Judy's Hugs and Kisses

Mom now gives Hugs and Kisses to anyone who is nice to her in Rehab. Our good friend and mom's visiting teacher went to visit yesterday and not only decorated mom's room with Easter things but made a cute basket with Hersey's Hugs and Kisses in it that mom now gets to give to anyone she feels is worthy of one. Knowing mom she is giving them out left and right. That is exactly like something my mom would do and love. Thanks Stacey.
I also now have an honorary Aunt. Stacey didn't have the heart to tell the nurses that she was not related to mom. Of course we couldn't be happier to have Stacey as one of mom's "sister in laws." She has been spoiling our family since this whole thing began. What a wonderful way our Heavenly Father sets things up for us to help and love one another before the crisis hits so that our burden is lighter. Stacey has been one to make our burden seem bearable. Mom also told her to spoil dad and it sounds like she is taking great care of him this week.
I have to admit that I have had a hard time not being able to go up to WA and help this last week. My whole family decided to get strep throat. Yes, every single one of us. Luckily we found out before I left and so we were able to keep all of these germs from Mom and for that I am grateful.
There wasn't much to report the last few days. Mom has been working at her physical therapy and sleeping. The Dr's are not sure why she sleeps so much. The medication she is on does cause drowsiness, but mom shouldn't be this tired. She tends to sleep until noon or a little earlier, does some therapy, takes a short nap and then by six when Dad and Heather get to the hospital to visit her she is tired again and doesn't say much. That concerns all of us because it is not typical. Not typical of mom or of her condition. Of course nothing is typical with mom.
The Dr's did another scan of the brain and found one of the ventricles open again so they will back off one of the seizure meds and see what happens. So much could and could not happen. There is a possibility that there is some brain damage caused by one of three things, the tumors/cancer, the radiation, or the seizures. This is not extensive brain damage if it is, but it will cause some relearning to have to happen. Of course it could not be brain damage. There are so many unknowns it is very frustrating. The Dr's also checked the levels of the seizure meds in her system and found two of the three are at therapeutic levels which is good. One we won't know about for ten days because it takes that long to check it out.
As far as her physical therapy goes she is doing well and making some progress. She needs lots of cues to help her do some very simple tasks. For example: When she goes to put on a shirt she has to be reminded of each step. The same with brushing her teeth. We would like to see this get better quicker, but that all depends on the brain and mom's willingness.
Heather and I think a few things can happen to help with all of this. I truly believe, after reading President Deiter F. Uchtdorf's talk "Happiness, Your Heritage," that mom needs something to do. President Uchtdorf talked about how we are all more happy when we are creating something. For some of us that is baking breads, for others it is keeping a clean house, and still for others it is a form of art. For my mom crafts were her life two months ago. She was constantly working on a problem to solve in regard to some project she wanted to do. Even while driving bus she would be thinking of some way to make a Santa, Raggedy Anne, or Snowman just a little cuter so it would sell better or just be better. I believe some of her sleeping is simply because she has nothing to look forward to and nothing to get up for so why bother. (President Uchtdorf's talk can be found at www.lds.org if you would like to read it.)
On this note we would like to make a request to anyone who might be visiting mom. Heather will be bringing some things by that can help mom in the regard. (As long as it is okay with the Physical Therapist. We don't want to do anything to detract from that progress.) We are hoping to have some books that can be read to mom. She can't read herself because of the cataracts. And some craft projects that mom can work on. If you would like to help mom with that we would love the help. Like I said, if it is brain damage we have to get new pathways working so mom can do all of the things she loves best.
Again, I thank all of you for your help, love and prayers for our family. It is amazing to feel others praying for you. I have never been the recipient of that before and I can testify that every one of those prayers are heard and they help. I appreciate all the visits to mom and the extra things for my dad and extended family. Being 600 miles away makes it hard to take care of mom and there have truly been Angels on Earth helping us. So thanks from us all.