Third year Day 195 - Thursday June 26, 2014

Bridgett woke up very sore from all the leg work yesterday.  All day she was so sore walking around the house and trying to get up and down from sitting and laying.  Too much yesterday!!  It is always so hard with physical therapists to get them to understand the situation.  Since Bridgett was so gun ho to do everything yesterday, and since she remembered how to do everything from before and was explaining exactly how to do it, they thought she was under control and had her do too much.  It's a fine line and I know hard for them to find that line. I do know that some pain and stiffness is inevitable, but this is far too much!  Oh well, we'll figure it out!  I guess I get frustrated because sometimes it seems that there are so many days that pain takes a front seat and it just interferes with life!  But, at least its not as bad as it used to be.  Things are getting better!

Third year Day 194 - Wednesday June 25, 2014

Although yesterday was good and Bridgett's neck was great, today it was back to sore!  She woke up in pain and then it seemed to be a little better. She was scheduled for her first appointment with Kat Ingalls for physical therapy.  It was a long wait to get into her and then Kat had to reschedule because of illness, so we decided to go anyway.  The drive was hard for Bridgett. We got there and she was in a lot of pain.  So, now we can see how they handle pain I decided.  Anyway, Kat asked if ice or heat would help.   Bridgett said we use heat.  Kat had ice so she suggested we try that.  It did help, although we won't generally use ice as heat is better.  Also, Kat put a tens unit on Bridgett neck in the back.  It actually did help in that it distracted her brain from the immediate pain.  Kat said that is what they are looking for....distraction for the brain.  Anyway, it got us through the appointment and Kat sent it home with us to use.  After she was distracted from the pain, Bridgett said Let's work out!!  So Kat gave her some exercises for the legs to do....lunges, calf raises, squats and leg lifts from a standing position.  So, we will work on those at home until next week when we see Kat again.  I gave Bridgett some Advil that for the pain when we got to the car, and by the time we got home, Bridgett did not want to use the tens unit any more.  At home we did the tuning forks and the rice bag and she was much better by evening. 

Third year Day 193 - Tuesday June 24, 2014

Bridgett and I found one of her old CD's that is labeled Heather's mix.  Heather is one of her cousins and they were close growing up.  Anyway, I played it for Bridgett and she had a great time.  She of course remembers every word!  (she even showed me the dance moves to the cha cha slide) That's one thing crazy to the rest of us......even though there are many things she doesn't remember, she always remembers like every word to like every song she's ever heard!  Bridgett is feeling good today.  In fact, in her journal (that Lynn Beauclair is having her keep) she wrote "I feel great, awesome, superb, fantastic, and everything with great words!!"

Third year Day 192 - Monday June 23, 2014

Today Bridgett had speech therapy scheduled, but since her neck has been hurting so much we had to call and cancel:(  By afternoon she was doing better and was able to ride for 26 minutes on the stationary bike.  She still does love bike riding and actually has asked Arrianne to take her bike riding outside. Arri said that Bridgett would have to talk to Mark and I first to get permission before she would take her.  Then however, Bridgett said to Arri, it hurts to lift my head up very high, so you can watch for cars and let me know so that I don't get hit.  Arri said, well no, you almost got killed once and if you might not be able to see then I'm for sure not taking you out again!

Third year Day 191 - Sunday June 22, 2014

Another hard Sunday, with Bridgett in pain so we didn't go to church today.  Mark's convention was over last night, so he drove to his folks place in Three Forks and stayed there.  He went to church with them and then ate some dinner and headed home.  It was great to have him back!  By evening Bridgett was feeling just a little bit better.  We all played some games together and then sat around and talked.  I don't know if Bridgett will be feeling well enough to go to speech therapy tomorrow or not.  We'll see in the morning......

Second year Day 190 - Saturday June 21, 2014

Today Bridgett was remembering about one of her friends in high school...Annie Egley. She said to me, didn't we get to her house by leaving the log house and turning right up the highway and then driving out there for a while to another little town?  Yes, it was Kila I told her.  She remembers going to their house and hanging out.  She was also thinking about the creek at our log house, and how it would dry up in the summer many years.  Also we talked about how Mark would "smooth" it out with the plow attached to the four wheeler when it was iced up so that we could try to ice skate on it.  Still Woodland Park was a better place for ice skating, but it was kind of fun to be able to ice skate at the house.  I used to take the kids ice skating and also to play ice hockey at Woodland Park.  I taught all of the kids to ice skate.  It was a tradition of ours to go to Woodland Park on Christmas Day (except when it was on a Sunday) and go ice skating, while Mark had a nap at home.  It was something at the kids and I really liked to do together.  When we first moved out here we ice skated her as well.  Mark found a way to drive down to the lake here and plow the ice as well, but it was much bumpier here and actually didn't work at all:(

Third year Day 189 - Friday June 20, 2014

I took Arrianne to Michelle Helwigs office today to see about her throat.  She has had this very sore place in her throat for several days and it's something that she's had before.  It feels like a cut in her throat.  Michelle said that it is a cold sore in her throat, of all things!  Who knew that could happen!  Arrianne said, at least it's where people don't see it! Michelle gave her something that will clear it up in two days, and then refills to use at the first sign if it's return.  Good!  Apparently Lysine helps for prevention.  I will have to check out getting some for her. Today Bridgett was remembering about reunion at papa and grandmas house in Elmo.  She talked about the pavilion and described it to me.  She was remembering grandma and others staying up late to play cards in the pavilion.  She was also remembering the blue paddle boat that the kids like to play in. I'm glad she's remembering things about her childhood.  These memories are things that we haven't talked about yet, so it's very apparent that she's remembering them on her own.

