Abby update - December 31

Happy New Year! As we look back on 2006, it's not a year that we would ever want to repeat, but it's been a year that has taught us much and made us appreciate our blessings so very much. Lots of years ago a couple of college friends and I coined the phrase "WRM" ("What Really Matters"). At the time I think it was a response to some church politics, but, over the years, I've returned to WRM a few times when my life seemed to want to get burdened down with things that weren't important. The events of 2006 made us focus on WRM. What really matters? My answer today is the grace of God and the love we show to each other, whether near or far, stranger or friend.

It's amazing the grace that God gives. This evening I spoke to a friend we made in ICU whose 5-month old son had undergone three heart surgeries. On December 2 he lost his life-long battle, but his mother and family are expressing a sense of peace with the knowledge that he is in a better place. Please keep Khai's family in your prayers. Also, please keep our dear friend Jessie in your prayers. Tomorrow Jessie leaves for Denver, where she will be teaching in a literacy program and hoping to attend graduate school in the fall. As we mentioned before, Jessie has been such a blessing to our family (and that's even before she joined the all-night home remodeling crew!). Now she's stepping out again in faith that God will use her and guide her. We know she will find a way to serve--we ask your prayers that her travels will go well and that she will find fellowship and inspiration in her new home, job, and school. We know Jessie wants to live a life that really matters.

We did have a good day today--attending church with Abby and Frank (our congregation broke into applause as Abby walked forward in the church to sit among her teen group friends), along with a church pot-luck (boy, did we miss those when we were in the hospital!). This afternoon the physical therapist visited. We were impressed with her dedication to make sure she squeezed in one more treatment for Abby this week, but we were even further impressed at the urgency with which she wants to maximize the number of therapy opportunities for Abby. She believes in Abby's potential for much recovery, and she indicated a desire to explore many options for maximizing the types and quantities of therapies. Please pray as we work out those tactics. This evening we enjoyed a quiet visit with friends at home, friends who helped us and Frank walk through a lot of long days over the last few months (and did some time in the home-repair project as well!). By the way, Abby demonstrated tonight that she still plays a mean game of foosball!

Again, Happy New Year--may 2007 bring you hope and peace and eyes that see WRM...
Love,
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby, and Frank

Abby update - December 30

We're continuing the celebration at the Linam household. Today Gordon's family joined us for a belated Christmas gathering, and food and gifts abounded once again. One very special opportunity was for the four cousins (Abby and Frank and Kim and Karen) to take their traditional Christmas photo in front of the tree. Simple traditions have a lot more meaning these days.

As we mentioned earlier, we decided to adopt our Ukrainian Orthodox friends' tradition of the Twelve Days of Christmas this year, so we're keeping the decorations up through next weekend. We thought that a nice way to wrap things up would be to celebrate with an open house on Saturday, January 6. That day is Epiphany or Three Kings Day in many traditions--a day of revealing God's gift to the world through the visit of the Magi. We'd like to show you the gift friends have given us through the work on our home and the gift God has given us in the healing process for Abby. You are all invited to stop by sometime that afternoon between 2 and 5 p.m. I'll insert directions as a postscript below.

Meanwhile, we continue to covet your prayers. A new friend of a friend shared a very special dream with us last night. The specifics are hers to uniquely tell, but I'd love to share the gist of the dream with you--that is, that each prayer that is offered up is one very important stitch in the fabric of healing and love that God is weaving--each of you mean so much to us...

Love,
-the Linams

Directions to 200 Hoots Holler, Wimberley:
*From FM3237, about 1/2 mile east of Wimberley square, turn on Flite Acres Rd. (only one direction to turn)
*Go 1.9 miles, and turn left on Little Ranches Rd.
*Go. 0.6 miles, and turn right on Hoots Holler Rd.
*We are the fourth driveway on the right; if you are able, you might want to park at the top of the driveway and walk down (about 100 yards)

Abby update - December 28/29

Not too much is new around the Linam household. We're settling into a groove, trying to make sure we do stretching and strengthening, fine and gross motor skills, cognitive and physical stuff everyday. The good news is those things can be fun--for example, over the last couple of days Abby played board games with friends (cognitive and fine motor), went walking with Arby (gross motor and balance), and made Christmas cookies (cognitive, fine motor, and sensory stimulation for all of us!). During the board games I really noticed that Abby's reading is getting better--something we want very badly for her. At the suggestion of the speech therapist, we are writing out a schedule for Abby every day. It will help Abby recognize what tasks she needs to do and to recall events of the day, and it greatly satisfies her melancholy (at least according to one of those personality categorizations) mother's desire to plan and organize...

We're sorry for the late post or if you've been unsuccessfully trying to reach us. Our phone has been out for the past couple of days. If you do have trouble getting through on a consistent basis, then you could try my cell phone (512-656-1222). We use it sparingly, but it's handy for those times when we don't have other options or if you need to leave a message...

As always, thanks for the prayers and well-wishes--they mean so much!
Love,
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby, & Frank

Abby update - December 27

Abby had good therapy sessions at home with her physical and speech therapists today, but her big accomplishment today was in occupational therapy: She was able to tie her shoes completely on her own! In fact, each day Abby is getting better in the basic activities of daily life (ADL in OT-speak). She also is moving more independently around the house--requiring assistance from us now only on the stairs.

We also had nice visits from friends today (we were touched to be given a care package from some students we've never met at Del Valley High School), and then finished off a busy day with a visit to the Trail of Lights at the EmilyAnn outdoor theater site. We received a very special hug there from Ann Rolling, who knows how fragile and beautiful a gift a daughter is (see the story of the EmilyAnn Theater at http://www.emilyann.org/emily.htm). Visiting Wimberley's pedestrian trail of lights is one of our favorite holiday activities, but we had decided that we did not want to go this year without Abby. What a blessing that Abby was able to go with us (and that she walked all over the site--she didn't even want a ride in the golf cart that was offered!).

