Fun and Games

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

There is nothing more fun than watching a 4 year old entertain himself.  These little beings are so energized and in tune with themselves.  They do not worry about what others think or how silly they may look.  They can make a game out of nothing. And while they play with the world around them, their presence is uplifting.  Evan, Arla’s 4-year-old grandson, challenged his grandma to say words today to give him commands.  Arla was successful with saying a version of “turn” and “jump”.  Evan was more than willing to attempt whatever word Grandma could make.

The next game was one where Arla and Mary Ann sang and Evan left the room if he did not like the song.  He only liked “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”  All the others sent him out of the room.  After a while, Arla was more interested in following Evan’s movements than singing, but it was all worthwhile play time.  Everyone was giggling and smiling and having fun.  It was a good time.  And the biggest laugh was when Evan gave Grandma a look at his behind.  You have to know Evan.  At home, he thinks it is funny to “show you his butt.” So he must feel at home with Grandma because she got a look today.  She laughed out loud. The visit ended with high fives and I love you.

Arla is present in her body and in her mind.  We want to ask, why would God allow this stroke to occur.  Why would God take a woman who always loved people and talked to them and make her unable to speak and get around?  These questions are not for us to ask.  We must move forward with the faith that God is in control.  And we must see that life is still a blessing everyday.  Life, in a very strange way, feels normal again.  It is a new normal.  We laugh with Arla and spend time together.  We find new ways to have fun and communicate.

Pray for continued improvement and strength.  The road is long and the journey is hard.  But our God is with us.  He has shown His mercy over and over.  Thank God for all he does each day… great and small.

We have been lax in our blogging.  Our mind for prayer and commitment to the updates got weary.  We are renewing our personal strength and conviction to be a blessing through this blog.  More updates and prayer requests to follow.  And again, thanks for loving Arla!!!!!  It means the world.

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Much the same

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

Arla is doing well and progress is slow.  The pace of skilled nursing rehab is slower than the intensive rehab hospital.  There are pros and cons to this situation.  Arla is more alert and seems to be sleeping more soundly.  That is a pro.  However, she spends much of her day in bed and doesn’t tolerate being up in a chair as long.  That is a con.  She does do daily therapy and is doing well with that. 

Since she is basically helpless, in the sense she cannot ask for help and often doesn’t really know what she needs, the family finds it necessary to check up on Arla’s situation more frequently.  The ratio of nurses to patients was very low at the rehab hospital.  The ratio of patients to nurses is much higher in a skilled nursing facility.  We are also dealing with Arla’s medical care being overseen by a physician who will not see her very frequently.  So we become proactive, and agressive if necessary, as we advocate for what Arla needs.  Already, on one issue, the RNs said they would call the doctor so that the oldest daughter doesn’t have to.  I guess the word has gotten around that Mary Ann knows what she is talking about and is on top of all medical and financial situations. 

Please visit Arla.  She is still unable to talk, but she knows people.  We would like you to know that Arla becomes very emotional at times.  This is a normal process of a stroke and comes from the fact that Arla really has reason to be emotional.  She misses her old life.  She wants to speak with old friends and cannot.  She misses her loved ones.  And losing so much is emotional.  So… if you visit her and she cries, do not be surprised.   If you cry too, there are kleenex handy, and Arla will think nothing of it.  Arla has a huge heart to love so many and some days that love bubbles up in tears.

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Lots of visitors

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

Arla had many special visitors today. Grandchildren and lifelong friends. There is no doubt in our minds that she is healing in body, mind, and spirit. While we know the Lord will heal her in His time, we can’t help but be impatient. And while we feel so much more at ease knowing Arla is in Van Wert and close to us, we work hard at not becoming complacent. The problem is that, while Arla has made tons of improvement in some respects, she really is still a lot the same as she was weeks ago. It is so easy to just be thankful for what God has already done for Arla and feel discouraged to pray for what can be. Realism sets in. And although that is a good thing, it can also hold us and Arla back. We must pray fervently and honestly for what Arla needs.

