This is where you will find updates on Amy and Jeremy’s condition.

Jan 6 Wednesday

Hi everyone, Happy New Year!!  Just a short update regarding Amy and the McCrory household.  Amy continues to improve daily.  In home rehab has not started yet, so we are still waiting.  So much paperwork involved.  Just about the time we think we have completed everything, we get another batch in the mail.   Now that the holidays are done, Amy and Roger can get back in a routine of  “home school” along with daily exercise.  The boys stayed with us through Christmas break.  Garrett went home for a couple of days after Christmas  and Jeremy brought him back new years eve.  Austin has decided to grace us with his presence.  It’s a delight to have him here all the time.  Amy is thrilled.   It was fun having the boys here and watching the interaction between them and their Mom.  So many games of Connect Four, I Spy, Rummikube and Uno.  All good therapy for Amy.  She really has gotten good at Connect Four.  Don’t think there is anyone in the house that can beat her.   Amy is helping out alot with preparing meals and we have crowned her the Laundry Queen.   The girl loves doing laundry.  Puts a smile on our faces for sure when she asks us all for our dirty clothes.  Believe me, we scramble to gather up what we have.   Amy tried her hand at baking a cake for my Dads birthday and that went well.  The decorating didn’t go so well as she needs both hands to use the decorating bags and she still does not have the use of her left hand.  She did however get frosting on the cake and smoothed out.  The cake tasted great.  We were all hungry for an “Amy Cake”.  She continues to work on her multiplication tables and is improving nicely.  We tell her everyday how proud of her we are, she works so hard.  We never see frustration,  just appreciation and excitement when she knows she has done good.   Amy enjoyed all of the Christmas cards that were sent to her.   You all are a major part in Amy’s recovery and we can never thank you all enough for the love, prayers, telephone calls and visitors.  Love and Blessings, Roger and Donna

12/19 Saturday

Hi everyone, I trust you all are ready for Christmas.  We are just about done with our shopping.  It’s been a hectic month.  Amy is doing really well.  In-home rehab hasn’t started yet.   So much paperwork to get through, but all approvals are in and now we are waiting for the agency to find brain injury certified therapists.  Hopefully we can get started soon.  In the meantime, Roger is still working with Amy daily on cognition along with arm and leg exercises.  We have had many follow up doctor appointments throughout the month.  Everyone is extremely happy with Amy’s progress.  We went to the rehab department to say hi to all of her therapists and they were all very happy to see Amy.  They all are amazed at how well she is doing.  Her neurosurgery doctor ordered a follow up cat scan of her brain and she said it looked very good.   As she hugged Amy, she told her that she truly was a miracle.  She also told Amy that she would have to work very hard to work her brain in order to get back the memory that has been lost.   She told us that Amy would need to do a lot of mind games, such as crossword puzzles, number puzzles, card games, anything that makes her brain have to work.   Austin, Garrett and Cooper are really good at keeping momma busy with card games.   The boys are also helping us to help her with multiplication tables, addition and subtraction, as we discovered that part of her memory is pretty sketchy.   The boys spend the weekends with us and usually come in after school two or three days during the week.  It sure puts a smile on Amy’s face when they are here and they seem very happy to be here with her too.   The patience they all have with each other is amazing.  The boys are anxious to help her learn and Amy is like a sponge, so eager to soak up their knowledge.   We are still a very busy household and are extremely appreciative for the assistance we have received from the many “Secret Santas” that have come into our lives this holiday season.  Rest assured the boys and Amy will have a very nice Christmas.    Roger and I are extremely greatful this Christmas.  We are  surrounded by family, friends and people we don’t even know that continue to show us their love, support and prayers  for Amy’s recovery.   We thank God everyday for touching Amy with  his healing hands, for all of you and for the return of our daughter.    Merry Christmas to you all and my God bless each and everyone one of you.  Love, Roger and Donna
 

