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Thursday, June 17, 2010

They Called Her Hollywood

Let me first say thanks to all of you who commented and have asked how my mother is doing.  So nice of you.  She has been home a couple of weeks now and we are seeing signs of improvement.  It’s been almost six weeks since the fall and the hip surgery.  Just yesterday they started having her practice walking with a cane.  She was mad at first and told my sister, Barb in an angry way ~~ “They are having me use a walkin’ stick!!”  She is scared, but everyone knows she can do it!

 

I just have to tell you a little bit about her stay in the hospital.  Barb and I were there A*L*O*T.  To keep ourselves entertained we made friends with all the staff and many of the patients who were also in the rehab unit.  There was Freeman and Dale and Ralph and a few ladies, but we mostly made friends with the gentlemen.  wink, wink ;;))  It was fun to get to know them and to see how they were progressing as well.

Barb amd me

Donna and Barb

File Photo

 

Mom made cookies one day as part of her therapy.

 

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She laughed about wearing a “Bib” or as the staff called it  “ a cover-up”.  She wanted me to take this picture to show her friend Gloria.  They travel together a lot and  snack in the car.  They always joke about needing bibs so they look fresh when getting to their destination.  Those two have more fun together. I wish I had a picture to put in here with the two of them being silly.  You can see by the picture Mom was having a hard time keeping a straight face.

 

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Mom had company and then more company and visitors and more visitors and people and more people.  One of the therapist popped her head in the room one day and told us that Dorothy has more company than any other patient they had ever had!  Another nurse said they were calling her “Hollywood” at the nurses station because she was so popular.

 

Audrey the Speech Therapist (who we grew to love) said she could always tell Mom’s friends as they were walking down the hallway because they were the classy ones.  Here are a couple of her classy friends:

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You know what my mother told Audrey?  I believe this is a quote from Maxine.  “I’m still classy, sassy and can kick assey!"  We are still laughing over our prim and proper Southern Mama saying that. :)  (Mom needed speech therapy as a result of her last hospital incident a couple of years ago)

 

Speaking of Southern, Audrey loved the way our North Carolina Mama talks.  Part of her therapy for her speech was to turn her head to the right and swallow twice.  Audrey had her practice this and Mom would say, “ Chew, Swalla, Swalla, Drink, Swalla”  Often times Mother does not pronounce the long “O” with words ending in a W.  Audrey said she would have her practice saying these words over and over just so she could hear her say “Swalla”.  She said she wanted to have tee shirts made that said “How’s Your Swalla?” but she wasn’t real sure how to spell it!

I’m actually writing these memories here so we will remember these times years from now.  Once again along with the tears and frustrations of the accident we can see the good that comes from such an ordeal.  Family and friends really are everything.

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We are indeed fortunate to have each other to care for.

 

I hope to be around Blogland a little more often as the days go by and Mother continues to improve.  I’ve missed checking in with everyone!  Stop by again, okay?

Donna

11 comments:

Jane said...

I'm so glad to read that your mother is home and is on the mend. She sounds like an incredible woman with the right attitude and that has to help in the healing process. "Hollywood" is certainly blessed to be surrounded by her loving daughters and classy, sassy friends!
Jane

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

Donna I haven't been around much lately myself. My mother had to be moved to a rehab hospital. She is paralyzed on her left side from a stroke she had in 1989 when she was only 58! She has no use of her left arm and last month had gotten to the point that she couldn't stand up by herself at all. We're hoping that her therapy will help her get stronger. I was sorry to hear your mother had fallen and had to have surgery. She is certainly blessed with two wonderful daughters! Glad to hear how well she's doing. God Bless! Lauralu :)

Marla said...

you momma is full of spunk, she's a hoot, I can tell. So glad that she is coming back from her accident. Thanks for stopping by, I haven't been blogging much lately either, just too busy. Hugs, Marla

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna! OH, I'm thrilled to know your little mother is getting better. She sounds like one spunky little lady! My mother is an Alabama gal and has her little accent too! She'll be 87 on Monday! We went through an ordeal with her breaking her arm a year and a half ago and it was hard. But she's better now.
How nice to have a sister to help you. I don't have a sister or a brother so I tell my mother - I'm the best and worst child she has! :)
Thank you so much for popping in to see me. I know I would love to meet you in person too! Isn't it just amazing how we can feel so close to someone we've not seen in person?
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Domestic Designer said...

I am so glad your Mom is doing well. I know how it is to be the caregiver and how very tiring it can be. Take care of yourself. I hope all continues to go well!

Paula@SweetPea said...

Welcome Back! I'm glad to hear tht your mom is improving. Your hospital stories gave me a big laugh.

Tricia said...

You've been missed! SO glad to get this good news about your mother's recovery. My dad has done a couple of stints in rehab and is now in a nursing home, so I know how important it is to have family there often and to make friends with the staff. My mom goes twice a day and takes pies and pizza regularly to share with the staff. Anyway, I know you and your sister were glad you could be there for your mom! She is blessed to have you two and a wealth of friends.

stitching under oaks said...

Donna it is so good to hear from YOU! Your mom sounds like a true gem and you and your sister have been a wonderful daughter tending to her recovery so well. What a blessing your mom has in her friends and family. You are so right, they mean so much especially during the hard times. Thanks for the update and let "Hollywood" know that we're thinking about her and praying for continued recovery for her as she makes her mark every where she goes!

southerninspiration said...

What FUN stories you have of this difficult time in your mamma's life. You girls sure know how to make lemonade out of lemons! I love the talk of her southern accent! Glad to see you back; I've been in and out, too and hope to be more consistent.

Suzanne

prashant said...

Take care of yourself. I hope all continues to go well!
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Silver Strands said...

So glad to hear your mother is doing well Donna. Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
oxox
Denalee