Doing well, upcoming surgery

We are coming in to the week of Thanksgiving, and we have SOOOO much to be thankful for!  Stephanie is doing really well.  She was very interactive with Jason and myself today.  Using her speak valve to say things to us and asking us questions.  Her nurses are very encouraged about her.  On a side note, I (Jenn) had the privilege of meeting 4 of her therapist on Saturday at a church women's retreat.  What a blessing it was to hear stories and thoughts from these gals as they help her through therapy every day.  They said that she is such a joy to work with and so eager to try things for them.  The speech therapists told me right now they are trying to get her to pick up on a conversation and finish the line to a song.  A sweet story about this, was that the speech therapist said she was asking Stephanie about the business (Shepherds auto body) and wasn't really getting her to chime in.  Then she asked, "well, who makes decisions in the business?", her matter of fact response, "God.".  When you know Stephanie and Art, you know how accurate that statement is.  Her occupational therapists are trying to get her (hard-wired) memory/reflexes to kick in.  They shared that the knowledge is in there, it is just getting her brain to remember and "reconnect" that.

Back to the report from the hospital tonight.  She is doing well.  She has tolerated/passed all of the "blue dye tests" and now awaits a final test ( more on that in a moment) before they can begin the process of removing the feeding tube and trache.  Once again we were reminded how SLOW this process is.  On Wednesday she is having surgery on her skull/bone flap.  Once she is back in the neuro unit (she'll spend 24 hrs in ICU after her bone flap surgery), and she is stable and at her baseline, they'll do a proceedure that uses a camera and goes and looks at Stephanie's airway/vocal cords.  If they don't find any damage to those organs then they'll feel comfortable moving in the direction of removing the trache and feeding tube.  IF there is an abnormality/injury she will need a feeding tube into her stomach, and therefore, the feeding tube in her nose removed.  This is a requirement for her to be moved out of the hospital and over to the rehab hospital.  We are excited that they are talking about those goals for her recovery now!!!

Last week she did fall/get out of bed, but PRAISE THE LORD didn't have any injuries.  She is now seatbelted in to her bed (although she has figured out how to undo the buckle) to keep this from happening again.  She also needs to wear her helmet at all times, should this happen again (although they are taking measures to make sure it doesn't).  So, if you go to visit her and you see her helmet on her it's nothing bad, just protecting her brain.  She is scheduled to go in on Wed to have to bone flap put in.  

Her nurse shared this evening that Stephanie is such an upbeat and positive patient that those factors are really helping her progress....as well as all the love, support, and visits from family and friends!!

As far as how you can help her, right now...if you are able to visit and stay for 1-4 hours...we could use you.  Almost every day she spends time in the cardiac chair.  It is really needed for her to not be left alone while she's sitting in it.  If you are able, and willing, to go spend a chunk on time with her, would you give Jenn a call at home(530-550-8941)She'll call the hospital to find out the approximate time frame she'll be in the chair that day., It would be great to have someone with her during that time.  Take a book to read to her.  Cards or chess to "play with her".   She doesn't need much, just the company and watchful eye of someone who cares for her.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

*Surgery on Wednesday to put back in her bone flap in her skull.  Prayers that there would not be any sort of infection, guidance of the surgeons hands and that Stephanie's body would respond well.

*Continued healing and strengthening of there swallowing muscles.  That she would continue to improve and be able to have her trache and feeding tube removed.
*Her kinked neck.  Laying in a hopsital bed for 6 weeks will really do a number on your back and neck.  She has no neck injury from the accident....but was in a lot of pain and discomfort today due to a kinked neck and tight upper shoulders.  Pray that this discomfort would go away.
*Wisdom for the nurses and therapists as they work with her.
*Continued patience for our family.  Its pretty safe to say we are all pretty tired and just wanting Grandma home (although we know it won't be for a while).
*Comfort for our family as we go through the upcoming holiday week.  That we would be reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness and not experience pain, sorrow or fear as a result of the current situation of Stephanie.