Day 36 - Thursday January 19, 2012

Today Bridgett got a button on her trach--a speaking valve.  Somehow we all thought that she would just be speaking immediately--mostly because many of the people here said that they would put on the speaking valve and she'd start talking (they didn't explain that she might not remember how to make a sound with her voice rather than whisper).  She is definitely trying to speak all the time!! However, she is only whispering and needs to remember how to make that vibration that makes sound when we speak.  When she went to speech therapy they gave her the button, and she tried to speak.  Kristen worked with her and did a great job trying to help her get out a sound.  First they just tried talking, then humming, then la la la-ing.  Then she had Bridgett cough and get a sound and then say a word.  She alternated a cough with counting--cough, one, cough, two, cough, three etc.  She could make a sound with the cough then a whisper with the counting.  Usually she had sound with the cough, occasionally with a word.  They said that she will be doing better tomorrow--it's a process.  She really "talks" a lot and is trying to communicate all the time. We are all excited and can't wait to actually hear her talking.  She is now at Rancho four level.  Sometimes her thinking is a little mixed up, other times her thoughts are clear.  The funniest thing happened yesterday.  Rebecca was asking Bridgett to write down the names of the people in her family, while looking at a picture of them.  She pointed to Tyler and asked his name.  Rebecca hasn't met Tyler yet and she said I don't think this brother is here.  I said, yes, but he's got a beard right now (he hasn't shaved since we got here).  A few minutes later Rebecca again asked for Tyler's name and Bridgett wrote--beard guy!  It was so funny!  It was one of those times as a parent when you try not to let your child see you laugh at them.  Thankfully I was behind Bridgett and I laughed silently until tears ran down my eyes!  Sometimes she seems very positive about things that are not correct--like that my name is Beth (one of her grandmothers names).  Other times she is very positive about correct facts--like that she is 21 years old.  She often repeats whatever we say.  Sometimes she has the right idea but can't find the right word--I am at a place with doctors and nurses and lots of people--I am here because something happened and I need them to help me right now.  (She wrote this down yesterday in response to where are you and why).  Or when asked are you in a hospital or a school--she said both.  A hospital where I learn.  This is all normal they tell us.  One thing unusual but not abnormal (apparently) is that she first started saying that she was 6 years old, then 8 years old, then 12 years old, then 14 or 15 years old, then 17 years old.  Yesterday is the first time she has said that she is 21 years old.  Now, the doctors said that they are ok with this as long as she doesn't start thinking that she's older than she is.  Physical therapy went great--her walking and balance are getting better every day.  They worked some on core strength.  They had her on her back with her legs bent and asked her to lift her hips.  They wanted her to do it 10 times.  She lifted her hips and held them up for the count of 30 (she was counting so that you could read her lips).  They told her she could go down, but she insisted on doing it.  I told them it is an exercise that is part of her routine so, they just let her do it.  She did 10 of the 30 count holds.  She did a couple of other exercises from her routine.  Randy said it is great working with her because she knows the exercises to do already.  She even did one thing and Randy said I don't know that one.  Occupational therapy went great.  Everyday she does better on the things they are asking her to do.  She is still challenged by the sight on the left side.  The doctors looked at her today and watched her eyes.  They are thinking that it's very probable that there is a problem with the nerves in the left eye--number six and possible number three (if that means anything to you!).  Rebecca had Bridgett use a big electrical screen (like a big screen TV) today.  I can't remember what it's called.  It's run off a computer program.  Different "buttons" on the screen light up one at a time and you have to find the lighted button and push it to turn it off.  Bridgett had to practice starting at the top of the screen and scanning down to find the lighted button--very much harder on the left side.  Also, because of the double vision I guess, she would try to hit the button and miss--just on the left side.  For recreational therapy today, the dog named DIVA came back and did tricks.  Bridgett enjoyed that.  Arrianne came up because she could get $3.00 tickets to the dress rehearsal of Rigoletto performed by the Utah Opera Company. She asked me to go with her.  Mark stayed at the hospital with Bridgett and we went.  It was actually very good and it was nice to have a little break from the hospital.  Arrianne brought up some of Bridgett's rings because she has been very focused on rings lately.  She gave them to Bridgett and Bridgett said oh thank you.  These are the most beautiful rings I've ever seen.  I will wear them forever.  She then said to Arrianne (who was dressed for the opera) you look so pretty.  I think your shirt is ugly though (it wasn't, but apparently Bridgett didn't like it)!  It reminds me of when the kids were young and didn't know what was appropriate to say.  All of this is normal for her level of rancho apparently.  It's an interesting journey!  It doesn't upset me--I just have to smile and realize that things will improve every day.