Second year Day 252 - Thursday August 22, 2013

Today Arrianne was supposed to drive back to Provo but instead we cancelled her dentist appointment and she stayed another day.  She really wanted to stay another day and I just didn't really feel good about her leaving today for some reason.  Her throat was really messed up with all of that vomiting and she might as well get it back into place as much as possible before she heads back to school.  Our appointments continue to go well.  Bridgett is feeling amazing and that is also so worth the entire trip.  It's hard to travel so much but the results are worth any inconvenience to any of us. 

Second year Day 251 - Wednesday August 21, 2013

We are all enjoying our appointments and they are going well.  It's nice to have Arrianne with us this week, and she is enjoying spending some days with us before we head back to Montana.  Also, she is enjoying the last few days before class starts and things get BUSY.  It's so fun to have her around to spend time with Bridgett.  They have a very special bond.  Just Monday when I was taking Arrianne around to get a few last things, we were headed to Walmart.  When we came to a stop light, Arri thought I would be turning (by the Krispy Kreme Donut place) instead of continuing down University Parkway.  She said that's what Bridgett always did, turn at that light and go around the block.  I had one of those moments, thinking about Bridgett before the accident and feeling sad that things are so different now.  Not that there is any point to dwelling on any thoughts like that.  We just move forward.  Bridgett's in there somewhere and she's emerging all of the time.  It just takes time and patience.  Sometimes I hate time and patience! 

Second year Day 250 - Tuesday August 20, 2013

Good appointments today.  Bridgett's neck has stayed in place actually.  The neck pain that she has been having has been between the shoulder blades and obviously still painful, but the good news is that it isn't hurting at the site of the fracture.  There is still a lot of involvement with various parts of her body from the wreck.  Her main complaint lately has been pain in the respiratory diaphragm area as well as lungs, clavicle and kidneys.  Faith has been able to quickly address these problems and then move on to brain work.  She is working on my shoulder as well, the one that I had frozen shoulder in many years ago.  It has been bothering me lately and it's good to get some relief from that pain.  Also, she has continued with Arrianne's neck pain.  Actually, the vomiting caused her pain in the ribs, neck, and throat.  Additionally, she has been working with Stephany.  We are looking forward to great improvements in Stephany's health over the next couple of weeks.  We are specifically addressing some issues that she has struggled with since birth. 

Second year Day 249 - Monday August 19, 2013

We got up this morning and Arrianne, Bridgett and I left the hotel to help get some things done for Arrianne.  Stephany was still crashed, so she stayed and slept.  First we headed to parking services to get Arri a parking pass for this year. Additionally, she rented a locker this year.  It just hasn't been feasible to rent a locker before now, because she didn't have time between classes to actually use one!  However, even though she is taking 17 credits, her classes are spread out and so a locker will work out.  Next we went to the Book Xchange and got her textbooks; well, all but one of her textbooks.  One of them is on order and hasn't arrived yet.  It was a good day to go, because there were NO lines anywhere.  In fact, there weren't any other students there at all!  We got everything done quickly and got back to the hotel in time to check out and then stop for lunch at Mimi's Café.  Everyone loves Mimi's!  We had breakfast, complete with hot chocolate for Bridgett.  She loves it there, with heaps of whipped cream!  We were able to get on the freeway just in time to make it to Monroe with five minutes to spare!  We had great appointments and it was so nice to have Bridgett out of pain!  Arrianne also saw Faith this time.  Her neck really got out of place after throwing up so much.  It's important for everyone to get their neck adjusted when out, but particularly for singers.  It can really affect their voice.  So, it 's nice that she was able to come to Monroe with us.  We brought both cars, so that Arrianne can return to Provo on Thursday.  She has cleaning checks this Friday and it's the move out checks, so white glove.  The rest of us will stay in Monroe until after appointments on Saturday. 

Second year Day 248 - Sunday August 18, 2013

I got up by 6:30 and started packing.  There's always so much to bring!  Make sure we have Bridgett's neck brace for in the car, and Zofran for the trip in case she gets sick (and she did get sick this time and have to take it).  Other medications like Lortab, plus vitamins.  School work for Bridgett, plus all of the other stuff....it's a long list.  Anyway, we were finally packed, had eaten breakfast, Mark got the car loaded for us and we were on the road by 10:00.  It was the longest trip!!  Bridgett was having kidney pain and some neck pain as well, so we ended up stopping eight times!  It was frustrating for the girls and by the end of the trip everyone was a little short.  I was tired and so glad when we finally checked into the hotel.  Everyone was just glad to get out of the car and be able to drop onto a bed!  We stayed in a different Marriott than we usually do, but it worked out alright.  Apparently August is the worst time to get a hotel in Provo, because of Education Week, camps and then students coming to school.  We have some things to take care of in the morning and then we are back on the road to Monroe by 11:45, as Bridgett's appointment is at 2:00. 

