04-05-2009
0700 Hours
I don't know if I adequatley describe how proud and amazed at Darlene I am. In the last month exactly, Dar has as Dr. Doherty says " come light years from when she entered Kentfield".
The progress that Dar has made in the last month is incredible. From opening her mouth for yes to closing her mouth with tight lips for no, Dar is now saying the words "yes" and "no". She can fill in the last word of questions posed by therapists, such as " the elevator goes up and, Dar fills in the rest, "down". Actually mouths the word down. two weeks ago she was not moving her feet and legs, or for that matter her toes very much. Today she is kicking the therapists in the butt with her right foot and leg, kicking Dr. D in the hand with her right foot, almost able to put her leg parrellel to the floor, but only for a moment.
Her left foot and leg which was not moving at all is now doing small circles and forward motion equal to about half of her right. Incredible progress.
Dar is able to direct us to problem areas when they hurt. Follows all conversations she can hear and will give you her thoughts about the subject. Makes everyone happy when they see her, greets all with a "hi" when you tell her who has come to visit or take care of her. She is amazing. A one of a kind, a fighter.
Dar"s mom, dad and older sister Christine came for a visit yesterday and for the three of them I am sure it was a great day. Mom and dad had not seen Dar since Valentines Day, Christine had not seen Dar since she left Oroville, all three of them had not seen what I have been writing about untill yesterday.
I don"t believe they went to their motel room disappointed, especially Dar's dad. It was good to see him smile and laugh with Darlene, it has been a long time since I had seen what I saw yesterday, usually quite and reserved, dad had the camcorder out and was having fun.
I remember coming back into the ICU Unit at Oroville when Christine was up for her only visit before Dar left for Kentfield. Something made me stop and not return to the room, to give sisters time alone, to give them that special time that they needed, to give Christine the opportunity to talk and just sit quietly reading to Dar and say those things and say those prayers that I know God has heard and Darlene was blessed with. I watched Christine sit with Dar, she never knew I was there but I knew something special was going on.
Got a kick out of Dar's mom yesterday. After all of us went to Dar's "standing therapy" Dar absoulutley did not want to go back to her room. We stayed outside till she got a little chill and then moved to the lobby of the hospital. During all of our time there Dar was up to her little tricks and showing off for all of us. Dar's mom would ask me to ask Dar if she rememberd this or that and each time she did I told her to ask Dar herself. It just tickled me to be able to say "ask her yourself, she will answer". I have no idea why, it just tickeled me that all three of them were able to share and talk with Dar like they always have, to share stories and memories that only they have. Everything from baked Alaska to Rusty the dog, to Darlene hating to have to eat peas. It was I hope a GREAT DAY for them.
When the therapist came outside to get Dar for therapy we all got to see first hand how well Dar can process information. The therapist asked her if she was ready to go to the gym and use the "standing frame" , a machine that allows her to stand with all her weight (98 lbs now) on her legs and feet. This forces her to straighten those legs and stretch those muscles. When asked if she was ready, Dar has found her ability to say what she feels, Dar very clearly answered "no" she did not want to go to the gym. She hates the standing machine, absolutley hates it. It hurts, it makes her do things she does not want to do, it forces her to stretch, it makes her hurt and she flat out does not like it and she told the therapist she did not want to go. But................. the trooper she is Dar went and hated every minute of it but when it was all over and she was back in her chair, she was happy and ready to go back outside. Ready to take a walk, ready to feel the breeze in her face and put her sunglasses back on.
Regarding her sunglasses, you have probably learned by now or have figured out that at this time she cannot see, we do not not know if this is permanent but we do know that she can tell the difference between light and dark. Dar does not like alot of bright light, room or outside, thus she likes to wear sunglasses. If memory serves I believe I told you about Cortical Blindness, a result of anoxic injury to the brain. Time will tell and at this time Dar is aware of her condition and is dealing very well with it. We continue to hope and pray that as the brain heals so this will heal and her vision will return. I have long ago accepted that if this were the only permanent disablement, I would count my blessings knowing that Dar and I have so many places that we could return to that she has memory of and so many places that she has read about or shared with others that she and I would have and could have a very, very fullfilled life.
Besides, she would have a specially trained companion and Maverick, upon his approval would have a buddy to play with. Such a small price to pay to have the rest of my life to be with the one that has my utmost admiration and respect for.
When others had given up hope for Dar and tried to tell me that all was lost, knowing the spirit of this woman, I knew she would fight and desereved every shot at recovery. Dar has shown me, shown family, shown doctors, shown people that don't even no her that miracles do happen, prayers do get answered, faith does exsist, commitment does exsist, perseverence does exsist, and the will to live and recover is stronger than anything else in the world. When its all said and done, when the doctors have done all they can, when man's knowledge is exhausted, there is still one more thing to consider, "ones relationship with God". Dar has always had a strong "relationship", "an immovable faith", " a quiet humble spirit", "a loving and gentle heart", " a beautiful spirit". You will never convince me otherwise that God is not honoring Dar's commitment to "Him", and I know that she still has much work to be done, people to have an impact on, and a blessing and a smile to give to others. "DAR IS RECOVERING". Everyday, moment by moment.
