Thursday, August 2 From Sarah

So today was simply too eventful not to write about it.

Nate and I flew into Houston this morning, and despite my mom's sleepiness, she opened her eyes when she heard my voice, and smiled at me when she saw me.  What a welcome.  She remained sleepy throughout the majority of the morning, and I think it's important to remember that her periods of being awake are interrupted by many periods of sleepiness.  My mom's therapy sessions were huge highlights of the day, however, and boy did she show off for me!  She was talking a lot, and it's kind of funny because her vocabulary grows daily, but she substitutes a lot of words that she can't yet get out with algebraic terms.  It's funny and cute to us, but it does become frustrating to her at times when she knows what she wants to say and can't.  This will definitely be a hard part of the rehabilitation process for us all.

Now back to a few of today's joys...  During speech therapy, my mom asked for a popsicle (which came in the form of sherbet in a cup).  After getting a taste, she grabbed the spoon from the therapist and proceeded to feed herself a few bites.  It wasn't perfect, but we all wanted to break out in applause.  I can only imagine how good that must taste after nearly 7 weeks of tube feedings.  Later, during physical therapy, my mom gave me a little to brag about to my brother during my few days in town, because when he was gone today, she referred to us each by our nicknames (Bud and Sis).  She had refused to do this for John yesterday when he was with her, and again refused to do it for him when he returned to the hospital this afternoon.  After he tried prompting her many times again today, she finally responded with (exasperated), "I call you JOHN!"  We'll see how long I can brag about that one before she gives it up for him, but it's so nice to hear her say our names in whatever form they come.  One last action I will share occurred when we were playing music for my mom during our 'family therapy' time.  We played a song that, whenever she hears it on the radio, she calls me to tell me that it reminds her of me.  During the song, she started belting out some of the lyrics!  That song will forever remind me of her, too.

After a long afternoon that we became sure would no longer include a move to TIRR, we got the phone call.  We sprung into action and our long awaited plans were all of a sudden happening.  John saw my mom and I off from the hospital, I rode with her in the ambulance across town, and my dad was standing at the front door of TIRR waiting to welcome us.  Let's just say, the nurses here were quickly introduced to my mom's entourage.  We have been here for only a few hours now, but we are nothing but completely and totally impressed.  My mom has already gotten an overwhelming amount of attention and she's even received her first real shower in 7 weeks.  The equipment that they use here is so impressive that we called my brother with FaceTime just to show him!  We are so thrilled to finally be here, and while we all clearly understand that the road ahead is long, we have no doubt that my mom will thrive here.