Monday, August 10, 2009

Progress June-July

So, I'm usually in Florida every other week nowadays. I hate it when we go to the beach because I know Darleen's going to be mad at me for going without her, but I've saved some sea shells. =)

I also saved this pic of a hot LifeGuard for her. Haha.

Last time I was in Florida, she has been a lot more aware. She has actually moved to another room and is sharing a room with other patients now. Don't be alarmed! This is a good thing, as much as my face twitches when I say she's sharing a room now... I know that she is well enough to be moved to a multi-care room and not so intensive to be often tended to in her single room.

There are reflexologist that come three times a week. Twice a week are volunteered. Physical theraphy comes once week -volunteered. Reiki once a week- volunteered. We are overwhelmed with the generosity of people that have come into our lives. These specialists have volunteered their own personal time to see Darleen. We are SO thankful.

My dad does physical therapy excercises when he visits her everyday and he told me that she can do something new! When my dad asks her to raise her leg, she can raise it slightly on her OWN! My dad has done these little exercises with her everyday since she's been in recovery, so he doesn't realize the impact. He knows its progress, but I was in utter excitement when she showed me she could lift her leg ON HER OWN. That means she's starting to gain a little more muscle tone to be able to do this on her own. She is not as tense as she used to be, so she no longer has hand and foot braces to help keep her from tensing up. I know that it has taken a year for us to get this far, but this "little" progress is a lot more than most head trauma patients.

She can't talk yet, but I can definitely tell she wants to. When I talk to her I know that she's paying attention and looking at me like she really understands what I am saying. I feel connected with her when I talk and especially because I talk so much! =) When I tell her I borrowed her clothes, I know she wants to call me a "Bitch!" She moves her lips as if she's about to say something, but she just can't get the words out because she still has a trach hooked up to her throat for breathing. She is not yet eating solid foods on her own, so she tends to have phlegm. In due time, this will come off for vocal coaching.

While I've been on hiatus from this blog, I've noticed a lot of you have sent a lot more donations either via paypal or physical check. Thank you so much for your support! And I know many of you have myspaced & emailed me asking me to get off my lazy bum. =) Also greatly appreciated.

Feel free to email me at betherewithdarleen@gmail.com, if you want my address to send any cards or pictures. I also want to post any good pictures from graduation and/or that her friends have. Let me know!

-Malina

Here is a pic of the bird exhibit in the rehabilitation hospital she is staying at:

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Honorary Diploma

So I haven't updated in a while. I APOLOGIZE everyone, I've been traveling a lot and work is swamped, so no time to post on here.

Anyway..... Good news, thank you all for wearing purple on your graduation! Darleen would really appreciate it and our family definitely does. If any of you have pix, please send them to me!

Darleen got an Honorary Diploma from Haines City High School. This is a huge deal! This is the kind of stuff Oprah gets from Universities! Lol. She has been recognized for her accomplishments while she was in highschool and it is really endearing to have the support of all her fellow classmates and Haines City High School. We're very appreciative of what Haines City HS has done for us and thank all of you for caring so much for your friend and our family.

David graduated 8th grade, it would've been awesome if they got to graduate at the same time! But next big step for us (Mia and I) is watching him be girl crazy! He's grown a lot, he's even taller than me! I used to be the tallest in the family at 5'4", but he's at 5'6" and he's on his way to the big leagues, HIGH SCHOOL!

Here's a pic of some of the photos in Darleen's room. And HEY FRIENDS - send me some photos and I will put them in a frame of her room. Email me at betherewithdarleen@gmail.com for my address. This will be great for reminiscing!

- Malina

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Perspective

To put something into perspective... and as much as I try not to be sappy. I'm just in that type of mood =D.

I wanted to ask some questions that may seem a little disheartening. Although I am highly postive and cheer for Darleen's recovery, I sometimes find myself reflective and pondering what is she thinking, why wasn't it me, could it have been better, could it have been worse, what could have happened if..., etc, etc? Let me ask you these questions that I think about to myself...

If this is in your past or present...
What were you doing when you were 17?
What were you doing when you were 18?
What were you thinking about when you were at school?
What were you doing in the summer?
What were you thinking about when you were at graduation?
What were you feeling like when you went to the parties after graduation?

Sometimes these things break my heart thinking back and knowing what I, myself, was doing when I was 17 & 18, what I was doing when I was in high school, what I was doing when I graduated, what I was doing at those after graduation parties, what I was doing for spring break, summer, or at lunch time, what I was doing in college. I know that I wasn't recovering from severe head trauma, and I now don't take any of these things for granted.

