How far we have come since that breath!

Over the last couple days I just can't get the image out of my head of my mom and I standing over Jennie's bed in the ICU hours after her accident and my mom telling her "Jennie, we need you to BREATHE!" The doctors were going to take her off the ventilator for a moment to see if she would take a breath which would prove her brain was still alive. Jennie took that breath, PRAISE God, and she has made huge strides ever since. Believe me, it's been a very bumpy road, but seeing her this weekend just filled me with amazement all over again. My visit to Atlanta was a lot of fun. Jennie now lives in the Shepherd apartment with our mom and is attending the Pathways day program Mon-Fri. Two weeks ago was a tough week as they made this transition. Jennie had really gotten comfortable with her therapists and was now having to learn new faces and get adjusted to a new schedule. Our mom also had to cope with taking care of Jennie 24/7 without the help of any nurses. Phew! When I saw them this weekend, now another week under their belts, I would never have known the struggles they had the previous week. Jennie loves being in the apartment...a welcomed change after months of a hospital room. She has accomplished all the huge steps along the way including feeding herself and walking everywhere (no more need for a wheelchair!). She is now working on improving all areas of language, cognitive thinking, and ability to do everyday tasks on her own. She is able to repeat pretty much any words you tell her one at a time and is surprising us now and then with her own thoughts on the conversation. She is also doing well to match items such as letters, numbers, and pictures. We went out to eat a couple times and she handled it very well. I can't even explain how awesome it was to hang out with her outside of the 4 ugly gray walls that have enclosed us for months. We are so fortunate that after such a traumatic injury to her brain that she is overall very happy. She laughs and smiles a lot and is agreeable to trying her best and following direction. The plan for now is for her to remain in Atlanta until May 15th. We all can't wait for her to come home!