Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Update

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. There hasn't been much to report. Alicia has had a few minor unrelated things along the way that came up but is still doing pretty well. Her sight hasn't really changed much but she's very good at adapting. To the unknowing, she seems to get around pretty well. The challenge right now is getting her thyroid medication leveled out. This would help with her mood, energy and overall outlook. She's getting lots of care and attention from mom and her dear friend Randy has been a Godsend. He is there on a daily basis to help her keep up on things and gets her out and about. I think the whole family would have been lost throughout this whole ordeal without him. We would be lost without Alicia too. Her humor and kindness is ever present. Mom has done so much on a daily basis. She's not one for taking a break from taking care of us and doesn't know when to say when. Always the person to lean on and never leaning herself. Thank you all for caring and for all the thoughts and prayers that got us to this point. We are so blessed to have every minute of Alicia in our lives. We're still hoping that patients and prayers will strengthen her sight.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Home Sweet Home!

Alicia got to come home Saturday! We felt she needed a day or two to get acclimated before getting much company. She tires easy and then gets very frustrated. I know part of her frustration comes from needing help. Alicia has always been very independent. Having to stay with Mom and Dad and ask for things is a hard adjustment. She's always been someone who bends over backwards for others but isn't comfortable being on the receiving end of that.
We are so proud of the adjustments and improvements that Alicia makes daily. The little holes or delays in her memory, along with her sight, seem to improve just a little all the time and give us continued hope that she will fight her way back to a near full recovery. Please continue to pray with us and for her strength and patients as well as for her friends brother, Christopher, who is on his own journey to recovery.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Better every day!

Alicia is doing well and thriving in therapy. She will get to come home soon and wiil have to travel back and forth for her out patient physical therapy. She still tires very easy and we have to pace and stagger our visits but she's always the perfect hostess making sure to reassure us even when she isn't up for it.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Off to Rehab/ Therapy!

Alicia was released from Via Christi today and admitted to an In-patient physical rehabilitation center. She's doing good but still having some pain. I will be staying the night with her tomorrow and will have a little more information about how things are going there. Our first sleep over in a while.
Just a little side note. Alicia does have a few allergies or a sensitivity to some flowers and some smells. These seem to be a little stronger right now and she's not fully able to enjoy the thoughtfulness just yet. If anyone would like to send her a card or something of the sort, I will get her new address while I am with her and post it here. That way we can read them to her and save them for her to see herself when she's able to. You are also welcome to post messages to her here or email them to me on this site and I will print them off for her to keep.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes. Alicia has come so far in just two weeks!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Same old same old

I'm sorry I've slacked off a little. There's really not much to report. Alicia's still in ICU even though they've been saying for days they were going to move her. I guess she's getting more attention and good care where she is.
They are running more tests. Her neurologist seems determined to find another explanation for the strokes other than restricted oxygen and blood flow. The good news here is they keep coming up empty handed. Hopefully these tests will provide more good news. Alicia continues to amaze us with her strength and determination.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Looking Up!

Dad and I are on our way out the door to go see Alicia today and get back before the freezing rain starts. I've gotten great reports from Mom and Randy earlier this morning. Alicia's been up in a chair and ate breakfast without help. She was able to get a shower too. Randy said that when he came into the room she was able to make out what he was wearing. Even his shoes! Last night she went for a walk with her walker. The nurses were surprised be her strength and how much she was able able to help herself. Not a surprise to those of us who know how independent she is and that she would rather bend over backwards for you than ask for a hand.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Rough day today.

Alicia's still doing well but having some trouble with her stomach today. She's been in quite a bit of pain. This is the first time throughout her ordeal that Alicia's complained of pain. They have X-rayed her stomach and examined her and think it's the usual problems that come after surgery and lack of movement. If you've ever had surgery you probibly know what that's like. Physical and ocupational therapy were in today and got her up for a bit. There is also talk of moving her out of ICU in the next couple days. As I was typing this a nurse gave her a little morphine and another medication that will hopefully help her relax soon. I picked a bad night to finally leave the hospital. Hopefully she and Mom both have a good night. My daughter informed me today that "it has now been a week and no one has ever gone a week without there mom before". The guilt worked. I'll be back for a visit tomorrow.