TIRR week 7

Hello sweet friends and family,

I wanted to give you an update on our strong lady!

Mom continues to make progress at TIRR and we have hopes that she can return home in early April approximately five and a half months after her surgery. She constantly asks for a weekend pass and we are working hard to see if we can make a half day trip home on Sunday to experience some of the challenges that we will have to make accommodations for before we are discharged.

Her therapy sessions have been increased and she regularly is in therapy from 8:30 am thru noon then again from 1pm thru 4pm. She is totally exhausted after each day and even more so at the end of each week. The TIRR philosophy is to push patients as far as they can physically go and it does advance their capabilities rapidly, but at the cost of total exhaustion.

On Monday she walked 260 feet with assistance using the high walking frame. This intense activity can effect Mom's speech and she has a very difficult time speaking as the day wears on. The speech team continues to work hard with her and also continues to improve her ability to drink regular water and other thin liquids. She still can only drink thickened liquids regularly but we are hoping that this can be changed in the coming weeks and months.

Mom is also still challenged considerably by the double vision which could take a year to improve or lead to the consideration of eye surgery to correct this significant issue. The Doctors are also recommending some foot and ankle surgery which involves tendon lengthening to give her the best chance to regain the ability to walk normally at some point in the future. It's hard to believe all of the things that are impacted by the type of brain surgery that Mom underwent. The ankle surgery could occur in the coming two weeks so once again prayers are welcomed for a successful procedure.

Thanks to all for the continued thoughts and prayers. We are grateful! They are being answered and they will continue to be needed for a very long time to come!!

Love, Rachel and John Sedlak

 

Softball practice with James, Mom's Occupational Therapist

 

 

Stretching with Patrice, Mom's Physical Therapist

 

 

Grammy snuggling her little cupcake!!

 

 

Playing on Grandma's fun bed

 

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Rebecca found a four leaf clover in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard last week, we could use a bit of that good luck!! ; ) Good find, Bec!

 

 

Mom standing almost entirely on her own!!!

 

 

Pop Pop & JCN3 = Best Buddies!

 

 

Grandma handing out Easter candy to her little "Grand Angels"

Life is good!