posted
Gayle, prayers are headed your way for your Mom and you. It's a stressful time taking away all the energy you have. Be good to yourself during this time.
Glad you had enough time to post your note so many more prayers can be heard for your beloved Mother.
Later, please post as you feel up to it after this major crisis is over.
Love, Bettyg, Iowa
Posts: 1 | From US | Registered: Aug 2015
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posted
Thanks everybody! It was indeed a stroke. Her fever was up today from the pneumonia. She hasn't opened her eyes and is at least partially paralyzed on her left side.
She has responded to me with head nods and the squeezing of my hand. So, time will tell.
Thanks for the prayers. We're going to need it. I have one brother in Florida and one in Texas, so I'm the chosen one.
------------------ oops! Lymetutu
[This message has been edited by Lymetoo (edited 14 March 2005).]
posted
So sorry to hear your Mom is having such a difficult time.
Sending lots of concern & support. Will be praying for both of you.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Prayers abound for you, your family, and of course your mother. May God's blessings be with all of you. One day at a time--d--
Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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posted
What would I do without you guys? YOU are my strength....but of course, God is first when it comes to that!
Mom struggled all night to move and to talk, and was exhausted today. I didn't get alot out of her today.
One of her caretakers from the assisted living came by to see her. She's known Mom for 6 1/2 yrs and has come to love her. [of course!]
She said after physical therapy at the hospital and rehab, she would still have 45 days to improve and try to become independent enough to stay in assisted living.
She can also have home health at the assisted living to help her adjust.
Her neuro said she may not be able to get back to where she was before, especially since she's already had 3 bad strokes and those were significant.
So keep the prayers coming. I'm doing the best I can with what I've got!
cootiegirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3216
posted
TuTu, Adding my thoughts and prayers. Please take care of you as well! cootiegirl
Posts: 1728 | From New York State | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
Boy, I was so down yesterday, I didn't even want to post an update. I did manage to see her open one eye yesterday. That was the success of the day.
Today, I spoke with her dr and he said "She's not doing very well." So I asked him if we could try giving her some mangosteen juice. [which of course, he had never heard of]
I gave him research abstracts from Pub Med and told him a little about it. He said sure, give it a try.
So they put in straight into her feeding tube. Her temperature was around 100...high since her normal is 97.
She has been on the juice since last June and even with the pneumonia last week, had very little fever and was not even in bed with it.
SOOO....30 minutes later, I felt her forehead and it felt cooler to me. Twenty minutes later they came in and took her temperature. It was 97!
Even I was amazed! She then became more alert .. opening her eyes at the slightest thing. Before, she only opened them [or one] if we begged, shook, and called out her name.
When I left around 6pm, the fever seemed to be coming back. The mangosteen has a half-life of about 6 hrs. So I'm hoping tomorrow, we can give her several ounces in the a.m. and more in the afternoon.
We can't make much progress until this pneumonia is cleared. It's not going to be easy.
Won't bore you with more details....just praying for more HOPE tomorrow.
posted
Little snippets of progress. She is more alert and still NO FEVER! The nurses are very impressed! Haven't seen a doc since she started back on the juice.
I now have to work on getting her things out of her place at assisted living and finding a good nursing home.
posted
Lymetutu, I'm keeping you and your mom in my prayers. Glad she is doing better. You have been so good to me so many others with your advice and knowledge that I hope you can feel our support. Deb
Posts: 441 | From USA | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Wow. My mom continues to make little improvements each day. Very small steps, but steps, none the same.
I know without a doubt that if I hadn't pushed the drs to allow the mangosteen, she would not have made the progress she's made.
I found an acceptable nursing home 10 miles from us. The one that was closer smelled terrible. I was NOT IMPRESSED! And can you believe it cost $500 a month MORE than the other one?!
I think the only reason they get away with the higher cost is that it's in town. It's 8 miles from us, so no big deal that I have to drive 2 miles more to get better care.
They put the "permanent" feeding tube in today and that was causing some pain, but she should be fine in another day or so. I think they will take her to the nursing home Wednesday.
We hope to have her progress enough with therapy over the next few months so that she can still go back to assisted living. I really hope she can. Time will tell.
Thanks to all for your prayers. I know the prayers have done alot for her. She's on alot of prayer lists across the country. God is good.
posted
So glad to hear your Mom continues to make progress, even though it has to be small steps.
Also glad that you found a suitable nursing home. To me, a 10 mile drive sounds close. We had to drive 25 miles (one way) to the only nursing home that was suitable for my father. Since he would walk off, we had to have a secure unit for his safety. He had been mis-diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but we learned very late in the disease that he had Lyme.
I hope that your Mom has been more comfortable today. Will continue to pray that she improves & that both of you receive the strength you need at such a difficult time.
And to you, Miss TuTu - I'm sending the Award for Kindness and Thoughtfulness!!! With all the responsibility you have on you at this time, how did you find time to think about me?
Sending love & a very sincere Thank You!!!
