February 6, 2010
0430 Hours
As of yesterday evening Dar’s status continues to improve slowly. Dr Verma finally made contact with me as I was driving home. There has been much frustration from certain case managers that key players in Dar’s Recovery have not been communicating with me, as they should.
Today we begin taking some new step to move Dar toward Rehab early next week. Dar will be weaned from the oxygen slowly beginning today and her “cuffed” trach will be replaced with the #4 cuff less she is accustomed to and has had for so long previous to this recent set back.
I believe this will boost Dar’s spirits a great deal. This trach replacement will also allow Dar to have her “speaking valve” and she will be able to participate in conversations. as “she” is able. This means so much to her.
I have been doing a lot of hunting and research with regard to the communication device you have been reading about. The Dynavox System will aide Dar and give her an alternative and more complete way to talk with us and tell us how she feels or what she may want.
Many people have been feeding me with information and places to contact. I am glad to say that yesterday I received a call from Katie at the California Independent Living Center in Redding. Katie and I have been talking for a few days now and have been working with Wendy Quinn from Dynavox to decide what system would best benefit Dar.
Katie called late yesterday to tell me that she and Wendy have hopefully come up with a plan and that Katie will be bringing a machine/computer down to loan Dar as long as needed to get her qualified for her own machine. This huge step could have such an impact for Dar. Upon arrival, all the players, Wendy, Katie, Jennifer, myself, Jamie have much to do and learn. This computer may be such a benefit for Dar as we wait for her vocal cords to heal and relax. This machine, called the Dynavox Vmax apparently does it all, email, web browse, play music, read to her, ask questions for her that she can answer. Its capabilities are as I understand, limitless and only stifled by ones lack of imagination.
All controlled by different access switches, Dar would use the “blink” switch built into the program software of the computer. As Dar navigates through the computer programs she will blink to stop and isolate a certain subject to talk about and then move through the subject matter.
This morning I am off to find more Hank the Cowdog books and Costco to stock up on household supplies. Ashley comes tomorrow and we will attack the house and give it the “once over” maybe twice, three times sterile cleaning while Dar is away.
Have a great day and have lots of chips and soda on hand for tomorrow’s game. I will post again later today or tomorrow morning and let you know how Dar’s day goes today.
Love to all,
Dar/Danny/Jamiesue