I say this because I know that her friends and even people who were not her friends in school have come to me on myspace, on facebook, through email, even through text to say that they care for her and that they keep her in their prayers. It means so much to me, my family, and Darleen and I hope that everyone is also not taking these things for granted. I don't want people to think that I want them to feel bad or sad because we know that she will be fine, I just want them to be aware that we think of these things in hindsight, but we got to keep going and not let any of these things hold us back. Don't take anything you do for granted. Live with no regrets.

-Malina

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Finals are over and now I have a little more time to blog it up!

Time to catch you and myself up -



-Malina

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Physical Therapy

How does it feel Soy??? ( For those of you wondering Soy is Darleen's Chinese name. Yes, she has a Chinese name. She will always say it's like Soy- sauce. It's advised to go back to childhood language so- broken English, haha I'm kidding) Close your eyes for a long time if you like this....That's what you'll hear us saying on Thursdays and Sundays. And when she closes her eyes for a long time YYAAAAYYYY!!!!!!!! Her room is never quiet anymore.
We have been learning new techniques for therapy since Darleen can handle more aggresive brain stimulating therapy.
I missed on a week of therapy when I was in Denver for grandma's funeral. But dad, Joey, Helen(the best donut seller ever!) and our therapist whom we love, and her boyfriend (we borrowed him for a day)were holding down the fort.
Darleen can hold her head up on her own now. And she gets to sit up and stand up. We help her get on this machine and it stands her up slowly. It's really neat to see the rehabilitation process. It's almost like your so anxious all the time and now that we can lift her, hold her up, carry her, it doesn't matter that she needs assistance with anything. Darleen is utilizing everything she has, including us, our arms and legs. I get her head, Joey her back, dad her waist, mom her legs, David will record her vitals. Our coach along this rehabilitation journey is our physical theraphist. It takes all of us. One day at a time. We always take things for granted when we don't have to try so hard, like scratch your nose, chew, stand, even lick your lips when they are dry( No worries I got her this new Nivea Shea Butter Chapstick, got myself one too, it works wonders.) My sister is learnig how to do everything again and I mean everything. But no stress just keep trying, we have time. Inner voice to her- I'll take you and Malina to dinner and we will make sure you don't miss out on any gossip, news, lectures, books, grandma, even the Kardashians haha. I'll take you shopping, too. Just focus on holding yourself up.
Therapy is now more than two days. We are working towards getting the routine correct so we can record it and have our own little workout video. Great idea Jay!=) Soon Darleen will have her own line of rehabilitaion videos and we can heal the woorrlldddd!! OK back to reality gotta go to therapy. - Mia

Holiday '08

So...you may be curious how our holiday went...let's just pretend it's Thanksgiving morining :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!


Was on the phone with Malina this morning. She is making all the sides for Thanksgiving in Dallas with Billy(Malina's boyfriend) and his family. It was entertaining or should I say she is entertaining. Guiding her through some cooking techniques. (If you know us at all, I'm the chef, she's the artist i.e. only makes cupcakes and sandwiches.) We had a simple Thanksgiving, here in Orlando, spent most of the day at the hospital with Darleen. She is doing about the same today. I had packed individual Thanksgiving plates for everyone. David (our little brother who is now taller than us)and I made it the night before. We had the essentials- turkey, mashed potato (truffled), cornbread stuffing, and of course pumpkin pie. Mom said that officialized it for her, she knew it was Thanksgiving with pumpkin pie. Dad said he wanted coconut creme pie haha, he doesn't get it he also added that he's from Cambodia and they don't have pumpkin pie, mom interrupted and said they don't have Thanksgiving! Then had to go back to work. A little melancholy...but gotta keep on movin' and I got to spend sometime with everyone in the family. Oh.. and of course Joey was with me the whole day. I like to keep him in my pocket.

Malina's coming home for Christmas!


We were deep into December now and I was getting excited for Malina to get here. The past few months had been kind of tough with adjusting to the different stages of Darleen's recovery. Sometimes I think Darleen is not the one with issues. We have Doctors of all specialties to deal with, medicare, medicaid, children's medical services, this social worker, that therapist, this hospital, that specialist, this medical bill, that x-ray, this medication.... And then add in the shop with the donuts, and the 16 hour/7 days a week. Oh and of course the pre puberty 14 year old I call my brother. And don't forget the dogs, Aoshi the papillion who thinks she's a guard dog and Skyla the shiba inu who thinks she's a small dog. She likes to sit on my lap, she's 30lbs!! This is all too real. I couldn't help but daydream of the best gift I could give my mom and sisters and I'll just include myself onto it, too. Why not?? as my mom always likes to say.

