DAY 87: Setback

I'm afraid Mom has taken a few steps back, but nothing too worrisome.

She's battling a minor case of pneumonia again. She's back on antibiotics. Her white blood cell count rose. Her ability to breathe tapered off, and she's been unable to withstand a capped tracheotomy again.

The positive news is that the antibiotics appear to be working. She had a blood transfusion and her red blood cell count has risen as a result. She's doing a far better job against this pneumonia than she did against the last, indicating a resurgence of strength in the last month.

Aside from the medical challenges, her being more awake presents an emotional challenge as well. She's often depressed and frustrated. That's understandable. After all, she doesn't have nearly three months of background as the rest of us do. She just woke up into a world of pain and has no idea how far she's come. I think I'd be depressed, too.

I've been telling Emily and others that whenever we see Mom crying, rather than becoming sad ourselves we need to be thankful that she's able to shed tears. She's made it far enough to realize the situation she's in, and to express emotion over it.

In the bigger picture, that's fantastic.