Second year Day 247 - Saturday August 17, 2013

I don't remember if I explained this or not, but Jenn, Tyler and the kids came up here for a Fenn reunion and they have been camping at Holland Lake.  These past couple of days are their days to spend with us, at the lake, etc.  I forgot that they went boating on Thursday and today they came over at about 11:00 a.m. and stayed until 7:00 p.m., when they started the trip home.  They like to drive while the kids sleep.  So, we spent the day with the kids and had a really nice time.  Mark took everyone in the boat again and everyone went swimming.  Bridgett and I stayed up at the house, however.  Well, tomorrow we leave to Provo and there's so much to do.  I really wanted to go and see Geri while I was home but I have been sick all week.  Today I have so much to do and I've been trying to figure out how to go see her but Mark said I'd better not go anyway--I might still have germs.  So, instead I did the laundry and shopping (we slipped out while they were at the lake).  I had some office stuff to get done; I didn't get everything done, but I packed some stuff to bring with me.  It was a very full day and there was not enough time to get any packing done really.  I will plan to get up and get packed in the morning before we leave.  At least Arrianne and Stephany are all packed:)

Second year Day 246 - Friday August 16, 2013

I still rested most of the day and then I was able to go to the rodeo with everyone this evening.  We all had a great time.  I got front row seats for us and then everyone could wiggle around and move a little.  Unbelievably the kids sat through the entire rodeo--even the babies were go good!  Bridgett made it from 7:30 until about 9:15 and then she had to get up to walk.  I walked with her and we were so slow that we missed the end of the rodeo but, it was all good.  Bridgett and I walked to get some cotton candy.  She said, didn't our church used to have a booth and I worked in it.  Yes!  She said our booth didn't cook hamburgers but we sold cotton candy and pop and stuff.  Yes!  We walked around and saw the draft horses.  Also, during the rodeo we had shaved ice and that was fun for everyone.  I gave Connor a bite of mine and he didn't like it too much.  Too cold maybe.  By the time it was all over I was exhausted and ready to get home and get some sleep.  Bridgett didn't get to sleep until 11:00, which was extremely late for her.  Oh, BTW, it was a good thing Bridgett got her new glasses because without them she couldn't really see anything. 

Second year Day 245 - Thursday August 15, 2013

Arrianne and Bridgett are feeling quite a bit better and I am starting to feel a little bit human again. I got up early and got payroll done while I still had a little bit of energy.  Then  I spent most of the rest of the day in bed.  I am hoping that I can get it together by tomorrow because we are all going to the fair--it's a family tradition.  Jenn and her family came over tonight.  They visited outside on the back porch (over looking the lake) so that no one else would get sick. Everyone had a good time.  I was sad to be alone in the bedroom, but too tired and sick to really care. 

Second year Day 244 - Wednesday August 14, 2013

This was the third day with all of us being sick.  There's so much to get done this week, but I can't do anything.....

Second year Day 243 - Tuesday August 13, 2013

Bridgett, Arrianne and I are all still sick and spent the day in bed.  Again, I pretty much had no idea what happened all day. 

Second year Day 242 - Monday August 12, 2013

I woke up this morning to find myself SOOOOO sick.  I guess that it finally caught up to me.  Also, by afternoon Bridgett started feeling sick as well.  I spent the entire day in bed, which is crazy for me.  Bridgett spent most of the day in bed as well.  Arrianne is still feeling bad but I was unable to get up to help her.  Mark helped out in the morning and Stephany helped out in the afternoon.

