Abby update - May 25

We walked down Memory Lane today--although there were some roads that Abby didn't care much to recollect...

Abby had an appointment this morning with the physical therapist in Austin who is working on her neck stiffness. Michelle thinks that Abby can improve her jaw discomfort with some stretching, rather than try orthodontics, which sounds like great news to us! Afterwards we dropped by St. David's just to say hello to the therapists in the Day Program there. It was great to see those wonderful professionals, but Abby didn't think it was very amusing when I told her she needed to sit in the waiting room and wait for her next therapy appointment...

Then on to Children's Hospital. We finally had a chance to deliver the toys that friends brought to Abby's birthday party to be donated to the hospital. The staff there were so happy to receive them, and we were glad to have the chance to drop into ICU to see if there were any familiar faces. Abby immediately got a big hug from Valerie and Lisa, two of our "warrior" nurses, as Gordon called them--nurses who often spent their entire 12-hour shift on their feet constantly monitoring and tending Abby as all her body systems struggled in response to the trauma inflicted upon it. What another amazing group of incredibly capable professionals. But what was even more amazing to me was to have them look up and recognize Abby--then she was so still and unresponsive, her essence defined by tubes and monitors, and now she's so vital and full of life. That ability to really see the patient beyond the life support systems must be, I think, the essence of nursing...

Then, this evening, Gordon and I were able to stroll a little further down Memory Lane, as we attended graduation for our friend, Steven. Steven (Amber's brother) was the first kid we met when we moved to Wimberley (as friends of Steven, we won't tell you the details...). Seeing him graduate made us proud, but also reminded us that life slips by very quickly--May we all treasure the moments that each day brings...

Wishing you special moments tomorrow...
-the Linams