365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Thirty Six

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” Herm Albright

My 92 year old Mother-in-Law fell and broke her hip on January 24th. Luckily it was not a severe break, just a hairline fracture that they were able to reinforce with just a few screws. She has been on the Rehab floor in hospital for two weeks now working on getting stronger and more stable on her feet. It has been a challenge, for her and for us. I am at hospital every day with her – sometimes for just a few hours and other days all day long. Each day seems to come with new/different challenges that we must work through. Most recently was the issue of the Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist wanting to move her out of hospital within the next few days. We do not believe she is readyfor discharge as she is still quite weak and unsteady. She’s making improvements every day – however it’s just too soon. Her biggest obstacle is her own brain. She has a huge fear of falling again, so she over-analyzes everything to the point that everything takes huge effort. Yesterday, we were finally able to sit with the different entities involved in her care. We now have an agreement in place that will keep her in hospital thru Feb 29th, at which point she will be re-assessed. If we – as a group – decide that she is not ready to go home – we will transition her to a Convalescent Care facility in the community.

Now that we have this plan in place . . . I am amazed at the transformation in my MIL! This morning she was eager to get up and walk, and even wanted me to take her in to the gym to work out! (No Physio on the weekend tho). She does NOT want to go in to a facility – she wants to go home! It was nice to see the positive energy she exuded this morning – now to just channel that energy in the right way. Today’s photo is of she and I on our walk around the rehab unit this morning . . . I caught our reflection in the metal shield on one of the doors as we walked by, with my husband’s iPhone4.