Thursday, May 14, 2009 @ 7:34am

Goodmorning everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. JoLinda is doing fine. She seems to be remembering a little bit more each day. It is coming very slowly though. Her medicines still take a tole on her as she gets tired and dizzy from them. I think she is tired from the accident too, but the meds don't help that. She is still very nervous to do things on her own, like shopping for food or anything out with people around. Something we will just have to keep working on. We are still taking walks and she has her eating under control now. She is starting to lose the weight she has put on over the past 6 months. Brenton, Tami and Lily have moved in while they look for their own place. They have felt the need to be here helping with JoLinda since the accident. I am so glad they are here. I think Brenton will really help take a ton off of Rich and I in the Real Estate Business. Just in time for Jovi and Beau to get out of school next week. JoLinda is doing a lot more reading and has started writing in her journal. She is also trying to stay away from the t.v. which isn't good for the brain. Movies with a longer story line, the doctor says is o.k. We are still working on her anger issues, but they seem to be getting better. She is also getting closer to her Heavenly Father, and is enjoying going to church each week. I am so excited for her. Well, we would love to hear from you all, so keep in touch. Love ya, Laurie

Thursday, April 30, 2009 @ 2:26pm

We've passed the 6 month mark, yeah!! April 28th was the 6 month mark and we can see how far JoLinda has come in that amount of time. Today she finished her last therapy. At least as far as we know. She is so glad! I don't think she will ever want to go into another hospital again. Her new medicine is finally starting to work. She hasn't argued with me or anyone else for a couple of days. It has been really nice. She has a big test she has to take soon, and I can't wait to get the results back on that. Hopefully, it will give us more insight on her condition and future. She is still going with me on all my Real Estate 'duties' and I think she enjoys it. JoLinda has always liked being busy. I have also noticed that her hair is getting a lot longer. Before the accident she was trying to grow it out and so I have been very careful on any trimming. It is just starting to look long. JoLinda has even started reading again. She has always loved to read. She just finished Harry Potter(the first one) and is now reading the second - again.

The next six months I am really going to focus on helping her become more independent by being able to have her write and keep a planner, taking her meds on her own, shopping without me being next to her, and on her memory. Hopefully, getting her volunteering, of course, under supervision. Well, I hope everyone is doing well, and WE would love to hear from you. Thanks so much, Laurie

Wed. April 22, 2009 @7:31am

JoLinda is 22 years old today! She is so excited it's her birthday. She said last night, it will be the first birthday she will remember.

JoLinda is doing well, just getting over a cold. She is getting stronger all the time. We go for a couple of walks a day, and she is keeping a good pace, and is able to go 30 on one and 20 minutes on the other. Her Doctor appt. was yesterday. She was taken off of one medicine and started on two new medicines. We will see how those go and she see's the Doctor again in two weeks. She thought JoLinda looked really good, but still concerned about her anger outbursts, and not being able to get along with others.

The Doctor also had to remind me that this could all be permenant. That I needed to let go of my expectations for her. That is hard to do, when I want my daughter to be able to go to College, work, get married and have child, and live independently. I have to keep working toward that goal and the Doctor wants me too, but just be patient and see where JoLinda is able to get to.

Summer is coming, the boys will be out of school, and that means more people to be around JoLinda all day long. That concerns me greatly. I hope they will all get along. Otherwise it will be a long summer.

Well, I hope everyone is doing well. It was so good to hear from you who are still commenting on this blog. I hope Brady is still improving and doing well. Please let me know. I still pray for him and your family. I am glad to hear Curtis is doing well.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers in our behalf. JoLinda says Hi! I will write again soon. Love, Laurie

Monday, April 13, 2209 @7:39am

Happy Easter to everyone! I hope everyone had a great one. We did. JoLinda even had a basket and got to look for eggs. She enjoyed every minute of it, as did her brothers. She was able to make it to all three meetings at church also, without even a thought of going home earlier. She has talked quite a bit about having missed the past few weeks because of spring break, and going out of town. It was good to go again. I believe she is continueing to get some memory back. Not with what she is saying, but in actions that she is showing. I am still trying to get her more independent with each passing day. She was able to take a list to the store and shop without my help the other day. I just sat at the front of the store waiting for her and being there if she needed help. She even paid!(My money of course) She has picked up another chore at home and is even getting a better attitude. Matter of fact, she laughed all weekend. It is a nice change. Anyway, hoping to continue with her progress and with her birthday coming up, it would be nice if she will remember it. The sixth month mark is right around the corner on April 28th and I'm excited to get there. Hope all is well with everyone. Love ya, Laurie

Wed. April 8, 2009 @7:52am

Time sure seems to go by fast right now. We are really busy at work with our Real Estate business. School is also winding down and so Jovi and Beau have a lot going on trying to finish up, with Field trips, Field days, Band concerts and Choir Performances. All in all, it makes for a busy April and May. Maybe a vacation will be at the end.