Here is a laundry list of where we are at on September 28, 2011. Arla has no use of her right arm. In fact, she is really unaware of it. This is called neglect (failure to orientate, report, or respond to stimuli on side of the body affected by the stroke), and it is common in stroke patients. She can move her right leg. Arla cannot move herself to sit up. She is unable to fully assist the Vancrest staff in moving her from bed to chair. She has full range of motion with her left arm and left leg but is still too weak to stand and support herself with the left leg. Arla cannot speak. She does communication via “yes” and “no” head shakes. Arla can swallow but is not yet eating anything close to a diet that will sustain her nutritional needs. Therefore, Arla receives all her nutrition, hydration, and medications through a feeding tube in her abdominal wall. Arla does fully recognize those who visit her and interacts with them. She is very alert since coming to Van Wert.

Pray that Arla may continue to live her legacy. Pray for vigilance and endurance as the family navigates and advocates for her care, with the network of insurance providers, and with her doctor. Pray for balance and harmony in all aspects of Arla’s and her family’s life. Ask God to richly bless every care provider and therapist who works with Arla. Ask God to give them the wisdom to care for Arla in the best way possible. Pray for companionship and peace for those at Vancrest who do not have a loving, caring family and friends network to lift their spirits. Thank God for his blessings and steadfast love.

Also, please visit Arla. We are now almost two weeks away from the blog we posted asking you to not tarry too long with your visits. Hindsight has shown that Arla had an infection that was tiring her. It was not all the mental stimulation. While she does need rest, she also needs to feel connected. Arla is a people person. You are going to have to do all the talking, but she is waiting for your visit.

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At Vancrest

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

Arla has made it to Vancrest. She is in the rehab wing in room G1.

Also, we added a new feature to the blog call Vocalyze. You can listen to the blog by clicking the icon labeled “Listen to the blog” in the right side column. Vocalyze is also available for download as an App to your iPhone, iPad, or Android based phone. (And you can also download WordPress as an App as well.) In addition to listening to Arla’s blog, you can listen to national news articles. It is a neat feature. Mary Ann was experimenting with the service to enhance her instruction for her sight impaired students and low level readers and decided to use it on the blog. Check it out if you are tech savvy. Arla would laugh at all this. She has little knowledge of computers but is a hit on the Internet.

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Arla is returning to Van Wert

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

By this evening, Arla will be back in Van Wert.  She will be going to Vancrest.  Once we know more details, we will post it on the blog.  She has been regaining some of the strength this week that she lost when she had the infection.  While we are disappointed that Arla could not make more progress with her therapy at the Rehab Hospital, we are thrilled to have her close to us again.  She will be able to continue her therapy at Vancrest and will be uplifted by having her family near to her.

Continue praying for her recovering and being thankful to God that Arla is in our midst.

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When and where?

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

Questions are swirling… inquiring minds want to know! When will Arla be leaving the Rehab Hospital and where will she be going?  We don’t have the answer to either question at this time.  The next step is not as simple as loading Arla in a vehicle and moving her to a new location.  So many facets must be considered in her care and her continued recovery.  When we know what the next step will be and the family is all on board and informed of the next step, we will tell the world via this blog.

Patience…. it is all about patience.  In all this, one lesson is patience.  We are still working on it.  That and endurance.  Stroke recovery is NOT a sprint to the finish line.  It is an endurance marathon with no clear finish line.

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A daughter’s observation and confession

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

First the confession…Today is the first day I (Mary Ann) have seen Mom in 8 days.  My last physical visit was Friday, Sept 16.  I was unable, and chose not, to visit Mom due to my own illness.  Since I have more energy and feel I am no longer contagious, I visited her today.

The observation… Mom looks better today than she did on Sept 16.  My personal diagnosis is that Mom was developing a urinary tract infection on Sept 16, and that this infection knocked her down and knocked her down hard.  I also believe she is better understanding the reality of her situation.

She and I “talked” today about these realities and her care.  She has been very emotional the last few days.  Some of this is normal for a stroke patient, and some of it is Mom just knowing the reality and being depressed.  Mom knows she is unable to care for or move herself.  I am sure she misses her home and her old life.  And she TOLD me that not being able to talk is frustrating.  She is able to participate in therapies again but not at the level you would expect two weeks in to rehab.

The reality…. Arla is with us, both in body and in spirit.  She has the ability to improve, but this pace will be much slower than we had hoped.  She wants so desperately to communicate.

Miracles… After years of having leg swelling, with the left worse than the right, Arla has no leg swelling at all.  We are also forming a stronger relationship with our immediate and extended family.  God is providing time and opportunity for us to talk and spend time with those who He gave us as our kin.  There is nothing more special than time to be together. These are miracles and reminders.  God does work in mysterious ways.  God does work for the good of his people.  Thanks be to God.

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Melissa

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

Melissa’s sister-in-law just posted on Facebook that God has chosen to heal Melissa by ending her pain and taking her home to heaven. Pray for her husband Doug and her children ages 7, 6, and 3.

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Cry out to God for Melissa

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

You don’t know her… But Melissa is in trouble.  She has taken a turn for the worse.  Pray now and ask God to be there for Melissa. Ask God to heal her body and save her. Cry out to God….do it now.  And praise Him for all he has already done.

‎”Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1-5

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Slowly back on track

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Mary Ann Falk

Well, after a week of losing ground, Arla is doing some therapy again.  But she has just not regained the level of progress she was making her first week in rehab.  We are still unsure what has caused this setback.  Nothing is really jumping out as a cause for the lack of energy and ability to do therapies. 

Her CT scans showed no additional strokes.  Her chest x-rays were clear.  She may have had a bladder infection, but does not have one now.  We do not know the results of the EEG which would have been looking for seizures.  In addition, the medical team seems to rule out depression, but we are sure this may be a factor in her lethargy.  And there is the fact that Arla had not been feeling well for the last 6 months or so.  She was hiding it well but was just not at full power all summer.  So more questions and advocacy must be done to ensure Arla gets the best care possible. 

One certainty is that Arla will not be staying much longer at the Rehab Hospital.  This is an intensive therapy facility.  She must be able to do 3 hours of therapy a day.  Arla is just not tolerating that level of therapy, and in fact, in some instances, just cannot participate. Therefore, at some time in the near future, Arla will be moved to a skilled nursing facility.  She still has the potential to improve but this will need to happen at another facility. 

But despite all these setbacks and disappointments, God is good.  He really is.  We hope those of you who read this blog believe that.  God carries us in times of trial.  He holds us up and sustains us.  Only with God can you stand and face the enemy… a stroke or the loss of a job or heartache or weakness or dispair.  There is no fear when God walks with us.  God, through Christ Jesus, even overcomes the ultimate enemy….death.  So worry, depression, loss, tiredness, or change are no match for our God. 

God works miracles.  After a week of suffering with pain and illness, Mary Ann called at 8 a.m. to make a doctor’s appointment.  The morning was totally open for her doctor, so she chose a 9:20 appointment.   In 5 minutes, she located two of her fabulous colleagues to cover one class and the beginning of a second one. Mary Ann taught one class then left work at 9:10 a.m.  In less than one hour, she was seen by her doctor, was diagnosed, was prescribed medication, filled the prescription, and returned to her classroom.  That was God.  Could it have been good luck?  Perhaps, but it is important that we thank God for that which he gives us.  God set that schedule in motion that day.  And God provided a way for Mary Ann to get her medical issues addressed without missing more work.    

 Lord, please be with all those who feel they are at the end of their rope.  Comfort them, Lord.  Give them peace and focus as they seek You for the answers.   Provide answers to all those families of the ill who are needing advice and comfort.  Take away the physical and mental pain from those who are working to regain their strength.   Circle our medical personnel with love and give them prosperity in their work and their lives.  Thank you for the miracles large and small that You have set in motion today.  Amen!

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