Gramma T

Pittsburgh from Allegheny General Hospital

The Hubby's Mom, Gramma T, was life flighted to Pittsburgh the other day after showing what appeared to be symptoms of a stroke.

We don't know, at this time, what exactly happened to her. The doctors are observing her and believe she had bleeding on the brain, or maybe a stroke or maybe a stroke that happened awhile ago is somehow exhibiting now. 

It's confusing.

And sad.

On Monday, we decided to take the girls to visit their Gramma.  She was missing them, and we knew it would cheer her up.

Before we went, I began prepping Miss Mia - telling her that Gramma was in a hospital like Mommy had been when I brought home Sissy.  I told her there were lots of computers hooked up to Gramma, but that she was okay.

The Hubby's Father, Papa T, hadn't told us the full story.  Mentally, Gramma T is not doing as well as we thought.  She is very confused and has to have a sitter with her full time.  She also feels paranoid and that everyone is against her.  I was a little worried with how Miss Mia would react to Gramma slipping between reality and one of her episodes of paranoia.

I needn't have worried.

While we were visiting, Miss Mia was perfect.  Gramma T was exclaiming that there were snakes crawling all over her legs.  Miss Mia, at two-and-a-half, believed Gramma T was playing a game, so Gramma T acting this way didn't upset her. 

Miss Mia showed Gramma T all of the Barbies I had found (finally) this past weekend.  Gramma T showed off her therapy dog - a cute little stuffed animal - that "listens" to her and doesn't tell her she's "crazy" (Gramma T's words, I promise).  Miz Aise just coo'd, babbled and plain old looked adorable in one of the 3-6 month footies Great Gramma S gave her for Christmas. 

We visited for awhile longer, but then had to leave as it takes over an hour to get home and the girls both needed naps.  Miss Mia gave Gramma T her gift (yummy smelling lotions from Mary Kay so she wouldn't smell like medecine) and her hug and we went to the car. 

We let Miss Mia know she had behaved beautifully and that we were very proud of our grown up girl.

I snapped a pic of downtown Pittsburgh to document our trip (taking a picture of Gramma T and the girls was out of the question as I couldn't count on her staying in her normal state of mind long enough to pose). 

The Hubby is doing as well as can be expected after seeing how poorly his Mom is doing.  I'm glad we were able to drive down to visit with her.

I'm writing this on the 19th ~ Papa T told the Hubby that Gramma T is being moved to a rehab hospital a little closer to home, but still at least 45 minutes away (just what we want to hear in Western PA in January!).  This move should have taken place this evening, we'll find out tomorrow.  Papa T is a little upset that Gramma T isn't home with him - but there is no way he would be able to take care of her at this stage, due to her needing 24/7 care.

I'm praying that Gramma T's confusion and paranoia is temporary.  I want the girls to have as much time with Gramma T as I have had with my own two Grams.  As it stands, there will be a lot of trips to the rehab hospital with the girls to visit their Gramma T!