Friday, May 20, 2016

Update On My Sister


I realized I have not said anything about my sister in a while. I suppose once the danger of losing her was over I relaxed. Just as she does I take each day as a step forward.

My sister had a stroke more than a year ago. It was a serious stroke. She had many difficulties resulting from it. I will now report on her progress.

She had to have surgery to replace the piece of her skull they removed to ease pressure from the swelling of her brain. Needless to say the swelling went down. The surgery was also successful.

She is now home. Her husband is her primary caretaker but they have a nurse who comes several times a week to help out.

There is also intensive physical therapy. My sister is so frustrated because her left arm and leg are still not moving. She is determined to walk again. Knowing my sister I am sure she will.

She is sick of being confined to either a chair or a wheelchair. And she is sick of having to have people wait on her. (I never thought that would happen. My sister is even more self-centered than I am.)

She called me a few minutes ago. Her speech is completely normal but I can hear her tiring as the conversation gets longer. It is so good to be able to call her and have her call me. For a while she was difficult to understand and her thoughts would wander as we talked.

She did say that she wished her hand/eye coordination was better. She used to do a lot of sewing. I wish there was someone who could help her do some sewing one-handed. Maybe she would enjoy that. Any suggestions are welcome.

I suppose it does not sound like she has made a lot of progress but actually she has worked hard and become so much better. She has a strong determination and is so strong willed.

My sister knows she will probably not be able to return to work. She has begun the process of filing for Social Security. She will get about $100 more a month if she takes the disability so that is what she is trying for. A rotten way to spend her 65th year.

I hope to one day be able to tell you that she is moving on her own. Better yet I hope to be able to tell you that she is in Fiji which is her favorite place to be and walking on the beach.

15 comments:

  1. From those i worked with the speech was one way to determine recovery.It is a long process, and all doesn't come back exclusively.About three years after my mom had one she realized she had been a baker and called me to tell me she was making cinnamon rolls.It just happened and she went and prepared a batch.Not the same, but the memory was precious. I ate each one with a prayer.

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    1. That is inspirational and I thank you. Your mother had to have felt such a sense of accomplishment.

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  2. Sending best wishes to your dear sisiter. She has made tremendous progress. Her determination will help her achieve the best outcome!

    Have a great weekend, Emma.

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    1. Thank ou for your good wishes. My sister is much stronger than I am. I know she will get better. I just wish it would be sooner rather than later.

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  4. Hello Emma,

    I am sad to know about your sister's ailment which appears to be serous. She is a very courageous lady and I am sure she will recover. I hope and pray she gets well to move around and do her things by herself.

    Miracles do happen Emma even in these days when people don't believe in miracles. Let us pray to God for a miracle in your sister's case.

    Best wishes

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. My sister is courageous. She works hard every day but she does get discouraged at times. Like me she likes things to happen fast.

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  5. There are no easy horses when we start having health issues. Your sister sounds like a trooper.
    R

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  6. Best wishes from thousands of mile away, and still be loud enough.

    Get well soon.

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    1. You are as close as my computer. Thank you for the good wishes.

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  7. I am visiting (and now joining) because of the AMAZING comment that I saw you write on one of Joseph's posts...and I am sending my most sincere wishes to your sister, Emma.

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    1. I am honored to welcome you. Thank yoou for commenting.

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  8. Thank you, Emma, for this update on your sister. She is indeed a courageous lady and with her determined spirit, she may well be walking on that beach in Fiji ne day.

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