Second year Day 241 - Sunday August 11, 2013

I forgot to tell you--after the opera, Arri just kind of collapsed.  We got her back to the hotel and then she just started to shake and was so sick.  She took a hot bath and then just crashed and slept fitfully.  It's a good thing that she got to go to the cast party on Friday, because she definitely couldn't have made the party on Saturday.  But, at least she got to perform!! I'm still just amazed thinking about it.  She has determination and faith, that's for sure!!  We got up slowly and left Provo kind of late in order to let her rest a little more.  The trip went fine, but Arrianne was pretty well wiped out in the back seat the entire trip.  She wasn't throwing up, but didn't feel too swift, that's for sure!  Otherwise, the trip went well.  Bridgett really did amazing all weekend and that was great! 

Second year Day 240 - Saturday August 10, 2013

Arrianne sent me a text during the night and she was sick and vomiting.  I woke up Mark and we got dressed and headed over to her place, stopping on the way for some Gatorade, ginger ale and crackers.  I got to Arri's apartment and found her on the floor in the bathroom, feeling miserable.  We helped her back into bed and Mark gave her a blessing.  Afterwards, Mark left me there to spend the night with Arri and he went back with the girls.  It was a very, very long night.  Arrianne threw up a total of 14 times!  Poor thing!  I finally remembered that I had some Zofran in the car, and took her car and headed over to the hotel and got the last one.  I gave her that at 6:00 and she went for about 1-1/2 hours before throwing up again.  In the meantime I was able to reach our doctor and got another prescription and gave her some more.  She finally stopped vomiting about 11:00, although she was still miserable and unable to keep anything down.  During the afternoon, we tried to concentrate on getting her re hydrated, because she was determined to perform in the opera.  At 5:00, she still hadn't been able to eat anything but one saltine cracker, and she hadn't been out of bed since she stopped vomiting.  She said--I'm going to do this and made herself get up and start getting ready.  I made her some hot rice cereal and she kept drinking and eating the cereal while she put on make-up and did her hair. From time to time she tried out her voice and since she was able to make sound, she kept it up.  At 6:15 I dropped her off and by golly, she performed at 7:30!!  She did a great job!  I was holding my breath every minute until she showed up on stage, but she did it!!  Of course, I'm sure that she would have done better if she hadn't got sick, but her voice was every bit as loud as everyone else's and she was on key and sang clear and beautifully!  It was amazing!  Also amazing---Bridgett sat through the entire thing!  It lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes and she stayed sitting down the entire time.  She had her ipod with headphones and listened to her music and then pressed pause whenever Arri was on stage.  Afterwards I asked her how she like the opera and she said--it was SOO good!  All in all it was an amazing night!  Oh--Steph, Westy and Mark did get to go to the aquarium and had a great time in the morning.

Second year Day 239 - Friday August 9, 2013

Westy had a conflict this morning and couldn't go to the aquarium, so Mark and Steph postponed the trip until tomorrow. Bridgett and I still had some running around to do.  Arrianne had dress rehearsal and then a break.  In the evening they had the first night of the opera.  There are two full casts, so tonight was the first cast and the second cast was the chorus.  Everything went well and afterwards they had a cast party.  Arrianne is really excited for tomorrow, and so are the rest of us!  Mark had some business this afternoon, and he has some appointments tomorrow.  Bridgett is feeling good and still is very excited about her new glasses.  Mark and I are discussing the surgery situation and still trying to make a decision. 

Second year Day 238 - Thursday August 8, 2013

Well we had a good trip to Utah today.  We didn't have to stop too much and Mark did the driving.  That gave me a chance to rest, but I also realized how boring it is to ride in the car!!  Well, Steph has a little DVD player and she can watch movies when she wants to.  I don't really like to watch movies--I'd much rather read!  Anyway, we go to Provo safely and got there just in time to meet everyone at Jenn's for birthday cake for Connor.  He turned five today!  Earlier, before we arrived, Scott, Jaclyn, Weston, Arrianne and all of Jenn's family got together at Café Rio and had dinner.  Afterwards everyone headed to Jenn's for cake--which is when we arrived.  We had a great time there with everyone.  Finally we left for the hotel--exhausted from the day.  Arri went back to her apartment.  She has a full day of practice still tomorrow.  We are all excited to see her opera on Saturday!  Mark and Stephany are planning to take Westy and go to the Aquarium in Salt Lake tomorrow so that will be fun. Bridgett and I plan on getting some shopping done in the morning. 

