She's Goin' Home!

They are releasing her next Friday, April 11th! That means our Over-Achiever will only have been in the hospital 22 days! Must be a record! She graduated to an "ol' lady cane" she said, and only has to use it for stability when she gets fatigued. They have taken her on some outings and to her house to help her ease back into her world and point out potential problems. They have also reduced her seizure and headache meds. She's in good spirits and anxious to go home. She's so thankful for everyone's prayers and encouraging words and hopes to thank everyone in person soon.

This weekend through this morning...

Debbie called for a quick update Monday evening. Lea Ann took 55 STEPS with her hemi-walker this day, which is a BIG accomplishment! She continues with the headaches, so they started her on a steroid every 6 hours to try to get the inflammation down a bit to help ease her pain. Headaches have kinda been interfering with her PT since she can't give 100% when she's hurting. She's taking a pain pill every morning now just to avoid the headaches so she can concentrate more. Her mom says she's tired, but working really hard. They've been weaning her off her seizure meds and today was the final day. The best thing I heard was that Lea Ann has been throwing her right arm above her head today. She was doing it while I was talking with Debbie on the phone...trying to show off, I think! :o) Tony and Kem went to visit Lea Ann this weekend and had a great time. Lea Ann even sat down for a game of Sequence with them. But one game was enough for her. As she mentioned, her attention span isn't up to par just yet. I can only imagine how drained she is after a full day of her routine too. Tony was truly amazed at how far she's come since we seen her in ICU. He said she doesn't remember much in the beginning. She doesn't remember being in ICU. She remembers coming to the hospital and remembers why she came in and she recalls tensing up before her first big seizure- and the rest was a blur. But they had her on medications and she was pretty well asleep most of the in-between time, so it's no surprise. He said this weekend she was able to finally move herself into her bed from the wheelchair with no assistance and was even able to lift her right leg into the bed! She normally had to slide her left foot under her right leg to help lift it into bed, but she moved it all by itself this time. He said she struggled the first time, but by the time she did it again, she had less difficulty. The third time was like second nature. It really helps the family to be able to see her progress first hand. Talked with Debbie today, Wednesday April 2nd and Lea Ann was up waiting for the next round of therapy. Said she took 85 steps Tuesday and they have now officially graduated her to a cane walker. What strides! Debbie said their goal today is to teach Lea Ann how to get up if she ever happens to fall. So, of course, the ol' "I've fallen and can't get up" quote came up in the conversation... Debbie said Lea Ann had a really good day yesterday and is "up, rarin' to go" this morning. Jake sent some pictures to show everyone her accomplishments so far. Lea Ann continues to check her blog, so keep the comments rolling!

Note from Lea Ann

Note from Lea Ann, as dictated to Debbie and posted by Nikki:
I finally got a chance and the energy to check the blog. I can't say how much I appreciate the thoughts and prayers from friends, new and old. I keep saying it just takes a stroke to realize how loved you are. I'm getting stronger everyday and the cards and flowers mean so much. My attitude stays positive as I see small improvements everyday. I even walked 30 steps with a hemi-walker the other day. I couldn't ask to be in a better hospital with better therapists. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers because I can truly say they have helped me get as far as I have. Gotta go--I'm getting tired. It takes all the energy I have to focus for a little while as my attention span has been affected. Love Lea Ann

Weekend Update

She's still improving daily! She's taking more steps and getting more use of her right side each day. She's been having pretty bad headaches at night though, which prevent her from getting good rest. Jake says the doctors are telling them it's from the pressure & swelling, which is common with any head injury. Just in case, they did another CAT scan, which confirmed this. They are also changing up her meds, which can also cause the headaches. Jake asks that eveyone continue to pray, since it's difficult for her to give 100% at physical therapy when the headaches aren't allowing her much rest. Despite this, her spirits are up and she's as determined as ever.

Lea's Visitor

Along with many friends and relatives, Lea Ann was allowed a visit by her cat, Macy. Jake has been sending pictures to post to the blog, so we'll keep them coming as he sends them.

