Day 168 - Wednesday May 30, 2012

This morning Aunt Jean and Uncle Harley came to visit.  Bridgett remembered them right away and gave Aunt Jean several hugs! They brought her some beautiful lilacs and Bridgett kept saying (all day) that they smelled and looked so pretty!  Arrianne was gone somewhere and when she got home Bridgett met her in the kitchen and they talked for a couple of minutes.  Then Arrianne asked who was visiting and Bridgett said right away Aunt Jean and Uncle Harley.  I did ask Bridgett if she remembered how they are related and she said they are my aunt and uncle.  Do you remember who Aunt Jean's sister is?  But she couldn't remember that Grandma Noland (Beth) is Jean's sister.  Jerry Allred called later on in the day and it was so fun to talk to him.  He and Kyle (his son) came to see Bridgett at the ICU in Provo. He is/was a respiratory therapist (probably more than that now) and has good insight into some of the issues we are facing.  He worked for like nine years in a hospital dealing with people who had many issues including TBI.  He gave me some good advice about the oxygen issues and concurred that any damage to the brain would have been visible on the MRI.  We haven't heard back from the neurologist about that yet.  It was just great to talk to him--we miss you Jerry!  Oh, I remembered what Bridgett said to me that was totally spontaneous from her memory....we haven't discussed it at all.  One day last week she said do I have cancer?  I said I think you are remembering that you did have cancer when you were younger but you are fine now.  Then today she said to me did I have cancer and we discussed it again.  Thankfully those days are past and we can say not any more!  Every day Bridgett remembers more and more and it is very exciting!

Day 167 - Tuesday May 29, 2012

Today we had an appointment with Sara Marie for acupuncture.  We stopped at Jen Hawes before the appointment and went in to get a couple of things.  Bridgett looked around the office and I said do you remember this and she said yes I think I do.  Of course, her office is brightly painted and so that probably helps!  Jen was there and Bridgett immediately put out her arms to give her a hug!  It was fun!  We had a short visit and hustled off to Sara Marie's across the street.  Bridgett was a little hesitant about acupuncture, although she has had it many times in the past.  I asked her if she remembered Sara's office or Sara and she said no (oh well!).  I took her in with me while Sara talked to Arrianne and started her treatment.  That seemed to relax her--if Arri can do it so can I kind of thing!  And, Bridgett did just great!  She said (after the first needle was inserted) oh wow, that didn't hurt!  Before the treatment Sara got a really thorough medical history of the accident and all of the issues.  She also recommended support for the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.  She worked on Bridgett's neck pain, putting needles in the shoulder area and afterwards doing some light massage.  She said the tension in mainly in the traps (which we knew) and after the treatment Bridgett's pain level was down to a 2!  That's worth celebrating!  And, not only that, the pain stayed low all day, without any pain relievers! 

Day 166 - Monday May 28, 2012

So we are busy deciding what to do about Bridgett's insurance.  She has a Utah policy and still things are a mess with coverage while we were in Utah.  Now that we are here the question is do we switch her back to a Montana policy and then in a while switch her back again or what.  Of course, she needs to be on a Utah policy if she has her eyes operated on in Utah, but since that is sounding like it might not happen (YES!) then we need to decide what to do.  It's hard to make decisions when we don't know what will be happening....same story that we've had for the past five and a half months!  But, it's great to be back in Montana and all of the time Bridgett is remembering things.  She told me about something she remembered the other day and I forgot to write it down---but it was something that no one has talked about at all so totally spontaneous!  All of the time is she becoming more aware of things.  She has been talking to me lately about her trach scar and the scar from the incision on her head.  Today she asked Stephany why she has a scar on her abdomen and Stephany said you know why.  Did I have my ovary removed Bridgett asked?  Yes, said Stephany.  Funniest thing...we were playing cards and someone played something wrong and Bridgett asked why they did that and I said they were silly.  Yes she said and then after a bit she said I have something else in my mind but I don't think I should say it.  I was thinking..hum...everyone says that TBI patients say random things that aren't appropriate and Bridgett hasn't done that at all but now I am wondering.  After a bit she said if I say it and I shouldn't say it will you tell me if its OK or not and so I said yes I will tell you.  So, she says I was going to say that it was a dumb thing to do.  Is it OK to say that or not?  Hah!  That made me laugh for sure!  She's such a cutie!

Day 165 - Sunday May 27, 2012

This morning Bridgett woke up and asked if she could watch Jurassic Park.  I turned it on for her although she watched about less than five minutes of it.  She really hasn't watched anything much at all on the TV.  Actually Bridgett is a big movie buff and quotes from movies all the time.  I told her that and she asked what does she quote and I venture to say she quotes something from almost every movie!  Bridgett drank her protein smoothie first this morning (like always) and then we talked about what to eat in a bit when she was hungry.  She has something against eggs lately and really hasn't had one since like February sometime.  What she has been eating in the late morning is some kind of lunch or dinner thing, since she can't have french toast:).  She really never like pancakes too much, won't eat eggs, doesn't want hot cereal (like teff or something with protein), and so the choices are limited.  So, today she decided that hash browns and ham sounded good.  I was cooking the hash browns and went to salt and pepper them and she said not too much pepper or it will be too hot.  Totally Bridgett!  Exactly what she would have said before!  She doesn't like hot food at all.  It's always fun for us when Bridgett does stuff or says stuff that she would have done or said pre-accident. 

Day 164 - Saturday May 26, 2012

This morning Bridgett and I had to run into Bigfork and she was sitting in the front seat looking out the window and said to me, you should wash your windshield because there's stuff on it!  Funny!  I thought that it was good that she is noticing small things though!  Also Bridgett has become very conscious of traffic and what is happening around us.  She has started asking me how fast we are going all the time, even though I don't speed.  And when I pull out from anywhere she reminds me to be careful so we don't get in a wreck.  She says she doesn't ever want to be in the hospital again. We agree on that! Also she asked me to turn on the radio please and see if there were any good songs.  On one station was Poker Face by Lady Gaga and she said stop there and sang along.  It was cute!, I talked to Dorothy yesterday about Bridgett getting her ears pierced again.  I said I had been thinking that there are so many pressure points for the brain in the ear lobe, perhaps it is best to wait on that.  She agreed and said there are also many for the eyes.  Also, she commented that it seems that ever since Bridgett got her teeth fixed, her healing has been accelerated.  I totally agree!  That's one reason why I was talking to all the doctors about doing something while she was in the hospital--I was worried about her pain level being so distracting that it would be hard for her to concentrate on other things.  Just think what it must have been like having exposed nerves in three teeth for almost four months and although they did cover them as best as they could--the pain was still there. Anyway, it was so good to get that done.  Also, I think things are getting so much better since her eyes are healing so much.  I think she looks great and I look back and think how much she has healed already.  Besides the healing in her brain, the facial palsy on the left side is pretty much all gone, the teeth are fixed, her eyes have lost most of that wide eyed look, the wounds on her face have healed up so nicely and the scarring is minimal at this point, her nose is looking better and her left eye is not nearly as crossed as it was.  So, all around she is looking so much better.  Her hair is looking so cute, although it was cute when it was shorter too! 