We started out with a spa day on Christmas Eve. Thanks to our friends at Nail Gallery we were all able to afford facials, manis and pedis. Then we headed over to stay with Darleen. We stayed at a hotel downtown Orlando that was only 5 minutes away from her. (We live 45 min away) Malina and I walked to a nearby pizza place- she said she would treat. Oh sure-she would treat to the $20 late night pizza run. There were lots of drunks and people walking outside. Ironically felt right at home lol.

Pizza was good. Mom was a little bit scared but she was safe in the hotel. The hotel was beautiful.

We woke early and had a wonderful brunch-Mmmm Mimosas- on Christmas morning. (Of course this was my treat. They always get me.) But I gotta love 'em. Too bad Joey was in Denver or it would've been his treat- Thanks Joey!

We headed back to see Darleen. When we arrived at the hospital Darleen was in her wheelchair looking calm. The hospital Santa gave her a new bed set. It was satin with brown, pink, and gold designs. Isn't it funny how they know her so well without her speaking one word? We hung out all day there and Christmas Carolers came. They were so sweet to do that. Got Malina to wake up cause they brought us some sweets.


You're probably wondering where was dad and our little brother David. They were on a "man's" fishing trip with the dogs. They came back with a cooler filled with...air. But my brother said the trip was so worth it cause he had a lot of fun with dad. Oh and I haven't forgotten about Joey- he went back to Denver to spend it with his family and welcome the new addition- Maddox, his new nephew.


The holidays were not normal this year but we didn't' care. It's hard when your family is faced with such unconventional circumstances. We took our time together as the best present this year. And somehow I was beginning to feel more whole again sitting in her hospital room with my mom and both my sisters right beside me listening to Christmas Carolers. All my life I have been the protector of my sisters and now I sometimes tremble walking into the hospital. Joey and Malina would lead the way because they knew I was just gonna break at times. Strength. That's all we would ask for. Pray for strength, give us strength, we give our strength to Darleen. We celebrated our "Christmas", when Joey came home. We had Christmas at the hospital all together.-Mia

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Sisters

My sisters' and I are all so different. I know everyone says that about your sister because you would hate to be like them and - heaven forbid that you have the same style, mannerism, etc since you already look similar! I think that a brief description of our families' personalities would be helpful to you in understanding US.

(The Top Chef) My older sister, Mia - is realistically the shot-caller in our household. She has raised us, bathed us, fed us, slapped us, and all of the above x 10. She is prim & proper, classically dressed woman with the occasions of a white baby t-shirt and jeans. She likes to read novels by MFK Fisher, Spiritual Books, Jorge Luis Borges (Argentine philosopher), she's 40 at heart. She listens to Kate Nash, Killers, Amy Winehouse, Beyonce, Frank Sinatra and sometimes even Lil' Weezy (at the influence of her boyfriend, Joey of 10 yrs haha). She is the introverted, almost dorky, type that reads and listens to lectures about spirtual awakenings, discovers different ways to save and budget, and the biggest part of her personality is that she's a cook. Mia went to Johnson & Wales University with a Degree in Culinary/Hospitality. She has worked in all different types of odd jobs from a telemarketer (haha), hostess, bus-girl, food runner, waitress, retail, barista,caterer, line cook, to a chef. She is what we call a foodie and is knowledgable and loves all aspects of anything that is edible - and I am not over exaggerating. She has lived in Colorado almost her entire life until she finally stuck it out and moved to Florida to help my parents out (a little while before the accident). Her friends are very close to her and most of her friends are the people I've grown up with believing that they truly are our sisters and brothers from another mother. I know that I can count on these people like family where ever I am. She is the realist, the book worm, the business, the smarts, the manager, the coach, the logical but sometimes irrational thinker, the first to try and help, the protector, the anxious, the overwhelmed, the crazy, the sometimes mean, the "strongest" of all of us. Although her and I are total opposites, I've learned that we were still raised the same and have common goals for our lives. Although as much as we fight like cats (Me) and dogs (Her), and how much I tell her she needs to calm down, I know that she is only looking to ensure that my goals and ambitions are met successfully as well as our families.

