Tuesday Dec. 30th, 2008 @ 12:35pm

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We did. The days seem to go by so fast, it's hard to keep up. JoLinda is doing well. She has started seeing an Occupational Therapist here as of yesterday. She will see a Speech Therapist this Friday. I noticed yesterday with the OT that her attention span has greatly increased. She is still quite afraid of being in public. New faces, too many people and noises still really bother her. She is quite afraid of me not being at her side. She did great on the papers the OT had her do. I was impressed. Still her memory is very poor. At times thinking I'm her Aunt, even though she knows I'm her mom and she calls me mom, somewhere in her mind thinks I'm her aunt. She gets frustrated easily, and is so confused that she can't remember that she has eaten, and wants to eat again. Gets upset with her brothers for looking at her and simple things like that. We are able to play memory games still and Uno every night even if its just for 1 hand. She is up to 6 min. on the treadmill and is going to try 8 today. She also is a great help in the kitchen, cooking and helping with dishes. We are still just taking it one minute at a time. It seems the past 4 days, her memory has not been great but we're hoping better things for the new year. Maybe be able to get to one day at a time instead. Thanks for all your prayers. Laurie

Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 @ 8:00pm

Things are going well. JoLinda is really getting used to our home and making it her own. She is doing much better on brushing her teeth, twice yesterday and twice today also. She is helping with some cooking and dishes and seems to be enjoying it. Even tries to fold some clothes. We are still doing memory games and just daily things like showering and the like. It seems like her short term memory is getting better daily. She is also enjoying watching movies since she can't remember watching them, they're all new. She is also getting excited for Christmas, as we all are. With the help of Tami, the pictures have been updated. We hope you enjoy them. Merry Christmas and we Love you, Laurie

Sunday, Dec. 21st, 2008 @4:00pm

I can't believe it has been 5 days since I've blogged. Sorry. I'll try to do better. Things are going well. We have spent the past week trying to get JoLinda used to our home, and surroundings. Also, trying to get ready for Christmas. Hard to do in just one week, but I think we're there. I'm glad the boys are out for Christmas break and are really enjoying them. JoLinda is doing well on taking showers, if not daily then every other day. She is even blow drying her hair, which is a big thing since noise bothers her. She even brushed her teeth some today. A big challenge since her mouth and jaw hurt. Her balance is getting better. She picks things up off the floor and is doing great up and down the stairs. We are going to try the treadmill tomorrow(short of course). We have taken her shopping a little, and that hasn't gone well, but we're working on it. Friday she had to get some blood work done and that was a disaster. She really got scared and panic set in. It took 4 of us, and she hated us all at the time. I'm glad that's done. Her attention span continues to improve. We have been working on sorting cards into suits, memory match games, and sorting uno cards into colors and numbers. She has done great. Memory is still all over the place. Sometimes she thinks she is in High School and other times about 1 year ago. Some times she seems about 5 years old and calls me mommy. I'm anxious for this post traumatic amnesia to be over. Although, that will come with its own set of challenges. I appreciate all your comments, from family, friends and new friends from the hospital. I hope all is going well with all of your families and wish you all a Merry Christmas! Glad to hear Brady is doing well. Good luck! Love you all, Laurie

Wed. Dec. 17th, 2008 @7:46am

Goodmorning! It is so good to be home and up with Jovi & Beau in the mornings before school. I really missed that. JoLinda is doing well at home. Intead of being cooped up in a room, she has a whole house to walk in. I did take her outside yesterday as the day warmed up. Also went down & up the stairs twice. Her legs are still a bit shaky but did well. She also took a shower which is good for the first day in a new place. I think she is adjusting well to her new surroundings and is glad to be with all of us. And to see the Christmas things go up. She started eating, just a bite here and there, of more solid foods. Her teeth hurt her so much that she can't brush her teeth or eat anything besides jello, pudding, yogurt and liquids. She is living really on boost drinks. Yesterday she ate a little chicken, noodles, and a little chocolate. I've been trying for 2 weeks to get her to try a piece of chocolate and let it melt in her mouth. She was too afraid of the pain to try. I'm glad she tried some. She keeps getting up to brush her teeth, gets the tooth brush ready, and then can't do it. I'm working on it though. People, lights and noise still really bother her, too much stimulation. I'm still working on her attention span also. Thanks Matt for calling yesterday to see that we got home o.k. We were sorry to have missed you at the hospital. We wanted to say goodbye. Thanks for everything and keep up your goals - It's worth it! We also want to thank our ward for being so fantastic!! We will never be able to thank you enough for the meals, money, housecleaning, friendship, gifts-both homemade and bought, phone calls and fasting & prayers. Thanks so much all of you and our prayers are with you! Love, Laurie

