Day #108

Jennifer had another swallow test last week to see if she could move up to "soft mechanical" foods such as french fries - soft foods that don't require too much chewing. Unfortunately, she did not pass this test. She is still on pureed foods & thickened beverages only. When you swallow, muscles close up the trachea to prevent food from going down into it instead of the esophagus. These muscles are not working properly with Jennifer consistently. They work correctly sometimes. They are close the trachea off too slowly at times. Eating heavier foods or drinking thinner beverages could move down her throat faster than the muscles can close off the trachea & cause her to choke. This is something that should heal as her brain & other muscles heal.

As stated previously, Jennifer can say just about whatever she wants to now. It's still very difficult to understand what she's saying. The dr's believe this is no longer due to her vocal cords being separated, but is brain-related. Her speech should continue to improve as her brain heals.

David says Jennifer's attitude has changed considerably over the last few days. He said it seemed to change after my brother visited her. He's not sure what John said to her, but David says it helped change her attitude. She's now more positive about everything including therapy. David said before she would come back from therapy & say "I hate Jill. She's mean." Today during therapy she told Jill she loved her.

David thinks Jennifer could be released as early as a week from Friday This is due to insurance reasons. The drs would like her to stay a little longer. Of course, Jennifer wants to be released a week from Friday & is very excited about it. She will be in a wheelchair. She is still unable to walk or use her arms or hands. David will be helping her do everything. She'll be going back & forth to St Louis for therapy. David's worried about getting her in & out of the car. I joked & told him he needed to get her a helmet until he gets it figured out! Because none of the doors in their house are large enough to accomodate a wheelchair, David is moving their bedroom into the living room.

Jennifer, David, & Kacyn all had therapy today. Kacyn was scheduled to have occupational, physical, & speech therapy! I'm not sure how that works with someone as young as he is!

David said Kacyn is starting to coo & smile a little now. I can't wait to see him this coming weekend! My husband, kids, & I are all going to St Louis this weekend.

We are definitely seeing signs of Jennifer's personality as it was before the accident. She laughs, jokes, & is very ornery sometimes! She's getting back to the old Jennifer we know & love. All of this is truly a miracle from God! It's unreal to think of how far she's come. It's exactly 15 weeks to the day Jennifer was on complete life support with both us & the drs unsure if she was going to make it. She still has a long way to go, but it's so heartwarming to see her personality coming through! It's through the prayers of all of you that we are getting her back! Thank you!

Please remember to pray for her complete healing from her brain to her swallowing to her talking to her arms, hands, legs, eyes. Please remember little Kacyn also as well as David & Josiah too. Also please pray for Grammy as she continues to care for these darling little boys. Mom is in St Louis today, coming home tomorrow. Dad is driving up Friday, coming home Saturday. Please pray for them as they travel.

Thank you for being a part of Jennifer's miracle & helping make it happen!

Love,
Lynn