Second year Day 237 - Wednesday August 7, 2013

Another packing day!  This is a quick trip, so we just need small bags.  We won't be taking all of the extra stuff we usually take so that makes it easier.  I have also been busy working on stuff for the office--reconciling checkbooks etc.  At least this week isn't a payday week so I won't be having to do payroll remotely.  Every other Friday comes really fast sometimes!  By evening I felt pretty tired, but Mark will be driving tomorrow instead of me--yippee!!  It's a long drive!  Tomorrow is also Connor's fifth birthday, so we are trying to get there is time to meet everyone for dinner and cake.  Scott, Jaclyn and Weston will be there too!!  We are excited to see them!!  Logan's crawling now.  He was just starting to crawl last week when we were there, but he's actually got it under control now.  Lincoln's starting to get up on his hands and knees too.  Jenn said that Logan pulls himself up to the couch and then lets go and falls.  The start of that period when babies seems to always have bumps and bruises! 

Second year Day 236 - Tuesday August 6, 2013

Today is my mom's birthday.  I sent some flowers and actually had them delivered yesterday so she's wake up to something beautiful.  The girls and I called and sang to her over the phone. One of our old friends from high school has been up in Whitefish visiting this past week.  We were hoping to get together today or tomorrow, but I actually was crashed this evening and went to bed super early.  That adrenal thing does catch up to me on some days! Bridgett is feeling good.  She loves her glasses and wears them all of the time.  She looks really cute in them, thankfully.  I'm glad she likes them and I'm not having to talk her into wearing them!  I am worried a little about putting the prisms on them. I just don't want to do things that will be hard for her brain to sort out.  Then her function level may decrease at least for a time.  I talked to Bob and he said that in his experience, the prisms never work.  He is against trying it.  I don't really know what to do. The doctor in Utah is more experienced and he never suggested it. I guess for now we will at least keep the appointment to see Dr. Murdock in September, and between now and then decide whether to try it or not. Neither of these guys are brain specialists.  Oh, that gives me an idea.  I should call Dr. Warner's office.  She is a brain specialist, a neuro ophthalmologist.  That's a good idea.  Talking things out helps me when I need to sort things in my mind!!  Also, we will see Dr. Lindsay, Bridgett's neurologist, in September before Dr. Murdock's appointment.  I already planned to discuss it with him.  He did tell me before though that neuro ophthalmology is a specialized field and that they know better about brain/eye stuff.  He said he defers to the specialists in that area regarding what to do about her eyes.  But, I can at least bounce it off of him. 

Second year Day 235 - Monday August 5, 2013

I spent a good part of the day trying to organize my office before I leave to Utah.  I especially wanted to get all of Bridgett's medical records in a big binder.  I should say at least the majority of them in a 3" binder.  The records from the hospitals are in folders that are HUGE.  I mean like 100+ pages each.  So, I actually got all of the records sorted out and put in a binder with tabs so that it's organized. Next task (to be done later on), get all of the legal papers in another binder.  I have already organized all of the bills and EOB's from the insurance company and that's also an unbeliveable amount of paperwork. I  have two free standing file boxes that hold all of that stuff.  I had to take care of that stuff along the way in order to keep bill payments in order.  However, the records are something that we hardly ever have to look at and they just kind of got thrown in a cupboard to be organized another day. So, today is another day I guess!! 

Second year Day 234 - Sunday August 4, 2013

We made preparations for church yesterday and then when I got up today and we started getting ready I remembered what the date is.  This is one of those BIG Sundays in Bigfork, when we have LOTS of people.  On the first Sunday of July and August we have had as many as 1300 people.  CRAZY!  So, we did go to church, but all the way there I stressed about where we would park.  The parking lots will be full and car were parked on the streets everywhere around.  I can't park far away from the building and have Bridgett walk in heels a long way.  Her balance in heels is not wonderful.  Anyway, when we drove up I pulled up between the handicapped parking places, on the ramp to let the girls off.  We were about two minutes late.  I suddenly thought, why can't I just leave the car here and then ask Mark to move it.  Or actually, with all the people lining the hallways, as soon as Bridgett is uncomfortable we'll have to leave anyway.  Since she walks around when she's in pain and the hallways will be packed, there will be no good place to walk.  So, anyway I left the car there and we went into sacrament.  After the sacrament had been passed, which took until 10:45, Bridgett looked at me and I could tell she just didn't feel well.  I told Mark we were going to leave and we got up and went out.  Luckily, he followed us, even though I didn't realize it at first.  We got to the end of the hallway, at the other end of the church, and went outside.  Right by the railing she suddenly had that look like she was going to pass out.  I grabbed her and Mark saw it happening and grabbed her too.  We helped her to the car, just a few feet away.  When we got home, Tyler helped her out of the car and into the house and she just laid down for quite a while.  Later on she felt better and the rest of the day was fine.  It's just so hard to predict when it will happen.  Of course, we don't leave her alone at all because of that.  We can't worry that she'll pass out and hit her head and get another concussion like she did last February. 

