Day 12 at Shepherd. Not much therapy today. The speech therapist worked with her some this morning. Jan was given menu choices for several days which the therapist went over with her. This is a simple task for most of us but is taxing and fatiguing on Jan. However she was able to concentrate and give her preferred choices for several meal choices. I came in while they were going over this and Jan was doing very well. The therapist also asked her several questions to test her short term memory such as what she had for breakfast and she did very well with this. From what I understand with some brain injuries at least short term memory can be affected and Jan has only recently redeveloped the ability to remember recent events. She is having no problem that I see with remote memory. She also did something new this morning. She spontaneously without thinking used her left hand to take a cup and drink from it. Remember we have been suspicious of a brachial plexus (complex group of nerves up near the neck and shoulder that provide the motor / muscle and sensory control to the arm) injury to left arm. She had only showed minimal movement of this extremity for several weeks. She is also now using utensils to feed herself which I saw for the first time today. She does have some emotional lability that is not surprising as she is realizing what happened to her and starting to understand the kind of injuries she sustained. She also keeps apologizing to me of all things for "scaring me" and not wanting to be dependent. She frequently breaks down and starts crying. I happily wipe away the tears, hug her and kiss her and reassure her how well she is doing. She still has moments such as believing she should be able to get out of bed and walk to the restroom. She still will not eat enough and must be supplemented through the PEG tube. She does not like sitting up for very long in her chair frequently asking to get back in bed. The therapist want her up as much as possible. She still faces physical, cognitive and psychological challenges but overall I am so pleased with how well she is doing.
Please do not ever forget what got her here and she is one of the lucky one that has had this happen.
SHARE THE ROAD, IT'S A LIFE
PUT THE !%@$# CELL PHONE DOWN BEFORE YOU KILL SOMEBODY
GET OFF THE COUCH, LIFE IS FOR DOING STUFF
SUPPORT BIKE WALK MISSISSIPPI, TIGT
BRIGHT IS COOL
She does get a pass on the ironman. It is not as hard as this.
I Love My Little Darlin, I am happy to be wiping away her tears
David
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