Friday, November 24, 2006

Progress!

Yesterday was a hard day. Mom had her eyes open, but didn't seem responsive for the most part. It's been tough to see her backsliding after the progress she was making a week ago, but today I have good news to report! Physical therapists have continued working with Mom, and today they had her held up in a chair for an hour. They move her limbs for her to send reverse signals to the brain to help it "wake up."

Dad found Mom significantly more responsive today than yesterday. He asked her if she could mouth words for him, starting with the word "hello," and he is fairly certain that she mouthed the word clearly. She can't talk yet because her vocal cords are swollen from the breathing tube that has been down her throat for the past two weeks, but it's great news that she can mouth words!

The doctors need Mom to be able to cough strongly to loosen anything in her lungs before they can remove the trach tube. Whenever Mom coughs, we encourage her to cough more and cough harder! This afternoon Dad was encouraging Mom by saying, "Come on, cough really good!" Dad is almost certain that Mom--ever the Grammar Queen of the Palmer household!--looked at him and mouthed the word "well." And finally, my older sister Emily visited for Thanksgiving, and she clipped Mom's fingernails for her and put lotion on her hands. Mom mouthed, "thank you."

I guess our Thanksgiving just came a day late; Thursday was a low point for Mom (and thus for all of us), but today has shown us progress! We're thankful.

6 Comments:

At 9:34 PM, Blogger Elizabeth said...

Sarah,

I wanted to let you all know that I'm praying for your mother, and all the rest of you! Thanks for creating this blog dedicated to her, it is good to know specifics to pray for.

May God give you all comfort, joy, peace, and tighten your close family-bond.

~Elizabeth Callihan

 
At 10:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

John~

Please tell Sandy I miss her emails! :)

This was great news today!!!

Love ya,
Heather~

 
At 10:55 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Palmers,
We will be rejoicing with you in every step. Give Sandy our best wishes. She is truley loved and missed.

Love,
Dickey's

 
At 3:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Palmers,
We pray for all of you every day. May God give you the strenght to keep going day by day and may you find comfort knowing that Sandy is enjoying every minute she has you by her side. Love doesn't need words, it's flowing through your touching her hands, looking at her eyes, and been connected by your souls.
Give Sandy our love and if you need enything here around your home just let us know, please.
Love,
Louis, Lorelly, Laura, Larry and Louisa.

 
At 2:21 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We give thanks with you for the steps (however slow) of progress in your Mom's healing process.

"Progress IS progress" - celebrate each step!

Fondly in Christ,

Sharon Phinney
Dakotajuel@aol.com

 
At 3:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sara! We are so grateful for the update! At church this morning, Brett told us about her grammar correcting and we all celebrated in prayer for that example of her cognizance. Know that we are praying daily for Sandy's full recovery. Praying to Him, The Sanford's

 

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