Five months ago my mom suffered a series of strokes that resulted in paralysis on her right side, wheelchair bound and non-verbal.

This is in addition to being previously diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and she was also about 60lbs overweight. 

To address all these pre-existing conditions she was actively prescribed 23 prescriptions.

Today, my mom is: 
She is still non-verbal, but I can understand exactly what she wants to communicate to me when she has something to say.

She is still weak on her right side, but she can walk around the house without aid. Dress herself in the mornings...mostly. She does need some help putting on her shoes, panties and bra. But if hell broke loose and we had to boogie in a hurry, she'd be able to make it to the car by herself while I packed up for a mad max like departure/adventure. :-) Albeit without a bra, panties and barefoot. But that's OK.

She is now only 15lbs overweight and still dropping.

Her cholesterol levels continue to improve.

Her BP is within normal levels.

Her A1C (diabetes measurement) has improved BIGLY and continues to do so every month.

She is now on only 3 prescriptions. My sisters and I might be adding one more to this in September so possibly 4 prescriptions starting next month, down from 23.

How did we do it?

Diet: My mom now only eats what I eat (and I don't eat fiat food).

I stopped administering all the prescriptions they (her doctors) had her taking prior to the stroke except for the ones they were administering to her in the hospital for the 2 weeks that she was in ER and ICU for the strokes.

For physical therapy she: opens the mail in the mornings, not using her mouth (yes, disgusting) but using both right and left hands. She has to walk when in the house..I used to carry her from room to room bc it was faster, but she is retired and I don't have a boss, so what's the rush?! Even if it takes 10 minutes to get from bedroom to the living room. We also slow dance for 5 minutes every evening after dinner. Last night we danced to some ray charles. And lastly but MOST important, my sister(s) call her every night before bed and asks her about her day.

For her depression, we give her "stuff" that needs to get done throughout the day that she can do while seated at the couch. I.e. fold and sort laundry, open and sort the mail, I take her (and the dogstr) with me everywhere I go. Make sure she goes outside and gets some sun every day (not hard to get where we are presently). 

All that to say, considering we were making final arrangements back in March and now we are where we are with her progress, I'm a pretty grateful dude.

Fix the food and you fix two things:

1-America's obesity epidemic
2-America's out of control rising health care cost problem?                                            
          
Disclaimers:

Not health, medical, financial or any other advice for anyone. 
I just wanted to brag somewhere about how well my mom is doing and what is working for her with this community. 
I've come to depend on many of you over the last year +, for some grown-up conversations with rational, like minded folks from all walks of life.

I know, it's a long one. So thanks for reading to the end.💜 🫂 ✌️ 

#MyStrongMom #RecoveryJourney #NoFiatFood #AgingParents