Day 28 – Mother to Mother
Hi Everyone,
Corey had a good day. The weekend is a reduced exercise time but she still had an hour of PT. I was able to join them to observe.
Corey started on the Tilt Table. The therapist lays her on the table with straps and moves the table incrementally to get Corey to a standing position. This is done very slowly and each degree change is monitored with her blood pressure and heart rate to make sure she in not in pain and/or she’s not anxious by the change in position. This technique helps strengthen her ankles as well as develops her weight baring capability. During the process they work on her focus and tracking. We used pictures of Amelia and one of her collages to help stimulate a response. Once she is standing, they then recline her incrementally. This process takes about 30 minutes.
The second piece of today’s session was the use of the Bolster. It is a large cylinder that is approximately 3’ in diameter. The therapist, Jen, positions herself behind Corey (hugging her from behind) She takes her right arm under Corey and reaches over to Corey’s left forearm. Jen’s left arm then reaches under and over to Corey’s right. She’s crossed her arms to position the “lift” off the tilt table to move her to the cylinder. Jen holds Corey in this posture as she straddles the cylinder so Corey can sit on the edge. Together they rock on the bolster from side to side and front to back. This technique, also 30 minutes, builds head, neck and trunk control. Corey did very well.
We went back to her room to get her coat. We were given permission to go 4-wheelin’ on the grounds! Corey and I strolled through the facility and found our way outside to the garden and goose pond. We sat in the sun, felt the breeze and listened to the geese. It was a beautiful fall day.
Our friends and families have been an incredible support for us. Today, a young man we never met before came to visit Corey. He was on this same wing July 2009. This young man sat with Corey and shared with her that 15 months ago, he was in the same bed as she is now. He also encouraged her that if she fights and works hard; she will full fill her dreams and she will be standing just like he is today.
A short while later, the mother of another brain injury child came to see me. We had never met but she wanted to come speak to me, mother to mother. We talked for a very long time. She reminded me that the one thing we are all guaranteed in this life is that our lives will change. That’s true regardless of our circumstances. We don’t know how this brain injury will change Corey but she is still Corey. She has changed everyday since the day she was born. Learning, growing and maturing. That is true for today too. We couldn’t predict what changes Corey would go through in the next 10 years prior to the accident, so we need not wonder and focus on those now. Today, we cherish what we do know. She’s beautiful! Her skin color is good, her eyes are open, she’s holding our hand and she’s spontaneously moving her arms and legs. Each day she will continue to change and we need to cherish each new discovery.
This woman then shared that her daughter was 17 when she was in her car accident. 8 years later, she’s married, holds a job and last week, delivered their first grandchild, a baby boy.
Today, we will continue to pray for Corey to heal and get stronger. We can also pray for ourselves. Pray to maintain hope, optimism and courage to keep an open heart and mind so we can see and celebrate the daily discoveries.
God Bless you Corey! xoxo
Day 27 – Acute care rehab
Hi Everyone,
What a week! This roller coaster ride has the most interesting twists and turns we’ve ever experienced. It looks like our girl not only wants to ride, she’s picked the front car and has her hands up!
This morning she had speech therapy. I happen to be in early for a meeting with the staff and observed some of their techniques. One technique for sensory stimulation was to place an iced glove on Corey’s cheek. She responded appropriately, she moved her head and pulled away from the glove. A very good sign!
The therapist started to ask about Corey’s interests. She wanted to know about JohnPaul and Caitlin, Roxie (our dog) and Amelia (our cat – the one Corey tricked me into getting) They asked about school, college plans and the collages that hang in her room. We started to discuss cheering when “No Shave November” came up. As I started to share the story with them, Corey began moving her arms and her leg! The therapists said that this is the reason they invite families in. Often times the patients will react to the family members sharing memories and stories. Corey certainly did! We’re guessing she was trying to add the part where her coach Chris will be shaving his head and her Uncle Tom will be shaving his legs for the highest bidder! There is no way she’s letting them out of this fundraiser!
Tonight JohnPaul and John stayed with Corey. Normally when John and I are with Corey at the end of the day, she’s exhausted and often falls asleep before 7pm. Not tonight! She was awake the entire visit with JohnPaul. She had her eyes open, squeezing hands, grinding her teeth and making her mouth motions. Obviously her brother is much more entertaining than Mom and Dad!
