Andrea Pearl Updates

Our girl is continuing to improve... While she’s been waggling her right hand fingers all along, yesterday she moved her right arm for the first time. She moved her forearm and is starting to get more feeling in the arm. Andrea’s talking better, she's communicating much better all-around and every day she's more and more herself. While it may be a few more weeks, a change of venue is in the air. Keep going Miss Pearl, you can do it!

February 23, 2022  Sisters, Sisters... Andrea is getting to see her sisters, in a round robin of visits. Laura is a regular, but last week Jennifer visited from out-of-town for a few days. This week Andrea will also get to see Barbara and possibly Margie (and they will get to see her!) Though still limited to one visitor at a time, the sister brigade provides a welcome change to Andrea's routine. The routine part that stays the same? Andrea is still working hard with her rehab folks, and the improvement is clear and definite. The docs are very happy with how things are going, and exploring a possible timeline (measured in multiple weeks) for Andrea to leave in-hospital rehab. The next step may be to go home, and continue out-patient rehab. This is exciting news, but the timeline is still vague. Updates will continue. In the meantime, keep those prayers and well-wishes coming. To use the free AHN e-Card service: https://www.ahn.org/patients-visitors/visitors/ecard    ...

February 20, 2022 Using those skills this weekend. Andrea can take a couple steps on her own now, before she gets into a wheelchair to zip around. She knows all the nurses and has pet names for each of them. She's in her street clothes every day, so those nicknamed nurses can see her personality even more. Back to more improvement and therapy on Monday. Keep those prayers and positive thoughts coming, they're working.

 February 19, 2022  It's the Weekend... aaah. Andrea has been working very hard this week, with 3 hours of PT, OT and Speech Therapy every weekday. She is definitely improving, both her speech and physical abilities, but it does tire her out.  In between sessions and meals (which are regular solid food) she often catnaps. Her kitty would appreciate that! But now, it is the weekend and no therapy. A well-earned break, and ready to get back at it on Monday.

February 16, 2022 That was quick! Andrea has moved to West Penn Hospital, and is now in the Inpatient Rehab division. (Still only one visitor per day) She started physical therapy and speech therapy there today. The doc @ W. Penn says she's looking good. This all is very encouraging. A nice change is that she will wear regular clothes. Goodbye hospital gowns, the fashionista is re-emerging!   To use the free AHN e-Card service: https://www.ahn.org/patients-visitors/visitors/ecard     Andrea Pearl Riesberg, West Penn Hospital, Room  T314 Or you can send snail mail and Ed will deliver it to her    226 Colony Court, Pittsburgh PA 15205 If you are so inclined:    https://www.buymeacoffee.com/GOjVvlFXPF

February 15, 2022    Change is in the air! Andrea continues to improve. Each day she is speaking, understanding, and moving better. The docs feel she is ready to be discharged from AGH to an In-Patient Rehabilitation Unit. That's great! Since a slot has to open first, the when and where is vague for now. Will update here as more is known. Keep those thoughts and prayers coming, they are definitely working.

 All the love, prayers and healing vibes being sent Andrea's way are making a difference!  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! In the past week, Andrea has made significant improvement in her condition.  She is significantly more alert and has been working with occupational/physical therapists as well as speech therapists. They had her out of bed and standing up.  :  )  She is also talking a lot more and independently making requests or commenting.  We are seeing more and more of Andrea - she already started complaining about the hospital food - this is great news (in a weird sort of way). We anticipate sometime in the near future Andrea will move to a facility where she can focus on her recovery.   Barbara If you are so inclined:   https://www.buymeacoffee.com/GOjVvlFXPF

 Andrea remains stable and continues to talk.  She is also moving a little bit better.   The latest CT scans show there is no new swelling.  This is good news - and she is moving out of ICU to a step-down unit. Our youngest sister Jennifer spent a day with Andrea in ICU yesterday.  At one point Andrea pulled her in for a hug.  So wonderful to hear this!  The road to recovery lies ahead.  If you are so inclined, consider a small donation  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/GOjVvlFXPF     P.S. Now that Andrea is doing better, I will not be updating the blog daily - though I anticipate doing so a few times a week.  

 Andrea started talking out of the blue Friday afternoon. And then she talked a lot. This is fantastic news and a wonderful way to end the week.   Barbara

 Not much to report tonight - thank goodness!  Andrea remains stable and was alert today. When Ed arrived at her room today she was sitting up and moving around with the physical therapists. She mumbled a few words to the PT.  This is the beginning of what will be a long journey to recovery. She continues to try to talk and in time will recover her speech. You know Andrea - she is not one to keep quiet for long!  Baby steps . . .  I expect to skip a day or two on the updates this week.  Barbara

 Hey everybody!  Happy to report more progress today. For the first time in many days, Andrea opened her eyes all the way and kept them open.   No question she is aware of her surroundings - she knew Ed was there today and that Laura was there yesterday.   Hopefully she will move out of ICU later this week.  And, if all goes well, it won't be long before she is moved to another facility to begin both occupational and physical therapy.   Continued prayers and healing vibes are greatly appreciated.  A number of people have asked what else they can do to help.  A fund has been started to help Andrea when she returns home.  The fund will be used to fill the house with flowers and gifts and to otherwise brighten her home and make it more comfortable for her recovery.  If you are so inclined, a small donation can be made using this link  Andrea! (buymeacoffee.com) Good night all! Barbara