Slow Recovery

Visited mom today.  She was eating! She was digging right into her soup, I was ecstatic!

Her dinner menu was on the table and I noticed the soup was New England Clam chowder.  Mom doesn't like that.  I wondered if she knew what she was eating so I asked her.  She thought it was some kind of onion soup! She reached for the menu and I took it from her and said, "Hmmmm, let's see.  Don't know."  I knew that if she knew what it REALLY was, she probably wouldn't eat the rest of it, so I changed the subject.

She ate the whole bowl!  And she polished off a bottle of Ensure.  She also had some eggs and a little bit of pancakes for breakfast and some soup for lunch.  I was so very happy to hear that!

Mom seemed better today.  She no longer has the hoarseness sound when she tries to speak.  She whispers now.  She told me the doctor said she had an infection in her throat caused by the radiation and it can be a very painful experience.  He had the same condition when he was in Germany (I have no more details on that) and so he could relate to her pain level.  I'm glad of that.

She's still receiving antbiotics and Potassium.  The doctor hadn't come in when I was there so I don't have details of her vitals.  She did say that her blood pressure was high and I told her that was actually a good sign as it seems her body is heading towards "normal" (the doctor had said that as well).  Mom had high blood pressure before all of this.

She's getting a little antzy, as I had anticipated but knows how important it is for her to remain in the hospital.  

I told her how everyone misses her and sends their love, thoughts and prayers.  I asked her again if she wanted any visitors, but she said no.  She misses everyone as well.

She didn't get much sleep again last night between having to use the bathroom every hour and the nurses coming in to do vitals and take blood.  But she's hanging in there.  

I told her how very proud of her I was before I left.  I hate leaving her all alone there, it breaks my heart.  I can't wait until she is better for her, and for the rest of us.  I refuse to think or believe that she will not get better.

I'm trying to hang in there emotionally.  I'm going to work a few hours tomorrow to try and make up some time lost this week.  And then hopefully rest up some on Sunday.  I have a beautiful patio set to put together, and it's going to be a nice day outside to enjoy it.  A couple of glasses of wine will make it all the better!