Mom
stayed with Tracy Friday night and she rested really well. Tiffany is taking
the weekend off by going to the Maryland State Fair to see a friend show cows
and then to the UCF vs. Virginia Tech football game. Our good friend Faith spent Saturday morning with Tracy so Mom
and Dad could find us a new apartment.
They were successful and we will be moving to Crystal Plaza in Crystal
City in about 3 weeks. Tracy had a half
day of therapy on Saturday and was stretched and ranged by Lamar during
PT. During Speech she mouthed
"HI" 5 out of 5 times. All we
need is Tracy to put it all together and she will be talking. She drank 6 ozs
of chocolate protein shake too! Dad
spent Saturday night with Tracy and they slept well. Dad and Mom ranged and stretched Tracy after Mass and spent some
time in the beautiful garden.
I
stayed with Tracy last night and she rested really well despite a pretty scary
lightningstorm! We watched some of the US
Open before bed. During OT, Tracy moved her right arm! She relaxed it
down and then bent it up and put it to her mouth. She had a wash cloth in her
hand (with the help of her OT) and when she couldnt reach her mouth, she picked
up her head and moved it toward her hand! Pretty cool! Tracy had her daily hand
massage out on a mat in the atrium and then was stretched and ranged by Jana.
She was pretty upset during speech and didn't have anything to eat, but she was
very attentive. Tracy went to the Washington Hospital Center across the street
this afternoon for an MRI of her hip, but unfortunately they were unable to do
the procedure. Hopefully we'll get her over there again sometime next week.
Emil also stopped by and gave Trace a much needed massage!
Thursday,
August 28th, 2003 ~ Happy Anniversary Mamaw and Papaw! 49 years!
Dad
stayed with Tracy last night and she slept well. However, she has been pretty
congested today and not feeling well. During OT, Katie showed Mom how to range
and stretch Tracy's shoulders, but Tracy wasn't feeling well. Tracy's J-tube
was supposed to be pulled today, but we are now going to wait until Tuesday,
after the holiday. Tracy had a little bit of apple juice while we were outside
this afternoon enjoying a little sun. During PT, Tracy was ranged and rolled to
her left pretty well, with a little help. She was in the therapy room for PT
and Marlena stretched Tracy's hip while she was on her side. Tracy watched some
of the US Open and rested alot today. Hopefully, she will get some rest this
evening. Tomorrow, Tracy is going to the Washington Hospital Center across the
street to get an MRI of her hip.
Wednesday, August 27th,
2003 ~
Tracy and I had a sleepover
and watched some of the US Open. She slept peacefully through the night. During
OT, Tracy sat up at the edge of the mat with help from her OT, Kate, and worked
on holding her head up. She was pretty sleepy though. They also worked on
Tracy's trunk control and her back muscles. Tracy also had her daily hand and
arm massage with Adrienne and was stretched and ranged on the mat during her
first half hour of PT. During the second half hour we got Tracy up on her
knees, leaning her arms and shoulders onto a round bolster. Tracy handled it
really well and was able to stay in that position for 5-10 minutes! Mom fed
Trace about four ounces of raspberry yogurt smoothie! Tracy's tummy is doing
much better and her J-tube (the feeding tube that goes directly into her
intestines) will be taken out Thurs evening! This is a HUGE step. Now she is
only being fed through a tube in her tummy. If she keeps eating yogurt and
shakes by mouth, at this rate, hopefully the G-tube (the tummy one) can be
pulled too!
Tuesday, August 26th, 2003 ~
Mom stayed with Tracy last
night and Tracy finally went to sleep around 230am. Tracy had a series of xrays
done on her hips, ankles, and knees to follow up on her orthopedic injuries
from being hit by the car. It wasn't a fun morning, but she was a trooper.
During OT, Tracy was pretty sleepy, but she relaxed her left arm and actively
moved it away from her. During PT, I helped range and stretch Tracy. We each
have to show that we know how to do it before they send Tracy home. Trace was
pretty tired during speech, but she had a few bites of coffee icecream and a
few sips of a protein shake. I swear Tracy said "Ma" or
"Mama" again this afternoon and numerous people that work with Tracy
said that they have heard her say "I don't wanna" with a closed,
clenched jaw. Our friends the Grulli's stopped by this evening.