Second year Day 233 - Saturday August 3, 2013

We went into Pearle Vision and they said they would be able to get them in an hour, so we waited for her new glasses.  We ran to the shop and I had a chance to back up QuickBooks, which I do for an off site back up about one a month.  I also took some time to review our upcoming reservations for August trips.  We leave next Thursday for Provo, to be there for Arrianne's opera.  So, this year we have 100 nights so far at hotels!  All of the trips, with the exception of this one, are for appointments for Bridgett.  It's not only expensive, it's hard to be in hotels so much. I've got to figure out something else for sure!  At least we get points so that's a small consulation.  We actually have a house in Provo with renters in it right now. Their lease is up, and they rent month to month right now.  I could stay there but then we are in Monroe most of the time for appointments.  At least on the weekends we are in Provo so we can see Arri and Jenn and the kids.  I don't want to have to stay in Monroe and rent there. It's a dilema! 

Second year Day 232 - Friday August 2, 2013

Today we just rested and tried to recover from the big day yesterday.  Emotionally draining.  Bridgett is excited to get glasses.  We will go in tomorrow and get them at Pearle Vision.  They can have them in an hour if they have the right lens in stock.  Cross our fingers!  I looked all around for her frames from last year.  I couldn't remember where I put them when we got back from the apartment in Utah, because we thought she'd never have to wear them again--wrong!  Anyway, I finally found them.  Bridgett likes them, thank goodness.  Arrianne and Stephany helped pick them out way back in the day when Bridgett was not very aware at all.  They tried to pick what she would like and I guess that they did a great job because she does like them!  Actually, her first response to glasses was....can I pick out any frames?  Yes I said.  Oh boy....how about orange frames.  Hmmmm......let's try some on and then we'll see I said.  In that car she said, wouldn't it be cool to have orange frames with blue racing stripes!  Hah on that!  A very Bridgett comment!  I reminded her that the glasses would need to look good with anything she wears and then she said OH.  I guess I'd better not get orange with blue!  Thankfully I then remembered about the old frames. 

Second year Day 231 - Thursday August 1, 2013

Today we drove to Missoula to see Dr. Todd Murdock.  Bridgett wasn't too keen on driving again, but she didn't put up a fuss.  Our appointment lasted two hours and the end result was.....first of all, her vision has changed dramatically.  Her eyes were 20/40 (R) and 20/60 (L).  Now her eyes are like 20/200 each.  No wonder she has been saying for the past several months that things are blurry!  He didn't actually tell me if she is testing that she also needs glasses for close up.  I told him we tried bifocals before and that didn't work.  Anyway, he said to get her glasses right away, just up in Bigfork/Kalispell and then to see him in five weeks.  This is what he says.  He agrees that the brain may not merge the images after the surgery.  He believes that she doesn't see double because the images are so far apart that the brain can't really see the second image.  He says that he will try to put on prism sticker things on her lenses to try to see if he can bring the image close enough so that she can see double. Then if her brain can merge the images, the surgery will most likely be successful.  It sounds like a possible plan to me, although I don't know how good it will be for her to start seeing double for any length of time.  Anyway, he said if they do the surgery and the brain can't merge the images, nothing else could be done except reversal of the surgery.  I didn't know they could do that!  Anyway, lots to think about.  I know he said other things too but that's all that's on my mind right now.  I will contact the guys that put together her brain program and get an opinion from them. 

Second year Day 230 - Wednesday July 31, 2013

I'm scrambling trying to get everything done before we leave BACK to Provo in only nine days for Arrianne's opera.  There's always a lot to get done between trips but this is a real push.  Also, I am trying to get things together to go to Missoula tomorrow and then try to get back in time to go to Polson for our Lake County Republican Central Committee.  Mark is the chairman and both of us are committeemen.  There are so many times that I can't go and I really try hard to make it whenever I can.  Bridgett's doing good.  She's not thrilled about another trip in the car, but she said she will go. 