We and Ann agreed that events like the ones we've been through change your outlook on life forever, teaching you to measure things differently and treasure moments. It's ironic that Abby is being forced to live life that way now--Her short-term memory is very poor right now, so she doesn't worry about yesterday or tomorrow. She is smiling and talking and laughing very much in the moment, and, though I pray that she does recover better use of her memory, I also pray that we never forget to live in the moment and smile with the ones we love...

Happy moments to you,
Abby & family

Abby update - December 26

Not too much news today on the Abby-front, so I'll just do a quick post and get to bed. Abby worked on her sports skills today--she and Frank practiced volleyball and nerf basketball, then both kids enjoyed shooting baskets down at the Taylors' house. It was a beautiful afternoon, and, after all those months in the hospital, I was glad for Abby to get some sunshine and fresh air. Otherwise, Gordon worked on staining new cabinets, Frank worked on finishing one erector set car, and I worked on putting away more things from our hospital stays. We finished up the evening with a game of Scrabble. Gordon and I have agreed that it's going to be hard to make ourselves go back to our jobs--we've really enjoyed this time together as a family...

But, we won't worry about that for at least another week...
Love to you and yours,
-the Linam family

Abby udpate - December 25

We've had a good day today in the Linam household. Normally, we ravage through gifts on Christmas eve, but everyone was a little too worn out to tackle them last night, so we waited until this morning. There were many, many generous gifts under the tree, but, as you can imagine, our greatest gifts were seated around the tree. It was a very special Christmas morning.

Gordon has mentioned to several friends how the Christmas season is especially significant this year. This year we have felt the anguish of having a hurting child, yet the whole meaning of Christmas is that God sent his child, with the knowledge that he would suffer and die to demonstrate God's love for us. Over the past several months we have met many people with hurting children, and it pains me to know that some will never have the chance to look forward to the recovery of their child. I cannot explain why God has granted us the gracious gift to share more days with Abby--I can only say that we have clung to a God who understands our deepest hurt and can see us through all the darkest hours. Thank you for allowing us to share these convictions--I just want to share that comfort with those whose pain is even greater than our own...

Aside from Christmas events, our primary Abby update today is musical. One of Abby's gifts was a karaoke machine, and it was a lot of fun to sing through 8 or 10 songs with her this morning. While her voice is still somewhat toneless when speaking, when singing I can hear more of her own beautiful voice. Then, this afternoon, Taylor Schaede asked her about playing the piano and the violin. Abby picked out a few notes on the piano, but muscle control in the fingers is still difficult; however, she surprised me with her violin. She very much wanted to try to play it, and was even able to play a couple of the beginning Suzuki pieces. Guess we're going to have to trim those nails that have grown so long in the hospital, Ms. Bird! ;-) Ever since she was hospitalized in ICU we've been playing music that is familiar to her. I think it helped to reach her even when she couldn't speak to us. Now I'm excited to think that music can also help in her physical and cognitive recovery!

We hope that each of you enjoyed a special Christmas day today, with your own treasures around the tree...
Love, the Linams

Our Christmas message

Abby's update from Saturday and Sunday is posted below, but we also wanted to share our Christmas letter with all of you. We tried to find addresses for those of you who have contacted us, who have given gifts to us, who helped with the benefit or our house, or who reached out to us in various ways, but we know that we were not able to mail it to everyone. There are so many more of you that we would like to receive this letter--people who have helped us through your medical care for Abby, who gave in ways that were anonymous (or who are still giving), people for whom we were unable to find addresses, or simply people who have been reading this blog and praying. We want to thank you all--we appreciate you all so much! Below is our expression of thanks, praise, and blessing for all of you...

"This has been a different kind of holiday season for our family. On the evening of October 3 Abby was involved in an accident that left her with a serious head injury. We spent three weeks in pediatric ICU in Austin and eight weeks in inpatient rehabilitation in San Antonio, but, as I write this, we are scheduled to return home on December 20—a wonderful Christmas present for our family. It has been a very frightening, stressful, and emotional period, but I can honestly say that it has been a period that has brought us together as a family, increased our faith in God and in our fellow man, and made us appreciate so much more the meaning of the Christmas season.

This Christmas I feel like we more deeply understand what peace is. The first few hours after Abby’s accident we didn’t know how we could go on, how we could face the uncertainties that lay ahead, but many, many people were praying for us and Abby. We believe those prayers helped heal Abby and brought us the peace that we needed to face each day with hope. It was the Peace that Jesus spoke of in John 14—peace that comes from Him, that is greater than the peace of the world, that could help our hearts overcome their trouble and fear. It is a peace that can give hope in the darkest hours—a Hope that we clung to and has not disappointed us.

This Christmas we also have a deeper appreciation of what it means to give. Our hearts have been touched by the outpouring of love and gifts that flowed to us in the days and weeks following the accident. The cards, phone calls, food, gifts, money, time spent with Frank and Abby, work on our home, care for our animals, and many other ways people tangibly reached out to us covered us with a blanket of generosity, including the overwhelming outpouring at the Wimberley benefit. So many of you have given of your money, talents, and time to care for us and try to give us some security for the future, and that giving has been an illustration of God’s love to us.

Peace, hope, and gifts of love—that is what we are thinking of this Christmas. Those gifts were most fully embodied in a baby born in a manger over 2000 years ago. Though Abby still has far to go in her recovery, God’s peace, hope, and gifts of love are three reasons that we feel we can continue. We pray those three blessings for you and for the world this Christmas.

It feels good to say it: Merry Christmas!"

Abby update - December 23/24

Today was a very special day for our family. We were finally able to return to church together as a family. We sneaked into our home church (New Braunfels Church of the Nazarene) this morning after the service began, but weren't able to sneak out, as Abby was hugged by nearly everyone in the sanctuary. I was so thankful for the many prayers that have gone up from the people in those pews and others--prayers that have helped us make it to this point. Then, this evening we slipped into one of the Christmas eve candlelight services here in Wimberley. It touched my heart to look over at the end and see Abby holding a candle, singing the words to "Silent Night." That's the best Christmas gift I could have received. She has a lot of work to do still, but so much of what's important, so much of what we love, is still there...

