Update on Marie - August 29th

Hi Everyone!!

Marie has had a bit of a set back in her rehabilitation schedule.  She had been complaining for several days of discomfort in her back and Sunday, it really got bad…she laid in bed most of the day; one of the physical therapists came in and gave her a treatment, but there was no improvement, so Monday Morning they took her (by ambulance) to the emergency room across the street.

After several hours wait (we are getting used to waiting in hospitals) they did an MRI and after a couple more hours, we discovered she has two slipped discs…NO WONDER she hurt.  We were trying to decide if the pain was really that bad, or if her brain was “over-reacting”…but now we know. They have given her a steroid shot, muscle relaxant and pain pill, so she is resting comfortably…as long as she doesn’t move!!!!  We will get updated by the spine specialist this afternoon.

The other news is that we had our meeting with all the therapists and their “take” on their tests of the past week. Marie is doing well physically (before her back) and in speech, but there are brain problems that were just identified as she was tested.

We were shocked to hear she scored really low on short term memory skills and learning new things etc.  It is so complicated, but they are not sure she will ever be able to live alone at this point. Dick and I are “reeling” at this news, because she appears to be making such progress.  We are now trying to process what all this means for the future of Marie and for us too…..  We are so hoping Marie proves the tests wrong.

If you’re not too tired of including all of us in your prayers, we still appreciate them!!! We were going back home to Iowa today, but obviously those plans have changed.  We’re not sure what our next step is…  It will depend on the doctor’s report this afternoon.

Jeanne and Dick