Day 163 - Friday May 25, 2012

Today we went to town and saw some old friends,Vern and Dorothy.  On the way into their house I was asking Bridgett if she remembered them and she said no.  However, then she went on to tell me things about them, so obviously she did remember something!  Dorothy worked on Bridgett using a QXCI Machine and Bridgett remembered about the machine.  We had a good time visiting with them and some reminiscing about old times.  I told Bridgett that I was taking her to see the log house afterwards to see if she remembered it. She said she did remember and she began to tell me all about the house.  First she said the house has three floors...right!  Then she told me what rooms were on each floor.  She forgot about the laundry room at first, but then remembered when I prompted her a little.  When we drove to the shop (our business) parking lot first and she saw it she said there's the shop. I had called Scott and he met us outside and got the rice bag and reheated it for our trip home (we now leave the house with the rice bag hot and try to get someone to heat it before we come back So it was fun to see Scott and Bridgett got out of the car to give him a hug.  We could look over across the field and see the house and Bridgett liked that.  We talked about the house and our pets for a while.  She remembers all of our dogs and their names.  We then drove down the road and talked about the people that lived down the street when we lived there.  When we got home there was a message from Aunt Jean.  She asked if they could come and visit Bridgett.  After listening to it I said to Bridgett that was Aunt Jean and I replayed it and let her listen.  Then I said who is Aunt Jean married to and she said Uncle Harley!  Right! That was fun.  Later on in the day I waved a funny little wave to Bridgett and she said what was that?  I was trying to wave to you.  She said that's not a real wave.  I said I should have done the princess wave from Princess Diaries and I was trying to remember how that went and she showed me!  She said like this, not like that (like how I was doing it).  Cute!  Like I said she remembers random things! 

Day 162 - Thursday May 24, 2012

Today Stephany asked Bridgett if she remembered about our boat and she said yes. What color is it Stephany asked and Bridgett said red and white!  Correct!  Then Bridgett asked Arrianne if she could watch a movie.  She said I have a movie in my mind--Men in Black.  Yes, that is a movie and you can watch it!  Then when it started she said isn't that guy named Will Smith!  Correct again! It's fun to have her remember things, although sometimes it is the most random information!

Day 161 - Wednesday May 23, 2012

We went to Ginny's again to have her work on Bridgett's neck.  We've got to get that under control so that she is back to having no pain.  Bridgett had a good appointment and then we stopped and did a couple of short errands on the way home.  Afterwards Bridgett napped while I ran a couple of more errands. Her neck hurts while she is riding in the car, so it's best not to drive around too much while she is with me.  Bridgett did lots of reading today as well as a little piano playing.  Overall she is feeling good, except for the neck pain.  I got a pulse oximeter to watch her oxygen.  She usually runs about 94, but when she rode on the recumbent bike her oxygen dropped to 67 although she didn't seem winded at all.  I will talk to the doctor about this.  The pulse oximeter is a good one or so it seems.  It was rated good and seems to give the correct reading. 

Day 160 - Tuesday May 22, 2012

This morning Bridgett woke up and while she was still in bed said she wanted to get up and play the piano, which she did.  Then she said she wanted to read.  We did some reading and when we quit she wanted to read more, so she did.That's Bridgett!  She normally loves to read.  Today we went to see the neurologist here in Kalispell. When we got in the car Mark said are you ready and Bridgett said I was born ready!  Just what Bridgett would have normally said!  The neurologist was Dr. Bret Lindsay and I really liked him!  He thought that Bridgett is doing great.  He said (and we've heard this before) that the length of the amnesia shows how severe the injury was; this was not a small brain injury.  But he said she is early in the recovery stages and there will be good recovery through 24 months.  I asked him specifically if there was any way to tell if any of the damage was because of the oxygen deprivation and he said that would show up in the MRI.  He will download the imaging we brought with us and take a look.  That's good--we were told that the damage would not be seen on any scans so that was wrong. When Bridgett arrived at the hospital her oxygen saturation was 19% and it was at the hospital that they found the gum blocking her airway.  So, prior to that point she had very low oxygen--maybe for 15 minutes or so.  Anyway, I was wondering if that was causing the problem with the amnesia and he said that he hematoma was in the left temporal lobe (we knew that) and that it was in the area that controls language (we knew that) and memory (we didn't know that).  So, no one has ever mentioned that her memory was affected because of the location of the hematoma.  It seems that someone would have told us about that, especially when we were asking so many questions about what was affected etc.  Anyway, he said that her brain is still healing and as it heals she will be able to access more memory information.  Dr. Lindsay asked Bridgett some questions and she did pretty good on answering him--her name, where she lived, what city we were in now (Kalispell) for her appointment etc.  We talked about her short hair and I asked her why it was short and she said because someone shaved it off.  Why I asked and she said because I was in the hospital in an accident.  What happened I said and she wasn't I on my bike and a guy hit me?  So, she is starting to remember things--not actual memory but memory of what we have told her.  He asked her if she remembered the accident and she said no.  He asked what was the last thing she remembers and she said waking up in Bigfork.  I asked her later if she remembers the flight home and she said there's something in my mind about that but I don't know what.  Anyway, I've said this before, but it's probably good she doesn't remember some stuff during this healing process.  When we got home Bridgett disarmed the security system by herself--by memory.  Yeah!

DAY 159 - Monday May 21, 2012

Not only has Bridgett been remembering the year, she has also been remembering the month.  And today we were talking about social security numbers and Bridgett said isn't mine....(of course I won't post it!)...and she said it and it was right!!!  So cool!  Every day Bridgett is remembering more and more.  Bridgett also remembered her cell phone number. 

