Thursday: home health therapy

Mama slept in this morning... 8:00.  O wow.  That's not sleeping in!  Mama Trudy and Don think alike.  The home health nurse showed up around 11:00 a.m. and was just a delight.  We sure liked her, but she won't be back unless Mama needs her for something. In fact, the only thing I could find wrong with Cindy was... she doesn't want her picture on the internet.  Yes, I got a great picture of she and Mama Trudy together.  Cindy explained how drinking lots of fluid and staying hydrated will help with dizziness and will also help keep the blood pressure at a high normal and pumping oxygen to the brain.  In other words, low oxygen levels and dehydration can also cause dizziness.

The doctor only prescribed home therapy and Gillian (pronounced like Lillian but with Gill like a fish gill) came at 3:15 p.m.  She's really nice, also.  I got so involved with learning exercises for Mama, that I forgot to get her picture, but she'll be back every Monday and Wednesday until Mama doesn't need therapy anymore, so I'll get her picture.  Can't promise I can post it here, but I'll get it none the less.

The more questions Mama Trudy answered the more Gillian believes that Mama definitely has an inner ear problem... which very well may have gotten it's start with the bronchial infection and flu that Mama had back in February.  Anyway, Gillian has a bunch of exercises that will help to get the "sensor" in her inner ears "unstuck" so that she will regain proper balance and no longer be plagued with dizziness.  Well, I understand what I'm talking about. :-)

Before Gillian arrived, Mama wanted me to cut her hair.  I didn't much want to because I think her hair is so pretty, but she wanted it cut, layered all over, so I did.  Here's Mama before the hair cut.  Isn't her hair pretty?After Gillian left, Mama got a good shower, without my help, except her back.  She washed her new haircut and did great by herself, taking her time and did not experience any dizziness.  We are so blessed that this apartment was already furnished with everything in the bathroom for a handicapped person, complete with a bench that drops down across the bath tub for sitting, handrails everywhere, an adjusting handheld shower head, and a tall toilet.  Mama thought she was just going to stand in the shower like she always did before, but that was one thing I insisted on... sit down on the bench, swing your legs over into the tub and remain seated to shower.  She obeyed. (wink, wink) I stayed in the bathroom with her during her shower to make sure.  OK, so I'm hovering, but I can't stand the thought of her falling.

Here she is all clean, new hair do, and feeling refreshed.  The shower did her a world of good, made her feel good and doesn't she look good?!!She only took one really short nap today and had quite a bit of activity going on for herself today.  She eats great and after dinner tonight, we again played dominoes.

Speaking of looking good.  We tease her about telling people that she's 90 years old, just to hear them say, "Well you certainly don't look it."  Gillian even commented about how straight she stands and how even her gait is when walking.  The only pain Mama has is in her right shoulder and only that when she moves it a certain way and then it can be very painful for her.  She considers herself very blessed and so do we.  What a jewel she is.  I'm blessed to have her as my mama.

Prayer request:  Don said tonight that his shingles have been bothering him again.  Also, today he had to do the pace maker check over the phone.  They always speed up the pace maker to check it and that, of course, makes his heart work faster and it just wears him out.  Pray that a good nights rest will help him feel better in the morning, with regained energy.

Love to all and thank you for your prayers for Don and Mama Trudy.

Tomorrow is another big day.  Leslie and LaNae are throwing a surprise birthday party for Mama Trudy.  She's looking forward to going over to LaNae's house but she only thinks it's to have July 4th BBQ with all of us.  Don't worry, we won't let her get too tired.