I visited Gina again on Thursday, which was exactly three months from the date of her accident, and Friday. Once again, I was amazed at the progress she has made in the two weeks since my last visit! She smiled really big when I walked into her room Thursday evening. She knew I was coming, but not exactly when. After I placed some new flowers on her table and gave her a few of her favorite candy bars, I told her about all the people who told me to give her their best wishes, and I showed her the responses to my last post, including some e-mails. Gina was very touched by all the people who care about her! She can't wait to rejoin the Vegas TER community and thank everyone personally!

While I was there, Gina needed to go to the bathroom so she called for a nurse. But instead of asking for a bedpan, she wanted to show me how she could walk to the bathroom. So the lady who came in set up her walker and I was able to see Gina walk to the bathroom! The last time I visited her, she couldn't even put any weight on her feet! The lady stayed with her in case she lost her balance, but she didn't, and slowly made her way to the bathroom safely. I was impressed!

Gina was in a very good mood that evening! We reminisced about some of the fun times we had shared before her accident, and Gina laughed a lot! She asked me to massage her hands and feet, so I did. She was impressed with my skill at that and I was surprised! I never knew I had that ability, lol! Well, there's a first time for everything!

A few days before I arrived, Gina suffered a minor (I hope) setback though. Her right arm and side were hurting more than usual. We think she might have strained her broken clavicle and broken ribs in her physical therapy. They x-rayed those bones and determined that they were not completely healed yet, but that they are healing properly, so I think that pain won't last too long.

The main concern Gina has about her complete recovery is the functionality of her hands and fingers, especially her left ones. She has nerve damage that affects her hands, probably from the broken bones in her neck or the bump she took on her head. I have paid particular attention to her hands every time I have visited her though, and I have seen some improvement each time! So while nerve problems are unpredictable, and very slow to heal if they do, I think her continual progress is a very good sign.

When the nurse came in with Gina's nighttime medications, I said "goodbye" and told her I'd see her again "tomorrow".

I came back about noon on Friday and Gina wasn't in her room. I went to the gym where she does some p.t. but it was empty. So I asked about her at the nurse's station and no one knew where she was! We finally found her with two of her therapists in a kitchen, where she was making cupcakes! Her therapists told me that that would be good for her, both physically and mentally. She had already mixed the ingredients and was stirring the batter when I got there. Then she scooped it into the cupcake holders and added some candy sprinkles. While the cupcakes were baking, Gina walked across the room with her walker and then sat back in her wheelchair while we waited. Then we all helped her frost the cupcakes and Gina and I both ate one. They were very good!

I took a lot of pictures throughout that whole process! Later Gina wanted to pick one for me to post with this message. She chose the one below, because she wants to show you all that she still has some good oral skills, lol!

Then her therapists took her back to her room and helped her get into her bed. Gina and I chatted and laughed for a few minutes and then someone came in to take her for some more x-rays. I kissed her goodbye and left then.

Friday evening I called her and she was very excited! The x-rays that were taken a few hours before showed that Gina's neck no longer needs to be restrained. So the bulky neck collar she has been wearing for three months is a thing of the past! Now she needs to redevelop her neck muscles so her head feels like it weighs less than a ton, lol!

All in all, it was a great visit, and I am very encouraged that Gina will be all better! She is already pretty normal both mentally and emotionally! She still has a long way to go to be back to normal physically, but I think she will, and in record time! Her attitude remains very upbeat!  

T.L.

-- Modified on 10/21/2006 3:41:46 AM