November 5th

I think we can say Ashley has sprung back from the setback she had from battling the infection from last weekend.

Over the weekend and especially today Ashley was showing marked improvement. Whereas she was more irritable during the first few days back from Northwestern Hospital, the last couple of nights she slept well and was looking around more and seemed more comfortable.

Ashley had made significant progress just over a week ago in moving her head and locating sources of sound and tracking them. Then the infection threw her for a loop. Now she is making up for that.

In physical therapy today she was in a supported standing position for nearly 30 minutes. That is the longest she has had her weight on her feet yet. During occupational therapy her task was to place pegs in a board. She needed assistance, but it was apparent that she was concentrating quite hard looking back and forth from the board to the container of pegs. Toward the end she was showing frustration with her lack of eye-hand coordination, but that in itself is a sign of progress that she is focusing in on a task and has the desire to complete it.

Even though the cold weather is moving in Ashley is getting bundled up and taking on the windy city with trips to the park a block away and even going to the neighborhood grocery store with Mary.

Ashley’s original return date was a week from this coming Friday (November 16th) but now her doctor is considering an extension. We are for Ashley staying longer especially due to setback and the rebound she is now making.