A week passed.

For the first time in what felt like an endless stretch of fear, uncertainty, and waiting, Mom was finally beginning to regain her strength.

She still wasn't completely recovered, and there were moments when even sitting upright for too long left her exhausted. But the improvement was impossible to ignore. Her eyes were clearer now, her breathing was steadier, and she could already hold a conversation without immediately running out of energy.

Every little progress felt like a ...