Monday, Dec. 15th, 2008 @ 8:14pm

We are finally HOME! We left around 1pm and in the wind, rain and icy roads finally made it home. JoLinda did well. She was anxious to get off the freeway within 10 min. after leaving. But, she made it. We are glad to be home and out of the hospital. We are so greatful for all those that helped JoLinda in the hospital. All the doctors, nurses, Aides, therapists and other patients/family members for all your support. I will continue to update you all of her progress. It may not be as often though. She is not supposed to have visitors the first couple days, so she can get familiar with her surroundings, but then short visits would be great. Please let me know if you would like to come over so I can make sure she isn't taking a nap or not part of a regular routine. She needs the routine right now. Still very confused and doesn't even think she was in a hospital the past 7 weeks. Love you all, Laurie

Sun. Dec. 14th, 2008 @8:00pm

JoLinda continues to show little signs of her short and long term memory. Not all the time, but every so oftain. She is still worried about bugs. She checks everything or has us check and thinks she has them on her. Not a whole lot of therapy today being Sun. but did well with what she had. Rich and Jovi left for St. Geroge today. Beau stayed as I am hoping to bring her home soon. I think I'll need him for the ride home as she still has no clue where she is or why. I'm glad we will be home for Christmas. Also glad to be able to be home with Rich, Jovi and Beau and have their help all the time. She will need 24/7 care, but I'm going to be glad to do that at home, intead of the hospital. Thanks for all your support! Hope to see all of you soon. Love, Laurie

Sat. Dec. 13, 2008 @ 8:38pm

Sorry for missing yesterday. JoLinda has had 2 great days. Her short term memory has started to improve. So exciting to see her remember even the slightest thing. Funny how we pay attention to everything now, that would have been nothing before. We even took her for a walk in the snow today. She asked me if she could shower today and immediately went & did it. Dressed herself afterwards and after her nap, brushed her hair by herself. Very exciting day! She even played UNO for about 10 minutes and shuffled and delt the cards. She is truly a miracle. My Miracle! She has truly enjoyed having Rich, Jovi and beau back here, and so have I. They leave again tomorrow. I hope the roads are good for them. Love to all, Laurie

Thursday, Dec. 11th, 2008 @ 8:19pm

JoLinda had a great day. Walking and talking well, and is able to sit still for a much longer period of time. She still has no short term memory and amnesia. She can't stand noise or too many people. It is too much stimulus for her brain. I'm hoping to be able to go home before Christmas. Rich, Jovi and Beau are coming tomorrow. I can't wait to see them. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight, Laurie

Wed. Dec. 10th, 2008 @ 6:03pm

Last night JoLinda had her first bite of tapioca pudding with a spoon. It was a great moment. Today was even better. She hasn't eaten alot, but has been able to eat real food. She will be on a soft diet for 1 month, but at least it's food. She tried to brush her teeth this morning, but it hurt too much. We will keep working on that. I'm sure, give it a few days for the mouth to heal, and it will feel good to brush. She did shower, dress and brush her hair all by herself today. Big steps! She walked up 2 flights of stairs and even walked outside and across the street, today. She has been up more today than all the past seven days put together. She is still trying to remember anything and everything. All jumbled in her mind. They call it post traumatic amnesia. Hopefully she will get it all back. They are saying possibly still remembering things up to the next 2 years.The mix of her pain medicine and the anasthesia yesterday, has caused her to halucinate. She has thought there were spiders, snakes, scorpions and bugs all over her, the bed and room. They are stopping that medicine as of now. Hopefully Motrin will do the trick to stop the pain instead. I'm missing Jovi's band concert tonight. Hopefully I'll catch the next one. Sorry Jovi! I know you'll do great. Anyway, by for now, Laurie

Tue. Dec. 9th, 2008 @ 3:45pm

Finally the wires are out. I came to the hospital at 7:20am and they kept changing the time on me. They came & got JoLinda at 1:00pm and she was back in her room by 3:00pm. IV is out and so is the oxygen. She was given some pain medicine and now she is asleep. She did great last night without a sitter from 11-7. Didn't do much therapy today. I think she knew something was up and wouldn't do anything. Very confused and yelled a lot. She wanted water and I couldn't give her anything because of the surgery. After the surgery she had 2 different drinks though and she will have a swallowing test tonight. If she passes, she gets to have thicker drinks and then soft foods-jello, pudding and the like. I'm glad to have all tubes out of her and hope this will speed up her recovery. Thanks everyone for your prayers, Laurie

