We are Back!!

Karen and I went to get Lisa at St Francis this morning, they had her ready to go. We were in that place less than 20 min. and on our way out the door several techs stopped us and hugged us and told us to keep in touch. They fell in love with Lisa. We took her International Gymnast magazine and some other interesting letters and articles about her so they would know how far she had come since she contracted encephalitis.
Everyone who has ever read about her, connect with her in some way and they love her. As we left, we each had tears in our eyes. We have a long, hard road ahead of us...but we will take whatever is given us.

We stopped by the store to see Dad and Carolyn, then to her apt to grab some clothes and shoes. We arrived at Bro-Menn at 12:15. They were waiting for us and were very accommodating. Lisa has a very good group of nurses. The director of Rehab for the hospital personally came out to get her in the wheelchair. He was so good with her and to her. He grabbed her gait belt and helped her out out of the car and sat her in the chair. She is not able to stand or turn on her own. He mentioned how strong she was and told her that she was going to do great!

We wheeled her up to her room and hung out there the rest of the afternoon. The nurses came in and talked to us for awhile, they are getting to know Lisa abit. Lisa is talking alot, she has her opinions. She is not focusing out of her left eye, isn't tracking. Permanent damage??? we don't know right now. They will figure it out. She is in good hands. We are so happy she is here.

Visiting hours are at 4:00 until whenever she is tired...8:00-8:30. She is ready to see other people, let me tell ya! She wants people to come see her, and it would do her good to know how much she is thought of, and not forgotten. She is in room 365.

She has received many cards...so we plastered them all over her room. Let's just say it is very colorful! She will be able to look at them on any 3 walls she can see! With each card given, she has looked intently at each one and when read the contents and the people who sent them, she replies, "that was nice of them" or "that was sweet"

She practiced signing her name today, she did very well. I don't know if she can read though. She was not able to tell us what was on the cover of a notepad...her initial "L".

She is still very sleepy, has her eyes closed alot, but I think the light hurts her eyes. She is not complaining of much. We asked her if she wanted meds for her headache, she not not until 8:00 pm. We finally got her to take something at 4:30. She still has a fever but it comes down after Tylenol.

Tomorrow she will be assessed in speech, OT, and PT. I will be with her to help interpret for the assessors what she could do before and to interpret to Lisa what they mean. I don't think there will be any problems. I am thankful she can talk. That is a plus, and those rehab people have worked with much less than Lisa can do. She will be just fine.

When asked about her arm and how she can't move it she just said, "It will take time" She is right. She is teaching me that it will take time...I need that reassurance.