Third year Day 188 - Thursday June 19, 2014

Another question Bridgett couldn't remember was if Florida is in the north or south.  This is consistent with the fact that she can't remember geography very well.  This is something that we need to work on.  Bob wanted her to work on a puzzle of the US.  We did for a while, but quit that.  I guess it is time to revisit that puzzle!  Also, I did download an app that helps with US geography.  Sometimes we need a nudge remembering what to work on!!  Mark is at the Republican Convention in Billings this weekend.

Third year Day 187 - Wednesday June 18, 2014

Many years ago when the kids were young, I bought some game called Brain Quest.  Brain Quest is a series of educational flashcards that quiz children on a variety of subjects including Science, Math, English, Geology, History and others.  The cards are divided into double decks, sold by the grade, one through six.  Anyway, back then the kids really had fun when I asked them questions, so I thought, why not do them with Bridgett and see what she remembers and where some of the holes are.  Interesting experiment!  I started out with the first grade cards. She breezed through most of the questions, but there were a few notable gaps in her memory.  One of the questions....what is the nations capitol?  She asked me....what is a nation?  Then we had a little discussion on that question.  She did know the answer, once she understood the question.  Another question that she did not remember....which direction would you travel to see Santa Claus?  She couldn't remember that one at all.  After Tyler prompted her that he lived at one of the poles, she remembered the north pole.  Anyway, it was interesting and instructive for me to see what she remembered.  We will continue with a few pages of questions every day.  

Third year Day 186 - Tuesday June 17, 2014

Bridgett was supposed to meet with Kat today for physical therapy, but we got a call early this morning that Kat was sick.  Bridgett was disappointed, although it was probably for the best because by the time the appointment would have happened, she was feeling miserable herself.  Terrible cramps!  So, it all worked out for the best I guess.  Hopefully it won't be long until she can actually see us......

Third year Day 185 - Monday June 16, 2014

Today was our second appointment with Lynn Beauclair, the speech therapist.  We are seeing her for cognitive and memory issues, not speech per se.  I was a little discouraged at the end of the last appointment, as Lynn indicated that she thought Bridgett did not score any better then she had previously at the end of 2012.  However, I did ask that she get me a copy of the report to give to me today to read over and to forward to Glenda.  I was surprised the, upon reading the report, that she had made some significant improvements......In the attention category, she moved from the 3rd to the 27th percentile rank, which Lynn indicated was within the normal range now.  (I will ask her if she can give me a breakdown of what percentiles are in the normal range)  Also, in the visual spatial/constructional category, she moved from the 30th to the 63rd percentile rank!  The other three categories tested were all memory related, and of course, she did very poorly in these ranges.  This is of course what we are trying to work on!  Also, we had a short discussion on the Rancho Scale.  Below is a very brief breakdown of the Rancho Scale.

The Ranchos Los Amigos Scale measures the levels of awareness, cognition, behavior and interaction with the environment.

Ranchos Los Amigos Scale

Level I: No Response
Level II: Generalized Response
Level III: Localized Response
Level IV: Confused-agitated
Level V: Confused-inappropriate
Level VI: Confused-appropriate
Level VII: Automatic-appropriate

Level VIII: Purposeful-appropriate

Lynn said that although she has been working for years with the Rancho scale, it does not work with Bridgett!  She said that Bridgett is at level 8 in someways and at level 5-6 in other ways.  She said that using the Rancho scale, it is impossible to categorize Bridgett.  Well, I do believe that her brain is healing in certain areas quicker than in other areas.  And, we were told that as long as she is improving, no matter the pace, that we should feel hope for more improvement.  So, we have hope, yes, hope!  

Bridgett did great for 40 minutes of the appointment, then she all of the sudden got that feeling that she was going to pass out.  At that point, she had been showing Lynn what she had done in her physical therapy appointment last week.  She was demonstrating the correct way to do lunges.  She remembers what she had been taught about the teaching others to do these things, and she did a great job of instructing I thought.  Anyway, suddenly she thought she would pass out or throw up, so they got her a tub to hold and she just sat quietly while Lynn and I talked for about 10-12 minutes.  Then she and Lynn worked a little more after that, just quietly and with no stress.  

