My mom needs prayers...... - Page 4

OH CAROL You have me in stitches with this And to tell you the truth, SURE go for it . Actually, I did hear from my mom that my daughter is coming tomorrow. So good news at least for that

OMG You girls have me cracking up here!!!! Boy did I need this laugh to give my day a jump start I LOVE you girls. Getting ready to leave in a little bit, but will be logging on up there too. You know me, I can't stay away too long and it helps keep my mind off things too.

AW thanks for your words !! My daughter is going to be up there for the photo!!!! And I am hoping she wises up soon too, but I won't hold my breath .

GOSH! I am just overjoyed by all of your wonderful, supportful words of encouragement! I just am so thankful to have so many nice people routing for me and my family. You ALL are the greatest . Will keep you posted as the weekend progresses.

OH a side note; My dog, Wilbur, the love of my life, does NOT have Cushing's disease. So that is good news because the drugs could have killed him anyway, they are really tough to handle. BUT...... the specialist thinks he has a muscle disease called Myotonia. We will need a muscle biopsy to diagnose this. His tremors are so bad and uncontrollable, like a person with parkinson's. I am waiting for the estimate on the surgery . But I figure I can start spending my daughter's inheritance on Wilbur , because Wilbur is more deserving of the money... Sad but true.. I will have to start a thread on Wilbur and post some pictures of him. You will LOVE his face. Cutest little guy in the world

HI ALL. I am home and have great news to report. My mom made it home on Friday in the car for the photo. We helped her to her bedroom and she laid down on the bed for a rest until the photographer arrived. The first thing she said was "Where is OLI", her ragdoll mix boy. I went to find him and brought him into her. Oli was so happy to see his meowmy and has missed her terribly. He hasn't seen her in a month since the accident. I thought he would be afraid of my mom in the wheelchair and using a walker, but he seemed to now understand that something went wrong with her and was very, very loving. My sister and I helped mom with some makeup and did her hair. We were able to slip on a skirt for her to wear and a pretty bright green and white blouse. We pushed her in her wheelchair as close to the pond in their yard where she wanted the picture. Mom used her walker and made it to the bench and we helped her into her position. The photographer was just awesome and put all of us together surrounding my mom and dad on the bench. AND YES, my daughter was there and she was in a cheerful mood and was very happy to be there. She drove up with the girl she is living with right now and I was glad she didn't drive alone. I was just so happy to have the whole family together, that the troubles between us just faded away for the day.

The photos went very well and the weather couldn't have been better. We even had a photo taken of myself, Larry, Heather and my dogs, Wilbur and Henry all together. There was also a photo taken of all of the grandchildren together. I can't wait to see the proofs and will definitely be ordering a bunch. I was very happy and the day turned out to be fantastic. My brother drove my mom back to rehab almost immediately after the photo. Was sad to have to see her go back to the nursing home and not be able to spend time with everyone too. My mom's attitude was just so stoic and she has such a positive outlook.

The next morning I called my daughter to meet for breakfast. We were able to talk a bit about things and at least that is a start. I will just have to wait and see if she makes the effort to come and work things out with us. I have to take a step back now and, well, just wait. It is up to her now to take the next step. All in all, the weekend was just wonderful. We all drove to Green Bay on Saturday for a b-day party for my neice at the rehab center. Today we stopped to visit my mom again on the way home and brought our dogs in also to see her. The place allows family pets to visit. So many people's spirits were lifted today at the nursing home because of Wilbur/Henry. They were like therapy dogs and many people wanted to pet them as we walked down the halls to my mom's room. My mom should be able to go home in about two weeks. Things are looking up for a change. My mom told me to say hello to all of the great people on TCS that have sent her prayers and vibes. She loves to hear about TCS and all of the great people (and cats) I have met on the site . Will let you all know when she goes home!!!

Of course, if you all want to see some pictures, I will post them. yes, they are digital. I will need the help of Larry for that. I also have a bunch of new pictures of the cats, dogs and another special surprise.

