Monday morning, July 25, 9:30 am

I was waiting to hear from a doctor, but they are just beginning their rounds, so that may take some time. Wonderful news! Mom was communicating with me. She's nodding and shaking her head ... very weakly, but doing it. I filled her in on what had happened to her and how long she had been here. She indicated that she was in pain, so I told her the different things she was hooked up to and she moved her hand up to her mouth and indicated the breathing tube was hurting. I told her that the nurse had said that the breathing tube is often the most uncomfortable thing but couldn't be adjusted yet. Mom made a writing motion with her hand and wanted to write, so we gave her a pencil and clip board also saying not to be frustrated if it didn't work quite right yet since she was still medicated and not in full control of her body. So she did try, but we couldn't make out letters. She looked tired so I told her I'd get some breakfast and when I came back I would have her indicate to me what letters she wanted to write and I'd write them for her.

Medication for her heart pump has been stopped since 7:00 and has to be off for four hours minimum before the pump can be removed. The breathing tube needs to stay in until the heart pump is out safely (as a backup). They hope to sit her up today and do that.

As I was talking with her today, I reminded her of when I was six years old and how she had me sit at her bedside and led me to accept Jesus as my Savior. Now, I told her, I was given the honor of caring for her at her bedside ... I told her how thankful I was for her example of faith and how she had been, and continues to be an inspiration to me - even as I talked to thse Mormons last night. It was so good to be able to communicate with her. If you have a message for Mom, you can email me or add a comment here on one of these posts and I'll share it with her.