Thank you again for all your prayers, love and support. You keep us strong and hopeful!
Love The Beattie’s
Day 26 – Acute care rehab
Hi Everyone, We’re on a roll!
Corey had quite a workout today. She had 3 ½ hrs of PT, 1 ½ hrs of OT and Speech for 1 hr. Corey was sitting in her wheelchair when I arrived. She was awake and making eye contact with me. Did I mention how great that is? I love those beautiful blue eyes!
The first thing I noticed was a speaking valve in her trach! The team is beginning to work on her “verbal” responses. At the moment it’s just grunts and moaning but that’s okay. She’s beginning to vocalize. This is a great sign.
We were chatting about her day when she began moving her mouth muscles. It resembles the sucking motion babies make. (We used to call it the “binky mouth”) I would ask her questions and she looked like she was trying to respond. She was focused when I threw in another “test”…”Corey, squeeze my hand”…She DID! She responded to the command! Of course the doubting Thomas that I am, I had to try it again. She squeezed a bit harder for the second request! I know she wanted to say, “SEE, I am listening mom”!
As we continued chatting about our day, Corey lifted her head away from the headrest while lifting her right shoulder as if she wanted to get up and out of the chair. I was so surprised and then panicked that she was going to fall out before I realized she had her seat belts on. Then I was ecstatic! We all know she wanted to get up and go back to the gym! Her motion of lifting her head and shoulder is another great sign. Control of her head, neck and trunk muscles is one of the team’s first goals. It’s obvious she’s ready to show them it’s just the start!
Funny note;
Corey’s boss from the Candy Shop came to visit tonight. When we shared that Corey was trying to get out of her wheelchair, she responded with, “It’s about time! Time to get back to work Corey, we’re shorthanded and tired of covering your shifts!” She’ll be dipping apples and pretzels before we know it!
She was exhausted tonight but it’s well deserved. Sleep well Corey, Happy Dreams. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! xoxo
Day 25 – Acute care rehab
Hi Everyone,
This post is written with gratitude and renewed hope! We have been looking for any little glimpse or sign from Corey. Last night as we were tucking her into bed, her night nurse, Pat, was chatting with her and asked her to blink a response to her. She then squealed, “Did you see that?” “She blinked!”…I did not.
I’m back to work full time now and tonight couldn’t make it to Corey until 5:40. She was awake staring straight ahead as I entered the room. Here was our conversation.
“Hi honey, I’m sorry I’m a little late”
I went directly into her line of site and she turned her eyes to her right.
“Hey you, don’t you turn away from me” “How was your day”?
She turned her eyes straight.
Teasing her, “Oh, I see you’re mad at me, huh”? “Corey, follow my voice, can you find me”?
She closed her eyes and when she opened them our eyes met. She was looking at me. “You can hear me can’t you” “Corey, blink once if you can hear me”
She then took one long deliberate blink!
“You can hear me can’t you sweetie.”
She took another long deliberate blink.
I really want to believe what I thought I saw but then thought; maybe my eyes were seeing what my heart wanted to see.
A few minutes later, Nick, a new night nurse came in. We were chatting about her day from the clinical perspective.
Nick asked me, “Have you noticed Corey being more alert while she’s had her eyes open? Has she been tracking you or has she blinked to any questions from you”?
I admitted that it just happened. He shared that when he was getting her ready for bed, she was tracking him in the room. He approached her and said, “Corey, one blink for yes, two blinks for no…are you watching me”? She blinked once.
I shared my own little “test” with him and asked him if he thought she was deliberately blinking. He said in his heart and opinion she did! This is a man that has been on this wing for 23 years. I trust his heart and his opinion!
Faith is a tricky thing. My parents had a motto, “the difficult is easy, the impossible just takes a little longer”
I’m so grateful to all of you for encouraging us to keep the faith and allowing us to rely on your positive energy. Speaking for myself, it’s been a daily struggle. We received a St. Jude relic 9 days ago from a friend. St. Jude is the patron saint of impossible cases. My friend’s family was going to say a Novena to St. Jude for Corey. I have been rubbing the relic on Corey’s head each day. Then I place the relic in the palm of our hands as we hold hands, praying that Corey will be healed. Tomorrow is the feast day of St. Jude. I think he’s winking through Corey to let us know he’s been listening.