Thank you all, thank you for your prayers, thank you for the cards that are coming in, I told Dar (yesterday) of the scrapbook that is being made for her. A book that we will be able to open the cards together and share the thoughts and prayers of all of you that have supported her in her recovery. I told her yesterday of the "blog" I started back in December that has allowed me to put my thoughts to paper and pen that others accross the country are reading and supporting her in her recovery. I told her that I was excited for the day that we could share together these writings that she would hear and see all the people that love her, support her and have given of themselves to her. I told her I long for the day that she and I can thank each of you personnaly for what you mean to us and what you have done for Dar's Recovery. To see this awesome lady up close and personal.
Dar's responce to the 'Scrapbook" the "blog" was best descibed as this. Picture yourself with your eyes as open wide as you can get them, a huge smile on your face followed by an extreme "o" sound.
That's my Dar, one of a kind, a very, very special lady that I have been blessed to be with and call my friend, my lover, MY WIFE.
Dar's Recovery, because of God, because of your prayers and support and most of all because of Dar's will to recover I humbly ask for your continued prayers and well wishes as we all continue this journey back to life.
Maybe I was successfull in telling you how proud I am of my wife, my friend, MY DAR.
Love you all, stay tuned for more, we have a long way to go.
Love,
Danny
Post update.
2138 hours
Just received a phone call from Dar’s family. Darlene has started talking with her new trach. Speaking one,two and three syllable words.Such great news and glad her family was there to be part of it.
Can’t wait to get back to Dar on Wednesday to see what new things she might be doing. Good night all
Danny
0700 Hours
I don't know if I adequatley describe how proud and amazed at Darlene I am. In the last month exactly, Dar has as Dr. Doherty says " come light years from when she entered Kentfield".
The progress that Dar has made in the last month is incredible. From opening her mouth for yes to closing her mouth with tight lips for no, Dar is now saying the words "yes" and "no". She can fill in the last word of questions posed by therapists, such as " the elevator goes up and, Dar fills in the rest, "down". Actually mouths the word down. two weeks ago she was not moving her feet and legs, or for that matter her toes very much. Today she is kicking the therapists in the butt with her right foot and leg, kicking Dr. D in the hand with her right foot, almost able to put her leg parrellel to the floor, but only for a moment.
Her left foot and leg which was not moving at all is now doing small circles and forward motion equal to about half of her right. Incredible progress.
Dar is able to direct us to problem areas when they hurt. Follows all conversations she can hear and will give you her thoughts about the subject. Makes everyone happy when they see her, greets all with a "hi" when you tell her who has come to visit or take care of her. She is amazing. A one of a kind, a fighter.
Dar"s mom, dad and older sister Christine came for a visit yesterday and for the three of them I am sure it was a great day. Mom and dad had not seen Dar since Valentines Day, Christine had not seen Dar since she left Oroville, all three of them had not seen what I have been writing about untill yesterday.
I don"t believe they went to their motel room disappointed, especially Dar's dad. It was good to see him smile and laugh with Darlene, it has been a long time since I had seen what I saw yesterday, usually quite and reserved, dad had the camcorder out and was having fun.
I remember coming back into the ICU Unit at Oroville when Christine was up for her only visit before Dar left for Kentfield. Something made me stop and not return to the room, to give sisters time alone, to give them that special time that they needed, to give Christine the opportunity to talk and just sit quietly reading to Dar and say those things and say those prayers that I know God has heard and Darlene was blessed with. I watched Christine sit with Dar, she never knew I was there but I knew something special was going on.
Got a kick out of Dar's mom yesterday. After all of us went to Dar's "standing therapy" Dar absoulutley did not want to go back to her room. We stayed outside till she got a little chill and then moved to the lobby of the hospital. During all of our time there Dar was up to her little tricks and showing off for all of us. Dar's mom would ask me to ask Dar if she rememberd this or that and each time she did I told her to ask Dar herself. It just tickled me to be able to say "ask her yourself, she will answer". I have no idea why, it just tickeled me that all three of them were able to share and talk with Dar like they always have, to share stories and memories that only they have. Everything from baked Alaska to Rusty the dog, to Darlene hating to have to eat peas. It was I hope a GREAT DAY for them.
