I don't want to turn this blog into a medical bulletin board - especially as the situation has been changing so much from day to day - but it looks as if my mother is now, amazingly, on the road to some kind of recovery. Despite early appearances (and diagnosis), she suffered only a minor stroke, and most of the damage was done by the blow to the head she took when it felled her (she was found semiconscious in a pool of blood). Now she appears to be returning from death's door to something like her old self, though still with much mental confusion. Our hope and prayer is that this recovery continues to the point where she can also return in due course to something like her old independent life. That would be some recovery...
Thank you again for all your kind messages. I hope I shan't have occasion to revert to this subject - and that I might soon return more actively to the wonderful world of the blogscape.
People can make surprising recoveries from strokes (i used to write reports for therapists who worked on the Stroke Rehab Unit, so have absorbed 2nd hand a few case histories).
ReplyDeleteThey say language and music can do wonders for the brain's recovery.
That is great news. And I agree with Ghostofelberry: playing music (with lyrics) that your mother knows, especially from her youth, will help her make great strides in recovering memory and language. It definitely helps with my mom.
ReplyDeleteGood news! By the way, Nige, when you're back book buying I have a recommendation for you (you haven't posted on it so I assume you haven't read it).
ReplyDeleteBest news I have heard - since the last good news I heard. My old dear (90) lives alone on a Wicklow hillside, and was 'found', much as your mum, minus the blood, two years ago. Visiting her then, the tree-stump in her yard was more animated.
ReplyDeleteA year later, on a diet of fags and reality TV, I saw her again and, as I walked up the path, heard her abusing the kindly cleaning lady who comes in and 'does' for her and knew, that she was on the mend.
Really good news, Nige. I can’t really add much more to what’s already been said but my understanding of these things is that it just takes a little time for the brain to rewire itself. It happens all the time. My thoughts are with you daily.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad for you, Nige. Let's hope the fog of confusion lifts completely and your Mum regains her old self again.
ReplyDeleteGood-o, encouraging news. Hurry back, Nige! The local blogscape is palpably poorer for a lack of Nigeness.
ReplyDeleteVery happy for you Nige and I hope the good news continues. I second and third Elberry and madfolly: familiar music - and singing of such - is a great therapy.
ReplyDeleteI love your account, Mahlerman, of you ma on the Wicklow hillside. She sounds a great character worthy of a story or two!
ReplyDeleteAnd all these encouraging messages lift the spirits...
Very glad to hear your news, Nige. All the best, as always.
ReplyDeleteWell all I can do is thank you again for all your kind and helpful messages - I am lucky to have such a fine and caring blog 'family' (esp when you look at what goes on on some other blogs...). Thanks too for the recommendation Gaw, which I shall look into... I hope normal posting, or something like it, will resume soon.
ReplyDeleteSo glad yo hear this, Nige. Prayers continue.
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