12/3 Thursday

Tonight was the Mayor’s Christmas Tree lighting celebration in Tonganoxie.  Amy, Austin, Garrett and Cooper were asked to help the Mayor flip the switch to light the tree.  It was pretty cool.  Amy seemed to handle being the center of attention for a brief time tonight as many people came up to her for hugs and well wishes.    Amy will be starting in home rehab in a couple of weeks.   She completed four days of rehab at the Rehab Institute of KC  last week.    They suggested the home rehab for about six weeks then she will go back to the institute for more aggressive rehab.   Therapists at the institute gave us instructions on how we can help Amy until her in home starts.   Roger is her designated “therapists” here at home.   He works with Amy on arm and wrist exercises.  He has pages of cognition exercises they go through and Amy has worksheets that she must complete everyday.   She says it like being “home schooled”.   She works very hard and doesn’t get frustrated when she can’t remember something.  For example:  a picture of a refrigerator.  She didn’t know what to call it.   So we tell her what it is and now she can look at that picture of a refrigerator and she knows what it is.   She gets the biggest smile on her face when that picture pops.   We are so darn proud of her.   Yesterday, she helped Garrett with math homework.  He did the problem and she checked it.  They had a good time.  I think next week, we will see if she can do a cake.   No doubt in my mind it will all come back to her.    Much love to you all, Roger and Donna

11/29 Sunday

I hope this finds everyone doing well and that you all had a nice Thanksgiving.  We sure did!!  We always have a lot to be thankful for anyway, but this year we were extremely thankful for Amy’s homecoming and the fact she is alive and doing well.  She has a long way to go before she is totally “Amy” again.  Everyday we see just a little more of her memory coming back.  She has many gaps and missing pieces, but with the help of her rehab, family and friends, those missing pieces will hopefully be back someday.  Roger and I don’t cut her any slack.  If she says a wrong word, we correct and encourage her to ”think” what the right word is.  We get out in the car and ask her to tell us how to get from point A to point B.  Example:  We went to the cemetery the other day to decorate my mother and brother’s grave for Christmas.  Roger asked Amy to get us there.  She did really well.  The cemetery is in the country, outside Jarbalo, Ks .  Amy got one turn incorrect.  So we know the memory is there, she just needs help getting it to the surface.   She is getting better about everyday tasks.   She even tries to do her own hair at times.  Still difficult for her as her arms don’t raise very high and she has nerve damage in her left wrist.  Without her brace, her left wrist drops.  She is unable to raise it at all.  She is however, putting makeup on.  Which tells me she is concerned about her appearance.  We marvel at her everyday for her accomplishments.   We don’t sit around the house, we get out and go, which is good stimulation.  She lets us know when she’s had enough, and we go home.  The boys and Jeremy come in and see Amy everyday. 

 It’s been brought to our attention that ”someone” is telling people that we don’t want Amy to have visitors.  This is so untrue.    As you all know, we have in the past and will continue to do whatever we have to do for Amy’s well being.   Roger and I don’t dwell on rumors.   We encourage you to come and visit Amy.   She may not recognize you at the time, but by golly she will talk to you like she remembers who you are.  We love Amy’s upbeat attitude and her smiling face and that’s what we would love to see from visitors.   Please help us by focusing on the positives, not the negatives.  Thank you.  Love Roger and Donna 

