March 6, 2009- Part II

The biggest thing that happened in therapy this afternoon was with occupational therapy. They were doing exercises for Christy's eyes. This is a picture of Christy in front of the light board. What happens is a red light comes on the board and you have to push it. All the lights are buttons too. The light then jumps to another space on the board and you have to push that red light. If you take too long, the board starts to buzz at you! We had the lights off and the door shut for Christy to see the light at its brightest. This exercise was the first of its kind that we saw and allowed us to see how Christy is doing visually. It took a couple of times for Christy to catch on to focusing on the light, but she's a fast learner! The therapist would guide her to the left, right, top or bottom. Then she would look to see if Christy could see the light, and then guide her hand there. The therapist would say "See, it's lighting up your fingers red". After a few tries, her eyes were looking at the light, and she was using her strong left hand to touch the lights. Christy would always go a little to the right of the light, but occasionally she could get it. When Luis was breaking it down to me later, he explained to us that the brain re-learns by experience & repetition. Putting her hand on the light over and over allows the brain to reconnect to that task. So, not only was the OT assessing Christy's vision, but re-teaching her brain to be able to locate the light and push it. Some lights she couldn't see at all. Christy worked really hard at this exercise & did an excellent job! After Chris was over the light board, the therapist did some range of motion in the gym (see picture on left). Occupational therapy concentrates on the arms, and physical therapy concentrates on the legs.

It's amazing because Donald picks up on all these exercises intuitively. After that light board experience, we went to hang out on the bridge and get some warm sunshine. Don held his hand out for Christy and asked her to slap it. He moved his hand around and asked her to look for it and slap it. He's constantly thinking of ways to help Christy to rehab! The repetition can only help her.

Christy had chicken and gravy with mashed potatoes & gravy, peaches, and banana cream pie for dinner. She said the chicken tasted good. She had a couple french fries too. Of course, she washed it all down with two diet cokes!!

The other eventful thing was that Chrsity had her first shower in a shower chair!! She's upgraded from that plastic bed with a drain! Christy liked the chair much better. We got her some sweet smelling shampoo and leave in conditioner. Christy helped wash her own hair (with her left hand). We shaved her armpits and legs too! After the shower, the tech brought out two warm blankets from the huge warmer next door. It felt nice and cozy for Chrsity after the shower! That was really cool. Christy looked like a nun with her habit on all wrapped up in the blankets :) When we got back I braided her hair, so she doesn't get dreads while she sleeps.

Christy is still having pain from leg spasms, and "motor restlessness" tonight. Christy said that she felt a little anxious when she was moving around a lot. She calmed down, and the nurse dug in her bag of tricks and tried a new combo sleep medication regime tonight. The nurses are so wonderful here. They come and talk with you, discuss what we feel is the best thing for Christy & they really care! It's such a relief to be here where they are so calm and comfortable with what Christy is experiencing at night.

Craig is like Queens in that there are no therapies on the weekend. So Saturday and Sunday she gets a little break. We all get to hang out & cruise! As I understand it, Dr. Ripley will be done with tests and evaluations by Monday (MRI scheduled Monday) and will have a family meeting on Tuesday. Shucks! I'll be gone by then. I'm so fascinated with everything that goes on here, i wish I could stay with Chris and Don and Alan. But I have to get back to work:( Until tomorrow!

Friday March 6, 2009- Day 3 @ Craig

Hi everyone! I'm here for a Mid-day Post! I know, unusual, but Christy is in EEG right now with Donald. They went to Swedish Hospital next door to do the test. They went by gurney and Craig must be connected to Swedish Hospital through a bridge or basement hallway. I'll ask Don when he comes back. I took a little picture of myself at the computer in the family activity room so you could see where I was exactly typing away to you guys!

I didn't get to explain the set up quite yet. The simple part is that Craig Hospital is split into two buildings, EAST and WEST. Christy is in the west wing on a floor for brain injury patients (2nd). The East side sounds like it's for patients almost ready to go home from Craig & Christy will most likely make one or more moves throughout the hospital during her stay. The spinal cord injury patients are split from the brain injury patients. I may be recalling wrong, but I think more spinal cord patients reside on the East side. The east and west buildings are connected by the glass bridge where we were soaking up the sun yesterday.

