So, getting you caught up!
Allie is loving her time in the classroom. She has said that she really knows she wants to work with children who are troubled. It’s where her heart is for sure. She has also stated that “she is not going to sit around this fall, and she needs to start applying for a job “(part time ). To me this is a good sign….she is back….:).
We did see the hand surgeon in Boston. It was more than she expected appointment wise. They put her through a couple tough tests…..broke my heart to hold her while they put needles into her muscles and wiggled them and shot currents through…..she survived. In the end, after 3 plus surgeries she could gain a little but also lose a little . After that, she would have no chance for any other gains and since she has some time to think on this- she is waiting. We will go to Colorado and see what their thoughts are as far as rehabilitation first.
Meanwhile, there is a very nice trainer in White River Jct. who has done some work with these types of injuries. He is working with us on using stim to help stimulate her muscles in her legs. Wish he wasn’t so far away but we are going 1 x a week (he is also a very busy man) to have him help train us to do this with her. Time is our only problem, we don’t have enough hours in our day so we may be looking for someone else to help with this.
This week we met with Urology to discuss options for her catheter. Looks like we need to get bladder spasms under control so she could try and cap it and be rid of the darn bag – huge gain if we can just get there!! We also met with her surgeon this week. Her bones are healing well. She asked about chiropractic’s as her SI joint may be out of whack and he said it would be fine for her lower back.
This week Craig was also on our list. We called to arrange housing, it is not free and is basically a hotel but they are able to provide the equipment we need once we get there. Now we just have to figure out how to get her there! We are trying to avoid major airlines in fear of her chair being damaged and her comfort as far as being able to pressure release etc. Angel air doesn’t travel that far.
All in all, we have a lot of good days but a lot of emotionally filled ones. So many positives – and Allie is busy most days but not the busy she misses. Althea is here this week from Boise and I think has helped her turn a corner and get out and be social again. It feels so good to see her get ready and be with friends and not just stuck with us. Another friend and her husband got her to Barbara Ann Cochran’s retirement party Sunday night. Bella made sure she has access to the local restaurants. It goes on and on, so many wonderful people… Hope you saw her on the news tonight, seeing her smiling picture just fills our hearts! The beef jerky made in her honor had a spot on the WCAX news.
Psss… their website is: https://vtjerky.co/
For now- we will keep pushing. She is making many small but important gains and told us. ” I still have time for more recovery, I just feel like I am not done. My body is still changing in different ways “. Where there is a will there is a way. We just have to keep finding a way. I know in my heart someday she will find pure joy and contentment and I know without this wonderful community we couldn’t do it. Thank you all for every little thing…..xxx Lisa