06June

June 30, 2006
Jerrall-
I feel like I have lost 3 days. Debbie had all three therapists today I am so tired I do not
even remember saying high as I walked pasted. It is still hard to get out of bed.
About 5 pm Krystal took me to a movie and then to Red lobster for dinner. I have not
been out more than five times in three years. The nurses at the hospital asked if I take
care of Debbie then who takes care of me. Our two girls make Debbie and myself
keep going. With time Debbie has to try harder and harder. With time I stay tired all
the time. Krystal and Amber have started to do every thing such as take the trash out,
get the groceries cook the meals and do the laundry. The more cognitive Debbie is
becoming the bigger the job it is to make it thru the day. We all have hard days but
most of the time we try not too take things so serious and have fun.
I have gotten better being a lone with Krystal I don’t talk much but that is better than
every word being about Debbie. Krystal and I can say we will not go to bed hungry
tonight. All of this would not be possible with out both of your help and Debbie and I
could not be prouder. Debbie was not the only one in that car all of our lives have
changed.
When we got home Debbie had to use the bathroom and we had to get her to bed.
The girls can not lift Debbie to get into bed so Deb counts on me to never be to far
away.

Amber-
Today was mom’s first day to have therapy back since her surgery. PT, came first. He
did sit to stand with mom and said she did 2 out of 4 stand great. He said on the first
one he felt her push to lift her self up. He said her pushes were strong when he
worked on her right leg. He said she was calm. He think pushed with one hand her
tendon on her right leg under her knee. He then asked her to kick his other hand.
She did a good job, she had good control most of the time. She seems to be
concentrating on a task more than paying attention to her eye bothering her like
before. Speech came next and worked on the flash cards yes and no. She said mom
was shaking her head yes very clearly. She was happy with mom. OT came last and
said she was so happy to see how mom was looking at things so well. She said it like 4
times. She also said Debbie you are doing excellent. Mom was putting rings on the
pole again like old times. She also said a few times how calm mom was. Mom has
been turning her head to focus with her right eye, it looks like that is middle for her.
She did not do this all day, but in hard times she would do this.

June 29, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie slept great last night. Sometime during the night I got in bed with Debbie and
we both over slept. This morning Debbie was tight and afraid those were Krystal’s
words. Debbie’s upper eye lid was not as bruised or swollen as yesterday. Debbie
was still not reaching up to touch her eye which is a good thing.
By noon Debbie is really starting to jump so I took her to her bed so we can lay down.

June 28, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie took a shower and went right to sleep. Very little oral suction needed. At 3:30
am I was able to change Debs depends and did not wake her up. At 5 am with Deb still
asleep I gave Debbie an early breakfast and meds via peg tube. With surgery today
Debbie has to eat early but I want Deb to sleep in as much as possible. This morning
we did not get into a hurry like yesterday. Yesterday all of this hit me and I had this
feeling that as hard as we have all tried, time beats us and I could not stop Debbie
from losing an eye. I just wondered what Deb will lose next.
This morning Amber, Krystal and I all worked together and got Debbie off to the
hospital. Debbie was so calm and she did not even have any meds or food. I picked
up Debbie and laid her on the hospital bed. Amber helped me and we got Debbie into
a gown. As long as I was with Debbie she was so calm Debbie’s right hand did not
even have a tremor. Debbie was staying so calm the nurses thought Debbie was
always this calm. I told them to put an IV in Debbie’s right they would need to tape
Debbie’s right arm to a board first. Still after two hours prep Debbie was still calm
when they rolled her to the OR and still no extra meds.
They said Debbie did great with very little meds. They got me back to be with Debbie
in the recovery room. Debbie was awake, no shaking and her right eye was open. I
leaned over to listen if there was a rattle in her throat and to my surprise Debbie raised
her head 2” and gave me a kiss on her cheek. Debbie’s oxygen level never got below
95 and all vitals were good. By 5:30 pm we were on our way home. Debbie did great
all day and started to shake on the way home. We went to bed around 9 pm Deb and
every one had a big day. I can not tell if Debbie knows about her left eye she is not
reaching up with her right hand so there must not be any pain. The only surprise I had
was when I sat Deb up to get her shirt on blood ran out of her left eye. The nurse said
this was ok and would get better with time.

