Thanksgiving

My heart is so full this Thanksgiving. As I sit here with Holli today I thank God for all the many blessings that we have received. Through the love, prayers and support of family and friends we have been able to endure this journey. I have been blessed in getting to meet and know Holli's west coast friends and have made some life long friendships. I will never forget your kindness and love. My family has been my strength to help me through my darkest days. I know without your love and support that I could not have been strong for Holli when she needed me the most. Holli still has a long way to go this next year. Please continue to pray for her strength and healing and to give me strength to be strong for her. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you took the time to give thanks for your blessings.
Diane

Friday, November 13,2009

It was great having Holli's friend, DA, from San Francisco here with us for 4 days. Holli really enjoyed him being here entertaining her as well as trying to figure out another way of communicating. Holli still tries at rare times to say something but it is so faint. She did tell her sister, Heather, the other night after Heather told her that she really needs to work hard in therapy....Holli told Heather "no problem"! It is usually now after she has her night time meds before she goes to sleep that she will try to talk. She continues to laugh more and more which is great. Sometimes as she is watching tv she sees something that tickles her and will laugh.

Well, as of today we are having to adjust to something new. Holli has a room-mate for the first time since her accident. I can tell that it is bothering her....she has gotten very quiet and solemn since her room-mate arrived. It is different having to share the room and having to be quieter and considerate of her needs too. I am sure that Holli will adjust but that it will take some time.
I bought Holli some high top tennis shoes for therapy....they are silver with pink shoe laces and trim....they are so Holli! Everyone in therapy love them.
Diane

Good News!

Holli is starting to talk again. This Sunday Holli was trying her best to whisper something to me for about 45 minutes. It sounded like she was saying "forgive me". It was frustrating for us both because it was so faint that I had a hard time hearing her. Today when her sister, Heather, arrived Holli grabbed Heather's arm and pulled her to her mouth and said in a voice that you could hear "forgive me". Heather and I both reassured Holli that there is nothing to forgive and that we are here for her and that she is loved. It is exciting to know that she is on the edge of being able to communicate with us and will soon be able to tell us how she feels and her needs. I can't wait to hear what she remembers about her journey thus far. I have missed her voice.

Diane

8 Months

Yesterday marked 8 months since Holli's accident. She has come so far since that terrible day. I pray that she will continue to make progress in the coming months. There isn't really anything new since last week. She had a good week and continues to smile and get really tickled at times. Her speech therapist had a duck call that she was wanting Holli to try to blow....Holli could only laugh hard when she heard the noise. I have noticed her reaching up to her face more than before this week. She was able to go outside a couple of times. In fact she had therapy outside one day in the beautiful sunshine.
I went to see my former co-workers and doctors that I worked with this past Monday and that night I started back to jazzercise. It was great seeing everyone at work and in class but it was also very emotional for me. You never know when at any moment everything in your life will change. I pray everyday for continued strength and for Holli's healing. She still needs your prayers.
Diane

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Holli has been quieter this week but she is still smiling and laughing appropriately. I am not sure if she is quieter because we are trying to wean her off some of her medications or that it is just a mood that she is in at this time. The weather has been gloomy, rainy and cold the past several days. I know that effects my mood! Today it feels like winter outside not getting out of the 40's. I will be glad when it warms back up next week and we are able to go outside. One thing this week that Holli did in speech therapy that I have not seen her do is when Kelly, the speech therapist, put a toothette in her mouth then told Holli to pull it out. Holli reached up with her left hand an pulled it out of her mouth. We are not sure if she is having some dental problems but she is set up to see the dentist in the mobile unit on the 26th. I hope if it is a problem with her teeth that he can fix the problem and then hopefully she will open her mouth so we can do proper mouth care. On Monday while she was watching Ellen on tv, there was someone riding a bicycle on the show. Karen, her step-mom, said Holli perked up, started smiling and then moved her legs like she was riding a bike! Of course it was mostly her left leg but she was trying to move her right also. I am sure she misses riding her bike. I want to thank the DPW gang for the present they sent Holli. We got it in the mail yesterday and I brought it out with me this morning. She was very intent looking at all the signatures on the plagues. I am sure it means alot to her to be remembered by her friends. I showed her pictures on facebook of her friends and family that I am linked with and she really enjoys looking at all the pictures. Keep on posting pics so I can show them to her. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I will post again next week. Diane

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Holli continues to smile and laugh whenever someone says or does something funny. It is so great to see her happy and to hear sounds when she gets really tickled. The therapy team as well as the staff are so thrilled that Holli is smiling and laughing. She has really made progress this past month since we have been home. There is less tone in her extremities and neck. She is consistent with moving her left arm for yes answers and keeping it still for no. I can't wait until she can verbally tell us the answers.

After several days of gloomy and rainy weather we are having a beautiful sunny day. Holli and I went outside and enjoyed the great weather. I can't wait to see the leaves change colors. After all the rain we got this past month we should have a beautiful fall. The nights are getting cooler but the day time temps are nice. I hope it stays that way for awhile so Holli can go outside and enjoy the fresh air.

I am going to Chattanooga, Tn tomorrow for my nephew's wedding so Holli's dad and family will be staying with her until I return. I am looking forward to being with my family since I will not get home for the holidays. I will be here with Holli during those times. This will be like a mini vacation for us. The first one since last Thanksgiving. I will miss being with Holli but I know she will be taken good care of while I am away.

Diane

Holli Laughs!

Today Holli was visited by Jessica from San Francisco and Nichole and Kevin from Louisville. They were here yesterday to visit Holli but I think she slept most of time. I was glad to be able to meet them since Heather and Dick were here yesterday with Holli. Today Holli was very much awake during their visit. She started smiling really big when they came in the door. As they were telling Holli funny stories and jokes Holli started laughing! She would get so tickled at times that you could hear a throaty sound coming out! It was amazing....this is the first time I have heard or seen her laugh. She has smiled before but never laughed. This went on for the three hours of their visit. They were here to watch Holli on the standing table. This was the first time she had done this in therapy. After she was put in the chair we took Holli outside in the courtyard to enjoy this beautiful fall day. I am so thankful to her friends for making Holli happy today. You have truly blessed our day.
Diane