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Team Jackie,
It has been a while since I updated the entire Team, and I apologize for the delay. It has been a busy time, and we were thrown a few curve balls, but everything is moving along.
Thank you to all who sent Jackie a Christmas and/or Birthday gift and/or card. She was able to use the improved dexterity in her right arm and hand to slowly open all of them. She received gifts from loving Team Jackie members from coast to coast!
Jackie's doctors appointment on January 8th went well, but was a bit different than we expected. The plastic surgeons convinced us to hold off on the next procedure as she is doing so well in therapy. They think that the procedure would set her progress back as the recovery would take 3 to 6 months. They did not expect her to be doing as well as she is in her recovery, and don't want to slow her down for what they think is a non-critical surgery. I really wanted to be done with all of her surgeries at UMMC before we went on to Atlanta. But after discussing it with them, I agreed with their recommendation.
So, we spent the next few weeks working on extending her coverage on my Tricare policy, and got her dependent military ID card renewed. Once this was completed, we were able to complete the initial paperwork to get Jackie to the Shepherd Center in the coming weeks. She has still been accepted into their program, but they were expecting it to be after the plastic surgery that got pushed back.
Jackie continues to improve her strength and agility in her legs and right arm. She is using her torso more in therapy during reaching and grabbing exercises. Her assisted walking has been enhanced by her ability to slowly open door handles, push elevator buttons, and navigate throughout the facility. She smiles while she walks, and stares intently at where her next destination is. We no longer take the wheelchair outside when the weather permits. Now, we walk out to the yard, and she sits on the park bench, which is approximately 150 yards from her room. Her drinking of water and juice continues, but has not improved much. She is, however making louder, more frequent sounds with her vocal chords. The improving dexterity in her right arm and hand have allowed her to add more activities of daily living to her arsenal of skills. Jackie smiles more, and even laughs at and with the people that have established a rapport with her. You can imagine how it makes me feel to witness her laughing.
Thank you all for your continued Prayers, Love and Support as she continues her journey through this slow recovery process. You have all stuck with her through this, and it is appreciated more than words can say.
More to follow,
Love,
John
It has been a while since I updated the entire Team, and I apologize for the delay. It has been a busy time, and we were thrown a few curve balls, but everything is moving along.
Thank you to all who sent Jackie a Christmas and/or Birthday gift and/or card. She was able to use the improved dexterity in her right arm and hand to slowly open all of them. She received gifts from loving Team Jackie members from coast to coast!
Jackie's doctors appointment on January 8th went well, but was a bit different than we expected. The plastic surgeons convinced us to hold off on the next procedure as she is doing so well in therapy. They think that the procedure would set her progress back as the recovery would take 3 to 6 months. They did not expect her to be doing as well as she is in her recovery, and don't want to slow her down for what they think is a non-critical surgery. I really wanted to be done with all of her surgeries at UMMC before we went on to Atlanta. But after discussing it with them, I agreed with their recommendation.
So, we spent the next few weeks working on extending her coverage on my Tricare policy, and got her dependent military ID card renewed. Once this was completed, we were able to complete the initial paperwork to get Jackie to the Shepherd Center in the coming weeks. She has still been accepted into their program, but they were expecting it to be after the plastic surgery that got pushed back.
Jackie continues to improve her strength and agility in her legs and right arm. She is using her torso more in therapy during reaching and grabbing exercises. Her assisted walking has been enhanced by her ability to slowly open door handles, push elevator buttons, and navigate throughout the facility. She smiles while she walks, and stares intently at where her next destination is. We no longer take the wheelchair outside when the weather permits. Now, we walk out to the yard, and she sits on the park bench, which is approximately 150 yards from her room. Her drinking of water and juice continues, but has not improved much. She is, however making louder, more frequent sounds with her vocal chords. The improving dexterity in her right arm and hand have allowed her to add more activities of daily living to her arsenal of skills. Jackie smiles more, and even laughs at and with the people that have established a rapport with her. You can imagine how it makes me feel to witness her laughing.
Thank you all for your continued Prayers, Love and Support as she continues her journey through this slow recovery process. You have all stuck with her through this, and it is appreciated more than words can say.
More to follow,
Love,
John