Another Week of Sunshine

Well, this is my fourth morning with Con/Mom as Dad/Dave has had a work project going on. We had therapy Friday morning (speech and OT) and we're here again with OT. Taking a break from speech therapy for summer, but she has plenty to work on at home!

We took a little ride yesterday to the amazing Farmer John's Boutique and she was overwhelmed with the pretty things! Left empty handed, but now she can dream about the flowers and frills.  Today, she had energy the entire session and returned home to visit with Suzie. Naps are recommended, but it's hard getting accustomed to something you're not used to.

She admits things could be worse, but at the same time she adds that it would be nice if her arm would work. 😞 The nice thing about the therapy is that she meets others in similar scenarios. Some are faced with more challenges than she and others not so much. She can see progress, perseverance and the patience it requires to push forward. I can see how easy it would be to give up with the fatigue and the plateaus, but the will and faith she possesses carries her forward on eagles wings.

I feel great sadness and love simultaneously as I watch her move through a day. What a stroke takes away from a being it gives back a new meaning to commitment. If you've ever looked at a loved one with awe and wonder not unlike one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, your come to understand a higher plan. It translates to the beginning of wisdom and an understanding of God.

On a secular level, it boils down to humility. A hard thing for some, but not for Con/Mom.

We humbly ask for continued prayers for peace, patience and grace. The daily grind is no small task and has become cumbersome. Watching my parents navigate through this storm gives new meaning to the phrase "wonder and awe".

Peace and light to all, MJ LaDuke, Bhakti Yoga ૐ

 

Never Ending Story

I love that movie (Never Ending Story)!  If you know it, you'll recall the childlike princess at the end saying "say my name!" several times.  Well, Con/Mom said my name yesterday!  I was putting myself in her phone calendar and I asked her what name should I put in (I have a few LOL) and she got it right out! Joyful day!  Must have been all of that sunshine we were blessed with!

She's doing wonderful!  She was lifting her balloon and working on that right arm/hand diligently. After, we sat in her bed together while the electrodes did there work and we chatted.....so grateful that God gave her ability to speak back to her! So many don't regain that. There are so many good things happening we need to celebrate them!

Her faithful dog, Jack, waited patiently for her to finish her exercises.  Con/Mom stays clear of the pool (for safety) so I put the hose in under the cover to fill it while Dad/Dave was on a refreshing bike ride.  Jack didn't want to come in and he hopped right up into a chair into a little ball, as hard as that is to believe because he's huge! lol

Sister Sue did some much needed weeding last week and we'll finish up this week so the beautiful garden Con/Mom has worked so hard on all these years can continue to bring joy to all!  Speaking of flowers, (get the tissues out) Con/Mom was telling me that she takes three daffodils out of the garden and places them by Dad/Dave's bedside because he likes them. He brings her coffee and she brings him flowers. Sigh.  The romance continues to bloom despite the fatigue and arduous circumstances.

We missed her in church today along with her church husband, Clarence. :(  He is battling a few medical issues so our row is a little low right now, but sister Sue, Auntie Carol and I hold it together. It's just not the same with our special people there.....God is teaching us all lessons and just like other major life events, we all are affected in our own way.  It's our quest to decipher the meaning and let grace, patience, and wisdom take over more than ever!

So, continue the prayers as we continue the journey together.  Thanks to all for the love that you extend to us all!  Enjoy our much anticipated spring! Namaste ~ MJ

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Sorry it's been a while, but I was traveling and everything was status quo.  BUT, today was an amazing day!  I wrote previously that Con/Mom and Dad/Dave have been playing daily cards and they recently had some ladies to their house from her bridge group to get her acclimated.   Well, today Con/Mom went back to one of her daytime bridge groups today and WON! Whoooohooo! Don't ever underestimate her mind!

She's still working on the body day-by-day, though.  She's taken a break altogether from the physically therapy and keeping the OT and speech.  OT works on her upper body with concentration on the arm/hand.  It is making small strides and she is even going to start an adaptive golf clinic soon. Now that she has even more time to watch golf I think it is really eating away at her so she's doing anything she can to get back into the swing of things (pun intended). She's going to ride around with Dad/Dave in their couples league this year and hopefully she'll back with the ladies (and me!) next year.

Her speech is quite fluid but with small pauses on remembering the right word.  Still working on some names....we're still early into this recovery process and they say we can see changes through the first year after and sometimes even further out. So, we are optimistic and Con/Mom is even more so! I think her faith has a lot to do with it and all of the amazing prayer warriors she has!

I'll try to update weekly now or more if there is reason to share something significant.  Thanks for checking in and don't forget to consider supporting the American Heart and Stroke Assoc. to support research and prevention!  I will walk this May for Con/Mom, Kristy and Annette!  I'm sure you know someone, too!  If you want to join my team, the biggest community team in the area, it's called Heart Heroes!

Thanks so much and enjoy our Michigan weather! Not!