Monday, August 25th, 2003 ~
I stayed with Tracy last night and she was pretty restless. Tracy had a great day of therapy. She was sleepy during speech and had a few sips of chocolate shake. During OT, Tracy moved her left arm! She relaxed it and then flexed it five times. So awesome! During PT, Tracy was prone (on her belly) for 30 minutes. She relaxed her legs and hips on her own and put her leg down onto the mat. Jana, Tracy's PT tech, stretched and ranged Tracy's legs this afternoon. Mom took Tracy outside to enjoy the warm weather for awhile and fed her some chocolate protein shake. Tracy's roommates from Gonzaga in Florence, Christine and Nicole left this morning.
Sunday, August 24th, 2003 ~
Dad stayed with Tracy last night and she slept really well. Mom, Dad, Christine, and Nicole and I took Tracy to Mass this morning in the therapy room at NRH. We then spent awhile outside in the garden. It's so nice out today! Tracy really enjoyed it! Tracy had some yogurt smoothie this morning and then this afternoon Mom fed her some Starbucks' Coffee icecream. Dad and Mom got Tracy on the mat in the atrium and stretched her legs really well. Tracy didn't like it too much, but it's good for her! Nicole brought Tracy a cute stuffed animal and some other gifts along with some pictures and letters. Tracy is really enjoying visiting with her friends! Christine brought a package from Lisa which included pictures and a Gonzaga University tshirt! Thanks! Tracy's roommates from Gonzaga in Florence, Christine and Nicole arrived this afternoon and it's so good to see them. They flew in today from Seattle, WA and are staying until Monday morning.
Saturday, August 23rd, 2003 ~
Dad stayed with Tracy last night and she slept really well. Tracy had a half day of therapy today. During OT, Tracy's arms and shoulders were stretched while she sat in her wheelchair. Tracy was out in the atrium during PT on the therapy mat. Her legs and hips were stretched and then Mom, Dad, and Marlena put Tracy on her tummy (prone) for twenty minutes! Tracy relaxed in this position after awhile and Marlena, Tracy's PT was able to stretch Tracy's hips and legs. Tracy had a few swallows of a Starbucks' frappacino during speech and then Mom fed her a bit more this afternoon. Mom and I took Tracy out to the garden to enjoy the beautiful weather! Tracy's roommates from Gonzaga in Florence, Christine and Nicole arrived this afternoon and it's so good to see them. They flew in today from Seattle, WA and are staying until Monday morning.
Friday, August 22nd, 2003 ~
Tracy and I had a sleepover last night and she slept really peacefully. We showered Tracy this morning during OT in order to check out a new shower chair. Tracy was very sleepy during speech and she was stretched and ranged during PT. We took Tracy to National Naval Medical Center this afternoon. The NRH van drove us over there with Tracy for her orthopedic appointment. We went to get a second opinion concerning Tracy's legs and feet. Tracy's massage therapist came this afternoon and worked on Tracy's muscles. Tomorrow, Tracy's roommates from Gonzaga in Florence, Christine and Nicole are coming for a two day visit! We can't wait to see them!
Thursday, August 21st, 2003 ~
Mom spent the evening with Tracy. Tracy slept peacefully until 3am. Tracy's OT showed me how to stretch Tracy's shoulder and arms. I stretched Tracy's shoulder blade and pecs. Tracy had some yogurt smoothie and apple sauce during speech. Mom also fed her yogurt smoothie this afternoon. Tracy was stretched and ranged during PT in order to keep her legs in tip-top shape. Saturday, Tracy's roommates from Gonzaga in Florence, Christine and Nicole are coming for a two day visit!
