Update for those who have been following and lending prayer support:
My brother visited Barbara and her husband John on Saturday for a few hours and it was a great visit.
Barbara's personality is coming back and we were laughing away a few times. Barbara would get sideways on the bed (somehow), John would go over and ask Barbara how she got herself sideways like that and add "You have to stop." I didn't hear what Barbara answered but what she meant to say from where I was standing was, “I don't know how I do this” and John would respond, "Well, let's get you straightened up" and Barbara started laughing. It had a domino effect on all the visitors. (They say laughter is good for the soul and what ails you.)
Barbara is able to smile and it looked like a full smile. Before she never opened her mouth and the right side would move only very little. Considering all that is going on John is in pretty good spirits, spends most evenings after work and on the weekends.
Right eye is still shut, didn't ask about what it might mean, so I know nothing more there. Trach has been removed completely with only a bandage over the incision as it will close-up by itself. She continues getting agitated at times, but I would say that is a normal in her condition. The staff does sit Barbara up in a wheel chair every so often and has at least once had her on her feet, though Barbara is unable to stand or sit-up on the bed as her balance is not there. Probably muscle strength and coordination is also lacking.
Barbara is still being fed by feeding tube, I think she is off antibiotics, and the fact she moves a lot is notated by an emblem on her door as someone who can fall out of her bed.
John said Barbara could be moved as early as next week but he is against it because she is not ready for rehab. If she is moved now, the "skilled" nurses would not be able to spend the time with Barbara this facilities is presenting with her. As daughter Lisa put it, that would be a set-back because skilled nursing does not work with the patient like Acute Care does. Before Barbara goes to rehab, it would be best is she was repeatedly responding to commands on a consistent and repeatable basis in order for rehab to work with the patient. As of yet, she cannot.
To bring this to a close.
There are a lot of positives from what I saw. However, after talking with John, it is all on the surface. Barbara is speaking, but at times it is does not make sense. There-in lies one of the problems, she doesn't seem to know what she is saying or if she does, it's not coming out right. Her words are clear and well spoken, but at times makes little sense. She will acknowledge you are there and grab your hand, but we have no idea if she actually knows who we are – that includes John and/or daughter Lisa.
Added note:
With the amount of progress over the past 7 weeks, it is very encouraging. The family is very thankful for your prayers and requests continued vigilance for a full recover!
Thanks.