Second year Day 229 - Tuesday July 30, 2013

I slept pretty poorly last night, even though I rarely ever have trouble sleeping.  I think it's all of the worry about things.  I finally got up about 1:30 and opened mail, answered email, etc. until about 4:00 a.m.  Then I slept fitfully until 7:00.  One of the first things I did this morning was to call to Missoula and try to get an appointment with Dr. Todd Murdock.  He was the only doctor in Montana that Dr. Warner said was qualified to do this surgery.  I talked to Dr. Hoffman about that and said I guess there's only one surgeon qualified in Montana and he said there's actually two--Dr. Murdock in Missoula and also one in Billings (I forgot his name).  However, he said that this is a difficult surgery and that Dr. Murdock would just refer us to him anyway.  Well, I need someone to actually check her vision (I'm really worried about it being much worse than it was last August) and also I just want a second opinion.  Additionally, Reichners had given us a very good recommendation for him.  Dr. Murdock has a cancellation on Thursday and so we are going to take it and head to Missoula then.  Bridgett wasn't thrilled to hear that we will be back on the road on Thursday, but she agreed to go.  The rest of the day was spent trying to get unpacked and get wash done etc. There's always a lot to do after being gone, that's for sure! 

Second year Day 228 - Monday July 29, 2013

We got up and got things packed up.  Arrianne was still staying with us at the hotel, and she didn't have to leave until 9:30, so we decided to stay and visit until then.  After goodbyes, and finally left about 10:00.  I had to take a couple of phone calls between 9:30 and 10:00 so that slowed us down some.  The trip overall went very well, although it ended up taking us 11-1/2 hours to get home.  I guess we just stopped too many times again.  Oh well, what can you do.  Also, I decided to go through Missoula and while passing through, we stopped at the Good Food Store and picked up some fresh fruit and veggies so that we'd have food for tomorrow.  It's always hard to get home and have nothing we can eat! The guys don't keep fresh produce on hand while I'm gone.  Mark pulled in about 10 minutes after we did, as he had stopped at the auction on the way home.  He was hoping to beat us, and almost made it!  It was very weird to come through the garage and past Jake's area and not see Jake.  It will all take some time to get used to.  I felt some quick tears coming, but pushed them back and stayed focused on unpacking.  Another trip completed!  There's lots to get done tomorrow, and we are all exhausted and so we headed right to bed. 

Second year Day 227 - Sunday July 28, 2013

Jenn has church at 8:00 and there was no way we could all get ready and out by then.  Everyone was exhausted and slept in.  We went to her house for lunch at 11:30 and ended up staying to visit for three hours!  Bridgett made it the whole time and didn't ask to leave until the last maybe 10 minutes!  Exciting! We all crashed for a much needed nap afterwards and then hit the freeway to visit grandma and then Scott.  However, our plans were changed a bit after we got on the freeway.  First, Scott called and said that he was just about home. He had driven back to Kalispell to get another load on Saturday and was returning today. He said that they were headed to Hillsteads for dinner so either come now or come much later on. Well, I was already headed up there, and later on wouldn't work very well for Bridgett because she'd be ready for bed before we'd get back.  So, I said that we'd come there first. Then I called mom and switched plans with her.  Afterwards, everything seemed under control and then suddenly there was terrible traffic and I realized that there were construction on the north bound freeway between American Fork and Lehi approximately.  I couldn't figure out any other way to get to the first exit past the point of the mountain, so we stayed on the freeway (although it would have been very difficult to get off from the carpool lane anyway).  It took FOREVER!   I called Scott, panicked that we'd miss them, but he said that they couldn't leave yet anyway because a repair person was headed to their house.  That was pretty amazing that the property owner actually got someone to come out on a Sunday.  Of course, the air conditioner was not working properly and it's been 100 degrees, so I guess that qualifies as an emergency!  We finally made it to Draper and got to Scott's house.  It's a really cute place and we all like it.  We had a great visit there with Scott, Jaclyn and Weston.  Jaclyn and Weston had been to church and met some people so that was nice.  Ben and Lauren (Jaclyn's sister) and their baby were visiting.  They left just as we were arriving, headed to get some dinner for everyone.  Jaclyn kept the baby and she sure loves that baby!  They need to get some food because the stove/oven was also broken and being replaced.  We visited for about 1-1/2 hours and then Ben and Lauren came back with hot food and we left so that they could all eat while things were hot.  We headed to grandma's house next and we ended up being there for quite a while as well.  Arrianne had never been there before.  Grandma's got a great apartment.  It's so big really--three bedrooms and it's all very spacious.  Her rent is much less then her previous place AND the utilities are included.  So, all around it's a great deal.  Stephany and mom discussed some art stuff in the kitchen while Bridgett and Arrianne looked at old picture albums in the living room.  I wandered between conversations.  We were going to leave after about an hour, but Bridgett's neck got really tight.  I think it was just a combination of all of the driving, and visiting with everyone sitting up without having a chance to lay down.  I had to give her a lortab and then she rested on mom's bed for about a half an hour until the pain started to ease up.  Finally the pain was mostly under control and we said goodbye.  This is the longest I have been able to visit with mom since the accident.  All in all it was a really great day for us and I just couldn't believe how much visiting we got done.  Of course, we were all tired out afterwards.  I won't rush off tomorrow, but sleep until I wake up, which will be pretty early anyway:).

