"You can certainly tell who came in second"

02-05-09

0530 hours

Several things to let you know about but unfortunatley time is running short this morning. I havve to pick up one of the school busses at the shop and then head out to school.

I left at about 0300 hours yesterday morning and returned about 1900 hours last night. A very quick trip yesterday but it was well worth it as I was able to be in on all therapy sessions and got to see first hand Dar's progress and in some cases lack of or very small progress in other areas. I can tell you all about them later on today.

I was exhausted last night when I got in and just went to bed, I will give the full details this evening after work while I do Dar's wash and get things ready to go back down this weekend. Talk to you all real soon, like after work, OKAY, everyone have a great day.

1730 hours,

Where was I. Yestyerday was quite the day, I was able to participate in all of Dar's therapy sessions. First was ocupational therapy where they work on specific tasks related to everyday living. Lots of information. Then came physical therapy, this is where we need lots of prayer and some small miracles.

As we already know Dar's brain is processing information. We now have to begin seeing some purposeful movements, there is that phrase again, PURPOSEFUL, we need Dar to begin to follow some simple requests. Open the eyes when asked, move one finger for yes, two for no, move your right hand, things like this. These simple little tasks have a great deal with the length of her stay at Kentfield. We need to also begin to see muscle tone return to her body. At this time there is none, she is as limber as a noodle, not able to support herself in any way. I realize these things all take time but it would go along way to her recovery and ability to communicate with us if we started seeing some of these things soon. There in lies the prayer request, pray specifically for PURPOSEFULL movement, movement upon request, movements that begin to build muscle tone. Nothing wrong with asking for the specifics.

When it came time for speech therapy, it was all about what I could now do with Dar when I am there. The head of speech therapy showed me how to put the "speaking cap" on Dar's trach tube, thus allowing her to communicate if so she desires and to hear her own sounds. She did very well earlier in the week but had a little discomfort when I was with her, so we did not work very long. The reason we can now begin this step is because she has passed 2 of the dye tests. The third one (an overnighter) was requested but as of last check with the Angels it had not been done today. She is protecting her airway so therfor we can use the cap. It was very unsetteling at first but I think as time goes by I will get used to the procedure. You have to absoultley follow certain steps and you can't leave her alone while she has the cap on. I will ask for a refresher course again this Saturday before capping her tube. What was exciting was that first off she has passed two of the three test and also that she would make the same type of sound that the therapists were asking her to make. Kind of like vocal scales for singers. She did really well and her therapist is excited.

I am doing Dar's laundry in preparation for this weekend and hope to get to bed early tonight. I will be texting the Angels to see how the girls are doing tonight, earlier Carol said they were doing fine and missing the "smooth music", for some reason the Ipod gave up the ghost early in the week but I have reconciled the problem and we are good to go again.

Tosha had dyalisis yesterday and boy oh boy what an ordeal for her, she comes through like a troopper but is really really tired at the end, she slept alot yesterday afternoon. Stewart had both the girls tv's on after he arrived about 5:30 ish. Seems like Dar gets quite active when the set is on.

Please continue to pray for the girls, pray for Tosha's mom and dad, they both work and commute to Kentfield every day to be with their daughter, they are so commited to Tosha.

Well I will save some for tomorrows post and will be cheking in with Stewart in a few minutes. Thank you my dear friends for your prayers and support. Rest well all

Dar/Danny/Mav

This note is an addendum to my dad's notations and updates that he provides everyone who reads my moms "Blog" Sometimes, I watch my "Dad" diligently writing, it's hard to watch him sometimes, he gets sad and is hurting. Sometimes he wonders if people are still reading about mom, he doesn't get too many comments. Did you know you can comment at the end of each blog? I would like to see my Dad smile, when he gets a message from all of you who are praying and reading. You don't have to write much, just a little something. It's hard for us to be alone and away from "mum". We miss her, but know she is well cared for. I enjoy going along to see her. Would you make my Dad happy and write a little something??It would mean alot to all of us.

Love to all and thank you for your prayers,

Maverick and Lorrie and Jerry