Two weeks since our last update and things have changed for the better.
Stevie’s homecoming included a banner on the garage and balloons on the mailbox and scattered liberally in the house (thank you Theresa) though Stevie noticed none of it.
The return home started with Spenser and me (Steve) heading
to Shepherd (
The next days were to be disconcerting for us as Stevie receded into a shell doing little more than sleep and ask others to be quiet (shhhhhh!) or to leave. Her stomach and bowels were a mess -- meaning frequent bathroom trips -- from the months of antibiotics. Reading the results of a stool sample test, on Thursday Dr. Freeman (primary care physician since birth) prescribed flagil. By Saturday Stevie was doing much better in this department.
Her aversion to solid food, a constant at Shepherd,
continued -- Ensures 3-5 daily kept her going.
She did not want visitors except Roland (boyfriend) and even him for
short periods only. Susan valiantly
tried to keep a schedule but with Stevie interested in nothing, that meant
little more than arise at a decent hour, bath and exercises. By
This was pretty much it for the first week except for therapy on Friday. Both Susan and I accompanied Stevie so we could both get a feel for the facility. Though Stevie had such gas pains that she was not very attentive, it was a wonderful experience. The three therapists (occupational, speech and physical) were so positive and energetic. Of course, Stevie asked to go home once a minute and when she was asked to wheel her wheelchair up the hall and back, she headed up the hall and tried to get out the door. She did the same when asked to use the walker up the hall.
On Saturday, Susan was on her way to the store and asked Stevie if there was anything she could get her to eat. Stevie answered “lobster”. Susan got three lobsters, we boiled then and Stevie ate two claws and part of a tail all dipped in butter. In one sitting she ate more solid calories than in the past 5 weeks. Stevie’s appetite has continued to grow so much so we are able to cut back on the Ensures. Though this seems a little thing, Susan and I were genuinely concerned that Stevie was just wasting away. Getting her appetite back was a real boost for us.
Stevie goes to therapy M-W-F for three hours in the morning. She is in the early stages of getting use to the new place but we have great hope given the therapists.
Whether the trigger has been the therapy, being home, getting her gut problems under control or enjoying food again, Stevie’s cognitive abilities are getting better. Though still shaky on the short term memory, her problem solving abilities appear little diminished. This weekend we plan to involve her in card and board games to keep her active. I’ll let you know how that goes.