To those of you you have tried leaving a blog post/comment and it hasn't worked out for you, see if these tips help.
-Click on the the word "comment", it is in green at the bottom of each post.
-Then write your comment in the box to the right and sign your name.
-Below this box are 3 options for posting:
1. Google/Blogger name (only few people have blogger names).
2. Other (you can put your name in and leave the web part blank).
3. Anonymous (make sure you have signed your name to the bottom of your note in the box where your note is).
Hope this helps!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Another Swallow Test
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
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
Saturday, October 27, 2007
7 Weeks
Good Morning,
This week was a really good week again. Every day there is obvious progress!
Ryan's Grandma Foss visits weekly and is always so surprised at how much more she is doing.
Now for specifics:
SPEECH
This week, in answer to prayer, she is able to speak more clearly.
Her lip, cheek, tongue, neck muscles have relaxed and come more up to speed. When she tries to tell us something, she first tries to say it and then uses her Lightwriter DECtalk tool if we cannot 'get it'.
WALKING
Yesterday, Friday, she was able to walk 40 steps 3 x's = 120 steps in one session. At the end of 40 steps she would sit in the wheelchair for 3 or 4 minutes and then go again. Her right leg was able to lift some enough to take each step. You know, if one leg drags heavy, kinda hard to walk.
SITTING
When situated, Rachel is able to sit by herself; her balance is good.
PERSONAL CARE
No catheter, no trach. no diaper,and no accidents!
100 % dependant on others for her needs - she can brush her own teeth and blow her nose!
Her goal this week is get the stomach feed tube out.
ATTITUDE
She is known as the happiest patient that a lot of the nurses have ever seen. Rachel still has some tears (of course) but she is quick to smile and laugh. At the beginning of the week I asked her if at any time during this event she had wished she had died. This question took courage on my part to ask because of the unknown answer. Rachel adamantly shook her head 'no' and said 'no'.
The Family
Some may wonder if our home is mayhem with me being with Rachel in
On arriving home each week, I am greeted with smiles, the house is in order, and I am ready for a cup of coffee. Family is a blessing! We just watch and wait each week to see how God is working to heal Rachel and through this touch lives! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
Rachel wants you to feel blessed if you are able to eat without a bib!!
WHAT TO PRAY FOR SPECIFICALLY
Her speech and swallow! Wednesday she has a swallow test. If she passes this endoscope through the nostril test, she will get to graduate from pureed food to something appealing to the eye....yeah. Oh for the simple things in life!
With love,
P.S. I am not overwhelmed with emails in my inbox.....if you feel compelled to email me, please do! Would love to hear from you whether I know you or not. (email is listed with the addresses on the right)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Today's Update
Today is Wednesday....time for an update.
We are so encourage by everyone's interest and prayers. We are also encouraged by this week's wonderful weather. I spend Tuesdays through Saturday morning with Rachel, usually with one or two of Rachel's sisters or brothers with me. Last week Julia (21) and Emily (13) were here. This week Micah (9) is with me. He brought his roller blades and school books. Being from the country, he enjoys the sidewalks.
We are so encourage by everyone's interest and prayers. We are also encouraged by this week's wonderful weather. I spend Tuesdays through Saturday morning with Rachel, usually with one or two of Rachel's sisters or brothers with me. Last week Julia (21) and Emily (13) were here. This week Micah (9) is with me. He brought his roller blades and school books. Being from the country, he enjoys the sidewalks.
After 3 days being away, I continue to see Rachel's strength improve which means her posture, eating, breathing, speaking and moving from bed to wheelchair and back is getting easier, but still with two assisting. Being 5'11", she pretty well towers over most nurses or therapists.
From my point of view, she is making good progress daily. The therapists all remark at how full her schedule is. She is busy. This makes these days go fast. Her day starts at 7:30 with her first therapy at 8:00. Two breaks. Her day then ends at 3:30. Supper is at 6:30.
From Rachel's point of view she continues to wonder 'how long' will she be here OR be like this? My answers vary. Today I said to her that she would be here until........then I stopped and asked her to fill in the blank. She looked at me and started to cry.
