February 13, 2009

Mom enjoyed visits from some of her out of town family members last weekend (2/7) - in particular her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. That really brightened her spirits! And on Sunday we took her to an event put on at the Home where she tasted some vegetarian foods and soups, enjoyed Christian music, and had chocolate and coffee. She liked that a lot. In fact, always thinking of others, she insisted that Rita and Mary take plates of chocolate up to her room so she could give them to her nurses (which she did---honest!) But the main thing was that she got out of her room, had a change of scenery, and enjoyed the event.

Mentally, things have been pretty much the same. She talks a lot about her past and people from her past, and she does have times where she is quite lucid. Physically she's doing better. For the last month (since she came down with those infections) she has had to be stretchered to and from dialysis because she was weak and unstable. This meant being transported by ambulance, and it became very frustrating for her because she had to wait at the dialysis center until the transport came for her. It was frustrating for us when we tried to visit because we never knew when or how late she would be back to the home.

The ambulance company often got her to dialysis late, and did not return her to the Home until 8 or 9 p.m. This made for a very long day for her, and one without substantial meals. But she was a trooper. She continued to have physical and occupational therapy. She worked very hard, has regained much strength, and now is better able to move about with the walker. In fact she is doing so much better that today (Friday) she began riding the Brethern Home bus to dialysis again instead of being transported in the ambulance. Praise the Lord for that. She was so excited to be off the ambulance!

She has been receiving many cards and letters from friends and family, and on her behalf we say thank you for staying in touch. She loves to hear from every one of you.

Please continue to pray for Peggy.