June 27, 2006
Jerrall-
This morning Deb was awake at 4am when I changes Deb’s depends. Deb appeared
hungry. So I gave Deb extra food, and meds. Debbie went back to sleep
And I got up and started getting for our journey to the people meeting to so there will
not be any issues tomorrow.

June 26, 2006
Jerrall-
To night Debbie and I are sitting on the screen porch watching it rain. Debbie is really
with us she wants us to know so she keeps smiling often. Debbie is not turning her
head but Deb is able raise and lower. To day we went to the Ear, Nose and Throat
Doctor to check on Debs extra secretions. Dr Gibson knew what we were talking about
and said lets start with this type of med and see where we go from here.
Debbie got home in time to even do a PT session with Brian. Debbie has really missed
Brian because he has been on vacation last week. PT is Debs favorite therapy Deb
tries so hard to stand on her own. Debbie used to walk 3 miles a day 5days a week.
It is so good to see one leg transfers even though Debbie can not talk she still knows
what you are saying.

Amber-
Today mom had another moment when she was completely still. I got to curl up behind
her while she laid on her side. It felt so good to hold onto her. She practiced sitting
balance 3 times today. Each time went very well. When PT came and worked on
sitting balance he told her how great she was doing. He let go for most of the time.
She was doing it on her own. He added that she did well the entire session. For the
second time in 2 weeks mom moved her left leg for me. The movement was small, but
it counts. She also wiggled her left toes. I enjoyed seeing her smile 2 times today.
One smile was when I smiled at her and asked if she was doing ok, the other was when
I told dad she smiled at me and she did it again.

June 25, 2006          Sunday
Jerrall-
Deb went to sleep around 1:30 am and woke up at 7 am and only one time Deb
needed suction. All of this is great except last night when I laid Deb down she was
setting in her chair as usual.   Once in bed Debbie was really mad about something. I
asked Deb if she was tired and Deb shrugged her shoulder she did not know. I
explained what we were doing and Deb seemed to be ok with the program. Normally
Amber is on one side and I am on the other. Tonight alone I can only work one side at
a time so I got Deb elevated and covered up. I though Deb should eat and meds first
then I could put on all of Deb’s braces. As soon as I went to the other side of the bed
for Deb to eat and have meds and Debbie got wild. Debbie was trying to pull her self
up on her right side and get out of bed. I was keeping Deb in her bed and the madder
she was becoming. Debbie was trying to talk, more like yell but no words were coming
out of her mouth. I went back to the other side of the bed and cleaned out Debbie’s
mouth again. After 20 minuets Debbie was calm so we could meds and food again.
For the last two weeks when Deb eats she can feel the food going into her stomach via
her peg tube. This is not what I need to night Deb made her tube bleed It was all I
could do keeping Deb from pulling out her peg tube. Debbie had a lot of emotions on
her face to night. After an hour of Deb in the dark showing me things to finally she
went to sleep.
Today is a rainy day so we had to stay inside. No waterfall trip maybe soon. Debbie
has been extra quite today and little right hand movement. Right now Deb is in the
den on the black mat looking out the window as the sun goes down. Deb has had a
peaceful day and has no idea what Wednesday will bring. I don’t think Deb’s eye
patch will be as bad as the waking up from sedation.

