Sweet Momma Update

Good evening sweet friends and family,

Sorry it has been so long since we have provided an update on Mom's progress. I wish we could report on lots of positive change but this recovery continues to be incredibly slow and very challenging. Given the sensitive location of Mom's brain tumor and the hemorrhage, all aspects of this recovery are painfully slow and it will take years to hopefully regain some level of independence. We are pleased to say that she has improved swallowing capabilities, which have allowed her to take all of her liquids without the thickening compound added. This allows her to drink clear water which she loves, but at the same time Dad continues to give her water through her feeding tube to make sure that she keeps hydrated.

Mom's challenges are many as she remains confined to her wheelchair with a weak ankle from her tendon surgery, and is still a long way from using a walker because of the need for improved core strength and improved balance, but we  remain hopeful that with significant therapy she will get to that point in the future. Numbness on both sides of her body continue to be a challenge and this seems to have also effected her speech capabilities as it remains very difficult for her to speak understandably. This leads us to have our primary means of communication be the simple alphabet card which although frustratingly slow, remains the most effective means to let us know what she needs. There are numerous computer apps which allow patients with speech difficulties to type out words and the computer will do the speaking, but Mom's ataxia(tremors) make it difficult to type anything. Maybe with time, one of the apps may help. 

Probably the most frustrating challenge is the continued double vision. Mom and Dad will be seeing an Eye Surgeon in the coming weeks to get her opinion on what might be possible to gain some improvement in her vision. 

Through this all, Mom rarely complains. She loves seeing the Grandkids regularly and Dad tries to keep her moving with frequent trips out of the house to church, shopping, a movie, and even the local 4th of July parade and the fireworks. Mom and Dad also traveled to San Antonio recently to see Caroline and Elle's dance recital which they loved. 

We thank everyone for the continued thoughts and prayers, notes of encouragement and the dinners and snacks that have been sent Mom and Dad's way. They have been incredibly helpful and very appreciated. 

Thank you!!

Love, Rachel & John Sedlak