Monday, January 21, 2008

January 21st

Although Ashley has been home less than a week she is heading off to her third day of therapy. As I speak the flooring in Ashley’s temporary bedroom is being laid. She will be coming home from therapy to a much improved living environment.

Ashley had company this weekend in the form or both relatives and friends. It is obvious that she is enjoying being home. Several times now we have brought Ashley out to the family room where she could sit on a sofa to watch a movie, and yesterday a little football. Since Ashley can communicate to us via her ‘Yes’ button we are able to ask her what she wants to do and then do it.

Along the topic of the yes button, Ashley reached a new milestone on Friday; speech. While at therapy and in the presence of not one, but three speech therapists, Ashley whispered a response to one of them. The question was what her favorite sport was. The therapist nearest Ashley told Mary (who was temporarily out of the room) she thought Ashley might have said tennis, but that the only unmistakable sound was an ‘S’. Mary told them that Ashley has been a competitive swimmer for years. The therapist said that must have been it. While it was difficult to understand it was not just sound it was the formation of speech.

We have not heard Ashley annunciate since (you can imagine that we are coaxing her) but the therapist said that she most certainly managed to get the complex signals to all the muscles that were necessary to create more than just a sound. To say we were excited is the biggest understatement so far this year!

While it is wonderful to have Ashley home she will be going back to Chicago (Northwestern Memorial) at the end of the month for a medical procedure. The procedure is to implant a pump that will provide Ashley with controlled doses of the muscle relaxant she receives. At this time she takes the medicine orally (though her peg-tube) which requires higher dosing with a side affect of drowsiness. Following the procedure she will go back to Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) for a week to 10 days for evaluation to get the dose just right before coming home.

The original plan was for Ashley to have the procedure before coming home (at least that is the excuse I am using for not having the house ready for her) but the scheduling did not work and we were anxious to get both Ashley and Mary home even if there would be a return trip. Looking on the positive side we can consider the nearly three weeks Ashley will be home as the trial run. We will be able to ask questions about the transition to home care from the hospital setting we would not have thought of until we experienced it.

Father Jason from St. Vincent’s came over on Sunday to provide Ashley with Holy Eucharist. All you need to see is the smile on Ashley’s face to realize how important her faith is to her. It is that faith, combined with your loving prayers and her unwavering motivation, that will she her through this challenge to a full recovery.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! We continue to be amazed by your progress Ashley! Way to go! We are excited to hear that you are starting to form words. You are truly an inspiration. love, the Hillman's

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news today. We were so excited to see Austin back swimming for BD at the SAC meet.

Know that our prayers continue to come your way daily.

Our love always.

The Coffee's

Anonymous said...

Well, it made your old uncle teary eyed to read about your latest progress. Ashley, you are a constant inspiration. Please know that so many folks here in Cincinnati and beyond are always asking me about you and keeping you and all your family in their thoughts and prayers. I hope to get up to Ft. Wayne to see you soon.

Anonymous said...

Oh ASH!!
I'm soo proud of your progress and will repeat what the others have said before me.. I am continually inspired by you each and every day. I know the recovery has been slow but you are moving forward!!! You've always been a go-getter Ash and I know you won't change that now! I'm very pleased to hear that you are still a watergirl because I know you were saying swimming as well!!! but maybe all of that tennis at GA had an impact as well!! I'm going to try to come and visit while I'm home this weekend!! YAY!!
I love you Ashley marie.. keep on going!
Love,
Rach

Anonymous said...

Ashley, Austin, Mary, and Jeff,
What a wonderful blessing this week to all be staying home under one roof. I pray that you all get plenty of rest that I know you must need. I am also so pleased to hear you are trying to speak Ashley. Hang in there this is big progress!!!
Love,
Shelly Merz

Anonymous said...

HI ALL, I'M WITH UNCLE ED ON THE TEARY EYES. I'M READING, LAUGHING AND CRYIING. GOOD THIING NOONE'S HOME TONIGHT. NOT REALLY I'LL CALL MATT AND HE'LL DO THE SAME THING. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU. I'LL BE PASSING THROUGH THURSDAY AND WANT TO STOP IN. UNTIL THEN KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU AND I'M CHEERING FOR YOU! ANN

Anonymous said...

Hey sweetheart! That is so amazing. I can hardly contain my excitement. I have been walking on sunshine all day. I have told everyone about your progress and it has been met with "way to go!" and "Great news!" left and right. We are all so proud of you. Tommy and Amie are keeping you in their prayers, and of course, Mom, Dad, and Nick are as well. My roommates (Molly Rondot, Audrey Waggoner, Katie Witte) were also so excited to hear this news. We're all pulling for you, Ash. What fabulous, fabulous news!
Keep up the AMAZING work. You are doing so well. Oh, and I was so happy for you to hear you received the Eucharist. I'm sure you were over the moon about that! :)
I love you, Ashley!
In my heart, thoughts, and prayers!
XoXo,
Emily

Anonymous said...

You are constantly surprising me Ashley! Like Emily, I am constantly giving Ashley updates to everyone I know. Everyone is rooting for you! It was so great to see you the other night. I loved walking into your house and seeing you sitting up on the couch! It was a much needed girls' night, don't you think?

I can't wait to do it again,
Sam