Christie

Sorry, I forgot to write about Christie. We weren't able to visit her today. I spent the morning getting my car fixed and the afternoon moving Richard out of his house. I'll be able to update tomorrow better on that. Now, to answer a lot of peoples question...many people have called and asked what Becky meant by Christie being 'awake'. Christie is still (by doctors standards) in a coma. She does open her right eye and look around but doesnt track or focus and thats what Becky means by being awake. When her eye is closed we consider her asleep. Im sorry if there was any confusion. Christe is still in LMH but hopefully will be transferred to FINR next week. Because she is a minor (for two more months) she had to get a special waiver from the state.

Saturday

I havent seen Richard in two days but my mom has been with him. This is relayed from her. This morning when she got there he was awake and happy to have company. They had a really long talk. He said he has to hurry back to work before he gets fired because his work must be pileing up. Also he asked specific questions about the accident. He wanted to know what hit him and was it his fault. My mom told him the other people ran off and he said that should automatically make them guilty. He still hasnt asked about Christie. He said all his medical bills must add up to a lot and wanted to know who was paying them until he got better. Then mom said he got really emotional and began crying. He said he has heard that everyone is being so nice and trying hard to make him better. And that he is deeply touched that so many people care. He said the DR told him he had brain damage and he might never be the same but he hopes he can be. Mom said he ate most of his lunch. His appetite is getting much better. Now just when you think his mind is totally back....he says, where does he live. Mom said FL. The he said where does she live...TN. Then I was on the phone with him and he asked me where I lived...FL. He doesnt understand where he is compared to everyone else. I might bring him a map with little dots where everyone lives. Maybe that will help. To top off the day...they let him drink a COKE they had thickened slightly. Mom said he was so HAPPY!!!

blog address again

Sorry, try this blog address and you can open to the current page, without clicking the links.
http://bringchristiehome.blogspot.com

Christie's Blog

Hi everyone,

A friend from church has set up a blog for Christie. I invite you to view any updates about Christie. She has included pictures for anyone who would like to see her. Please continue checking Richard and Christie's blog for updates on both of them.
Thanks,
Becky
The address is http://bringchristiehome.blogspot.com/2008/05/becky-on-way-back-to-sc.html

Christie's Mom's visit

Hello,
This is Becky. I have had so many people asking how my visit with Christie went, so I thought I would post it here for everyone. I can see now why it is so hard for Angie to visit Richard and Christie in the same day. If you don't live there, you don't realize the driving time involved.Tuesday I went to FINR to visit and see if I wanted Christie to go there. It is a great place, one I think she will benifit from greatly. I wish I could have seen Richard while I was there, but I was unable to.
After we left FINR, I went to see Christie, before going to bed. She was awake while I was there, so I talked with her and hung new pictures up in her room. Wednesday I spent all morning with her. I had to leave at 1:30 to make the drive to Tampa to the airport. We brought her a tape we made of some of her favorite songs, as well as us talking to her. While Tony went and got her a boom box to play it on, I got to spend the morning brushing and braiding her hair, I cut her toe nails and finger nails. We made a spa out of her room. We even had time to watch scooby -doo together. After she went to sleep, I snuck out. I hope I can go see her again soon.

Thursday

I visited Richard yesterday afternoon but not today (I had school). He is in this phase (they say its normal) that he doesnt want to do anything. He argues with you about everything. He wants to come home and cant understand why he has to stay there. Says he is 'good enough' to leave but when I bring up ALL the things he cant do yet, he stops arguing. Physically he is making milestones. He can dress himself, tie his shoes, and stand up and get in his wheelchair all with no assistance. He can even push himself in the chair but not for long periods (he gets tired easily). His mind however is still having problems. He doesnt remember EVERYthing from day to day. Some things though. Also things from the past are 'fuzzy' and are coming back slowly. Eating is also a chore. He eats soft foods only that dont require chewing (rice, mashed pots, pudding, oatmeal, etc). This is for two reasons (he broke his jaw and has problems chewing and a filling fell out during his stay in the ICU so it hurts to chew) They say he only eats 25% of his meal and thats with them constantly encouraging him to take "one more bite". I brought him a (1) strawberry yesterday squished up and he was so happy. He said it filled him up. He loves magic cups!!! Not sure what they are but he lights up when they bring one. The nurse says its like sherbert that stays cold but never melts at room temp. It also has 9 grams of protein so he eats several of those a day. Ill spend tomorrow with Christie so Ill update you about that tomorrow.

Tuesday

So, this morning we went down to LMH and hung out with Christie. We did not see her do anything new, however, she looks great. We watched TV with her and had a long conversation. Philip tried to get her to follow him around the room with her eyes but she didnt. Her nurse was busy so I dont know how her pneumonia is doing. Several therapists came and went doing things with her. Then we went to FINR. Richard is to this constantly wanting to do something stage. He wont sit still for two minutes, says he is bored. But he cant do all the things he thinks he can. So he gets mad when we tell him NO. His catheter is now out. He has no more tubes coming out of him! Yeah! My concern at this point is he doesnt really remember stuff from day to day. He remembers peoples names but not things he did. Like he says its nice that we visit him because no one ever does. We tell him we are here almost everyday and he says really? Also he can have a great conversation about someting current like whats on TV at the time but if you bring up something that happened like 1 year ago he doesnt remember. Baby steps...one day at a time!