Amber-
Missing someone is hard. Mom is here but since she can not talk, laugh, joke, or just
be her old self you begin to miss the old times. We are blessed to have the time we do
have together. I never want to forget her laugh. I remember her laughing or smiling all
the time. She is the most wonderful person you could ever meet.
She can remember phone numbers for 20 year and spell any word in the English
language. Last night I cried for an hour or so, missing mom. You can love someone
with all your heart, but it does not change the fact that they are hurt. Mom is getting
better in lots of areas and weaker in just a few areas. She is strong at heart and has
always been a fighter. I laid in bed for hours daydreaming of the past. How mom used
to hold my hand at night to get me to sleep when I was little. We always talked, and
hung out. She helped so many people with their problems and always seems to have
the answer. It is hard everyday to go on just as nothing has happened that your mom
is not seriously hurt and no one just makes it all better. She will one day walk and talk,
but first she must make the difficult journey. I know when she is healed that this will all
seem like a dream. Most people see me work, help mom, and go on. I do not think
they know I am sadden each day that I can not help my mom more. You walk around
feeling guilty that you can, walk, talk, express yourself, eat, and make new memories.
You try not to ask why, but you sure wonder how is this going to work out. How it is
that great people or anyone gets hurt so badly. How fair is it, life may not be fair but
you always think this can not be real. I remember when dad and I used to dream each
night for about a year that this was a dream, wake up and go in mom’s room to see it
was not. How bad that hurt, it was reliving the first day over and over for 365 days. I
remember so much about my mom, I miss her so much and I try not to get depressed,
that will not help mom. The last year has been the hardest as far as seeing her have
to fight so hard. I have bad dreams every night that someone is trying to take my mom
or sister and I protect them all night. In turn my sleep is worthless, I found 6 hours of
straight sleep helps but there must not be bad dreams. Unfortunately you can not just
make up on sleep. I think both dad and I get so tired we could or do throw up. I know
for a fact that if dad and I could get 6 hours of dreamless sleep every night we could
help mom so much more in therapy. She deserves so much. The best thing about a
sit to stand transfer is that I get to hold her close. At the end I can wrap my arms
around her and hug her. On Saturday, yesterday mom was lying on the mat for a bit
and was total calm for 5-10 minutes. Her right hand was not even moving. I got the
chance to lie beside her and hold on with me left arm. We cuddled for about 5
minutes. I will hold on to that one moment for some time. I love her so much. It is true
when you work in health care you automatically harden your feelings. You have to
cause if you think of the sad things you can not help anyone. Life is what it is, you
have to move on and work hard to make a difference in mom’s life. Most every night I
go to bed crying, but it is better to get that out by yourself so mom does not know you
can get down. She is so positive and believes in the power of positive thinking. It is
almost like war you arrive, work, and become a machine. If your emotions surface you
die or someone else does. I must stop writing or I will fill the entire page. I love you
mom and believe in you.

June 24, 2006
Amber-
Today mom did 2 amazing sit to stands with me. I know her and Bryan had the best
stand ever the other week, theirs was the longest time ever. I think the 2 stands mom
did today were her strongest. She held her leg firm and kept is straight. She was
sturdy in her position. It felt great.

June 22, 2006
Jerrall-
Deb slept well last night I only had to clear her air way with suction 4 times. Amber
worked with Debbie most of the day and when Krystal got home Deb was up on the
standing frame for 25 minutes. Every time I saw Debbie today she was calm and may
be tired. Tonight Debbie, Amber and I went to the mall for a couple of hours. The
indoor and the out door water fountain really caught her attention.

