Little Moves Forward by Andy Riedy

Alison was not in much pain today.  While for the most part she did not verbally respond to conversations, her face showed that she understood.  I did get smiles and gafaws from her when I joked with her. When I showed her a BIG bar of Toblerone chocolate, I got a loud and clear “NICE” from Alison (but I had to take it away until Alison is cleared to take food, per below). She appropriately used the word “ow” (when we massaged her arms too much).   And she once said to the nurse, “it’s ok” awhile being moved.   

 

Steps forward:

 

Alison’s Mercedes of a wheel chair was delivered today.  It will be a great step forward to getting her out of bed and allowing her to get used to sitting up again.  Amy and I did not see her take her first spin, but hopefully PT will have her in the chair daily.  They say that Alison is more cognitive when she is vertical. And the chair will avoid pressure sores.  They will take it slowly to avoid any chance of a repeat seizure so we will have to wait to take Alison out onto the grounds. 

 

We asked that Alison start to be evaluated by a Speech Therapist so we can figure out if, over time,  she can swallow and take food. 

 

We cut her fingernails.  Someone had already  cut her toenails and we again put cream on her feet.  For visitors, there are socks in her drawers – put on cream with the socks but remove the socks when you leave to keep her from getting too warm.  Her hair is being cut next Tuesday. 

 

We also massaged her feet, calves, thighs, and face, neck, shoulder, arms.  She closes her eyes and you can see her relax.

 

We played CDs (plus sang and danced to them), looked at Postlethwaite-Riedy family photos on IPhone, and “face timed” (video call) with Jimmy Webb.  Jimmy got a BIG smile from Alison.  If Renee or others of you have the 4S or 5 version of IPhone, we can try to facetime with you too.  Just tell us if you us want to call.

 

Alison has a cough and sneezes.  She will her right hand to her mouth when she coughs and sometimes braces her body with her left arm to cough.  It is not a big movement and her left fingers have not moved yet and she cannot do it when asked.  But it is movement!  When you hold her right hand, she will voluntarily squeeze your fingers with her right hand.  Everyone who visits, please encourage her to move.

 

Alison has been taking Tylenol PRN but given that she cannot also vocalize her pain, we talked with nursing and they will talk to the doctor to see if it can be given every 6 hours to avoid any pain break through.

 

Andrea Postlethwaite Riedy

4076 Rosamora Court

McLean, VA 22101

h. 703.533.7237

f. 703.533.7338

c. 703.201.6676