So, how's your mom today?

I never know how to answer this question. My sister's subtly evasive response is "she's recovering from her stroke well." Which is true, it just leaves out anything about the cancer. But I'm going to do the same. My subtly evasive response is:

• she's moving to an intensive rehab center today
• she's off the respirator & off the IV
• she's much more responsive - she "laughs" with us, she recognizes people, she can follow conversations if she's not too tired, she can answer yes or no questions
• she still can't speak, read, or write. She probably won't ever be able to read or write again

Considering she had a 6cm wide mass of blood and other things taken out of her brain just 10 days ago, she's recovering remarkably well. The surgeon was very impressed.