Visits from friends over the past couple of days have also brought us a lot of joy. Several of Abby's good friends have stopped in, and at one point yesterday Gordon looked over to realize that Abby was no longer sitting on the couch. She and Frank had gone upstairs with Taylor to hang out with the Game Cube--just gone upstairs--just like that! (Taylor had given her some assistance on the stairs, but it was great to have her make a decision that seemed so much like what she would have done on her own three months ago...)

Finally, I've got to tell you that we are really enjoying Abby's sense of humor. She has told us that sometimes things feel confused in her head, but she's always laughing at herself, and sometimes she comes up with the wittiest sayings on the spot. For example, yesterday we had a conversation that went something like this:
Mom: "Is something wrong?"
Abby: "No, because you are here." (awwww...)
Mom: "What did you say?"
Abby: "Because you are here."
Mom: "Oh, I thought you said 'Is something wrong with your ear?' "
Abby: "Maybe there is..."

I'll leave you with that smile...
--Abby's family

Abby update - December 22

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas--finally, around the Linam house, that is. This evening we decorated a beautiful tree that friends left for us at our house. We always enjoy decorating the tree as a family, and this year the evening was especially meaningful. It was so good to have Abby again hanging ornaments on the tree--a little shakier and slower this year, but she is with us. We've learned that life truly is very fragile and that moments like these are jewels to treasure.

It was a good ending to a day that was a little hard for me. I think I woke up realizing that I miss our safety net of doctors, nurses, and therapists all around us (not to mention the cooks and cleaning staff!!). We did have visits here at home from a physical therapist and occupational therapist who will be a part of the team treating Abby (a speech therapist will come tomorrow). Both of the therapists were wonderful and seemingly very capable young women, but I think I've just come to realize that we as a family are going to be primarily responsible for Abby's recovery. With the blanket of prayer that has surrounded us, we know we're not alone, but sometimes it seems like a very huge and very critical responsibility. The therapists have, however, been good about giving us specific assignments and goals to work toward, so it will just require a new discipline of faith and dedication (and organization, I think) in this next stage.

I suppose a part of that discipline should be a more reasonable bedtime, so I'll join the rest of the family in saying, "Good night!"
--Lee Ann & the rest of Abby's family...

Abby update - December 21

We all had a great day at home today. Abby spent much of the day with Arby by her side. During the morning we made him wait outside for her to come out and walk with him, by lunch he had worked his way into the kitchen (where she fed him most of her lunch--off her spoon!), by later afternoon, he was fully comfortable by her side in the new living room, and now he is asleep with her on her bed. I'd say he's glad that Abby is home too! Frank's also doing a great job of helping Abby get settled and encouraging her in doing things--I'm proud of the maturity and love he's shown.

Though we've got a lot of things on our "to-do" list, today we mostly just enjoyed being here with each other. Tomorrow Abby gets visits from therapists, then maybe we'll tackle unpacking and Christmas decorating. For now, I'd like to go try out that new bedroom again...

Love,
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby & Frank (& Arby & Amigo)

Abby update - December 20

We are home!!!! Halleluia!!!!

It has been an amazing day--full of some very sweet emotions. As we made about 20 trips carrying things from Abby's Warm Springs room down to the car, everyone who'd had a part in taking care of her or us there stopped by Room 427 to say good-bye. There were lots of hugs, photos, and bittersweet tears--she (and we) have been well-loved by so many very good people (in fact, Abby was telling everyone yesterday and today that she didn't want to go home--I think because she had grown so fond of everyone!). But the memory that will stay etched in my mind forever is seeing all of the nursing staff lined up by the nurses' station cheering Abby on as we walked down that hallway for the last time (as an inpatient, anyway). Many of those staff were there on the first day Abby arrived, lying on a guerney, unable to move, eat, walk, or speak, with eyes that could not follow you. And today she told them good-bye and waved as she made her exit. Maybe they see miracles like that a lot--but it touched my heart to see them applaud this miracle of ours...

The emotions kept flowing at the Ronald McDonald House where we said good-bye to our Honduran friends, Adriana and 13-year-old Dulcci. They and Dulcci's little sister have been in San Antonio (at the RMH) since February for Dulcci to receive cancer treatment. The doctors say the cancer in Dulcci's chest is not responding to treatment, but Adriana and Dulci are full of joy--believing that God is going to heal her. They always brighten my day (Adriana and I somehow manage to communicate in her limited English and my limited Spanish, while Dulcci's English is great!), often sharing their Honduran food, and today they were so happy to finally meet Abby. Please pray for Dulcci and her family--for her healing and that God will continue to use them to bring joy.

And then we had to take the long way home, with a few stops, so that we could view our next miracle of the day--our beautifully remodeled home! Okay, here's the full story, for those of you who have been wondering about my little inferences...We had been in ICU for about a week when Taylor Schaede's family called us. They had been going to our house to water plants, feed fish, etc., and arrived to find water running out the front door. A pipe leading to a toilet in our half-bath had burst, blowing a hole in the sheetrock in that room and flooding the floors in that room, the living room, the master bedroom, and the master bath. Normally this is the kind of news that would make me moan and groan, but somehow, when you're pleading with God to spare your child, carpet and sheetrock just don't seem to matter as much. In the end, however, you do want a sound home to come home to, and some very, very dear friends stepped in to coordinate a monumental effort involving subcontracting, many volunteers, and numerous gifts.

And thus, for the second time today, we found ourselves leading Abby into a group of smiling, cheering friends. It was like an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, just with a Pod instead of a bus! And what a beautiful home we walked into--it was beautiful with colors, textures, and lighting, but mostly it was beautiful with love. I am sure that we will never know how many people had a part in restoring our home, but I want to say to each one of you reading this, that we love it, it is gorgeous, and, in this busy Christmas season, you have given us a great gift--not just the warm, beautiful rooms, but a sense of all-embracing care for us.

