Day 26 - Monday January 9, 2012

Bridgett had another great day!  First of all occupational therapy came in and helped her get dressed.  She did even better than the first time.  She is following commands better and her eyes are focusing better.  I think I mentioned that she is having double vision.  She closes one eye in order to try to focus better.  She also has left side neglect, so she doesn't pay any attention to what is happening on the left side.  They are working with her to start to recognize the left.  Physical therapy came in and took her walking again in the morning.  For some reason she was dizzy.  She still walked more than on Saturday, but then they decided to put her on the exercise bike.  She pedaled away for about 12-15 minutes and didn't want to stop, but it was time.  She had a second session of occupational therapy.  This time Rebecca took her into a quiet room and had her throw a beach ball to her and then catch it.  Stephany was with us and so then Rebecca had Stephany throw and catch with Bridgett.  Rebecca worked on stretching out her shoulders and helping her sit straight.  After this she had a break and a good thing as she was exhausted!  She took a nice hour long nap.  Speech therapy came in next.  Wow what a great session we had!  They talked to her and asked what new things she did over the weekend.  I told them about how she is mouthing the words to songs.  No way they said.  Then I said show them how you sign from 1-10 and she did.  They got really excited when they heard she knew sign language.  They asked her to spell Bridgett as well as mom, dad, cat, her sisters name--that's how they asked-- (Arrianne), her brother (Ty), the sister who was in the room (Stephany), ball, and a couple of other words.  They were amazed!  Then they said we need to check this out.  They asked her to do a bunch of facial things, which she did: smile, nod (slightly), pucker, put your tongue in your cheek, stick out your tongue, wrinkle up your nose (she tried), raise your eyebrows (slightly), maybe some other things, I can't remember!  Anyway they were tickled!  They wanted to do a scope test for swallowing tomorrow, but I said that her brain injury doctor, Dr Speed, should approve it.  I had asked him about downsizing the trach and he said it is a little traumatic as they don't use anesthesia and he didn't want her to do anything traumatic right now.  They said they could do a barium test instead.  I said approve it with him.  Physical therapy came for a second time and when they took her to the hall they said maybe her oxygen is low.  They checked it and it was only 85.  So, back to bed and some oxygen.  Perhaps that was the problem this morning as well.  Off and on throughout the afternoon her oxygen was low and finally stabilized in the evening.  Weird!  It must be a brain injury thing because her lungs are great.  Recreational therapy came in and talked to us about her hobbies and things she enjoys (sports!).  Also they told us about extra classes she can take and outings she will be able to go on as she progresses.  All in all it was a great day!