Chrisy's room has a cool swivel TV that has an arm that bends in many different places. It can raise an lower to whatever height is best for her. Everything here seems to be well thought out. The board behind tells Christy the day and the nurses & techs on to help her for the day! The call bell is a huge round red ball that is extremely sensitive. It hangs on a cord tied to the bedside light in her room. It triggers someone from the nurses station to call into the room on the intercom. You can speak softly and the intercom can still pick up what you are saying. All of these things make it so much easier for Christy. the picture on the right is her dresser and shelves. She's got her pictures up of the Kids and Don! We got her some real shampoo and Alan is bringing some yummy lotions and shower gel from Bath and Body works!

Christy has a printed schedule for the week with blocked times of therapies and the name of the therapist coming to see her. Oh! I have to mention that yesterday I talked about "Malia" the speech therapist, but actually her name is only pronounced Malia, but spelled "Melea". She just moved here from L.A. 8 months ago, just like Alan! Malea was in the 8:30- 9:00 spot this morning and back again in the 10:00-10:30 spot. Christy was tired, and Don said it was hard for Melea to get much out of her. Christy is having a sleepy day and is tired. When I got her room today, she had just been put back to bed about 10 minutes before I got there. Christy was sleeping pretty deeply. Chris' sleep-wake cycles are still off, despite the minor pharmacological changes that have been made. Dr. Ripley said that he is really good at changing drugs around-- adding and taking away drugs to give Chrsity the most comfort but optimal alertness for therapies. Christy is still experiencing the leg cramping and restlessness when she is trying to sleep. Christy is still on the Baclofan (muscle relaxer). The nurses were explaining that the Baclofan isn't very good for alertness, but Chrsity needs it for her tight spasming leg cramps. And I just found out that there is a spasticity clinic here too!! Craig has EVERYTHING!! There are answers and resources here we couldn't have imagined!!!

Physical therapy came by with a deluxe protractor & ruler-ish device. I asked PT later what its official name was and it's "Gonometer". It measures the angles of the extremities. I think they wanted to stretch Chrsity out and measure the range of motion she has in her legs. Christy was in a pretty deep sleep because when Jody came it to wake her, she didn't even move. They decided that they would com back to see her at their 2:00pm spot this afternoon. Letting Christy sleep would make her more productive this afternoon. In addition, they didn't think they would get to work with her as well if she was this sleepy. So at 1:00pm a transporter came to take her to EEG.

So there is more physical therapy and occupational therapy lasting till 3:00pm today. OT will asses range of motion of the arms. All of the therapies are in assessment phase right now. The real active working therapies will begin next week after the initial test and assessments have been made! Therapies end by 4:00pm daily.

For anyone who is interested in sending a card to Christy I wanted to give the address of the Hospital. There has been inquiry already and I'm sure there are others out there!

Kelelina Christy Huddy

Room 216 A

c/o Craig Hospital

3425 South Clarkson Street

Englewood, Colorado 80110

xoxo, gabby

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Can't believe I forgot to tell you something ultra cool that happened on the day we left for Craig. Christy is doing so much and constantly impressing us, I can't keep up... Christy had to go to the bathroom and Don was going to carry her in. Christy said, "No. I want to walk myself" So Don supported under one arm and Hanae under the other, and Chris walked, slowly to the bathroom. She followed direction from Donald and went step by step. On the way back I got to help her with Don. This time she preferred to side step most of the way. Side stepping was the most comfortable for her at that time & it worked!! She is one tough girlie. Her determination is unreal! Kainalu took video on his camera of the entire walk to the bathroom!! He's great with his camera. He has been talking pictures of mom and everyone & offering them to me to use on the blog!!

Today was another fabulous day here at Craig! Colorado has been unusually warm here. The sun is shining and it's great! Maybe we brought some aloha sunshine with us, too. Craig hospital set us up in a huge family living space. it's a a one bedroom apartment with a full kitchen, dining table, couch, 2 TVs, large bathroom & laundry service (for sheets and linen). They even give you dishwashing soap, pots & pans, detergent for the dish washer! We received a little gift bag too with granola, shampoo, a toothbrush, gum, bottled waters, candy, etc. they even fold the towels into shapes like the fancy hotel! Wow! They really know how to make you feel welcomed! Alan and Luis took us shopping so we could fill the refrigerator with some food! We missed breakfast and lunch here today. I guess they only serve at certain times. On the first day they told us that we could eat at the patient mini-cafeteria in the gym, and the soda fountain is always open. We're a little shy, though because we're not sure if we heard right. Also, there is a refrigerator with water 24/7 and coffee for us. That part was clear that we could help ourselves. Everyone has been so cool!

