Second year Day 195 - Wednesday June 26, 2013

I keep forgetting to say this......over a week ago, on Sunday, when we were at Lars' house, I talked to Matt and Becky Busick.  They were asking about Bridgett.  One thing we discussed was leaving her home alone.  I said we hadn't yet and then talked about how most of the time there are no neighbors here and no one who could help if she had a problem.  Also, we worry about dizziness or passing out.  And then, just a few days after talking about it.... Bridgett has dizziness and almost passes out!  Anyway, Becky said maybe to teach her to sit down on the ground as soon as she feels dizzy and then once she can do that we could feel more comfortable about leaving her.  Well, I hadn't really thought about it before but after the past few days I can see that it would not work out.  When she felt like she would pass out, she couldn't react fast enough and also it was awkward for her to sit down, even though we did have her do that the first time--with three people helping her.  I mean sit all the way down to the ground; it wouldn't be bad to sit down on a chair or something if it was close.  Because of her neck, she always guards herself and doesn't move too quickly downward.  Even looking down is difficult when she is having any pain.  To be clear, she does have some neck pain every day, except when we are down at Faith's and then for the couple of weeks thereafter.

Second year Day 194 - Tuesday June 25, 2013

Today Bridgett took a nap.  When she woke up she said, doesn't Arrianne take voice lessons from Jim Stanard?  Yes I said.  Doesn't he live over by the stake center in Kalispell?  YES!  I couldn't believe that she remembered that!  She hasn't been there for several years, so that was fun!  Unfortunately today, Bridgett's neck started hurting.  Dang it! I also hate it when we get to that point. Now, there's three weeks until we see Faith and it's started hurting.  For the past week, every evening about 5:00 her neck gets tight and I give her four Advil, some Natural Calm (magnesium), mag phos (homeopathic) and we use the rice bag.  It helps her get through the evening until bedtime.  Well, today we started with Advil in the morning and she had to have it every four hours all day.  Bummer! 

Second year Day 193 - Monday June 24, 2013

Today Bridget wasn't dizzy at all and didn't have any episodes.  She was able to visit with Dave and the kids last night and it was really nice.  Today they were joking around together and that was fun.  Michelle's office called this morning to report about the blood tests.  They said that everything was normal on her tests with the exception that she was low in vitamin D. They said that when you are that low you just feel blah and yucky. They recommended that she have 2,000 IU once or twice a day to build her up.  She is still feeling yucky lately, so maybe that is why.  Actually, just after we got back from Utah the last time, she starting telling me that she feels gross.  She hasn't been able to really define what that means in a way that I can understand, just overall yucky.  So, maybe that's the feeling that she has had.  Not really sick, just gross.  Funny!

Second year Day 192 - Sunday June 23, 2013

We didn't even try church this morning of course.  Bridgett is doing better today and only had one episode in the evening where she buckled and we caught her.  We are continuing with the tuning forks.  Hopefully it is helping.  I thought during the night....people might say it's not the tuning forks but just a virus getting better.  Fine, I don't care what it is, as long as it's getting better!  We just try whatever we can and hope that something works!  This evening my brother Dave arrived here with his family from Utah.  It's so good to see them!  He and Bridgett and his kids were very close in the months before the accident.  Dave rode bikes with Bridgett and they worked out together at times.  It was a very hard thing for him when she had the accident.  They came last summer for a week or so (I don't remember how long) and this summer they will be here for two weeks.  We will see how he thinks that Bridgett is doing.

Second year Day 191 - Saturday June 22,2013

It ended up that Bridgett had three times yesterday when she buckled but we caught her.  Every time after the episodes, we used the tuning forks.  Michelle Helwig did say that it could be a virus, but no one else is having problems.  Therefore I am leaning to the fact that it is the brain.  Also, it has been a month since we saw Faith.  When we don't travel, she starts having problems.  Bridgett continues to comment that the tuning forks to the brain feel like someone is massaging her brain, which is cool and interesting.  Today she only had two episodes, thank goodness.  Of course, we are all on high alert so that she doesn't hit her head again.  