June 21, 2006
Jerrall-
Knowing this day will come for over a year does not make today any easier. The eye
surgeon said next Wednesday the 28th at noon Debbie will be put to sleep and her left
eye will be sewn shut. This is for the best but there is always a problem with a brain
injury patient waking up and even more of an issue of restpertory failure. Amber,
Krystal, and I are so lucky that Debbie awoke from a coma and could see with both
eyes for 3 years. I took Deb to the ocean last week thinking it might be her last time to
see the water. If you only had 6 day to see out of both eyes I wonder what Debbie
would like to see. Debbie has therapy until Friday night. But Saturday I want to take
her to the mountains and let Debbie set by a river and waterfall for a few hours.
Monday Deb has therapy again. No one has the answer to every question; I find the
only way I have made this journey for the last 3 years is to take each day as if it was
our last and one day at a time. I know Debbie will learn to make it with only one eye
the brain is amazing part of our body. Over the last three years we have tried eye
patches, E-Stem, acupuncture, and eye lube. Debbie has a closed head injury but the
man’s bumper hit her on her left temple affecting the nerves to her eye lid. Beside
over coming a brain injury. Now that Debbie is more a wear of her surroundings I can
tell what extra I need to work on and how much the other car crushed Debbie’s left
side. Debbie is a strong willed person and we talk all the time about focus on what
works instead of what does not. Again I am so lucky to have this time with Debbie
instead of going to a funeral.
Tonight as Debbie watches TV while I write this she reached out and is holding on to
my fingers. When we travel I put Debbie in the truck and we drive at night and when
Debbie wakes up and she is some where else and it takes a couple of day for her to
truss me again. After next Wednesday I wonder if she will every trust me again.

June 20, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie slept well last night from 11:30 pm until 6:30 am. It was also shower night
which always relaxes Deb. During the night Deb needed her mouth cleaned 5 or 6
times and she did not wake up. Even at 4 am when I changed her depends she did
not wake up. I am still so tired from the trip I could not get up at 6:30 am so I got in bed
with Deb and she let me sleep a little longer. At 10 am Amber worked with Deb while I
got a couple more hours of sleep. When I do not have to listen for Debbie’s breathing
a couple of hours is like 8 hours.
Note: At 4 am while Deb was still asleep she had a salvia issue and it was not due to
pain or stimuli. It is a Nero issue and has not happened lately. No one has the answer
after they see the pictures of this issue. The left eye, saliva, and tremors are all
connected only time will tell. Tomorrow at the eye surgeon we will talk about this Nero
issue and will sewing Deb’s left eye shut really solve the problem.
This morning when I got Deb up and into her chair I told Debbie I love you so much
and to my surprise Deb reached out with her right arm grabbed my neck, pulled me
down, and gave me a huge hug. Little things like that tell me Deb is inside of there
more and more each day.
Debbie has had a good day with no extra meds. Only one time has Deb been upset
and it was that she needed her mouth cleaned. When someone can not talk it takes
time to under stand what the issue. In Debs case we try everything before Deb gets
extra meds. Extra meds suppress cognition and affect therapy.
Note: since we have got back from the trip I have noticed no tremors in right arm or
hand and only a slight tremor in Debbie’s tongue. I have been told that the brain can
heal to a degree if given enough time (YEARS). To night we are starting Deb not
taking any more Diazepam. Last week we took away the Elavil with no side affects.
We will wait a week a week and then try stopping Propranolol.

June 19, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie woke up at 1 am and I changed her depends. This was one of those nights
where Debbie would naps but we did not sleep more than 3 hours all night. I am glad
this does not happen very often.

