Saturday, January 27, 2007

Schoolwork Added to the Mix

Hello to Sarah's Team from CHOP:

Sarah had a good week. Our favorite mountain climber is continuing her trek toward recovery. Her work day begins at 9 and ends around 4. She completes several hours of therapy everyday, and now schoolwork has been added to the mix. As mentioned before, the Docs know that this takes tremendous energy, and Sarah is doing her part and maintaining good spirits. It sounds like she really sleeps well from all the hard work.

She is starting to eat a little more and is sampling pureed foods. She likes vanilla shakes and since there is a McDonald's located downstairs in the hospital she can get a treat now and then. She enjoys all the cards and e-cards; Brigid reads them all to her, so thanks to everyone for the well wishes. To all you bloggers out there, everyone is welcome to send Sarah a message on her cool site - Sarah's Place http://www.sarahgblog.blogspot.com/, and we will get the messages to her. Or you can reply back here and I will get her the message.

Thanks everyone for staying in touch - Sarah knows that she has a lot of wonderful people pulling for her - and it helps! UJ.

Friday, January 19, 2007

"I Want to Work"

To Sarah's team:

Just got off the phone with Brigid to find out how Sarah is doing, and I can report that everyone should be proud of Sarah. As you know, the program with the therapists is critical to her recovery, and it sounds like her workload increases everyday. Brigid is coaching her, encouraging her to give it her best effort, and then a little more, encouraging Sarah to think and work like Lance Armstrong, and Sarah is responding. She had completed the PT for the day, and the next therapist was going to give her a break because Sarah was feeling some nauseau with a headache. Sarah had been lying down with her eyes closed at this point but when she heard this she rolled over and announced slowly "I want to work."

Go Sarah Go! (Is everyone looking for there dog-eared list of New Year's resolutions now?)

So Sarah is certainly doing her part and she is relearning how to use everything. Yesterday she completed about 30 steps on the parallel bars, down and back, with improved control of her steps. She is sitting in her chair for longer periods and she continues to practice speech, I got a "hello Uncle John" today on the phone. Also, she is getting some tastes of Italian ice and yogurt - evidently it takes over 25 muscles to swallow some food, and who knows how many to sit up straight in a chair?

Clinically she is getting better, not backsliding, she is doing her work, and they are continuously increasing her load. Now they are adding cognitive questions to the mix, and next week they will start some schoolwork, which I am sure Sarah will enjoy. She gets fatigued from all of this but that is all part of her program of recovery.

So, all is good heading into the weekend! UJ.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

First Steps...

1/14/07

Sarah is continuing her work with the PT, OT, and ST. I think the sessions last for several hours each day, but the workload is a little lighter on weekends. That is good, because it is all still very tiring. Brigid said she started a new medication, to facilitate her emergence. (forgot to ask how long that will last, but I will find out.) All is ok, not too much to report on tonight.

Oh, except she did take about 15 steps yesterday with the PT's help, and she is starting to talk! She can say a few words now and she laughs at the sound of her own voice. (because her vocal cords are a bit rusty after their layoff.) But knowing Sarah, we all fully expect that situation to be resolved soon!

Sarah Go!

Thursday, January 11, 2007

January 11, 2006

To Sarah's Team:

Sarah is having a good week, and in general, her transition to CHOP is going smoothly. We just got the word that the Docs removed Sarah's trach! (as in tracheotomy.) This procedure will allow Sarah to make more progress in her recovery, so it is welcome news. More work with the PT, OT, and ST - Sarah will be quite busy everyday, and she will soon have an opportunity to start utilizing more facilities, like the rec room, exercise equip, etc.

Her climb up the mountain continues, but it is very tiring, so please keep Sarah in your thoughts and prayers. Now lots of work! Sarah Go!

UJ

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Next!

Spoke to Brigid, Sarah had the procedure yesterday to remove the Venus filter - everything went well and she did great. She was back in her room yesterday resting comfortablly. It is back to work today with the PT, OT, and ST. ( You can't stay out of school for anything these days.)

Check that off the list. Next!

UJ

Saturday, January 6, 2007

January 6 Update

Sarah's Team:

More good news from our Gold Medal Contestant:

Sarah had a procedure yesterday in the OR to replace her shunt. It was not an emergency, but the good Docs detected that it wasn't working properly on Thursday, so in she went. She handled the procedure well and a short while later she was in recovery. Evidently, this is something that can happen quite frequently with these devices, and in the scheme of things it doesn't sound like it is too hard for the Docs to do.

I just spoke to Brigid and she senses a greater awareness, connection, and communication with Sarah since the surgery. Although she is not fully awake yet and we don't know when that time will come, she is doing well neurologically. Yes!

