Mom Update

Last week mom went through a 4-5 day period where all she did was sleep.  The best anyone at the nursing home could do was get her to swallow 2-3 bites of food.  Multiple blood tests were run as well as an urine analysis.  The results showed no infections or significant abnormalities.  And, through the entire episode, mom's vital signs were normal.

Family and staff were understandably concerned.  But then Sunday, as if nothing was ever wrong, mom appeared to "come to" late morning.  When dad arrived, mom was ready to eat and finished all of her lunch that dad fed her.

None of the skilled medical professionals at the home could offer any explanation for mom's mysterious episode.  They also felt strongly mom didn't have a stroke because her face was never drawn.  However, on Monday, my brother noticed mom couldn't use her hands.  By the time dad and I saw her Tuesday, the staff agreed mom had lost strength in her right hand.  And when my brother and dad visited today, everyone agreed mom no longer has any strength or feeling in her right arm and leg, all sure signs of a stroke.

Mom's been in the advance stages of Alzheimer's Disease for nearly two years, beginning when her legs quit working.  She hasn't been able to sit upright in over a year.  When not in bed, mom slouches and leans to the left in a wheeled geri-chair.  It's a sad sight and I suppose it would be difficult to notice any paralysis as mom's always lifted to the geri-chair, shower chair, toilet, and bed. But I'm still amazed no one at the nursing home recognized a stroke.

I'm also amazed mom survived a stroke.  Three years ago, the doctor agreed to stop mom's statins. At the time, my only concern was mom having a stroke resulting in paralysis adding to her pathetic state.  But the doctor assured me mom would not survive a stroke.  At minimum, I was told she might linger a few days with hospice.

Now here we are, all of us dealing with the Alzheimer's Monster for 10+ years with mom not recognizing family in over two years.  And there's no reason to believe mom's going anywhere soon. Despite the paralysis and now also excessive crying, her appetite is back and, yes, her vital signs are still normal.  Pray God, how much more hell on earth does this woman have to endure?