Abby update - December 3

Today's activities were very similar to an average Sunday for the Linams (with just a few twists). We attended church today as a family (actually we were the only ones who attended the weekly afternoon service at Warm Springs). Abby had visits from friends (Taylor and Hannah wrapped up their sleepover with her--those three seemed to have a great time with Rhonda Vest). Frank, Gordon, and Abby watch lots of football, and I caught up on my emailing! It's good to be a family, wherever we are...

Today is December 3--two months since Abby's accident. It's still hard to place these last two months in perspective--time and progress have such different meanings for us now--but I was moved today to take a look back at Abby's blog site and just try to picture where we were, recovery-wise, on different dates. It was an interesting exercise--we have had to measure things so differently over the course of this journey. I'm very thankful that now we are measuring things with literal words and steps--so different than the eye blinks we yearned for in early October. Anyway, I've compiled a chronology of Abby's recovery (just thinking that one day someone may want the annotated version of this blog). So, for those of you looking for the Cliff Notes, here you go...

ABBY’S COMEBACK STORY

Oct. 3 – Evening of the accident; Abby is unconscious and placed on a respirator under sedation; monitoring of cranial pressures begin at Austin Children’s Hospital.
Oct. 8 – Abby is removed from sedation and the respirator; she does not awaken.
Oct. 9 – Due to cranial pressure issues, Abby is re-intubated, with prescribed sedation.
Oct. 11 – Physical and occupational therapists start working with Abby, even while still sedated. Her muscles have a lot of atonic contractions that make them hard to work.
Oct. 12 – Abby opens her eyes to her Aunt Lynda’s voice (but closes them again).
Oct. 14 – Sedation is removed again, but Abby exhibits withdrawal symptoms; alternative sedatives are prescribed.
Oct. 15 – All sedatives are removed; Abby is doing well—still intubated, but taking many breaths on her own; she is not yet awake.
Oct. 16 – A tracheaostomy is performed and a stomach tube is inserted—temporary stabilization measures; Abby has her eyes open most of the evening!
Oct. 17 – Abby is weaned from the respirator and is breathing on her own; she is placed in a chair to sit upright for a few hours.
Oct. 18 – Abby turns her eyes toward my voice; there is still much, much atonic contraction in her arms and legs.
Oct. 23 – Abby gets to go outside in her chair and have a visit from her own dogs (therapy dogs have been visiting her weekly in ICU); unfortunately, she has her eyes closed and doesn’t respond, to our perception.
Oct. 24 – Abby is transferred to Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital in San Antonio.
Oct. 25 – Abby starts daily intensive therapy—speech, occupational, & physical.
Oct. 26 – Abby swallows applesauce—her first food in over three weeks.
Oct. 30 – Big day!—Abby stands (with support), gets to eat pureed foods, and makes her first sound (just an aaaah).
Nov. 1 – Abby is really moving her legs a lot—perhaps the “agitated” phase of recovery; purposeful movements are still difficult.
Nov. 2 – Abby laughs!
Nov. 3- Abby gets a visit from our dogs and enjoys being outside at Warm Springs.
Nov. 6 – Abby takes steps in PT and gets to drink a Dr. Pepper—her first thin fluids, but she has some trouble with the thin liquids still.
Nov. 7 – Abby shows increased expressiveness—laughter, crying, and frustration…
Nov. 10 – Abby is able to move her fingers in response to the OT’s requests, though she still cannot engage larger movements of her arms or hands.
Nov. 12 – Abby gives me and her dad a kiss!
Nov. 13 – Abby is able to drink from a cup when we assist; she also is working with holding a spoon.
Nov. 15 – Abby’s getting better with her hands—she does most of the lifting of her cup and was able to play tug-of-war with the therapy dog.
Nov. 16 – Abby is mouthing words, including the word “twelve” when the therapist asked how old she is.
Nov. 18 – Abby reaches out to our dogs and begin using a platform walker to walk.
Nov. 19 – Abby is whispering some words and clearly mouthing others.
Nov. 21 – Abby eats Cheetos and a banana and will get to start eating finely chopped foods; cognitive requests still leave her very frustrated.
Nov. 22 – Abby’s trach is removed and she does great!
Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving) – Abby says her first verbal word, “Amen!”
Nov. 24 – Abby is able to “throw” a ball (not far, but she can move her arm and release the ball).
Nov. 28 – Abby sits unassisted for > 5 minutes and voices many words, including the infamous “Hi Dad!”
Nov. 29 – Abby reads in speech therapy and gets to do math!
Dec. 1 – Abby walks with low walker, and the flexion in her ankles is improving.
Dec. 3 - Abby does a pretty impressive two-hand chest pass of a basketball and reads from a magazine.

Pretty amazing isn't it? Thank you God.

Love,
Abby & the Linams