A GREAT weekend

When we walked in on Saturday and saw mom awake in bed and smiling, we were hoping for a good weekend.  Well.... she had a great weekend!  

The amount of pain she is having has decreased significantly from last week, and she is receiving less pain medicine now than in almost a week.  Her vital signs all look good, and the abscesses that she developed last week are looking much better.  All of the infections on her body and in her lungs are under control right now.  

Mom has been through a lot of physical therapy this weekend, and was moved into a chair both Saturday and Sunday.  This is exhausting for her, but each day since Saturday has gotten easier.  She has difficulty sitting up without help, but we're moving in the right direction.  She stood up today with considerable help from PT and moved into a chair.  This picture was taken of her this morning, and she wanted us to put it on her blog so everyone could "see" her.  

Her physicians showed more optimism this morning than they have in a while.  Her orders are to EAT EAT EAT EAT and move.  She doesn't really feel like eating, and this has been interesting. We have been shoving Ensure protein drinks and anything else we can down her throat.  There have been multiple battles between her and us to get food in her mouth.  We are the "Ensure Nazis", and she's told us on several occasions that we "are evil and must be destroyed".   She is out-numbered and our collective stubbornness is greater than hers (most of the time).   

We are very encouraged by her recent improvements, but mom is still very sick.  Anyone who has been through this with a loved one knows about the roller coaster ride.  To all of you out there who are thinking, praying, lighting candles, wishing, hoping for mom... keep doing what you are doing.