Happy New Year!

Last night as I left Caitlin I walked out of the hospital feeling so very hopeful and amazed at her day. I had listened to her laughing, watched her smiling with an ear to ear grin, observed her writing a long note of her own initiation to the physical therapist, had her show off for her neurologist by bringing her left leg up across the bed and give him a gentle kick and a high five with her left hand, watched her type on the keyboard to inform me of the condition of a patient across the hall that we were concerned about, and that wasn't all of it. So many little things occurred all day long and actually all week long that the list just keeps going on and on. Caitlin gets really frustrated when she isn't able to communicate or I should say when others don't understand her but that happens less and less. We are learning to understand her gestures and expressions quite well. Especially that "Caitlin look" when she thinks you are totally ignorant...one I saw frequently in previous years...but then again I am the mom! On Friday Caitlin is going to add "in water" physical therapy to her "on ground" therapy schedule. They are going to hoist her down into a very warm therapy pool to work on reducing the muscle tonicity on the right side of her body. They are going to give it a try to see how it works and if Caitlin likes doing this. Caitlin's physical therapist, Roger, is just amazing in what he gets Caitlin to do. They really do work well together and you can tell she completely trusts in everything he says. The success of her movement is totally grounded in that relationship. Whatever Roger says, we all must do...the rules according to Caitlin! Roger will not be doing the water therapy but his colleagues will and since he is supportive of this I am sure Caitlin will give it her best effort!
Caitlin will begin attempting to use her cell phone today. If you would like to send her a text message I do believe she may be ready to answer it. The way she is keyboarding lends me to believe that the cell phone will be extremely motivating as well. Her cell phone # is 775-560-6164 in case you don't have it! I can only ask graciously ask that everyone keep praying and holding positive thoughts for Caitlin during 2009!