All of Con/Mom's work before in my weekly yoga class and strength training at St. James is paying off! She is standing on her right leg; the side that was severely affected. I think that's all we need to post for now! :)
Easter Blessings to all!
Saturday, March 26, 2016
The Spirit is a Movin'
All of Con/Mom's work before in my weekly yoga class and strength training at St. James is paying off! She is standing on her right leg; the side that was severely affected. I think that's all we need to post for now! :)
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
New Adventure and New Beginnings
Today held a new adventure for the Griffore's! Con/Mom was ready to go from two-handed bridge (card game) to four! She had previously been in a couple of bridge groups so they (Con/Mom and Dad/Dave) had two ladies over to the house. Success! It's such a great game for the mind in any state so now perhaps Dad/Dave can take a little break. :)
Everything in her therapy world is pretty much the same. I picked her up from the DMC facility in Novi yesterday and she showed me the big smile they were working on! It was great! Now for those names.....
Dad/Dave had the pleasure of taking her to church this morning as she opted out of last Sunday. He said it was a little emotional, but I'm sure it felt good to be back! The plan is to go this Sunday for Easter and then we will enjoy a family brunch at the LaDuke's!
I pray this Easter week is peaceful for everyone as well as reflective. The new beginning, spring equinox and full moon will turn a new page for us all and allow the past to fade away. Let the present moment continue to bless us with love and kindness.
Thank you all so much who have donated to the American Heart & Stroke Assoc. this year as I support Con/Mom, my best friend as well as my sister-in-law. Should you wish to donate and haven't yet done so, please click here. I have supported AHA for many years and it continues to grow more important each year. Sigh. But, the good news is that cardiovascular disease in women are down 30% over the last ten years! Whoooohoooo!
Everything in her therapy world is pretty much the same. I picked her up from the DMC facility in Novi yesterday and she showed me the big smile they were working on! It was great! Now for those names.....
Dad/Dave had the pleasure of taking her to church this morning as she opted out of last Sunday. He said it was a little emotional, but I'm sure it felt good to be back! The plan is to go this Sunday for Easter and then we will enjoy a family brunch at the LaDuke's!
I pray this Easter week is peaceful for everyone as well as reflective. The new beginning, spring equinox and full moon will turn a new page for us all and allow the past to fade away. Let the present moment continue to bless us with love and kindness.
Thank you all so much who have donated to the American Heart & Stroke Assoc. this year as I support Con/Mom, my best friend as well as my sister-in-law. Should you wish to donate and haven't yet done so, please click here. I have supported AHA for many years and it continues to grow more important each year. Sigh. But, the good news is that cardiovascular disease in women are down 30% over the last ten years! Whoooohoooo!
Friday, March 18, 2016
A Touch of Light
We're at two weeks after the second surgery and doc said it will take about a month to get back to where she was before the second. Con/Mom was overwhelmed with fatigue and was very worried about her progress, but today showed a sign of hope and reassured her and Dad/Dave that all is not lost! Her arm/hand had a small movement this morning and brought tears of joy! Whew! We needed that!
They've changed up the therapy a bit to focus on the upper body, i.e., arm and hand, which is considered OT. PT is lower half of body. She's making small strides in speech (connectivity with names) and facial awareness. She's tenacious when it comes to practice and would love to resume her favorite things as soon as she can like golf and driving not to forget the simplistic things like writing and dressing! The right side of her face is numb so it is hard to know herself if she is smiling.
The brain is a complex thing and we are learning so much about it! For example, she can read a sentence with my name in it, but can't look at me and say my name. Dad/Dave's name is becoming easier these days. Some numbers are missed as she counts out loud, but her card games are very helpful in this area!
Con/Mom and Dad/Dave have figured out two-handed euchre and bridge and enjoy daily afternoon card sessions to break up their days. Tuesday and Thursday are rest days as MWF consist of therapy. Dad/Dave is becoming a master chef by default, too! LOL They are also enjoying the many meals provided by their beloved friends and family.
Have a super weekend everyone! Love and prayers to all of us!
They've changed up the therapy a bit to focus on the upper body, i.e., arm and hand, which is considered OT. PT is lower half of body. She's making small strides in speech (connectivity with names) and facial awareness. She's tenacious when it comes to practice and would love to resume her favorite things as soon as she can like golf and driving not to forget the simplistic things like writing and dressing! The right side of her face is numb so it is hard to know herself if she is smiling.
The brain is a complex thing and we are learning so much about it! For example, she can read a sentence with my name in it, but can't look at me and say my name. Dad/Dave's name is becoming easier these days. Some numbers are missed as she counts out loud, but her card games are very helpful in this area!
Con/Mom and Dad/Dave have figured out two-handed euchre and bridge and enjoy daily afternoon card sessions to break up their days. Tuesday and Thursday are rest days as MWF consist of therapy. Dad/Dave is becoming a master chef by default, too! LOL They are also enjoying the many meals provided by their beloved friends and family.