When the therapist came outside to get Dar for therapy we all got to see first hand how well Dar can process information. The therapist asked her if she was ready to go to the gym and use the "standing frame" , a machine that allows her to stand with all her weight (98 lbs now) on her legs and feet. This forces her to straighten those legs and stretch those muscles. When asked if she was ready, Dar has found her ability to say what she feels, Dar very clearly answered "no" she did not want to go to the gym. She hates the standing machine, absolutley hates it. It hurts, it makes her do things she does not want to do, it forces her to stretch, it makes her hurt and she flat out does not like it and she told the therapist she did not want to go. But................. the trooper she is Dar went and hated every minute of it but when it was all over and she was back in her chair, she was happy and ready to go back outside. Ready to take a walk, ready to feel the breeze in her face and put her sunglasses back on.
Regarding her sunglasses, you have probably learned by now or have figured out that at this time she cannot see, we do not not know if this is permanent but we do know that she can tell the difference between light and dark. Dar does not like alot of bright light, room or outside, thus she likes to wear sunglasses. If memory serves I believe I told you about Cortical Blindness, a result of anoxic injury to the brain. Time will tell and at this time Dar is aware of her condition and is dealing very well with it. We continue to hope and pray that as the brain heals so this will heal and her vision will return. I have long ago accepted that if this were the only permanent disablement, I would count my blessings knowing that Dar and I have so many places that we could return to that she has memory of and so many places that she has read about or shared with others that she and I would have and could have a very, very fullfilled life.
Besides, she would have a specially trained companion and Maverick, upon his approval would have a buddy to play with. Such a small price to pay to have the rest of my life to be with the one that has my utmost admiration and respect for.
When others had given up hope for Dar and tried to tell me that all was lost, knowing the spirit of this woman, I knew she would fight and desereved every shot at recovery. Dar has shown me, shown family, shown doctors, shown people that don't even no her that miracles do happen, prayers do get answered, faith does exsist, commitment does exsist, perseverence does exsist, and the will to live and recover is stronger than anything else in the world. When its all said and done, when the doctors have done all they can, when man's knowledge is exhausted, there is still one more thing to consider, "ones relationship with God". Dar has always had a strong "relationship", "an immovable faith", " a quiet humble spirit", "a loving and gentle heart", " a beautiful spirit". You will never convince me otherwise that God is not honoring Dar's commitment to "Him", and I know that she still has much work to be done, people to have an impact on, and a blessing and a smile to give to others. "DAR IS RECOVERING". Everyday, moment by moment.
Thank you all, thank you for your prayers, thank you for the cards that are coming in, I told Dar (yesterday) of the scrapbook that is being made for her. A book that we will be able to open the cards together and share the thoughts and prayers of all of you that have supported her in her recovery. I told her yesterday of the "blog" I started back in December that has allowed me to put my thoughts to paper and pen that others accross the country are reading and supporting her in her recovery. I told her that I was excited for the day that we could share together these writings that she would hear and see all the people that love her, support her and have given of themselves to her. I told her I long for the day that she and I can thank each of you personnaly for what you mean to us and what you have done for Dar's Recovery. To see this awesome lady up close and personal.
Dar's responce to the 'Scrapbook" the "blog" was best descibed as this. Picture yourself with your eyes as open wide as you can get them, a huge smile on your face followed by an extreme "o" sound.
That's my Dar, one of a kind, a very, very special lady that I have been blessed to be with and call my friend, my lover, MY WIFE.
Dar's Recovery, because of God, because of your prayers and support and most of all because of Dar's will to recover I humbly ask for your continued prayers and well wishes as we all continue this journey back to life.
Maybe I was successfull in telling you how proud I am of my wife, my friend, MY DAR.
Love you all, stay tuned for more, we have a long way to go.
Love,
Danny
Post update.
2138 hours
Just received a phone call from Dar’s family. Darlene has started talking with her new trach. Speaking one,two and three syllable words.Such great news and glad her family was there to be part of it.
Can’t wait to get back to Dar on Wednesday to see what new things she might be doing. Good night all
Danny
3 comments:
Having just left mass, the strifes that holy week represents, the sacrifices the Jesus made for us, He lifts us up and carries us, hubby today was worried about my aches a pains (a long standing mass) Jesus suffered, so think I can stand just a little more pain, make me more humble, make me believe even more because of Darlene and her conviction and strength, when the going gets tough, the tough get going...Thats' Darlene with an oustretched arm to our maker who is carrying her such a long way, yes, you succeeded with the tears, WE also are proud to have her in this family and proud of the progress she has made, we pray for continued progress. Only "He" knows when the progress will stop, I think its going to be awhile, HE has big plans for this pint sized squirt, he wouldn't have brought her this far for no reason, will have to wait and see what her mission is! OUR LOVE and HUGS
Maybe all this blog writing is tuning you up to be fully descriptive while Darlene is without her sight. You seem to communicate the good stuff on the blog. And when you do it for Dar it must make a special connection for the two of you. Keep up the great work!
David
I love reading about Dar's progress she is such a strong lady. Kentfield is lucky to have such a rewarding patient :)
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