Wednesday, August 20th, 2003 ~
Our friend Faith stayed with Tracy last night so Mom, Dad, and I could go out to dinner for my 23rd b'day. She brought Tracy two pairs of cute PJ's! Thanks! Tracy slept peacefully most of the night. During OT, Tracy's tummy wasn't feeling well, so Kate stretched Tracy's arms and shoulders. Kate then helped Tracy sit up at the edge of the mat by leaning her arms on a table. During PT, they pressure mapped Tracy's wheelchair to find the best seat for her. They used a high tech pad that was connected to a computer to see which seat put less pressure on Trace's bottom. Pretty cool! Tracy's tummy was upset during speech and she didn't want anything to eat or drink. Mariette Jones and her friend Ann stopped by today to see Tracy.
Tuesday, August 19th, 2003 ~ Tiffany's B'day
I stayed with Tracy last night and she slept peacefully. During OT this morning, Tracy sat at the edge of the mat with help from Kate, her OT, and held her head up for over five seconds! She did a great job of sitting up! During PT, Mom and Dad helped Marlena stretch Tracy. Mom fed Tracy some yogurt smoothie and Tracy ate about five ounces of it! During speech, Tracy had two bites of apple sauce and some water to wash it down. She also mouthed the word "no" when asked if she wanted more water. Fallon and Ashley Spoto left yesterday! Ashley and her Mom made Tracy a beautiful picture quilt. It's absolutely incredible and was made with such tender loving care. It's definitely something Tracy will treasure forever! Thank you! Our friend Faith is going to stay with Tracy tonight so Mom, Dad, and I can go out for my 23rd b'day. Ashley B. stopped by last night and brought dinner and birthday cake! Tracy also received John Mayer's autograph from my boss at 104.1 FM!
Monday, August 18th, 2003 ~
Mom and Tracy had a peaceful night last night. Tracy was pretty sleepy during OT and her tummy wasn't feeling very well. Tracy's arms and shoulders were stretched and she had a few bites of Mighty Shake during Speech. During PT, Tracy rolled to the left and then to the right with help and her legs were stretched and ranged. Saturday, the Lemon's visited Tracy and brought Tracy 2 dozen pink roses! They are gorgeous. Fallon and Ashley Spoto left today and we REALLY miss them already! Tracy really enjoyed having her best buds here! Ashley and her Mom made Tracy a beautiful picture quilt. It's absolutely incredible and was made with such tender loving care. It's definitely something Tracy will treasure forever! Thank you! Our friend Faith stopped by to learn the ropes and to visit Tracy. She is going to stay with Tracy tomorrow night so Mom, Dad, and I can go out for my 23rd b'day.
Sunday, August 17th, 2003 ~ Seven Months since Injury
Dad stayed with Tracy again last night and they had another good night. Again, Tracy did not have to get any food during the night in her J-tube. She is on her way to getting her J-tube out! Another moumental milestone in her recovery! Fallon, Ashley S., Tiffany, Mom and Dad took Tracy to Mass this morning at NRH. Tracy had no official therapy today, although Mom and Dad stretched and ranged her on the mat. Tracy had five ounces of a Mighty Protein Shake, chocolate of course! Fallon and Ashley S. leave tomorrow. We will REALLY miss them!
Saturday, August 16th, 2003~
Dad stayed with Tracy last night and they seemed to have a pretty good night. Tracy seems to be tolerating her new tube feeding, so she did not have to get any food during the night in her J-tube. This is really good news and gets her a step closer to getting her J-tube out! During PT, Tracy was put in a prone position (on her tummy) for 20 minutes and put weight through her shoulder and arms. She was also able to get a great stretch through her hips, and back. During Speech, Tracy had some of her favorite peach yogurt smoothie. During OT, Tracy did a great job sitting on the edge of the bed, resting her arms on the bedside table. She was able to lift her head and hold it up for over ten seconds in this position, surpassing her goal for this week. Way to go Tracy! The Lemons visited us today on their way to Chicago. It was GREAT to see them!
