Abby update - November 19-20

So sorry, everyone, for failing to post yesterday.  I gotta admit--we had a wonderful dinner that Gordon's TPWD office fixed at the Ronald McDonald House, and when Gordon went back to stay with Abby, Frank and I just took our full bellies upstairs and went to bed!  Thanks to all the folks involved in that nice meal--the residents and our nurses today really enjoyed it!

 

It's not that I don't have news to post--both Sunday and Monday were good days for Abby.  She had great sessions with speech therapists on both days--whispering some words (we couldn't decipher them) on Sunday and then very clearly mouthing some words, such as "Hey," "Bye," and the names of objects today.  Other therapies are also going well--she's using a tall, walker-type support frame to take lots of steps in PT, while the OTs are finding that she's more adept every day at reaching out for objects and placing and releasing them.  They're also asking her to help with nearly all her daily tasks now, such as dressing, brushing teeth, washing her face, eating, etc.

 

We did have some respiratory concerns (from a parental perspective, anyway) over the weekend.  On Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. the pulmonologist replaced her trach with a smaller one, but on Saturday it became evident that the trach did not fit her very well, and it seemed to want to come out of her neck (not a good sight for the squeamish, like me).  On Sunday the pulmonologist returned and replaced it with another, indicating that it was primarily for our "peace of mind."  Irrespective of peace of mind, this one fits much better, and Abby is adjusting to it very well.  We have an appointment with the ear, nose and throat doctor on Wednesday afternoon, who will probably endoscope her trachea and make a recommendation about whether the trach tube can be removed entirely.  Let's pray that she's ready for that, and that words follow very soon afterwards!

 

So, we're starting our Thanksgiving early, because, even from our very close perspective and our resignation to baby steps, it seems like we've had some very big steps the last couple of days.  And, who could not help but be joyous with a daughter that once could not open her eyes and yet now laughs nearly the whole day long...?

 

With anticipation for tomorrow,

Lee Ann & Gordon and our two joys

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