Day 24 – Parent Pre-med
Hi Everyone,
Parent Premed classes are on the fast track at BMR! There was so much information tonight I took notes…3 pages worth!
This is the scoop;
The Treatment Team consists of PT, OT, ST, Neurology, Clinicians/MD and Corey’s Case Manager. They meet once a week to discuss what they’ve observed from week to week. They set weekly goals, track progress and evaluate the length of stay based on her age and state of recovery. This is how they calculate the move from inpatient to outpatient status.
This week is the Initial Evaluation week. They are observing what will be her baseline. They also determine what her key issues are (I offered to help with that but they wanted “Post” accident). Next week they will begin to mark the measurable differences.
Her range of motion is limited in some limbs. She’s tight but not inflexible. She does have negative range in her ankles and is wearing boots. She also has hand splints to help her wrists. They rotate these 2 hours on, 2 hours off. She might have what’s called casting. They will actually cast her feet to stretch the muscles for a few days then remove the casts. When PT works with her, her range will improve after the casting.
Corey is in a Comma Emergence Program. This means that they are going to gear much of her therapy towards sensory stimulation preventative therapy. They are looking for that primitive response to protect herself. For instance, they put her hand in Ice Water. She didn’t pull her hand out quickly, but she did slowly raise her hand out of the Ice Water, which is a great sign…she felt it and didn’t like it! They counted that as a “withdrawal”…we like withdrawals.
Speech is measuring her secretions. This tells them if she can manage swallowing. She has minimal secretions. Also a good thing, she’s already managing her saliva which is a step closer to taking out her trach. If she continues, they will switch it to a speech trach, then cap it, then remove it! A technique that Speech Therapy uses is a Lemon Ice Spoon. Think about Lemonade on a summer day. It’s really refreshing but after you have it, your mouth fills with saliva from the sour taste. Now think about stubborn Corey…she didn’t like this technique and the Speech Therapists know without question that Corey has a strong bite reflex! There was NO WAY she was going to taste that Lemon Ice Spoon!
The Neurology team is evaluating the Comma recovery scale this week. That’s different than the scale Christiana used. Details on that next week. She had a CAT scan today to check the shunt and swelling. We have a follow up with the Ortho and Neurologists next week.
So far we know she had response to the ice, her eyes are usually open 75-100% during the PT/OT sessions, her eye tracking is inconsistent, she prefers a right gaze, no cognitive command responses, no motor command responses, but she did have some moaning and grunting during her session today. That is the first vocal response since the accident. She’s gearing up to tell these people off for tormenting her I’m sure. We all know that Corey didn’t have a filter, so God help this team when she does vocalize!
I have to admit its unnerving to sit in this “wait and see” stage. Communication is going to be key. It’s more comforting hearing what techniques the teams are using and hearing their goals and vision for her. This will be a slow process but sharing the details helps make it a little more bearable.
Corey is sleeping well tonight! So will we…Thanks for keeping us close to your hearts. Love, The Beatties
Day 23 – Acute care rehab
Hi Everyone,
It was a long day but she looks good.
Corey started early with x-rays of the femur and a Doppler for the blood clot in her leg. Good news, the Doppler was negative. The x-ray results will be reported tomorrow.
Corey had OT from 9-10, PT from 10-11:30. She rested from 11:30-1pm, then ST 1-1:30, PT again from 1:30-2:30. She then closed the day with Psychology. After her shower, she was tucked into bed and chilled out until she passed out!
This week is evaluation week. We won’t have any reports on their evaluations until the end of the week. The therapists will formulate her regiment based on this week. They are looking for her range of motion, alertness, and her reaction to techniques and most importantly is she in pain as she works certain movements.
One report the staff did share was Corey DID NOT like the bolster. They use a bolster to put her into a sitting position and try to manipulate her limbs and build her trunk muscles. Her heart rate spiked and that let the team know that she was not happy to be using that technique…not yet anyway!
