On the Move

Apologies for the long wait for today's post - it's been a crazy week! Here are just a few tidbits about Jamie's progress. 

1.  Jamie passed a milestone during PT on Saturday - she did her entire walk without sitting and resting in her wheelchair! The walking took the whole 1/2 hour, and her therapist estimated the distance walked to be about 500 yards! We walked to the Cafeteria, then down the hall to an entirely different part of the hospital, all the way to surgical admitting.  Jamie didn't want surgery, so we turned around and came back.  She did rest on a ledge about halfway way, but she was standing up the whole time! It was really neat to see.  She also did a good job of talking during the walking, and was able to hold bits and pieces of conversation as we walked.  When we turned around to come back, I was walking in front of her, evidently too slow, and she stepped on the back of my shoe.  I said "Jamie! You just gave me a flat tire!" She started laughing and said "Yep, flat tire!" It was pretty funny :)

2.  During the week, Jamie was much improved in physical therapy.  In past weeks, it has been a bit of a struggle to get her up and about for PT, and if we do, she has been a bit grumpy about it.  It seems that last week and this week has been much smoother.  When everything is explained well and she understands what is going on and has enough energy, she is ready and willing (and sometimes excited) to participate in PT.  The second round of PT (either late morning or early afternoon) is generally tougher.  This doesn't really come as a surprise to us given the fact that her mornings are pretty packed with breakfast, speech, occupational, physical therapies and then lunch.  Friday she had a really neat day in her morning PT session. The following is from an email Sarah sent after being at the hospital on Friday: (Sonia is Jamie's main physical therapist)

When 10:30 rolled around, Jamie happily good back out of bed for PT. When I told her she had PT, she said "yay. that's fun!!!" Honestly! And in a happy-sounding voice. I nearly fell over I was so excited! Sonia, Jamie, and I walked to the cafeteria and Jamie pushed in every chair that was out of place. Sonia was so impressed with Jamie's balance during this activity. It really was amazing to watch. She even did these nifty things where she'd push in a chair as she was walking away (like, behind her back!). And then she wiped down the tables, including with her left hand! We cruised the hospital a while longer and when offered a place to sit down, Jamie said no thanks; let's keep going! The morning ended out on the patio in the warm sun. Perfection.

3.  Meals are still not perfect, but it is my impression, both from when I'm there and from what others are saying that she is slowly and surely getting better. At lunch on Saturday, Jamie ate about 70-80% of her plate, with a lot less help and intervention from us.  Right now, we do need to prompt her a bit to get her to eat, so the next step and prayer request is for Jamie to feed herself and not need any assistance.  This is obviously good for her health, but also for her independence.  We think Jamie is becoming more and more aware of her limitations, so the more she can do on her own - the better!

4.  Jamie had her first out-of-hospital activity!! Yesterday afternoon she took a little field trip to the park and Jamba Juice.  J wasn't really digging the park that much, and I get the impression that it had a bit to do with it being fairly crowded.  She also made a comment on the way to the park about being "bored and disabled.":(  When they got to the park, J wasn't interested in getting out of the car. She said there were people there. We offered to not use the wheelchair and we could just walk around the park, but unfortunately no-go.

However, Jamba Juice was a totally different story!! Our girl was very into it, and when Sarah gave her drink suggestions, she immediately picked Mango Mantra.  Her rec therapist told her she could order from the girl at the counter, and although it wasn't 100% perfect, it sounds like she got her point across.  Jamie was given $8, a five dollar bill and three one dollar bills.  When the total came to $3.45, she pulled out only the $5 bill and handed it over! The girl asked what her name was and J said "why do you need to know?!" Sarah explained that they take your name for your order, and Jamie was okay with that :) They drank their smoothies outside and Jamie seemed relaxed and not at all concerned with the people around us.

5.  Discussions and research are underway for Jamie's next step in recovery.  I think I've mentioned before that the doctors have set a discharge date for Jamie in the near future.  This is both exciting and stressful.  There are several options that we can look at for Jamie's next step in recovery, and we want to make sure that we make the decision that's best for Jamie.  Please help us and pray for our wisdom, and that the right opportunities present themselves, and that God is clear in guiding us the way we should. 

Overall its been a busy, positive few weeks.  Jamie continues to get stronger and more aware.  I can really see an improvement in ability to participate in the back and forth of conversation.  Instead of just giving one word answers, she is able to respond and ask YOU follow up questions.  Its really neat to see, and so encouraging to see the little baby steps. 

I know that's not nearly enough information for you all out there, and there are tons of little stories throughout each of Jamie's day, so I will try and do a better job of blogging as soon as I can!

Love, Us. 

Lamentations 3:22-24
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.