Second year Day 190 - Friday June 21, 2013

Bridgett woke up a couple of times in the night and was dizzy and this morning she was still dizzy.  I called Michelle Helwig for an appointment so that we could get blood work.  Several people in the family have been concerned about her kidney/liver function because of the pain meds so we might as well check that out.  I contacted Faith, who said she believed that Bridgett needed brain balancing work.  She encouraged us to use the tuning forks on the points she had showed us behind the ear.  Actually, as soon as we did this, the dizziness stopped for about 20 minutes.  Also, Bridgett said it felt so good, like someone was massaging her brain!  We saw Michelle about 11:30.  She was very thorough in checking Bridgett. She said sometimes when someone has had a brain injury, we attribute everything to the injury and overlook something else that might be wrong. Bridgett's urine test was clear, as were the different blood pressure tests (standing, sitting and lying down).  Her overall exam was fine.  Michelle said she would probably get the results over the weekend, but unless there was something drastic on the testing, she would call on Monday. 

Second year Day 189 - Thursday June 20, 2013

Well today Bridgett was feeling "gross."  I'm not sure what exactly that means, but for the past several weeks, she sometimes feels "gross."  She says she feels gross all over, its not just a cold, or a stomach ache or anything really specific.  Anyway, she went to my room to read for a bit.  After about a half an hour she came to the door and called to me.  I was in the living room on the couch.  I looked up and saw her face and realized that she was going to pass out.  I jumped up and yelled for Tyler and Arri for help.  We all ran to her and I got there in time before she started to fold.  She really just folded up in slow motion and went down while we guided her.  We got her sitting on the floor, where she remained for a bit.  Finally we got her up and walking unsteadily to the bed.  She was dizzy the rest of the day and I kept her laying down unless she had to go to the bathroom.  She was not able to walk downstairs to bed, so slept in my room. 

Second year Day 188 - Wednesday June 19, 2013

Bridgett has been back to riding the stationary bike multiple times a day and often for 15-25 minutes.  She just looks so much like herself when she is riding away for more than a few minutes!  I remember the summer before her accident.  If she was in the house riding the stationary bike, she rode for three hours at a time.  Who can tolerate that!  Just someone who is determined and in training!  Of course, she preferred riding outside but with the weather that was sometimes not possible. 

Second year Day 187 - Tuesday June 18, 2013

Out of the blue Bridgett said to me today...when I had my ovary removed didn't I stay with Aunt Debbie after I left the hospital and she played games with me all the time?  It's so fun for me when she remembers things that I haven't reminded her specifically about.  I mean, really, we have been recreating her memory for quite some time.  I try to remember things and write them down and then record them for her to listen to.  We go over and over them and finally she remembers them from re-learning them now.  But, slowly she is starting to remember things that I haven't reminded her about.  And I mean really!  Just try to think of everything that has happened in a persons life that you need to remind them about or reteach them!  It's unbelievably impossible!  But I do feel that the effort is completely worth it.  I remember hearing about a 42 year old woman who doesn't remember anything before her accident when she was 16.  Of course, I spoke to her sister and they never tried to reteach her things.  And, whenever they discuss the past the injured sister just gets mad at them and tells them to stop talking about things she doesn't remember.  So, I think this is a good way that we are doing things!

Second year Day 186 - Monday June 17, 2013

Yesterday Stephany got her young women's recognition award.  She had really earned it in December and had her interveiw on New Year's Eve, but somehow things fell through the cracks and she didn't get it until now.  And bummer--they didn't have the gold one for her but gave her a silver one and said they would switch it out.  She went ahead and opened it up because she had waited so long and wanted to wear it!  Cute!  It was a good day today and overall everyone was feeling pretty good.  We are busy implementing some of Bridgett's new program and things are going well. 

Second year Day 185 - Sunday June 16, 2013

Another missionary day for us.  Lars Thordersen is leaving to Brazil this week and had his farewell.  We all went to that, although Bridgett had to get up to walk about 20 minutes into the meeting.  In the afternoon, his parents had a BBQ at their house that we went to, complete with authentic Brazilian food.  Bridgett stayed home with Tyler, as she wasn't feeling too well.  It was nice to get away for a while and visit with some of our friends.  It was a nice Father's Day.  I thought about my dad a lot.  I didn't cry much, although I do miss him a lot.  I called and talked to mom and we had a really nice visit.  Scott and Jenn both called to talk to Mark and the grandsons all talked to him (except the twins of course!).  We face timed with Jenn and it was so funny to see the twins.  Logan just kept rolling over and trying to crawl!  They are now five months old (just barely!) and lots of fun.  I found some new apps for the ipad for Bridgett that look interesting.  There are just so many educational and therapy apps.  I am so glad that we bought the ipad for her!  She gets a lot of mileage out of the ipad and the kindle! 

Second year Day 184 - Saturday June 15, 2013

Funniest thing!  Bridgett always wakes up like at 7:00.  Before the time change she was up at like 6:30 and now as late as 7:30.  Anyway, today she slept until 10:00!  I couldn't believe it.  When she finally came upstairs I commented on how late is was and she said, well it is Saturday isn't it.  That's a sleep in day, right!  Hah!  First time she's ever slept in since the accident (I think!).  It was a good day today.  Bridgett keeps us laughing with her funny comments and jokes, just like she always did before.  She is back to speaking in a British accent.  That comes and goes from time to time. 

Second year Day 183 - Friday June 14, 2013

OK, deep breath, I'm done with my whining or whatever it was!  I talked to Inez Berner today.  Her daughter Emily had a wreck just three days after Bridgett's accident.  In addition to the head trauma, she broke her pelvis.  Although she had no memory loss, she has other challenges, including using a wheelchair.  She is slowly transitioning to walking and doing better all of the time.  She is having a really challenging time right now, because she can see where she is and where she would have been and she has a lot of depression.  I am so thankful that Bridgett doesn't have the depression even though she has the brain challenges right now.  Emily also has double vision and her brain isn't able to ignore one image so she sees double all of the time.  Adding that to her balance issues as she is getting back to walking and she does have many challenges.  She has moved to a handicapped apartment and sleeps there alone although her mother or someone else is with her during the day.  So, they have challenges, but different challenges. 

Second year Day 182 - Thursday June 13, 2013

Stephany's graduation was wonderful really.  In addition to all of the normal kinds of things, the kids that spoke all talked about their testimony and faith in Christ and I just thought to myself that it was so nice to hear a graduation that was gospel centered--and that most graduations are not this spiritual!  At the end of graduation, Brother DeGraff said a few things.  One thing really hit me hard.  He was talking about a very hard experience that his family had been through this past year, that affected them so much and also that everyone knew about (he didn't talk about the actual experience although we knew what he was referring to).  Anyway, he said that one trying evening he just sat and was so disheartened and said that he couldn't teach the next day.  Right then he got a phone call from Elder John H. Groberg.  Elder Groberg's granddaughter attends Liahona and was graduating the same night as Stephany.  Anyway, Elder Groberg came and spent two hours with the DeGraff's and one of the things that he said was...paraphrasing of course....sometimes it takes more faith NOT to be healed than it does to be healed.  That really hit me hard at the time, but also in these days that have followed.  Faith is a hard thing.  It's OK to say that you have faith, as long as your prayers are answered the way you want them to be answered, or at least in another good way.  But, its so hard when the Lord's will is not what you want to have happen. Also, its hard when things happen in the Lord's time, which isn't the same as mans time.  But, we do feel the love of the Savior and we know that we are watched over and blessed so much.  We see the blessings all of the time.  We feel blessed when others are touched to say certain things to us as well. 

Second year Day 181 - Wednesday June 12, 2013

Sometimes I type the date and number of days and I can hardly believe where we are in relation to the accident.  546 days since receiving that fateful call on December 14, 2011.  Almost 18 months.  It's been a very long time!  Sometimes I think back to those moments standing/sitting in the ICU, starring at Bridgett and wondering what would happen. Of course, because of the severity of her injuries, we wondered if she would live or not.  And then when she did live, we wondered if we would ever be where we are now.  Conversely, looking back, once she was on the upward climb we could never have imagined the months that we would spend trying to help her heal.  Even though I said at the time that it might take two years, I don't think I could really imagine how much time that would really be.  Somehow I really hoped that it would be a shorter time and we would have our Bridgett back.  Of course, we love her and we see progress, but it is so much slower than we had all hoped it would be.  But, again, we have faith and hope and we all try so hard, including Bridgett.  We do anything and everything that we can, and then we pray as hard as we can and we hope and pray for miracles! From time to time I have my discouraging days, but mostly I am positive and hopeful. At Stephany's graduation, Brother DeGraff gave a wonderful short talk that really choked me up.  I will tell you more about it tomorrow.

Second year Day 180 - Tuesday June 11, 2013

We have an appointment with Dr. Hoffman at the Moran Eye Center on July 23rd.  Of course, back in September, Dr. Judith Warner, the neuro Ophthalmologist, said that Bridgett's eyes had healed to the point where she no longer needed optic never surgery.  That was wonderful news!  I just couldn't bear the thought of having them go into her brain!  Anyway, she recommended that Bridgett have surgery for the diplopia, but also said that she did not believe that there was anyone in Montana qualified to do the surgery.  She said that it is a very tricky surgery in adults.  In children, the surgery goes well if the doctor is pretty close to doing it right.  Anyway, later she did tell us that we could try a doctor in Missoula, but at that point I had just found out that he did surgery on someone else with a TBI, and that surgery had not gone so well.  So, I was reluctant to try him out.  Eventually I did call Dr. Warner's office and ask who could do the surgery in Utah.  They gave me the name of Dr. Hoffman and I called and got the soonest appointment, in July! About a month ago I got nervous about it again.  I called back and said that we really need a doctor that will be amazing.  The gal I talked to said that Dr. Hoffman in amazing and the most qualified, and that's why Dr. Warner gave us his name.  I felt much better after talking to her and hearing about how many surgeries he does every year.  So, now we need to get Bridgett's insurance policy changed back to a Utah policy by July 1st so that she will be covered in network.  Our gal in Missoula that handles the policy said that snow birds change their policy each winter and that it was no problem. So, hopefully there will be no problem!  Now, to get everyone in the mind set that this will be good and positive.  I know that in the family there are a lot of feelings of worry about possible blindness etc.  I figure that after we meet with the doctor we will know more about what to expect and what possible problems there could be.  There is plenty enough to worry about without worrying about that right now!  The surgery would probably be in August or September and possibly she would need several surgeries.

Second year Day 179 - Monday June 10, 2013

Today was the first day that Bridgett has had to take Lortab for two weeks.  That's actually a good stretch with no Lortab, at least for the past several months.  She only had to take one at bedtime and I am crossing my fingers that we aren't started on another period of muscle spasms again.  Today, Bridgett said the funniest thing.  The dog was barking outside and I was telling him to be quiet so the neighbors don't complain.  Anyway, he kept barking and suddenly she yelled shut your freakin bark hole!  I started to laugh at her and she said, well it's like the movie where they say zip your howlin screamer.  I don't recognize that movie, but Tyler came in just then and he said it's from Treasure Planet he thinks.  That's also the movie where she quotes "dang it Jim" from all the time.  I kept wondering who the heck is this Jim she's talking about all the time.  So, apparently it's from Treasure Planet (animated movie).  Bridgett and her movie quotes! Gotta love it!!

Second year Day 178 - Sunday June 9, 2013

We got up and got ready for church and went to Isaac Reichner's farewell in Bigfork (our ward).  He is leaving on a mission to Russia.  He reports to the MTC on the 19th.  He did a great job and we enjoyed listening.  Arrianne, Bridgett and I headed home afterwards, while Stephany stayed to Sunday School.  I got Bridgett some lunch, made sure she got into something comfortable, made Steph a sandwich to eat in the car, and then left Bridgett with Tyler and headed to pick up Stephany.  Stephany, Arrianne and I went into Kalispell to Austin's farewell in 2nd ward.  He did a great job as well.  Afterwards, we stood around and talked to Julie, Kenney, Stratton, Austin, Shauna, and David (Julie's parents).  It was fun to visit for a bit.  Mark got back from Bozeman about 6:00.  He stayed with his folks at night and was able to go to church with them this morning before he left.  The girls got to visit a little more with Isaac in the evening. 

Second year Day 177 - Saturday June 8, 2013

A little bit of a better day for Bridgett.  Her cold is starting to get better and she is less miserable.  That's such good news!  Bridgett has been playing LOTS of Mario lately.  When we saw Bob, he said to move the TV down to eye level or below eye level, in order to stress her neck less.  So, we moved the TV and it's much better.  It's just below eve level.  I watched her play today and I must say that I was amazed.  She remembers secrets, where things are that you can't see etc.  and plays just great!  She is able to beat many levels.  Of course, she can't play as well as she used to, but really I was amazed!  Anyway, she's having fun.  I said something to her about "you're going to play that again" and she said, well if I don't have anything else to do, its OK, right?  I mean its not a complete waste of time, right?  It was cute, like she was justifying it to me.  I'm just glad that there's something else she likes to do when she is bored or whatever.  And I do think it's good for her hand eye coordination and for brain function too. 

Second year Day 176 - Friday June 7, 2013

I got a call today from Austin, inviting us to his farewell on Sunday.  That will be special to go to!  I felt really bad that I wasn't able to see him while we were in Utah.  They were down on last Wednesday, for him to get his endowments and then on Thursday they had a family gathering at the park.  We were of course in Monroe, and Bridgett was SO DIZZY.  We couldn't travel to Salt Lake.  Arrianne had set up a vocal lesson for Wednesday that we had to cancel as well.  We just we not able to travel for any reason.  Mark left to Bozeman for the state Republican Convention.  We were hoping to make it to Meredith Stanfill's reception tonight, but Bridgett was still feeling so sick from her cold.  The girls were going to go by themselves, but then Arrianne had a terrible headache.  So, we all stayed home (bummer!).  So far so good on not having to take lortab for the neck.  I can hardly believe it, with all the sneezing that Bridgett has been doing! BTW the azaleas are looking beautiful!!

Second year Day 172 - Monday June 3, 2013

Somehow this didn't get posted, so it's out of order:(  Anyway.......I  got up and decided that we should hit the road pretty early.  Everyone pitched in and we were loaded quickly and on the road.  Mark and I had talked and decided that it would be OK for me to drive into Missoula, so I could go to the Good Food Store...my favorite place to stop in Missoula.  He said that if I got pulled over, I should just explain the situation and that I was trying to get home before the temporary plate expired and hope that I didn't get a ticket.  And for sure I did hope that I wouldn't get a ticket!  We had fun at the Good Food Store and got fresh sandwiches for everyone--peanut butter for Bridgett!  Actually, she never has like sandwiches at all, but does occasionally tolerate PB & J.  Speaking of PB & J, I got the ipad the other day and played some of the old shows she watched as a kid.  I didn't tell her the name of the show, just started playing it and watched to see if she recognized it.  When I started the noodle dance she immediately remembered PB & J otter, the show and the dance.  She also remembered Teletubbies (Steph's favorite!), Bear in the Big Blue House, Rollie Pollie Ollie, and maybe some others.  However, she couldn't remember anything about Blues Clues.  She just said...some show about a blue dog???  Funny!!  Anyway, we got home in the early afternoon and I noticed that everyone disappeared into some other place, by themselves.  Funny!  Sometimes you just need a little alone time!

Second year Day 175 - Thursday June 6, 2013

Today is Stephany's 17th birthday!  It's so hard to believe; my how time flies!  We have a fun dinner planned for tonight, as per her request....hamburgers, corn on the cob and watermelon!  Of course, we planned to invite Scott, Jaclyn and Westy out, except that Bridgett is so dreadfully sick right now so, that will have to wait.  Also, today was Westy's graduation at Montissouri School.  We couldn't go to that either, because Bridgett was so miserable.  Arrianne's wrists hurt too much (randomly) today to drive into town either, so just Mark headed in.  Arrianne has a ganglion cyst on her wrist that acts up from time to time and randomly today the other wrist hurt too.  Anyway, I think that Stephany had a good day overall.  At least we were home and that's always great!!

Second year Day 174 - Wednesday June 5, 2013

Bridgett is still feeling miserable today.  It is just so sad!  I am giving her everything I can think of to ease her symptoms.  The sneezing still continues and every time she sneezes I am just praying that we don't start up with horrible neck pain again.  Like I said, sneezing is hard on those with neck problems.  Remember we went through that period of time where her neck was in a spasm when she sneezed.  Luckily that isn't happening (yet!).  I found out today that Geri, a wonderful lady that I visiting teach, has a brain tumor and only has three months to live.  She called her yesterday and asked Mark to give her a blessing which he has done before.  She was headed into the hospital, because they thought she might have had a stroke.  It turns out that it's an inoperable brain tumor.  I cried a lot about the whole thing.  I really have gotten close to Geri and I have been her visiting teacher almost since I moved to Bigfork. 

Second year Day 173 - Tuesday June 4, 2013

A busy day, filled with trying to get unpacked and caught up!  I forgot to mention that off and on during the trip I thought about my azaleas.  We have some beautiful azalea plants just off the front porch, and along the front of the house.  It is apparently unusual that they grow so well in the Flathead Valley.  I had an arborist out here a few times, and he was just really shocked to see how well they do. Anyway, they only bloom for a couple of weeks each year and I was really hoping that I hadn't missed them this year.  I got home to find that they were just starting to try to open--just a little bit of dark pink peeking out!  I was so happy about that!  So, we will get to enjoy every day of the azaleas!  Bridgett is just miserable with this cold.  They babies were apparently sick when we saw them Saturday and Jenn and Tyler got sick as well.  Anyway, it is so sad to see Bridgett just look miserable.  She kind of whimpers from time to time and can't get comfortable at all.  And to top it off, she is sneezing off and on, which is miserable for her neck as well.  Darn it!  Let's hope she gets better soon! 

Second year Day 171 - Sunday June 2, 2013

What a day!  I got up early and said we'd see how Bridgett was doing before deciding to leave today or not.  She was doing surprisingly well so I woke up Arrianne.  She was NOT doing well (having terrible cramps) and I could see that we wouldn't be leaving any time soon.  I let her rest for a while and in a few hours when she was doing better, I woke up Stephany and she was NOT doing well either.  Then Bridgett's neck started to hurt.  Everyone took pain reliever and rested and about 12:00 suddenly we had a window when everyone was OK, and I ran to Jenn's to say goodbye and drop some little dinosaur shirts off to the boys.  The girls had packed up by time I got back and so we checked out and headed to Salt Lake (by way of the health food store for homeopathics and Panda for some food to eat in the car!).  I wanted to stop in Salt Lake at the cemetery and put flowers on dad's grave.  It was a hard thing to fit in, but I was so glad that I took the time.  We had a very quiet and wonderful time at the cemetery and I only cried for a while (which I needed to do).  We left some very beautiful pink roses on dad's grave, as well as one for Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Tom and Aunt Mary.  Then, we hit the road about 2:00.  We drove as far as Butte and then I decided to stay the night there as I was really tired.  I don't drive the Swan Highway at night anyway, so thought we'd just sleep and get up in the morning and leave.  Oh....one reason to push to leave today.....I remembered that my temporary license expired today!  I was hoping to make it home before I got pulled over.  I will cross my fingers for tomorrow!

Second year Day 170 - Saturday June 1, 2013

After seeing Faith last night, Bridgett was able to go right to sleep and slept comfortably all night. We saw faith about 9:00 this morning, after checking out of the hotel.  We then hit a cute little bakery that has only been open for about a month, called the Sugar Bean Bakery.  They make like 20+ different kinds of cupcakes from chocolate to root beer float to pina colada.  This morning they had maple bacon cupcakes for breakfast.  Stephany got one and said it tasted like pancakes with syrup and bacon!  Interesting!  We got some cinnamon rolls and hit the road, headed to Provo to see Jenn and the family.  We had lots of fun with Jenn and the kids!  I was so glad that we got to see them, as this was the first time of this trip (since they were camping).  After visiting at Jenn's, the girls headed to American Fork.  Stephany had a date and Arrianne was meeting a friend to visit.  Bridgett and I decided to rest a bit, which was a good choice as I was exhausted!   I fell asleep and slept for like an hour!  The girls got back somewhat early and then we all decided to get some sleep before tomorrow. 

Second year Day 169 - Friday May 31, 2013

Of course, Mark and I aren't together today for our 33rd anniversary, which was a bummer.  As we all learn in life, you do what you have to do--you take care of the needful things.  When I get home we will plan to spend some time together and celebrate a little late.  After we saw Faith today, we grabbed some dinner to go and headed out on a little excursion, because everyone was feeling good and getting a little restless.  About 20 minutes away there is the Freemont State Indian Park (I think that's what it's called!) and we drove there and looked as some of the pictographs and a little old cabin.  Arrianne and Stephany hiked up the side of a hill to some to the writings and took pictures while I stayed with Bridgett.  Afterwards we drove about 10 minutes further to the Big Rock Candy Mountain. We got some pictures and then hit the gift shop.  The girls picked out some cool rocks that look like Kryptonite and Bridgett got a necklace.  I got some nifty books with pioneer stories in them.  It will be fun reading them aloud to the kids.  About the time that we got to Big Rock Candy Mountain, Bridgett started feeling dreadful.  She looked dreadful too.  She was so nauseated and just not feeling good. I gave her Zofran and that helped somewhat. Then after we got back to the hotel, Bridgett started feeling really terrible.  She began to have some really strong pain in the chest, lungs, heart, throat (trach) and kidneys. I sent a text to Faith and she let us run over about 9:30 at night and she worked on Bridgett.  All of this pain is coming from the brain not the organs themselves.  Some of it is just working out of the body since the wreck.  It was interesting that Bridgett told me that her heart felt like someone was twisting it and when we got to Faith's, she said that Bridgett's brain was untwisting from that side to side motion from the wreck.  I told her about Bridgett's description of her heart pain, which was the same.  Weird, right!  Anyway, as soon as she started working on the brain, the terrible pain stopped immediately.  Faith showed up two places by the ear where we could use the tuning forks--the right frequency one.  I'm so glad that Arri was here to help.  She did the tuning forks all the way to Monroe from Richfield while I drove.  It was quite the night!  Of course, all of this makes me nervous about leaving after our appointment tomorrow morning.  Hummmmmm.......

Second year Day 168 - Thursday May 30, 2013

Things are still getting better.  Bridgett is making other comments about things that she has not remembered before and is remembering now and that's just exciting.  Unfortunately,after the dizziness passed it was replaced by a feeling of nausea. Actually the nausea got so bad that I had to give Bridgett Zofran.  I don't like giving it to her, but sometimes we have to use it.  It does help with nausea, but it of course interferes with the brain. Faith said that these sensations of dizziness and nausea were in the same part of the brain, in the area where she is working right now.  We talked a little more in depth about brain work today.  She said that so far she has been working on repositioning the brain in the skull itself.  After the wreck and of course from the impact, her brain shifted in the skull and had not returned to the original position yet.  There are adhesions in the area as well.  So, this week is the first time that she has been able to start working deeper than the gross positioning of the brain.  As she is able to work deeper, it increases the blood flow to those areas and helps with reconnecting severed connections in the brain.  The brain is just the most interesting and fascinating thing ever, not to mention the entire body!  What a miracle!  I truly have learned to have so much respect and awe for the brain! The nausea was better as long as she was on Zofran all of the rest of the day and evening but tonight Bridgett started having those terribly strong pains in her heart and lungs.  Luckily we were able to get that under control using the tuning forks.  Yesterday I ordered a set of our own, since we will have to return Faith's.  Today she offered me the entire set of six that I had ordered, just to take to try out.  She of course has a much larger set and in fact has two large sets and that's why she could lend me some.  Anyway,  I thought to myself that we wouldn't need them, then tonight when the pain started up we tried some of the other ones and they worked great.  So, it was just one of those great things that she was inspired to send them all with us and that I didn't say no to her (even though I thought it!).

Second year Day 167 - Wednesday May 29, 2013

Today I asked Bridgett what was important to our family about May 31st and she said, isn't it yours and dads marriage day?  Yes, it's our anniversary I said.  She couldn't remember the name anniversary but she did remember the date.  I was so excited and told Mark about it on the phone and then I called Jenn and told her too.  Bridgett heard me and thought I was giving her a bad time about not remembering the name so I had to explain that I was just so excited that she remembered the date!  Today Bridgett asked for her ipod, and started listening to her old music!  She has never spontaneously done that yet!  Also, she was sitting on the couch in the lobby with her legs crossed like she used to and just acting like her old self!  It was very fun and exciting!  The only negative thing today is that because of the area of the brain where Faith is working, Bridgett was dizzy for about 24 hours.  Luckily it got better after that.  Dizzy is NOT fun!