(The Socialite) My little sister, Darleen - is the "Kim Kardashian" of our family. If you watch the show you will know what I am talking about (not giving any reference to the way she looks, fame, or stuck up-ness-from-fame attitude of Kim Kardashian). She is the bubbly personality, vegetarian, beautiful, spiritual, hopeful-minded person that has wishes and dreams of a perfect life and love. We've had rollercoaster rides in our family with our parents having their own business, but Darleen is the one that will work every single day and always wants to make things right, do things right, and make things work no matter how hard it gets. She has a positive personality and likes to make friends, talk about worldy questions, write in her journal, and interested in psychology. And like a typical teenager, she likes to talk, talk, talk on the phone, wear make-up, read gossip magazines, fashion, boys, and hopes for true love to sweep her off of her feet. She likes to read novels like Lovely Bones, Chicken Soup for a Teenage Soul, and if she were awake, probably Twilight (but I'll show her that later).=) Music she likes is all genres from Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, Jay Z, to All American Rejects, Hot Hot Heat, or even Rooney. She has a more preppy-type style with her own mix - more like an Abercrombie sweater, but a striped tank top she got from Hot Topic. She loves children and animals (which is why she is a vegetarian). She is caring and compassionately delightful. She has a lot of friends and slim-to-none enemies and is a welcoming whole-hearted person. Sometimes she can be a baby being the last girl in our family - so sometimes we have to put up with her bad attitude and whining. She likes her personal time and likes to be reflective upon herself. My older sister and I have rarely had problems with dealing with her being a rebel, so I think that she can make mature and wise decisions on her own. She is the person that I am the closest to, when I am sad - I call her for advice, when I am mad - I scream at her with all my frustrations, when I am happy - I call her to tell her all the details. She is all knowing of all aspects of my life, my friends, my plans, my mistakes, my flaws, everything good or bad. In my opinion - she is my older sister and myself mixed together, how lucky is that with almost no flaws haa.

(The Rebel) As for myself, Malina - I'm the rebellious, independent, playful, joking, spontaneous, artsy type. Although I tell Mia I'm the black sheep, she begs to differ. I feel as though I can only count on myself to do what I want correctly and successfully. I am comfortable doing everything for myself, by myself because I feel like the turn out is customized to the standard that I believe is correct (in a non self-fish way). I rarely watch TV unless it's National Geographic/History Channel documentary, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel. I love all things artsy and heavily rely on my computer to google anything that I need knowledge on, politics, or news. I am what I call a "Sponge" - I want to know everything, I want to know how to DO everything, I want to be able to learn how to do it so well it is supernatural. =) I have lots of friends in different groups, ages, or places of "genres" of people. I love to be social, network, and talk to anyone that I meet. I'm the most NON-judgemental and open-minded person you will meet. I like to read books like Girl Interrupted, Choke, Invisible Monsters, Black Dahlia Murder, and The Subversive Imagination. I'm spiritual in a sense where I believe in Karma, but do not believe in "Destiny or Fate" in a serendipitious way, but that Karma has led me to what is destined. I try to eat and do day-to-day things as organically as I can and care about the enviornment and animals. I love cats, but cannot own one because Billy (my Bf of 5 yrs) is highly allergic! I go to University of North Texas (online) and Richland College at the same time and majoring in English/Print (for journalism and magazine layout design purposes). If I am not at work in businessy clothes - I like to wear skinny jeans and flats, and layers of shirts which usually includes one article of clothing being black (in a non-gothic way ha). I listen to all types of music like Phantom Planet, Strokes, Muse, Classical like Tchaikovsky or Chopin, Jonas Brothers, and sometimes jam to music on the radio. I am very positive, outgoing, and fun to be around. I think that I am very lucky bc I'm motivated and mentored by the most wise, well-experience, and intelligent people I've ever met. I am fun-loving and enjoy company of others to pick their brains for knowledge. I know a lot about nothing like a "Jack of all trades, but a King of none". It's hard to describe yourself sometimes, so I will stop there.

All my sisters and I all like to do is - read different books, write in our journals, be food-ies, talk about food, cook (or attempt to), socialize with new and old friends, listen to different types of music, try and focus on improving something about our lives (whether it be budgeting, fitness, or even appearance), and spiritual connections. We often times contact each other to keep us grounded, keep us all together. I think that we are all artsy in our own ways with us all interested in ARTS and not Math or Science or a difficult subject (hehe).

To have high expectations for youself, will make your goals harder and harder as you reach them individually. I mention these things because these are what shapes our personalities. Our life experiences, education, our friends & families, and even our work history are important aspects of our lives to determine what we'll be like when we're "grown up" and reached all of our goals in life. I like to share this with you because this is an important chapter in Darleen's life and I know that she would like to know what she was like or who she was. Where she came from, how we were raised, why we act the way we do. This will help to show her how we stayed grounded in difficult situations.


(I'm thinking Mia will be updating soon on her physical therapy on Darleen, she's been doing lately =) YAY!)

