Kp Message 12-18-19… “Mom update… Difficult to talk about this, but there has been a major ‘setback'”

Aloha all,

I have described portions of this in the last two posts, but I wanted to share a more complete update, as of today, evening time.

Mother had been doing quite well in rehab, for the last couple weeks. She was able to eat (and even had chicken wings with barbecue sauce!). Her ability to drink liquids had mostly come back, and she was regularly drinking water (and Diet Pepsi, that I snuck in during Dad’s and my last visit, on Sunday!).

However, on Monday (one day after Dad and I visited her), we got a call (at 6:30 PM) that Mom had all of a sudden become unable to speak, and unresponsive on her right side. It turns out she had a major stroke that left her with her right side paralyzed. The rehab center called the local hospital and she was admitted to emergency, then ICU, on Monday night. I saw her then, and although she could grip my hand with her left hand, her right side was not able to do anything.

I saw her yesterday (Tuesday), and her condition was the same, and today there was still no improvement.

It’s been so hard to see her body struggle with her current condition. She still tries to smile, and holds my hand tightly. I DO know her strong Spirit is there, bright as ever.

The neurologist attending to her says that her type of stroke, as severe as it was, will most likely not allow a full recovery… even a return to rehab. But We shall see. We are always open to Miracles, should Mom agree to it.

I saw the neurologist today at the hospital, where he showed me the MRI of her brain, and it has a large patch on the left side, which indicates damaged (dead) brain cells. When I saw it, it was very striking how severe it appeared . He said that her afib (atrial fibrillation) condition most likely broke off a blood clot from her heart, which then traveled to her brain. Nothing could have prevented this.

I’ll be attending a conference of her caretakers tomorrow at the hospital, where we’ll likely discuss next steps for Mom’s care.

Don’t really know what else to say. Both Dad and I were pretty “floored” by this news, since she was just doing so well.

Thank you all for continued Light, Love, Prayers, and Support for all of us, during this difficult time. I am grateful beyond measure, for all of you.

Aloha, Kp