One slight worry was that Abby would be a little disoriented with the changes, but she officially said "Wow!" and that she "loves it." So, we enjoyed a dinner left in the fridge by a neighbor, relaxed in our living room playing cards together as a family, and then helped Abby upstairs to her still-familiar pink horse room, where she is now asleep in her own bed for the first time in 78 days. The next couple of days will bring visits from in-home therapists, who will help guide us through the next steps of her recovery, but, for now, we just rejoice in being home once more.

We'd like to host an open house sometime as a thank-you and a formal celebration of the blessings we've been given, but there's still a little work to be done, and we'll need a little time to get ourselves and Abby oriented to our new schedules, etc.; however, we'd be happy for you to stop in for a quick visit any time along the way. Just give us a call at 512-847-9480. Also, I'm rediscovering the limitations of dial-up internet access, so I'd like to suggest that you use my "regular" email address: lalinam@wimberley-tx.com. For now, I'll keep on blogging every day, but I'll let you know if we decide to go to a once/week post or some other plan eventually. I've been glad for the chance at the end of each day to reflect and share with you, but I've already got a feeling that life's going to be a little busier back at home! ;-)

And now, from 200 Hoots Holler...Good night and God bless!
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby & Frank

Abby update - December 19

Today it has been 11 weeks since Abby's accident, but I'm afraid there isn't too much time for reflection...It's late and we are frantically packing, but I wanted to be true to our readers and let you know that Abby had a good day today. And that we are very excited about going home tomorrow. And that we are going to miss these wonderful nurses, doctors, and therapists very much. And that we are very, very thankful. And that we love you...

Good night,
-the Linams

Abby update - December 18

It's T minus 2 and counting...I feel like we're in that breathless period right before you take a vacation--you know, those several days when you're looking forward to the vacation, if you can just survive all the things you have to do in order to leave...Oh well, at least we don't have to check bags at the airport!

Despite our slightly frantic perspective, Abby's still managing to stay focused on therapy. Today her therapists just left her wheelchair in her room, and Abby walked everywhere. She still needs an occasional hand on the back or a reminder to straighten her body up a bit, but she's getting more and more steady on her feet. She had a couple of new experiences today: Her speech therapist had her do some work on the computer keyboard. She still seems to have a familiarity with the keys and was pretty good with the mouse, but her fine motor skills don't yet really let her type as she could before. Then, in physical therapy Abby got to go swimming! Warm Springs has both an indoor and outdoor pool, and I was determined to drop enough hints that we wouldn't leave here without getting a chance to try out the indoor one. Frank and I joined Abby and her PT in the pool, and we all feel a little more relaxed for the opportunity. Now, if we could also just arrange for a couple of neck massages for ourselves...

Tomorrow will be an emotional day, I'm sure, as we have our last therapy sessions before heading out on Wednesday. Abby's three therapists are three very special young women, with a remarkable capacity for fully devoting themselves to caring for a patient (through good times and bad) for a period of time and then allowing us to move on. I appreciate them so much, and I'm afraid that, even if they have developed the capacity to say "so long," I'm going to have a very hard time of it...pray that Gordon and I will know how to say thanks without blubbering too much...

Tears of joy--that's a good thing...
Love, the Linams

Abby update - December 17

Well, computer problems delayed my post a little, but Sunday was a great day for Abby and for us!

The four of us sneaked across the street to my secret garden on the Incarnate Word campus and joined our new Ukranian Orthodox friends for their morning worship service. They have embraced us with so much love, and it was so good to be in church together again as a family of four. They also gave me inspiration for our holidays back home. The Orthodox Church considers the Advent season a time for reflection and preparation, and then they really celebrate during the Twelve Days of Christmas between Christmas Day and Epiphany. That sounds like a wonderful plan for our family this year!

When we got back to our room, friends were waiting for us. Abby and Frank took their traditional Christmas picture with their cousins Kim and Karen in front of one of the beautiful trees in the Warm Springs lobby, and then we signed Abby "out" for the afternoon. Our good friend, Ruth, and her mother joined us for good Mexican food at Cha-Cha's (thanks to our TPWD friends, the Schroeters!). Abby really enjoyed the colors, lights, and cheese enchiladas there (though not necessarily in that order...).

Then we headed out to Friedrich Wilderness Park. They have several paved trails there that wind through the oak-juniper woodland (a lot like Wimberley). Abby walked nearly 1/2 mile, and we all enjoyed the fresh air and perfect temperatures. I'm just imagining how good it must have felt to Abby to be back in the woods after so many weeks in hospitals. It's where she belongs--now, we just need to work on getting her back to climbing trees again...(Frank had to climb them for her yesterday).

The evening brought visits from some more good friends, and a happy Abby at bedtime. Thanks to everyone who helped make our day a good one, and thanks to God for a walk in the woods with our dear daughter again...

Now, I'd better get back to her room and keep packing up...
Lee Ann & the rest of the Linam clan

Abby update - December 16

First, of all, Happy Birthday to Abby's Uncle Stephen and her dear friend Taylor! We've got lots of catching up to do on many types of celebrations when we get home!

Today was a quiet day for me and Abby (I'm sure much quieter than for those of you trying to finish Christmas shopping!). She had her reduced therapy schedule this morning, we took a nap after lunch (well, okay, I took a nap and she watched a movie), we walked and read outside in the beautiful weather until sunset, and had some guests in the evening. Gordon and Frank had some time in Wimberley, where their basketball team put up a good effort against the Goliath squad of the league (unfortunately, the Davids didn't come out ahead today...).

Tomorrow should be a fun day, as Abby has another pass to leave Warm Springs for a few hours--this time for fun of our own choosing, rather than a doctor's appointment. The days here are rapidly winding down, and I keep wondering if each day is the last day we'll see some special staff member. We're so appreciative for all the people who have cared for Abby, here and all along the way--it's hard to think that we may not see many of them again after all they've done for us. They are certainly storing up treasures in Heaven for the way they are loving people, including us, here on earth...