I did want to share a quick story with you all regarding the nursing home, mom and my dog, Wilbur. Wilbur has (we believe) Myotonia, a muscle disease that is causing the terrible tremors and weakness. Anyway, yesterday I went to Mass with mom in the cafeteria of the nursing home. Across the room was a beautiful lady who appeared to have Cerebral Palsy. She pulled on her clothes and looked up all the time. After mass, mom says to me, "let's go and see Janielle", the lady I noticed earlier. I wheeled mom over to her. Janielle was in one of those large wheelchairs. Janielle looked at my mom and briefly at me and then up to the ceiling again. I wheeled my mom back to her room and mom said "now, go and get the dogs and bring them in". When I came into the nursing home with the dogs (they are two brother's, and are Jack Russell Terriers) I noticed that Janielle was still in the cafeteria. So I took the dogs over to see her. I kneeled down very close to her looking up at her and put Henry on my lap. Janielle looked at Henry and then pulled her clothes and looked away and up in the air. I then picked up WILBUR and held him close the same way as Henry. Janielle looked at Wilbur and her eye popped open. She laughed and smiled and to my amazement and shock said "WHAT" (a long pause) "OH!!!!!! HE IS SO CUTE!!!!!" (another long pause) "SO CUTE". Her eyes welled up with tears and she looked away pulling on her clothes and then wiped her eyes. I took her hand and said that is was alright, and brushed the hair off of her forehead and out of her eyes. She then turned to me and laughed at Wilbur and looked at me deeply into my eyes and said..... "THANK"....... that was it just that one word. Then she was gone off into her trance or whatever it is called. At that point, I was tearing too. Later, mom, Larry, me and the dogs got permission to go to Janielle's room to visit her again with the dogs. I guess Janielle has been in that nursing home for many years and has no family, only a sister who comes rarely. When we went into her room again, she perked up at the sight of Wilbur, and shouted so loudly "OH HE IS VERY CUTE"!!!! I talked with her for some time about the dogs and she laughed and laughed and laughed. We got a picture with her too. Wilbur had his paw on her arm for the picture. It was a very special day for me and just confirmed everything I know about my dog, Wilbur. He is a gift and I have been blessed, I already knew this. But to see him reach someone in that kind of mental state was just a miracle. The staff was blown away by how Wilbur reached Janielle and brought her out of her state of being. I will never, ever, ever forget Janielle. My mom will visit her everyday in the nursing home as my mom is a Chaplain and also does Reiki. My mom has a way with people too. Just wanted to share that incredible experience with you all.

I love Wilbur so much, he is my angel on earth .

My mom is doing better bit by bit. She is still in rehab but can walk with a cane now. Today is a big day, she is at the hospital this morning getting an x-ray on that vertebrae. The brace is making her crazy but I think she will have to wear it another month or so. The doctor appt. is at 12:15 and we will get word on her progress and if her back is healing . AND when she might be able to go home.... Will post when I have news on that.
Lauren

SUPER NEWS from the neuro-surgeon big wig doctor My mom's back is healing miraculously !!!!!!!!! She crushed her L2 vertebrae and he said it is a miracle she is not paralyzed because L1 twisted a bit too. She truly was protected by her angels a whole bunch of them. He said she needs to wear the brace for another six weeks. My mom was a bit disappointed about that. But I told her she better listen to the doctor and take it easy. It is only six more weeks (she has made it this far with the brace) and if she pushes to hard she won't recover and it could be longer. She asked the doctor if she would be able to garden this summer . He said absolutely NO!!! She has some friends that will come over and help her with her gardens. I feel so sorry for those friends and they might not be friends with her after their visits. . Anyway, she will be able to go home next Thursday or Friday after one more doctor appointment . My brother will go up next weekend to help and then we will be going up over Labor day weekend. I already called my cat sitter and she is available. I hate to leave my cats, yet again, but they will be fine. The dogs will come with us as usual and Henry will go swimming in Lake Michigan. Maybe Wilbur will be feeling well enough to swim too . Thanks SO much for all of your wonderful thoughts and prayers. My mom said to pass on her heartfelt thanks to all of you here on TCS. She thinks TCS is a wonderful place and she loves hearing about all of you and your cats.