Hi Guys and Girls,
Its been a few weeks since I last gave you an update directly from me. As always my wonderful friend Sue is putting all this together for me since I still cant use both my hands for typing or moving the mouse around. Although I am beginning to use the voice recognition software for short things. Anyway, I am so grateful for everything Sue does for me every day you should never have to be in a position to have a friend like her but if you do Sue would be the model you would want.
My condition improves every day. I have been for six weeks now and I am making progress every day. That progress some days is big and other days it is small. For example up until this morning I had not been able to roll over by myself. Today I can roll over when I am in bed. Two weeks ago I was wheelchair bound, now I can, with assistance walk to the bathroom, and even to the dining room. Today I was able to put on my own shirt whereas last week I was not able to lift my right arm at all.
Each day is filled with a routine that has been designed to help me get back to living a productive life. Physical therapy works with me on how to walk, and move, and maintain balance. Occupational therapy works with me on how to care for my self, wash my face, put on clothes, brush my teeth. I even was able to bake some cookies the other day in the small mock apartment they have here where people learn how to care for themselves.
Sue and TJ have turned my room here into a little Pink Condo all my things are in different pink containers and bins with big index cards taped to them so I know where to find things and where the staff here can find things. I was getting a bit to confused before that and now its easier. I still have difficulty focusing on things and I have to concentrate. When I have too many visitors at one time I have to ask some to leave because I cant keep track of all of it. This got a bit out of hand and now I have asked visitors to call first before coming in. I love visitors as it keeps me connected to my friends and the outside life but it needed to be organized as well. We have a big calendar on the wall and people schedule when they will be coming in and it helps me have something to look forward too. It also helps me plan time with my three wonderful children, my Aunt and my Mom.
You may have read in some posts from Don ( D_B) that they have let me out of here on occasion. There is a program here that allows certain trained people to take me across the street to the little mall there to pick up videos or to get my hair cut, to get pizza and ice cream. I was even able to get my nails done! (PINK) I treasure those simple things that we all take for granted, even if only for an hour or so. Last weekend the hospital arranged for a group of us here to go to the movies and we saw Pirates of the Caribbean II and my children came with me. It was just like we used to do as a family.
My challenges each day continue to test me. Sometimes I feel like the Tin Man all rusted and creaky. I cant use my right hand for much more than gripping. The fingers dont want to work yet so I am quickly becoming a lefty. I get afraid that when I am walking that I will lose balance and fall. I have a childrens writing book and I trace the letters with a pink marker. I get my laptop out from time to time but that just gets frustrating I want to type but it just becomes hunt and peck. I get to read the posts and some PMs that come in but its very hard for me to respond quickly.. The voice recognition software is helping me with cognitive work and is allowing me to send some notes and to get back and communicate with my friends. I still get headaches and some things are still painful but the medications help. Finally my sleep pattern has gotten better to where I can sleep for 4-5 hours at a time some nights.
Cards and flowers and gifts and things show up here every day and I cant tell you enough how it touches me that you have all put out this tremendous effort for me. Sometimes I just cry. My head is in a good place though every once in a while I get a little blue. Most of the time I am smiling and laughing when friends and family are around and I get excited when I accomplish something new. I have learned to be patient.
Some milestones here have been climbing the stairs, being able to crawl on all fours without falling down. And most of all being able to hug my children with both arms.
The plan here is to keep working me so that when its time to leave I can walk out of here. A lot has to do with my progress and how much they can push my insurance company. I have weekly visits with my complete medical team and everything that is done I am included in. As you can expect I am not quiet about what I want. But these people in the stroke center here have been just fantabulous for me. I want to stay here as long as I can so that when I leave I can take care of myself and then my children who are with my Aunt now.
My case worker tells me that my benefit package from work also had long term disability coverage in it but that wont kick in until about October and we really dont know how much is going to be there. But I am starting to take some more control of my finances and am paying some bills on line again. The fund that you all set up for me at
http://www.tekdivegirl.org is already coming in very handy. I cant thank you all enough for what a wonderful thing you have done for me. I understand that there are continuing efforts to keep filling that up. I am just so very grateful for the friends I have out there. I have to thank Tracy and Howard and Garrett for leading the efforts there it is greatly appreciated. To not have to worry about some of the things that will not be covered by insurance eases my mind to no end. Thank you.
So, thats it for now from me. Im tired and needs some rest. Thank you again for all your good wishes and Pink Positive thoughts for my recovery. I will get another update to you when I can.
Love Kimber
