Ground Hog Day-Evening

Last night found Donna to be in great spirits. She had been very busy all day yet she wasn’t tired, in fact, we stayed up until 10:00 p.m. before finally calling it night. The neurologist stopped by and said she was making moderate progress in her physical skills but she is not doing as well in progression on her language skills. This is difficult news for us today as she has become quite the master of deception. When asked a question she will agree, say a few well chosen words and most people go away thinking they just had a good conversation with her but – she doesn’t catch all of what they were saying. They don’t always know it though. So, when asked questions like – Good Morning Mrs. Martin, how are you today? Are you having any pain? Did you sleep well? She will answer, oh yes, sure, okay and so on. But when she is wanting to talk to you about something it sounds something like this – Well, well so…. well, so maybe, well so maybe, well so maybe could – It is hard for us because we want to get what she is looking for so badly. We wait patiently to give her an opportunity to find the word but it’s difficult not to start offering out ideas/words that she may be searching for. We are all learning how to do this part of recovery together. She’ll often interrupt her “wells” by rolling her eyes and saying “Oh, shut up”, or “blah, blah, blah, blah, blah” and laugh at herself. She’s got a great attitude and has quit crying when getting frustrated with finding the right word. We ask for your prayers that her language communication skills will keep improving and that her speech and understanding sharpen. Each day brings her closer to being able to express her thoughts and really, it’s only been two weeks since this all began so she is making amazing progress!

The last “well, so maybe” conversation ended up being a request to know how long it was going to be until Joseph (Darlene’s husband) arrived with her ice cream. He had called and promised to bring it and she was growing impatient. I think she was trying to tell me – “Well, so maybe we could call him and find out what the heck is taking so long!” (She did get her ice cream and thoroughly enjoyed it!) (I seem to remember thinking the same thing when Joseph used to bring treats home when I was a kid. I think he must eat one scoop there and get another for the road-Kacie)

She loves the cards, letters and photos from everyone. Today the Speech Therapist said she was going to have Donna start “reading” the cards. One card from Donna’s school arrived with a picture in it and she recognized the person and could say her name (recognizing people that haven’t been around in the last 2 weeks but are a part of her life is good). While it seemed that she read who had sent it, she wasn’t actually reading any of it, she was just going from memory of who sent it, since we had already opened the card and seen the picture inside earlier that morning. The therapist is on to her though and knows she is “faking it”. Her language skills are growing each day, but for now she is not able to read and write so they will begin working on that next. They took her down for another CAT scan this morning and we are waiting to hear from the Case Manager. Last night the neurologist said when she could walk (even if it’s with a walker) steadily on her own, get in and out of a car, or sit on chair, go from sitting to standing easily on her own – then it was time to go home. However, that does not consider that her infectious disease doctor may have other plans. So, that’s why we are waiting to see what the Case Manager has planned. Louie returns on Thursday evening and meanwhile, we are holding the fort down. Soon, we should have an updated progress report from the doctors and some possible plans for the future.

Meanwhile, if you want to send cards here is the address:

Baptist Memorial Hospital
Attn: Donna Martin
6019 Walnut Grove Road
Rm2424
Memphis, TN 38120