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!