JoLinda is doing well. She is getting tired of thearpy, which I imagine is very normal. We are trying to walk 3 times a day and adding as much jogging in as we can. She has a hard time keeping up with my walk, but can clearly beat me in running. She is doing a lot of cooking still and still fighting me on other chores in the house. Her attitude is still terrible, and hopefully will change soon or drive us all crazy. I am still trying to sociallize her. She has a hard time thinking of things to say to others, especially appropriate things. We decided last night(JoLinda and I) to push the planner idea and see if it doesn't help her do things more independantly. I'm hoping it works.

We are all hanging in there and appreciate all you do. Thanks, Laurie

Thursday, March 26, 2009 @ 11:24am

Well, what do I say. I am so sorry for letting this go so long without posting a blog. As I go throughout the day to day ritual it is hard to see any changes or anything interesting to write. Now that I have been looking back, JoLinda has gotten much stronger. We went camping over spring break(9 days) and had a lot of fun. It was nice to have a change in routine and to just get out for awhile. We did several hikes and JoLinda did great. If she needed a break, we just stopped. I believe it was a challenge for her, but good too. We were even able to get her on a bicycle for short rides. By the 3rd time, her balance had greatly improved. The whole thing of riding a bike scared her though and we didn't push the issue. She was glad to get back home as we all were, but we sure had a good time.

The day after we got back, JoLinda and I went to the store for much needed food and after filling the cart as much as possible we left. Looking back at that, it showed me how much she has come. 2 months ago, I could barely go and get 5 items and that was with her holding onto me and laying her head on my shoulder needing to sit down. The experience of grocery shopping was way too much for her and now, as long as she is by my side, she can make it through a whole cart full.

She is not as clingy, and is doing 1 chore a week, besides helping with cooking, dishes, and laundry. She still has a major problem with initiation. She will know she needs to do something but just can't do it. Her anger and outbursts are as severe as ever. She has a hard time getting along with others(her mind still bothered by noise and people, and still very concrete in her thinking). She is working on it though. I am working on her independence and staying on task as well as initiation at home. She is seeing an OT and SP therapist at least til the end of April.

We are all still taking it day by day, and are greatful to all of you for your constant support and prayers. We miss you all and please keep commenting on this blog. We love to read them. It helps us more than you know. We hope everyone is doing well through this hard economic time and in your families. We love you and I'll try to write again soon, Laurie Grigg

P.S. For those that didn't know that I had a different last name than JoLinda, I added it.

Monday, March 2, 2009 @7:43am

Hello everyone! JoLinda is doing better. At least with some of her memory. It seems like it is building a little on day to day things. She doesn't remember everything by far, but some things she remembers doing. We are up to 3 pills 3 times a day for antianxiety. Just up the dose on Sat. I think it might be working. We were able to stay for 2 hours of church on Sunday instead of 1. That was nice. She is now used to sleeping in her own room and is doing well with it. Still issues with initiation, but a work in progress. The doctor wanted me to see what was happening just before her irate outbursts and that is what it has to do with; initiating things she doesn't want to do. Like shower so we aren't late for something or doing her homework. Things have really gotten to be on her timetable and it doesn't always work that way. Her mind right now is very concrete. Nothing sarcastic flies. So she takes things serious, so not always fun to be around. She gets really mad and doesn't like anyone joking. On occasion, you'll catch her with a personality and everyone loves that. She usually gets lots of hugs when she is funny. She is now getting some needed therapy, which I am grateful for. She is seeing an OT and Speech therapist to learn to deal with situations in the real world and organizational skills of daily skills and activities. She is doing well for the most part, just need to get her brain to think not so concrete. JoLinda is doing well on the treadmill too. Anyway, another week and hopeful another step forward. Hope all is well with you all and keep in touch will ya?!
Love ya all, Laurie

