Brain Update

I can't believe how many appointments one can have in a day! This is what my life is made up of right now. Today I went to Physical Therapy and my physical therapist took me for a walk outside. It was nice to walk in the sunshine, but awkward to have a gait belt around waist in case if I fall. I felt so old and told my therapist that, but he said it is for safety. I came back in and they exercised my left arm, which is still a little numb and heavy. I also saw my internal medicine doctor, Dr. Lucy this week, and had the opportunity to see her for forty five minutes. She has been having me come to her office every 12 days and the visits are 45 minutes. She checks my blood pressure, vision, coordination, balance, heart, lungs, etc. Needless to say, we are getting to know her very well. This week we also received our first statement, and lets just say staying in ICU costs about 11,000 dollars a day. Thank heavens for insurance. Next Monday I'm scheduled for another CT scan followed by the Neurologist on Thursday. I'm still on all of my restrictions and Dr. Lucy prescribed a medication to help me with my balance and it has been working. I'm on a ton of medication, but I know that it will help me progress, and I'm grateful for medications. I also sleep for about 12 to 14 hours a day which helps the headaches and helps my brain heal.

On the bright side, yesterday I got the opportunity to spend four hours with my friend Shaunna and it was very nice. She's quiet and calm. I have never meant a more Christ-like woman in my life. It was a very uplifting visit. Today my friend Cindy came and took me out for a hour. Cindy has away of adding humor and spice to life. Tonight when Kirk was at class, my friend's daughter came over to care for Zachary and Isabella and they truly enjoyed their time with her. Next week many of my friends are helping me with my family. We have received so much love and support from family and friends and I really do not know how we are going to repay each of you. I'm still in shock that this happened. However, I recognize my blessings such as being alive, being able to swallow, being able to talk, walk, and all of my other abilities. This event has truly caused Kirk and I to reflect about life.

Tonight we received a card from some friends and I will share some of the thoughts that they shared with our family because it really sums everything up.

1. Dear Heidi and Kirk, "Hope lives around every corner, behind every cloud, inside every failure. Believe in hope. Look for it and you'll find it when you need it most."

2. Heidi and Kirk, "My family is here for you. Looking foreward to seeing your celebrations in the near future."

3. Dear Heidi and Kirk, "Thinking of you both as you continue on your journey through new challeges. Wish you energy, peace, strength, and rest. With the victory of having walked through the valley of the shawdow."

Please keep us keep us in your prayers and lets hope for a clean CT scan next week!