Friday, August 15, 2003~
Mom stayed with Tracy last night and neither of them slept well. Tracy's stomach seemed to be a little cramped, maybe from the new tube feeding she is now getting. She is really close to getting her J-tube out, which will leave her with only her G-tube in her stomach. During OT, Tracy helped move her arms down onto the mat and said "Aha" to Kate, her therapist. She was stretched and ranged during PT. During Speech, Tracy said "Yes" to Amy her substitute Speech Therapist and had some chocolate protein shake. Aunt Candy and the boys had to abort their train trip from Boston to DC due to the massive power outage in NY and surrounding areas. We are all VERY disappointed! They will try again in October.
Thursday, August 14th, 2003~
Dad stayed with Tracy last night and they both slept well. Tracy sat at the edge of the mat during OT (with help) and leaned her elbows on a table. She held her head up a few times too! Her shoulders and arms were also stretched and Kate put Tracy's wrist splints on. Tracy had some yogurt smoothie and maple and brownsugar oatmeal during speech. She also had some water to wash it all down. This afternoon, Mom fed Tracy a chocolate mighty shake and Trace ate the whole thing. All four ounces! During PT, a wheelchair rep came to visit in order to fit Tracy for her very own chair. Mom, Fallon, and Ashley took Tracy outside for a bit this afternoon. Tracy also said "Mama" today and is trying really hard to say "HI" to her good friends, Fallon and Ashley S. Aunt Candy and the boys come tomorrow via train!
Wednesday, August 13th, 2003 ~
Mom stayed the night with Tracy and Tracy continues to sleep through the night! During speech this morning, Tracy was pretty sleepy, but she had a few sips of water. During OT, Taylor came to visit again! While on the mat, Tracy rolled towards Taylor and put her arm around him (with help). She then rolled to the left and stretched her right arm around him (with help) giving him a big hug. Tracy also helped brush Taylor! Her therapists held her arm but Tracy DID move it up and back a few times on her own! Taylor gave Tracy a bunch of doggy kisses! During PT, Tracy was prone (on her tummy) for about ten minutes and her hips were stretched. Tracy had some peach yogurt smoothie during speech and continues to make progress. She is moving her mouth, tongue and jaw better and better. Fallon and Ashley S. are visiting and Aunt Candy and the boys come Friday! The Dickison Girls stopped by and brought Tracy a balloon, flowers, and brought us all lunch! Thanks!
Tuesday, August 12th, 2003 ~
FYI: The Guest Book was not working accurately over the weekend. If you wrote Tracy a note between Aug 8 and Aug 11, it was not posted. Please feel free to post your note again! Thanks! Tracy and I had a sleepover and she got some much needed rest. Mom, Shelly, and I got Tracy in the shower this morning. She loves the water! During OT, Kate used some massage lotion to really stretch Tracy's muscles in her shoulders, arms, and wrists. Tracy's PT had Mom stretch Tracy's legs and feet and they also had Tracy work on holding her head up. Tracy had a whole carton of vanilla mighty shake (protein shake), which is four ounces! She swallowed it all down and even had some water! She is doing great! Shelly and Chris headed back to Louisiana this evening and Fallon and Ashley S. come tomorrow!
Monday, August 11th, 2003 ~ Happy B'day Caroline!
FYI: The website has not been working and I was unable to update it yesterday. In addition, the Guest Book was not working accurately. It looks like the problem is fixed, however, if you wrote Tracy a note between Aug 8 and Aug 11, it looks like they did not post. Mom stayed with Tracy last night and they both slept well. During OT, Tracy's shoulders and wrists were stretched and Tracy sat up again on the edge of the mat, resting her elbows on a table. She continues to hold her head up longer and longer each time. During speech, Tracy was pretty sleepy, but she had some yogurt and water. During PT, Tracy rolled to the left with minimum help and her hips were stretched. Yesterday, Ernie and Montsie also stopped by to see Tracy! Shelly and Chris are visiting until tomorrow evening and Fallon and Ashley S. come Wed!