Tuesday, Feb. 24th, 2009 @8:07am

Hello everyone! I find myself struggling to get to the blog as I am not sure what to say anymore. JoLinda continues to improve, but slowly. Sometimes so slow I don't notice until I look back at where we were 2 months ago when I brought her home. Then I wonder what I haven't written about. She has now moved into her own room, just spent her 3rd night last night. It was not an easy adjustment for her, as her initiation, or lack of, has started again. Now she is enjoying her own room. Beau is now in our room on the floor on a matress. a week and a half ago she was put on new meds for antianxiety, and I think she is worse now. She continues to hold my arm or hand. Especially out of the house. She feels like everyone is stareing at her. And she continues to fight with everyone. Very low tolerance and doesn't understand jokes or playfulness at all. She fights with Jovi and Beau so much they do not want to be in the same room. However, yesterday was better. She is getting more helpful around the house. She helps with cooking, menu's, shopping, dishes, laundry, and a little vacuuming. Every so often, we see a glimpse of personality but we wish it was more. Socially she is very confused and unsure of herself. We are still trying to keep things rolling. It has been so good to read your comments on the blog. I find myself checking for those more than I blog myself. I appreciate your blogs, texts, phone calls and just the hello when you see us. That is what is keeping us going. Cathy, I cherish every word. Thank you! Matt, it was so good to see and read your blog. I hope everything is going well with your goals! (One of the wonderful aides who helped JoLinda in Rehab.) And thanks Ashley for continueing to follow JoLinda's progress. We appreciate you and your family. Tell everyone I love them. Diann it was good talking to you yesterday and I'm so glad Curtis is doing well. We love you all! Talk to you soon, Laurie

Friday, Feb. 13th, 2009 @ 7:38am

Friday the 13th, scarry huh! Well things are going o.k. JoLinda see's her doctor today. I hope that goes well. I think she is just going to chance her medicines. I believe I am on my own now. No more therapy at least I don't believe so. I will try to help JoLinda all I can. She has gotten more active this past week. We are doing the treadmill 3 times a day. She is doing it each time for at least 10 min. She is still helping with the cooking and some folding of clothes. To go shopping is really hard for her though. I still think it is just all the movement of people and the extra noise. She loses her confidence and hangs onto me, and is afraid I'll leave her. She is doing well, just doesn't have a lot of memory. I'm still hoping that it all comes back and for now just grateful she knows who I am. Well, I hope you are all doing well and Have a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow. Love ya, Laurie

P.S. Pictures have been updated. Check them out!

Monday, Feb. 9th, 2009 @ 3:09pm

Thanks everyone for their comments. I really appreciate knowing that you are still watching anc following JoLinda's progress. It seems harder and harder to keep you all updated. I'm not quite sure why. This week has been o.k. As JoLinda says, "I'm alive and so we're good!" She is still having a hard time on doing much walking. We try to get outside and walk around the block but it has been cold the past few days. The treadmill stopped being interesting to her until about 2 days ago. She started just doing 5 min. but this morning was able to do 10. Her memory is still not there. Flashes of things and of memories come and go, but no real details. Makes it hard to talk to her about things, because to her either certain things haven't happened to her in her mind or she mixes things up. She is doing better with sitting in Sacrament. She was able to sit through the whole meeting yesterday and only said she didn't feel well one time. Later Gma came over and JoLinda couldn't remember going to church at all. Short term and long term memory still have a long way to go. She has been a lot less argumentative this week and we all enjoy that. She still is doing well on getting ready each day, but still can't remember things like her clothing. People and noise still bother her and make her really nervous. I think about all of you continually. Matter of fact, I'm having a hard time sleeping just going through everything, every detail, and every blessing we have been through over the last 3 months. You all have truly blessed our lives and I don't know how I can ever repay you. Love you all so much, Laurie

Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 @7:49am

I only have a minute, but I thought I would touch base with you all. I appreciate those of you still watching her blog. At times I feel so alone, but when I open the blog and see your comments I'm feel better. Like I can keep trying! Last week was especially dificult for me. JoLinda is however doing somewhat better. I can't explain how but just better. I did let her go visit her Grandma for a couple of hours, for the first time, while I took Jovi and Beau to the show on Sat. We needed a break. It was good for everyone concerned. We did just worry about JoLinda but we at least did it. JoLinda also somehow realized that I am her mom. She is however afraid that I am going to leave her and is paranoid. She is not letting me out of her sight. Most of the time, needing to hold my hand or arm too. I am so greatful to all of you who comment or call to see how we are doing or to keep me going. I don't beleive I'm strong enough for this, but as Wendy said in church yesturday, I believe people have been put in my life to help me and make me stronger. I rely on each one of you and count on your prayers when I'm too weak myself. Thank you all so much! Love ya, Laurie