11/24 Tuesday

Hi everyone, I’m sure you all are wondering what is going on with Amy.  Amy was dismissed from the hospital on Thursday, November 19.  We were all excited about her homecoming, but it didn’t turn out to be so good.  By the time Jeremy and Amy got home, she was extremely agitated and upset.  We ended up bringing Amy to our house the first night and the boys came with her.  We explained to her that she had to go home the next day as that is where she lives along with the boys and Jeremy.  She agreed to go home, reluctantly.  After being home for a short time, she made her way to her room, closed and locked the door.  She would use Austin’s cell phone and call us upset and crying for us to come get her.  The only person she allowed to help her at home was Austin.  It’s been extremely difficult for Roger and I because we didn’t know what to do.   Do you go get her or make her stay and hope it gets better.  The last thing a parent wants, is to know their child is somewhere they don’t want to be.  It was a very disheartening weekend to say the least.  She started rehab on Monday and Roger, Jeremy and I had a chance to talk with the psychologist about the problem we were having.  After consulting with her associates, she suggested we keep Amy at our house and have Jeremy and the boys make daily visits.  Roger and I also requested family counseling for Amy, Jeremy and the boys.   Jeremy will be taking Amy back and forth to the rehab center.  Hopefully we can ease her back in her life as she knew before the accident.  However, she seems perfectly content here.  She loves having the boys here and seems to enjoy watching them play.  On the up side, she did very well with her new rehab center and met all of her therapists yesterday.  I think this is going to really help her.  Amy went to the grocery store with me on Saturday (at her request) and she did extremely well.  Pushed the basket around and didn’t seem to be bothered by all the people.  She did get tired about 3/4 the way through and Roger took her up to the front and she sat and chatted with her friend Dawn while we finished shopping.  Food is really tasting good to Amy.  It’s nice to see her eat, even the can spaghetti that Garrett loves.  She said that was the best spaghetti she has ever eaten.  We continue to chuckle with her and marvel as she improves everyday.  She truly is our “miracle”.  Please continue to pray for us.  Thank you and much love from Roger and I.

11/13 Friday

We had a pretty good day yesterday.  Jeremy brought the boys to the hospital after school.  The visit went okay, I think  Amy was a little overwhelmed.  Sometimes over stimulation seems to upset her.  That is one thing we will have to watch after she comes home.  Jeremy and I met with the  Coordinator from the Rehabilitation Institute this morning.  We chatted about what they have to offer and what progam Amy will be in, if we choose their facility.  We are going over for a tour next week.  They actually want her 5 days a week for a couple of weeks.  It will be a lot of traveling back and forth, but hey, we get to sleep in our own beds every night.  We all are looking forward to that.  I don’t think we are going to do the Sunday day outing withAmy.  We think it might upset her and confuse her once we get her home for a few hours and then have to take her back to the hospital.  I know it would upset me!!  So we think it’s best to wait a few more days and we will have her home for good.  At this time, we are taking Amy to her house, hoping she will be able to maneuver the steps okay.  If she is unable to do the steps, we will, of course, bring her to our house.  I think she is going to do just fine.  We think getting her back to a  familiar setting with her children around all the time  will be good.  I know the boys are looking forward to having their Momma home.  You couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces after they found out she was coming home soon.  Again, we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.  It’s very comforting to know that so many people care about us and our family.  We ask for you to continue to pray for Amy and our family as we take our journey to another level.  God Bless you all.  R&D

11/11 Wednesday AM

Hi everyone.  We have great news!!!  Amy will be home November 20.  Her doctors and therapists evaluated her yesterday and said she is ready to come home.  She has progressed so well and they have pretty much done all they can do for her.  She still will need outpatient rehab three days a week.  We will need to get her into one of the Rehab Centers of KC.  This will be three, eight hour days of total rehabilitation.  We will take her in the morning, drop her off and pick her up at 4:30 in the afternoon.  This is going to be tough not being with her during the day.  It will certainly be an adjustment for her as well.   Roger took the boys up yesterday after shool.  The visit went very well.  Amy seemed happy to see the boys and they were extremely happy to spend time withher.  We are going to take her home for a few hours on Sunday (this Sunday), just to see how she deals withtherideinthe car and being with her family.   We still have a long  journey ahead of us, Amy has a lot of cognition issues, ie: knowing, being aware, thinking, remembering.   She continues to gain strengthasshe is walking with her walker and most times from her bed to her bathroom without help.   We are still working on everyday tasks such as getting herself dressed, brushing teeth, showering, combing hair, etc.   She really is doing so well, there are not enough words to explain how proud we are.   That light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer and closer.   I will post more later.  Love to you all, Roger and Donna  
 

11/6 Friday AM

On Thursday both of Amy’s arms have been cleared for weight bearing.  Prior to this we haven’t been able to let her put much pressure on her arms.  Roger said she was able to use a walker and walked up and down the halls many times.  He said she complained much of the time, but she persevered.   I can’t wait to get up to the hospital today to witness her accomplishments.  Everyday is a new adventure!!      D.

