Saturday September 22, 2007

Kelsi completed her first full 24 hour day at home yesterday. She is very happy to be back with family and friends and even happier to be out of the limited world of living in a hospital room. She went to her sister's track meet, celebrated her youngest brother's birthday, visited with friends that dropped by, played some games and did some therapeutic exercises designed to overcome the challenges she still faces.
Kelsi's parents have discussed the continuation of daily updates to this blog and have determined that trying to keep daily updates of her progress is not really useful or practical since the remaining recovery will take months. Updates will be done as significant events occur or milestones are met, rather than on a daily basis. In general, the following is a summary of what needs to happen before Kelsi has completely recovered:
1) Double Vision must go away. This already goes away at times. This affects her walking, reading and generally anything else that you use your eyes for. The doctor indicated that this problem should go away on its own, but that it could be surgically repaired if is doesn't.
2) Small motor skills must be refined. This affects her walking, writing and anything that takes small muscle movements. This has rapidly improved and should continue to do so.
3) Muscles must get stronger. Living in a hospital room for 51 days causes the muscles to become weak. It will take weeks or months for them to return to full strength.
4) Kelsi's days will become longer. Right now her brain requires more sleep to continue to recover. She will gradually recover to the point that she needs the same amount of sleep as everyone else. Until then, when she gets tired, she will need to take a nap.
5) Kelsi must relearn some of the things that were forgotten as a result of the brain injury. These don't appear to be big blocks of data, just small things that are observed as she goes about her regular day.
6) Kelsi will be integrated back into the school system. This will not happen all at once. She will start out slowly and build up until she is attending the regular school day.
Kelsi's story is like a really good book. A tragedy happened, conflicts occurred and the the good guys won. Unlike fiction, the real live miracle happened and it doesn't just end with "and they all lived happily ever after".
This blog was started to help all who have fasted and prayed for Kelsi to have a place to track her progress and to share in the miracle of her recovery. Where Kelsi is home and can meet with those closest to her, this blog is probably not as useful as it was when she was in the hospital. Those who are more distant, who are following her progress, praying for her and are interested in the progress of the milestones listed above, are invited to comment on this blog so that we know how useful it is and can determine how best to proceed.
Thanks again for your prayers of faith.

Friday September 21, 2007

I'm home!!!!

Thursday September 20, 2007

This evening Kelsi wanted to go on a walk with her Dad. Dad asked her if she wanted to go outside. She did. As they walked toward the setting sun, Kelsi found the light extremely bright for her still dialated eyes. She closed her eyes as she walked and said, "Dad, you need to pretend you are walking with a blind person." Dad guided her past any troublespots as they walked completely around the west side of the hospital as well as through the Moran Eye Center, an adjacent hospital. The walk was long and they had to stop, sit and rest periodically. Kelsi became aware of how weak her legs felt after laying on her back in bed for most of the past 7 weeks. Physical therapy has done a great deal of help, but to get all of her strength back will take much more time and effort. She commented a couple of times on how she walks funny. She also commented that her voice sounds funny too. Dad told her that the fact that she can hear and feel the differences from her past abilities are helping her brain to restore them. Kelsi called her Mom a couple times just to be sure she got home safe. The concern she has always shown for others has returned. Dad was able to explain to Kelsi that prior to her accident she was a very righteous and faithful person and that our Heavenly Father has blessed her faithfulness by quickly healing her. Conversations with Kelsi have been very close to the conversations of the past as a big part of her ability to understand is now returning. Throughout the day Kelsi has wanted to know all of the details about what those who were surrounding her did as they waited for Life Flight.
Tomorrow evening Kelsi will come home. Those who know her will note many things that still need a lot of time to get better. She will be very tired. The time that people can visit her will need to be limited so she continues to get the rest she needs. It will be some time before she can attend school, but she will slowly be able to get back. No one who hasn't had a similar experience can fully understand the level of effort Kelsi has put out to get better. Anyone who really knows Kelsi, knows how hard she will continue to work to fully recover. All who have faithfully fasted and prayed for Kelsi should be able to see the hand of the Lord in healing her. Many have prayed for Kelsi. We thank you for that. Please continue your prayers as she re-enters the real world.