Third year Day 184 - Sunday June 15, 2014

Today Bridgett woke up and felt great and got ready for church.  We got in the car and drove to church, but Bridgett started feeling sick almost the minute we left.  By the time we got to the church, she was not doing great at all, but still wanted to go.  We walked into the building and made it only a few steps in before she had to stop or she was going to vomit.  This happens to her from time to time and it is usually brain related.  Anyway, eventually we made it to the foyer and sat on the couch.  I tried to find Mark, but couldn't see him where he usually sits, only his books.  We sat there during the sacrament and then Mark showed up.  He had been blessing the sacrament.  Bridgett was doing a tad bit better, but still feeling awful.  He helped me get her out to the car and we headed home.  At least we got the sacrament:) 

Third year Day 183 - Saturday June 14, 2014

Today I did some research on the Ketogenic Diet.  Dr. Jen Hawes said that maybe it is something that Bridgett should try out.  There is some very interesting research, although its hard to be convinced simply by studies done on rats:)  But, in seriousness, it seems that it could be beneficial to her.  I will talk to Faith about it and see what she thinks.  The diet is basically a low carb diet that puts the body into a state of ketosis.  Ketosis is a metabolic process where the body cells burn fats instead of glucose for energy.  I looked at some sample menus, and the first drawback will be working around her allergies-yuck!  Well, we will discuss the whole thing and try to decide what to do.....

Third year Day 182 - Friday June 13, 2014

Today a guy came to work on the hot tub, as there's something wrong with it.  Bridgett said she'd love to just sit in it when her neck is hurting, but we can't get it up and running until he orders in a part.  I think that everyone will be glad when it's up and running!  Especially everyone loves to sit in it after they swim in the COLD water and are freezing!! Bridgett is still talking about swimming every day for exercise.  It will be a while until she can actually do that, but hopefully we will be able to get in to see a physical therapist soon.  Her first appointment with Kat Ingalls is scheduled for June 17th. 

Third year Day 181 - Thursday June 12, 2014

Today all of the sudden Bridgett laughed and so I asked her what was funny.  She was thinking about the book Twilight, when Alice and Edward play chess.   Alice wins the game after they each only make one move, since Edward can read minds and Alice can see the future!  It was a funny part of the book and its fun that she's remembering it.  Bridgett read that book before her accident, at the same time as her cousin Heather.  Of course, she has reread it since the accident, but still, anything she can remember is great at this point!

Third year Day 180 - Wednesday June 11, 2014

Today Bridgett and I both decided to take a nap.  I mean we were just both tired out!  We went to the bedroom and got all ready and as soon as it was quiet, we could hear a barking dog.  It just keep on barking and barking.  Finally Bridgett said to me, how come our neighbors used to get so angry at our dogs for barking  and other peoples dogs bark too and they just let them bark and bark??  Just listen to that!  Well, one of our neighbors did get upset with our dogs, but since I didn't let them out until after 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning and I had them back in the house by 10:00 at night, it wasn't so bad.  Also, any time they barked and barked I called them into the house.  It was a constant worry for me, fear of making the neighbors upset when the dogs barked.  Our dogs just weren't allowed to make much noise.  And the neighbors were pretty mean about it.  Oh, well, both dogs are gone now, so I guess they are happy:( 

Third year Day 179 - Tuesday June 10, 2014

Today we got an email telling us that Bridgett had been accepted to the Orem Chapter of the BYUI Pathways program!  We are all very excited about this opportunity that she will have starting in September!  Thanks for telling us about it Penny and Courtney!  Penny and Courtney will be coming to Glacier Park this summer and we hope to be able to see them and talk for a bit.  That reminds me, I need to get ahold of you Penny!  Sometimes life is just crazy around here and really I'm doing good to call my mom and my married kids every few days:)

Third year Day 178 - Monday June 9, 2014

Today we had an appointment with Lynn Beauclair.  She is the speech therapist we saw last year.  We haven't been able to take time to see anyone for many many months, but we are getting back to it now.  Lynn was pretty surprised at how well Bridgett was doing now. Physically she is alot better or I should say painwise.  She was able to sit through the entire hour of testing, without asking if she could get up once to pace around.  And mind you they were testing, so it was fairly intense.  Bridgett got a kick out of most of the testing and really had a fun time.  Lynn had someone shadowing her who sat in on the appointment.  Bridgett had a really great time talking and interacting with them.  It does remind me that Bridgett is in her element when she is feeling good and able to interact with people.  Lynn asked her about her friends and Bridgett said she hangs out with her family.  She said you know my old friends had their lives and they had to go on with them.  It's just how things are!  Pretty good reasoning, huh!

Third year Day 177 - Sunday June 8, 2014

Bridgett got up and got ready for church.  Almost the first thing she said to me was, I was supposed to remember to think about Sister Stanfill today during church, right!!  She remembered by herself and we hadn't discussed it all week!! This was major for me!!  This was one of the most exciting thing for me!!  Thanks Alicia for asking Bridgett to think about you!!