I can't begin to tell you the excitement and awe that I am writing with tonight. Last week I had worked with Caitlin on letters after watching the communication therapist attempt to have Caitlin identify letters with a yes or no. It was not a successful experience for the CT nor for me. I was fretting about this all week but didn't want to stress Caitlin by working on this. With this anxiety inside I watched as the CT put a cup and a spoon on the hospital table. She then held up a card with "You use this to stir your coffee." She told Caitlin to read the card and pick the correct object. Caitlin immediately touched the spoon. Then the CT put a hammer and a screwdriver on the table. The card read "You pound nails into wood with this." Caitlin immediately touched the hammer. The CT did this activity with different objects and sentences about 8 more times. Each time Caitlin just looked at the card and picked the correct object. I was astounded that this was happening. My girl could read silently, process the answer, and then move her hand to touch the correct object. We were cheering! Caitlin glowed with pride!
My stand up and cheer for myself occurred last night when I was told that I could have had comped valet parking at the hospital for the last five weeks. Today I got my very special yellow card to do exactly this. It was great not to be walking in a dark parking lot by myself at the end of a long day shivering and shaking from the cold and a bit of fear. I had been calling Dagmar every night once I got into my car so that she would know I was safe. If I didn't call her by 8:30 she was tracking me down. Thankfully she is a very conscientious friend!
Caitlin got casted today for orthodics with an ankle support type brace that she will be wearing inside of her shoes. This will be exciting for Caitlin to put on shoes when she finally does. It will make her physical therapy more successful as well because now she is attempting to push her foot across the floor in "boots" that she wears to hold her ankle in a correct position. These boots are big and clunky but very helpful in preventing drop down of her foot (where her toes are pointed downward instead of her having a flexed foot).
Learning about how one's brain heals and recovers is a fascinating lesson I never would have chosen to learn. But since the adversity of Caitlin's stroke came upon us I have a whole new respect for life and all that I have always taken foregranted. I couldn't think of a better teacher for me than my sweet Caitlin!
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6 comments:
CAitlin I continue to be so thrilled and excited by all your progress. You are such a fighter and hard worker I know you work as hard as you can for all your accomplishments. To see and hear of all your confidence in every bit of progress you make is thrilling and we are all behind you 100%. Your Mom may even get a new career as some type of therapist because of all the skills and information she is obtaining. You are a team and I know first hand that you are both strong and will accomplish every goal you set for yourself. I love you very much and cheer for every accomplishment with you.Keep up the hard work.
I hope the sun is shining through your window today. So many people ask me how you are doing. I tell them to read the blog, so now your blog is being shared with new and old friends. Even my mom is trying to use her computer so she can read the blog too. We are all part of the Caitlin Fan Club.
Today we are going to upload some pictures of our family. I certainly wouldn't want you to forget what "Glamma" looks like!
Keep smiling and remember that out of difficulties can come miracles.
This is absolutely AMAZING Caitlin! I know it may feel small, but it's HUGE! I'm proud of you for taking each challenge as it comes and heading it straight on. This is how you have always been and I would not expect any different = ) You are a fighter and no one is about to tell you differently.
It's ironic you just got fitted for orthotics. We just had an orthotist come and talk to our class the other day and I was talking to him about you and thinking about you as he was giving our lecture. I had it all planned out in my head what you needed. = ) Of course, I am sure you were well taken care of and am thrilled that these braces will be a new addition to your collection! They will be of tremendous help when you are up and about walking.
Keep up the fight lady! Love you and will see in in a few weeks. Hope you enjoyed your visit with Claire and Jess = )
LOVE YOU!
Family, friends and congregations continue to cheer you along as we pray for your daily progress. Kathy, I am so thankful of your continued postings to keep us informed. We hold you all so close in thought and hope each day. Keep up the terrific work, Caitlin. We continue to be inspired by both of you CHAMPS! Love & squishy hugs, M & M (like the candy)
Caitlin,
You are a champion!! You are making it happan and it fills me with joy to hear how great you are doing - each you make mountains of progress!! Keep up the good work. My thoughts and prayers are with you daily. Love to both you and Mom!! Kathy-Josh's mom
Caito -
I hear you are making a ton of progress. Here is some news to get you up and running....Stephanie Boettcher is getting married! Crazy, I know. It seems like only yesterday you and I were annoying her with our country music karaoke and now we are all grown up and scattered our separate ways. Take care of yourself and get up and running soon!
-Salli
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