She’s tucked into bed and sleeping comfortably. Happy dreams Corey! xoxo
Day 22 – Acute care rehab
Hi Everyone,
Corey had a quiet day. The staff at Bryn Mawr took it easy on her today. She did get up and in her wheelchair for 2 hours and tolerated it well. Her vitals are good and the shunt is working, the swelling continues to decrease, which is excellent.
We went home today to pick up some clothes and some books to start reading to her. We chose some of her old favorites Matilda, Ramona the Brave and Ramona the Pest. Beverly Cleary’s humor is sure to wake her up laughing!
Corey is spontaneously opening her eyes. She is also showing some signs of being alert when her eyes are open. She’s not responding to any commands yet, but we believe she can hear us and does have intermittent eye contact. We were thinking that it would be nice for her to hear from her friends and family via letters. If any of you would like to write a letter to Corey, please feel free to send them to us via this carepage or facebook (Marie Palamara Beattie). Describe your week, share something funny or let her know what is happening in your day so that she still feels apart of everything. We will be bringing in a laptop to her room so we can read your letters to her. We’re sure your letters will be much more interesting than any of the topics we’ve been chatting about!
Well, tomorrow is the big day! Day 1 of “rehab boot camp.” When I kissed her good night, I wished her a good day tomorrow and reminded her to play nice with the new kids!
Now WE can’t wait to get the update of her day. Don’t worry, we’ll be happy to share the news as we get it.
Love, The Beattie’s
Day 21 – Acute care rehab
Hi Everyone,
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three weeks today that Corey started her journey!
We found a piece of paper in her backpack today. It was her Senior Quote sheet for the yearbook. We thought you might like to read what she chose as her quote.
“We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy and bravery” – Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.
How appropriate and what a wonderful reminder for us.
Bryn Mawr wants to ease her into her routine. Today and tomorrow will be initial evaluation days. Well if today was an easy day, Miss Corey is in for it on Monday!
OT (occupational therapy), ST (speech therapy) and PT (physical therapy) began their visits. The three teams start by evaluating her muscles tone and range of motion. The concern is that the longer she stays in a sedentary position, the higher the risk that her muscles will contract and “not give”. Another reason to get her to rehab ASAP. She’s tight but not inflexible, that’s a good thing.
The team got her up sitting on the side of the bed (with assistance). They also fitted her for her wheelchair. Corey is not talking but speech was trying to get her to open her mouth. Little bugger hates when they take her temperature or try to brush her teeth. She clenches down and won’t open up to say Ahhh. ST assured us they know tricks she hasn’t figured out yet! Moving her up out of bed also helps her to cough. This is really important because it helps keep her lungs clear. She still has some residual junk that needs to keep moving up and out.
The biggest surprise for us – she got a shower tonight! The rehab has a special gurney that is wheeled into the shower. Water therapy is very comforting. The staff loves when they get young girls as patients because they always use “girly” lotions, shampoos and body wash. She smelled great! Her spa session was at the end of the day and put her right to sleep. Poor little thing was wiped out and we could tell she was in a deep, sound sleep. We understand why the rehab is so strict about their visiting hours.
She is working so hard and needs to have that rest…Happy dreams Corey xoxo
God bless you!
Please keep those prayers coming and thank you for including prayers of strength for all of us! We appreciate your love and support.
The Beattie’s
Day 20 – ICU to Acute Care Rehab
Houston, we’ve been cleared for lift off! She’s been cleared to leave for Bryn Mawr late this afternoon.
Corey has been resting and very quiet the last few days. She will need her rest because when she arrives, the “real” work begins.
The last 3 weeks she’s passed the preliminary trials. Now she will be focused on the marathon. We hope it doesn’t take her 4 years to win the Gold, but whatever it takes we will be there to continue to help train with her, support her and cheer her on.
We left Christiana Hospital late this afternoon. The staff all came to say goodbye. Even the staff that had the day off called and texted to send their well wishes. She had quite a fan club on 2A ICU!
Corey is all settled into her new room, she even has the bed next to the window! The first thing we did was hang her collage posters to surround her with friends. Her Phillies Bear, Sleeping Beauty Barbie doll, princess blanket and pillow now make a hospital room a bit more like home.