So, I missed Christy's first drink of real- strait from the can- drink of Diet coke this morning! The speech therapist was explaining that a recent study showed that carbonated drinks function like nectar thickened liquids. Remember Christy was on thickened liquids (honey consistency) at Queen's Hospital. Honey thickened liquids are thicker than nectar thickened liquids. Necatar thickened liquids are thicker than regular consistency liquids. Thicker liquids are easier to swallow, don't move as fast in your mouth, and make you at less risk for aspiration (going down the wrong tube into your lungs!) Anyway, the speech therapist Malia was testing Christy with all kinds of foods- good ones! She went out and bought those little powdered doughnuts and let her eat one of those too! Unfortunately, they won't let her eat those or bread products now because it was too hard to chew and it got stuck on the roof of her mouth. Malia mentioned that Christy had a high pallet and that it made it even harder for Christy to move the food around. Christy is still regaining full control over her tongue and is practicing moving the food around and chewing! Food still gets stuck on the roof of her mouth & we just have to check and make sure it goes down eventually. Christy is making improvements every second, though. At lunch when she ate stuffed shells with marinara sauce, she had a hard time licking the food off her lips. At dinner, she was licking the food off her lips!! This girl is doing more and more every hour! Christy really enjoyed the stuffed past a shells! She wanted to eat it all. We have to give her Small bites and alternate bites with a drink of diet coke for safety! Christy drinks with a straw too which is harder than from a regular cup! Because Christy is able to swallow diet coke with no problems, they said that she should be just fine with regular liquids! yay!! So good-bye thicken up! "Thicken up" was the powder they used to thicken anything she ate.

During lunch Donald fed her sitting on her bed. One bite at a time, then a sip of diet coke. A Craig staff member sits in the first half of the meal to make sure we're feeding her correctly and safely. Christy is so cute & is regaining more and more of her personality. She is joking with us more and more! When Don was giving Christy a sip of diet coke she got too much and almost choked. Donald said, "Come on Chris, you're gonna get me in trouble" "We're being graded" referring to the staff observing. Christy tells Don "what do you mean, How is it my fault when you screw up?" "Figure that one out?" She is constantly making us laugh. Don and Christy are getting more and more playful too. Before, Don would be the only one cracking jokes. Don was sitting on the bed, feeding Christy, rubbing her thigh and waiting for her to chew her food & swallow it. Don tells Chrsity lovingly that he has some fresh peaches for her on her tray once she finishes her pasta, so hurry up and chew! Christy says with a grin "I got some fresh peach for you right there!" Ha! We're all cracking up at her. I told her careful because I'm going to put it on the blog and she cutely says "Go, I don't care!" She's so great! The speech therapist was out of the room for that one!

The physical therapist came after lunch. they wanted to get Christy in her wheelchair. they ordered one with a tilt on the seat, so the front of the seat cushion is propped up higher than the back of the seat. There are foot rests, a head rest, torso braces, and the whole chair tilts back in a reclined sitting position! There is a timer on the back of the chair and it alarms every 20 minutes. That is our cue to recline Christy or sit her back up. They are big on adjusting her weight while sitting in the chair so she doesn't get pressure sores. Today was the first time that Christy got to sit in it. It needed some adjustments, though. So we went into the gym and the therapist were fumbling around the tool shelf trying to find the tools to shorten the leg rest. They ask Donald if he has any idea which tool to use to loosen the nut, and Mr. Don Fix it says "I think that's a 1/2 inch", goes in the tool cabinet, pulls out the tool and adjusts it! Donald is a wheel chair mechanic now too! The jobs he's conquered while he's been taking care of Christy! The cool part is that when Donald was finished, Christy commented "Hows my chair? Cool ya?" When we asked if she was comfortable, she said, "very comfortable". Makes us happy when she is comfortable!

Chrsity cruises around in her own clothes while she's here. Today when we were getting her dressed with the therapist, she wanted to pick out her own clothes and colors. When I brought out her tee-shirts, she asked us if she was wearing jeans (because that would determine which top she chose!) Before we left her room to cruise, Christy wanted to see herself in the mirror. So I pushed her up against the sink so she could see herself in the mirror. She said "who did my hair?" I said "me, real fast", and she said... "whoah.. I'll do it again!" We loved it! Christy got the brush and tried to brush her hair, but the coordination in her arm and hands are making it hard to do what she wants with it. The brush was just waving above her head. Donald told her "you're not brushing your hair you know", and she laughed, and said "I know (stupid), It's real hard though!" We all were laughing. Christy is very aware of what is going on, but just has a hard time getting her body to do what she wants it to do for her. Christy was commenting that her hair was "CRAZY!" so we got her some leave in conditioner for her today. Christy asked for her lipstick and bushed her hair with her fingers instead. She's good at that! Just look at how beautiful she looked in this picture with Alan. The therapist were commenting that she was such a beautiful woman. Christy never misses a thank you. She says she doesn't feel beautiful but she doesn't understand how beautiful she really is. It is so amazing to be with her these last two days- love her! I admire her playful, strong, witty, loving, determined, sweet personality! That personality is shining though more and more every day!

Next, we decided to take Christy out to the glass walkway and sit in the sun and look out at Pike's peak! Dr. Ripley walked past us drinking diet coke and stopped to explain that it was the goal for pioneers to reach in the 1800's. "Pikes or Bust!" Maybe someone else knows that history. I hope I repeated it right! The sun was pretty bright so Christy borrowed my shades while we sat and looked out the floor to ceiling windows! We have to get her some for the bright shiny days!

(The picture to the left is the glass walkway looking up from the street & that's Chris & Don on it)

After sitting a while on the walkway, Christy asked me, Don and Alan "What are we doing?" Don told her we were just cruising and talking story. Chrsty said she wanted to go to the store! She was asking Donald later to go shopping with us when we left to get food and groceries. Don explained that they were going to stay there and that they couldn't go yet. Christy is so funny.

We were sitting around in the room Christy was eating dinner. She was avoiding the "disgusting beef stew" on her plate. Christy couldn't even swallow it. She spit it out. On the next bite she told Don that he better not put another bite of that beef stew on her plate or she's going to be mad!! We were having a normal conversation laughing our butts off at each other, enjoying one another. Christy commented that this was a "24 hour comedy show"! She's right! We're having so much fun just being with Christy and laughing. The day flew by so fast.

Christy got some sleeping medication tonight again, and slept for a couple hours, then woke up again asking for water. After I repositioned her and adjusted the air conditioning because she was hot, she was telling me "I feel so out of it". She said "I was sgthraushing". After about three or four times of me asking her to say it again, she spelled it out to me... T-H-R-A-S-H-I-N-G. Sorry, Christy. When she is tired it's harder for her to enunciate as well. She said she was tired and I stayed with her and stroked her air with my hand on her chest and she was able to fall back asleep. She's able to tell us now that she's experiencing the restlessness and that she feels out of it tonight! Every day is filled with new blessings! LOVE YOU SO MUCH CHRISTY!

Signing out from Craig hospital, Denver Colorado!

(Christy's room is right above the Craig hospital entry on the second floor)

Tuesday, March 4, 2008- Arrive at Craig

Today's blog comes to you from the Patient & Family Education Room at Craig Hospital Denver, Colorado. Luckily they have free Internet access on a computer for the patients & family- YAY! This place is UNREAL, but before I get to that, I'll catch you up on our journey over from Queen's 957 through the RED EYE ride over here on United.

As usual Christy was drawing a crowd on her big day to transfer to Craig. Christy was awake and talkative for all the loving family and friends who wanted to see her off. Christy asked Lorene to sing the song to her that Lorene sang at the benefit. There wasn't a dry eye in the room when Christy sang the end words with her.

The kids were enjoying being in bed with mom and cuddling up. Donald, Lorene and I were busily getting things ready with the nurses to get her medications, put on her clothes and make sure she had plenty of time to love and kiss her Kiddies!

Christy had some pureed food for dinner, which she loved-- NOT. She said "what is that?" when she saw the food coming to her off the food tray pictured here. She was thinking, "Why do I have to eat that weird mushed up stuff, where is the real food?" We tried to explain that this food was easier to swallow, but she said it was "junk!" and She was cracking us up but no one could admit that pureed food seemed appetizing!

We were picked up by this transport team from the room (one of the guys is in white). The family and friends gathered to say goodbye near the elevators, and said a prayer. Hugs and kisses for Christy the whole time to wish her well on our departure. The transporter said, "wow! you can really feel the love in this family! I want to be a part of this family, too!" He was right! We all held hands tight, Kainalu said the first prayer, than Dylan, than Lorene. We all said "Amen" and we were off. The two transporters escorted us all the way to the seat on the plane.

When we arrived at united curbside to check in we were greeted by Kanani. The untied representative was already waiting for us and checked us in "priority status". Betty from United got passes for Mom, Lorene, Bev & Courtney, BJ, Kanani & gang to come to the gate with us! TSA shuffled us through with no wait! Thank you to everyone who made this a smooth ride to the gate & onto the plane!! It was effortless! Christy was asleep for the ride over and thorough the airport.

Once we got on the plane, we were surprised to see that first class was just a glorified coach seat. :( We were expecting leg rests, more room and a chair that reclined well. Christy had a restless night. We tried to give her the sleeping pill but it didn't work well. We used the suitcase as a foot rest (good thinking Donald!) and that made her a little more comfortable. This picture shows Christy's chair in a full recline. By the way, I loved it that Don had his iheartchristy shirt on, it was perfect! Christy needed some Motrin for pain in her legs and her butt was sore. We tried to give her the sleeping pill, but it didn't work well. I kept her hydrated with PEG tube water flushes and IV fluids (shown in the picture). We dumped her Foley bag only twice. Once she "woke up" this morning, she could tell us clearly what she needed and was back ready to rock! We didn't sleep but we got to snow capped Denver (see the window pic from the plane below) safe and sound! Thank God!

When we landed I decided to chew a piece of gum to avoid subjecting anyone from my morning breath. I offered Don a piece of gum, too. We were both eating gum, and Christy asked for a piece too. Don and I looked at each other not knowing if we should give her a piece or not. We rationalized it by thinking it would be chew therapy. Don told Christy that she better not swallow the gum, and Christy laughed at him because it was as if he was telling a child how to chew gum. We were all laughing. Donald checked Christy's mouth a few times to see how she was doing. it was hard for Chris to get it softer, so she kept chewing. She complained that it was "hot", but mentioned nothing about it afterward. So we are waiting for the car (after baggage claim & everything else) and I ask Christy where is her gum? She says "I don't know?" We all laugh. Don said "You swallowed it, you sucka!!" And Christy innocently says "No, I didn't!" They went back and forth and Christy said she spit it out, but we were with her the entire time--no gum in sight! The gum mystery remains.... ha! So much for chew therapy, huh?

Our flight arrived 45 minutes early, so we let everyone deplane & was waiting for our transport. A flight attendant & Don carried Christy from her seat to the regular wheelchair & the unitedwheelchair guy (don't know the Politically correct term?) waited with us till transport came. His wheelchair was slim and had a tall back. We padded Christy's butt with a pillow and we were off to baggage claim. Meanwhile Alan was keeping in touch with us from the cel phone lot to make sure we could take all our luggage, Don and I on the transport bus. On the way over, no luggage and 1 person was allowed. This picture is us on the airport train going to baggage claim- fancy, huh? Christy has her snugly bear on her lap and her "Dylan" pink blanket.

Christy's wheelchair loaded on the back of the van by a mini-elevator. She rolled into the right spot and got strapped into the back of the van with cables connected to the ground & a seat belt. This picture on the left is taken from the back seat looking into the tail end of the van. Christy is riding in her wheelchair talking and asking questions. She did marvelous on such a long flight where she had to sit for so long! It was about a forty-five minute ride to Craig hospital. The weather today was warm-- 70's maybe? There was a cool breeze, but we didn't need our coats! Alan and his boyfriend Luis met us at Craig. It was so cute to see christy's face light up when she heard Alan's voice! We all spent the day together and met all the staff. They were so very attentive and informative. It was wonderful to see so many people so interested in seeing Christy and doing quick evaluations and talking about types of wheelchairs with and without headrest, upright, back support, with all kinds of names. They took about 10 minutes debating amongst themselves which would be the ideal wheel chair for Christy.

Alan went with Christy to her dopler test today while I took a nap and Donald had a meeting with the Social worker and others. Dr. Ripley, Christy's Attending Pysician came to see her this evening. He spent a long time explaining to us what was going to go on while Chris was here. The dopler studies are to check if there are any existing blood clots in her legs. I'm not sure if they looked for clots anywhere else. Dr. Ripley is firm about no one getting out of bed before his patients are cleared of potentially dangerous blood clots. Chrisy's test are CLEAR! yay! passed step one!

Chris was awake, alert, talking a lot and making jokes! With Donald and Alan in the room it's no holds bar. They are ripping each other every other sentence and Christy was getting into it too. Family love :) When Dr. Ripley came in to see Christy for a second time tonight, Alan and Luis had just gone. Christy can't see well and Dr. Ripley was saying hello and asking if Chris knew who he was. Christy said "Ahllaun chedch" and we asked a few times what she said, and by now the "bitch" was almost unmistakable, and we're all a little silently uncomfortable for a second, and Donald is saying to Christy. Ahh...., Alan and his boyfriend are gone, are you saying "Alan's bitch?" Ha! Christy said "ya." It's Dr. Ripley... and we all loudly laughed "throw your hands up" embarrassed!! yikes! Hilarious first day! The best part is that Dr. Ripley took it and ran with it, and asked "do I look like Alan's bitch?" ha ha And he kept referring to himself as that through the conversation... making us laugh. Luis is also going to be another great resource for us. He is studying (almost done) Neuro science, traumatic brain injury, and with Occupational therapy components... smart guy (hope i got the major right)! We were happy to meet him!

Christy got her first real bath with soap and water. That felt so good for her after 8 weeks of bed baths! There are techs here who do a lot for the patients. This is Makai, Christy's night tech. Patients here get a shower in the evening, every other day. We slid Christy onto this plastic contraption with a whole at the bottom for a drain & wheeled her to the shower. It's a waterproof gurney with a drain at the bottom! Cool huh? This is why they take care of you at Craig as a whole person. Real showers and you wear your own clothes. They do have gowns as well, but they keep you as your own person. They are going to help Christy with all her activities of daily living. Dressing, brushing her teeth, bathing, etc!

What an awesome first day! We are so so so excited to be here at Craig. The whole place is just so positive! I almost cried on our tour of the floor. Seeing all the therapy going on and every person is so nice here. It's exactly what Chrsity is craving right now! People really take the time to teach and explain to us what is going on! We're so excited to be here. Christy needs to have many test done tomorrow. Almost all of these test she's already had before. The difference is the quality of the scans. EEG will be repeated. They may wean her from her seizure medication to allow her maximum alertness during therapy. Sometimes these drugs can be sedating. Until tomorrow!! xo, gabby

PART II
Christy was having a little trouble getting to sleep tonight again. She may be having something similar to "sun-downer's syndrome" that elderly people have. When the sun goes down, they get restless and confused. Tonight the nurse gave her a new med to try to relax her and try to get her on a regulated normal sleep cycle. The nurse just came and told me that Christy is sound asleep now! The computer is at the doorway around the corner from Christy's room.

Since I've been typing, the nurses came to get me again. Christy is restless, and she is having spasm-like motions with her arms and legs. Christy has had episodes of this before. She just didn't get as much attention with it and no one knew what to do about it. There were four nurses around her bed watching and helping to get her comfortable and keep her from hurting herself on the bed rail. Christy went back down to sleep again. It's comforting to know that Chrsity is being monitored closely and by a camera at the nurses station. the kind of care and concern we're already experiencing is amazing! Ok, sleep time for me, too!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Today is the big day!! Bye Bye Queens hosptial, thank you for all your love and care over the past eight weeks.  Craig Hospital here we come!!  Tonight at 11:30pm, our United flight leaves to Denver Colorado.  We'll be traveling first class for Christy's comfort.  The seats are bigger and recline.  In addition, there are only two seats per aisle.  I'll be sitting across from Donald and Christy in the aisle next to them.  Please keep us in your hearts and prayers.  Think comfortable, hydrated and uneventful thoughts of us during travel.  Pray that everyone we encounter on our way to Denver treats us with kindness.... the TSA agents, the flight attendants, the transporters, and our fellow seat mates in first class.  Please God keep Christy comfortable and rested.  May we have a smooth journey to our destination.  