Tuesday, Jan. 27th, 2009 @8:03am

Goodmorning! I hope everyone is doing well. Brenton, Tami & Lily are leaving today. It has been great to have them here. I don't know what to say about JoLinda anymore. I guess I am more frustrated each day. It seems like she has multiple personalities. Sometimes she is happy and is glad to be with us and is grateful. Othertimes she is mean, sneaky, and lying. She yells a lot these days and has quite the attitude. If you say the wrong thing to her, you will get an earfull. I miss my little girl! I wonder if she will ever be herself again. I wonder why God that I could handle this. I'm doing my best, but I'm not sure it's good enough. She, most of the time, treats me like I'm her mom. However, if you ask her, she will say she doesn't know who I am and gets mad and says I'm not her mom. At times she says Rich is not her stepdad either. She must be quite confused of why she's here. Sometimes I wonder if she thinks she is being held captive, not knowing who we are and thinking she is fine. Trying to keep my head above water is of no use now. Now I just want JoLinda to know who I am and that I am trying to do what is best for her and to take care of her the best I can. She is even going into the office and writing down on a piece of paper the name mom and then writing down my phone number. I caught her doing it and dialed for her and my phone rang. She immediately hung up the phone. Her mind is blocking it out for some reason. Anyway, we are going to try and work on a daily/weekly schedule this week and try to stick with it. I know having the extra people in the house has been really hard for her, but I've sure enjoyed them coming. At times she would go into my room and close the door and watch tv by herself. Noise and people for her are not a good mix. Anyway, Love you all, Laurie

Tuesday, Jan. 20th, 2009 @ 1:50pm

Hello everyone! I can't believe it's been a week. Sorry! JoLinda seems the same to me from the last time I wrote. She is still unsteading on her feet and feels more comfortable hanging onto me. She has completely stopped the treadmill, but we do go around the block 1 - 3 times a day. She is still very unsure and confused in a grocery store, including where to find things. The Dr. and Psychologist both agree that this is going to be a very long process. The Psych. report wasn't good. He is even unsure whether or not she will become oriented to place or people. She seems to know some people, but there is no depth to it. He also doesn't believe she will ever be the same. In what areas we still don't know. She at times will call me mom, or if someone asks her where mom is, she will tell them. But to this day, she will tell you I'm not her mom and will get mad. She things I'm her aunt and that all her aunts are trying to say they are her mom. She still thinks St. George is 4 hours away. She is still unaware of the disabilities that she has, except to say she knows she in unsteady walking and that she gets tired very quickly. She is still very afraid of spiders and bugs and checks everywhere. She is still sleeping in our room on a mattress on the floor and has no intention on going into her own room. She says when she wakes up, and gets scared she hears us breathing and feels like she is not alone. We are just trying to keep our heads above water and are now enjoying Brenton(my oldest son), Tami and Lily here for a weeks visit. It seems to be a lot of people for JoLinda and is much more tired with the extra stimulation, but we needed to see them and they needed to see us. JoLinda is enjoying helping in the kitchen, and that has been really good. Thanks to everyone for there help. We really appreciate all of you. Love Laurie

Tue. Jan. 13th 2009 @ 8:08am

Things seem to be looking up, or maybe I'm just handling them better. I'm trying not to stress too much and give myself a little time for myself. I even went to lunch with a friend of mine. I was nervous but it was really good to get out. JoLinda and I got to attend Sacrament with the rest of the family on Sunday. The last 15 min. were hard for her, but it was really good to go. JoLinda seems to be getting more ajusted to her life now. She is getting used to her routine and seems comfortable. She saw a Neuropsychologist yesterday. It was about 2 1/2 hours long. More testing of course. I had to leave her for about 2 hours of it. I was completely lost. She didn't like it either. We will find out the results to that visit on Friday. From the first 1/2 hour though, I learned a lot. I guess I never really asked JoLinda what is the last thing you remember before the accident? She hardly remembers anything. Not her 21st birthday, her High School Grad., her 16th birthday, nor the trip to Alaska we took. She has no starting point of what she remembers. That was really scary to me. I hang on to the progress she has made since leaving the hospital, like taking her medicine when I ask her, and walking more stable. She still only shows really only one emotion, and that is anger. No crying or laughing. She will tell us how much she loves us and shows fear. I guess I have to remember those too. Anyway, I am greatful for all your help and prayers. We are hanging in there. Love you all, Laurie

