an aide at the next table offering to get drinks for a lady there, she lifted her head and called out, "Could we get two, please?" (One for her and one for Dad!)

Okay, I know that sounds strange maybe, but it is huge for Mom to be able to want something, acknowledge that want, and then assert herself appropriately to get it!

Very good things.

One matter of prayer, however. Although Mom is working hard and doing well, we are about halfway through the time insurance will allow for her to be in this facility. Our goal is to get Mom home functioning at (or better than) the level she was before. We've still got a long way to go and unless she really pours it on, we might have to make some tough decisions.