11/5 Thursday

Yesterday was two months since the accident.  It seems like a life time for us.  Amy has certainly come a long way since that evening.  Tuesday was a rough day.  Amy was so angry at everyone,  probably the worst I have seen her.  These times are very hard on her family, sometimes all I can do is sit in a corner and cry.  The staff at the hospital are very supportive and really help us get through these trying times.  But we got through it and she had a decent day on Wednesday.  Jeremy said she walked alot, pretty much unassisted, complained most of the way, but she did it!!  They also had her working on stepping up on stairs and stepping down.  Xrays of her ankle revealed calcium deposits.  Xraysofherleftarm were taken on Wednesday and no results yet.  She complains quite a bit about her left arm and hand hurting.  Her feeding tube was removed yesterday, we figure she will eat when she gets hungry.   So as of this moment she has nothing attached to her body.   She still however, needs the walking boot on her right foot and the extender brace on her left leg.  Tuesday when I got there, the doctor was with her and asked her who I was and Amy replied “who, my mom”.  For a brief moment she knew who I was.   I shed tears of joy..  Everyday is a blessing.  Love D.

11/3 Tuesday

The weekend was good, not much going on other than Amy wanting to get out of bed.  She did eat well and that makes us happy.  If she continues to eat well, they can remove the feeding tube from her stomach.  Roger said yesterday in physical therapy, Amy walked the length of the parallel bars and back by herself.  She complained a little about her ankle hurting and kept saying she was ready to sit down, but by golly she made it the whole way.  Roger said he has never felt more proud of her.  She also worked on counting money yesterday and did pretty good.  As for recognizing people, she doesn’t really appear to have regained that yet.  She will lookatanurse, doctor or visitor and might call them Jeremy or Dad.  Doesn’t really refer to me as mom.  When asked if she knows who we are, she will respond with”not really”.  She is, however, starting to put phrases together that make sense, so that’s good.  For example:  My cell phone rang the other night and I talked briefly and when I hung up, she asked me, “who was that”.  Another time, I walked over to the window to lookout and when I turned around, she asked me, “what is your problem”, which is so Amy!!  So we are seeing some of “our” Amy on a daily basis.  We know she’s in there, just a slow process getting her out!!!  Again we would like to thank everyone for their well wishes, thoughts, concerns, telephone calls and cards, but mostly your prayers is what has brought us this far.   It truly has helped Roger and I and our family, keep our faith strong and we so appreciate it!!!!  Somedays we feel selfish and ask how much longer can we continue this regiment, but then we remember  it’s not us that’s having to fight and work our way back, it’s Amy and we know as long as she continues to fight, then we are right there by her side, no matter how long it takes, and on the days she doesn’t want to fight, we will do the fighting for her!!!   Our love to you all, Donna and Roger

10/31 Saturday

Hi all, just a quick note before I leave for the hospital.   Amy has progressed nicely this week.  She has her moments when she doesn’t want to eat or work very well withthetherapists, but I guess we all probably would if we were in her situation.  She is however, standing up with very little help when she goes to the parallel bars, even trying to take a few more steps.  Keep in mind, she still has a rather heavy boot on her right foot and they have put an extender brace on her left leg and knee for support when standing.  Wednesday, the physical therapists and I tookheroutsidefora little while.  She tolerated that well, seemed a little confused with all the noise going on and people bustling back and forth, but that is all normal for TBI (traumatic brain injury) patients.  Amy is doing well with trying to feed herself.  We try to encourage her to do as much for herself as she can, as this just helps in the healing process.  She still has the IV in her right arm, so that henders her some.  Overall, it’s been a good week.  Happy Halloween!! Love D.

10/27 Tuesday

Today, Amy had an ok  day.  Still refuses to eat much.  She will take a few bites and she’s done.   An infection has cropped up in the healed incision in her left shoulder, so today they had to put an IV back in her arm to administer antibiotics.  Their main concern now is to prevent the infection from getting into her bone.   Roger said she did stand briefly in physical therapy.  Played the card game with the speech therapist briefly.  On a good note, she said “hi daddy” when Roger walked into her room this morning.   We feel very blessed with the progress Amy has made, and we are trying very hard not to get down when we have a setback.   We ask for your continuance in prayer as we still have a long road ahead of us.   D.