Day 158 - Sunday May 20, 2012

We had a good day today.  We all got ready and went to church together.  At the last minute it was kind of a panic because I haven't unpacked all of the boxes from Provo yet and I couldn't find dress shoes for Bridgett or me.  But, eventually I did find them--in the last box I looked for them!  There are a lot of boxes of stuff from Bridgett's apartment that we don't need unpacked now, but they all need to be gone through to decide what needs to be done with them.  Anyway, we were late to church, but made it.  Mark was already there for early meetings, and Arrianne and Stephany left on time, so Bridgett, Tyler and I came in late.  When we walked in I think a few people were surprised to see us.  Brent and Nicole Seipert were on the program (as well as Eliza) and when Brent spoke he said something and got choked up about how wonderful it was to see Bridgett walk in.  Brent is our cousin (our Marks' side of the family) and it was just neat to have him say something.  Brigett gave a little woohoo with her hands and waved to him.  Cute!  We just stayed for sacrament meeting and then left because Bridgett's neck was hurting.  We hung around for  a few minutes so that people could talk to us if they wanted to and several people came up and talked to us--and perhaps others didn't really know what to say. On the way home, just before we got to the house on the highway, Bridgett said don't we turn here for our house.  She recognized it!  YES!  I love it when she remembers anything!

Day 157 - Saturday May 19, 2012

I don't have Stephany here with me to tell you exactly what--but Bridgett played one of the Mario games tonight!!!  She just started and played right along, remembering to do everything that she should and beat a level and just kept going.  She remembered about shooting power, flying power etc.  Anyway, it was fun and very neat to see! The kids all cheered Bridgett on and she played for quite a while.  I am excited to get the guitar hero hooked up because that is something that she loved to play--and she was awesome at it!  It will be fun to see what she remembers and what her hands remember.  She has great dexterity and loves to do things with her hands, so that will be a great thing I am thinking. This afternoon Bridgett played cards with us--for like almost two hours!  She was having a great time, shuffling, counting points for everyone that got caught, etc.  She of course played great and mostly never had points.  We all had a great time together.  Also, Bridgett asked me to make her a cake----a real cake with frosting she qualified.  So, I made a yellow cake (gluten free of course) and frosted it with chocolate frosting.  She definitely approved.  Bridgett seems to find a food that she really likes and then wants it all the time; lately this has been tacos.  So, I am making chicken or steak tacos, with corn tortillas at least once every day for her. For dinner we try to get in something different besides tacos, but at least it's a pretty healthy thing to be stuck on!  This morning Bridgett asked to watch a movie and the girls asked her what movie.  She said I have a name in my head but I'm not sure if it's a movie or not.  What's the name they asked and she said the Polar Express.  Yes, it's a book and a movie and we have that movie.  We can watch it later on today.  So, that was a spontaneous memory with no prompts from us.  Those are always nice!  We will go to church tomorrow and try to stay as long as we can...... with Bridgett's neck hurting we may not make it long.  Hopefully it will get feeling better soon--and of course it will be a long time until we let her try washing her own hair again!

Day 156 - Friday May 18, 2012

Today in the mail we got our large desktop style calendar so that Bridgett can more easily follow the date.  Before we were using a small one.  I placed it on the kitchen table for Bridgett to look at and she asked if she could strike out the days of the month that have passed.  We talked about things that have happened already and she came up to today's date.  About an hour later she walked into the room and went to the calendar and told Arri that it was Friday May 18, 2012.  This is the first time she has spontaneously talked about the date from the calendar, so I guess having a big calendar makes a difference (or maybe another week of healing makes the difference)!  Today when Bridgett was reading I noticed that she is reading with inflection, much more than usual.  It was cute to hear her reading the story, just like she was reading to someone else and telling the story.  She is doing better about remembering what she read as well.  We are going to borrow a kindle from a friend and we are looking forward to Bridgett being able to hold the kindle and read without any external help like she needs now.  YES! Initially everyone told us that the bulk of the healing would take place in the first six months following the injury and soon we will be at that six month mark.  However, we have learned that the most healing takes place during the first year, with healing still continuing after that.   We have met several people that had brain injuries from 5-15 years ago and they are still noticing improvements in their memory and brain function.  I know a lot of that depends on a persons efforts to improve but I don't have any doubts about Bridgett's efforts or motivation.  She is very motivated and willing to work hard.  Even now, although she really doesn't like the protein drinks I give her every morning, she drinks them anyway.  Today we went to Bigfork to see Sharon at New Image Concepts.  She is the one that always cuts Bridgett's hair here in Bigfork.  She was quite surprised to see Bridgett.  I had made the appointment yesterday and I told the gal that I talked to that Sharon would be so shocked to see Bridgett's name there and that we had been in Utah for five months following Bridgett's accident.  Then when we showed up Sharon was taken by surprise and saw Bridgett and started to cry.  Apparently the gal that scheduled didn't tell her Bridgett was coming, just mentioning our last name so Sharon was expecting maybe Arrianne.  Anyway, she gave Bridgett a couple of big hugs.  Bridgett didn't remember Sharon or the shop, but she was relaxed and seemed very comfortable, so I wonder if deep down it seemed familiar.  Sharon loved Bridgett's short hair and said don't do anything to it.  When it gets a little longer, she will trim up the back.  Afterwards Arrianne walked Bridgett to the car and I talked to Sharon. I guess one of her close friends had a recent brain injury, so she saw a little bit first hand what it's been like and felt that scare of losing someone that it important to her.  She said it all just made her so emotional. Her friend did not have a traumatic brain injury but a mild brain injury.  However, talking to Sharon I learned something.  I have done simple math with Bridgett but when I talk about multiplication she doesn't remember that.  Sharon got excited when I told her this and asked if the doctor asked Bridgett about multiplication.  I said no.  Sharon said her friend could add and subtract, but couldn't multiply and the doctor said that multiplication is done in a different part of the brain.  So, we learn something new every day, right!

Day 155 - Thursday May 17, 2012

The apartment bathroom in Provo had the fan hooked up so that it came on automatically when you turned on the light.  Every time we turned on the bathroom light Bridgett said..it's so loud...even if she had been in there 30 times already that day.  When we got home and she went in the bathroom she said it's so quiet!  I like that!  She's still commenting on the quiet every time she goes in!  Steph asked Bridgett today..who was George Washington?  Wasn't he one of the presidents of the United States Bridgett answered.  Each day, more and different memories.  It's fun!!We had a busy day of running with appointments for others in the family.  Bridgett was able to stay home and rest.  We got a recumbent exercise bike for her to ride at home.  This will be much easier on her that using the regular exercise bike that we already had.  We need things to be good for her but also gentle on her body.  I am trying to get organized here at home so that I can get back to working on Bridgett's book--her personal reference book--that helps her remember things.  I am supposed to start adding more details than I already have, add pages, etc.  So, any of Bridgett's friends that are reading this blog--if you want to be in her personal reference book--email me a picture of yourself, or better yet (or in addition) a picture that has you and Bridgett together.  Also, you can send some information about yourself, because I might not know what to write about you.  I will have a whole section on Bridgett's friends.  Send info/pictures to mtmacro@gmail.com and I will add you to Bridgett's book.  Also, if you know others who don't read the blog--pass along this information so that we can get some stuff into her book in the friend section.  I think I have pictures of all of the immediate family, but cousin info would be great for her book as well.  Thanks everyone!

