Day 130 - Sunday April 22, 2012

Quiet day today.  We had planned to go to church, but Bridgett woke up feeling nauseous.  Later in the day she felt better and we went to Jenn's in the late afternoon for a visit.  We are trying to get in as many visits with Jenn as possible before we leave to Montana and it's not that far off.  I am trying to think of places to go and people to visit here in Utah before we leave that might help Bridgett with her memory.  I sent an email to Brother and Sister DeGraff and I am hoping to hear from them soon.  Brother DeGraff was Bridgett's history teacher from the 7th grade until graduation, so she basically watched him teach  hundreds of times.  He's definitely a big part of her long term memory.  Also, we started contacting people that Bridgett knew here in Utah and had a long term relationship with that she might remember, several of whom did not know about her wreck; Bridgett had lived here in Provo for the last four years.  When we get back to Montana there are some people there that she had a long term relationship with and we will be in touch with them---most especially spending time with Scott, Jaclyn and Weston. Although they were able to be here for two weeks, it was while she was in a coma.  We have been able to Skype with them though.  Hopefully, being in our home and those familiar surroundings will help, as well as going back to the log house where she basically grew up.  She didn't "live" in the Bigfork house very long before she moved to Utah.  Going to the shop (our business) and walking in the field by the shop and the log house will all be very familiar to her.  All of these things we hope will help her long term memory return.  Oh, playing with the dog will help--a few weeks ago she asked if she could go outside and play with the dog!  Little by little she is remembering pieces of information so we are encouraged.  Actually her short term memory is doing better all the time and that's great. When she reads I am asking frequent questions about what she just read or something on the page before and she's getting better about that all the time.  Also, I posted a sign with her age where she can see if all the time during the day and that's helping her remember her age--of course short term memory of seeing the sign.  I am trying to think of some things she can do with her hands, as that helps brain function as well.  She never really got too much into crocheting or anything, although maybe we will try it.  She did play the piano some--we should try that.  She will probably be more motivated to do that when we get home.  Speaking of home--it does sound good to be home.  I have tried not to think about that too much and just focus on the things that need to be done here and take care of the most pressing matters--but since we will be home soon I can take a minute to think that it will be good to be home!  Oh, off and on Bridgett says the funniest things.  I was just thinking about something she said at PT on Thursday.  Shane asked her if she wanted a drink and she said yes.  He said I'll get you a nice cold drink and then he remembered about her teeth and how I always tell him it can't be cold and so he said to her...cold or medium?  She answered cool would be OK as long as it's not too cold to swim in!  That was funny on two planes......funny to think about swimming in the water but also because when she went with me to Philadelphia to see the macrobiotic counselor he told us that people drink ice cold water even though they would never swim in it that cold.  He said so why do people put that cold water inside of themselves to cramp up their stomach?  So, I don't know if she was remembering that because we talked about that often or if her mind was just really thinking that way.  You never know what will trigger memory.  Speaking of that Jenn said to take her to Cafe Rio because she loved eating there.  I have suggested buying a salad from there for her to eat but every time she has said no.  Perhaps she doesn't remember what it is....because she does love those salads.  Maybe if she smells the restaurant her mouth will water and she'll want one!  Also, Jenn said to get out her perfume for her to wear.  I know that smells are so powerful.  I was doing the extracts while she was in the hospital to try to wake her up from the coma.  I'm glad that Jenn thought of it so that we can remember to do some of those things again.