10/26 Monday

Sunday was a fairly quiet day for Amy.  Still not eating very well at all.  Had her moments of agitation.  This morning she really got agitated and we finally had to give her some pain medsto calm her down.  She refused to eat and didn’t work withheroccupationaltherapistsat all.  Her speech therapists, Diane, came in and it was like someone flipped a switch.  Amy seems to really like Diane and they work really well together.  Diane brought a magazine with her and asked Amy if she could read what was on the front cover.  Next thing we knew she was reading the headlines on the magazine.  Diane flipped some pages and asked Amy to read again and she did.  I sat there withmy mouthwide open, tears running down my cheeks, I was amazed.  Diane had some playing cards and showed them to Amy and asked her what they were as she held them up and Amy got everyone of them right.  It was very exciting, Diane hugged her and gave her a big kiss on her cheek.  After Diane left, I showed her the picture we have of the boys holding their sign that reads, “We love you Mom”.  I asked Amy if she could tell me what the sign says and she read it.  It truly was a very special morning and I left there feeling very good.  Jeremy is withAmytodayandI just talked to him, he said Amy stood up pretty much on her own today at the parallel bars.  He said it was 80% Amy and 20% him and the therapist holding her up.  He said one time she stood up about 2 minutes.  I can’t even describe how excited we are.  We haven’t had a really good day like today in a long time.  I couldn’t wait to share with you all.  Love Donna.

10/24 Saturday

Thursday was a very good day for Amy.  She worked well with the therapists.  The Physical Therapists took her to the excerciseroom, wheeled her to the parallel bars and the three of us were able to pull Amy from her wheel chair to see if she could possible get to a standing position.  By the third try, she actually tried to straighten up a little bit and stay up just a few seconds.  It was quite exciting for me and we will certainly keep trying to get her on her feet.  Friday was a brutal day.  She refused to eat and Jeremy said she apearedangryallday and did not work well with the therapists.  Today, she started out not doing well, refusing to eat breakfast.  Roger went and got her some Cheerios and milk and she ate all of it.   She seemed to calm down and for the most part was in a good but quiet mood today.  Her Daddy seems to have that affect on her.  Thanks to you all for your kind thoughts and generous prayers.  D.

10/21 Wednesday

Monday and Tuesday, Amy was very angry and agitated.   Nothing made her happy.  It didn’t help matters that after I finally got the big knot of hair cut from the back of her head a rather large cyst was revealed.  A surgeon had to cut it open last night to clean it out and pack it with gauze.  Also Amy is now wearing a wrist guard on her left wrist.  She may have some nerve damage that is causing her wrist to drop.  The doctor said there is a test they can perform to see if there is indeed nerve damage going on but it is a very painful test and she doesn’t want to put Amy through that until she is aware of what is going on.  The wrist guard should help to prevent further nerve damage.  Amy is not happy about the guard and keeps taking it off and then we have to put it back on.  Needless to say that upsets her too.   But on the up side, Roger said she had a very good day today.  She worked well with all the therapists.  They said today has been the best day they have had with her.   She got to take a little field trip today.  They put her in a wheel chair and took her down the hall to the elevator and took her to the second floor to check out the exercise room.  They tried to get her in the standing apparatus but since her left knee doesn’t bend they were unable to accomplish that task.  Roger said she seemed like she really enjoyed getting out of bed and out of her room.  We pray for the day when she can stand and try to use her legs.  But until then, we are very thankful for the good days she has.   R&D