This pic I found totally epitomizes exactly what I am writing about. =)

BTW we also have our brother DAVID- but he's a whole nother post!
- Malina

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Grandma

Our grandma that lives in Denver, Colorado passed away last night . We are very sad and depressed, but we know that she is in a better place and that in itself has helped us to cope with her loss. My mother spoke with her yesterday afternoon and was speaking with her for the past week with good conversations. Because our families are so far apart in distance and my mom is always busy with the store and Darleen, as much as she would like to talk to her own mother every single day, it was only maybe once a month until just recently. I feel like my mom got some good closure before my grandma passed last night.

My family is flying to Denver today and tomorrow. And when you have your own business, it's a matter of who's staying, who's going, and who's coming to help OR can we afford to shut down our store for one, two, maybe three days. I know that, to most, that's hard to understand, but we've had to make these decisions before and what I've realized growing up that - as much as we would all like to drop everything and leave - our family is a business, our family is THE business. It's different if your mom works for one company and your dad works for another because the companies don't correlate with each other and the companies have other employees not affiliated with your immediate family to take over your duties. That has sometimes helped me (sort of) side with the decisions we've made for the operations of our store while we have a family emergency. And now, in this instance that we have to make this decision again, there is an added obstacle that the same person maintaining the operations of our store will be the same person visiting and making sure Darleen's plans/therapy/classes/etc run smoothly throughout the day. As much as I am sad for the loss of my grandma and the memories we shared with her, I am also thinking in the back of my head how I am going to break this news to Darleen. How do I catch her up on loss?

I'm wondering if she will have a recollection of the things that we've told her while she has been partially "sedated" or will we have to catch her up to all the things that have happened.

One of the reasons why I wanted to write this blog so she could read it later as things happened. Big things, like this. Of any of my friends or family, Darleen knows me the most - every boyfriend, every song I listen to, the food I like, my secrets, my flaws, my life stories, she knows me. Sometimes I still wish I could call her and gossip about my life or my bf or about her life and her friends & bf? I feel like I'm responsible for telling her because I know that she would do the same for me. I wonder if she will remember all the same type of things about her as she remembers things about me? It's hard to tell.

We will work through this loss. And I know that my grandma will be happier in a better place.
- Malina

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Donate Here

I can't thank our family and friends enough for the charity events that they have held in support of our family.

To give you something to think about - at the "Family Affair: The Darleen Li Fund" event we had on 9/27/08 in Denver, Colorado, we raised $3,000 that night and that alone pays for ONE day of Darleen's rehabilitation. Anything helps!


If you would like to mail a contribution, please make check's payable to "Darleen Kham Li" and mail to:

The Darleen Li Fund
ATTN: Mia Li
35379 HWY 27
Haines City, FL 33844

If you would like to make a donation online - please click on the link below that will redirect to a paypal donation site. This account goes directly into the Darleen Li Fund account.









You can also donate online through paypalto Helen Su & Jenny Chu's Charity donation account. This goes directly to my family.
Click here to be redirected to Helen Su's site.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

So... what happened again????

I know with all the yapping my sister Malina and I (Mia) do, sorry we can't help it:), things may still seem confusing.

How about stating only the facts-

March 19, 2008- Darleen got into a car accident. Its serious. She is air-lifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

March 20, 2008- Darleen is in a coma due to swelling in the brain.

March 21, 2008- Brain Surgery- to remove part of her skull because swelling becomes more severe. Surgery went well. Doctor says," Now we wait. She has a chance at life and now we wait to see how long she needs to heal."
Prognosis: Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in a coma

July 2008- Its 4 months into recovery now. Darleen is moved from ICU to the Special Care Unit. Still "sleeping".

November 2008- Its 8 months into recovery. Darleen was discharged from the hospital and now moved to a pediatrics care facility in Orlando. And she is starting to smile more. Subtle changes. She's coming...

March 2009- Its 12 months into recovery. She can breath on her own, she can smile, she can look straight into your eyes, she can roll her eyes if you bug her (still Darleen), she can yawn, she can swallow, she can cough, she can occasionally move her right arm, she can turn her head to the left, she can!!!!!

I hope this makes the situation we are in a little bit more clear for all of you who are all so supportive. Thank you really!! Thank you for following our story!!!
- Mia

Friday, March 20, 2009

Veggi-tale

Haha - okay! My sister and I are doing about 3 posts a day! You know we sure have a mouthful, so you better get your reading glasses on and catch up!
-Malina

#1 - this morning I came on to see what my older sis, Mia, posted and stumbled upon 14 followers! It's BADASS to see that we already have followers, let alone 14! Thanks to all of you.