Next up on the docket, to be scheduled, is the removal of a venus filter (clot prevention), and her trach - both implanted at Danville. Both of these steps will mark new milestones toward her recovery and Mark and Brigid are excited about that. More mobility, including trips to the recreation area, and more work on speech will be facilitated by these procedures.

So our superstar is moving forward and doing her part. They are having a nice weekend with Sarah and she is resting now. Sarah Go!

UJ.

Friday, January 5, 2007

Going for the Gold

Written on Jan 2, only posted now as I have been traveling, etc.-Phantom

Quick hello to Sarah's Team (from Uncle John):

Spoke to Brigid tonight, she wanted to say hello to everyone. Sounds like she is getting used to CHOP, the new routine, and life in the big city, and so is Sarah - she seems to be well aware of the activity and her surroundings. The days are full of activity, and Sarah is working with the PT (physical therapist), OT ( Occupational Therapist), and ST (Speech Therapist) - with all this work she is going for the gold.

All good, but what we are hearing is that this work is very tiring - and it will be for awhile. The OT or ST (not sure, some of this seems to overlap) will be providing a "communication board" to help Sarah expand communication beyond her present capability of answering yes or no with her fingers. The board will have other images, presumably to add more language to the discussions. The ST gave her some Italian Ice today. (Don't know what flavor but I am told lemon is the only real Italian Ice.) She liked it, and this is another step along the way back, (eating and drinking is important after all) and it will help her get ready to speak.

So, the CHOP program is in high gear, with the "assess, plan, work, and then rest" stuff continuing. Interestingly, she did communicate in a new way today. She decided she reached her limit with the PT, and, while sitting on the edge of her bed, she just turned and rolled back in, deciding that it was time for the "rest" part of the program to begin. Sometimes she just wants to do things her way. Brigid finds this level of obstinance amusing, and for some reason, it reminded her of Sarah's dad, Mark! (Had to work that in...)

But, all kidding aside, Sarah doesn’t exhibit obstinance! It is all good. Brigid also said that she is seeing Sarah smile and laugh more frequently now. You never know when that is coming.- but it is certainly good to hear.

Uncle John.

Monday, January 1, 2007

From Uncle John

As the year draws to a close, we send out special thanks from our family to everyone on Sarah’s Team. We have seen so much kindness since Sarah’s accident and with the passing of our dear mother, Nana, that it is difficult to put everything into words.

From the onset of this ordeal, there has been a constant flow of good will that has been extended to the Casey and Godfrey families. We have felt everyone’s shared concern and heard your reassurances, we have received both simple acts of kindness and unbelievable generosity and through it all – we have had your constant friendship, reminding us of the goodness of humanity.

The list of people to whom we owe our gratitude is long. To our wonderful neighbors, who attended to Sarah right away and stayed with our mother – thank you!

To the first responders, friends, and everyone on the scene – thank you! Thanks to the “life-flighters,” to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Geisinger, and now CHOP. To our family members everywhere, to distant friends and associates who have stayed in constant touch, to the local community, and businesses that has been so incredibly supportive - thank you!

We have had people around the world rallying behind Sarah with good deed, thought, and prayer. This has helped Sarah, and all of us, get through a very difficult time.

And Sarah is doing well! Her transition to CHOP has been successful and her therapy is underway. Last night, looking into Sarah’s eyes, Brigid sensed a level of warmth and awareness from Sarah unseen since before the accident. The doctors and therapists are pleased with both her progress and her effort, she is emerging toward consciousness, and the outlook is improving. Sarah’s long climb up her own Mt. Everest is well underway!

In closing, thank you again everyone, and best wishes to each of you for a Healthy and Happy New Year! UJ.

From Uncle Pat

You want some good news on New Year's Day? Here it is.

Thanks again for everyone’s kind wishes and concern. Today, New Year’s Eve 2006 finds Sarah on the third floor of Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania. She is gradually returning to full consciousness and one of her doctors told Brigid that someday Sarah would surely walk again, even run, based upon what she is currently showing. This is tremendous news.

Sarah has a lot of hard work to do and she’s in one of the best facilities in the country for getting that work done. She sits with assistance in a chair for set periods throughout the day. She has a daily routine under the direction of highly skilled Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapists. At the end of the day she is very tired. Sarah communicates with the staff and our family by hand signal and shows that she is aware of everything going on around her. She has been laughing at her Dad’s antics.

Within a few months we anticipate Sarah will return home to Wilkes-Barre where she can continue her rehabilitation on an outpatient basis. We all look forward to such a time when her friends can visit her and support her full recovery. Meanwhile keep her in your thoughts and keep checking for updates on this blog. Understand though that Sarah has thankfully moved past the critical period and now she is in a slow and tough period where there are not so many big events to report. We will keep you posted as important details emerge.

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