Monday, June 30th, 2003 ~

Feel free to write Tracy a message of encouragement in her Guest Book located below. I stayed with Tracy last night and

she rested well. This morning, Mom, Sasha, Allison and I took Tracy outside before her therapy started. She had OT in the

atrium and worked on sitting at the edge of the mat and rolling with help. During PT Tracy was prone (on her stomach)

and worked on bearing weight through her arms, while her PT stretched her legs and hips. Tracy had a bite of oatmeal

during speech, but became very frustrated and upset. She was trying hard to say "hi" and to talk to Sasha and Allison. This

afternoon, she has been extremely frustrated and agitated. Hopefully she will sleep well this evening. Sasha and Allison

helped with Tracy's therapy today and left for Miami this afternoon. Cousin Rene comes Wed and Christine and Charles

come Thurs.

Sunday, June 29th, 2003 ~

Feel free to write Tracy a message of encouragement in her Guest Book located below. Dad stayed with Tracy last night and

she rested well. We had lots of visitors today! Charles and Megan left this morning. The Dickison Family stopped by and

brought us lunch and gave Tracy an adorable glitter ring. Captain Mittelman stopped by and brought some yummy bagels!

Plus, Allison and Sasha, two of Trace's friends from UMiami, are here for the night! We took Tracy outside twice today and

she went to Mass with Mom and Dad this morning. Dad, Allison, and Sasha worked with Tracy's legs and arms today to

keep them in tip-top-shape. Tracy sat up pretty high in her wheel chair today and did a great job of keeping her head up! Her

head control is getting better and better every day!

Saturday, June 28th, 2003 ~

Feel free to write Tracy a message of encouragement in her Guest Book located below. Dad stayed with Tracy last night and

she rested well. This morning, Tracy's legs and hips were stretched and ranged during PT and then she had OT out in the

atrium. Tracy, with help, sat at the edge of a rehab mat and worked on head control. She did a great job holding her head up

for over 15 seconds while sitting straight up. Tracy had PT again this afternoon and worked on rolling to her left and right

while in her bed. During speech, Tracy had some apple sauce and the therapist did some facial massage. She massaged

Tracy's lips, gums, and cheeks to stimulate sensations. Tracy and I watched Wimbledon this afternoon and tomorrow

Allison and Sasha will be visiting from Miami! Charles and Megan leave tomorrow!

Friday, June 27th, 2003 ~

Mom stayed with Tracy last night and she slept well. She had OT out in the atrium and worked on sitting up on the edge

of the mat with help. Tracy was stretched and ranged while in bed during PT. Mom, Charles and I took Tracy outside this

morning and she rested in the shade! Thank goodness for sun! Tracy's OT applied moist heat to Tracy's shoulder while she

was on her side and worked on deep heat massage. During PT, Tracy was proned (on her stomach while resting on her

elbows) on the mat in the therapy room and handled it well. Trace had some apple sauce during speech and worked on

talking. She still hasn't graced us with a word, but she did vocalize "hi" and "no" this week. She is so close! Please

continue to pray for Tracy! Uncle Johnny left Thurs and Charles and Megan are here until Sunday!

Wed/Thurs, June 25-26th, 2003 ~

Uncle Johnny stayed with Tracy the last two nights and thankfully she slept well. Yesterday, Tracy had two hours of

therapy out in the atrium. During OT, she practiced rolling to the left and right and sat at the edge of the mat in order to

work on holding her head up. Her head control is getting better and she is able to hold it up for 30 seconds at a time! Tracy

vocalized the words "HI" and "NO" yesterday during speech! She is so close to talking our ears off. During OT today,

Tracy was propped up on the edge of the therapy mat and leaned her arms/elbows onto a table in order to hold herself up.

She held herself up in a sitting position by bearing weight in her arms with minimal help (her therapist was behind her

holding her head up and keeping her back straight). Tracy continues to work on talking during speech and she is now

mouthing the words "yes" and "no" when she looks at her "yes" and "no" cards. Yesterday Tracy blessed me with two

kisses! She puckered up and even made the "muah" sound. Pretty incredible! A task as minute as puckering your lips is

very BIG for Trace! Please continue to pray for Tracy! Uncle Johnny and Charles are visiting this week!

Tuesday, June 24th, 2003 ~

Dad stayed with Tracy last night to make sure everything went smoothly through the night. Tracy slept well and Uncle

Johnny is staying with her tonight. She had OT out in the atrium and was held up at the edge of the mat, resting her arms

on a table. Tracy held her head up for over 30 seconds and she rolled to the left and right with minimal verbal cues. While

on her side, Tracy's therapist had her bare weight through her arms, propping Tracy up on her elbow. She had her daily

hand massage and leg stretches out in the atrium. During PT, Tracy sat at the edge of the therapy mat with help and

stretched her arms down onto the mat. During speech she had a few bites of cinnamon apple sauce and worked on talking.

She also looked at "tired" on her feelings chart, letting us know she was sleepy.

Monday, June 23rd, 2003 ~

Uncle Johnny stayed with Tracy last night, but Trace was extremely agitated and did not sleep well at all. She calmed

down late morning and had a slow day of therapy. Tracy had OT in the therapy room and rolled to her right in order for

Tracy's OT to stretch her shoulders. She was stretched and ranged during PT and had her daily hands/arms massage with

Adrienne. During her afternoon OT session, Tracy rolled to the left while in bed and with help, reached for the bed railing.

She chose to have cinnamon apple sauce during speech and did really well munching! Her best session yet! Tracy used her

feelings chart to tell us that she was "tired" today. Her chart is split up in quadrants (tired, frustrated, ok, and pain) and we

have her look at the quadrant to let us know how she is feeling. She is so close to talking! Mom and I swear she blurted out

something that sounded like "Mama" today.

Sunday, June 22nd, 2003 ~

Dad stayed with Tracy last night and Tracy slept well. She had a day off from therapy today, and Dad and Mom took Tracy

to Mass in the Rehab Gym on the second floor at NRH. Dad and Mom did their usual physical, occupational and speech

therapy routines to keep Tracy in tip-top shape. Tracy tried some mango peach apple sauce today and practiced munching

and swallowing. Dad and Mom took Tracy outside to the Therapeutic Garden for some rays. Ernie and Montsie Lehman,

Fr. Lou and Fr. Dave visited us today. Please continue to pray for Tracy! Three more teddy bears have been added to

Tracy's collection! One from our friend Mike and two from Betty in Bella Napoli! Thanks! Tracy is now a 4 on the Rancho

Los Amigos Scale! Uncle Johnny and Charles come this evening!

*Saturday, June 21, 2003~

Mom stayed with Tracy last night and Tracy slept well. She had a half day of therapy today. During OT, I sat behind Tracy

and helped her sit at the edge of the bed while her OT worked on getting Tracy to turn her head and look at Mom. Tracy

held her head up a few times and did a great job of finding Mom, both on her left and right. During PT she was stretched

while laying in bed and then went out to the atrium. In the atrium she was on a therapy mat and sat at the edge of the mat

with help. Her arms were stretched down to her side and she worked on head control. During speech, Tracy had cinnamon

apple sauce and worked on munching and swallowing. Dad tried to get Tracy to really concentrate on this, but Trace was

pretty stubborn today. Dad took Tracy for a ride in her wheel chair early this afternoon around NRH.

* Friday, June 20th, 2003 ~

I stayed with Tracy last night and she rested well. She sat up in her wheelchair for most of the day and I took her for a ride

around the 3rd floor and into the atrium. We need some sun so we can take her outside! Tracy had OT out in the atrium and

was sitting at the edge of the mat. She was pretty stable and was held up with minimum help! Yesterday, Tracy started a

stimulant program and will receive Ritalin twice a day. It is supposed to help her concentrate. She was stretched during PT

and worked on head control while sitting at the edge of the mat in the atrium. Tracy held her head up so well today! During

speech she had some banana apple sauce and answered questions with her "yes" and "no" cards. She looked at "yes" when

asked if she likes football and checked out a picture of her speech therapist's fiance. Three more teddy bears have been added

to Tracy's collection! One from our friend Mike and two from Betty in Bella Napoli! Thanks! Tracy is now a 4 on the

Rancho Los Amigos Scale! Uncle Johnny and Charles come Sunday!