We’re glad she rested up because her schedule beginning on Monday is going to be rough! She will have 2 hours of physical therapy twice a day, 1 hour of occupational therapy twice a day, as well as speech therapy and visits from the clinical and neurology team each day. Her therapy is 7 days a week.
We know local friends want to visit right away but we’ve been asked to give Corey at least 3 to 4 weeks before she starts getting visitors. She will be working very hard and will be too tired to see visitors until she begins to build her stamina. When Corey starts to get stronger, that’s when we are going to rally the troops to come in. It will be good for her to see her friends again. We were also told that in a few months, we can bring in Roxie our dog. They love pet therapy! Amelia, the cat won’t be coming though. She can’t handle the trip to the vet let alone rehab. Visiting will be Saturdays and Sundays when Corey’s ready.
Fundraising Update;
Nicole and Lexi are the Bracelet Bandits! The report is that they are selling fast and furiously. When Lexi isn’t selling bracelets at the high school, she is a waitress at The Wedge restaurant off of 896. The management heard about Corey and has generously offered to join the fundraising team. November 2nd, if you’d like to treat yourself to dinner and mention Corey’s name, they will donate 15% of your bill to her Healthcare fund!
Here’s an enticing addition to Shelly’s “No Shave November” fundraiser. Chris, Corey’s old coach, has agreed to shave his head.
Hold on… here’s another hook – Corey’s Uncle Tom (the one that nicknamed our vegetarian daughter “MEAT”) is raising the bar. Highest bidder will buy his shaving both his legs! Tom’s wife Marjy has already bid $100 to see that!
Stay tuned for details for all these events to honor our Corey girl! These fundraising ideas are going to be so much fun and we know Corey would love each of them. They reflect the humor, energy and vitality that we all admired in her!
Time to rest now. Tomorrow the PT and OT teams begin their evaluations. When we left her room tonight she was sleeping and looked so content. Happy dreams Miss Corey. We love you! xoxo
Day 19 – ICU
Hi Everyone,
It was another quiet day, but a good day. Lots to catch you up on…
Our biggest news of the day; Corey’s swelling has begun to come down!!! The right side of her head is beginning to depress. For the first time ever, let’s be happy she’s depressed! 😉
This is a clear sign that the shunt is working. At 4pm she was a 9T. This evening, she’s back down to a 7T but that’s okay…this process will, as the nurses say, wax and wane. She’s been resting a lot today but she did spontaneously open both her eyes together and at the same level. The nurses feel that she is “lighter” in her responses, which means it takes less poking, prodding and pinching to get her to respond. We think she’s tired of them tormenting her…just wait until she goes to rehab, she’ll be begging for the ICU team!
Our family hairstylist came to visit and just so happened to have her scissors with her! Corey’s long hair was beginning to get very matted from her surgeries and partially stuck in her neck collar. Debbie was able to get at all her hair with the help of her nurse. Corey is now styling a shorter inverted bob. She still has one more surgery to go (replacing the bone flap), so until then this was the easiest style for rehab transition. Debbie will do a funky cute short-short style after the next surgery that Corey will surely rock! That will let both sides begin to grow together.
We are waiting on an ultrasound to come down tonight to look at her legs. She has developed a blood clot. The doctors feel that it’s not a substantial clot but we need to make sure so it doesn’t hold her up from going to Bryn Mawr. The clots and no fever tonight are the two major pieces left for her release. That’s right! If she passes these last two check points we could be out of here tomorrow! If there is a delay, we will go Monday. Welcome to the “wait and see” game!
We also thought you’d like to know Bryn Mawr’s motto; “Roll them in and Walk them out”. That’s the plan and we’re holdin’ them to it!
Speaking of planning; save the date Saturday, November 27th, 2010. Our community is planning a Corey Day. During the day they will be hosting a dance party for the younger cheerleading girls along with “little kid” events. That evening there will be a Beef & Beer for the parents with a silent auction of gift baskets with some amazing treasures. All funds will all go towards Corey’s healthcare costs.
More details will be posted as it gets closer.
We have repeatedly said “Thank You”. Those two words don’t begin to speak what we feel in our hearts. We hope you all know just how much you mean to us and to Corey. We have been so blessed by each of you!
Love The Beattie’s