March 8th

Gee it’s hard to find time to update the blog. Nothing like a tornado warning to create some ‘down time’ in the basement to do an update as long as the power holds out (looks like it will just past north of us accompanied with 70 MPH winds and that nasty hail on the fringes). That’s just another sign that spring is coming. We can’t wait to get outside on a frequent basis with Ashley and take in the sights of the neighborhood. This time we will be including a walker in the mix rather than just her wheel chair.

It did provide for a hasty first with Ashley. That was the trip down here to the basement. She is lounging peacefully on the sofa as we watch the weather channel.

Last weekend Ashley got a haircut. Not just a trim; it is just below her shoulders now. She also was treated to a manicure and pedicure that same afternoon. Yes, she is looking gorgeous.

At the end of February Ashley had a visit from one of her high school friends, Erika, before she left for studies in Valparaiso… Chile, not Indiana. We checked on Erika’s blog www.ejprud.blogspot.com and found out she was encountering a lot of culture change.

Last Thursday we visited with a dietitian. Ashley has been eating so well we knew it was time to see about adjusting her liquid nutrition in response to her increased oral eatings. We are cutting back on the liquid nutrition by 20% and providing her dietitian with monthly updates to receive guidance on continually tapering the tube feedings. Great news!

We interrupt this blog for a weather update. The storm has past and while it is still windy the sun has come out. We are back on the main level and Ashley is doing her solo mat workout in the family room now.

Ashley will have an appointment with her neurologist this coming week. He will be addressing the tone issues she continues to have in her right arm and ankles. We also anticipate the elimination of one more medication that we have been tapering for several months.