Thursday, January 7, 2010

The Shepherd Center

Hi Everyone, this is Jen's sister, Jesse ~ I have broken into my sis-in-law's blog to update on my sister :) (hope you don't mind LuCinda!). Jennie arrived on Tuesday, 1/5/10, in Atlanta to a wonderful rehab facility called the Shepherd Center. She and my mom had to fly in a small jet plane from Wilmington and then be transported by ambulance. Tuesday through Wed. afternoon, Jennie was in the ICU while the nurses monitored her to see what her current status was. She has been off the ventilator for some time now and is doing great. She has a special bed that is super comfy and has bean bag pillows to hold her in snug. The bed is designed with a net around her so that she will not be able to hurt herself or slip out of bed. Kinda makes me feel like she's camping in a tent :) Today was her first full day of therapies including physical and occupational. She has a special made wheelchair that allows her to be brought around the facility to the gym and on other future "field-trips." During physical therapy, she was asked to choose the green ring from two (a blue and green) and she chose the green one even though it was further away. That was super news! Overall, Jennie looks great. Her skin color is beautiful, her growing hair feels soft, the expressions she is giving, and the look in her eyes...I can tell she is making progress. The nurses here are soo attentive to the point that my mom just doesn't know what to do with herself. The 40 days at our hospital in Wilmington were such a long journey...it is so nice to be at such a specialized facilty where the care is superb. I arrived today to visit for a long weekend. I gave Jen a hug when I first saw her and she began to tear up. It is so hard seeing her get emotional but awesome that she is showing signs of emotions. She is also starting to make sounds and try to vocalize...another sign of communication! The schedule is very rigorous each day - all patients are up and at em by 7:30am and are in their wheelchairs hanging near the nurses station until their scheduled therapies. She had her best night of sleep since day 1 last night. Tomorrow is her birthday! She will begin speech therapy tomorrow and hopefully be able to start swallowing some fun foods and liquids (we may try to sneak her some chocolate pudding if all goes well to celebrate her birthday!). Some specific prayer requests: for Jennie to be willing and able to participate in each of her therapy sessions and for her to gain better upper body strength...her legs are super strong! I hope to update more often now that we are a little more settled. Thank you all for your continued prayers...they have made all the difference!
~Jesse

5 comments:

  1. This is the best news so far... I'll be checking frequently to see how much Jennie is progressing and am excited about her future! Thanks for such an uplifting update!!

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  2. Such great news to hear! I know she is going to make progress by leaps and bounds at rehab! Many prayers are still going out for Jennie daily! Keep up the great work Jennie! And HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    Rachel

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  3. This is just wonderful news! Absolutely the best of my week. I was in to see Jennie last week, but no one else was there...I left a note for her family and hope they recieived it. I will continue to keep Jennie in my thoughts and prayers. She is such a beautiful young lady. Is there an address where she can recieve cards at the therapy center? And...a big Happy Birthday!!

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  4. I remember when my husband was in specialized rehab (for his TBI) that he would not speak for the longest time...until we called him or put him on the phone...weird, but when you can talk to them in person, they can nod or shake their head...on a phone it forces them to use their voice. I don't know if Jennie is ready for that or not, but something to consider if she goes without talking for a prolonged period of time. Glad to hear of her progress and that she is in a specialized facility...good rehab makes all the difference! Prayers for Jennie and all of you...take care of yourselves and keep up your strength:)

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  5. Happy Birthday Jennie! I was so happy to read of her progress already. We spent my daughters 3rd birthday in the hospital after her accident. It was so bitter/sweet. So happy she was alive, but so sad about the accident and that we could not be spending it at home and as we normally would have. Love to you all!

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