Would you believe, we left Steph's house and I still haven't seen her. She had to take hubby Rick to work while I was getting ready and we needed to get on the road... they had activities planned for the morning, so, hey, we'll catch them on the flip side. Don drank coffee with Rick and visited with them for a few minutes before they had to leave. He also got a hug from Taylor, the only one who was up. Thanks for the good night's sleep, Stephanie! And thanks to Kristina for giving up her room on such short notice. I took this picture just for you, Stephanie.
Bill, this picture is for you. Notice the sticker on the tailgate, top left corner. OK, so you need a magnifying glass.
There, does that help?
We arrived at the hospital around noon. I had been texting LaNae, who was with Mama all morning. Before we arrived we knew that Mama was being released from the hospital to go home. The MRI revealed that at some time, Mama had a mini stroke. Has I said in another post, her symptoms the last few days were not those of someone who had a stroke, so the mini stroke could have occurred at another, earlier time. The MRI also revealed 75% blockage in one carotid artery instead of 85%. Doctor says stent surgery is too risky at her age and he also says the carotid artery on the other side of her neck is only 10% blocked and enough blood/oxygen is flowing through it to her brain as long as her blood pressure is slightly elevated. If oxygen levels drop, dizziness occurs. When dizziness occurs, sick stomach and fast, irregular heart rate begins. The doctor released her to family (us) and home health care twice a week. He does not want her to be alone and we all want to see how she responds to therapy, which we/I will do along with home health. He also prescribed a walking cane for her, which she has no problem using in case she needs it for stability while walking. (that's pretty much what a cane is for, isn't it? hmmm. ok, just work with me here) She was pretty tired this afternoon, more than usual because of the meds for dizziness... they cause drowsiness. She has not been dizzy for two days now. After a nap she got up and joined us at the table for dinner and then was ready for a couple of games of "shoot the moon" dominoes. She went to bed a little after 8:00, so happy to be in her own comfortable bed. She's sore through her neck and back and shoulders. I'll give her a good massage tomorrow, if she can stand it. She also had a headache, which she never has, also a side effect of the medication for dizziness.
LaNae said Mama Trudy had charmed everyone that cared for her while she was in the hospital. Didn't I tell you Mama Trudy would tell someone about Jesus before she left. Well, there was a Chinese lady from the lab and Mama asked her if she was a U.S. citizen and she said she had a green card and her son is a student at OU. She wasn't sure if she would stay in the U.S. after he graduates. Mama asked her if she was a Christian and she stammered and hem-hawed and finally said, "well, no." Mama asked her if she wanted learn how to be a Christian and she said quite earnestly that she did want to learn how to become a Christian. Mama, noticing that the lady wanted to talk to her, but also was distracted because she had already been talking to Mama for quite some time. Also, their culture has great respect (in some cases to the point of worship) for the elderly, silver-haired people and she did not want to be rude to mother. Mama told her it was very simple and easy to become a Christian and invited her to church, giving her directions. She said she knew where mama's church is located and would go. We pray that she will.
Here's the balloons that great grandson, Blaine, gave her for her birthday last Thursday. They are huge!!
OK, just in case you're wondering where Don & I are sleeping in this one bedroom apartment (well, there's two bedrooms, but one is Mama's 'work' room and there's only a the little couch you see in the above picture). Don went to Wal-Mart and bought us a Coleman queen size air mattress. It's in the living room, under the ceiling fan. If you're familiar with older folks, they don't require as much air conditioning as us who are ..... well, much as us, so we're grateful to be under the ceiling fan. The air mattress will be deflated and placed behind the recliner in the corner each morning. It must be comfortable, Don's over there on it right now snoring. (He's gonna love me for that one. :-})
And the next phase has begun.
Mike brought my grand kids, Lydia and Blaine, over to see us tonight. They are so tan from swimming all day long every day. Lydia was at Christian camp all last week and had a wonderful time. Got awesome hugs from both of them. They are growing up so fast. Blaine was so cute. Every time he wanted to say something he would raise his hand way up and wait, very patiently, for someone to acknowledge him.
The air mattress is calling my name. Good night and God bless everyone.
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