Second year Day 226 - Saturday July 27, 2013

I'm not sure that I mentioned it but one reason I want to check out everything with the eye surgery is because Arrianne's friend, Emily, who had a traumatic brain injury, had double vision all of the time after her accident and she had eye surgery back in September.  The surgery re-aligned her eyes, but she still has double vision.  She is Arrianne's age, so younger than Bridgett.  Now they are trying to figure out alternative ways to deal with the eyes, including "patching" one eye by using a solid contact lens to occlude one eye.  So, we personally know someone who has experienced the fact that the brain may not be able to deal with the surgery and may just see double afterwards, even though the eyes are aligned.  This makes the worry greater.  I should see if he will give me a percentage of people that have a problem after the surgery, of TBI patients.  He was pretty specific that this could very easily happen.  Also, I am concerned because the Dr. didn't check her actual vision, but they did do a brief exam.  They asked her to identify letters on the screen and she couldn't read them unless they were very large, like way back in Feb 2012.  So, what's up with that?  Her eyes got much better and now they are worse?  Dr. Hoffman said that Dr. Warner could check her vision and see what's happening with that.  The problem is that it takes like four months to get in to see her.  Hmmm......We had our last appointment with Faith today, after checking out of the hotel and then headed back to Provo and checked in.  Afterwards we had some running around to do, shopping etc and dinner.  About 7:30 we went to Jenn's house to visit and had a very nice time there.  It was actually kind of late when we finally all tried to get some sleep.  It will be a busy day tomorrow.

Second year Day 225 - Friday July 26, 2013

How's this for a random memory....the floor at the hotel in Richfield squeaks in some of the rooms.  We've stayed in rooms with the squeaky floor before and Bridgett's never said this before.  Today she said, hey this floor squeaks like the floor in the log house did before dad and Tyler fixed it!  Like I said before, such random memories!  But cool!  Also, she said sometime this week that she should get a toradol shot for pain like Tyler did for his neck (like months ago)!  We don't ever talk about that, she just remembers it.

Second year Day 224 - Thursday July 25, 2013

Today I was up before everyone (like normal!).  I talked to Mark (outside of the room) and found out that Jake died during the night.  I was upset and cried a lot.  I felt silly to cry so much, but there was just a lot of pent up emotion that needed to come out I guess.  I still have a lot of emotion about Jess dying as well I think.  Anyway, I also talked to Tyler about the whole thing.  I said that I felt a little guilty that I didn't want to be there when he died, but he said it was best anyway.  It's hard to see your pet like that.  Mark stayed home this morning and made a coffin for Jake.  They will bury him next to Jess.  I told the girls about it and said that we'd have a funeral when we get home.  Stephany cried with me.  Bridgett was very sad and did some fake crying, but nothing too much.  She kept saying that now Jess and Jake would be together.  That's how I'm trying to think of it! As a note....several people that have someone with a brain injury have asked me about Bridgett showing emotion.  She very rarely gets angry.  She laughs a lot.  She doesn't cry really, but then she hardly ever, ever cried before the wreck either.  She looks sad when she's sad and talks upset, but no real tears.  Oh, I'm compiling a list of questions for the eye doctor as well as for Bob.

