After Thanksgiving

Just a quick hello from Carol.
    Carol had a very nice holiday with both Jenny and Patrick home
to visit and help her with therapy.  The staff provided a delicious dinner
at Tendercare which Carol enjoyed.  The setting was special
and the seasonal decorations were just right for THANKGIVING!
    We later had Carol join us at home for 'our'  family turkey dinner with
all of the trimmings  We all enjoyed her visit and know how fortunate
we are to be able give 'thanks' together.
       How quickly a year goes by..we were in  Southfield
Rehabilitation Hosp one year ago (2009) and she was able to have
her first 'real' dinner then. We surely enjoyed this 2010 Thanksgiving and
know how fortunate we are that Carol continues to make substantial
progress.
   Jen celebrated her birthday while she was in
Gaylord and she and Carol and staff shared cupcakes.
  It was rewarding to see how Carol has improved and we all
pray that she continues her steady progress.
Thank you all for the wonderful thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Pat Nelson (Carol's Mom)

Early November

Greetings from Carol to all.
Carol has been really working hard in her therapy sessions.
She has learned to pull herself up in the parallel bars and
has taken several steps ( we call it walking)  We are very
excited with her new developments.  Since then we have
also fitted her with new hightop 'tennies' and hope that the
weight on her feet with help to stretch the ankles.
     Carol is still very good natured and loves her visitors, singing,
listening to music and making the 'rounds' at Tendercare.
She does lessons - math, reading, spelling, memory and writing
everyday.
    We want to thank each of you for taking all of the precious time
that you have to spend with Carol. This helps so much with her
 progress. She loves the cards and pictures, flowers and candy and
especially your visits. 
God bless you all.      Posted by Pat Nelson (Carol's mother)

october

Carol has been working in therapy and still shows progress.
She loves the fall weather and has been outside  for short periods
in her wheel chair to enjoy this wonderful season.
She has enjoyed several visits, many cards and well wishes,
and the thoughts and phone messages from family and friends.
We are showing her pictures of family and friends hoping to
jog some more memories.  Thanks to all who haved helped and
continue to pray for Carol and her family.
Pat Nelson (Carol's Mom)

End of September

Hello to all,   I am sorry that such a long time has
gone by since we last updated the site.  I did get out to
Colorado when Biz had her baby,  a boy, 6#5 oz...really cute
Carol has a new nephew. September 9, 2010.
   Carol has been working very hard and is showing great
results.  Her therapies are showing progress in standing for
short periods and in much easier transferring and scooting.
   She has also been working on memory and speech and
limited reading and writing.  She is more active in her wheel
chair and 'visits' many areas of the facility.  We sometimes
have a time trying to find her..usually it is where there is a
new activity or some really good food!!
    We thank all of you for the kindnesses you have showered on
Carol - the many cards, flowers, gifts, visits, thoughts and prayers keep
her on track and cheer her days and evenings.
Thanks from the entire family both the Snyders and Nelsons.
Posted by Pat Nelson (Carol's mother)

August

   Can't believe we're in the middle of August.  Carol is still slowly progressing
with her therapy - we are a little slower as her insurance is not covering
as much as before and our additioinal helper is on vacation.  Shannon and
I are trying to keep up some basic moves and we are trying to get her out
for some fresh air in this beautiful weather. 
     We will be trying to get more done this week.  Getting back to a more
active schedule.  Also a little visit to the dentist...Tendercare transports her
with their vehicle and her wheel chair. 
   Will was home over the week-end.  Jen will be home for the end of the month.
Thanks to everyone for the continued prayers. 
Nelson Snyder Families - posted by Pat Nelson (Carol's Mom)

Later in july-

     What a beautiful July.  The days have been lovely and just right
to take Carol outside for short rides in her wheel chair. 
She feels the breeze and the sunshine.
  Her visit to the eye doctor show that the right eye is
improving  gradually and that helps her perception. 
    We practice minor math problems everyday and she
attends therapy each day .   With extra help
she may also have an afternoon session.
   A huge 'thank you' to all who help with meals and lessons
and of course those who keep Carol in their prayers.
  God continues to give Carol strength and we remain
encouraged for her eventual recovery.
Patricia Nelson (Carol's Mom)

Fourth of July Week-end was  a wonderful
time for Carol.  Her children were here and visited. It
proved to be a happy time.  Therapy continues and
Her vision has improved since the surgery but we need
one more check up to be sure.  
Thanks to all who have sent cards, flowers, messages and
good will.    Best from the Nelson-Snyder families,
(posted by Patricia Nelson, Carol's Mom)

after eye surgery

Good morning,
   Carol is having a difficult and busy week.  We (Tendercare Van and two assistants) took her to Saginaw for the surgery on her right eye.  She has had
extremely limited vision in that eye from the brain trauma.  The retinal Surgeon
was able to extract some of the 'matter' on the retina.  Now we wait to give the
eye time to adjust, reduce swelling, and heal to find out if there is improvement  in her sight. 
Please continue your prayers and we know that she will have continued progress.   Thanks to all.  Your thoughts,  prayers, visits, and shared comments have been gratefully received. 
Pat Nelson (Carol's Mom)

carol and her eye surgery

    Carol is scheduled for eye surgery this week.  We will have to
take her via wheelchair and van to Saginaw to the retinal
surgeon.  We are hoping that this will help clear some of
the blurry vision in one eye for now.   If that happens Carol may be
able to see better.    Especially to read  some 'big print' and maybe
see the television screen.
  Thanks to all for the prayers and good thoughts.
Best to all   Pat Nelson (Carol's Mom)

Status for Carol Nelson - One year and one month after

It is difficult to believe that a whole and year and another month have passed

since Carol suffered the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. We are very fortunate

that she is alive and that we see small but continued improvements in her

functionality. We (her parents and her children) hope that she is able to

continue her progress and one day be able to gain the use of her legs, feet, ankles

and her memory. Therapy continues as many days a week as she can tolerate.

Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers.

This note from the family - Nelson - Snyder families

To all of the 'snowbirds' in Fla and elsewhere
and to all of us who stayed in Gaylord or surrounds,
happy spring!
Carol is progressing a little each day. Therapy is
getting more developmental and we are trying to
keep the hand brace on more at night and nap time.
She tried a few notes on the piano and seemed to
really like that. I'll take in the lap top and see
if she likes the 'hunt and peck' on the keyboard.
She got beautiful roses this week and is ready
for SPRING! Thanks to all.
Nelson Snyder family

carol

Just checking the posts and find that some that we have tried to publish
have not made the site. I am so sorrry.
Carol is really doing well. She is up and at therapy almost every
day and has shown remarkable progress with her hands, arms,
and shoulders. We work on the feet and ankles as well and have
made them much stronger. She is learning to scoot and has tried
standing as well.
Carol is cheered by the visits, cards, flowers and many gifts she
has received. Thank you all for caring and asking about her.
We still pray that the progress continues and it does!!

Thank you all Pat Nelson (Mom)
and all of the nelson-snyder family

Thanks for all of the responses. I did promise to be a little more faithful with
the messages.
Carol is still doing better each day. She is smiling more and writing words, names
and short messages. She loves seeing family, we were able to take Hogan (Biz and Phil's
little boy) in to see her. She was able to give him a balloon and he played with the
basketball in her activity area.
Therapy is on going and she does like to 'work out' at least most of the time.
She is reaching out and pushing and pulling up!! No walking yet but we have time
to work on balance, feet position and working out with the legs and feet.

Thanks to all for the wonderful cards, flowers, cookies and extra treats and visits.
We will let you know more later..

Good morning from Gaylord and the first part of February.
We can't believe that almost a whole month has gone by
since we were communicating about Carol.
Jen of course is back at work and Shannon, Will and Patrick
have gone back to school and/or work as well.

Carol has really been working hard and has made substantial
progress. She is working on balance - upper body and now
sits up and is able to help feed herself and she work on simple puzzles and
flash cards. Her eye sight has improved slightly on its own - we were
not able to have the suggested surgery as that meant a trip back to
Henry Ford Hospital and weather and circumstances were not
favorable for another trip for Carol.

We have continued physical therapy, occupational therapy and
speech therapy. The best sight is to see Carol trying to use the silverware
and feeding herself with both the left and right hands.
Her conversations have expanded and she is able to have a limited talk with
the kids and Chuck on the phone.
Ron is helping with both breakfast and dinner or after dinner
every day. He is her best therapy!!

I fill in for lunch, before dinner practice (with words, conversation, and
phone calls) and as a dinner companion. Ron takes over the evening activities.
We also have many helpers and we are very grateful for all
of the attention, gifts, conversations, prayers and cards that continue.
We appreciate everyones help and know Carol is progressing because of that.


Best to all from the Nelson Snyder families.

Happy 2010

Hello everyone,

I'm sorry we weren't on top of writing posts over the holidays....it was a week filled with lots of family, thanks, snow, and most importantly Mom!

Every time I come home to see Mom for a few days I am amazed by her progress. I finally arrived in Gaylord on Mom's birthday, and for the first time she knew that I was Jenny (not Susan or Kelly-her sisters). It was the best gift ever! She usually knows that I'm one of her family members but this visit she was clearer on the fact that I was her daughter.

Everyday is filled with improvement-she can eat almost by herself-we just have to make sure she takes it slow! She likes listening to music-she loves to sing along and I'm amazed that she knows every word to every song on the radio.

On Christmas, all four of us kids and Ron-Mom's boyfriend-had coffee and presents with Mom, just like we normally would. Though is was strange spending Christmas morning at Tender Care-it was obvious that we made Mom happy as we celebrated the best part of Christmas-Family! Throughout the rest of the day, her sisters, brother, brother-in-law, and parents all visited to wish her a Merry Christmas.

Mom was strong enough to take a field trip on the 26th to her Mom and Dad's house to see the Christmas Tree and have a family breakfast. She was a little overwhelmed-but handled her first outing in eight months incredibly well!

With 2009 behind us, we are looking forward to Mom's road to recovery and her path home. She still enjoys a few visitor, but tires easily- so if you are looking to visit, we recommend that you limit the visit to 15 mins and come between the hours or 1-2 pm and 4-5 pm.

This past year has been one of the most difficult Mom and our family has endured, and I can not thank each and every one of you enough for your kindness, prayers and support.

Just like everything, there are good days and not so good days. Please continue to keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers!

Thank you-and may you and your loved ones 2010 be filled with everything your hearts desire!

With deepest gratitude-
Jen Nelson and the entire Nelson and Nelson-Snyder Families!