Thursday, Jan. 8th 2009, @ 7:50am

JoLinda's CT scan went well yesterday. She was a little nervous that something would hurt, but she did great. It was different to see the igages of the screws and plates in her face. Especially the jaw. Afterward she was able to see it. She got weak, & I don't think she liked it very well. Still unable to remember any of it, I think it makes it too real for her. She is still stubborn and not wanting to do anything as far as excercising or word search or sudoku and simple housework. She does now what I make her do. I am concerned about her headaches and hope they don't continue. I know what ever I can get her to do will only help her get better. She did 12 min. on the stationary bike yesterday and a few word search words. She also helped me cook dinner last night. Little by little I'm trying to keep her active. I know deep down that is what she would want me to do. She still is not oriented to place. Thinks there is another St. George and etc. I hope that comes soom. I seem to be getting more down all the time. Almost to a depression mode. Maybe I've been there for a long time, but it's definately getting worse. Doesn't seem to be any laughter in my home - nothing to laugh about. Don't know how we will ever pay for her bills and ours at the same time. She thinks she is still working and going to school and is a busy person. Getting hard to constantly hear such fantasy life. I feel like a broken record. Anyway, I'm still trying to keep my head up and hold everything together with myself, JoLinda, and the rest of my family. One minute at a time. Love you all, Laurie

Wed. Jan. 7th, 2009 @7:43am

Yes, unfortanately Jovi and Beau are back in school and I'm up early again. Can't beleive tomorrow I'm 43. I feel like I have aged 20 years in the past couple of months and I'm showing it too. JoLinda is getting better everyday, I guess. Her memory doesn't seem to be there at all. Yet she is starting to say she is fine and wants to go see her other family. When I ask her who is her other family she looks right at me and says my mom(Laurie), Rich, Jovi and Beau. She keeps thinking all these people, like 5 people, keep telling her they are her mom. It's always just me, but her mind is not putting things together. To think she is fine is supposed to be the 7th stage out of ten. I think she is going into 7 anyway. Not fully there yet. She is getting quite bored because I can't get her to do anything, she does'nt have the patience for it. She wants to go places, then it's too much for her and she wants to go home. I still hoping not to go out of my mind! I'm glad the boys are back in school, it was getting really hard for them. Ok it's been hard for them. We, meaning Rich now, is still busy with Real Estate and I think would really like our help about now. I try when I can. JoLinda's hair is starting to grow out where they shaved it, and the stains are off her teeth. We are glad of that. She is having bad headaches and pain in her jaw and mouth. She is getting a CT scan today to make sure everything is healing properly from her surgery on her jaw and face. Hopefully that goes well today. Hope everyone is doing well. Love, Laurie

Sat. Jan. 3, 2009 @10:23am

Wow was that a strange date to type. Time seems to have stopped for me. I wander when things will get back to normal. Or as Ann and I talked about yesterday, we will just be making a new normal. JoLinda is doing well. She was able to sit still for her speech appt. yesterday for an hour. They are doing lots of formal testing on her right now, both speech and OT. She is still not oriented to St. George, or even people yet. She calls me mom, but at the same time, if I ask her who I am she will say her sister(which she has none) or her aunt. She is quite familiar with our home now, but is still quite unsure of herself. Her trach is healing nicely. Her hair is growing out. All of her IV marks are fading. Yet, her mind is taking its own sweet time. She is getting more stubborn and we think that is a good thing. The more aware she is of her problems, we think she will become more upset. She is walking around the block with us most days(warm ones). And is up to 10 min. on the treadmill each day. She still can't remember that she just ate and so is hungry most of the time. We are monitoring that all day. Her daily living things of showering and brushing teeth, she is doing great now. Her stains on her teeth are now gone. Her jaw and lower lip tingle all day or she can't feel them at all. We are all hanging in there and did enjoy going to Sun River yesterday where JoLinda works. We are all looking forward to a much better year. Happy New Year to you all and our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love Laurie