June 18, 2006
Jerrall-
I have learned so much about Debbie and our family the last week. The last week has
broken up the cycle we were stuck in. Debbie did not know where she was until our
last day at the Outer Banks. We all had a picnic on the beach and Debbie was a wear
of her surroundings. When I put water on Debbie’s feet to wash off the sand she
jumped with both feet, it must have been to cold. But it was great to see feeling in both
feet.
Debbie’s favorite place to go was the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Spring, summer,
and fall anytime was a good time to take a break. Debbie was getting ready for a trip
when the accident occurred. The first year we did not go any where just did therapy.
In 2004 I took Debbie three times and she was still a sleep most of the time. I laid a
piece of plywood on the sand and Deb’s wheel chair on top. I could carry Deb from the
truck to her chair and Deb could sit and listen and watch the ocean. In 2005 we went
only one time. I found the more Deb woke up the harder it is for Debbie to be over
stimulated. This trip in 2006 might be our last trip until Deb can be on everyday. This
trip Debbie would put her head down and close her eyes every time we went out on the
beach. The type of home, car or material things do not make a difference to Debbie at
this point of recovery. Since Debbie has been home she wants to enter react with her
surroundings. I am glad we went but from now on 3 hour driving time limit and 3 days a
way limit. Charleston, Sc and the Smokey Mountains are still possible.
This week we will have to pick a case manager and decide on Wednesday about
sewing Deb’s left eye closed. Also Deb will have to be ready for therapy every day.
Debbie has slept well every night except one which is better than at home. Debbie has
not wanted her left eye taped shut this week and it is still vary red. Until some thing
like this happens, you never think or realize how many people lives Debbie has
touched. We took 2 trucks packed full be able to take Debbie on this long of journey.
We took Deb’s hospital bed, our shower chair. Also took all of the blankets, braces
and standing frame.
I want to thank every one for making this trip happen.

June 17, 2006
Amber-
Mom and I were sitting on the mat and she was sitting straight up. I asked her for a
kiss and she put her lips together and leaned to me very fast. She ran into my lips for
a fast kiss and sit back up. It was so cute. She has done this before but it is great
every time.

June 13, 2006
Jerrall-
Today has been a very hard day. Deb only slept 2 hours last night. At 5:30 am I asked
Amber to watch Deb so I could get a couple of hours sleep. One thing about all of this
you learn to sleep when Deb does and when she does not sleep if you are alone you
learn to sleep holding on to Debbie because she can not ever be left a lone. The
problem is Deb’s left eye. Next Wednesday week we go to eye surgeon. If Debbie is
happier with her left eye sewn together it still will not make the decision any easier. Dr.
Hammond told me patients that could talk said they wanted their eye sewn together.
Deb and I have spent the whole day inside. I hope I can get her back to the beach
before we leave.
Debbie can not make any choices in her life. Sunsets; the Moon and hopefully the
Ocean will get Deb’s attention. It does not matter if you have a new car or a beautiful
home or any other material things. At this point of recovery it is most important for
Debbie to be able to shallow, breath and control her bowels.
Tonight I gave Deb a back rub after and she fell asleep. I hated to wake her up! But
tonight is # 2 night.

June 12, 2006
Jerrall-
Took Debbie out on the beach today but she was keeping both eyes closed. Today
was a very hard day for Debbie but I am still glad we came to the ocean. Deb slept
well last night.

June 11, 2006
Jerrall-
Tonight we took Debbie out on the beach and watched the sunset. We stayed an hour
longer and saw a full red moon rise over the ocean just like old times.

June 10, 2006
Amber-
We will be returning on June 19th. I will update post at that time.

June 9, 2006
Amber-
Tonight mom was giving out kisses. If we asked for a kiss she puckered up and leaned
to kiss us. Wow what a feeling. She is so wonderful.

June 8, 2006
Jerrall-
Today should be a day to be happy Debbie got a letter in the mail approving her for a
case manager that will come up with a long term plan for Debbie’s recovery. I have
worked on this day for 10 months. Instead I am so sad all of the plans we made for 28
years will never be possible now. These feelings are not every day but when I have to
think or plan for the new future I realize how much we have both lost.

June 7, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie seams to be in a cycle where she goes to sleep about midnight and wakes up
9-10 am. Debbie’s bathroom uses are consistent day or night. Deb is still tight when I
get her up out of the bed as if the baclofen level is too low in the morning. Deb is still
trying to talk at bedtime and is uncertain of what happened before lunch. Hopefully
since the meds have been lowered and this pattern continues Deb can go forward
from here.

