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:
