Second year Day 221 - Monday July 22, 2013

Today we headed to Monroe to see Faith. We grabbed some lunch on the way out of town and hit the road. Our appointments with Faith went great. I was so happy that we could see her before we see the ophthalmologist tomorrow, so that Bridgett's pain would be more under control. After the appointments we headed back to Provo. I was hoping to have time to stop and get a present for Caden because his third birthday is tomorrow but it was hectic and didn't work out.  I was worn out and we all hit the hay early. After seeing Faith, Bridgett didn't need any pain killer for the rest of the day and slept through the night without waking up to take pain reliever. On another note........Before we left to Utah, our dog Jake was not doing very well. I have been worried about him for quite a few months. He is old for a dog; he's 11-1/2 years old. He's an Australian Shepard/heeler cross. He has been eating poorly and having trouble getting up. Mark and Tyler said he's doing worse since we left.  I don't know if he'll make it until we get home. In some ways I am hoping I'm not there when he dies. It was very traumatic when his sister died five years ago. We got both dogs from the same litter and they were so fun together. Jess (his sister) died from Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichia, and Lyme disease. We have had a lot of ticks this year and even though we use Frontline, it's a worry. But he is also just old.

Second year Day 220 - Sunday July 21, 2013

Bridgett is still remembering old random memories that really amaze me. Most of these memories seem to be from "pre-Provo" days. So, basically from the time before she turned 18. It was weird, if you remember, when she first started remembering who she was, she thought she was younger. I think 14, if I remember right. Now of course she knows that she is 23, but I think that it is interesting that memories from her adult years are kind of "misty" memories. It's like she vaguely has an inkling of things that happened, but can't quite clearly remember those things. Of course, from time to time she remembers things and surprises me but mostly she doesn't remember people particularly from this time frame. However, I do think those memories will come to her eventually, just as her older memories are coming to her. From time to time when I mention people she knew from Provo she will say she kind of remembers them, but not clearly for sure.  Like she might remember their name and put a last name with it but then can't describe the person at all.

Second year Day 219 - Saturday July 20, 2013

We got up early and headed to West Jordan to the Golden Corral to meet everyone for breakfast. My new GPS is cool because when I got on the freeway it said that there was a traffic jam ahead and the speed was 30 on the freeway.  Jenn was following me and after i told her about it she turned on the radio and heard about a wreck ahead. She called Tyler, who told us how to detour and miss that section of freeway, which we did. That was great!  We got to the restaurant a few minutes late but it was fine. It was so fun to see everyone who could come.  There were 37 of us there for breakfast. The amazing thing was that Bridgett lasted for two hours in the restaurant!  And with all of that noise!  Crazy!  She had a fun talking to everyone, although she also sat at a table with just me so that she could talk when she felt like it. She had to go out into the restaurant from time to time to walk and someone went with her to "guard" her so that no one would run into her and jar her neck.  But she did it!  I was very glad to get a few minutes to talk to Frank and Cindy and of course everyone else. We were able to discuss our coming reunion on dads birthday (actually the day before) and it was just fun!  Oh I forgot to mention that from time to time when Bridgett is in a lot of pain, she uses the soft neck brace in the car. Today her neck was still hurting after arriving at the restaurant, so she wore it inside as we'll. I figure that it helped protect her neck in case someone ran into her. Anyway it was fun and then we all headed back to our homes (or hotel!). We were supposed to got to the "big" Hall reunion this evening, but it was outside at the park and it was SO hot!  Bridgett was worn out as well, so we just stayed in Provo. Arri and I tried to get some unpacking done at her apartment as well so that she would be ready for a new week.

Second year Day 218 - Friday July 19, 2013

I don't think I have blogged about this yet, but Scott, Jaclyn and Weston are moving to Utah next week, to Draper.  It will be so hard to have them leave, except for the fact that I am in Utah so much and I will get to see them pretty often.  Of course, they have lived in Kalispell ever since they were married and Scott has worked for Mark for years.  It will be a big adjustment for everyone. I am at the age in life where I cry very easily.  I haven't discussed it much with other people because it makes me cry.  Today they had a going away party at work for Scott.  Hopefully it went well.  I will be here when they leave so I guess I can pretend that we didn't really have a hard goodbye.  I picked up Stephany from EFY tonight instead of tomorrow because of our family breakfast in West Jordan.  She had a great week and I'm so glad that she was able to go.  W didn't get back to the hotel until 11:30, so we were all pretty tired.  Morning will come quickly!

Second year Day 217 - Thursday July 18, 2013

Bridgett and I have been discussing here appointment with the eye doctor lately.  Initially, she was very much against having eye surgery. However, I told her that we won't force her to have surgery (obviously) but that we will consult with the doctor and then try to decide what will be best.  The doctor is Robert Hoffman.  She asked me if she could ask him a question and I said sure.  So she wants to ask him if she can call him Robbie!  I said most doctors want to be called dr but you can ask.  I think she will forget about asking him anyway so whatever!  Tonight when Bridgett said prayers she said please bless us to be safe on the morrow.  On the morrow!  She kills me sometimes with her speech!

Second year Day 216 - Wednesday July 17, 2013

Arrianne bought one of her old roommates contracts for the summer so that worked out well.  Now we have to get her a place for fall.  We had talked about getting a condo that we could stay in with her when we are in Utah, but that hasn't worked out yet.  So we spent time today negotiating to buy someone else's fall contract where she lives now.  After bartering for a while we finally came to terms and got that signed today.  Whew!  Relief!  Now at least that is all taken care of.  Also I have been trying to get things organized so that my family can get together this Saturday for breakfast.  My older brother, Frank, was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. He will be coming up this weekend to visit before he starts treatments next week so we all want to get together and visit.  After consulting with everyone, I was finally able to set up a room at the Golden Corral where we can meet and eat together early Saturday morning in salt lake.  I have an extended family reunion this weekend as well, but it will all be outside and if the temperature doesn't moderate a little, then that's out for us. Bridgett can't tolerate the heat and obviously neither can Stephany.  Actually I don't do great in the heat either.

Second year Day 215 - Tuesday July 16, 2013

Today Bridgett and I actually just got some rest and it felt good. It was nice to just chill and do some reading.  Arrianne's program seems really good and she's having fun.  Stephany was zonked today after being so sick from heat stroke yesterday but otherwise managing.  Bridgett and I got a little shopping done.  I'm hoping to see Jenn and the kids tomorrow.  I had hoped to have lunch with mom and Sue, but had to cancel and pick Steph up and bring her to the hotel for some cool air and rest.  She looked so hot you'd think that she was ready to burst.  I got shaved ice for everyone and got her cooled down.  It was 103 degrees.  Crazy!  After a couple of hours I took her back, and she was feeling much better.  Hopefully they will be inside more tomorrow!

Second year Day 214 - Monday July 15, 2013

Today was the first day of EFY and also the opera program.  Arri left for her 10:00 class.  I was going to leave Bridgett at Jenn's but Tyler was sick.  So when I had to check Stephany in, we took Bridgett with us.  She sat in the car with the iPad at the Marriott center and luckily we were pretty quick getting Steph checked in.  Next we went to the dorm and got her situated.  In the afternoon, Arrianne had a short day and then an appointment at the doctor.  Bridgett was a good sport while was got everything under control.  Late evening I ran up to the dorm.  Steph had like heat stroke.  It was 100 degrees here and she's just not used to that kind of heat (me either!).

Second year Day 213 - Sunday July 14, 2013

The drive down went pretty well.  Arrianne has to be really hydrated for her opera program, so she was drinking lots of water. The natural outcome--lots of stopping!!  That was just fine for Bridgett as she needs to stop and walk around often so she doesn't get so sore in the car.  I'm not sure that Eliza appreciated it at all though:).  We stopped a total of five times and by the last stop Bridgett was miserable. Stephany, Arrianne and I all were helping her get out and to the rest stop bathroom and she was actually crying because of the pain.  I should say whimpering/crying.  It's so sad when she's like that. It was a real relief to get to Provo.  I stopped with Bridgett and got checked into the hotel while Arrianne stopped with the girls to pick up the keys to her apartment. Arrianne is moving back into her apartment and since we were arriving on a Sunday, Jenn picked up her keys for her a couple of days ago.  Anyway, we got the stuff unloaded out if the car except for the trunk so that no one would want to break in:)  Eliza's uncle and cousin picked her up and we all crashed back at the hotel. Thankfully, Jenn had made dinner for us so we didn't have to figure out a place to eat.  All in all it was a very long day!

Second year Day 212 - Saturday July 13, 2013

Well, Mark was gone a lot of the day, helping out with a service project.  Before he left this morning, he reminded me to be careful not to overdo it.  I said...worse case scenario I won't get the shopping done, but I think I can get everything else done. I usually am on top of everything before I leave out of town and leave the dishes done, the house cleaned, shopping done for a couple of weeks so that Mark doesn't have to worry about it, etc.  Anyway, by the time I got all of the office work taken care of, and finished the washing and packing etc. I was too bushed to do the shopping at all.  Mark said not to worry about it--he and Tyler will take care of it.  So, for the first time I am leaving out of town with nothing in the fridge to eat and on a Sunday to boot!  I hate that!  I actually hate driving on Sunday at all, but it couldn't be helped.  At least I went to bed at a decent hour and everything is ready to be loaded in the car! 

Second year Day 211 - Friday July 12, 2013

I'm actually feeling a little more human today, thank goodness!  I am finishing up on reconciling the checkbooks for work, and getting anything else done that has to be taken care of for the next two weeks.  I have been taking some naps every day and that's helping out too.  Also, I have been neglecting some of the housework and Mark has been trying to help out a little more.  Bridgett is finally off the double Lortabs and only taking single doses finally.  Arrianne has finally got all of her stuff packed up to move back to Provo.  She will be her car down, loaded to the hilt with her belongings.  Also, she will have two passengers, Stephany and Eliza Reichner.  They are both going to EFY next week in Provo.   Bridgett and I will be in my car, also loaded to the hilt with the rest of Arrianne's stuff and all of our luggage for two weeks.  Overall, we will be really loaded up!!

Second year Day 210 - Thursday July 11, 2013

Today we all went and saw Vern.  Well, I should say Arrianne, Stephany and I saw Vern; Bridgett was unable to make the drive in as she had terrible cramps and just wanted to stay home.  Mark stayed home with her.  Thankfully her neck is feeling a little better every day, so I could leave her for a quick trip to town.  I am just still so tired so I thought I'd better have Vern check me out.  He said that my adrenals are shot.  Of course, several people has told me to get some adrenal support because of the stress I'm under all the time.  In fact, several people have told me that they are just waiting, knowing that I will crash some time.  Well I haven't yet, and I don't plan to and hope not to!! I guess I should have done something before now.  He gave me some things to take and I said it had better work quick so I can leave on Sunday!  The girls are all trying to help out lots with things around the house so I can just rest.  In fact, I am posting all of these posts very late because I have been taking a time every day to rest instead of posting to the blog. 

Second year Day 209 - Wednesday July 10, 2013

I'm still really tired, but I'm trying to get a nap every day and so I can be ready to drive this weekend.  Really, I think I have been tired for 19 months now!  It's the kind of tired you get from worrying about your child, and helping them with almost everything.  It's very infrequently that I get a break.  It's kind of different with an adult woman--I can't just leave her many times because she might need personal help and her dad or brother can't do that.  When her neck is hurting badly she can't take off her shirt or anything.  Perhaps your neck has been hurt before and so you know the many challenges that it entails. 

Second year Day 208 - Tuesday July 9, 2013

Now since Bridgett has been on the Robaxin we are able to start dropping off the double doses of Lortab.  She still has to take double doses as the day wears on, into the evening.  But, any time we can get by with just one Lortab, it's a good thing.  One thing that Bridgett does on a regular basis is asks if she's pretty or not.  Of course, we all assure her that she is very beautiful.  Then she smiles with a cute embarrassed smile, puts her hands up over her mouth and looks so shy.  It's cute. She asks Arrianne if she's half as pretty as her and Arrianne always answers that she's twice as pretty. She sometimes asks if she was still beautiful when she was in a coma and bald.  It's funny what she thinks about.

Second year Day 207 - Monday June 8, 2013

Thankfully we got some Robaxin today.  That really helps to relax the muscles and helps with pain.  Unfortunately it also seems to make her kidneys hurt, but sometimes she just has to take it anyway and put up with the kidney pain for a while.  I give her the choice always to not take things and really she hates taking any medications.  She always tells me that she's not a drug addict and doesn't want to get hooked on medication.  So, that's good. 

Second year Day 206 - Sunday July 7, 2013

I forgot to mention that Dave and family left yesterday.  We all had a great time while he was here, but now I'm beat!!!  I also realized that I had forgotten to take my thyroid pills for the last five days, so that's probably another reason why I'm so tired.  I put them in a pill minder box every Sunday and then take then.  Very occasionally I miss one day.  I've never missed a bunch of days like this.   Bad timing!! I need to get some extra rest before next weekend, when we leave to Utah again.  It's been great to be home, but hard on Bridgett.  She really needs to see Faith!  Our new home teachers came over this evening.  It was very nice to see them and to spend some time in gospel discussion.  I miss going to meetings where I can study, learn and discuss.  Thanks, guys!

Second year Day 205 - Saturday July 6, 2013

Today I got an email from Deb, which was a forward of a facebook message.  It was from a friend of Bridgett's, who hadn't heard from her and so was going to facebook her and saw that she was in an accident.  There are still friends of Bridgett's who haven't heard about her accident.  It was nice of him to contact Deb and try to get in touch with Bridgett though.  Really we had no good way to let everyone know, so some people just didn't find out for a while.  Yesterday I was talking about things that Bridgett didn't remember.  This is another thing.  We were talking about doctors and I said somethings about a PA.  What's a PA Bridgett asked.  I said a physician's assistant.  What's a physician she asked.  It still surprises me when she doesn't remember things like that.  I said a doctor and later on today I asked her what a physician was and she remembered.  With some things it's like that....she doesn't remember until we remind her and then she doesn't forget.  Other things she still struggles with. 

Second year Day 204 - Friday July 5, 2013

I called about the Robaxin and Walgreens said they were still waiting to hear back from Michelle Helwig.  I tried the office and they were closed from Wednesday at noon until next Monday and apparently the prescription didn't get approved before they closed.  So, Bridgett will do without the Robaxin until we can get our hands on some more, hopefully Monday.  Bummer!  It does seem to help when she takes the Robaxin (muscle relaxant). However, as I have mentioned before, when we use it very much, Bridgett's kidneys start to hurt.  So, we save it for when the pain is pretty bad.  Initially, they told us that Bridgett would have a lot of speech difficulties, because of the nature of her injury.  Well, she really had very little problems actually.  It has taken a while for her to remember things, but she had no "speech problems" per se.  But, talking about remembering the names for things.  As far as common things go, she it at the point where she remembers the names of things very well.  She still doesn't have her full memory back yet, but that's coming slowly.  But, I'm always surprised when she can't name common things.  Like today.  We went shopping and she saw some avocados and wondered what they were called.  Hummmm....

Second year Day 203 - Thursday July 4, 2013

First thing this morning, Mark headed up to the church to cook for the annual Fourth of July breakfast.  Arrianne and I went up about 9:00, as she was asked to sing the Star Spangled Banner, like she did last year.  Stephany and Tyler stayed at home with Bridgett.  Arrianne's singing was beautiful as always.  After that we headed right home.  Dave had said that he would follow us up to the breakfast, but never did show up to go with us and we left late.  When we got home, Tyler said that they had just come over (like 45 minutes late) and said they were headed up there.  So, we missed them.  I called Dave and he said that Jackson and Elodie were also wanting to come and asked me to give them directions, which I did.  It ended up that they couldn't find a close parking place, so grabbed lunch at Burger Town:).  It's been really hot here and we've turned on the air conditioning several times this past week already.  Usually we don't resort to air conditioning until August, but this summer has been weird all around.  It got unusually hot early in the summer, then cooled down and now it's hot again.  Anyway, at least we have an air conditioner, so that's a blessing.  Scott, Jaclyn and Weston came out today.  I am still amazed every time I see Weston at how tall he is getting!  He will be passing Arrianne soon and then or course, he will pass Stephany and I not long afterwards.  He turned 11 in February, so he is getting to be quite the young man these days.  He knows everything about basketball it seems!  He can tell you who plays for who and how long they have played, who is the best at everything, etc.  He knows so many basketball trivia facts that you'd be amazed!  He knows a lot of other sports facts as well, but since basketball is his first love, that's what he knows the most about.  Mark spent a lot of time taking everyone on the boat for tubing, skiing, wake boarding, and just plain riding.  We had hamburgers and hot dogs for a very late lunch (everyone was at the lake and just didn't come up until they were STARVING).  Later on in the evening we made kabobs, which everyone enjoyed as well.  Of course, the brownies were especially good at the end of the evening.  Scott and Jaclyn left about dark.  Then, even though we have had a couple of years without this, the neighbor down the bay started his fireworks off his dock.  A bunch of boats were in the lake to watch.  Usually we take our boat out, but this year we didn't.  Bridgett had just gone to bed when the fireworks started, but fell asleep even with the noise.  This guy put off professional fireworks for about one hour--amazing!  He used to do about an hour and a half.  I mean, these are every bit as good as a city display!  It's fun to just sit on the couch and enjoy them from inside, although I really love watching from the boat.  However, since I couldn't go out in the boat anyway, it was nice that everyone was in the house with me.  Really, Mark had been on the lake a bunch this week already, and then after the morning up at the breakfast, he was beat and just too tired to go out.  So, it all worked out just fine.

Second year Day 202 - Wednesday July 3, 2013

Lots of activity around here with Dave's family.  Jackson and Elodie arrived on Saturday to round things out.  Jackson has spent time with Tyler, off shooting etc.  Justus has spent lots of time fishing this year and has caught several fish just off of the dock.  Jaiden and the girls are doing girlish things, whatever that means:).  All around, everyone is boating, skiing, wake boarding, getting sun, etc.  We are all looking forward to fun tomorrow.  Bridgett is wading through the neck pain and of course, not on the lake at all.  She is not even outside much, except to walk, which of course really helps her with pain management.  She is also riding the stationary bike regularly.  I am of course with Bridgett, so not on the lake at all either. 

Second year Day 201 - Tuesday July 2, 2013

Scott, Jacly and Weston got back from Utah last night.  Today they made the official announcement to other people (we of course knew) that they are relocating to Utah, sometime at the end of the month I believe.  This has been a long time in the works and is now finally happening.  I would be much more sad, but I am in Utah so often that I will still see them a lot, so that's OK.  Of course, we have all had some tears over the whole thing...change can be hard.  They will be out on the 4th to spend some time with us and enjoy the lake, as well as visit with Dave's family so that will be great. Bridgett is still having a lot of pain and is regularly taking two Lortab.  The Robaxin is gone and I haven't heard from Walgreens yet. 

Second year Day 200 - Monday July 1, 2013

I called first thing this morning to Walgreens to get some more Robaxin.  Bridgett is out of refills, but the doctors office said to call the pharmacy and they contact the clinic.  Done.  Also I called about the zofran they prescribed last time we were into the clinic.  They have always done the dissolveable pills, which work great for Bridgett especially when we are in the car traveling and need some quick relief; they only take like 20 minutes to start working.  However, when Mark picked up the prescription, they had called in the swallow kind this time.  These kind take like an hour or more and additionally she needs to drink something to swollen them, instead of the quick dissolving in the mouth.  Anyway, Walgreens said they will have to call in a second prescription, so I called the office about that as well.  I have our reservations under control for trips in July and August.  August will be particularly crazy, as we will just get back on the 30th  of July and then have to run down for the weekend of Arrianne's opera performance on August 9-10th.  Then we will be home for a week while Jenn is up here visiting and then back to Utah on the 20th.  Whew!  We will be there until Labor Day weekend, and then, depending on eye surgery scheduling, we may have to stay for September surgery.  The surgeon does his adult surgeries on the first Monday and Wednesday or every month.  So, it will be in September or October.  Of course, we still have the preliminary appointment and we still have to figure out what to do etc. 

Second year Day 199 - Sunday June 30, 2013

Bridgett was in no shape for church, because of neck pain.  By today we have upped the Lortab to two most doses.  Bridgett is almost out of Robaxin so I will call first thing tomorrow to get another prescription for that.   I forgot to mention that Bob told us to try DMSO for the pain.  I bought some and it does help out somewhat for her.  The first day we tried it, her pain wasn't out of control and it really helped a lot.  As the pain gets worse, it helps less.  So, anyway, off and on we use it.  I got some nifty rose scented DMSO.  One of the days, when Mark's neck was sore, he had me use some on him.  He said it helped although I don't know that he really liked the rose scent, but what can you do:)

Second year Day 198 - Saturday June 29, 2013

We are all having a great time with Dave and family here.  When ever it gets noisy, Bridgett just leaves and goes to my room to play Mario or read or play on the ipad.  She spends some time interacting with everyone, but then at least has some respite in my room as well.  By today she is taking Lortab around the clock, but only one at a time so far. 

Second year Day 197 Friday June 28, 2013

The pain is getting worse now and I started Bridgett on Lortab in the evening. I see this happen and usually it doesn't get much better when her neck starts to spasm until we see Faith. Bummer! We don't have appointments with Faith until the 22nd of July. I sent Faith a text to see if there is any way we could see her earlier. She said she is in Monroe still but will be leaving on the 13th. Actually Mark was leaving with Arrianne on the 11th, but that won't help much if I go instead because she'd only see Bridgett once. I found someone in Missoula that might be really good, but I have left a message and she hasn't responded back to me yet. I took some short videos of Bridgett signing with both hands (she's always been able to do that) and sent them to Bob. Bridgett was asking him if she could take another sign class. He responded back that he thought that would be fine. I think I will try to get ahold of Toni Cancella and see if she is still teaching.

Second year Day 196 - Thursday June 27, 2013

Bridgett had the most amazing day today!  Several weeks ago Bob and I talked about her wanting to drive her Mustang down the driveway.  He said he thought that she should do that (with Mark) and that it would be very therapeutic for her.  Mark, however, said that our driveway is too windy and there are trees close and that it would not be really safe as a test place.  But, he said that he would take her across the street to a subdivision development that never really got started.  There is only one house back there.  It is really open and a perfect place to take her.  So, today was the big day!  Bridgett could hardly contain herself, although at the last minute she was worried that maybe she forgot how to drive.  I reassured her that it was like riding a bicycle.  Actually a couple of days ago she sat in the Mustang with Arrianne and put the top down by herself.  I came out and said did you remember how to do that yourself and she said mother, I'm not stupid you know.  I know, I reassured her.  I was just impressed that she remembered!  Anyway, Mark sat up front and she wanted Arrianne in the back seat.  Mark and I told her before she left that he would keep his hand on the shift just in case there was a problem so that he could put the car in neutral.  Long story short--she did amazing!  She remembered everything.  Mark had her put on the brakes fast--no problem.  She came home woo hooing the minute she walked in the door.  She was literally just so excited all of the rest of the day!  Arrianne got pictures of her driving for those of us at home to watch.