Sunday, August 10th, 2003 ~
FYI: The website has not been working and I was unable to update it yesterday. In addition, the Guest Book is not working accurately and I'm trying to figure out the problem. The last ten days are missing and new posts are not being added. Hopefully the problem will be fixed soon. Thank you! Dad stayed with Tracy and she slept well. Mom and Dad took Tracy to Mass and then they took a stroll outside. Shelly and Chris are visiting and we spent the day here with Tracy at NRH. Tracy had some yogurt smoothie and some water too! She is doing so well with eating! Dad stretched Trace to keep her limber and we took Tracy outside again to enjoy the fountain. Ernie and Montsie also stopped by to see Tracy!
Saturday, August 9th, 2003 ~ Mom's Birthday!!!
Tracy and I had a sleepover last night and she slept really well. Tracy had a half day of therapy and during PT she was stretched and ranged. Then she was put on her tummy in order to stretch her hips and back. She was on her tummy (prone) for 20 minutes! During OT, Tracy's arms, wrists and shoulders were stretched and she also sat up at the edge of the mat, leaning her arms on a table. She held her head up for almost 30 seconds on her own! Tracy was pretty sleepy during speech, but Mom fed her some Peach Yogurt Smoothie and she swallowed down a good bit of it. This afternoon, Mom opened all her birthday presents and then we took Tracy outside for awhile. Shelly and Chris arrived this evening and Uncle Johnny and Nana left yesterday afternoon.
Friday, August 8th, 2003 ~
Uncle Johnny stayed with Tracy AGAIN last night. He is such a Saint! Tracy sleeps very well when he is around. Tracy had a late start to therapy and during OT her shoulders were stretched. She also sat at the edge of the mat, leaning her arms on a table and she held her head up for at least 20 seconds! Awesome! She also initiated arching her back. During PT, Tracy was pretty tired, but she worked on pushing her legs out by pushing against her therapists hand. Tracy had some yogurt smoothie during speech and even put her lips around the cup. This morning, Mom fed Tracy some chocolate protein shake. She had about 2 ounces of food in all via mouth. Uncle Johnny and Nana left this afternoon and we miss them already! Hopefully we can go visit them in Florida soon!
Thursday, August 7th, 2003 ~
Tracy had another sleepover with Uncle Johnny last night and they both slept well. During OT this morning, Tracy sat at the edge of the mat in the atrium and leaned on a table with her elbows. She worked on holding her head up and arching her back, however she was pretty sleepy. Tracy had a few ounces of coffee icecream during speech and some water to wash it down. Our friend Michael Nulty stopped by en route to Naples, Italy and Tracy tried so hard to say "hi" to him. She vocalized when asked and made an "h" sound. Tracy's legs, hips, knees, and feet were stretched and ranged during PT and she was in her chair for a few hours. Tuesday, Allison and Leslie from Gonzaga in Florence visited Tracy and brought her a beautiful compilation of notes from all of her GU in Flo friends. Uncle Johnny and Nana leave tomorrow and Shelly and Chris come Saturday from Louisiana.
Wednesday, August 6th, 2003 ~
Uncle Johnny stayed with Tracy again last night and they both got a good night's sleep. He and Nana are such big helps! Tracy was a little sleepy during Speech, yet still managed to drink about an ounce and a half of yogurt smoothie! During PT, Tracy was ranged and stretched to keep her flexible. She continues to work hard and is slowly lifting her legs against gravity! During OT, Tracy practiced turning the radio off and on by activating a switch by turning her head to the right. In the afternoon, PT and OT co-treated and helped Tracy with using her trunk muscles to pull herself up on the side of the bed. While sitting up, Tracy leaned on a table with her elbows and held her head up a little longer than 10 seconds! In this position, she gave Tiffany a kiss on the cheek and looked at a poster of an H2 Hummer! She also mouthed the word "yes" twice today!
