Family update: Day 2 Post-Operative, good news and bad news.
The bad news is that the neurosurgery team is still disappointed with her progress to date. Mom is struggling to regain full strength in her right leg. Due to this, the team has decided with certainty that they will be sending her to Lyndhurst Rehab Hospital. Though we all know that this is the right decision, emotionally, it is still tough to hear. Blood pressure remains unstable, with a bouts of Autonomic Disreflexia, which will keep her in the ICU for another day at least. Doctors are hoping to move her to regular ward by the end of the weekend. For now she remains with the best of the best doctors and nurses in ICU.
The (very) good news is that Mom was able to get out of bed and WALK down the hallway (with assistance of physio and a walker). The current weakness of her right leg doesn't allow her to walk independently, but the doctors are hopeful for a full recovery.
Dr Fehlings said it is important to note that they have a three pronged approach. First, administration of a drug currently in clinical trials for acute spinal cord injury, second, the use steroids to reduce swelling around the cord and promote healing and thirdly, Lyndhurst, the best spinal rehabilitation hospital around.
Prayer Shawl
A Letter from Terri Thompson
Dear Maureen;
This Prayer Shawl was made especially for you by me with lots of love. Not sure if you ever heard of prayer/comfort shawls, this is a little blurb from the website that first introduced me to it...
"Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Shawls can be used for: undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress; during bereavement; prayer or meditation...there are endless possibilities!"
It also suggests to accompany the shawl with a letter, sharing your thoughts and feelings around making the shawl to the person you are making it for and I just love this part because like you know we don't always know what someone is feeling or going through. It allows us to be a little vulnerable.
When I first heard about you having to have another surgery, I felt for you so much. I also didn't know what I could do to help you...it was a big debate in my head (hehehe). Then I was meditating/praying and felt that making you a prayer shawl was what I needed to do. So imagine that the answer was more in my heart than my head! I got more confirmation when I read your wonderful blog about service versus helping. So off I went to look for yarn for your shawl. When I was looking for it I was thinking about what a "real" and vibrant woman you are, you show who you are in a bright, deep and beautiful way ... guess what? the yarn almost jumped out at me...it was so clear. I was so excited to get started...I found myself a little routine; I would read your blog during the day and then go home and think about it and crochet your shawl. I would say the Serenity Prayer before I started as you mentioned this prayer was something that you liked and used. I would stop from time to time and write things down of thoughts that I would have and some of them are in this letter. A group of women started a lunch crocheting group and I would take it there with me, there were so many positive comments about it and I wasn't surprised because the loving intention of you was in it and it poured out of it. I know how much Barry and the girls mean to you so they are a part of this as well...as you will notice there is an attachment on the shawl with three individual pieces. Each one is a piece of them that can be with you even when they physically aren't. It's been a beautiful journey making this for you...this shawl will bring you comfort and love whenever you need it.
Made with love,
Teri xo
The bad news is that the neurosurgery team is still disappointed with her progress to date. Mom is struggling to regain full strength in her right leg. Due to this, the team has decided with certainty that they will be sending her to Lyndhurst Rehab Hospital. Though we all know that this is the right decision, emotionally, it is still tough to hear. Blood pressure remains unstable, with a bouts of Autonomic Disreflexia, which will keep her in the ICU for another day at least. Doctors are hoping to move her to regular ward by the end of the weekend. For now she remains with the best of the best doctors and nurses in ICU.
The (very) good news is that Mom was able to get out of bed and WALK down the hallway (with assistance of physio and a walker). The current weakness of her right leg doesn't allow her to walk independently, but the doctors are hopeful for a full recovery.
Dr Fehlings said it is important to note that they have a three pronged approach. First, administration of a drug currently in clinical trials for acute spinal cord injury, second, the use steroids to reduce swelling around the cord and promote healing and thirdly, Lyndhurst, the best spinal rehabilitation hospital around.
Prayer Shawl
A Letter from Terri Thompson
Dear Maureen;
This Prayer Shawl was made especially for you by me with lots of love. Not sure if you ever heard of prayer/comfort shawls, this is a little blurb from the website that first introduced me to it...
"Whether they are called Prayer Shawls, Comfort Shawls, or Mantles, etc., the shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Shawls can be used for: undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress; during bereavement; prayer or meditation...there are endless possibilities!"
It also suggests to accompany the shawl with a letter, sharing your thoughts and feelings around making the shawl to the person you are making it for and I just love this part because like you know we don't always know what someone is feeling or going through. It allows us to be a little vulnerable.
When I first heard about you having to have another surgery, I felt for you so much. I also didn't know what I could do to help you...it was a big debate in my head (hehehe). Then I was meditating/praying and felt that making you a prayer shawl was what I needed to do. So imagine that the answer was more in my heart than my head! I got more confirmation when I read your wonderful blog about service versus helping. So off I went to look for yarn for your shawl. When I was looking for it I was thinking about what a "real" and vibrant woman you are, you show who you are in a bright, deep and beautiful way ... guess what? the yarn almost jumped out at me...it was so clear. I was so excited to get started...I found myself a little routine; I would read your blog during the day and then go home and think about it and crochet your shawl. I would say the Serenity Prayer before I started as you mentioned this prayer was something that you liked and used. I would stop from time to time and write things down of thoughts that I would have and some of them are in this letter. A group of women started a lunch crocheting group and I would take it there with me, there were so many positive comments about it and I wasn't surprised because the loving intention of you was in it and it poured out of it. I know how much Barry and the girls mean to you so they are a part of this as well...as you will notice there is an attachment on the shawl with three individual pieces. Each one is a piece of them that can be with you even when they physically aren't. It's been a beautiful journey making this for you...this shawl will bring you comfort and love whenever you need it.
Made with love,
Teri xo
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