Day 39....

One step forward one step to the side & back....

ONE STEP FORWARD

For those who are not in the know; yesterday Melissa had a very good morning with the physical therapist.  She was practicing getting up and down out of bed with some assist to a walker.  Then she practiced rotating towards her BIG Comfy Chair to sit and help her and strengthen her lungs.  They asked her to march in place picking up her feet/legs.  She is learning how to use her legs again.  She is like a fawn trying to get up for the first time.  I was so happy for her and we shared a big smile as she sat looking at me.  

She also got very good at pushing the call button for assistance.  At times she forgets what and where the BIG Red button is on the remote.  She had the staff hopping.  I asked her a few questions to pull files from her memory.  Like "what was the address of Adrian Avenue?"  I got the answer an hour later and did not realize it until I asked Mrs. Ix that night when I got home.  Melissa used her fingers to show me 2-0-1-0.  She had forgotten again how many days she was in the hospital, no problem this will all sinking when those circuits are connected.  I read her from a book, but she was tired and wanted to rest.  Probably what happens when you read this report.  Zzzzzzz

ONE STEP TO THE SIDE

In the afternoon yesterday I saw a shift in her body language. She was agitated and restless.  

ONE STEP BACK

The next morning I got a call from the hospital about the change in her condition.  She had a fever and was not breathing well.  She was struggling to fight something and the energy used to get those lungs strong again went to battling an infection.  A chest x-ray was taken to reveal that her right lung was blocked by "goo".  She was breathing with one lung.  By the afternoon she was breathing fully with both lungs.  Another chest image will be taken early Wednesday and the Pulmonologist will "weigh" in on the next step.  The infectious disease doctor said that she had sepsis and that is being treated aggressively.  My Father had sepsis at age 84 and beat that after he had his course of antibiotics.

This will happen no matter how much WE want it.  Melissa, her spirit, her body is in control of the rate at which she recovers.  I choose to focus on what I saw in the morning yesterday.  She made great strides (pardon the pun) from the time I saw her after surgery.  Also when I saw her in EXCRUCIATING pain June 15th.  She has made so much progress and this will take time.

#marathon #smallgains #breathe #faith #patience

*If you are a believer, then pray that Melissa's Care Team is well rested and using their wealth of knowledge and training in her care.  If you have another form of belief ask for the same.

**In addition add--strong lungs, motor skills, vision, comprehension and let her brain heal.

***Thank you AWL for your concern and outpouring of love and devotion.  It is greatly appreciated.  It is time for Cairo and Nina's last walk.