10/18 Sunday

Hi all, sorry I haven’t been very good at the updates this week.  It’s been extremely busy and a frustrating week at the hospital withtherapy going on throughout the day.  Amy started eating pureed food at the beginning of the week.  She since has progressed to chopped food.  She is doing  well withhereating.  Sometimes she likes her food and sometimes she doesn’t so she still receives tube feeding about every 6 hours through the day.   She developed some issues with her left knee as it became swollen and very painful if she tried to bend it.  Xraysweretakenandwe found out that the body in it’s attempt to heal itself will build new bone in places where it is not needed.  Doctors say this is very common and with the help of the drug Celebrexher body will absorb the extra bone tissue in time.  The same is going on withher left arm.  Her right arm is healing nicely but remains immobilized.  Physical therapy continues, but is hampered by two arms that don’t work well and now two legs that don’t work well.  The Speech Therapist continues to work withAmybyhelpingher to reconnect by showing her pictures.  Basically reteaching her what everything is.  Example:  showing her a spoon and telling her “this is a spoon, you eat with a spoon.   We work withherinfeeding herself.  She might get a bite or two in her mouthwithourhelp, but most of the time we feed her.  We work with her everyday regarding brushing her teeth, washing her face, everyday tasks that we take for granted, she struggles to do.   Roger and I are persistent and we will continue to work withAmy.  We can’t let her not work at doing something, just because she doesn’t want to.  We constantly praise her and tell her what a good job she is doing, trying to keep her spirits up.  So many days this week, she has seemed down and sad.  Just all a part of the process we are told.   Not an easy thing for a parent to witness, but we will do whatever we have to to get her through this.   The boys are doing well, they are with us on the day that Jeremy stays at the hospital.  Thank you all for your thoughts and concerns.  We still need your prayers.  Love R&D

10/12 Monday AM

The doctor removed Amy’s trachea on Saturday.  She still has the feeding tube but other than that, everything is out.  Saturday night, Amy’s brain must have been “storming” again.  She didn’t sleep at all during the day and slept from 9:oopmto9:15 pm, then it seemed like she was battling demons most of the night.  She babbled continuously and thrashed around in her bed until about 1:30 in the morning.  She was given a sleeping pill about 11:30 and it didn’t slow her down at all.  They gave her another sleeping pill along with a little pain medicine about an hour later.  She finally was able to relax and go to sleep.  It’s tuffto see her go through all of this.    Jeremy said she was alert on Sunday and didn’t sleep to bad last night.  Roger is withher today and tonight.   Hopefully she is rested enough to have a good day withhertherapy.  Your thoughts and concerns are very comforting to Roger and I and we really do appreciate them all.  I know you all will continue to pray for Amy and with that we thank you!!  D.

10/10 Saturday AM

Friday was a good day for Amy.  She said “Good Morning” to people as they entered her room and spoke to her.  Her therapy went well.  They were able to get her up in a chair and she tolerated that fine.  Roger said it was sure nice to see her sitting up.  I failed to mention on Wednesday evening Austin, Garrett and Cooper were able to see their Mother for the first time since the accident.  The visit went ok.  Amy babbled a little while they were in there, Garrett said it sounded like she was speaking chinese.  We all got a chuckle out of that.  I just pray for Amy to recognize her children.   Bless their hearts, they just need that so much.  Today is my day with Amy, will report more later.  D

10/9 Friday AM

Wednesday evening Amy was moved to the Rehab Unit.   It was a long drawn out day trying to get everything done that needed to be done before the move.  Amy sensed this I’m sure as she was not a happy camper Wednesday or Thursday.  Thursday her therapy started first thing in the morning.  She will have at least 6  – thirty minute sessions a day.  They have asked us to keep her visits to a minimum through the week.  Actual visiting hours are 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.   During this time, she will more than likely be resting.  The only day she will not have therapy is Sundays.  Thursday she was fed some soup and fruit and she seemed to tolerate that just fine.  They will watch her for a few days before removing the trachea to make sure she is swallowing ok.  Their plan is to teach her to get dressed everyday, teethbrushed and anything else they throw at her to get her back to doing everyday tasks.  She is going to have to re-learn everything.  She wasn’t very cooperative on Thursday, hopefully today will be better.  We asked Jeremy to start  rotating withRogerandI, giving us a much needed break.  He stayed with Amy Thursday and Thursday night with Roger relieving him this morning.   I will update later this evening as to how her day went today.  Thank you all for your love, support and prayers.  We still have a long way to go, but we will get there!!    Donna
    