*Thursday, June 19th, 2003 ~

Dad stayed with Tracy last night and she slept well. Tracy spent OT out in the atrium on the rehab mat. Taylor, the rehab

dog, came to visit Tracy during her OT session. Tracy rolled to the left and laid with Taylor, putting her arm around him

with help. She then rolled to the right and put her arm around Taylor again with help. Tracy had speech while out on the

mat with Taylor. She was asked if she likes Taylor and she looked at "yes." She also mouthed the word "hey." Tracy's

speech therapist was trying to get her to say "hey dog!" :) She was stretched and ranged during PT. During her afternoon

speech session Tracy looked at "OK" on her feelings chart and had a taste of banana apple sauce. Tracy received a large

package today from her friend Sara and the wonderful people at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville in Key West. They sent

Tracy the new Buffett cd, a beautiful painted bottle, some Margarita candies and an autograph picture of Jimmy himself

signed to Tracy! :) Thanks!!

* Wednesday, June 18th, 2003 ~

Tracy and I had another sleepover and she slept really well through the night. Tracy is now a full-blown 4 on the Rancho

Los Amigos Scale! You can read about the scale in the Important Links Section below. Mom,Tracy's nurse, and I showered

Tracy this morning and she enjoyed getting pretty! Tracy was in her chair for over 3 hours today and had a great day of

therapy. She rolled to her right w/ minimum help during OT and was propped up on her elbow in order to bare weight in

her shoulders. During PT her legs and hips were stretched and ranged. Tracy held her head up today like a champ and

repeatedly put it back on the head rest when it fell forward! During speech, she answered questions with her "yes" and "no"

cards and looked at her feelings chart. Tracy chose baby food bananas over strawberry apple sauce by looking at the item she

wanted with her eyes. Her therapist worked on getting Tracy to swallow a bite within 30 seconds. Uncle Johnny comes

Sunday and we can not wait to see him!

*Tuesday, June 17th, 2003 ~ 5 Months

Tracy slept on and off last night with Mom. Her legs, hips, and feet were stretched during PT and her hands and arms were

massaged during her morning OT session. Tracy slept through speech and had PT/OT out in the atrium today. During

PT/OT, Tracy was propped up on her left side, on her elbow, in order to stretch her tummy, shoulders, and hips. We were

told that Tracy has "normal" head movement, which is wonderful news. Tracy held her head up for over 30 seconds today

while she was in her chair! Tomorrow morning Mom and I are going to get Tracy in the shower. Uncle Johnny comes

Sunday and we can not wait to see him!

*Monday, June 16th, 2003 ~

Tracy and I had a sleepover and she slept through the night. Aunt Diane and Mom came early this morning to get Tracy

ready for therapy. Her hips and feet were stretched during PT and with verbal and physial cues, Tracy rolled to the left and

right. She was in her chair for three hours and had PT and OT out in the rehab room. She worked on rolling, had her hips,

legs, and feet stretched and was put into a prone position on her tummy. Her shoulder muscles activated and Tracy held

herself up on her elbows! She handled the tough position well. During speech, Tracy answered questions using her "yes"

and "no" cards and picked banana applesauce over strawberry applesauce. She swallowed a few bites correctly! Her ST

worked on getting Tracy to talk and while her ST counted to ten, Tracy moved her mouth and tongue correctly a few times!

*Saturday-Sunday, June 14th-15th, 2003 ~ Happy Father's Day

Tracy kept Aunt Diane and Mom up Friday night. She still wasn't feeling well from her stomach procedure. However, she

slept well with Dad last night. She had a half-day of therapy on Saturday and Mom, Dad, Aunt Diane, and Charles hung out

with Tracy. Tracy was stretched and ranged during PT/OT and during speech she answered some questions using the "yes"

and "no" cards. She was in her chair for hours yesterday and Dad took her out to the atrium. We took Tracy to Mass this

morning on the second floor of NRH! After Mass we took Tracy for a ride through Independence Square and then outside to

give Dad his Father's Day gifts! Charles left today and Aunt Diane leaves tomorrow. Our friend Tony came by to see Tracy

and brought some yummy oatmeal cookies. Check out Tracy's Guest Book. You never know what kind of story will pop

up! For example, we just found out that Mel Gibson stopped production of his latest movie, Passione, filmed in Rome, and

had the crew pray for Tracy for ten minutes! True story!