Mon. Dec. 8th, 2008 @ 8:52am

Sorry I missed yesterday. JoLinda is doing fine. Still confused and her mouth is really bothering her, but she continues to remember small things and do better with her attention span. She is still afraid of everyone and everything, but I try to reasure her the best I can. I can't wait til tomorrow when they take the wires off her mouth. The doctors and therapists will be meating in her behalf on Wed. at noon and I'm anxious to here what they have to say. I think she is getting close to being released. As much as I want that, I'm now getting nervous about taking good care of her at home. Making sure she doesn't go anywhere or try to drive or falling down the stairs. Anyway, I'm sorry to vent my fears. I'm still praying and am doing fine. Rich, Jovi and Beau left yesterday and My dad and Flossy left this morning. Been a while since I've been by myself here. I'll try to write after the surgery tomorrow. Love you all, Laurie

Sat. Dec. 6, 2008 @ 7:36pm

JoLinda had her best night ever. I think it is because her trach is out. She is doing well, but is now very scared. Everything seems to be scaring her. She thinks everything is going to hurt. She doesn't want me to leave her and continually tells me she loves me. Not much into her PT but is doing better everyday on speech, and attention span. Starting to even see a peek into her memory. She is now resting and we are going to try to get a good night sleep and start again tomorrow. I'm getting anxious for Tuesday for the wires to come off. Thanks to all of you who call, comment, texts or even just follow the blog. We get your messages and appreciate your concerns. We love you all, Laurie

Fri. Dec. 5, 2008 @ 9:00pm

Well, JoLinda finally had her trach removed. She is doing great breathing without it and is a lot less agitated. She is started to understand that she is in a hospital, but doesn't understand why. She is so confused, and has no short term memory. Rich and Jovi got here safe, and we are glad to have them with us again. Grandma enjoyed seeing her the past couple of days and Grandpa/Flossy will be here tomorrow. She had a big walk outside today. She did great, just gets tired easily. In speech, she did half of a crossword puzzle and did a few more math problems. She lets us know thoughout the day, that she loves us and is greatful for everyone. She put her jacket on today and said goodbye to everyone. She said she was leaving and going home. Everyone asked me after that if we were leaving. In JoLinda's mind, she had had enough. So have I. But we are still here and I did much better with my patience today. Need a good cry every couple days, and then I'm ready for another day. Lots of Love, Laurie

Thurs. Dec. 4th, 2008 @9:21pm

Today was kinda rough. JoLinda was not real up to much therapy. I believe her mouth is hurting her. She did do well in speech therapy though. Speaking more and answering more questions. Being able to problem solve a little more. Grandma is here with Beau and I now, and we're enjoying her company. JoLinda sure lit up to see her. She even stood up the whole time for her shower. She has worn her speaking valve or button(which closes the trach off) all day today. I'm hoping to lose the trach soon. At the same time, nervous. I kinda lost it this morning with the pulling on the trach thing, but I'm going to try to do better on my pateince tomorrow. Thanks to all of you commenting of this blog. I do read them, just short on time to respond. Thanks for the phone calls and texts too. It means everything to us. Love you all, Laurie

Wed. Dec. 3, 2008 @ 6:10pm

sorry I missed yesterday. JoLinda had a good morning yesterday, and then went down for surgery in the afternoon to rewire her mouth closed. It went well. She was very tired the rest of the day and we just sat with her. Today, has been great for her attention span during therapies. Much longer and able to do more tasks that she has been asked to do. She got her feeding tube out, FINALLY! One less tube. We are working on the trach now. Hopefully next Tue. she will get the wires all out of her mouth. They are really bothering her, and lots of pain. Her walking has continued to get stronger and more balanced. Doesn't use her wheelchair at all now. She still doesn't know where she is or why. With time. I'll write more tomorrow. Laurie

Monday, Dec. 1st, 2008 @6:54pm

Last night was restless, I got about 3 hours. JoLinda was up early. Beau refused to leave yesterday. I'm enjoying his company. JoLinda is walking and talking continually. She is now getting scared and vocally confused. Goes from telling me how much she loves me to leave her alone and why won't we stop. She is not trusting the people(nurses) and thinks they lie. Keeps crying for me not to leave her. I'm anxious for this stage to pass. Pain seems to be increased, in her mind, anyway. I just hold her and tell her I'm here and that I'm not leaving. That I love her. She sits on my lap at times. She did walk outside well today and is paying more attention in speech. I'm hoping for a more restful night. Laurie