RESILIENCE

Officially accepted Portland’s offer of admission to the Speech Pathology Graduate Program!

Can anyone relate?

Today I crossed paths with the first dilemma regarding my mom’s care [if you’re unfamiliar with the situation read it here & here].  She had her assessment with her outpatient rehab SLP along with a student intern. To my surprise the intern is an acquaintance of mine— and not a friendly acquaintance.  I took a few undergrad classes with her and she was always less than friendly toward my friends and I. Now, to my dilemma:

I feel awkward having her in my mom’s sessions. This is a very private and personal matter for my family and me. I’m not worried about her cohort finding out or her “gossiping” about me and my family, I know they discuss their experiences and that is fine. I’m more worried about her not being a positive influence and energy toward my mom’s recovery. If the intern was someone I didn’t know or someone I do know and like, then I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Here’s my question: Am I making this too personal? Should I ask the SLP to have the intern removed from my mom’s case? I’m leaning toward just seeing how it goes- she could surprise me- but, is this too big of a risk?

An Aphasia follow-up:

The last time I updated about my Mom’s surgery it had only been one week since her surgery.  Now, it has been one month and one week since her initial surgery and hemmorage.  I am happy to report she came home on Thursday, March 29.  She is walking, dressing, and feeding herself.  She isn’t 100% yet, but she and I know it will take some time.  She has made amazing progress seeing as a month ago she was sedated and on a ventilator.

Now, onto her speech… what I think most of you are most interested in.  She has the diagnosis of “Mixed Aphasia,” exactly what Lindsay and I had suspected.  Her articulation has been perfect since the day she spoke her first word after her sedation was lifted. However, she has some word-finding problems, trouble staying on topic and being specific.  She tends to dance around her answers, for example when asked, “How is therapy going?” she will answer with, “Therapy is going good.”  But when asked, “What was your favorite therapy activity of the day?” she has a harder time, she will typically say, “My favorite activity… hm… I like the activities. I like the activities we do.”

Her surgeon expects her to make a 100% recovery which will take about 6 months.  Although she has been released from the hospital, she will still be in an outpatient rehab program three times a week.

My dad or I stayed with her every night since the sedation was lifted.  That is about a month of sleeping in recliner chairs and uncomfortable cots coupled with a 45 minute- 2 hour commute (one way) every other day.  But, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  I strongly believe our constant presence with her played a huge role in her quick recovery.  It broke my heart to see so many people laying alone in their hospital rooms, especially in the ICU.  The hospital is a scary place and to think someone is alone, without support and love 98% of the day was heart breaking.  I often found myself wanting to go into their rooms just to sit with them, and let them know they aren’t alone.

Before all of this happened I had a 0% interest in rehab speech therapy.  I didn’t think it was for me.  I was convinced I was meant to work with children in a private practice for the rest of my life.  Now… I’m not so sure.  Having had a first hand glimpse into the world of a rehab SLP I’m beginning to think it would be pretty amazing.  Now, I’m still a bit apprehensive about doing swallowing therapy, but I think a lot of it has to do with not being educated enough about it.  But, who knows.  In 2 years I could have another completely different view of the field.  Also, I don’t think deferring grad school for a year will be necessary.  She should be back to “normal” by September, which gives me comfort in knowing I won’t be leaving her and my Dad completely in a jam. If I was doubting my choice to pursue my MA in Speech Pathology (which I never have doubted), then this would just be another sign that I am on the right path (HA, no pun intended).

One of "those."

Attn: Speechies

I am in desperate need for some aphasia lesson plan ideas.  I am trying to work with my mom along with an SLP, but since she is still in the hospital she isn’t getting much treatment.  I have already started making picture cards of common objects and family members.  Any other ideas? HELP!

2 weeks ago tomorrow I reblogged this youtube video because it brilliantly explained Aphasia.  I had no idea 1 week after posting this someone I love very much, my best friend, my mother, would be affected by Aphasia.  Some of you may know my mom underwent a craniotomy to remove an Arteriovenous Malformationn (AVM)- if you didn’t know then, here it is…  It is not cancer, a tumor, or a type of stroke; an AVM is an abnormal connection between veins and arteries.  They are typically congenital but can also develop later in life.  AVMs can be in any part of the body where veins and organs meet- they are not limited to the brain.  The danger of an AVM is, if it bleeds then it can lead to a brain damage and even death.  Sometimes AVM hemorrhages go undetected because the bleed is very small however, when there is a large bleed then the symptoms are similar to those of a stroke.

Although hers was acquired through neural edema (swelling of the brain) and will likely fade as time passes, this youtube video helped me, the SLPA, explain to my family what was going on in my mom’s brain.

My mom will likely need speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy to help her regain some of her communication and motor senses. This is unnerving and frightening but I of all people know what a little hard work and good therapists can achieve.

I know many of you have texted, wondering how my mom is doing and I apologize for leaving those messages unanswered.  To be honest, I completely shut down my emotions and trudged forward.  So, here is a day-by-day breakdown of what happened up until yesterday, 3/2/12:

• Friday 2/24: Date of surgery.  Due to brain swelling (from the AVM hemmoraging as it was being taken out) she was put on a ventilator and sedated to better control her blood pressure.  Too much blood pressure could cause more swelling and hemmorage.
• Saturday 2/25: Feeding tube placed in her nose to her stomach.
• Sunday 2/26: Prayed for the first time in about 5 years.
• Monday 2/27: Sedation was lifted but she was still on the ventilator.
• Tuesday 2/28: Still on ventilator but showed me she was still in her by lifting her eyebrows at me when I asked, “Mom, do you understand me? Give me eyebrows if you do.”
• Wednesday 2/29: She was taken off the ventilator and whispered her name when my dad asked her if she knew her name.  She also told him his name.
• Thursday 3/1: My mom told me my name… a whole blog post needs to be dedicated to this date.
• Friday 3/2: Mom was sitting up in a chair.  A speech pathologist tested her swallowing- she passed with flying colors.  But, he suggested she stay on the feeding tube until she becomes more lucid, which will give her a better chance of getting the proper caloric intake.

Some of you have asked, and some may be wondering how I’m doing.  Well, I am in robot mode while holding things together..  But, that is a gift I have- I am fantastic in a crisis.  I know how to magically turn my emotions on and off and in this situation it works to the best of my ability.  Did I cry? Yes, I still cry… everyday. Not because I feel bad for myself, but because I am frustrated by the situation and I’m sad for my mom. I am also blessed with a very good relationship with my family, especially my dad.

As of right now I am planning on deferring grad school for a year.  I’m not sure if the universities I will be accepted to will work with me on this- but to be honest I don’t care.  All I want to do is help my mom find her words again and become herself.

So, whatever religious affiliation you are or aren’t- I’m asking from the bottom of my heart for prayers, good vibes, and kind thoughts for my mom’s successful recovery.

Thank you to all of my beautiful, kind hearted friends who have reached out to me- I am at a loss for words for how grateful I am for you all.

barneystinsonnn:

aww we watched this for one of my classes and it made me cry 

(via dgspeechie)