*Friday, June 13th, 2003 ~

Tracy slept very well and Dad stayed with her last night. We took Tracy over to Washington Hospital Center early this

morning to get a larger feeding tube. The procedure went well, but Trace has been nauseous all day and threw up a few

times. She had PT out in the atrium and rolled to her left once and then had her legs stretched. She wasn't feeling well

during OT, so she just had her arms and hands massaged. During speech she had some apple sauce, but didn't feel like

eating. She answered some "yes" and "no" questions with her cards and her speech therapist worked on getting her to talk.

She's so close! Charles and Aunt Diane arrived today! Mom and Aunt Diane are staying with Tracy this evening and

tomorrow she will have a half day of therapy.

*Thursday, June 12th, 2003 ~

Your notes to Tracy are greatly appreciated! We read them to her daily and if you would like to leave Trace a note, you can

do so below. Tracy didn't sleep much last night and we are starting to think that she may be getting her day and night

schedule mixed up every few days which is a sign that she is moving into Stage Four of the Rancho Los Amigos Scale.

Mom stayed with Tracy last night and this morning we got Tracy in the shower. She really enjoyed it and held her head up

numerous times. Tracy had a sleepy day of therapy and during OT she was stretched and then propped up on the edge of

the bed. Tracy's legs, feet, and hips were stretched during PT. She was up in her chair for about an hour. Tracy's feeding

tube is clogged and she most likely will have to go over to the Washington Hospital Center tomorrow morning to get a

larger tube put in. This will be her third feeding tube procedure.Tracy's speech session was uneventful since she was so

sleepy. Charles and Aunt Diane are coming Friday!

*Wednesday, June 11th, 2003 ~

Your notes to Tracy are greatly appreciated! We read them to her daily and if you would like to leave Trace a note, you can

do so below. Tracy had a sleepover with Dad last night and slept pretty well. Dad took off work today and was able to

participate in Tracy's therapy again! Tracy went to her bi-weekly screening to assure that she hasn't developed blood clots in

her legs. All clear! Tracy was stretched and ranged during OT and had her daily hand/arm massage. She had PT in the

rehab room and rolled to her left and right with help. She also was rolled onto a cylinder in order to stretch her back. She

did really well in that position, lying face up on the cylinder. During speech she chose peach yogurt over the strawberry

applesauce, but had a difficult time swallowing it. It was easier for her to swallow the applesauce. She also looked at her

feelings chart at various times today, letting us know that she was tired and then OK this afternoon. Charles and Aunt Diane

are coming Friday!

*Tuesday, June 10th, 2003 ~

Tracy and Mom didn't get too much sleep last night since Tracy was pretty agitated. During OT, Tracy's arms were

stretched and ranged. She had her daily arm/hand massage with Adrienne and her wheel chair was checked out during PT.

She continues to hold her head up for 20 seconds at a time while in her chair! During speech, Tracy had some chocolate

pudding, but seems to handle the applesauce better. She seemed agitated today and hopefully she will rest tonight with Dad.

Tracy's IV was taken out after three months of having one! One less tube! Congrats Cousin Jon on winning the Young

Author's Award! Jon wrote a story/book about Tracy and won 1st place out of 1000 entries in New Hampshire!

* Monday, June 9th, 2003 ~ Cousin KJ's B'day

Tracy and I had a sleepover last night and she slept pretty well. She had a busy day of therapy! She was out in the atrium

during OT and rolled to her right. She was stretched and ranged during PT and this afternoon we went outside to enjoy the

warm sun! Tracy had her daily hand/arm massage while outside. During speech she chose strawberry applesauce over coffee

yogurt and did the correct munch/swallow movements, swallowing quickly! The best food session yet! She is continuing to

use her "yes" and "no" cards and her feelings chart.

* Sunday, June 8th, 2003 ~

Tracy and Dad slept well last night. Mom and Dad took Tracy to Mass this morning here at NRH (I was at class all day).