Full after a yummy hospital meal!With her physical therapist, Kimberly, who is with the Army National Reserve. She's "one tough cookie", Lea Ann says.

Posing with a bouquet of flowers sent by her First Grade Teacher, Mrs. (Kraft) Hull.

Thursday the 27th Update

Debbie called with our "progress report" today. Things are looking really good from the sounds of it. Lea Ann took her first actual shower this morning (sitting in the shower, but actually in it!) Said she, "Felt like a person again." Her therapies include two rounds of Physical Therapy daily and two sessions with Occupational therapy and one with speech therapy. They get breaks for lunch and somewhere in there, Jake and Debbie work her out twice a day. Whew! Makes me tired just listening to her! On Wednesday and Thursday Lea Ann had been having some numbness in her mouth and left hand that caused some concern for the therapists, so they ordered a CAT scan for precautions, which showed everything was fine. They told her that the numbness was good since everything's "waking up." She showed some progress with her right arm today in that she was able to shrug her right shoulder. And I guess the physical therapist almost fell over when Lea Ann impressed her so much by getting up on her hands and knees by herself! She's now able to get to the bathroom with assistance for balance. Jake really made her day and brought Macey, her cat, in to see her. Debbie said Lea was covered in cat hair when Jake left with Macey and Lea Ann just wanted to fall asleep. But momma wouldn't let her sack out until the bed linens and her clothes were clean again. :o)
Debbie said Lea Ann has good spirits most of the time, but has broke down on occasion. Like the psychologist said, "We'd be more worried if she didn't break down every now and then." She's laughing at herself from time to time. Debbie said she handed Lea Ann a comb and Lea Ann started combing her nose and got tickled. Like Debbie said, "You gotta laugh!" Lea Ann is even figuring out things that no one else would think about. For instance, Rice Krispies stick together on the spoon better than Cheerios, so she can maneuver the spoon to her mouth easier with a clump on it. I got tickled at that one.

The doctors were suppose to meet with the therapists today to re-evaluate Lea Ann's progress and maybe have a better time frame of her length of stay at Methodist. They want to keep her as long as possible for maximum one-on-one benefits and to get the most out of her therapy in the early recovery stages.

Rumor has it that Lea Ann got a chance to look at her blog yesterday, so make sure you're commenting to her! She's getting everything on here, so take a moment and jot her a line or two! Every ounce of encouragement means so much to her!

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Tuesday March 25th and Wednesday the 26th

Talked wtih Debbie and I guess between the Physical therapy and the Occupational therapy, there was just no time left in the first day of rehab. They had Lea Ann up from 1130am until that evening around 4pm. We did find out after she entered PT that the stroke affected the left side as well. Once again, complete recovery is likely. She still has not moved her right hand, but continues to have sensation in it, which is a good sign. She did, however, help lift the right leg during her exercises! The physical therapists are asking that the family refrain from assisting Lea Ann in her activities as much as possible. Debbie said that has been the hardest thing for her (as a mother) to do yet. But this will help Lea Ann gain her strength faster instead of relying on others from the beginning. She was able to hold a glass to drink and fed herself with some difficulty since the coordination of the left side is still a bit lacking. Debbie and Jake were instructed on certain exercises from the physical therapist that they'll have to do with Lea Ann twice a day in addition to her scheduled PT and OT. So continue to pray for strength for the caregivers as well!

Debbie emailed on Wednesday evening and said Jake had returned to work for the first time today (Bradley University is just a few minutes from the hospital.) Lea Ann was so busy with her therapy. Said it started at 7am this time and "not a free moment" all day. Some of the things Lea Ann tackled today were sitting up, assisting herself to her wheelchair, taking a couple steps with help, and rolling over in bed well now. Just like Debbie says, "So many things we take for granted..." She also gave herself a bath today. Debbie says her mood is really good, but she is totally exhausted. She's such a fighter! They plan to get her up at 7am on Thursday for her first shower. I bet Lea Ann can't wait for that!

Lea Ann needs all the encouragement she can get and we continue to encourage cards be sent to her at the above address. Keep those prayers coming as well!

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step." ~Martin Luther King, Jr. <