#2 - I just wanted to recognize the people who did not eat meat yesterday. Especially because my sister and I were getting phone calls out the wazoo about "what do we eat", "can we eat eggs", "can we eat fish" ETC? Hahaha - I know both of our responses were - eat tofu & a bean burrito LOL. And awesome for the few of you that are extending this over the weekend. All the people we know, don't know, and missed on the list - Thanks! I know that for some of you this was painful. =)

Thanks from the whole Li family- Mom, Dad, Joey, Mia, Malina, Darleen, & David

Bruce, Billy L, Lily, Annie, Sally, Billy P, Emily, Kevin, Hiumathy, Baotram, Sandy & company, Brenda K, Brenda M, Kett, Lynda, June, Kent, Helen, Jason, Sanica, Oubie, Sonny, Malissa, James, Jackie & Jackie, Samantha, Kathy, Cindy, Dale, Loi, Kathy.

Sophie & Nana - for eating only SOY products =).

Darleen's Team girls - Crystal, Denise, Brianna, & Nikki - bonus for passing out the purple ribbons!

My mom texted me last night - "Good job hoy thanks love mom" - and I think that she is really talking about y'all and not me.

Charity Events 2008


Let me also give you a run down of what has happened last year on the charity side...
Our friends and our family has had many charity events in different cities. Thanks to all the contributors, supporters, and great friends that have made these charity events possible and $$$. Hopefully more to come and hope you had fun at these events!


You can go to the link on the left to Helen Su's myspace and she has a "Donate" button on her wesbite. She is one of our close family friends and we appreciate all that she has done for us.
- Malina

7/13/08 - Jackie's Wine & Cheese Party in Orlando, Florida.


8/31/08 - Helen Su's Bikini Carwash in San Diego, California.


9/13/08 - Helen Su's Birthday Bash in Hollywood, California.


9/26/08 - Pelletier House Poker Tournament in Denver, Colorado.


9/27/08 - Family Affair : The Darleen Li Fund in Denver, Colorado.
Cocktails @ 8PM.



10/4/08 Vince & Anna's Poker Tournament in Denver, Colorado
(Our cousins that took time out of their hectic day with their new baby Ella for this event!)



10/11/08 - Step It Up with KABA MODERN, HELEN SU & JENNY CHU in Dallas, Texas.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Recovery Overview - Aftermath

So now it's been a year since the accident and she is still recovering. I want everyone to understand that when someone is in a coma, it is not like the movies where people look like they're blissfully sleeping and just happen to wake up from their somber one sunny day. It is not like that at all! Here is a helpful link to get into more of the "scientific" depths of traumatic brain injury http://www.biausa.org/.
She slowly is becoming more and more aware. And she smiles!!!

Below is an email sent out in September- 6 Months into recovery. Keep in mind, I was still frustrated- hence not on a spiritual path but just plain working out of love. Yes, I'm the intense sappy one hahaha:

It has taken me this long to reach this point, to find the courage and face our obstacle.

Yesterday was my second support group meeting. I was inspired when I met other people that have been through what we are currently going through.
I know it's hard when we are faced with circumstances that are not black and white. We walk around with the feeling of mourning yet our sister is very ALIVE.
Why am I Angry? Sad? Stressed? Happy? Guilty? Confused?

I believe it is time we no longer wait for the professionals to give us answers. What I learned yesterday is that TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) is such a new injury that most professional care providers are limited to what they themselves know. Credible research was developed in 1982. Yet, just like anything that has just started there will be misinterpreted material.

Advancement in medical technology has helped save Soy's life. Now what? Where do we go from that? Is there a guide? I don't ask about her physical difficulties because my biggest concern is her brain recovering. But that does not mean I don't think about it. What about her joints locking up because she has been bed ridden for SIX months? And her muscles...she worked so hard for nice legs.

Well yes, no and I don't know, were the answers I got from the medical team. What we learned is that this is a physical injury as much as a mental and emotional injury. And guess what, another survivor had the same problem with her joints and she got BOTOX injections to her joints to help lubricate them and it worked. Now she can wave HI!! Thank god for BOTOX.

Right now Soy is a level 3 on the Rancho Scale for comas. The doctors say she MAY never wake up but they are not sure (OK WTF!! what kind of answer is that??!!! I swear I would have punched him, but don't hurt the messenger. And further more I can't afford to get sued cause I'M SAVING MY MONEY TO PAY FOR MY SISTER'S MEDICAL NEEDS) Yet they also said she would not make it. It has been SIX months and she is getting healthier.

I believe Soy will wake up. Due to the subtleties we see in her day by day. First it started with eye opening, now it's turning her head towards the direction the voice is coming from. Sometimes smiling when dad makes a goof out of himself and tries to joke in English. Or even the occasional squeeze my hand Soy. And guess what she SQUEEZED my hand.