10/6 Tuesday AM

Saturday and Sunday continued to be off days for Amy.    Doctors say this is just part of the process.  On the up side Monday was a good day.  Amy was much more alert.  At one point she was getting her bath and they were moving her from side to side and as clear as a bell she said “Mother” .  I went to her side and asked her what she needed and she looked at me and said, “I can’t take this”.  I’m sorry she was in discomfort, but boy it was nice to know she knew I was there.  She talked off and on most of the day and evening.  Couldn’t make out a lot of what she was saying, but at this point, we will take what we get.  Doctors were in this morning and said Amy was moving to rehab today.  This is good, as this is where the work really begins to get her back on her feet.  We still have a long way to go, but we are moving in the right direction.  We still need all the prayers we can get.   Today is Austin’s 14th birthday.  R&D

10/3 Saturday AM

Amy was moved to room 6210 on Thursday night.  She had an off day yesterday.  Not sure if she just didn’t feel well or what.  She did however, seem angry and mad from time to time.   Her cognitivity isn’t coming around very fast.  It’s just going to take time.  We are thrilled withherprogress, but as her parents, we want more.  We know Amy is giving all she can right now.  We continue to ask  for your prayers.  Tomorrow will be a month.   R&D  

9/30  Wednesday PM

We had such an amazing day today.  This afternoon, the physical therapy people sat  Amy up on the side of  her bed.  She did a really good job balancing herself withjustalittlehelp.  Prior to this they put the valve in her trachea so she could talk.  After they sat her up, she told them ” back hurt”.  She also said “water”.  I was able to give her some water with a straw that had a little sponge on the end of it and she sucked the water out.  She seemed to tolerate the water and didn’t have any trouble swallowing.   Some of her words I couldn’t understand very well, but the best part of all, she leaned over to me and I gave her a kiss on her nose, then she gave me a kiss on the cheek.  This had everyone in this room crying.   Now everytimeI get close to her face, she leans over and kisses me.  So naturally, I’m in her face all the time.   She still has some residual blood in her right eye, preventing her from seeing very well.  Doctors say if it doesn’t clear up in the next few days, they can remove it withaninvasiveprocedure.  Hopefully it clears up on it’s own.   I just had to share my exciting day with you all, can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.  Donna

9/30 Wednesday
We have had some hectic moments the last few days withAmy.  Her fever would spike sometimes to 104.  The Doctors determined her brain was “storming”, meaning her brain is trying to rewire all at once.  Makes it pretty hard on her as we don’t want her core temperature to be that high.  Therefore, cooling blankets were used underneath Amy and on top of her.  Since yesterday her temperature has come down to normal.  So hopefully that part of the process is over.  She has shown signs of trying to talk.  The other night she mouthed “help” to me four times and then again to Roger the next day.  Today the speech therapist was in and plugged her trach, and Amy tried to talk.   Her voice is weak and it was hard to understand her, but she is trying.  The breathing machine has been taken out of her room.   She will be moved from ICU to the Progressive Care side sometime in the next few days.   We still have a long way to go, but everyday we see a little improvement.  Oh, she did mouth “mom” today.  Made me very happy!!  Love to you all, and please keep those prayers coming.  R&D

9/30 Wednesday
Jeremy was released from the hospital last week and is continuing to make progress at home.

9/26 Saturday
From Cheryl: I got to see Amy today.  She looked at me and followed me with her eyes.  She had both voluntary and involuntary facial movements – she wrinkles her brow, winks, squeezes her eyes shut, twists her mouth and smiles.  When I asked her to squeeze my hand, she did sometimes and other times she did not.  Over all – it was so very wonderful to see her.  Her face looks like our Amy.  You can still see bruises and both arms are in slings.  She is breathing on her own and they may be able to remove the breathing tube in a few days.  I told her everyone is asking about her, that Misty is having a party for her (see How To Help Section) and how much everyone thinks about her and misses her.

Roger said it has been like that – tomorrow she might not be so good, or she could be better.  I had heard the doctors say that before too.  The human body does not improve in a linear fashion, but a little forward, a little back, a lot forward, a little back.

The good news is that there is improvement – you are all doing a fantastic job.  Keep those prayers coming!

