Good afternoon,
I have been gone for two weeks and it is good to be back! Josh and I were in Arizona for business, so this is the first day in 15 days that I have seen Rachel. The longest I have been away from her. She is doing great! All of our prayers and her perseverance is paying off. Rachel is speaking so much. I would estimate that 80% to 90% of what she is saying is understandable. It takes a little bit of hanging out with her to get the hang of how she sounds, but it is easy to pick up. Her voice is airy, so some of the 'th', 'sh', 'st' type sounds are hard. Today she worked on getting the 'd' to sound different from a 'th' or 't' sound.
You can see Rachel trying SO hard to do everything to her best ability. She definitely is not a slacker. On Friday, Rachel will get to walk on a treadmill assisted with a harness. The harness will take off however much weight needed so that Rachel can work on her gait and walk for longer amounts of time without getting worn out. I guess the key is practice, practice...not necessarily strength. Today in Physical Therapy, she walked a least 50 feet and later got in and out of a car. Rachel said that it is weird to be excited or to be told 'good job' in doing things like getting in and out of a car. Or like in Occupational Therapy to be told 'good job' in taking spices out of a cabinet. Doing things that used to be every day type movements to being complimented on doing them. I thought that was interesting that she shared that with me.
Rachel had another Swallow Test today. She got upgraded to the next level. There are 5 levels. She was at the beginner Level 1. And now is at Level 2. Which means she can now have liquids that are nectar consistency, mostly meaning anything that is a bit thicker than water. Drinks would include: shakes, drinkable yogurt, tomato juice, smoothies, etc. Before she could only have liquids that were thick enough to use with a spoon. And her food was upgraded from a complete pureed food diet to a soft food diet. Examples: scrambled eggs, some cereals, soft vegetables, ice cream, pies with only a bottom crust, etc.
Naomi said that the quilt is coming along very nicely and should be done this week! I don't think Rachel knows about it, so we are very excited for her to receive it. I will be taking a picture of it with Rachel when it arrives.
Thanks to everyone supporting us!
RuthAnne
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10 comments:
Rachel
It is so great to hear that speech is coming along. I bet your exicted to be tasting food finally. You are in my prayers.
love Kerri Pollard
I've been the worst friend ever--not making it back to check on you!! I'm so sorry! I still check this website often to find out how you're doing and pray for you. When you're in the middle of this sort of thing time drags and you see little progress, but to those of us on the outside, you're flying, girl!!
Kitt.
I look forward to each update to see how Rachel is coming along. I'm glad to read about the good progress she is making. I admire her diligence and perseverance. Will continue praying that she will very soon be walking, talking, eating and using her arms & hands normally. Vicki Sherman
So glad to hear that so much progress is being seen each and every day! Moving around more and even eating better are such great rewards for your perseverance and diligence - and God's goodness!!! Keep it up!!
Still praying and thinking of you!
Blessings!
Woohoo! Yeah Rachel! The day-to-day perseverance you're showing is inspiring to me, as I'm sure it is to others as well. Keep at it! :)
-Kari (in OR)
It's Heather in Georgia again! I'm excited for the progress and I can't wait to get up and see you guys. Tell Rachel when I come up, we're going to have to watch When Harry Met Sally again.... It's funny now to think about.... The day of the accident, all I could think about was being curled up in a cabin at Summit laughing til we cried and watching that movie. :) I miss you guys and I love you.
Well I'll try again. Dear Rachel, Just want you to know we think about you every day and pray for your speedy recovery. We can only know that God is at work, even if we can't understand. I think the hardest thing we have to do, is accept God's will for our life. Things happen in every family I can think of. The mercy of God gets us through. I'm going to try to come visit you next week, probably Thursday. Love you girl. Grandma W.
Can someone please ask Rachel how many tablespoons are in 1 cup? ha ha... Rachel always amazed me at His Mansion, how she could always calculate teaspoons to cups, ect... So funny!!!
I am so excited to see God answer our prayers! and there was never a doubt in my mind that Rachel would be anything but strong and determined. I am so proud of her! Being an ICU RN I know how far she has come and it's amazing! keep it up and thanks for all the updates I always look forward to getting new updates!
I look forward to each update. I'm so excited that things are going well. I appreciate how hard you are working, Rachel. You keep working and I'll keep praying.
Deanna Allen
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