Thanks to all of you who have loved us along the way, as well...
--the Linams

Abby update - December 15

Our big news for today is that the hospital entrusted our own daughter back to us for a little while. Abby had a check-up at the ENT, so the hospital allowed us a pass to be able to take her there in our own car. Everything went smoothly (well, except for the nearly two-hour wait at the doctor's office), so maybe they'll really let us have her back for good next week...that is, if we pass the "test" when they turn over all her medications to us tomorrow!

Abby's PT did find some additional things to work on today. They've noticed that her hips are uneven, effectively resulting in an uneven leg length. Some "adjustments" today seemed to help, which will probably help stabilize her walking as well. She's doing so well in so many ways, but there are still many little physical things like the hips and the contractions in her neck and shoulders that we're praying will be healed, so that she can return to her amazingly active life.

And then, of course, there's the cognitive area where we have so far to go. Each day is better, but Gordon and I still long for her to be able to pick up and consume a thick book or magazine the way she did before the accident. And what we wouldn't give to have her once again speaking so fast that the rest of us beg her to slow down and let our ears catch up! Patience and prayer, patience and prayer...

Well, I guess I'd better get to bed--'cause I guess it will be our job tomorrow to wake up Abby at some very unSaturday-like hour for some of those medications...we've got to pass the test, 'cause we sure want to take her home!

Have a great weekend!
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby, & Frank

Abby update - December 14

Abby had another good day today. Her primary notable accomplishment was getting into our truck (no great challenge at all to her, but important for getting to go home!).

Otherwise, we just continue to see Abby blossom or "wake up" a little more each day. Gordon and I both have noticed that each morning as she wakes up and says good morning she seems a little bit more like our Abby. I was reminded of the Bible story that a couple of good friends shared with us in the early days of this ordeal. In the story of Jarius' daughter, Jesus is asked by Jarius to hurry to his home because his 12-year-old daughter is very sick. But along the way, Jesus gets delayed by other people who need his help and healing. I'm sure Jarius is panicking, but Jesus knows what he's doing, even when he arrives at Jarius' home and everyone is wailing because the little girl has died. Jesus tells them that she's not dead, but sleeping (and they laugh). Then he finally goes in to her and says "Talitha koum" ("Little girl, get up"), and she does. We know how Jarius must have felt--thinking that it was taking too long--but the good news is that now we're also knowing the joy of our beloved 12-year-old girl waking up and walking around. God has been working all this time, even when we were panicking.

Oh, yeah, and the end of the story is that Jesus told her family to give the little girl something to eat, so I must close with a special message to my Mississippi relatives that, believe it or not, there were actually turnip greens on Abby's plate yesterday, and she ate them. I think we can expect some real miracles to start happening now, even if she did only agree to swallow a spoonful or two... ;-)

With patience and gratitude,
Talitha Linam's family

Abby update - December 13

Today was a much better day for Abby. She seemed to feel a lot better, although she was tired again in the evening. This morning she again worked with a therapy dog--a pretty female golden retriever named "Q.T." (get it?), who has a neat trick of picking up dirty clothes off the floor and putting them in the washing machine (now there's a trick I want Arby to learn!). The therapist who arranges the sessions with the dogs also shows dogs herself, so she was getting Abby engaged today by asking her to give the obedience commands, including hand signals--much more fun than regular old therapy!

However, regular old therapy was pretty fun today as well. Abby made oatmeal cookies in Occupational Therapy, and then in PT she walked up a flight of stairs to give some to an elderly friend she'd made on the 3rd floor and then walked back down the stairs. She's come a long way with the stairs--they were very difficult for her at first because of her tight calves and achilles tendons, but she handles them pretty well with a little assistance from the PT. Stairs will be an important skill for her at our house, as some of you may know!

I had a good talk with Priscilla's mom yesterday. We've gone through so many of the same emotions, and we're both praying so hard for each other's daughter. It's been about eight weeks since her injury, and she is improving. She is improving in her feeding and in tracking things with her eyes. She hasn't said words, but she's more vocal in other ways than Abby was at that point; however, I know that her mother is worried because she still doesn't have a lot of muscle control. Some of the spasticity has improved, but she still does not hold her head upright, so she can't sit, crawl, walk, etc. Please pray for these issues, and, as Rosa says, that we can both be patient in faith...

Thanks for all your prayers--we've had good contacts with our plans for follow-up therapy and schooling in our home, so those are praises, but sometimes we feel like there's still much to be done before December 20 (It wouldn't hurt to offer a prayer or two for Mike and Andrea Oldmixon, who are coordinating the repairs on our home...) [grin] (thanks Mike & Andrea!).

Love,
-the Linams

Abby update - December 12

Today was both a good day and a hard day for Abby. Good, because she got her stomach tube taken out! Bad, because literally pulling that tube out through your stomach and abdominal wall hurts. She was in a fair amount of discomfort after the procedure and a little bit teary-eyed and emotional the rest of the day. I also just got the sense that maybe Abby's feeling a little tired of everything. Tired of so many things hurting, tired of everything she tries being difficult, tired of finding words confusing, tired of being away from home. She's got a great attitude most days, but I can understand that some days she must feel discouraged, just as we do some days. When you add to that the fact that she can't really find the words to explain it to us (and, then, of course she's 12, so explaining things to your parents becomes complicated in your mind at that age anyway!), and you'll understand why we'd like you to just say a little prayer for her encouragement tonight.

She did do well, medically, once the tube was pulled, so that's a praise. She ate a light lunch and a good dinner and has been a good sport about having to take all her pills and other medicines by mouth now. And we did have another encouraging encounter during the last couple of days. Our doctor brought a very vivacious 21-year-old up to introduce herself to us. Leticia was a patient here five years ago following an automobile accident. She was in a coma for many weeks and had numerous broken bones in addition to a severe head injury. She said, "Look at me now! Don't give up! Miracles can happen! I'm even wearing high heels!" She was very sweet and very full of life and wit and very, very encouraging. (She also works here now.) I'm looking forward to the time when Abby will be able to share those words of encouragement with others (although I can't picture her in the high heels...). She already makes Priscilla's mom happy when she sees her.