September 19, 2007

Today Kelsi had her dream lunch! Several weeks ago her therapists told her that they would take her to Cafe Rio when she could talk loud enough for them to hear her order. Today we went! She was so excited! We were a little concerned whether the noise and crowd would be too much stimulation but she did great!
She used scissors for the first time today, since her fall. It is amazing to us as her parents to see her struggle at things we all take for granted.
When Mom got home tonight she was very surprised when she answered her cell phone to find Kelsi on the other end. She was bored and wanted to talk. She called all by herself without any help from the nurses.
Whenever anyone asks her what she is most excited about as far as going home goes, she says, "My little brothers." That made them feel special. She always has had a great love for those little guys! Of course, her answer may vary depending on what she is thinking about at the time.
Today was a very long, long day. She is definitely getting hospitalitis. (we all are) She was in and out of her bed constantly. She would just walk around her room bored out of her mind!
We sure appreciate all of you who have kept up on Kelsi's progress each day! There are so many people who love her! She (and us) is so grateful to each of you and all you have done for her.

Tuesday September 18, 2007

The doctors and therapists met today and decided that although Kelsi may be ready to go home this week, they felt that because she was still making such tremendous progress, it would be best to give her another week of therapy in the hospital. They discussed their ideas with Kelsi's parents, strongly advising that another week of therapy would be good for Kelsi, but gave them the choice to make the final decision. Kelsi seemed to be sleeping during the conversation, but when the medical staff left, she sat up in bed and gave her opinion on the decision to be made. Her parents weren't quite sure if she had really understood what went on in the conversation. She made it clear that she had by repeating key parts. She said that she wants to go home this Friday. On September 11 the medical staff made a poster with 12 goals that they felt Kelsi should meet before she was ready to go home. Kelsi and the medical staff agreed that the goals would be the criteria for going home. Kelsi's parents considered those goals. She has met them all. She worked very hard to accomplish each of them. Now, after she had already done her part, they wanted to raise the bar! Kelsi's parents decided that the 12 goals were a contract with Kelsi. To change that now was not fair or honest. They quickly decided that Kelsi goes home on Friday. Certainly Kelsi could make a lot of progress if left in the hospital for many more weeks, but what would that teach her about setting and achieving worthy goals?
Kelsi is doing awesome in her progress. One could not pray for much better success on her part. Once the decision was made for her to go this week, the medical staff invited her to a small celebration for all those who are returning home this week. The first to leave was a 7 year old that had been seriously hurt in a car accident. Another that was hurt on a 4-wheeler leaves tomorrow. This is an incredible week for many of the patients who have suffered under similar circumstances. The child that was mentioned previously in this blog series, and that some of you may be praying for, leaves tomorrow too. Your faith and prayers have been heard and answered. Thanks for all the love and faith you have given to Kelsi. Please continue to pray for her. She may be home soon, but the road to a complete recovery and the integration back into school is long. She will need all the help she can get.
For those of you who are anxiously awaiting her return - get ready - she's coming home!

Monday September 17, 2007

Kelsi's handwriting is getting better. You can actually read it. That may not sound like much, but it used to be hard for her to even hold the marker. She went 2 MPH on the treadmill for 11 to 12 minutes. She has improved even more in all areas of her therapy. She had a visit from her 6th grade teacher today. Her teacher just found out about her accident today. She was so concerned that she was in tears. She was so happy to see her.
Kelsi wants to say something now ...
Hey kids, I haved been in the hospital for way too long. I want to go home soon. Thanks for all of your prayers. Thanks for coming to see me. Speech therapy is boring. If you tell my speech therapist I said that - you are in trouble. My favorite is occupational therapy and physical therapy. I better go.
I love you,
Kelsi

September 16, 2007

Kelsi had a blast spending the day at home today. She attended young women and sacrament meeting. She had a total of 22 visitors come to the house after church before she headed back to the hospital. She was very sad to have to go back, but she also understands that she must do this for now.
She has been walking all over the place. Her wheelchair never left the car. She loves being home and can't wait until she can stay.
Last night we were told that on Tuesday the team of doctors, therapists and nurses will choose a discharge date for her to look forward to. They will make her a countdown calendar to mark the days. We can hardly wait to hear what day it will be.
While reading from the Book of Mormon tonight as a family, we were reading from Moroni chapter 7. We really enjoyed the part where Mormon was talking about faith and miracles. If you haven't read this lately, read it. We have personally seen the miracles brought forth by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only the faith of Kelsi and our family, but also the faith of so many friends and family around the world. Thank you so much for joining us in prayer and fasting and faith over the last 46 days. You have all been part of this miracle! We realize that she still has a long road ahead before she is fully recovered but the progress she has made is overwhelming! Thank you!