As they said in the support group.......the beginning of recovery for the family and the patient is when you realize you will not be able to go back to what and who she was. But you can build on who she has become. We do know that there are great rehabilitation centers in the United States. And yes it will be expensive. What do we do- we don't have adequate healthcare. Yet, my sister, just like any human being deserves the best!! That is the purpose of fundraising. And it doesn't end there. All the survivors that we have met are continuing there rehabilitation through resources that they and their families have searched for themselves. Even things that medical professionals did not know about. This is not a text book injury. It is a person injury. And as we know it Soy is SO stubborn, she doesn't give up. No Matter What!!!

Miracles do happen.
Like the lady that got her skull and first layer of membrane from her brain completely scraped off. She has 20% brain damage and completely ZERO frontal lobe activity in her brain. I may not understand what all that means, but I do understand enough that the results shocked me. The doctors said she will be blind on her right side, completely paralyzed on her left side and MAY never wake up. But instead she woke up, got married, had a baby, director of her HOA, sells insurance and maintains a "normal" life, with A LOT of extra work for the past 12 years. She says, "It's simply because IT'S WORTH IT".

Or the man who WAS in a coma for NINETEEN YEARS........guess what it stopped at 19 because he WOKE UP.

There was one thing all along though...........the one thing all successful survivors have in common is this...A RELENTLESS SUPPORT GROUP WITH COURAGE! THE AUDACITY TO THINK BEYOND WHAT THEY WERE TOLD! A FAMILY THAT CONSISTED MORE THAN JUST BLOOD! AND LOVE BEYOND REALITY! WE ARE HER ONLY ADVOCATES.

I am here. I know the strength that I have. I know this time; I will need more than just me. I know you have it in you to join me. This may not be what we had pictured but this is our life. I am ready to embrace it. We are going to make it happen.

I will give up my desires and I pray for strength.
Love- Mia

More Email Communications

EXTRA - After the car accident I flew out to Orlando, FL immediately on a one-way flight and slept and stayed in the Lakeland Regional Medical Center 24/7. My parents, sister Mia, sister's boyfriend Joey, and David took turns sleeping, running our store, and coming to the hospital. My little sister's boyfriend at the time, Miko and myself stayed at the hospital and made sure everything was running smoothly. The posts below are the other emails that were sent to the distribution lists as communications to our family and friends. This was the only way we could contact everyone all at the same time and we also did not have service to contact people while in the hospital. As I came back to Dallasl, Tx, where I live I tried to keep in contact with everyone remotely. I will post more posts on her recovery up to date...


Other Communications:
(March 28, 2008 @ 1:25PM)
Hello Everyone,

Thank you everyone for all your support! Darleen is doing better and better everyday! I know everyone has been antsy to hear from us, but no news is still good news. =) My mom says that she can really tell she is doing better because of the vibrant red color on my sister's lips. =) Although, she is currently still sedated and resting, she is recuperating steadily and successfully. Not only is she very strong, but the strength of our friends and family has helped this process to run smoothly. Please continue to be patient and do what all of you are doing because it's working!

* I apologize if I have missed anyone.
Sincerely,
Malina Li and our family


(April 9, 2008 @ 5:49 PM)
Hello All!

Quick update:
She is still stable and recovering. She is actually also starting to react a little more than before by minor movements! Although she is still in an induced coma, her classmates & friends have sent cards and we are reading them to her. Patience is the only thing that will let her heal at her own pace. We think that by reading to her it will help to encourage and give her strength. I can't thank all of you enough. =)
Thank you for all your patience!
Malina & Mia <3


(May 1, 2008 @ 10:51PM)
Good evening all,

She is still very stable. She is young, healthy, and strong!

Recently, her vitals were a little aggrevated for a couple of days, which lead to a surgery yesterday to help drain fluids and relieve pressure in her brain. Since then, her vitals signs are much better and her surgery was easily successful. The surgery has helped to relieve a lot of her pressure, so that's always a good thing. My family is very grateful for having friends and family like all of you.

We can't thank you enough for all your support. We know that we're in this for the long hall, but we're ready. And I know that all of you are too. I wish I could update everyone daily, but thanks so much for being patient and waiting. =)

Love,

Malina & fam

(June 27, 2008 @ 12:57PM)
Hello Everyone,

Finally an update, I know I have been extremely busy. Darleen is doing very well. She has been moved to a little less intensive floor, where she does not need to be monitored as closely or severly (which is GOOD!). Of course her vital signs are still stable and her brain & blood pressure has been very calm. She still has a small amount of sleeping medicine in her system, but she sometimes open her eyes when we enter the room. When she does open her eyes, it is very minor as if she is drowsy or half awake, but this is a very good sign that she is aware of her surroundings. I want everyone to understand that with her health being very calm, it will be easier for the doctors to take her off medication to wake her up so that she does not wake in a frantic. Because I know that it seems like it's been a long time and you are wondering why she still has coma medication.

