I thought about Special Needs, but that's more for children...I just don't know.

I've had to come to the realization after talking with the doctors that my mom may not recover mentally. Physically, she is much better, breathing on her own, only on tube feeding and no medications.

The neurologist gave her a "poor" prognosis today for a full recovery. She will be transferred to a rehab facility probably within the next week or so, if they can keep her off all the meds and the vent...she still has the trach in, but she is breathing fine with that. They took her off the meds/sedation today, so she was just starting to "wake up" by the time I left around 3pm.

At her "best", she watches people move around the room, and opens her eyes if you speak. She fights the nurses when they do anything that makes her uncomfortable. She tries to grab her tubes. She moves her arms and legs a lot - some I can't tell if it's her making herself comfortable, or if its just "hyperactivity" - her brain just sending random movements. She does not respond to any commands.

I have NO experience with people, adults, who are mentally handicapped, brain damaged or whatever the PC words are. I don't know what to expect, how to help them, how to understand them, anything. I don't know how to tell between me wishing she is getting better, and her actually improving.

I'm just lost.

I'd like to be prepared I guess...if anyone here has had a loved on in this position, or a friend, or anyone, anything similar to this, do they have books that are helpful? I'm a big reader, and I guess I feel better when I have some sort of expectation of the "worst", at least something to go on. I'm not as much looking for super inspiration stories, but those are fun too (like Art Buchwald's book "Too Soon to Say Goodbye", which we all read when my dad had hospice care - and eventually he improved enough to end hospice too LOL!)

I got some extra Christmas money, and I would like to pick up a couple books I guess, something to do when I sit there and read with her at least. I just want to understand more, because right now, I don't get anything.

__________________

I don't have any suggestions but i want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so sorry your family is going through this. I hope someone has some good book titles for you.

__________________
Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)