Actually, she has cried off and on all day. Then she types to me on this voiced mini keyboard (a wonderful tool) that she hates crying like this. She feels she is a crying time bomb. Rachel said she has never cried like this before. Having read stories of people in physically challenged situations who wished they were dead.........I did muster up the courage to ask her if she had ever wished that. She quickly and assuredly shook her head 'NO!'
I do wonder what all she thinks about. Her overall attitude is very cheerful -laughing a lot. But as each day melts into the next, she indicates she is just wondering how long. She is especially sensitive when people mention the day's date or the time of year.
Today she blew her nose by herself for the first time! And in Physical Therapy, she walked 50 steps, that is with 2 people at her side. Rachel's right foot has a difficult time moving forward, so someone helps that leg along. She can bare her weight on each leg as the other one moves forward.
Today she blew her nose by herself for the first time! And in Physical Therapy, she walked 50 steps, that is with 2 people at her side. Rachel's right foot has a difficult time moving forward, so someone helps that leg along. She can bare her weight on each leg as the other one moves forward.
The verse for this week for me is I Corinthians 2:9: "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has the mind imagined what God has in store for those who love Him."
Thanks for your prayers, thoughts, & generosity!
Crystal
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Count It All Joy
Good Morning Friends,
Another day at Madonna and so glad to be here. The staff, nurses, therapists and Doctor Zeng are great....easy to get along with and cheerful to boot. Plus our prayer was answered for a house to open up for us to stay here at Madonna, within walking distance.
So...............How is Rachel? Good question. I ponder how to answer. When people come to visit her for the first time, they tear up even though they trying to be brave, Then they tell her how wonderful she looks.
Comparing her progress from the night of September 6th (the ER and surgery) to now....Rachel is doing great.
Comparing Rachel now to how she was September 5th, just 3 days before her wedding -well, she is challenged to the max in every aspect. She remains cheerful. The nurses all remark at how easy she laughs and smiles. It's true. And she does continue to add to her bottle of tears that God says we have.
"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." - Psalm 56:8
"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." - Psalm 56:8
But, all in all, we have much to be thankful for.........her vision, hearing, thinking, memory, touch sensations are great.
She has movement and feeling in all four limbs, her heart ticks right along with blood pressure and rate being great. Digestive system is working and there is obvious progress in all four limbs. Oh yes, and her bladder is working great...no more, well, catheter or diapers.............I mean hey, life here is reduced to simple body function focus! Every lil' improvement in every lil' area gets praise!
On the flip side, she cannot do almost anything for herself. Watching her day by day, I realize more intensely how each day we are given is a gift. The fact that you or I can walk to use the computer, sit in the chair and get up again without assistance or fear of falling.....with that we can rejoice!
Rachel's progress this week is~~much more agility in her right arm!! Go girl! She stands and sits down with two there to assist her and that is getting much easier as each time she is able to give herself some 'oomf' to help get up and she doesn't just plop down......she is gaining control.
With each eating session (she says eating is just another therapy session) she uses her right hand as well as her left. She is still eating pureed foods and drinking honey consistency liquids. Have you ever heard of thickened water.....her choices are pudding, honey or nectar consistency, but hey, it is wet. They even offered thickened pop or juices. I have to tell you that the facial expressions of the therapists or nurses are not so convincing that thick liquid is so wonderful.........and Rachel? she is a good sport about it.
Her goal and desire is to have her stomach feeding tube out by the end of October. With this in mind she is very motivated to practice swallowing and I am motivated to massage those muscles that are important in swallowing. Lemon juice triggers swallowing too! Actually, that is what the speech therapist does....swabs the back and sides of her tongue and the roof of her mouth with tart lemon which stimulates her swallow reflex.
For those of you who have been praying, we covet your prayers for Rachel's swallowing, so that it continues to improve beyond expectation -then she can 'get on with other things' ... I just cannot imagine her predicament.