So, God is using each step of this process, even these harder days, I suppose...I'm just eager to move on to being able to tell the whole recovery story...but maybe there's more work to be done along the way...

Thanks for all your encouragement...
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby, & Frank

Abby update - December 11

I think it's time to go home--because I'm not sure I'm cut out for this college-lifestyle any more! Gordon and I have noticed that Abby's room at Warm Springs is a lot like a college dorm room, but trying to organize the stuff from a family of four in a dorm room is getting a little stressful! And now I find myself in a university library trying to finish my "work" before it closes down at midnight. I'm too old for this!

So, I'd better get on to the news for today. Abby had a good day today. I'd say her primary achievement was taking a long walk outside during PT, that even included some "off-road" excursions. I told the PT that she was really getting her ready for life on Hoots Holler! She did really well.

We also want to offer praises for some friends that are stepping in to help us with the transition to home. We've been feeling a little bit like we're not ready, but, after a long talk with the rehab doctor this morning (she's a little bit like trying to get Arby to settle down for a calm talk!), and some long phone calls with some friends with experience in rehab and special ed, we're hopeful that we've got some leads for getting the help that we'll need. Right now it looks like we'll try to get our therapy through a pediatric home health service and then add home-bound school assistance after the first of the year. Eventually we'll probably go to out-patient therapy, but, for now, this will be a nice transition.

They're turning out the lights in the library now, but I want to mention one more praise. A few days ago Abby received a jersey that was signed by the members of the Texas A&M women's softball team. That should give her some incentive to get back on the field!!

Gotta go and get a bit of sleep--at least I don't have finals this week!!

Love,
Lee Ann & the rest of the sleeping Linams...

Abby update - December 10

I've thought of a few praises for Abby that I think I failed to record earlier. First, a few days ago I asked Abby if she'd like to pray before our meal. She said "yes," and offered a wonderful simple prayer of a few sentences. She did that for us again today. Sometimes simple words are so hard to come by, and sometimes real humor or emotion or reflection escapes through her lips.

And yesterday Abby got to eat tamales! Her speech therapist is gradually moving her back to a nearly normal diet, so I figured she was ready to try the tamales that her Grandma Linam brought her last week. She really enjoyed them. It may seem like a small step forward, but I so vividly remember someone bringing us tamales to eat during our first few days in ICU, and, with the first bite, I couldn't go on--all I could remember was how much Abby loves tamales. Now tamales taste that much better to me...

We didn't have therapy today, but her therapists left her with homework, so we worked on a few cognitive questions for Speech, worked on neck flexion for PT, and worked on using the left hand more for OT. Other than that, we didn't do much but be together today, with drizzly weather outside. I have a feeling that there will come a day when we look back with longing at these days when all we did was simply be together...I know I already appreciate them more...

With appreciation,
-the Linams

Abby update - December 9

It's been a good day for everyone today. Abby enjoyed another sleepover with Taylor and Rhonda last night while we were in Wimberley, and when I got back around mid-day they said she'd been talking up a storm. Not every day has milestones, but I can honestly say that I can see each day that she's getting better at communication. Frank and Gordon (and the rest of the team that Gordon's coaching) pulled off a nail-biter victory in Little Dribblers this morning. Frank contributed a lot of good ball handling and defense and a few points as well. The friends working on our house are making great progress, while I'm hoping that they're not feeling too much stress (ala "Extreme Makeover Home Edition"). The dogs enjoyed themselves spending some time at home and then here with Abby (although they nearly got arrested after another resident assured us it was just fine for them to come into the lobby out of the cold and Security had other interpretations of the rules...!). And I think Grandma Johnson had a good time trying to keep up with us all...

We hope it was a good day for you as well--take some time to reflect on the real joys of the Season...

Love,
Abby, Frank, Lee Ann, Gordon, Arby & Amigo

Abby update - December 8

Just a quick update today, as it's actually already December 9, and Abby had a quieter day on Friday. She's still progressing in every area--she's better able to stop herself when the wrong word comes to mind and then find the right one. She also stood for awhile in PT today without anyone holding her hand or supporting her in any way! What I've loved recently is that when I wake up in the morning in her room, she's usually already awake and lifting herself up off the pillow to look around. I'll ask her how she's doing and she gives me that good 'ol "Gig 'em" thumbs up.

It's neat to feel how everyone--staff and patient--at Warm Springs knows Abby and is pulling for her. On Friday evening when we walked into the dining room for dinner everyone clapped for her. In return, Abby gives everyone she meets a wave or a hi--so much for the personality changes they warn you about with head injury. I think Abby's sweet nature is going to still be there...

Well, better go--Frank has a basketball game this morning at 8:30. Keep them in your prayers--so far it looks like our team averages 3-4" less in height than most of the teams in the league...

Love,
the Linams

Abby update - December 7

I'm afraid Abby's schedule is becoming a lot like the Christmas Frenzy that consumes us all this time of year. After a long day of therapy, which included some games of fetch with a wonderfully smart Australian shepherd therapy dog named Emily, some wonderful stretching of her neck and shoulders (which still worry me because they are so tight), and some not so wonderful taste tests to help Abby better choose between pleasant and unpleasant stimuli, and visits from some good friends, she then headed downstairs to a Christmas party for all the Warm Springs inpatient and outpatient kids.

It was a very fun event, the highlight of which was a visit by the Spurs Coyote. He spotted Abby and immediately got down beside her and gave her a really big hug (he also gave Jessie a big kiss, just in case she doesn't tell that story to all of you...!). Abby also got her picture taken with Santa, worked on some craft projects, and, like the rest of us this time of year, added some sugar to her diet. It's nice to be able to participate in something so "normal" as a Christmas party, but it was also nice to be among a group of people where we had a common bond of having seen our children through some difficult changes. It was okay for our daughter to be "different" at this point in time, because they had all been through it too. That's a feeling that may take some work when we're back in the "real world."

