Hi Again. Still Elyse.

My mom was discharged from UCLA yesterday after 3 and a half weeks and transferred over to Brentwood Healthcare Center which is a Skilled Nursing Facility.

The caudal pain block was not quite the miracle we hoped it to be on day one, but there have been some improvements. She is still unable to stand independently, but most of the doctors feel this is because of the pain and weakness that comes from deconditioning. She’s struggled a lot with PT. It’s definitely a long journey ahead.

Last week, UCLA started allowing visitors! My brother is here from Oregon, and they only allowed one visitor per day, so he and I switched off. I got to spend the day with her 4 times before she moved, but now the SNF doesn’t allow visitors at all. It was so great to be with her! She was able to engage in conversation and have company every day. We were able to see the doctors in person and see how she was doing with our own eyes. I think it was very helpful for her mental health.

The infections she was fighting have cleared up, but there’s still some forgetfulness, loopiness, and confusion that mainly seems to come from the opioids and anxiety. Things have absolutely improved from May 17th when she was admitted to the hospital, but there’s still so many hurdles ahead.

I just spoke to her and she sounded very tired. She has a roommate, which if you know my mom, is like her own personal hell. She said she’s not sure if this is the place for her, but when I pressed her, she said she felt like we all needed to give it some time. She was incredibly anxious about leaving UCLA. She felt very safe there. So, it’s not surprising that she’s reluctant to this change. I asked her if she feels safe and like she’s getting what she needs, and she said absolutely. I asked her yes or no questions in case she didn’t feel comfortable saying things because there’s another person in the room. Everything she told me sounded like the important things are being addressed and she’s being cared for, but she just doesn’t love being there or change in general. Her doctor at the facility is a UCLA doctor, and he met with her this morning and spoke with me on the phone, so that was reassuring.

In regards to her accounting practice, Preston and I sent back all the documents that she was sent, but was unable to use, this afternoon. I know how much she loved doing taxes. I know she never really wanted to ever actually retire. It’s shitty and sad that she wasn’t able to finish her last tax season, and I know it weighs heavy on her that she let some of her clients down. My brother and I also feel bad that the deadline is a month away, and we just finally got to returning the unfinished work. It’s been such a chaotic time for us, and we appreciate everyone’s patience with my mom and with us.

This whole cancer journey has been such a roller coaster. I just pray she’s able to be independent again and that she can come home. There’s no real timeline. Unlike the acute rehab she was at, there’s no real time limit for the stay at a skilled nursing facility. The average stay at a SNF is about 6 weeks, so I’m hopeful she’ll be home in 2 months. She is motivated to move and to keep moving forward, but she’s also afraid of the pain and really doesn’t like PT, but she’s the first the admit it’s a necessary evil. She wants to go really slow, but she wants to make progress. As long as she’s still moving forward, I’m happy.

She’s come a very long way, and she’s overcome a lot. The doctors continually praised her for her efforts and all she’s had to fight through. Let’s just pray she continues to make progress no matter how slow. Slow and steady wins the race.

Please continue to send all the positive, healing thoughts. We appreciate them so very much! Like I’ve said, she’s not great at getting back to people, but that doesn’t mean when she does check her phone that she doesn’t love to see your messages. I set her phone to do not disturb, so it only makes noise when my brother, Wade, or I call, so feel free to call and leave a message or a text. You won’t disturb her since her phone won’t make noise. If you call, it’ll go straight to voicemail. 🙂 You’re also always free to call or text me at 805 404 9853 any time.

As always, thank you so much for your support and positivity! Thank you!

Best,

Elyse