Second year Day 223 - Wednesday July 24, 2013

Last night, Mark and a few other guys helped to get Scott's trailer all loaded up so that they can move today.  It's also Scott's birthday today, so not too much fun for a birthday! We checked out of the hotel and headed to Monroe this morning.  We will stay in Richfield again.  Our appointment with Faith went well.  We discussed Dr. Hoffman's appointment.  I forgot to say that the paper he gave me said that he would resect and recess her right eye.  What does that mean?  Recess her eye?  Is he talking about actually moving it back in the socket?  This is one of the questions I need to discuss with him.  We have lots to think about.  One pressure....so we make this decision to go ahead with the surgery and talk to Bridgett and get her to agree.  If there is a less than optimal outcome and later when she is more aware...what if she says that she would never have done it and is upset.  I mean, its making a big decision for her without really knowing what she'd want to do.  Initially, when we have talked about surgery, Bridgett has said that she doesn't want ANY surgery of ANY kind at all.  We have been talking regularly about this surgery and she is getting more open to the idea.  However, she has to be willing to go through the surgery and feel good about it too.  A lot to think about, anyway. 

Second year Day 222 - Tuesday July 23, 2013

Well, today was a hard day, and I've taken my time writing about it!  The morning started off hectic, with Arrianne needing some things for opera and me running around to help her get things together.  Arrianne headed to opera and I ran off to an appointment of mine and left Bridgett and Stephany at the hotel.  I got back just in time to grab lunch for the three of us and then leave Stephany at the hotel while Bridgett and I went to the see Dr. Robert Hoffman at the Primary Children's Hospital.  More about that in a minute.  Then after a couple of hours there, we hit the freeway in time for rush hour and headed back to Provo.  Bridgett and I stopped at Target in Orem to look for a present for Caden, as today is his third birthday.  We also got a present for Connor at the same time, as his birthday is on August 8th.  Next we stopped at Cafe Rio to pick up dinner to eat at the hotel with Jenn and family.  They were already at the hotel, swimming.  We all had dinner together and unwrapped presents, as well as had cake (in the lobby).  Afterwards, they headed for home to put the kids to bed, and we all collapsed upstairs.  So, the doctors appointment.....first let me say that the guy at the front desk of Dr. Hoffman's office is a gem!  His name is Rick. He was just so funny and friendly and had Bridgett joking back and forth from the minute we walked in.  I also listened to him interact with others, and no matter the age, he was just great!  The nurses were all great as well.  Even though we had some wait time, in a room with lots of kids, Bridgett did great.  I chalk that up to the fact that she had her ipad to play games or read and her ipod to listen to and block out the noise!  It worked very successfully!  When we met the Dr.,  he explained something that no one else had yet.  He said that the shunt in the mid brain did indeed cause the parinaud's syndrome (and I think the problems with the optic nerves themselves) but that the reason for the strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) was the high intracranial pressure. He said it caused palsy of the sixth nerve and the fourth nerve.  At least that makes more sense to me than thinking that the eyes are misaligned because of the injury to the brain.  He recommends surgery on both eyes, and then approximately six months later, another surgery on the left eye again.  He said after they have addressed the sixth nerve palsy in these surgeries, then he could address the fourth nerve palsy (with more surgery).  Hmmmm.  I was a little shocked and dazed with all the information.  She has absolutely no depth perception (obviously) and he doesn't guarantee that she would after the surgery.  I spoke of the possibility, in the future, of driving and he said that depth perception is not required in any state to get a drivers license.  That's disturbing I think!  Anyway, I guess I was upset because of two things.  First, he said that even though they do the surgery, she probably would never had full movement of the eyes.  I was hoping that she would be able to move the eyes outward, but he said probably not. Second, he said that because of the traumatic brain injury, there is no way to tell how her brain will handle the surgery. Right now she does not see double at all, but he said that after aligning the eyes she may start to see double and they may not be able to fix it.  Whoa!  So, no double vision now, but possibly double vision then that wouldn't be correctable!  So, that's something to think about.  Something a little bit scary and unknown for sure.  He said there is absolutely no predictor of what will happen and it could go either way.  However, he was in favor of the surgery, as the eyes would be aligned and look normal.  I had some questions, but I wasn't prepared for the things he talked about so I'll have to call and have a whole new set of questions answered I guess.  He said that low vision therapy would be a good thing for Bridgett.  He said that we should consult with Dr. Judith Warner (neuro ophthalmologist) after the surgery for glasses.