Amber-
Mom was calm all day. She did speech with me this morning and she did our "names"
and "yes" and "no" well. Mom was not participating much with the OT, but you could
tell she was trying so hard. When Susanne asked her to look up, hold your head up
mom would put her head more down verses looking at the top of the wall. Mom has
been using her voice more each day. Her "voice" is mouthing or whispering. She
does this so fast that you have trouble making out her words. But I do love seeing her
try. Her real voice is just around the corner.

June 6, 2006
Jerrall-
Today was one of the most important days of Debbie’s recovery. Sally if you read this
Debbie is doing great but was too tired to go to the meeting tonight after her full day.
Debbie had a 9 am appointment for a nerosych exam and a speech session.

June 5, 2006
Jerrall-
Debbie slept well last night and was up by 7:30am and was calm. For the last week
Deb has been calm with little suction needs. Debbie still can not roll over but at least
Deb keeps trying. With more cognition also comes realizing some thing has happened
and where do we go from here. Today I felt closer to Deb than usual and I see how
much she counts on me to make the right decisions. Tomorrow Deb has a nero psyc
evaluation, then speech, then rest and at 7 pm a support meeting. I am so used to our
life style that I think it is normal to pick Deb up and carry her where she needs to go.
But the looks we get it is hard to feel like we belong. Deb and Krystal got to set out
side until sunset it is indescribable how Deb looks a round like it is the first time to ever
be out side.

Amber-
Mom and I started our day together at 7:30 am. At 9 am she did flash cards with me
great. She used her whisper voice. At 12 Bryan, PT, came in and said hello to mom.
In response she smiled and when he asked how she was doing she took her hand out
of the covers and gave a thumbs up. How exciting is this???   I have not seen her do
this in a year. He had her practice sit to stand beside the table. She uses the table to
hold onto for balance when she is resting on the edge of the chair. She was sitting on
the edge of the chair and put her hand on the table by herself. She then bent her arm
to have her elbow on the table and her hand made into a fist, putting it against her
check. It was as if she was supporting her head on her hand, like many people do
when they are taking a test. He said she had great balance with her sitting. He also
said she was communicating good. This was the first time I have ever heard him say
this. The best thing about the session was mom’s last stand. She stood and Bryan let
go of her knees like always and was able to let her hold her own on both legs!!! This
was longest mom has ever stood on her own. He is holding onto her if she needs him.
She was doing great. Best stand ever. She is on her way.

June 4, 2006
Jerrall-
Sunday, this morning Debbie slept in until 9:30 am. I wish I had the answer with extra
meds Debbie will sleep but it affects her ability to do therapy. At what time in recovery
do meds need to be adjusted? Today was another calm day for Debbie we went over
to Debbie’s friend’s house Gerald and Helens. We all had a great day together.
Krystal also called and came over to visit. I never go out to eat any more but Gerald
took us to Chilies this is a first. To night we are back at home and Debbie is still calm
with out extra meds now lets see if Deb will go to sleep.

June 3, 2006
Jerrall-
This is the first time in three years I have not goon back to bed after changing Debbie
at 5 am. Instead I came out on the screen porch and heard all of the birds getting
ready for there day. I thought I would make Krystal breakfast as if it was Sunday.
Deb had a ruff night after her shower she did not want to go to sleep. It could have
been her left eye, or the decrease in meds. Around two am I got in bed with Debbie
and this calmed her down. At 4:30 am I got up out of Deb’s bed changed her depends
and repositions her. Deb went back to sleep and I went to the kitchen to make
breakfast for Krystal. This morning it is so fresh out side. It is know 7:30 am breakfast
is ready and every one is still a sleep. I keep checking on Deb and thank god I did she
needed a little suction to clear her air way. Debbie is still a sleep I knows she needs
the rest. At 10:30 am Amber and Debbie got up ready to start there day.
At 3:30 this afternoon all four of us tried the stationary bike again. I hold Deb in her
seat, Kris, and Am work Debs legs. After a half hour Debbie’s legs are like rubber.
Amber and Krystal also did standing frame for a 1/2hour.
I am starting to learn how to get sleep. At 4 pm I was so tired that I lay Deb in her bed
and I lay down with her Debs legs over mine. Deb did not sleep but she was not alone
and I could still get some rest. If Deb is calm to night and if Deb wants to go to the mall
we will go. Debbie, Krystal, and I went to the mall tonight to look for bathing suits for
Krystal. We found a great top foe Deb but Amber will have to make that decision. This
was the calmest I have seen Debbie in a few mouths. Before Amber left for the week
end she taped Debbie’s eye shut for me. At the mall Debbie wore her eye patch and
that was the only difference for Debbie is, to be so calm. Krystal said tonight I should
take Deb back to the eye doctor next week instead of waiting two more weeks. To
night Krystal, Debbie, and I went to the mall again I can not remember when Debbie
has been calmer. To night when we got home Debbie went to sleep by 12:30 am
which is great.

