August 10

Melinda had a good day. Melinda is doing better at dressing her self. PT did exercises with her hips and said, her hip extensions are good. Melinda walked with the shopping cart, stood up against the wall and is learning how to step sideways. Melinda had fun playing Go Fish with the Speech therapist. She is scheduled to have another swallow test tomorrow. Dr. Smith came in and moved Melinda's neck around. He asked, "Does your neck hurt at all?" She said, "No. Your just tickling me!" Dr. Smith is making another call to the neurosurgeon to get the results of the Ct scan. Melinda's nasal swab came back negative and she will start aquatics therapy tomorrow. This also means that Melinda's staph infection isn't active and she won't be labeled an isolation precaution. No more protective gowns or latex gloves for anyone entering her room. Yea! Melinda had an awesome day and I am so proud of her!! We are eternally grateful for all the prayers and support.

Fri. and Weekend

Melinda is doing well. She is working very hard and continues to progress every day. On Friday, PT and OT worked together to help strengthen her arm and hand muscles. The therapist said, "If the muscles tighten up, she won't have any function in her right arm." Melinda's eating and swallowing is going well. The Speech therapist said, "Melinda will have another swallow test next week." If she passes, she will be able to eat and drink anything she wants. She said, "I want a McDonald's hamburger and Chinese food!" Melinda is in good spirits. She is enjoying all her visits, phone calls and get well cards. I know seeing and hearing familiar faces and voices has helped her recovery. Before, she would just look at you with a blank stare and now I am seeing a HUGE difference in her facial expressions. Melinda is funny and making everybody laugh till we are all in tears. Melinda and Jon have come a long way since April 24th and we owe it all to our Heavenly Father! Please keep praying as they endure the many hours of therapy. Thank you and God Bless!! If you would like to visit Melinda, the hours are M-F 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Sat & Sun 12:00 - 8:00 pm.

August 6

Melinda slept well through the night. OT - Jenna gave her an A for effort for trying to use both hands to put her socks on. Melinda has a lot of work to do on her right hand and arm, but she is starting to move it on her own. Dr. Smith said, "Hemoglobin is fine, but Melinda has an urinary tract infection(UTI)." This will get cleared up with an antibiotic. Still waiting on a call back from the neuro doctor about the neck brace. PT - Teresita and Elizabeth took Melinda down to the gym. She worked with the shopping cart. Her stepping, shifting her hips and posture all have improved from yesterday. As we were walking down the hall, we talked about going to the mall to do some serious shopping. Melinda smiled and said Yes!! ST - Jenny worked with Melinda on addition, sequencing and memory. Jenny said, "Melinda is doing well, her process is slower, but will get better." Melinda's 3rd week evaluation states she is progressing well. Melinda is improving and doing so MUCH better! We know it is all the prayers we have received. They are very much appreciated. Thank you and God Bless!

August 5

Melinda woke up with a headache and was really tired. She had difficulty getting through her morning therapies. PT Teresita said, "Melinda seems tired and looks pale this morning ." They checked her heart rate and it showed to be a little high. The therapist decided to change their schedule to start later in the afternoon to give Melinda a downtime nap. She woke up rested, had lunch and was ready to get back to work. We met Amy from recreational therapy today, and she will be doing some fun things with Melinda twice a week. Melinda pushed a shopping cart in PT. The therapist, Teresita and Dora only helped shift her hips and help the right leg step, if needed. As I was watched Melinda walk down the hall, her eyes bright and she was smiling from ear to ear. I am so proud of her! The struggles that she endures every day, and never complains. A mother's love of a child is like no other. It's hard watching your child struggle with every thing. How easy it would be if we could kiss the pain away and make everything okay. I know God feels our pain and knows what we are going through. I have comfort, knowing my faith in God is strong and with each day the pain is less and the day is brighter. Continue to pray for Melinda and Jon to give them strength to endure the many hours of therapy. Thank you for your prayers and all the love and support! God Bless!!

August 4

Melinda worked hard in therapy, by the end of the day she was very exhausted and ready for bed. Melinda's speech therapist, Jenny tested her with some crackers and pudding. She passed with flying colors. Her meals have been upgraded starting tomorrow. Melinda will have another swallow test next week to see if she can drink thin liquids. Talking to PT Teresita, Melinda would benefit aquatics (water)therapy. Since she had a staph infection that was cleared up with antibiotics months ago, she is still labeled isolation precaution. The doctor ordered a nose swab and urine culture to see if the staph infection is still active. In PT, Melinda is working her hips back and forth and is in a lot of pain with her right pelvis(fracture) but keeps going. The music therapist Suzy is working with Melinda to show excitement in her words, to use different pitches in her voice. Melinda is always smiling, polite and pleasant to every one around her. The nurse gave her a shot in her tummy and she said, "Thank you, but it really hurt". "That's Melinda!" When she looks in the mirror, she sees a big difference in her looks. I said, "I see my smiling, caring, big heart, ornery, loving beautiful daughter." I told her to stay strong, don't lose faith in God and lean on him for strength. Melinda and Jon are both working hard to get well so they can come home. Please continue to pray, pray, pray!!! Amen!!

August 3

Melinda had a great day and is doing well. We are waking up at 7:30 to get dressed and eat breakfast. Melinda is not a morning person. She is getting plenty of sleep, but still tires easily. PT is really working hard to get Melinda's back and trunk stronger. The walker(rjo) was able to help her walk, but she wasn't using her hips to stand tall. She was using her upper body to hold her self up. Melinda tried the parallel bars and did great. She is having to work harder to walk and has to use her legs to support her body. PT is showing her how to shift her hips from side to side, so each leg will support her body to take steps. She walked 20 steps by her self. Yea! The therapist(2) helped her shift her hips and move her right leg. PT said, "We are going to teach Melinda how to dance." Speech started Melinda on a memory book. All the therapist write what they did in their session with her on each day. Melinda will be reading this book over and over to help retain memory. She remembers only in the moment. ST said, "She will test Melinda on eating a cracker." If she does well chewing and swallowing, she will change the texture of her food. Yea! Melinda will be a step closer to eating regular foods and water. Dr. Smith said, "We should hear something about her back/neck tomorrow." The neuro doctor might want an MRI if he isn't satisfied with the CT scan. Yes! God is truly answering our prayers. Melinda is God's miracle, not once but twice. Continue to pray for Melinda to give her the strength to keep fighting this battle. Thank you for all your support, thoughts and prayers.

Fri. and Weekend

Melinda is getting stronger everyday. ST - Jenny ordered Melinda to receive 3 meals a day. She is enjoying eating again, even if it is pureed. Melinda said, "Aunt Stacey I will give you a hug, if she give me a piece of cake." We all had a good laugh! Melinda is funny and has a great sense of humor. In PT, she walked with the walker(rjo) and beat her record of 124 steps. She walked 150 steps and wanted to quit because we thought she was in pain. We got her sat back down in her wheelchair and PT - Teresita asked, "What is the worst thing about walking?" She said, "The shorts, you give me wed-gees!" Again we all laughed!! Dr. Smith is waiting for the neurosurgeon to call back with the results of the Ct scan of her back. The pulmonary doctor ordered her breathing treatments to 4 times a day, instead of 6. Melinda said, "she will be coming home in 1 month!" "I have faith, that through God, anything is possible!" Please continue to pray for Melinda and Jon. Thank you and God Bless!!