9/23 Wednesday
Since Monday, Amy has slowly become more active.  Her eyes are open for long periods of time now.   Today she seems to be tracking people as they come into her room.  Expressions on her face seem like she is trying to figure out what is going on.   God has been good to us by allowing these baby steps we are seeing everyday.  Austin, Garrett and Cooper are doing fine, they just want their Momma home.  So again, we ask for your prayers that  Amy wakes up and be fully aware of what is going on in her life.  Our love to all, R&D.

9/21 Monday
It was a nice quiet weekend for Amy.  The drainage tube in her brain was removed last night.   Still no response upon command.  She is, however, keeping her eyes open longer with a lot of facial expressions.  She is breathing on her own with very little help from the ventilator.  We remain very optimistic and hopeful.

9/19 Saturday AM
Not a lot of change with Amy since Thursday.  The latest chest xray revealed some air in her stomach.  So doctors are in consultation now to figure out what is causing the air.  She has a lot of involuntary facial movement going on but still nothing upon command.  Roger and I remain very optimistic and hopeful.  Thank you all for your concerns and prayers.  Love, R&D

9/16 Wed
Jeremy has been moved to the acute rehabilitation unit. He is undergoing a number of therapies: Cognitive, Occupational & Physical. They are helping him regain physical independence through therapeutic exercise and training. Reintroducing him to daily task, making decisions and problem solving. He is responding perfectly.

9/17 Thursday
Yesterday and today have been very busy days for Amy.  Wednesdy, she had an MRI and an ultra sound on her legs to check for blood clots.   The ultra sound revealed she did indeed have a blood clot in each leg.   Thankfully last week they put in a ICP filter to keep blood clots from getting to her lungs.   The MRI revealed there is brain damage.  We won’t know the severity of the damage until she wakes up.  The doctors say Amy’s age is a plus as the brain will try to heal itself.   Today they performed a tracheotomy.  We were well aware this would be happening soon as they were needing to remove all tubes from her esophagus to prevent the esophagus from closing in on the tubes, which would just add more problems.  The feeding tube was removed from her nose and put in her stomach.  Both of these procedures are reversable.

9/10 Thursday a.m.
Amy: At about 10 p.m. last night they added a new drainage tube in Amy’s head.  Her ICP dropped tremendously and has stayed down.  She had a good night.  Hopefully now they can begin to back off the sedation.

Jeremy:  We have not yet heard from Jeremy’s family, but are hoping that he is getting better every day.

9/8 Tuesday noon
Amy is in the NeuroScienceIntensivecare.  Her brain pressure (ICP) is within normal to good range and is holding – it only goes up when there is stimulus.  All four extremities react to stimulation.  Her pupils  react to light.  There is some hemorrhaging in the back of her eyes, but both retinas and optical nerves are OK. Her blood pressure is good.  She is being brought out of the sedatives very slowly and not awake.

9/7 Monday p.m.
Amy got two pints of blood last night.  She had a bad night – very agitated with her CT bouncing all over when someone touched her. They are not sure if she is in pain or what.

They moved her to the 6th floor and isolated her with no one talking to her.

9/6 Sunday p.m.
Amy:  doctors are keeping her heavily sedated as she gets agitated when she wakes up.  So they are keeping her alone and in a dark room.  There is a family member sitting with her constantly.

Jeremy: responded with a thumbs up to the doctor.

9/5 Saturday
Jeremy: Has a collapsed lung and some chipped bones in his back, and some broke ribs.

9/4 Friday Evening
Amy Harris and Jeremy Harris were in a single motorcycle accident on the sharp curve on the new County Road 1 – before it intersects.

Amy was thrown 40+ feet and landed in the mud on her face so she has lot of debris in her eyes and face.  The people riding behind her rolled them over so she could breath.

Amy was lifeflighted to KU.  Her husband was driven there.

The operated on Amy for 3 hours.  She has two broken arms that are in casts and a badly wounded leg/ankle that is in  a cast.  Swelling on the brain – which has been relieved.  She has lots of glass, metal and debris embedded in her face/eyes with lots of swelling everywhere.