Please pray for that transition for us--that our house will be ready, that we will feel confident about knowing how to meet Abby's needs, that Frank and Abby will adjust well to being back at home in a new situation, and, especially, that we will find the right combination and source of therapy as Abby continues on in her recovery. And just keep praying that Abby will be so much better by the time we do leave in two weeks!

Wishing you all the real Blessings of the Season...
--the Linams

Abby update - December 6

Today this girl got to go to the mall! Abby's therapists organized her first "outing" for her (a good thing, since she's really going to be "out" in a couple of weeks). When Gordon and I heard "outing" we were picturing a park, but I think the therapy crew kind of likes malls better. That's okay, we had a really good time there, including Grandma and Grandpa.

And Abby did really well there. She walked the whole time (and you know how tiring walking in malls can be!). She also ordered her meal at the Chinese place in the food court (orange chicken, fried rice, lo mein noodles, and egg drop soup--a welcome change, I'm sure, from finely chopped chicken and carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pudding!). She even did a little Christmas shopping at Bath and Body Works and saw Santa! The kids and I have always loved to visit malls at Christmas time, and this visit was extra-special.

Tonight, however, she's pooped, but then so am I, so I'll just close with thanks for sharing our joy over the last few days.

Blessings of Christmas to you all,
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby, & Frank


WHO IS ABBY? - final page
Abby’s a child of God. Some would classify her as a “compliant” child, but I prefer to think that God has simply given her a sweet spirit, designed to be a woman after His own heart. She chooses to do the right thing because it is what her heart seeks, and she loves because I think she knows she is loved. I’ve written of her empathy for animals, but she reaches out to people too. I remember her crying as a 3-year-old when Frank got his immunizations because he cried. I remember her wanting to visit Luther, an elderly blind friend, when she was about five or six and then her holding his hand. I remember when she was about seven or eight and learned of orphans in Madagascar and how she and her friend Amber and Frank held a bake sale at the local grocery store to raise money to send them. I think of her visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and shut-ins with her dog or violin—perhaps because I took her, but with a willing heart. When I first began to attend our church 16 years ago, I noticed a young blonde, blue-eyed girl with an angelic face who radiated God’s love as she sang in children’s programs. Little did I know that girl, Jessie, would grow up to be such a blessing in our lives. Little did I know that God would grant us such an angel of our own a few years later. Abby knows and believes that she has a home in heaven, but I prefer to believe that God can do much of heaven’s work on earth through her. And that is the Abby we know, love, and believe in.

Abby update - December 5

The big news for today? It looks like we'll be home for Christmas!! Our doctor is so pleased with the progress that Abby has made that she thinks we'll be ready to leave here on December 20. What a wonderful Christmas gift--to all be home together (with animals!) to celebrate the birth of Jesus! There's just a little trepidation on our part--imagining that we'll be on our own--but all the members of our treatment team here at Warm Springs are working together to make sure that we've got a good support network of outpatient therapy and school-system resources lined up for our return home. (They're saying that Abby will probably have home-based school, for a while anyway.) Oh yes, and then there's the fact that we've got a little packing up to do here and our home remodeling crews now have a deadline looming...but God's worked everything out before...). And of course, the final issue is that we're again going to really miss the people who have cared for Abby so wonderfully here. Yesterday the recreation therapist and social worker abducted me at lunch time and took me out to lunch and shopping for a Christmas tree for Abby's room. Just as in Austin, our whole family has felt loved by a very large group of people here.

Aside from that big news, Abby was just a little better at everything today. Today OT and PT combined efforts, and she walked while dribbling a basketball. It's still pretty easy to steal the ball from her, but it's amazing for me to see both her hands and feet working when three weeks ago she could not move her hands purposefully. Speaking of hands, she also got to decorate a Christmas tree during therapy. She also was somewhat better in organizing her use of vocabulary today in speech therapy.

Sing it with us..."I'll be home for Christmas..."--It's truly a season of miracles--
Love,
-the Linams

WHO IS ABBY? - page 8
Abby's a "uniter," not a "divider." She's like the glue that holds people together. Abby is the one who organizes our family fun nights. Holidays and traditions and even just weekend evenings together are important to her. She doesn't even like it when a meal starts without everyone present. During the summer, when I would be tempted to let everyone scrounge for their own lunch, Abby often digs in the cabinets and cooks up something for us all to sit down and share (usually Ramen noodles or macaroni-n-cheese). I think, that in her own non-dominant way, she fulfills this role at school as well, where I know she would much rather have everyone getting along together than to have lots of separate groups of "friends." I think it was the fear of losing this part of Abby that frightened us most. Although we did not realize it when we named her, Abigail means "source of joy." December 5, the day I post this entry, happens to be the anniversary of my father's death. I also think of him as being the joy and energy of our family times together at home. Now Abby, a source of joy in my own family and so important to who we are as a family, is struggling to return to us fully, and we have begged God to allow her to do just that.

Abby update - December 4

As I glanced back over Abby's recovery chronology, I realized that I had forgotten to mention one achievement: As of about five days ago, Abby's also writing. Most of it's the basics, such as her name, but it's been interesting to note that sometimes it's easier for her to write the answers to math problems than to say the number. The answer's still there for her, and but sometimes, when the verbalization wires get crossed, it's easier for her hands to find it.

We keep being amazed at how complex (and complicated) recovery from brain injury is. Sometimes I find that I need to remind myself to treat Abby like the intelligent 12-year-old she is, especially when her verbal responses are usually one word (and sometimes a nonsensical word), but then sometimes she demonstrates her awareness in heart-warming or heart-breaking ways. This evening Gordon asked her what she and I were talking about and she said (with a smile) "my body parts don't listen to my brain." But this afternoon, when the PT asked her what was wrong, she answered, with tears in her eyes, "All things." My heart just breaks for her, when she knows what she wants to do and just can't do or say it. And we keep having to say to her what doctors have said to us for 9 weeks: "It takes a long time..."

Thank you for praying with us for so long...As Jesus asked, please watch and pray with us a little longer...

Love,
Lee Ann, Gordon, Abby, & Frank

WHO IS ABBY? - page 7
Abby's creative. Her friends will tell you that she's always drawing horses everywhere, and her Grandma Johnson has helped her do several good oil paintings. She enjoys arts and crafts of many types and has even made her reluctant Mom dust off the sewing machine for her on a few occasions--sometimes for girl clothes and sometimes for dog clothes! She's creative in the kitchen as well, especially when it comes to combining new ingredients for cookies--usually sucessfully... Finally, she's not afraid to create with a hammer and nails--she and her friend Taylor even built that tree house where she and Arby read!

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

Abby update - December 2

Well, I can't really tell you what Abby is up to this evening, because I'm not there. Gordon and I have given up our spot in Abby's room to two of her best friends and one of their moms for a hush-hush little "sleepover." It's not really allowed under Warm Springs rules, but everyone there is pretty cool when it comes to bending the rules a little to make Abby happy. And I can tell you that she appeared to be delighted to be surrounded by friends when I left her this afternoon. (And I can tell you that she had good therapy sessions this morning--I really believe that she's going to be walking without assistance before long.)

We're actually in Wimberley this evening. Frank had a basketball game here today. Unfortunately, his team was among the 50% of the teams that are now tied for second place after the first game of the season. However, Frank did bring home a trophy from a pinewood derby race today in Austin. He's really enjoyed these activities, and we appreciate the friends who have helped keep him involved in so many good things.

The few times I've been home certainly stir up a lot of emotions. It's been hard to be away for so long, but I've really got no desire to be here until we can bring Abby home (that's especially true since all our animals are staying other places right now). We so appreciate the friends who are working hard to get the repairs done in our home--it will be a very sweet homecoming indeed when the four of us walk back through our doors.

Hoping you're enjoying the treasures of "no place like home..."
-the Linams

WHO IS ABBY? - page 6
Abby has a gift with animals. She’s always been surrounded by dogs and horses, but her first favorite animals were kittens and toads. We have many pictures of her as a toddler with a toad in each hand, and Gordon and I have laughed many nights as we watch her and Frank play “fun” night-time games with toads. When she was two we got a kitten whom we named “Forest” after Forest Gump, because when she started chasing him, we would just yell “Run, Forest, run!” But later she showed more sensitivity—winning over several skittish kittens with patience and love. That empathy served her well again when she saved her money to purchase a Senegal parrot, only to discover that “Paquita” has arbitrarily returned her affection with disdain, but Abby takes it all with good humor. In the past few years Abby has come full circle to dogs and horses again. When my old horse, Mo, passed away, we replaced him with a small, pretty mare who wasn’t the kids’ horse that I imagined, but Abby never gave up on her and has worked hard to make her a more responsive horse, while in the process becoming a very good rider herself. Building on experience with our trusted golden retriever Amigo, Abby took a hyper-active 7-month-old golden named Arby and has funneled that energy into winning performances in obedience, conformation, showmanship, and dog agility. But you know what touches my heart most? It’s when I see the two of them in the tree house, with Arby’s head on Abby’s lap as she reads a book out loud to him…now that’s a bond between a girl and her dog…

Abby update - December 1

Today Abby decided to make her big strides (literally) in PT. Now, I've got to confess that Gordon attended most of today's sessions with Abby, as Frank and I slipped away to enjoy Frank's favorite meal-- breakfast--at the Guenther House, home of the original Pioneer Flour mill owners. Frank really enjoyed the pancakes, biscuits, muffins, rolls, bacon, and a little fruit, so then we had to take a walk in the historic King William district to work off a few of those carbs.

Anyway, when we walked back in the door at Warm Springs, whom should we see but Abby, just out cruising the halls using only a regular walker and an occasional helping hand from the therapist. We had to walk fast to catch up with her, as she was moving fast. She really showed great improvement in her walking skills today, both in the use of the regular walker (rather than the higher, platform version she had required) and in flexing her ankles and putting her heels on the floor. So, thanks for all those achilles tendons prayers!

Each other session showed improvement as well. She's using her voice more, although she'd still rather whisper than speak out loud. Sometimes things get confused on the cognitive responses, but there's good indication that she knows what she wants to say, but can't always find the word. (We had to smile when the PT asked her what hurt and she said "tendon"--she obviously had figured out what word went with that body part!). Her arm movements (and basketball shots) are getting better each day as well.

People often ask us how long we expect to be here and the truthful answer is only God knows. As long as Abby is making progress, this intensive treatment allows her the best chance to continue to improve, so, while we're eager to get home, we're also glad to be here, since that means Abby is still getting better. Today our PT indicated that she thinks Abby is at the point where she will make rapid gains in her physical performance, but that families are often frustrated to find that the cognitive improvement moves at a slower pace. So, we don't know where we'll be at Christmas, but we're trusting that, like Thanksgiving, it will bring us blessings wherever we are...

But, it's midnight again, and Abby still has a half-day of therapy in the morning, so I'd better just leave you with a short segment from our "Who Is Abby" series and wish you all a good night...

Love,
Lee Ann (& the rest of the sleeping Linams)

WHO IS ABBY? - Page 5
Abby's a musician. Like her Mom, she's not a prodigy, but with pretty consistent work, she's developed some skills. She's taken Suzuki violin lessons since kindergarten and has progressed to the point where she's playing some rather difficult Vivaldi and Bach concertos. For a busy 7th-grader, sometimes it's a challenge to motivate the hard work required on these pieces, but she's sticking with it. I enjoy hearing her play beautiful worship music for church, but she'd usually rather play a lively fiddle tune. She's also learning to play the piano and has a nice singing voice. A typical pre-teen, her biggest musical ambition right now is to form a Christian rock band with some of her friends.