An Extra Day In Dallas

Praise the Lord! For many reasons. First, because all the ice finally melted away and roads were clear, M and I were able to go back to Dallas today to see MawMaw again. I promised her on Monday that I would bring my make-up and a curling iron the next time I went over. I hadn't quite decided yet if we were going to go today until my dad sent me this picture:



She had eggs, rice krispies, and juice for breakfast this morning. When I saw that she was eating solid foods already, the decision was made. I had to go see her. Then, just before M and I left from preschool, Dad sent me another picture:



Her physical therapist put her on what is called a tilt table. From what I understand, this table starts out flat. Then, the therapist(s) straps the person onto the table to provide support to bear a moderate amount of weight. The purpose of this exercise is to help the patient get used to bearing weight again, balance themself, and make sure they can stand without passing out after several days or weeks of lying in a bed. Today, the PT got MawMaw on the tilt table, then raised her to a 75 degree angle. He put her in front of the mirror in her room (which she did NOT want to look at) so that she could find her midline and adjust herself to be "standing" straight. As I understand it, the therapist had quite a time convincing her to look in the mirror. When she finally did, she was able to shift her weight a little bit to stand straighter.

When we got over there to see her, as promised, I got my make-up out and gave her a mini-makeover. (She may disown me if/when she finds out that I've posted all these pictures. I hope not!)



I didn't put a lot of make-up on her because I wanted it to look tasteful and not so much like a clown. I did have my curling iron with me, but I could tell it has been several days (if not a week) since someone last washed her hair. However, I may ask the nurse on Monday the best way to wash, dry, and style her hair. I hope this all doesn't sound vain and silly to be so concerned about MawMaw's hair and make-up, but I know my MawMaw and what a Southern Belle she is. I just know in my heart how much better she would feel if she thought she looked a little bit like what she has always looked like. Plus, I know how much better I feel when I've been ill and can finally shower, fix my hair, and do my make-up.

Her case manager also came in and spoke with us this afternoon about the next step. She and MawMaw's team of doctors and therapists feel that she is on target for possibly having her trache tube completely removed next week, and depending on her continued progress, a possible move to a Skilled Nursing facility around the 23rd of this month where she will receive more therapy.

As in other posts on here and on Facebook, I know this healing and the progress that she has made has only come from the Lord. I am so thankful for His healing hand on her, His wisdom given to the doctors and therapists, and the outpouring of love and prayers by so many friends of our family.

I have told several people lately that until recently (the past two years or so), God's Provision has really only been head knowledge for me. Now, I can truly say that His provision, mercy, and grace has been revealed to me in a whole new way that is much more personal to me than I could have ever really imagined it being. Every time I catch another glimpse of the miracles God can perform, I am amazed. I pray that I never view a miracle as just a wonder of modern day medicine or a "wow, I hoped that could happen and it did; interesting" kind of thought. I pray that I see every moment, every accomplishment, every step of progress as a gift and a miracle from the Lord. May I never forget who has His hand in everything.

Again, thank you all so VERY much for your many prayers for my MawMaw. They truly are felt by our family and certainly heard by our Heavenly Father. Thank you!

Mondays with MawMaw

I was able to go to Dallas again today to see MawMaw. She's really changed quite a bit in one week. She's been off the ventilator since Friday and she has a different kind of cap on her trache tube now. I'm not sure what the difference is. However, she tried to talk to me more today than she did last Monday, though, keeping in mind that last Monday was the first day she even tried to talk. Unfortunately, her speech right now is not very clear. Dad said that she pulled her trache tube out yesterday morning, had been sitting up ready to talk to him when he got to her room, and spoke relatively clearly to him. When the respiratory therapist walked in to check her, he took one look at her and said, "Something's not quite right here." That's when the RT and my dad realized the tube had been pulled out, so they had to replace it which sounded like it was pretty traumatic and painful for her to endure.

To be perfectly honest, I was hoping to have seen more improvement in a week than I actually did, but of course I am grateful for any improvement that is made. I am really hoping that the expected snow on Wednesday doesn't prevent me from going back on Thursday. With Dad, Monty, and Buzz all back to work, I'm concerned that MawMaw will get down about a drop in visitors and not work as hard in therapy. She does seem to be a little happier when she's sitting in a chair rather than laying in the bed all day. Next Monday (if I don't get there Thursday), I think I'll take my curling iron and some make-up to give her a little "spa treatment".

Thank you for your continued prayer for her, both in gratitude for her improvement and for continued healing.

Random Thoughts

I didn't want too much time to pass since my last post and we've had a few things going on, so I thought I would just do a quick random update.

We all got to stay home today together due to some pretty bad weather that Texas is not accustomed to and because the temperature is not expected to get any warmer tomorrow than it was today, we get to spend another day together at home. I was going to substitute teach for a friend but her school will be closed again tomorrow as well. I'm actually kind of glad because I certainly didn't want to try to drive on the roads in the condition that they are. We mostly had a pajama day today, too, which I think M enjoyed. Haha! I know Jon enjoyed a day of relaxing and is already planning his relaxation techniques for tomorrow. I don't blame him. He works hard to provide for our family, and we are so thankful for his hard work. We really enjoyed our day of relaxing and had a little "concert" this evening. Enjoy the two videos (one is a continuation of the other).





M and I went over to Dallas yesterday to spend the day with MawMaw (15 days post-stroke?) and got there just in time to hear Uncle Monty working with her to say some phrases. Sure enough, as soon as we walked in, she looked up at me, smiled and SAID, "Hello. I love you." As you can imagine, my heart overflowed with joy! Of course, doctors always try to prepare you for the worst or the slowest amount of progress as possible, so I was totally not expecting speech to be coming back two weeks after her stroke. I wish I had recorded it! Hopefully, the weather will be a little bit better on Thursday and I can go back over there to see her again. Monty sent a picture out today of her actually sitting in a chair. Her therapists are really working her hard and progress is evident everyday. I praise the Lord for the progress she has made because I know that her healing comes only from Him.

I think that was about all I was going to post for now.