Happy Anniversary!

Today was the perfect day!
It was a sunny, fall, warm New England Day and we are with our Mom at Whittier Rehab!

Today marks Mom's one month anniversary of being found in bed during Hurricane Irene. We thank God for His grace and His perfect timing because if not for the hurricane, we don't know if Rena and Renee would have responded with such urgency to be sure Mom was well....His plans are perfect.

Today, we can call Mom..."Miss Chatty Crackers" as she was so verbal and carried on short conversations with us, as well as with others. She spoke early this a.m. to Alex (Reta's son) on Maui, which absolutely blew him away and so encouraged him. As always, she gave God the glory, telling Alex that God gave her the strength to speak to him today....what a grandmother!

Then at Speech Therapy, she answered most all questions, met logical commands and tasks and was able to swallow thickened cranberry juice (on an impromptu test) three times, and successfully do a sipping test. This is such a great sign of Mom improving in strength, as her voice box is stronger and the clearing of her throat deeper.  They will continue to keep giving her swallow tests daily, until they feel she is stronger to begin eating, which will then of course, provide her with greater strength. At her Occupational and Physical therapy, she fidgeted in her chair for hours before being brought to the gym. With support and use of the parallel bars, she stood and took 8 careful steps forward! She was also able to stand up and remaining standing with a walker for moments. This was an incredibly successful day.....Thank you, Father, for your continued answering of prayers....

This afternoon, "Miss Chatty Crackers" was up and alert, and we called loved ones who she has not yet talked with....she spoke on the phone to Al (Reta's husband), Auntie Mary (moms dear dear friend who she would see so often enjoying the flowers together), Auntie Berit and Uncle Milton (they've known Mom since approx. 1962!), Renee, Rena, Goobie (Mary Beth, Ray's rockin' wife),  and Karen (her Cape Cod daughter)!  Ray and Reta spent so long connecting with her throughout the day, answering questions she had on what's happened (even tho we explain it to her every day). Even, Dr. Semenov, her incredible neurologist, is so pleased with her progress. The nurses and the nurses aid are also thrilled that finally, their patient, is smiling, answering, and responding as she did today.

We will see what tomorrow brings, as we realize the ebb and flow of a circumstance, but we hold on to today and give God all the credit for what He is doing in her!

We thank you all so much for caring enough to read about Mom's recovery and for sending the most thoughtful cards, gifts and love. We hope, through this blog, the greatest thing you take away from it, is that no matter what your circumstance is, regardless of how difficult a situation that you find yourself in, God is always in control, and He never leaves our side. His ways are not our ways, His plans are perfect and His promises prove true. Keep your eyes on the prize, which is Christ, and He will get you through whatever you may be going through. God bless you all.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Ramona Chin
c/o Whittier Rehabilitation Room 228
150 Flanders Road
Westborough, MA 01581
508.871.2000