Have a super weekend everyone! Love and prayers to all of us!
Monday, March 14, 2016
Back-to-Basics
Sorry to leave you all hanging for a while, but there wasn't much to report recently. Con/Mom is still a tad tired from all of the events on her body and is slowly regaining strength! Dad is a cooking machine and she is following everything recommended to move her along. She has the strength and will of the fighter you all know she is, but it just might not be moving as fast as she likes.
Therapy resumed last Friday and she is back to her MWF schedule. Spring is in the air and she is truly enjoying her yard and watching the flowers arise and the birds sing! The road of recovery is an arduous one, but she is fighting a great fight! She deserves a medal, a gold star and a crown for all she has been through!
Dad/Dave deserves a matching crown, lots of JD and the award for Caregiver of the Year! They are both equally exhausted, but their love is the solid foundation they need to get through this year.
Prayers for both are welcomed and appreciated! Con/Mom's faith has not wavered and she hopes to return to church this Palm Sunday. The energy escaped her last weekend. :( Don't forget to hug the ones you love today and take a moment of deep gratitude for your health and functioning body!
Therapy resumed last Friday and she is back to her MWF schedule. Spring is in the air and she is truly enjoying her yard and watching the flowers arise and the birds sing! The road of recovery is an arduous one, but she is fighting a great fight! She deserves a medal, a gold star and a crown for all she has been through!
Dad/Dave deserves a matching crown, lots of JD and the award for Caregiver of the Year! They are both equally exhausted, but their love is the solid foundation they need to get through this year.
Prayers for both are welcomed and appreciated! Con/Mom's faith has not wavered and she hopes to return to church this Palm Sunday. The energy escaped her last weekend. :( Don't forget to hug the ones you love today and take a moment of deep gratitude for your health and functioning body!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
A New Beginning
Con/Mom is settled back in at home and is enjoying the spring air! Gracie and I visited yesterday and she was ready to chat! First, however, she wanted Gracie to take off the tape on her neck, which Gracie graciously declined. LOL I guess at 14 one is not quite ready to deal with the aftermath of a surgery. :)
We sat outside and enjoyed the birds while Jack enjoyed the birdseed scattered on the ground as well as small rocks as an afternoon snack. Con/Mom is very fatigued, but she presses on! An afternoon nap gave her a little energy, but she will still need some time to recover from her recent hospital visit. Thus, therapy may resume on Friday or next week. She needs to regain some weight, again, and get back to where she left off. Baby steps backward to go forward...
All-in-all we're relieved to have the other carotid clear and give great thanks to her surgeon, Dr. Medley. He took great care on this fine lady and he was prayerful right along side our family. The energy coming Con/Mom's way is truly amazing and we are all so blessed with the outreach. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
We sat outside and enjoyed the birds while Jack enjoyed the birdseed scattered on the ground as well as small rocks as an afternoon snack. Con/Mom is very fatigued, but she presses on! An afternoon nap gave her a little energy, but she will still need some time to recover from her recent hospital visit. Thus, therapy may resume on Friday or next week. She needs to regain some weight, again, and get back to where she left off. Baby steps backward to go forward...
All-in-all we're relieved to have the other carotid clear and give great thanks to her surgeon, Dr. Medley. He took great care on this fine lady and he was prayerful right along side our family. The energy coming Con/Mom's way is truly amazing and we are all so blessed with the outreach. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
 |
| Happy Easter from Con/Mom and Dad/Dave! |
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Back at Home Safe and Sound!
We are soooo happy to report that Con/Mom is HOME! Whoooohooo! They scanned her throat this morning and the right side is now clear! Left remains 100% blocked. We're hoping this will give her a little more energy; doctor said it might.
So, she will resume her new daily/weekly routine with therapy 3 times per week including speech, PT and OT. She was having some "new" feelings in her throat just before the recent surgery and we think that is more good news. Her speech has improved tremendously and she continues to regain bits of function in the mouth, jaw, tongue area. Right arm/hand are taking some extra time.
Like before, she is a bit particular on visitors so just reach out to her or Dave/Dad if you feel the need to see her. She loves the correspondence she has been receiving and she, like the rest of us, is anticipating spring!
The prayers worked and we look forward to a peaceful Lenten Season...
So, she will resume her new daily/weekly routine with therapy 3 times per week including speech, PT and OT. She was having some "new" feelings in her throat just before the recent surgery and we think that is more good news. Her speech has improved tremendously and she continues to regain bits of function in the mouth, jaw, tongue area. Right arm/hand are taking some extra time.
Like before, she is a bit particular on visitors so just reach out to her or Dave/Dad if you feel the need to see her. She loves the correspondence she has been receiving and she, like the rest of us, is anticipating spring!
The prayers worked and we look forward to a peaceful Lenten Season...
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Moving Forward
Happy to report that Con/Mom is doing well and was moved out of ICU today! She is ready to watch golf and get ready for her last night!