Tuesday, August 5th, 2003 ~
Where there is great love, there are always miracles." --Willa CatherUncle Johnny stayed with Tracy last night. She was in good hands. Not too many people have a Priest for an Uncle! We showered Tracy this morning for her outing today. Nana, Uncle Johnny, Mom and I, along with Tracy's therapists, went to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception today! It's right up the street from NRH and Tracy really enjoyed it. During PT, Tracy actively did a leg lift with her left leg! She also had a very inspirational visit from a prior NRH patient. She lifted all of our spirits! Tracy also sat at the edge of the mat, leaned on a table with her elbows and held her head up! During speech, Tracy had about an ounce of coffee icecream and ate it down! She also mouthed the word "yes" twice today! When Guy, Dawn and Sophia were saying goodbye to Tracy on Sunday night, Sophia went to kiss Tracy goodbye and Tracy turned her head and puckered her lips! She's incredible!
Monday, August 4th, 2003 ~ 6 Months at NRH
Tracy was not feeling well last night and she and Mom were up all night long. During OT, Tracy's shoulder and arm muscles were iced and stretched. Tracy was pretty sleepy during speech and didn't eat much of the strawberry yogurt shake her therapist was trying to feed her. During PT, Tracy was stretched and ranged. Nana and Uncle Johnny arrived safely and we took Tracy for a ride in her wheel chair around the hospital. We also took a quick trip outside, but the weather is pretty ugly! Guy, Dawn and Sophia headed back to Atlanta today. We miss them already! They gave Tracy a beautiful pair of PJ's and Sophia gave Tracy Cheer Bear, one of the Care Bears. Thanks! Thanks Betty for the Russian Teddy Bear! The Rand Family sent Tracy a package of goodies!
Sunday, August 3rd, 2003 ~
Tracy and I had a sleepover last night. I read to her from the Animal Antics book that the Rand family gave her and we listened to some music. Tracy slept pretty well off and on through the night. Guy, Dawn, Sophia, Dad, Mom, Tracy and I went to Mass this morning on the second floor of NRH. We then took Trace for a ride through Independence Square. Mom fed Tracy two ounces of a chocolate protein shake and some water. She ate it all and even swallowed on command! Go Tracy! Dad stretched Tracy's legs, arms, and feet this afternoon. We also took Tracy outside for a bit to enjoy some sunshine before it started to rain. Guy, Dawn and Sophia spent the day with Tracy again. They gave Tracy a beautiful pair of PJ's and Sophia gave Tracy Cheer Bear, one of the Care Bears. Thanks! Sadly, they head back to Atlanta tomorrow. Nana and Uncle Johnny arrive tomorrow afternoon though and we can't wait to see them! Thanks Betty for the Russian Teddy Bear!
Saturday, August 2nd, 2003 ~
Dad stayed with Tracy again last night and they both got some much needed rest. Today, since it is Saturday, Tracy had a half day of therapy. She was stretched and ranged during PT, and she was positioned on her stomach to stretch her hips and legs and to put weight through her arms and shoulders. During OT, Kate iced Tracy's shoulder and pectoral muscles in order to loosen them and really stretch them well. She also worked with Tracy's wrists and put her splints on. Tracy practiced pushing the switch to turn her radio on and off again with assistance, using her left index finger. During Speech, Tracy had about three ounces of strawberry yogurt smoothie and some water to wash it down. This afternoon, we took Tracy to the garden and Sophia blew bubbles and picked flowers for Tracy and the nurses. We all are enjoying cousins Guy, Dawn and Sophia's visit. Nana and Uncle Johnny come Mon!
Friday, August 1st, 2003 ~
Dad got in late last night and stayed with Tracy. Tracy finally settled down around midnight. During OT, Kate iced Tracy's muscles in order to loosen them and really stretch them well. She also worked with Tracy's wrists and put her splints on. Tracy had some strawberry yogurt smoothie this morning during speech and some water to wash it down. Tracy had an hour and a half of PT and was really stretched. Marlena worked on stretching Tracy's hips, knees and hamstrings. Tracy also had a massage this afternoon! Emil came by and really worked with Tracy's shoulders, temples, jaw, and legs. She was so relaxed! Cousins Guy, Dawn and Sophia arrived today and Nana and Uncle Johnny arrive on Monday!