No therapy today since it's Sunday, but Tracy has a busy week ahead of her! The Brown family stopped by to see Tracy and

so did Father Chapanis from FL. Grisele payed Trace a visit this afternoon too! Thanks guys for stopping by! Dad ranged

Tracy and they took her for a ride to Independence Square again! This evening, Tracy and I have been listening to some

J-Lo. Our Tra-Lo was trying so hard to talk/sing! She is so close!

* Saturday, June 7th, 2003 ~

Tracy was up with Dad until about 4am last night. She had a half day of therapy today and did pretty well. She had some

apple sauce during speech and continues to hold her head up while in her chair for over 20 seconds at a time! Tracy was

stretched and ranged during PT and OT. Congrats Cousin Jon on winning the Young Author's Award! Jon wrote a

story/book about Tracy and won 1st place out of 1000 entries in New Hampshire! Father Brown visited Tracy again! It's

always great to see him! The Brown family is visiting Tracy tomorrow from South Carolina. Please keep Allison and her

family in your prayers. She passed away Thursday morning and was an 18 year-old patient here at NRH.

* Friday, June 6th, 2003 ~

Tracy and Mom got some much needed rest last night and Tracy had a very busy day of therapy. During OT she went out

to the atrium and worked on trunk control. She is doing a great job of holding her head up while in her wheelchair! Her

current goal is to hold it up at least 20 seconds, twice a day. Tracy, Mom and I went outside since it was so nice out! We

were outside for over an hour and Tracy was very relaxed. We headed back in for her hour of speech. Tracy looked at

"frustrated" on her feelings chart and had some apple sauce. She did the correct mouth movements and swallowed a few

times. Tracy's speech therapist is trying to get her to move her head up and down for "yes" and side to side for "no". She is

so close! During PT, Tracy practiced rolling to the left side and did a great job! My roommate Christine is visiting today!

Thursday, June 5th, 2003 ~

Tracy and I were up all night, since Tracy was pretty aggitated. So, she ended up sleeping all day (and so did I). Tracy was

stretched and ranged during all of her PT and OT sessions and was up in her chair for less than an hour. She basically slept

through speech as well, however it gave Tracy's speech therapist a chance to observe her mouth movements while she was

sleeping. Hopefully Tracy will sleep well tonight with Mom here. Please keep Allison and her family in your prayers today.

She passed away this morning and was an 18 year-old patient here at NRH.

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2003 ~ Four months since Tracy has been at NRH!

Mom spent the night with Tracy and she did not fall asleep until 4 AM. During PT and OT, Tracy practiced rolling on the

mat and was placed prone (on her stomach) with her weight on her forearms to stretch her hips and back. In this position,

Tracy helped her therapists hold her head up. She also looked at her feelings chart and decided that she felt frustrated today.

Tracy is not talking yet, but lets us know her feelings by looking at the chart. During Speech, Tracy again looked at

frustrated and her ST thought that she mouthed the word FRUSTRATED. When Jennifer asked Tracy if she was frustrated

because she wanted to talk, Tracy looked at Yes and it also seemed that she mouthed the word YES!

Monday, June 2nd, 2003~

Tiffany spent the night and both girls slept well. During PT and OT, Tracy practiced rolling on the mat and continues to

improve with isolating movements of her legs, arms and shoulders. During Speech Therapy, Tracy tried passion fruit

applesauce and showed coordinated movement of her mouth and tongue. Jennifer, Tracy's ST, also worked with a new

feelings chart that allows Tracy to look at frustrated, tired, pain and OK to let us know how our girl is feeling. She was out

of her bed for 5 hours today which is the longest to date.

Sunday, June 1st, 2003

Tracy rested well last night and Dad stayed with her. Dad and Tracy went to Mass this morning down on the second floor

while Mom and I had a day of beauty at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Uncle Johnny gave us gift certificates there in

order to de-stress. Dad took Tracy outside and they enjoyed some warm weather while looking at the ducks. Tracy was in

her chair for awhile and Dad took her to Independence Square again to identify fruit. She did a great job. They also watched

the French Open, but unfortunately Venus lost! Trace liked Venus, but loves Serena! Tracy didn't have therapy today since

it is Sunday, but Dad stretched and ranged her.