Continue to pray for Rachel's mind that she would be filled with continued courage, determination, and energy.
About every day we hear of some great story of those who have passed through Madonna and have walked out with no signs of having ever been in a helpless state. This is our prayer and vision for Rachel!
We are blessed to have this website that keeps all of you who pray informed so you can continue your prayers.
Today she has 2 therapies and 3 meals.....the rest of the time we will spend outside enjoying the sunshine today. Everyone else in town will be at the Cornhuskers game!!
With a grateful heart,
Crystal Garrison
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Progress Report
Greetings Everyone,
Progress! Lots of progress to report, she's been moving fast here in the past several days. I'm going to report in a 'bullet list' format:
- She can step! She can actually walk 10 steps while holding onto something for stability, and with some assistance with helping her right leg move forward.
- Her facial muscles are getting stronger. Previously, all she could do was smile, but now, she has more control over her expressions, lips, chewing, etc.
- She is working on learning how to brush her own teeth.
- She is working with the physical therapist on sitting upright for 1-2 minutes without any assistance.
- She has been feeding herself with her left hand. Her right hand is still lagging a little, but she can eat with no assistance with her left. Rachel is eating all three meals a day.
- Speaking of eating, right now she is eating 'pureed' food (which is food that has been through a blender), but they are considering upgrading her to a diet of more challenging texture. They will be doing the endoscope (video down her nose) in the next day or two and assess whether her diet can be upgraded.
- Even though she has been given an electronic tool (keyboard) to help with communication, she is required attempt the word or phrase verbally before using that tool so as to encourage vocal strengthening and development. When RuthAnne is around, Rachel will sign letters to her to form words.
- THIS IS THE KICKER - As of right now, Rachel has accomplished many of the goals that were originally set for her for November 14th.
Whew, that's a heckuva list. The bottom line: Rachel has been working her tail off...and it's showing. We're quite grateful that she is progressing so quickly, and only encourages more prayer, even as we see prayers answered.
Today, the family was able to move into a 2 bedroom unit close to the Madonna facility. It has been offered for use of Rachel's friends/family for the duration of her stay at a very discounted price.
I always like to keep these posts 'down to earth', but answered prayer is answered prayer, and at this point, she has more ability than some of the Doctors thought she might EVER regain.
All The Best,
- Josh
Progress! Lots of progress to report, she's been moving fast here in the past several days. I'm going to report in a 'bullet list' format:
- She can step! She can actually walk 10 steps while holding onto something for stability, and with some assistance with helping her right leg move forward.
- Her facial muscles are getting stronger. Previously, all she could do was smile, but now, she has more control over her expressions, lips, chewing, etc.
- She is working on learning how to brush her own teeth.
- She is working with the physical therapist on sitting upright for 1-2 minutes without any assistance.
- She has been feeding herself with her left hand. Her right hand is still lagging a little, but she can eat with no assistance with her left. Rachel is eating all three meals a day.
- Speaking of eating, right now she is eating 'pureed' food (which is food that has been through a blender), but they are considering upgrading her to a diet of more challenging texture. They will be doing the endoscope (video down her nose) in the next day or two and assess whether her diet can be upgraded.
- Even though she has been given an electronic tool (keyboard) to help with communication, she is required attempt the word or phrase verbally before using that tool so as to encourage vocal strengthening and development. When RuthAnne is around, Rachel will sign letters to her to form words.
- THIS IS THE KICKER - As of right now, Rachel has accomplished many of the goals that were originally set for her for November 14th.
Whew, that's a heckuva list. The bottom line: Rachel has been working her tail off...and it's showing. We're quite grateful that she is progressing so quickly, and only encourages more prayer, even as we see prayers answered.
Today, the family was able to move into a 2 bedroom unit close to the Madonna facility. It has been offered for use of Rachel's friends/family for the duration of her stay at a very discounted price.
I always like to keep these posts 'down to earth', but answered prayer is answered prayer, and at this point, she has more ability than some of the Doctors thought she might EVER regain.
All The Best,
- Josh
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