Day 154 - Wednesday May 16, 2012

Today we started taking down our Christmas decorations!  Yes, really, in May!  That's because we had the house all decorated for Christmas when we got the call about Bridgett's accident. Arrianne was supposed to be coming home the next day from college for Christmas and Bridgett several days after that.  We had everything up but the tree, which we had purchased that day and put in the garage to thaw and put up the next day with Arrianne.  So, luckily it was in the garage, which got covered with pine needles instead of the living room.  But, we had stockings up and nativities and other decorations. So, when we came home we could almost picture it was the holidays again!  I looked around and asked Bridgett what holiday it looked like and she said Christmas.  When is Christmas I asked and she said December.  What day I asked (she hasn't been able to answer that before) and she said the 25th?  Right!  So, anyway, on to taking down the decorations.  Also this afternoon Arrianne and I took Bridgett to Kalispell to see Ginny Wood.  That was a fun appointment!  When I asked Bridgett if she remembered who Ginny is she said isn't she that massage lady?  That's right I said.  Anyway, Bridgett responded so well to Ginny.  We have know Ginny over 22 years, so all of Bridgett's life; that's a good long term memory right there!  Ginny was able to open up many blocked channels and I thought it was a great hour spent.  Afterwards we headed to Rosauers to pick up groceries and Bridgett helped us shop.  Boy did we shop--but when you haven't been home you need everything it seems!  Bridgett has been eating well lately and I am glad of that.  She is back to eating a more normal diet, not just french toast and mac-n-cheese! We had corn on the cob tonight and I was worried about her eating that with crowns in front but she did just great.  We are trying to increase protein in Bridgett's diet and she's done great with that.  She even drinks the smoothies in the morning although she usually tells me that they don't taste very good:)

Day 153 - Tuesday May 15, 2012

Bridgett's eyes continue to improve.  I was thinking the other day that she has almost entirely lost that wide eyed, startled look that she initally had.  Her left eye is getting better all of the time--it responds to light, it is almost always dialated equally with her right eye, etc.  She frequently had been shutting her left eye because her double vision is getting closer together and now her brain is actually acknowledging the left eye vision.  In order to get better she has to come to that point and move past it, but it's hard because her tendency is to shut that eye because it's so annoying to see double.  At first I tried to remind her to keep the eye open but now I just say--I'm so proud of you for keeping that eye open even though it's hard because it's helping your eyes to get better so you hopefully won't have to have surgery.  That positive reinforcement seems to work better instead of reinforcing the negative by saying it again and again (since she has such a short term memory at this point).  Bridgett's neck was still very sore this morning and we had to lift her out of bed again, but by the afternoon the pain was more manageable and I didn't have to give her Lortab again.  Something exciting today--Bridgett sat down this afternoon and played the piano! She played a couple of songs that she used to play and it was sure fun! She was grinning and had a good time and she was actually following along with the music--reading it. I got it recorded on the second time through; she lost her place and Arrianne had to point it out to her, so that's how I know she was reading the music and not just playing by memory. When Mark got home she played the piano for him and boy was he surprised!  She even played something else she hadn't played earlier.  This evening Stephany asked her if she knew who John Wayne was and she said isn't he in El Dorado!  Then Steph said what kind of movies does he make and Bridgett said doesn't he make Westerns! So, little by little the memory is coming back.  We have high hopes that this summer will make a big difference--being at home. I guess home is always home and you always feel more comfortable and secure when you are home!  Tomorrow we will see Ginny Wood.  She will do a little big of massage to Bridgett's neck and hopefully things will loosen up.  She is very experienced and so she will be very gentle.  Someone needs to loosen things up some so that Bridgett can do regular things and be out of pain.  Bridgett is always so happy and positive.  When you ask if she has pain she will say yes but sometime it will quit hurting so it's OK or something to that effect.  She always has so many smiles and stays so happy.  Again yesterday I was talking to her about why her neck hurts--explaining that she was in a wreck--and she said I hope the guy that was driving the truck is OK.  I wouldn't want him to be hurt.  She's just so sweet!  Bridgett is still worn out from the two weeks before we left Utah.  It was a busy time and she just is still tired and resting/napping a lot.  Of course healing takes a lot of energy and when you are healing you need extra sleep I believe. 

Day 152 - Monday May 15, 2012

So now we have to all get back in the groove of things.  There was a lot of unpacking and organizing to do today.  We had a lot of things in Utah, including a small office set up for me--with payroll files, etc.  Life goes on, even when big things happen. There was still bi-weekly payroll, although I thankfully had someone I called to help out for the first two months while we stayed at the hospital with Bridgett.  Life was too crazy then to even contemplate anything on a regular schedule outside of the hospital.  There were still taxes to get done--corporate returns and personal returns, including Bridgett's taxes. In March I helped Arrianne file her taxes and Tyler file an extension as all of his receipts were at home.  My receipts were all organized and I had files that Mark could just bring to me--so all of that went smoothly.  But, it did mean that I had lots to pack up and bring back home to file here.  So, much of the day was involved with all of that, and there's still lots to do!  Oh well, no stress--it will get taken care of some time this week.  One unfortunate thing....Mark didn't have time to get the hand held shower thing put up in the bathroom although we had the shower chair.  So, usually Bridgett takes care of the shower stuff herself, but sits on the chair while I do her hair.  With her neck problems it has been the only way to get that accomplished.  Anyway, the doctors released her for activities with no restrictions (I guess thinking we'd monitor because she obviously can't and shouldn't do just anything--like water ski) and her neck hasn't been hurting at all, so I let her stand and wash her own hair.  Not too long after that I noticed that she was standing crooked with one shoulder up and she was acting like her neck hurt.  I asked if she was having any pain and she said yes my neck really hurts.  Pretty soon she couldn't hardly move at all.  I had to end up giving her lortab that had been prescribed for her for neck pain and putting a rice bag on her neck.  She was so sore and stiff that we had to lift her up off of the bed.  I guess now we know that she can't wash her own hair yet.  I know that the physical therapist has told Tyler (regarding his neck pain) that having both hands over head is a tough position for neck pain (as in pull-ups). Anyway, otherwise it was a good day and Bridgett was in a very happy mood all day (although she's really always in a happy mood!). 

Day 151 - Sunday May 13, 2012 Mother's Day

I actually had a wonderful Mother's Day!  We got up early and finished getting everything packed up and Mark and Arrianne left for Montana, each driving a separate vehicle and following each other.  Stephany, Bridgett and I went to Jenn's house for most of the day.  It was so very nice to spend time with Jenn on Mother's Day as I do not get to see her most Mother's Days.  About 3:15 Jenn drove us to the Provo Airport, where we met Stanfills for a very much appreciated ride home by airplane.  It only took 2-1/4 hours and it was very quiet and restful with none of the hustle, bustle and noise we would have experienced at the regular airport, not to mention the extra hours with security etc.  Bridgett did very well on the flight, although I did give her Zofran (4 mg) before we left.  I also had the foresight to pack two organic chocolate bars and when she got restless I gave her a piece.  I told her she could have a piece every 30 minutes and she was very happy about that.  I don't know what it is about chocolate right now, but she certainly has been craving it! All in all it was a very good and uneventful trip.  Scott, Jaclyn and Weston met us at the Kalispell airport and drove us to Bigfork, stopping on the way for a few staples at the store, as we didn't have anything in the fridge obviously.  They stayed around and visited for about an hour and then Mark and Arrianne showed up.  We all talked for a short time and then Scott, Jaclyn and Weston headed home since Weston had school in the morning.  When we were driving to Bigfork I asked Bridgett if anything looked familiar and she said no.  However, when we got to the house and walked in the front door and into the living room she breathed a sigh and said this is my home!  She looked out the window at the lake and said even the lake is home!  Right away she wanted to go downstairs to her room and lay down on her bed; however, we didn't want her to sleep yet so we kept her awake upstairs.  Stephany ran gleefully from room to room and out on the decks, grinning from ear to ear, with Weston following happily behind her.  Steph just couldn't be happier to be home!  I haven't let myself think much about home or worry about missing anything, but I will have to admit it is very nice to be back in familiar surroundings and back to my own bed.  It was a good day and I hoped to see Tyler by midnight, after returning from drill.  Then I would have seen all of my children on Mother's Day--something that hasn't happened for a VERY long time--probably since Scott was 18.  But, it didn't work out that way.  I did get a text from Tyler and later on after he was released from drill (very late) he called and said that it was very late and some of his friends were drilling for the last time and they were all going out to dinner to celebrate and he wouldn't be driving back until tomorrow.  Less to worry about for me--I do hate those long drives home after drill when I know he hasn't slept hardly at all for at least three nights. I suggested he stay the night and I went to bed happy and not worrying.  Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Day 149 & 150 - Friday and Saturday May 11-12, 2012

Well, this week has been an emotional time for me.  First I walked into a store and saw the memorial day displays and started thinking about my dad.  I really never had much grieving time for my dad, since he passed away while Bridgett was in a coma.  So, I have been doing a lot of thinking about dad this week.  Then today we had a hearing for legal guardianship of Bridgett and that was very emotional.  I spent the last few days trying not to worry about it--worry about whether or not the court would appoint us as her guardian or decide we were somehow unfit--and even though I know we aren't unfit in the least, but I hate having my life directed by unknown people and having that feeling that things are out of our control.  Anyway, the hearing went fine and we were appointed her guardians.  Since Bridgett is over the age of 21 she has to have a guardian to make all of the legal decisions or decisions regarding her care.  This whole process was initiated months ago when it became necessary for us to act in her behalf and we were granted temporary guardianship.  Then this hearing had to happen to decide what to do next.  We will remain guardians until the time that Bridgett no longer needs guardians.  The court will revisit this matter in one year.  Also this is an emotional time for me for this reason..leaving Provo is the final step in closing the chapter on Bridgett's life here at Alpine Village.  It was very hard for me emotionally when we cleaned out her apartment and now I am feeling it again as we prepare to leave Alpine Village.  Bridgett had her life before the accident and everything was going just great...she loved school and had finally settled on a major that she loved, she loved her life here socially and was happily dating someone that she had strong feelings for, she had many friends that she loved to be with, she loved her roommates...especially since her sister was one of them and they had many fun times together.  All around life was great and then in a shocking moment everything was changed.  It all just takes time to emotionally process things.  I know that Bridgett will again have a great life..that things will be amazing again.  However, I still have feelings and I have to process them. So that was Friday.  On Saturday I picked up Jenn and my mom and we headed up to Salt Lake cemetery to put flowers on dad's grave.  I knew I wouldn't be here for Memorial Day and I just needed to go.  We all had a very nice visit and ate some lunch together and spent some time at the cemetery.  It was very nice to just focus on dad and mom for a bit and talk about them and about some of our feelings through these past few months.  Everyone else was back at the apartment packing and cleaning and I hated to be gone too long, but it was a nice break for me.  I am so grateful to my parents for all they have done for me and especially at this time I have so many tender feelings for my dad.  I know that he has helped Bridgett so much and will continue helping her.  I already blogged before about how she told us a couple of months ago that grandpa came and talked to her whenever she needed him and she loved him.  We all love you dad and miss you!  Jenn reminded us that dad would want us to be happy and to have fun and that is what we are trying to do.  Saturday evening we all went to Jenn's for an early Mother's Day dinner.  We plan to fly home on Sunday evening.  After a very nice meal and some good visiting...including a short visit from Jamie....we headed back to the apartment to finish cleaning.  It seems so strange to think that we have been here in Provo for five months--almost to the day.  Although we will miss Jenn and her family so much it will be so great to be home again.  Bridgett is very excited to go "home" and sleep in her own bed.  We all have great hopes that this will really help with her amnesia.  Please pray for our safe return home as well as continued healing for Bridgett and return of her memory.

Day 147 and 148 - Wednesday-Thursday May 9-10, 2012

You might have guessed that life has been a little crazy around here, and that's why I haven't posted for a couple of days.  Wednesday we took everyone (including Jenn and the boys) and went to the zoo.  We rented a wheelchair for the occasion because of course Bridgett would not be able to walk through the entire zoo.  I had called to check on wheelchairs and they have rentals at the zoo, but will not reserve anything and can't guarantee availability.  So, we rented one in Provo and took it with us.  We all had a good time at the zoo, particularly Bridgett.  At first when we talked about going she said she didn't want to go.  Then, she finally said what is the zoo!  So, after explaining what the zoo was, she said if there's animals I definitely want to go.  She had fun looking at all the different animals and remembered most of the names for the animals (she didn't remember rhino for example).  She went to the bathroom before we left and didn't ask to go until we got back 5-1/2 hours later.  So, another example of the fact that when she is engaged in something she doesn't have a problem.  All around she is doing much better regarding the frequency and we didn't start the Toviaz ever.  Actually all around she is doing much better in every way.  I asked Bridgett if she remembered that we own our own business.  I said it is in Kalispell at the bottom of the hill and there are two big blue buildings and I asked if she remembered what we did there and she said do we clean carpets?  Yes, among other things.  I said the name starts fl....and she guessed Flathead Janitorial and that was fun.  Another thing she remembered--we talked about the drive home and if she remembered the names of the towns we go through.  If we gave her the first sound she got every city we named.  The girls made smores and they asked if she remembered what goes in smores and she remembered graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate.  Actually, she has been thinking about chocolate a lot lately and asking for chocolate to eat! Jenn called me on Thursday and I was laughing when she answered the phone.  Arrianne just told me something funny, and said some things never change---Bridgett dried her hands on a towel and said there's a hair on this towel.  That's one of Bridgett's pet peeves--hair anywhere (except on the head!).  She hates to find hair on her clothes (or other people's clothes) or anywhere around the house.  That was a motivation for her to have short hair--although not this short!  Every time Bridgett reaches up and feels her hair she says it's so short--and I remind her it's lots longer than it used to be after they shaved it all off!  All in all it has been a couple of good days, although Bridgett is still very tired and worn out from all of the extra appointments we have crammed into the past two weeks.  We will try to keep things a little low key for the next couple of days!  We are busy packing and getting ready to return to Montana probably on Monday.

Day 146 - Tuesday May 8, 2012

So we ended up not going to Salt Lake to get Bridgett's eyes checked.  The brain guy that I talked to said that it's almost pointless to check the eyes right now.  She isn't wearing glasses and he thinks that she shouldn't wear them.  He also said that we should NEVER patch the left eye like they have been wanting us to do.  Luckily Bridgett hates having that eye patched and so we don't do it often.  If anything, he said to periodically patch the right eye in order to strengthen the left eye.  In this way he believes that the eye will strengthen and correct and we won't have to do surgery.  I'm up for that!  We still saw Dr. Roberts this morning, but Josh sent a text that he was sick and couldn't see Bridgett today for craniosacral.  He is leaving on a trip to Hawaii soon and so he is probably being careful.  I appreciate him not exposing Bridgett to anything either.  We went to Jenn's for a short visit and then did some walking on her block afterwards.  It's probably better that we had a quiet day, because Bridgett was very tired. The brain guy talked to Bridgett about the importance of getting good nutrition to the brain, so this morning I tried smoothies (again) and she drank the whole thing.  It took her a while, and her only real motivation was that she could have french toast afterwards if she finished the smoothie--but it worked and she at least got that down.  Later on in the day she had some meat--she hasn't been wanting to eat any meat.  Hopefully this added protein will help her have some more energy. 

Day 145 - Monday May 7, 2012

Now when you ask Bridgett how old she is she will say in my mind I'm  22.  Bridgett's memory continues to improve.  We talked today with a brain expert and he looked at the book that I made for Bridgett. I said much of what she is remembering is what she has relearned from short term memory...like her age she relearned by reading the sign in the living room. He said that I should add to her book and put things in categories and put in lots of details. Like...not only her siblings names, but their birthdays and their hair color, eye color etc. He said initially you are relearning these things but then the pathways open up and you remember things. So, it's a little bit of both. I will begin to add to her book right away. So, this guy asked her the names of the people in her family.  Then he asked if she remembered their birthdays.  She said well in my mind Stephany was born in June.  That's right I said. And Arrianne was born in December.  Right again.  And I think that Tyler was born in November, but that's all that's in my mind.  Cute!  Next he asked about our home in Montana, whether there is wood floor or carpet.  She said well in my mind the floor is hard on the main floor so I think it is wood.  I said what about the basement and she said carpet...correct!  Then I didn't say anything more and she said what about the other floor.  That's correct..we do have a second story above the main floor I said and she said doesn't that have carpet...correct.  So, little by little, piece by piece.   I had asked a lot of things about our house, but would never have thought to ask about the flooring, and she remembered that!  I will say it again, the mind is a very amazing and complex thing.  I suppose you could study the mind all of your life and still not know everything.  Anyway, we had a good day today.  We are making plans to go to the zoo.  I think it will be good for Bridgett to see the animals in action again.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us!  We have appointments tomorrow to see the opthamologist in Salt Lake, then Dr. Roberts and Josh for craniosacral.  It will be a pretty busy day!  Oh, I forgot, yesterday I asked Bridgett if she remembered the name of her rugby ball.  I have asked her this many times.  Most of the time she doesn't even remember that she played rugby.  Anyway, she looked thoughtful for a minute and then said in my mind it's Marcellus.  That's right!  Cool! She always named things--and used some pretty unusual names for sure!

Day 144 - Sunday May 6, 2012

We didn't get everyone ready in time to get to church by 9:00 in Salt Lake, but we did make it to the brunch at the park.  Everyone was so happy to see Bridgett and she was happy and alert and able to visit with everyone.  It was windy and she was freezing, so she did spend much of the time in the car getting warm.  We was wearing a turtle neck shirt, plus a leather vest, plus a zip up fleece jacket, plus her wool pea coat, but still freezing.  Her internal thermostat is "broken" as she puts it!  Anyway, it was a lot of fun and good to see everyone before we take off to Montana.  All of Bridgett's aunts and uncles and cousins that live in Utah were there, plus grandma.  She loved seeing cute baby Abigail.  Of course, all of her uncles reminded her that they were her favorite uncle!  It was a fun time and I think everyone was very happy to see how well Bridgett is doing.  Every week she is stronger and better.  Afterwards Bridgett napped and then Jenn came over for dinner and visiting.  The boys and Tyler had to stay home, but we enjoyed our time with Jenn.  She also made cookies for Bridgett while she was over and Bridgett liked that!  We have a big day tomorrow and Tuesday and hope to be leaving sometime after that for Montana.

Day 143 - Saturday May 5, 2012

Today was a good day.  Bridgett seemed very perky and with it today.  She told Stephany a story and that was cute.  I will have to get the details again from Stephany and then post!  We had an appointment with Josh for craniosacral and that went well.  In the evening Kyle came over to visit and they had a very nice visit.  It is good to see Bridgett visit and respond to other people.  We went to bed early hoping to be able to make it to Salt Lake early for the blessing of Justin's baby girl, Abigail and brunch in the park afterwards with all the extended family.

Day 142 - Friday May 4, 2012

Today we had appointments in Salt Lake, first with Kasey at the Low Vision Clinic and then with Dr. Speed, the neuro rehab doctor.  Kasey first had Bridgett get on the mat and he checked her range of motion.  He said the massage therapist did an awesome job and that things were much looser.  Bridgett still does not have full range of motion, but almost.  He said she has enough range to be able to do anything, but could work to get that last couple of inches.  Next he had her read on the Kindle.  She was doing much better and he had her start holding the Kindle while she read.  He was also able to reduce the font size by one step and that was exciting.  He said we really should have Dr. Freestone check her eyes again, because he believes that they have changed a lot again (so we set up an appointment for Tuesday).  Afterwards, he had her play ipad games and try to figure out levels as well as play solitaire.  She did great.  Kasey ended the appointment by having Bridgett do the DynaVision.  After she tried once, she was ready to be done.  He said one of us in the room...Kasey, Mark or me....would play next and she could pick who.  She chose Kasey.  Of course, he did well and she told him so.  After that she played one last time.  She finds the lights much better, she just calmly centers her finger over the light and uses a dainty little push so that slows her time down.  I said that we should cut your fingernails but she said she likes them long!  That's something new since the accident.  Although she did have fake fingernails once, she mostly kept them short for sports.  Next we hurried over to see Dr. Speed and had a good appointment there.  Bridgett was very conversational with him, although she did do some sing-song talking.  When she did that he said you sound like a 14th century Gregorian monk and she said well I'm not a monk I'm a Bridgett!  He laughed and said you should talk then.  A little later she sang again and he said we'll have to get you a candle and a big black robe.  She said I'd wear the robe because it's freezing in here!  We all laughed at that.  He said things are progressing and that she should come back in August when we have the other appointments and see him, so we will.  That will be a big day--August 28th.  We have an appointment with the endocrinologist first, then at Moran Eye Center to decide about eye surgery and then with Dr. Speed.  When we left we walked through the rehab gym.  We spoke briefly to Kristen, who had another patient, and to Natalya and a couple of the other gals.  It was kind of fun to see people.  Afterwards I told Bridgett we could stop at Taco Bell for tacos or at Golden Corral for mashed potatoes and chicken etc. and she chose Taco Bell.  I said dad would want to stop at Golden Corral and she said then don't mention it to him so he won't pick it!  In the evening we had a short visit from Aunt Debbi and then went to bed early. 

Day 141 - Thursday May 3, 2012

Bridgett had only one appointment today--in American Fork with Dr Roberts and that went well.  She did some reading and some work with the ipad games.  This afternoon when I asked Bridgett the year she immediately answered 2012.  As to her age..she immediately answered 22!  It is great seeing her brain continue to heal.  In the evening Jacob (one of her friends who has stayed with her through this) came by to visit.  They had a nice visit although not for too long as Bridgett was tired and wanted to go to bed.  All in all a good day and a quiet day.  We have appointments in Salt Lake tomorrow; we will see Kasey at the Low Vision Clinic for the last time as well as seeing Dr. Speed, the neuro rehab doctor. 

Day 140 - Wednesday May 2, 2012

I'm glad that I cancelled today's appointments because Bridgett was REALLY tired out.  Most of the day she napped although we still took time to read and do flash cards on the ipad.  In the evening she sat and played games on the ipad with Stephany.  Bridgett played solitaire without assistance, although a couple of times Stephany told her to look around for another move.  She also played with the Smurf Village that Stephany helped set up.  Stephany is very good working with Bridgett.  Instead of just telling her what to do, she reminds Bridgett to look around for what she thinks needs to be done and Bridgett usually figures it out.  Mark arrived from Montana and it was so good to have him here again!  We were all able to visit for a while before Bridgett got tired and went to bed.  Oh, I was going to update you on the prescription that the urologist gave us for Bridgett. So, we decide to fill the Toviaz prescription but when I called to see if it was ready they told me that the insurance company had said that it wasn't covered until we meet a $500 prescription deductible and that it cost $170 a month.  I said we have been getting prescriptions all year with only a $15 co-pay and he said he could see that so I should call the insurance company and see if it was a computer glitch.  I called Tuesday but the offices were already closed so at 7:00 this morning I called them and talked to an agent.  She said that all of the prescriptions we have filled have been generic and this was a name brand.  The $500 applies to name brand prescriptions and after the deductible is met we have a $25 co-pay plus 50% of the prescription price.  That adds up!  I called Walgreens back and asked if there was a generic equivalent and there is not, for either prescription.  So, reluctantly I went and picked the prescription up.  After I got home and got the bottle out of the packaging, it said right on the bottle that it causes dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision!  Brother!  Like that's what Bridgett needs!  I called and talked to the pharmacist again and discussed it and told him that the doctor had said it would only cause constipation and dry mouth.  He said those are the most common side effects but I said then why put warnings on the bottle label for the other things and not for those.  He said 18% of the people had dry mouth and constipation and only 10% had the drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision.  Not too comforting!  I called the neuro rehab doctor, Dr. Speed and left a message for them to get back to me and let me know whether or not to give the prescription. After that I went on the Toviaz site and read more about it.  While there on the site I found a coupon that can be presented to the pharmacy to pay for the first months prescription.  That would have saved me $170.  I decided to go back to Walgreens and talk to the pharmacist and see if they could refund me the money by returning the prescription and reprocessing it.  The pharmacist was very nice and immediately agreed to do this and it all worked out fine and I saved lots of money, so I was happy.  So, we still haven't started her on it yet until we find out what the neuro rehab doctor thinks.  Oh, on a side note...I try to keep this blog all about Bridgett and not talk about other stuff too much.... but today something happened that just made me laugh.  I was hurrying to put the dishes in the dishwasher while Bridgett was resting and suddenly the sink fell through the counter and landed down in the cabinet.  It was pretty startling and actually just made me laugh.  Luckily the maintenance people were able to get it all fixed this afternoon and yes I did get a picture to remind us! 

Day 139 - Tuesday May 1, 2012

I got Bridgett up early and we were off to Salt Lake again, this time leaving at 7:35.  I know it takes an hour from our house to get to the University Hospital, and I was leaving at rush hour time, so gave myself extra time.  Actually we got to Salt Lake early--it only took an hour.  Go figure!  I stopped and got Bridgett a Jamba Juice to drink and she also wanted a hash brown from McDonalds so she ate during this time before her appointment.  We met with Dr. Myers at the University Hospital Urology Clinic.  He was very nice.  We discussed the whole issue and then he had his nurse come and do an ultrasound on the bladder to see if it emptied completely.  Bridgett had given a urine sample about 30 minutes prior to this point, when we first arrived (which was negative for infection).  I talked to the nurse when we first arrived and said she needs to go now so let's get a sample just in case he wants one (remembering how hard it was last time to get a sample).  Since we had already done a sample we didn't do one just before the ultrasound and still her bladder was nice and empty.  Afterwards he said that the frequency is a problem with the brain signals (just like I thought).  He said it happens sometimes to people who have a stroke.  Dr Myers said that the brain can heal and things can get better.  He said Bridgett appears to be healing and so we have every hope that this can and will resolve.  In the meantime, he said to give her medication.  He wrote a prescription for Toviaz and then said if the insurance company won't pay on it use the second one (maybe Detrol?); I will comment more about actually getting the prescription and the whole insurance issue when I post tomorrow.  We then left and Bridgett was starving so we stopped at Taco Bell and then headed to American Fork to meet with Dr. Roberts.  That appointment went well and next we met with Cameo for the second time for massage.  She worked on Bridgett for 45 minutes.  Bridgett's range of motion had stayed improved from the last time she worked on her.  Cameo believes that Bridgett will be fine from now on.  One thing she made a comment on...impulsivity.  Cameo said that she has had clients that had mild brain injuries as long as five years before who still have impulsivity.  She can't believe how appropriate Bridgett is and she had spent some amount of time with her now.  I do appreciate that as well! 

Day 138 - Monday April 30, 2012

Early this morning we set out for Salt Lake to meet with the neurosurgeon's PA Jean Hagerdorn.  She is such a nice person and very attentive to Bridgett and caring.  This is the second time we have met with her.  She also makes a point to talk directly to Bridgett and that's just nice.  First they did x-rays of Bridgett's neck.  She had to show up an hour early for the x-rays.  After that we waited in the exam room after first having the nurse check her vitals.  Bridgett did some reading on the Kindle first and then we looked at Sports Illustrated and I had her try to name the sport on that page and tell me what different things on the page were called.  The only one she had a little problem with was ice hockey and when I said ice she got hockey.  Jean came in and she examined Bridgett and asked her questions.  Actually when she first walked in the room she asked her one question and then turned to me and said she's so much better!  That was neat!  She tested Bridgett's reflexes and had her walk normally and then on her heels and on her toes.  She looked in her eyes and did range of motion stuff with her.  Afterwards she asked Bridgett some questions.  She turned to me and said you are following up with Moran about her eyes right? I said we had an appointment in August and she look stumped like why are you waiting that long.  I told her they didn't want to see her until then and that they had looked at the CT and said that would be fine.  So, she was OK with that.  She turned to Bridgett and said you won't even believe how great your life will be when you get things straightened out with your eyes.  You will be a whole new woman.  I know it's been hard but things are going to get much better.  Bridgett said Oh good!  Then Jean turned to me and said that she was all prepared before she met with us to tell me that they needed to do another CT and that we needed to see them more, but after examining Bridgett she's very impressed with her progress and that we don't need to see them anymore unless something comes up and we feel it necessary.  She was very excited and happy about how things are going and that of course made me excited and happy!  It was a day when I needed a little input from an outside experienced source.  Afterwards we drove to my sister Sue's house to have lunch with her, her girls and my mom.  When we got there Bridgett hugged everyone and said she remembered them.  We visited for a bit and then I said Bridgett was tired.  She tried to rest a bit on the couch, but after a while got up.  I said do you want to try to sleep again and she said not out here.  I want to go to the basement and sleep on the couch there.  Now that made me excited because she had to have remembered that there was a basement and that there were couches there.  Actually when Bridgett used to visit (after she was in college) she would come and sleep over on the couches in the basement.  We walked down there and looked around.  She said she didn't remember the room, but the girls said that things were re-arranged from how they used to be.  They were very sweet and offered to move the furniture around but I not to worry--it was just great that she remembered that there was a basement with couches to sleep on!  It kind of cold down here I said--should we go upstairs and find a place to sleep?  Bridgett agreed it was cold--she was still wearing a coat--and we went upstairs.  She went to what used to be the girls room and laid down on the bed that grandma uses now when she stays there.  I covered her with grandpa's big warm Dallas Cowboys fleece blanket and she had a very nice nap while we all visited in the living room.  After Bridgett's nap she came out and ate one of the cupcakes that Sue had made for her and she loved it.  We looked at scrapbooks that had quite a few pictures of Bridgett, Arrianne and Stephany with their cousins.  Heather reminded Bridgett that they used to call each other Suzzins--I don't know how you spell that--but sister-cousins.  Bridgett seemed to remember some things, she laughed and did some of her sing-song talking.  After a bit we had to leave to meet someone else so we said goodbye and off we went.  It was a very nice time for all of us I think and I was glad that things worked out to stop there.  We had to stop in Draper and by the time we got home we had been gone for over seven hours.  Bridgett had some gluten free macaroni and cheese.  We found some that she likes.  I probably didn't blog about this but before her accident Bridgett was eating Paleo--no grains and no dairy.  She was feeling very good while eating like this.  When she came home from the hospital and we had so much trouble finding something she would eat we finally let her eat mac-n-cheese and french toast, but we have slowly transitioned her back to gluten free and soon to dairy free, although she hardly has any dairy at this point either.  She is liking the food just fine and is doing better I think because of that as well.  We finally have been able to get her to drink other things besides Gatorade and now she mostly drinks water (like she used to) and even asks for water.  She is drinking bottled water--Dasani--but that's OK.  When we get home we will have filtered water available for her to drink.  Tomorrow we have to leave EARLY so we can be at the Urologists office at the U of U hospital at 9:00.  We have another big day--after the doctor we will head to Dr. Roberts office in American Fork and then to see the massage therapist next.