She can also minorly focus her eyes and trail them. The doctors have said that this is a good sign of progression because in head trauma patients it is extremely difficult to trail your eyes back and forth. Our family has given her an iPod to listen to and this has also helped to keep her very calm because if you know Darleen - you know she loves music! =) If she could, I bet she would be belting out the songs. Mia is going to a Music Specialist to research the methods of musical therapy.

On another note, I would like to announce that we have been getting a lot of help from David's Band teacher - Angel Meroni, which is organizing a music fundraiser event for Darleen. And you know waht, our family has been so involved with taking care of her, that we didn't care about how much the cost would be. And Angel has helped us to recognize that medical bills and therapy will be expensive, she also knows first hand from her own life experience with similar medical treatments. This event will take place in a few months, but I would like to open the forum to any of our family and friends for any suggestions, ideas, networks, and advice. We are in the works of opening a non-profit organization account to honor the donors for Darleen. So far - our brainstorming ideas have come up with having Angel Meroni's band students play a music concert to raise money in a potluck style event. I know that a lot of you do not live in Florida, but this event is open to allll of the people who know & love Darleen because I know you are all fresh with ideas.
[*It would be awesome if you could make it though =)]

Our family wants to recognize one of Darleen's friends named Jackie. Her mother, Jackie, is holding a Wine & Cheese Party in Florida on Sunday July 13. It will be for her intimate friends to enjoy food and wine with donations going towards Darleen's health.

I know that this is a lot of information to take in all at once, but I know that all of you were waiting for me to write an update - so I think this was suitable =). PLEASE do not hesitate to ask me any questions, concerns, prayers, anything. I am very confident in picking all of our family and friends' brains because all of you are intelligent people and overflowing with ideas Hehe. Please GIVE ME YOUR SUGGESTIONS, anything will help.

(P.S: Of course, Mia has designated that I am in charge of the "artwork" for these events. If you have any pictures please send them to me - bc if not it will be collages of just Darleen and me Ha!)

Love,
Malina & Mia

No Meat Today

Because Darleen is a vegetarian and my sister Mia currently working on "finding her spiritual path" (ha) - we (and anyone who wants to join) will not be eating meat ALL day today as it marks the anniversary of the accident. Think of it as an extra day of lent. =)


It's only one day - C'mon!

Her friends Denise, Brianna, Crystal, and Nikki at Haines City High School are passing out purple ribbons today for awareness. They made black shirts that say "Darleen's Team" in silver writing. Great job, girls! You rock!


*** Note - an overview will be coming soon. It probably won't show to you til 3PM (it's post-marked, so it will be sequential). =)

-Malina

What Happened

INTRO - It has been a year now since Darleen's accident and I think that my family is finally ready to be a little more public as things have calmed down. This blog will be a place for our family to post updates, encouragements, prayers, wishes, and randomness about our sister Darleen and her recovery. I have been working on this behind the scenes for a while before this has gone live on March 19th, 2009. I, being a very private and personal person, had to suck it up and overcome my fears because I got appointed by my family to inform all our friends and family of our situation hehe. I have now realized that I was also the perfect person to be the informant as I have kept things positive and honest =). Please see the initial email below to see the "What Happened" that was distributed to our close family & friends when the accident happened.
- Malina

WHAT HAPPENED:
(March 23, 2008 @ 5:30PM)
Everyone,

This communication is to inform our friends and family (if you do not already know) that my little sister Darleen has gotten into a serious car accident. Please understand that this is a hard time for our family and repeating this story over and over is difficult, therefore we will be communicating updates via email at this time.

On Wednesday, March 19 Darleen was driving and had a collision with a school bus. Currently, further details of the collision is still pending and we are mainly focusing on her health and recovery. When further details are release, we will be able to inform you as they come. She is currently in ICU and stable, but she has suffered some head trauma and her recovery process may be slow. For her recovery, the doctors are keeping her sedated to prevent her body from overworking herself to naturally heal at her own pace. She has had two successful surgeries to help aid with the healing process. She is very strong and resilient and she is getting better day by day.

Our family has high hopes and pray for a healthy recovery. We thank and appreciate all of your love and support during this difficult time. We ask that you please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Our family has remained very positive, and this has been a contributing factor to her day to day progression. Please remain positive with us, and we thank all of you so much for your thoughts, prayers, emails, texts, calls, cards, flowers, and all of that!

* I apologize if I have missed anyone, please feel free to forward this information.

Sincerely,
Malina Li and our family