Diane and I have talked over the summer of updating the blog because we still receive multiple phone calls on Courtney's progress. So here is the latest update.
Last month Courtney received an award for achievement from Braintreee Rehab Hospital. She was so proud to accept this award! Many of the staff who worked with Courtney were in attendance. Needless to say there were many hugs and happy tears. This was a person who entered the hospital as a 3 on the GCS coma scale and walked out the door under her own power in less than 2 months. We were originally told that she would be at Braintree for 6-8 months!
Courtney continues to do well physically and in June had the baclofin pump removed from her abdomen. The Dr's originally told us that this pump which was implanted surgically would be in for 7-8 years! Courtney had it in for 5 months. It was taken out because she has really worked hard at Physical Therapy. As one of the physical therapist's said she is working like a professional athlete. This allowed her to go to Green Hill Beach and enjoy the few nice beach days there were! She also re-learned how to ride a bike! the smile on her face was as wide as the street that day!
The summer of 2009 has a lesson in patience and determination for all of us. Courtney is showing us that she wants to get her "life back". Progress is made only through her determination and willingness to succeed. At this point she is recognizing that she has to overcome some obstacles and this is good as it shows an increased awareness of the "self" It is also very frustrating because she wants to "do all of the stuff" that she did before the accident and at this point not all of that is happening to her time frame.
Her weeks are filled with therapy and rest periods and then "homework". Homework consists of cognitive drills, memorization techniques, re-learning math(Ouch), writing short stories. This is all hard work for her and yet she never stops trying. Being stubborn has its merits!
We had many celebrations this summer with one party that was attended by almost 100 friends and family. We celebrated not only Courtney's miracle but also the fact that we have been blessed by so many people to support her and our family during this difficult time.
In a few weeks we will approach the 1 yr anniversary of the accident( November 15, 2008) Both Diane and I are beginning to have memories that we had put behind us resurface again. We are sure that the next few weeks will be difficult for our family. We are so, so grateful to be at the point where we are today
I have posted a couple of pictures that show how far she has come in the last 11 months. The pictures do not capture the whole ordeal but nonetheless convey the progress she had made. Courtney had coined time last winter as "The Long Winters Nap" and we can all understand why!
Craig
Last month Courtney received an award for achievement from Braintreee Rehab Hospital. She was so proud to accept this award! Many of the staff who worked with Courtney were in attendance. Needless to say there were many hugs and happy tears. This was a person who entered the hospital as a 3 on the GCS coma scale and walked out the door under her own power in less than 2 months. We were originally told that she would be at Braintree for 6-8 months!
Courtney continues to do well physically and in June had the baclofin pump removed from her abdomen. The Dr's originally told us that this pump which was implanted surgically would be in for 7-8 years! Courtney had it in for 5 months. It was taken out because she has really worked hard at Physical Therapy. As one of the physical therapist's said she is working like a professional athlete. This allowed her to go to Green Hill Beach and enjoy the few nice beach days there were! She also re-learned how to ride a bike! the smile on her face was as wide as the street that day!
The summer of 2009 has a lesson in patience and determination for all of us. Courtney is showing us that she wants to get her "life back". Progress is made only through her determination and willingness to succeed. At this point she is recognizing that she has to overcome some obstacles and this is good as it shows an increased awareness of the "self" It is also very frustrating because she wants to "do all of the stuff" that she did before the accident and at this point not all of that is happening to her time frame.
Her weeks are filled with therapy and rest periods and then "homework". Homework consists of cognitive drills, memorization techniques, re-learning math(Ouch), writing short stories. This is all hard work for her and yet she never stops trying. Being stubborn has its merits!
We had many celebrations this summer with one party that was attended by almost 100 friends and family. We celebrated not only Courtney's miracle but also the fact that we have been blessed by so many people to support her and our family during this difficult time.
In a few weeks we will approach the 1 yr anniversary of the accident( November 15, 2008) Both Diane and I are beginning to have memories that we had put behind us resurface again. We are sure that the next few weeks will be difficult for our family. We are so, so grateful to be at the point where we are today
I have posted a couple of pictures that show how far she has come in the last 11 months. The pictures do not capture the whole ordeal but nonetheless convey the progress she had made. Courtney had coined time last winter as "The Long Winters Nap" and we can all understand why!
Craig
3 comments:
Craig:
Thx for the great update. We're thrilled for Courtney. Where are the pictures???
Where are the pictures you said you posted - would love to see them!
Wow Courtney - You look FANTASTIC!Thanks for sharing the recent pictures and CONGRATS on all you've accomplished. You & your family are truly amazing!!! Keep on smiling!
Post a Comment