April, 2007

April 11, 2007, these past few days you have been so calm and alert. Tara, your speech therapist has ordered a pureed tray to be ready when I come at 2:30 so I can start feeding you once again. You have been eating fruits and yogurts but I wanted to revisit giving you pureed dinners. Also, you have been taking juices off of a spoon and practicing with a straw. Everything in good time, patience has never been one of my strong suits. You did very well for the first time with mashed potatoes and vegetables, you also ate the cup of pureed fruit and drank some juice. I am very happy!

You have been full of smiles and there is a peacefulness about you that is very different from anything I have seen in the past. I am not sure what is going on but it makes me happy to see you so relaxed and at peace.

I am on vacation the week of April 16th. Melissa has flown to Atlanta to be with Shanon and Mike for her birthday. She is now 28 years old. The weather is very cold, windy and rainy. We are going to have a lot of flooding and uncertainty with road conditions. The state has declared an emergency and asked people to stay off the roads unless it is necessary.

Today is Sunday, April 15th... I always come and see you but not today. I did go to Church but I am concerned about the long drive to the center and the road conditions. Dad and I decided to stay home knowing full well you are okay.

Monday, April 16th... I came down in the afternoon after the weather calmed down and the roads cleared up. You were doing well and very alert. You were responding to me and reaching out to me with your right arm and touching my face. You ate well and were very focused. You seemed to be trying very hard.

The next couple of days you were the same and I must say I enjoyed it very much. On Wednesday you were very vocal and the nurse came in to give you your meds. She was enjoying you very much and how attentive and vocal you were. You started to get very restless and some what agitated. I felt you were trying very hard to communicate but unfortunately you went in to full blown storming. You became very sweaty and agitated and they had to give you Ativan to help calm you. Your temp was rising and I was very upset. Veronica set up an IV fluid for you and they packed you in ice. Fortunately, this episode only lasted approximately 2 hours and you fell asleep. They did not have to give you morphine which I was very glad about.

The next few days you were very focused and eating well for me. You continue to vocalize and I truly believe you are trying to process things. Your smile tells all.

When I arrived on Sunday, April 22nd you were still in bed and had been running a temp. You were somewhat agitated and sweaty but fortunately they got in under control immediately. You rested and calmed down and we then got you in the chair. Dad came later and we visited and went outside, it was so beautiful. The weather for the next few days is going to be high 70’s. We are enjoying the patio very much.

On the way home from the center I received a call from Andrea, she gave me such wonderful news. She will be coming this summer to work with you 10 hours a week. I was so thrilled and thanked God for answering my prayers. She will bring so much joy and fun to you during your time together.

April 24th, 2007... I got a surprise call from Andrea that she was on her way. You were already in bed but she got to see you anyway. You were sound asleep and very peaceful but sometimes you looked as though you were faking. We know how much you love to ignore people especially when you don’t want to be bothered. Andrea spent a long time with us and I was very happy to see her.

For the last few weeks you have been so great. You are alert and very calm, you are eating well and we have a lot of fun together.

My company volunteers came down to your center on the 25th of April and we build the Pergola and arbor and landscaped. It was a great day and we had good weather and it looks beautiful.

April, 2007

Here we are going into April and you are doing very well. You are eating, vocalizing more and the weather has been awesome. We have spent a lot of time outside enjoying the waterfall by the patio. We have been truly blessed.

We are now approaching spring but you would never know it based on the weather. It has turned bitter cold and we are seeing snow showers. Easter is April 8th and we are planning on taking you to Uncle Fred’s.

Wednesday April 4th I arrived at the center at 3 p.m. and you were in bed. You were very agitated and went into full blown brain storming. The doctor came in and filled your Baclifin pump and they gave you morphine and Ativan to calm you. You were sweating profusely and your temp was 103. They put you on a cooling blanket and then on IV fluid. It is now 6 p.m. and you have finally calmed down. The aides will be in soon to make you comfortable and change your clothes. You slept all night and for the next two days.

Sunday April 8th, it is Easter and we are bringing you to Uncle Fred’s. All your Aunt’s, Uncle’s and cousins will be there to see you. When I got to the center you were quite active and I was concerned but you calmed down and were very quiet the ride to Uncle Fred’s. Everyone was glad to see you and you smiled some and slept some. You had lots of pictures taken with all the family and Melissa will add them to your web page.

It was a very blessed holiday!