She will have an ultrasound tomorrow morning of her carotid and although it is a little swollen, they should be able to determine if any blockage exists. Upon her positive report, they will release her Sunday afternoon.
She is is good spirits, i.e., her pizzaz is showing already, and she's got a nice team at Beaumont/Botsford. We are prayerful that this time there will be no complications and in a few days she will resume her "normal" therapy routine at the DMC.
I'll see her again later today, but will most likely report tomorrow. Thanks so much and enjoy our last few snow flakes! :)
She will have an ultrasound tomorrow morning of her carotid and although it is a little swollen, they should be able to determine if any blockage exists. Upon her positive report, they will release her Sunday afternoon.
She is is good spirits, i.e., her pizzaz is showing already, and she's got a nice team at Beaumont/Botsford. We are prayerful that this time there will be no complications and in a few days she will resume her "normal" therapy routine at the DMC.
I'll see her again later today, but will most likely report tomorrow. Thanks so much and enjoy our last few snow flakes! :)
Friday, March 4, 2016
Another Successful Hurdle
Con/Mom is awake and we are waiting to see her! We met with the doctor and he said it went "fine". He added a patch to widen the artery and there is a temporary drain that should come out tomorrow. One night in ICU and then release should be Sunday after they check her over well! Her BP was a little erratic, but they will monitor...
We'll keep you abreast of any changes here; we're relieved but cautious. Namaste ~ MJ and family
We'll keep you abreast of any changes here; we're relieved but cautious. Namaste ~ MJ and family
Faithful Friday #prayforconnie
We apologize for the secrecy, but it was Con/Mom's wish to wait until today to let you know that she had surgery on her other carotid artery, today. Since her blood clot still remains on the left and the right is 80% blocked it was highly recommended to clear the right to restore blood flow.
Dave/Dad, Sue and I are here, once again, at Botsford Beaumont awaiting word of a successful surgery. Our angel went in with a brave but nervous heart. We know this is the best way to prevent another stroke.
We ask for no visitors at all. She will stay extra this time to monitor healing, etc. I will update daily again until we settle back into a routine of therapy and recovery. Keep those prayers coming! I can truly feel them working and a peaceful presence.
Dave/Dad, Sue and I are here, once again, at Botsford Beaumont awaiting word of a successful surgery. Our angel went in with a brave but nervous heart. We know this is the best way to prevent another stroke.
We ask for no visitors at all. She will stay extra this time to monitor healing, etc. I will update daily again until we settle back into a routine of therapy and recovery. Keep those prayers coming! I can truly feel them working and a peaceful presence.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Hodge Podge
Progress is being made at the Griffore household! I was blessed with a beautiful morning with Con/Mom; we massaged each other (hers was while she sat upright and she gave me a one handed service), we played cribbage, relaxed and had lunch. Couldn't ask for a more blessed day. Sigh.
Suzie saw her in the PM and Dad/Dave got to get some work done. Jack is Jack.
Con/Mom said her throat was feeling different so I asked her to stick out her tongue (that's one of her drills) and after a few attempts she did just that! Then I took a tissue and held in front of her mouth and asked her to blow (another task)....again, after a few attempts we had success! She's been saying Dad/Dave's name a little more now, but couldn't find mine today although she said it on the phone to someone. lol She's till progressing!
She enjoyed some split pea soup today made by some special friends, I believe Steve and Linda Hayden. I helped her get every last drop! Thanks again for all of those cooking away for them! And Tam, she loves the beautiful box you made for her with the heartfelt notes inside! I even helped her send an E-card today to someone else who is recovering from a surgery! You should see her practice sheets of writing her name with her left hand; she's determined as ever, but won't use a computer mouse yet to assist with her laptop instead of the touch pad.
Stay tuned for the weekend report as we'll be sure to have one.....#prayforconnie. Thank you and God Bless!
A reminder from our amazing Uncle Steve:
James 5:13-18 The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Suzie saw her in the PM and Dad/Dave got to get some work done. Jack is Jack.
Con/Mom said her throat was feeling different so I asked her to stick out her tongue (that's one of her drills) and after a few attempts she did just that! Then I took a tissue and held in front of her mouth and asked her to blow (another task)....again, after a few attempts we had success! She's been saying Dad/Dave's name a little more now, but couldn't find mine today although she said it on the phone to someone. lol She's till progressing!
She enjoyed some split pea soup today made by some special friends, I believe Steve and Linda Hayden. I helped her get every last drop! Thanks again for all of those cooking away for them! And Tam, she loves the beautiful box you made for her with the heartfelt notes inside! I even helped her send an E-card today to someone else who is recovering from a surgery! You should see her practice sheets of writing her name with her left hand; she's determined as ever, but won't use a computer mouse yet to assist with her laptop instead of the touch pad.
Stay tuned for the weekend report as we'll be sure to have one.....#prayforconnie. Thank you and God Bless!
A reminder from our amazing Uncle Steve:
James 5:13-18 The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)