I want to get this update on the blog before I get too many more "gentle" reminders from the ardent members of Sarah's Team. You folks are nothing if not the most loyal, generous, and concerned group of people around - so here goes:
I talked to Mark and Brigid, and other family members who went to CHOP, and I saw Sarah myself today. There is nothing really dramatic to report about the week - maybe because she has come so far already - and that is probably what we should expect for the near future. She did climb some stairs in PT, and she is increasingly mobile at CHOP in her chair. This week she attended an ice cream social to celebrate one of the teens opportunity to go home, and her Dad took her outside for a bit of fresh air. Earlier in the week they even videotaped Sarah at work in PT - to show other students - prime evidence of her hard work and all of this is good news.
Perhaps even more importantly, (and this is certain) - Sarah still has her positive, indomitable attitude - and she is putting it to good use everyday. Consider that for a moment and be amazed - the child doesn't allow herself to have a "down day." She continues to do everything she needs to do without complaint, in fact, she does it with good cheer. Vintage Sarah.
Sarah GO!
Sarah had a really good week again.
Regards, UJ
Monday, February 19, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
A Ride to McDonald's
Hello Sarah's Team:
Try taking a couple days off from this gig and you find out that there are a lot of nice people waiting (almost patiently) for an update. So apologies for keeping you waiting too long - here is the latest from CHOP.
I took our two girls to visit Sarah today - just got back a little while ago and Sarah is doing fine. The Sunday work load is lighter, so there was time for playing cards, watching TV and talking with her cousins. She is enjoying more solid food and the flu bug is now in the rear view mirror of last week. (Let's hope that is over.)
The good news is that Sarah is moving along with the program, making progress, and the Docs / therapists are pleased with her effort - so they keep her busy everyday. Along with all the PT, OT, and ST, she now has an hour of school work each day, and on Tuesday she gets to go to the pool. She did convince Brigid the other day that she was ready for her first ride downstairs to McDonald's (and it is a hike) so they won't be holding her back for long. Also, they have movies in the atrium on certain evenings and Sarah heard about this and true to her nature she wants to go. Maybe she will get to have her popcorn at the movies soon. There are other teenagers on the unit and they visit each other so that is good too. All in all a good week at CHOP- so thanks for keeping in touch here, or on the blog. http://www.sarahgblog.blogspot.com/
Take care till the next update,
UJ.
Try taking a couple days off from this gig and you find out that there are a lot of nice people waiting (almost patiently) for an update. So apologies for keeping you waiting too long - here is the latest from CHOP.
I took our two girls to visit Sarah today - just got back a little while ago and Sarah is doing fine. The Sunday work load is lighter, so there was time for playing cards, watching TV and talking with her cousins. She is enjoying more solid food and the flu bug is now in the rear view mirror of last week. (Let's hope that is over.)
The good news is that Sarah is moving along with the program, making progress, and the Docs / therapists are pleased with her effort - so they keep her busy everyday. Along with all the PT, OT, and ST, she now has an hour of school work each day, and on Tuesday she gets to go to the pool. She did convince Brigid the other day that she was ready for her first ride downstairs to McDonald's (and it is a hike) so they won't be holding her back for long. Also, they have movies in the atrium on certain evenings and Sarah heard about this and true to her nature she wants to go. Maybe she will get to have her popcorn at the movies soon. There are other teenagers on the unit and they visit each other so that is good too. All in all a good week at CHOP- so thanks for keeping in touch here, or on the blog. http://www.sarahgblog.blogspot.com/
Take care till the next update,
UJ.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Happy Ground Hog Day
To Sarah's Team:
Little slow down with a touch of the flu-bug yesterday and today, other kids on the unit have it too, so she is resting now. But, Sarah continues to move forward with her workload. Brigid said she did up to 40 steps with her walker the other day, and she is going to get to do some swim therapy later today if she feels better. She definitely wants to get in the pool. Also, they added art therapy to the mix, and they are continuing with school work and all her other activities. Every day she is showing some more progress with speech, and she is doing better with eating too.
Brigid is with her now and she is looking forward to seeing her Dad on the weekend. Thanks everyone for keeping in touch, all your e-messages are sent to Brigid at CHOP, and they are most encouraging, so hit the blog or email back whenever you want. http://www.sarahgblog.blogspot
Good weekend to everyone on Sarah's Team!
UJ
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.
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.
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!
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)