As regularly as possible, I will be using this blog to update my mother’s health, so that you can go here at any time and get the latest news.  Below is a version of a letter that I sent out to several people who I wasn’t sure that knew how Momma was doing.  It will get you caught up until now.  

This is to update you about my Mom.  You may or may not know – she has developed severe dementia over the past 12  – 15 months.  Then in January, she suffered a stroke.  At that time, we were forced to move her from our home to Brandon Nursing Home and Rehab Center, which is only about 5 miles from our house. 

Up until around April 1, she was doing ok and enjoying the friendships there at the home, as well as participating in groups activities.  Of course, she was not able to remember or to tell us about any of them when we would visit her in the evenings.  She also was doing pretty well at her physical therapy sessions each day.  She was able to eat very well with some assistance. 

About a month ago, she became very agitated, to the point of being unruly and violent to those around her.  She was taken across the street to the Senior Care Unit of River Oaks/Crossgates Hospital, where she has been since then.  Visitation is only allowed there one hour a day, and it is the middle of the day when it is hard for us to get there.  At this facility, they are trying to regulate different medicines to see if they can comfort her.  So, she is usually either hurting and yelling and hitting something or someone, or is so sedated that she is asleep.  The problem is compounded because she cannot communicate with the doctors or nurses to tell them what is wrong or what is hurting.  The doctor thinks this is because the dementia has gotten progressively worse.  So, we are preparing ourselves for the idea that she may not come out of this phase, to get any better. 

For that reason, the doctor has advised us to consider hospice.  This facility, located inside of Brandon Nursing Home, is designed to simply keep her as comfortable as possible for whatever time she has remaining here on earth.  The doctor doesn’t know for sure that she needs this at this time, because Momma can’t tell her what is going on; however, she is just asking us to consider this as an option.  Of course, this would mean that there is no rehab; just a time to try to keep her comfortable.  The goal is still to get her back to a regular schedule at the nursing home.  But that grows dimmer as time passes.  So, as you can see, this is a huge decision – one that there is no coming back from.  So we are asking God for guidance and wisdom as we seek to make these decisions. 

David and Carol have been great.  We have talked through everything as we go and they come down from Tupelo whenever they can get away.  They have been so supportive and helpful. 

We know that Momma loves the Lord, and that there is a better Place prepared for her once this life is over.  She has told me several times that she is ready to go, and that she wondered why God still has her here.  We don’t want to lose her.  But our prayer is that she would continue to have a quality of life, or that God would carry her safely home. 

Of course, we do not know what each day holds, so things could change at any time. I would love to keep you informed.  If you have an email address, please send it to me at prawls0622@bellsouth.net.  If you ever go to Facebook, I try to update there regularly.  I will also begin to update everyone here at my blog.  Know that we love you, and that Momma would tell you that too if she could talk to or see you.  If you have any questions, I would love to answer them for you.  God bless, and we hope to talk with or see you soon!