Heading Down Hill

 My alarm went off at 3:00 am and it really was hard to get up then.  I made the coffee and after 2 cups felt ready to start work. The 2 weanlings were thrown hay and given water then I left for the Berean office. When I reached 116 it was blocked off with fire engines and cop cars. The ReFuel bar was on fire. 

I had to go through town to bypass that area. I was able to drop off the mail and from there went straight down to the hospital arriving at 4:30 am.  Mom  had just come back from a CT scan. She told me herself it looked about the same as yesterday. She was very tired this morning and when the doctor came in told us they were going to let her sleep more today, no more waking her up every hour to ask questions we were relieved. They were also going to start therapy. Sarah arrived shortly after that. The OT showed up about 10 minutes after the doctor left and started working with mom moving her arms around and asking questions. Mom had not had a good night and was pretty tired.  She left after about 40 minutes and within 10 minutes the PT arrived. He told mom they were going to get her sitting and standing. I don't think he realized she can't move her left leg or arm. We got her sitting but it took all 3 of us, Sarah, me and the PT.  Mom's breakfast had arrived while all of this was going on and by the time the PT mom was exhausted. Sarah told mom there was cream of wheat for breakfast and asked if she wanted brown sugar and cinnamon in it. Mom told her yes, Sarah mixed it up, gave her a spoonful and mom replied, "it needs milk."  By the time Sarah got the milk in it mom was sound asleep.

The CT Scan came back that it was the same as yesterday so mom really was telling us what they had told her. Just that she remembered and repeated was encouraging. They came in to do more tests and sent us out of the room for about 15 minutes so we went down to the bistro for coffee when in walked Diane and Aunt Jinnie.  I left for home then and they went up to the room. Diane sent the picture below of mom and Aunt Jinnie: 

Well our encouraging morning didn't last. Mom was finding it harder and harder to wake up and then lost the ability to swallow. Instead of waiting until tomorrow for the next CT Scan they did it this afternoon. That came back with no real change so we are not sure why mom lost the ability to swallow.  The doctors asked about putting in a feeding tube but mom told us she did not want that. They recommended a shunt to try to drain the fluid but again mom told us no she didn't want that. We as a family asked Joan to talk to Jeff Klopfenstein his opinion (he is a very well respected neuro surgeon) and after talking to him Mark and I drove back up to the hospital, met Beth, Joan and Hannah there and I asked mom again and again she told us no. Mom understands and has answered questions correctly all day so we will have to honor her request. She is running a fever now so not feeling very well.  I asked if she could smile for the camera and she gave it a good try.

We said good night and then left for home.  What a LONG day.