We Don’t Know What the Future Holds
We are now in week six of my mother, Florence Littauer’s, hoped for recovery from a stroke that took place on May 16—and week two at Covenant Specialty Hospital in Lubbock Texas. I’ve been at her bedside for 5-7 hours nearly every day (I do have a couple of friends who spell me for a day or two a week). The reports have been up and down. Since Monday, June 22, she has been on a slow, but steady climb.
When she arrived here last week, she’d been on a liquid diet for several days and continued on that for several more. In the past week, she’s lost ten pounds and has hardly left the bed. The future looked bleak. On Sunday, June 21, I posted the following on Facebook: “As Florence Chapman Littauer’s life is literally hanging in the balance–at this point it could go either way…” That was exactly how I felt. It was one of many low points in this journey—perhaps the lowest.
The post-covid rules in this hospital are such that they only allow one visitor a day with no in-and-out privileges. Visiting hours are from 8-5. But the doctor does his rounds on her floor around 6-6:30 each morning. The only way I can have a face-to-face meeting with him is to spend the night in my mother’s hotel room. She arrived here on Wednesday afternoon and they immediately did a variety of tests to determine a course of action. I thought it best to give the doctor a few days to review the tests and check on my mother before I met with him. Then the weekend came and I know nothing much happens then. So, on Monday night, I slept on the sofa in Mom’s room and met with the doctor in the morning. It was then that I learned the labs showed she’d had a heart attack on Sunday. He commented that a stroke and heart attack are hard on younger, healthy people—yet her numbers have been improving. I showed him pictures of her from before the stoke and videos of the progress she made wile in rehab. It was helpful for him to see and I feel that I now have a relationship with him. We agreed to continue the current program and see where we are in a few more days.
Tuesday evening, Mom had her first real food in more than a week. She was hungry and ate almost all of the steak, carrots and rice. She reached for the fork and put a few bites of cake into her mouth. When I arrived in her room on Wednesday afternoon, she was sitting up in bed eating lunch by herself. Since then, she’s been eating with enthusiasm.
In true Florence fashion, since she’s been feeling a bit better, she’s been very positive. She says the food is wonderful. She thanks the team that is taking care of her and she tell me I am pretty.
Unfortunately, her level of lucidity comes and goes. Additionally, she’s hardly been out of bed—though we can get her up to use the bedside commode and the therapy team has gotten her up and into a chair.
The current trajectory is a slow and steady climb. But the hill is steep and she has a long way to go. We do not know what the future hold, but, gratefully, we do know who hold the future.
For now, it appears that she has cheated death once again.
Thank you Marita…glad to hear of her renewed joy in eating… that is a good sign.. so let’s pray all this continues to be positive! We love her–and her love for life!
Thank you Marita for keeping us in the loop. I know exactly what you are going thru (my Dad is 4 months younger than Florence). You all are in our prayers daily Both lives are truly in The Lord’s hands. Big hugs !!
Thank you for the detailed update. Your mom is blessed to have you by her side!
Joy! So glad she’s eating ! Good sign! Make sure she gets some ice cream every now & then! Such good news! Blessings!! Do they offer hair wash/do at hospital? M/P?
I just found her Silver Box Scripture from the Good News Bible yesterday and spent extra time praising God on her behalf!
Checking in to see how she is doing today.
Look forward to your update.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh, wonderful to hear that she is on the upswing! Thanks for sharing, Marita! May God continue to bless and protect you both on this journey! Continued prayers for both of you!!!
— #GoTeamFlorence!!!
HalleluYAH!!!
And thank Y.O.U., Marita, for sharing the journey in writing!
SHALOM!
MelanEE!
🤠❤️🤠😘😘😘
Continued prayers and gratitude for her determined spirit, your ability to be with her, and God’s faithful miraculous power.
Eating with enthusiasm is always a good thing.
Wonderful update. Thank you. Prayers continue.
God works in mysterious ways, on HIS time. What a blessing to have excellent care givers, HER positive attitude toward LIFE, as usual! Our prayers are guiding HER direction. May YOU BOTH rest knowing that God’s Will Be Done!
Thanks for the update and will keep praying for her improvement. Like many others, she has left her fingerprint on our hearts. I have a hard time thinking she won’t go on forever. She has been such a blessing and such a trooper for many years for me. We both have such a love of Winston and abide by his saying…never give up! March on, Florence.♥️♥️
My daddy had 5 heart attacks in 11 yrs. He was like your momma. I think there is a Holy Ghost ever ready battery in her coming out again :). Sending you lots of love and hugs and continue to pray for your momma’s renewed strength mental and physical also.
Thank you for the detailed update, sounds encouraging! Praying!
Glad she is better
Thank you for the update!! I think of your Mom constantly and pray for her recovery. She is very blessed to have you ❤️
This is heartwarming to read! Hoping and praying for continued improvement. Love to all. ~Kim
Thank you for sharing this update, Marita! I’ve been praying for y’all and will continue. I bet the staff at the hospital love your mom and you! I know you are a blessing to them even as you walk through this difficult time.
Thank you for the update, Marita! I look several times a day in hopes of hearing good news, and, of course, praying for you both. Your mom is so blessed to have your loving care. Marita, you are so strong, but I know this isn’t easy. God bless you both!!
Thanks for the update. She is definitely a fighter and has a positive attitude. Glad you were able to meet with doctor personally. She is right, you are beautiful.
We love you two! Praying for you. I love your moms smile! What a gift she is and Marita you have been such a gift to her. Love you both!
Thank you for the update Marita. I am praying for Florence to recover and for your strength.
Love you, Marita and so grateful your Momma has you taking care of her. I am so sorry Karen and I didn’t get to come but who knows, it may still happen if Florence comes back like she has before. Much love to you, Lauren & Fred.
It’s great to know that you can be together at this tough time.
Sending our love & prayers from Norway, Gareth & Anne-Berit x
Marita, this is such a positive post! Living moment by moment is the best way to live. I love that your Mom’s personality is shining through especially while she eats : D Much love to you both XOXO
Love and prayers and prayers and love. You are two remarkable women!
Thank you, Dear Marita. Praying for Florence, and you and family, daily. Hope you’re feeling all the love.
Thank you, Marita, for the update on your dear Mother. Lots of prayers from my heart to heaven for your dear Mother’s recovery. Much love to you both, Dolley Carlson
When you described her sitting up and eating, I envisioned her Florence Littauer smile. Pray we see more of that.
Good morning, I’m just logging into social media. I woke up thinking of your mother, so this inspired me to dig deeper and found this through Facebook. As you may know know, I’m a “texter”. I am continuing in prayer for you, your mother, and your family. Thank you for all you’ve done and are doing to advance the Kingdom of God.🙏🏿