June 2, 2006
Jerrall-
Deb went to sleep at 12:30 am and did not get up until 9:30 am which is good except
while I was waiting that last hour for Deb to wake up her throat was filling with salvia.
When I heard that rattle noise I knew what to do. I have heard others call it a death
rattle but if you stay calm and let gravity work with you it will be ok. After I got Deb’s
airway cleared I got her up in her chair. Not to say every thing is ok, not to be able to
breath when you first wake up would scare any one. It took all day to get Deb to trust
us and calm down with out extra meds. This made it hard for OT, PT today. It is the
weekend and Deb will get a bath tonight hopefully Deb will also sleep well tonight. At 5:
30 pm Amber taped Deb eye closed and Debbie completely relaxed.

Amber-
Although mom was tight this morning mom was able to sit on the mat with Bryan, the
PT. She was having a hard time with him so he sat behind her. He had his hands on
her hips and if she leaned back he had his thumbs there to make pressure on her
back. She felt this and would correct herself as if he was just showing her the
boundaries. She did well and became tired. Bryan asked if she was tired and she
shook her head yes clearly.

June 1, 2006
Jerrall-
Today was a great day with a lot of things going on. It is hard to explain, it is 7 pm and
Deb is lying on the mat beside me resting and the girls are in the floor putting together
a stationary bicycle for her to try. Being out today and it being summer time every
where I look, I see what Deb is missing out on. It is so hard not to just go to bed and
hope all of this will go away like a bad dream. Not always but some days are harder
than others.
I am not for sure when Deb went to sleep last night but it was around 1:30 am. I have
been waking up around 2 to 3 am and Debbie has been doing great a deep breathing
pattern. Deb has only needed changed once during the night which helps. At 6 am I
asked Amber to change beds so I could get a couple of hours sleep before therapy.
At 8 am I heard Amber having trouble with Deb and getting dressed. I got up and
helped Am and Deb get up into her wheelchair. This is one lift that is too much for
Amber.
This morning Deb got to meet her new speech therapist. Change is hard for me but
everyone has a different way at look at things. I asked Am how things went and she
said this therapist thought she could help Deb. No one can ask more than that. This
therapist wants us to work on muscle and tongue control and she wants to work on
flash cards. Am said something about Deb saying or nodding yes to a card that said
pain and then from that answer more cards that say where the pain is coming from. If
Deb can communicate this can make all the difference in Deb’s quality of recovery.
Next Debbie had a check up with primary care Doc. Everything was great. Next we
met Amber at the mall to get a stationary bike for Deb.
Tonight Am, Kris, Deb and I worked on the bike for an ½ hour. When we finished
Debbie’s legs were so loose as could be. Deb may have pushed by her self a couple
times but just going through the motion I can tell a difference. When I took Deb off the
bike and lay her on the mat Deb kept pushing a few times as if she was still on the
bike. It was great but I told the girls if any one sees this they will think we are crazy.
They replied this is our family time.