A big day of progress and frustration.
Progress for Donna came as the result of a great swallow test and all of the sudden she can eat select foods. Donna's appetite will be a bit slow in returning but clear progress. Her busy schedule saw physical therapy sessions where her right ankle was casted (they use it as a means to reestablish muscle tone) and a complete rebuild of her chair. Later today Donna finally got her shot at real food and clearly indicated hospital food was not up to her cooking standards.
Donna survived the night alone well and this will be our new model to allow me to manage a full day with her. It is a long day but a very busy one also. We don't spend much time in her room anymore. Tomorrow we get a roommate so the dynamics will change a bit.
The frustration comes when a bright and capable person can't do what she wants. Donna is ready to be better and struggles with the pace of progress. I think all of us can relate. It is particularly hard for me too as I so want to help her but can only do so much. We relish the progress but struggle together. I know several have expressed a desire to visit us but it really makes it a bad time. With the pace of activity, the time away from the room, the fatigue and the frustration, it takes all we have to get through the day. These are the dog days and we have little opportunity for distraction.
So on a lighter note, in my haste to get something to eat on the fly today, I munched on some onion garlic pistachios. A little later with several of the staff in the room, Donna proceeded to announce that my breath smelled bad. As usual, she was spot on. I corrected the situation with some gum. Clearly her diplomacy is back in full working order.
Bob
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