Moms recovery

My mother Kathy has been my number one support my whole life, taken care of me and my family, and supported her whole family. Now, it’s time to take care of and support my mom.

On October 12, mom suffered a Hemorrhagic Stroke, a brain bleed on her right side. Hearing “tonight, we’re just working on saving her life” was one of the worst things I’ve ever been told. Since then, she spent 9 days in icu at Tufts, and three weeks at rehab. Insurance denied her skilled nursing facility, which means mom is home now with dad. Dad and I are learning how to work together as a team for mom, learning as we go how to do it all. Hopefully this week nursing, PT and OT will be joining us, 1-2 times per week. With the help of our whole family, we are helping to take care of mom.

Originally mom was on a g tube for feeding. She had to learn how to swallow again. Now, she’s off it, waiting for it to heal before they can remove it. Mom can’t use her left arm, her left leg goes where it wants, and her right leg tries to compensate, but her brain isn’t able to send the proper cues. She needs two people to transfer to her wheel chair, and that’s on a good day. Cognitively, since being home, we’ve seen a great improvement with her mind. And for that I’m so grateful. She still has a long way to go, but she said that’s ok. She’s happy to have gotten the chance to survive.

Dads going to need support. He’s out of work, insurance bills are coming. Those go to the back burner, while we work on her current needs, copays, finding a handicap ramp, paying regular bills, getting services in the home, and trying for ourselves to remember to breathe (and bend at the knees, not from the back).

Mom has been given every well wish sent her way, and those have helped her survive the small odds she was given, those first 48 hours. And for those wishes, hopes and prayers, my whole family and I thank you. Without those words of encouragement, we couldn’t have gotten here today.

From the bottom of my heart, my family and I thank anyone who’s able to help. If you’re not able or willing, please do something kind in honor of mom. She has such an amazing heart.