My Second LOVE

This handsome kiddo saw an ADORABLE female classmate in the produce area at Safeway tonight. He walked over to her and smiled. Followed by the second smile he quickly informed us that he really likes Sophia and she is his second love. What is funny about this is back during Kindergarten Round Up days we met Sophia and her mom. Sophia's mom came over and remarked to me that I have, "The most adorable little boy and he is so handsome." Now they are in first grade together and like each other. How cute is that?

Christmas Day

We had a fun day spending quiet time together as a family and then going down to my cousin's home for dinner. Here are a couple of photos. Isabella gave me a new purple body pillow which she told me all about it 3 days before Christmas.

419

The above number will always be engraved in my mind and heart. It is such a biiter-sweet number to me. The other day I was at the hospital at neuro-rehab. While I was waiting for one of my therapists' a lady came over to the front desk and she was speaking to the clerk as she turned around to leave she noticed me sitting in the waiting area. She quickly came over and said, "Hi Heidi so do you know who I am?" I quickly recognized that she was one of ICU nurses who cared for me each night I was in the hospital. I stood up and we embraced. She then asked me if I had time to take a walk with her up to the Critcal Care Unit so a couple of other nurses who also cared for me could see me and could say hi. I agreed so we walked over and went up on the elevator. While we were on the elevator the nurse explained to me that it is important to them to see their previous patients that they have taken care of because often their patients die or are taken to a residential home and they never get to see them again. She said therefore we never know their ending to their story. As we stepped off the elevator I noticed the sign that said, "Welcome to Critcal Care. All vistors must be 12 years or older and check in at the nurse's desk." Tears started to stream down my face as I realized that just a short few months ago I was on this floor fighting for my life. We walked past my old room 419 and thankfully it was vacant; however, it brought back a flood of memories. This was the room I was told that I could die and also the room that I was told that I would live but have an extensive recovery. This is the room where my story began. We reached the nurse's desk where I was embraced by two other nurses who cared for me so well. What an incredible moment it was for me to share with them the rest of my story. Each of them had huge smiles on their faces and told me how much my visit meant to them and how thankful they were to see me walking, talking, and living my new life that I have been given. We embraced again and then Katie the nurse who brought me up to CCU walked with me back down to rehab. It was a bitter-sweet moment in my recovery journey, but also a part of my healing. Not only did I recall the sad and hard moments of this journey, but I also realized the incredible moments as well as the miracles that have happened to me in the past 100 days. How blessed I am to have the opportunity to share another Holiday season with my beautiful family and friends. I cannot wait to make more beatiful memories with Kirk, Zachary, and Isabella this coming year! My life is my greatest gift this year! A special thank you to all of the CCU Nurses, who cared for me. There are not enough words to express my feelings, but you all are my special angels. Merry Christmas!!!!

Dear Santa

Dear Mr. C.

This year the Walker family has a few requests so here they are:

Kirk: Please bring over some Coke Zero that will get me through until January 12th.

Heidi: Please help my brain to remember how to use all parts of my body.

Zachary: Please help me pass all of my Spelling Tests. I really do not like spelling.

Isabella: Please bring over some Magic Erasers so I can clean off the black marker that is on Mommy's hutch.

Thank You!

The Walker Family

Jingle all the WAY!

During the year 2011 our family was asked to serve at The Weatherly INN (assisted living). Today we did a small Christmas program with all of the kiddos at church. They sang "Jingle Bells", which I thought was the best part of the program. Here is a photo of Zachary and Bells! Check out those Jingle Bells they're so awesome!

Swallowing Eval

Yesterday I had my swallow test, and by the way it is not a fun test and I will not share the details here. They found out that my swallowing muscles are working slower then they should, which is common after this type of bleed. They doctor and speech therapist said that I'm very lucky that the bleed did not take out my swallowing. I'll now add on another appointment and have swallowing therapy for a while. At least I now know why I have been chocking on some of my food. Overall, the recovery is slow and steady; however, I believe everything has now all fallen together, which feels good.

Gene Coulon Beach Park

This morning we went to go and check out the candy canes and clam lights at Gene Coulon. Enjoy the photos.

Neurology and Neuro Rehab update

This week I started my Neuro Rehab and saw the Neurologist so here is the laundry list.

1. Restrictions remain the same.

2. In the next six to eight weeks I will practice backing the car out of a parking space and pulling it in with the PT.

3. Swallowing test and Eval will take place next Tuesday and Thursday with the Radiologist and Speech Therapist.

4. Neurologist increased my medication this has been helping with the headaches.

5. A lot of eye excercises and balancing excercises.

6. My Neurologist broke the news to me that it is going to be a while until I can return to the gym again, but I can go on one to two mile walks supervised.

7. I like my new PT, but she is seriously going to work my butt off, which I appreciate.

My new Pt has a brother, who suffered the same type of bleed four years ago so she told me she is very "passsionate" about my condition. At the end of this week, I feel exhausted and tired, but that tells me that the PT has been doing her job. Will update about the swallow eval next week. I'm able to swallow, but my Neuro said that this bleed can effect the swallowing muscles so he wants to make sure that my swallowing muscles are functioning correctly.

The First Christmas Party of the Year

Today we went to our first party it was really fantastic and my head survived the noise. One of my friend's Sara was there so we captured a photo of the two of us. Sara has been one of my friend's who has faithfully helped us out. I truly have been blessed during this time.

"I'm sure Santa is Going to Like Me." by Isabella

This is a fun year because this is the first year when both kiddos really enjoy Santa!

Balanced myself today!

Exciting day I was able to balance on my right foot for 30 seconds without hanging onto the bar. This is huge because the brain maybe starting to make the connections again. My Physical Therapist is moving to Chicago at the end of the week, which sucks for me because she has helped me since the beginning of this, but she is going to get married, and her husband is a future Neurologist and he has a steady practice. (So she has a good excuse!) However, my Neurologist is sending me to a five day a week Neuro-Rehab in which they will be able to do intensive eye excercises, dizzy therapy (in which I probably will have Nausea or puke for a while), pool therapy, and I will also have another swallowing Eval since my swallowing was a little slow in the hospital they want to recheck that. Overall I'm ready to begin more intensive therapy so this is awesome for me!