Diane very thoughtfully commented that she'd like to order a manicure and pedicure for Mom, and she would definitely look forward to it in the future, but she's not entirely ready for something like that yet. I've worked little by little on sprucing up her toes and fingers since there was still a lot of dried blood and healing cuts, etc... but she tires of any poking and prodding very quickly and I usually am only able to get about 2 to 3 fingers or toes done at any one time. She's still very sensitive. Has she told some of you about what her mother (who we called "Grandmonie") used to say? Her "shock absorbers" are just not working as well these days. It's clear that Mom's shock absorbers are going to bounce back eventually, but she's still very fragile compared to her usual strength. She's lost a lot of weight and her arms and legs are atrophied and weakened from lack of use for over five weeks now, and today getting up for a while caused dizziness and nausea. We hope that working just a little bit harder each day will strengthen her.

Have I mentioned that when I first arrived in late October, Mom was like an infant? She needed us to do so many things for her and she was so incapacitated completely when her ribs were still so sore that she could barely shift her position. As the time has passed, she is regaining more movement to her arms and chest area, and progressing through what you might describe as "crawling" and a bit of "walking." and she is entering the toddler stage, able and eager to do a little for herself yet still very dependent and needs supervision. It won't be long before she's climbing out of her "crib." We are anticipating something like the terrible twos!!! Fortunately, Mom has allowed a little of this type of humor and is good-natured about my interpretation, but we do check in with her about those shock absorbers. She was a very good mother and took excellent care of us unconditionally, so I tell her it's the least I can do to return the favor.

If you've ever tasted that awful Dinty Moore canned beef stew, then you know the taste of what they tried to bill on her dinner menu tonight as "Roasted Sirloin Strip!!!" We just have to say that UAMS was relatively spectacular with the meals they bring to patients' rooms. I hope St. Vincent will improve. Dean and I know that Mom is not a very picky eater. She's pretty easy to please, so we agreed that if Mom didn't like it you know it must be bad!