Lots of Progress!

Medical Testing and Specialists

Today was a very busy day for Marie with medical testing and specialists. Some of the specialists that she saw was; neurologists (a team of 3), neurosurgeon, stroke case manager, physiotherapist, nutritionist, and a speech therapist. Some of the testing that she had was a Doppler Echocardiogram, and a CAT Scan.

The doctors say that she can have an MRI tomorrow. At first they were concerned that the staples might not be compatible with the MRI but they now know they are so they are going to proceed. This will help reveal what parts of her brain have been affected, and to what extent.

The Echo did not reveal anything, so they are going to do a scope next to analyze her heart.
The CAT scan result didn't reveal any further problems to do with the swelling.

Other Positive Developments
- Marie started eating some pureed foods and drinking fluids.
- Her physio went well, she responded very well to the repetitive motion and other tests.
- The swelling on her eye has come down considerably. Yesterday we couldn't see her eyelashes for the swelling, today it seems like it is 1/2 of what it was before, and we can see most of her eyelashes.
- They are waiting for a bed in ICU for Marie (she is in the CCU now). She is not the first on the list to move there, but she will likely be moved shortly. This will help her because this floor focuses more on rehabilitation. It will also be a little bit quieter, and have a window which will help her get her days and nights back in order.

Always the Jokester...

Marie had many visitors today, cousins and close friends and family. She recognized everyone and we talked to her about friends that were sending their best and about all of the comments you are writing on this blog and on her facebook, messages and cards.

Some of today's jokes from Marie included:
- Allison was there when Marie was eating her dinner. Marie ate some applesauce with Tylenol in it. Marie asked him “Alex did you spike my sauce?”
- When Dad and Wes were in with Marie, she randomly said she felt like having a beer. She then asked them if they wanted beer too? She said to one nurse, "we're gonna need 2 beers", then she turned to Alex and said, "Alex do you want a beer?" He said yes, and then she said to the other nurse and said "make it 3 beers" :)
- When her cousin Jeff was in, he told her that he thought he knew what gave her the stroke, he said that it was probably running up Ferndale in Barrie (he saw her on Saturday doing this). She responded "Anne Street is worse".
- Marie's not a big fan of the thick apple juice that they are passing off to her as apple nectar. She has complained to a few different people that they are serving her apple juice "with chunks". Nasty!

Laura

PS) People have been asking how they can get their cards and notes to Marie. We have a couple of volunteers that are going to help us out with this:

Shalaigh Kenney (a new Kenney as of May 23rd! ... formerly Windmill). She is from Elmvale. Feel free to drop any cards off at the Springwater Parks and Rec office (beside community hall) or email her at shalaighwindmill@hotmail.com so Shalaigh can pass them on to Marie.

Nicole Newburn (the undercover Kenney) is in the Penetang/Midland area. Please feel free to drop anything off for Marie at the Huronia Museum and Huron Ouendat Village in Little Lake Park, Midland or contact her via e-mail (nicolenewburn17@gmail.com) or on facebook for other means of dropping off your treasures. :)