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
Tutu, Glad your mom continues to make progress. Will keep her and you in my prayers.
posted
Thanks everybody. The past two days have been really rough ... especially emotionally. My husband and I moved all her things out of the assisted living facility and over to the nursing home today.
And mom hasn't been doing as well physically these past two days. I hope she isn't having more strokes. They will move her to the nursing home tomorrow.
With all my family out of state, I'm really struggling. I broke down and cried for hours today. I needed to do that. Can't say I felt any better though.
Thanks for continued prayers. It breaks my heart to see my mom this way.
posted
I understand how difficult it is to see your Mom so sick. You're a strong young lady!! You have shown you have an inner strength that is getting you through each day.
I wish your LymeNet Family could do more to help. We'll continue to pray for you and your Mom.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Gayle' I am praying for you all. I hope your Mom is better. Blessings and a great big hug! Sue
Posts: 124 | From Mound City MO USA | Registered: Sep 2004
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Thanks for the update; glad you/hubby got her things moved to nursing home. Yes, it's really hard especially when I moved Dad to hospice the afternoon before his death the next night.
Glad you had a good cry; do it as needed; take time for yourself, and quiet time just for you.
How old is your Mom, Gayle? Best wishes she continues making progress each day, and that you got her into a fresh-smelling home!
Betty G.
Posts: 1 | From US | Registered: Aug 2015
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posted
Tutu, Sending prayers to you and your Mom. Praying for a complete and quick recovery from the stroke so she may get back to the assisted living facility soon.
Glad to hear how well the mangosteen did for her. I just started on it about a month ago now. God Bless, Carol
Posts: 24 | From U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 2005
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JillF
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5553
My prayers are for you and your mom...It is indeed a hard time, but you must remember to look after yourself. Out of love and concern for the people we cherish, we often forget to "take care of the caregiver."
You are one strong woman, Tutu. I've admired and learned from your smart, good advice over the past year.
Take care, sending prayers from British Columbia Peggy
Posts: 190 | From BC Canada | Registered: Jul 2004
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dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
How did I miss this one? Just read it all, glad your mom has recovered quite a bit.
What is Mangosteen - is it related to Mangoes?
Did you get the doctors comments on the Mangosteen after she improved?
DLL
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Oh, Miss TuTu, My thoughts and prayers for continued healing to you and your mom. From what you've been through and are doing for your mom, you are indeed her guardian angel. I'm sure knowing you're there is her best medicine.
I know others have mentioned the importance of taking time to take of yourself, be it a quiet walk, a talk with a good friend, or a good cry when needed....please do it for yourself and for her.
Continued prayers and good thoughts to you and your family as you go through this TuTu.
JavaBeing
PS Well done on the Mangosteen juice!
Posts: 208 | From Portland, OR USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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henson2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 463
posted
Sending you and your mom prayers and sincere thoughts. Take care of yourself. We are thinking about you both.
posted
Update.... Mom's speech is progressing. That helps. At least she can communicate what she needs [ a little bit ]. Can't have a conversation yet, but she's making progress.
The physical part is pretty bad. She can't sit on her own, nor stand [obviously]. They will be giving her therapy and i hope that helps SOON.
I had hoped to get her back to the hospital's rehab unit, but i don't know. She has to be able to shift her weight, sit and probably stand at least some.
So, thanks for the prayers. We've been blessed by them!
posted
Sorry to hear about your mom. What is the juice you told the doctor about? I bet they are impressed with you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
------------------
Lyme Buddy
Posts: 287 | From Fairfield Bay, AR USA | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
lyme buddy, I loved your waving green fellow...must be a fellow lymies, right? LOL
Tutu, thanks for the update on your Mom, 81 coming soon.
Yes, these are the days when you take 1 hr. at a time, 1 day at a time. When things progress then you can think 1 week to 1 month down the line.
Glad she has YOU, her precious daughter, being the strong advocate for her! Way to go Gayle, we're all proud of you being a 1 in a million daughter, and strong moral support person here on this board.
Soft hugs, Bettyg, Iowa
Posts: 1 | From US | Registered: Aug 2015
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posted
Thanks, Jill for asking. All of you have been so kind. This has really been stressful for me. Things are settling down though.
Not much change since my April 5th report. She was talking so much today, that I couldn't keep up! It's very hard to understand her, but that's not stopping her!
She was also moving around in bed more than I've seen before. Hoping her "trunk control" improves soon, so she can possibly sit up on her own.
Right now, she can't turn over in bed, or anything, but maybe she will in a few days. She's getting "restorative" therapy. They are working on getting her to move her arms and legs.
She's made more progress than I ever dreamed she'd be able to. Even though this is her 4th major stroke, I'd never seen her during the first two weeks after a stroke until this one.
[She was living in Texas when she had her first 3 strokes, and I was already in Missouri. She's been here in MO for 6 1/2 yrs now.]
Anyway, thanks to everyone for all the prayers. God is listening!
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