Sunday September 2, 2007

Today is fast Sunday. Many fasted and prayed specifically for Kelsi. How quick was the answer to this prayer of faith? Is immediate quick enough? While the fasting was still going on, the healing accelerated in leaps and bounds. Kelsi's family went to Orem to attend the blessing of her newest nephew. A family friend volunteered to be with her while her parents were away. Kelsi tried and tried to talk. Between the friend and a nurse they were able to determine that she was asking, "Where is Mom?" They told her where Mom was and she said, "I should be there." She also managed to tell them she wanted to go home. She was outside, so they asked if she meant to her room. She said, "No, HOME HOME".

After the baby blessing, some of her family returned to be with her. She told her mother, "I missed you SOOO MUCH!". At that point everything she said was mouthed. No voice, only a little whispering at times.

Her Mom told her that the white bear in her room was given to her by [CL] (initials only for his privacy). She said, "Tell [CL] thank you". Kelsi's manners are totally intact. When asked if [CL] should come to visit her, she very excitedly answered, "Tell [CL] to come and visit me 'FAST'!" So, [CL], if you read this blog, she wants to see you very soon and she most definitely has not forgotten you!

Her oldest nephew was there with her oldest brother. He is a little over a year and a half old and is very busy. They tried to let her hold him, but he refused. This made her feel bad. Her older brother tried to explain that he was that way with everyone except his Dad right now. Kelsi put her hand over her mouth and to her sister's ear and whispered "Whatever". This same nephew's noise prompted her to say, "[child] interrupts me every time I try to say anything." The literature on brain injuries warns that she would not be able to filter out the background noise at this point of her recovery, and that it would frustrate her.

Dad found that by pressing on her abdomen as she attempted to speak helped to increase the volume and made it easier to hear. After a short time she was able to mimic the pressure without Dad pressing. This made her words much clearer.

She asked if she could go home with Mom when Mom went home. Mom explained that she needed to get better first. She said, "I feel much better." We explained that she needed to be able to do many things better than she is currently able to do. She wanted to know exactly what she had to do and was determined to do all of them right now so she could go home. For a long time her focus was on doing what is needed to get to go home.

Her Dad pointed at each person in the room and asked if she knew who they were. She named each one as they were pointed out. Her oldest brother said, "She remembers my name!" Kelsi replied, "How could I forget you? You are my family!"

Dad handed her a cell phone and she immediately began to try text messaging. She knew exactly what she was doing, but could not hold the phone very well or hit the right keys when someone held it for her. This frustrated her, but she got over it real quick because she knew that talking was working pretty good. Later she told us that she wanted to text but her hands are too shaky. Clearly there are some things that a teenager will not forget!

During all the conversations it seems she is thinking on the same cognitive level as she was before the accident and that as she gains more control over the physical part of her speech, the conversations will be much more involved. Right now, speech totally exhaust her.

The nurse came in to see her. They looked at each other face-to-face and Kelsi whispered quietly to her, "I feel so much like The Little Mermaid." The nurse looked at Dad with the most puzzled look. What did she mean by that? Dad explained that The Little Mermaid lost her voice. Later in conversation she told Dad, "The Little Mermaid got her voice back. So does Kelsi."

Mom began to discuss dinner plans. She didn't like the selections on the menu and said "I want a salad." Puree salad isn't on the menu for obvious reasons. She then told her Mom, "Spinach is gross." Where did that comment come from? Spinach wasn't mentioned and isn't on the menu. Her old likes and dislikes seem to be intact! She said, "I want a Popsicle." Her Mom told her that she can't eat a Popsicle yet because her body isn't ready for it. She indicated that her 3 year old brother gets to have them, why can't she?

She held her hands to her forehead and said, "My head feels weird."

As her day was winding down, she found that by laying on her front she could speak normally. At that point she had a lot to say and everyone could hear what she was saying. Too bad it took until she was very tired to discover this. She was so worn out that she laid her head down on the pillow and fell asleep until dinner came. When dinner came she was so hungry that her total focus was on eating.

For all who are still fasting and praying for Kelsi, thanks. Your faith is making her whole again.