Updates on Laurie's Recovery

Mom asked that I post this, from her to all of you:  As I left the hospital yesterday, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.  Gratitude for every medical team member that played their part in my recovery.  Gratitude for faithful friends and family members who prayed and fasted for me--true disciples of Jesus Christ.  Gratitude for my rock-solid family who supported me and each other.  Gratitude for Neil. Neil is a man of strength in every way--physically, spiritually, intellectually, mentally. He is unselfish and caring.  Gratitude for the miracle of life. I have no doubt that Jesus Christ performed this miracle for us.  And gratitude to be able to look back and see Heavenly Father's hand orchestrating the details of this miracle for us. His hand is everywhere to be seen in the events of the past several weeks.  I know I won't be able to thank everyone, but if this expression of my love reaches you, please know it is real and sincere....

This morning Mom was released from the rehabilitation center and sent home! She is progressing extremely quickly in her recovery. Her therapists said she passed all the tests they gave her, so she gets to complete her recovery home. She'll keep doing physical therapy at home and with office visits. Her recovery is by no means over. Where they placed the pacemaker is still healing, she is still much weaker than normal, and she still has eight broken ribs from the CPR. How thankful we are for the live-saving CPR that broke those ribs! Her throat is also still healing, and it gets sore if she talks too much.  But even with all that, we are elated that she's home!  

This morning I got a text from Mom. I have missed those. She shared the following update: I was able to listen to conference in between therapy sessions yesterday and look forward to listening to more today. It's amazing to me that my legs feel like they are plowing through thick mud after 15 minutes of therapy, but I'm noticing the difference. It even affects my breathing ability for good. Hooray! Mom has always loved music, so it is no surprise that she's adopted a theme song that she asked us to share with all of you.  In case the video has issues, you can find it here .  One more update -- some very wonderful friends and neighbors decorated Mom and Dad's front porch this week. It looks amazing. There have been so many kind acts of service from things like getting mail and mowing and trimming the lawn, and of course all of the meals, prayers, texts, notes, and calls. We have been and continue to be so thankful for all of the love and support Mom and Dad have re...

 On Thursday morning Mom was moved to an acute rehabilitation facility at McKay-Dee Hospital in Odgen. She is getting a full schedule of therapies -- physical, occupational, and respiratory. For physical therapy she works on walking, going up and down small stairs, and doing a rowing machine. For occupational therapy she works on fine motor skills like brushing her teeth, putting on shoes and using utensils. Respiratory therapy is her least favorite, as she has to use the "torture device". They ask her to suck in and hold as hard and long as she can, and then blow out as hard and long as she can. This is very hard for her and makes her cough every time, but is helping her lungs recover.  We are all very happy that Mom is now much closer to home. That makes things a lot easier on Dad as well. She likes the facility and her army of therapists. Her positive attitude makes a big difference.  

Mom continues to make excellent progress. She's on an almost normal diet and has been working a lot with the physical therapists. Her throat is still sore and talking for extended periods is hard. She's able to walk without her walker. She and Dad even took a walk together. As Greg put it, Mom's getting pretty swole.   She's been temporarily moved from the ICU to the rehabilitation facility, still at Intermountain Health Center in Murray. At least her room has a nice view.    We were hoping she would be move up to another rehabilitation facility in Odgen today, but Mom is outpacing the bureaucracy. The plan is that she'll move up to Odgen tomorrow.