Sorry for the short blog today... busy busy getting everything ready.  I'll post from the other end as soon as I can! Thank you for loving us and sending us your positive energy.  

Love you,

 Gabby, Christy, and Donald.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Today was a day of planning and brainstorming.  We're on our way tomorrow to Craig!!  All day at work I was distracted.  I had to make about five lists of things to do and collect.  I had wonderful people helping me organize a game plan for tomorrow's trip.  Edna, the case manager organized our transportation. Naomi helped book the flights.  Jackie and Diana (nurses I work with who have flight nurse experience) were helping with ideas of what to take and written info about physiological changes in the body while in flight.  Jana Holden not only agreed to lend me a pulse oximeter, but had someone bring it to Straub, special delivery!!  Lorene and girls took Donald to get warm, comfy clothes for Christy & Don was able get some gear for the cold, too.  Thank you so much to everyone who is helping organize a smooth trip to Craig.

When we got to the hospital to visit Christy tonight, it was hoppin'!  Everyone knows that Christy is leaving tomorrow.  My Mom, Joyce was giving healing touch to Christy, and Christy was taking it all in really well all over her body!  It was great!  Christy needs a ton of energy for our journey tomorrow! 

Christy's legs are almost strait, and she's comfortable!  Christy was sitting up talking and hanging out.  We were talking about Christy's vision.  She has a hard time seeing things if they are not close to her and in her exact field of vision.  We were discussing why her vision is affected.  She had damage to alot of nerves and functional parts of the brain.  Like everything else, things are still slowly re-wiring.  I don't know why exactly she sees only what she sees.  She can see better if things are on her right side as well.  Her hearing and smell are great, though.  Christy is always listening to conversations going on around her.  She even tells people their breath is stink! Ha! You just have to giggle!  The funny thing is, we were talking about her vision, and asking if she only sees shadows... Christy told us that she sees in color.  We were all thinking out loud about how the brain worked its rewiring and mentioning how things come back slowly over time.  Then Christy starts to tell us her philosophy on her vision saying "Maybe you only see one color at a time so you don't overwhelm the brain?"  We were like, "Ya! maybe!"  With huge shocked smiles on our face!! She's so cute, and still smart when she comes up with these deep thoughts!  

Christy was talking to Donald about school.  We were teasing Donald that he's the nurse now. Christy said "ya, he could be one."  Kaeo said to Chris, "I though you were going to be a nurse?" and Christy didn't really answer boldly.  Donald encouraged Christy saying she was going to get her butt right back in school, and finish nursing school.  And Christy said "Ya, School-- I'm there!" & "I like School!"  Christy's last semester she got all A's and one B.  She was so bummed that she didn't get all A's, and we were so impressed with how well she did!

Dylan (Christy's youngest) was in the bed with Christy tonight.  She was laying beside her.  Christy's clarity of speech, attentiveness and annunciation were heightened when talking to Dylan.  Christy was saying to Dylan, "I love you so much, Dyl Pickles!" and Dylan was pursing her lips up to Christy so they could kiss.  Chrsisty gave Dylan a big kiss.   Dylan replied, " I love you so much mommy!"  And Chrsity told her " With all my heart!"  and Dylan replied "With all my heart, too!"  Christy teased "Sure?" and Dylan said "Course I'm sure!"  It was so so so heartfelt, I couldn't help but tear up.  Christy wanted to say those things to Dylan so clear and Dylan understood every word of it!!  They were hugging and cuddling up.  Christy's drive to be with her children is strong!

When Kelsen was talking to mom,  Christy said "I heard your hooking up with 18 year old girls!"  And Kelsen denied it:)  It was funny.  Nalu was bouncing around the room like a jumping bean!  He was really excited to be around Mom.  

Christy cuddled with her new doggy friend.  She received a plush fluffy, soft puppy from Pua earlier today!  Everyone wanted to pet it, and Christy really enjoyed petting it and feeling it's soft fur! 

Christy was getting sleepy, and started to verbalize that she was "real tired!"  So we left her to rest for her big day tomorrow!! Wish us luck!!  

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Yesterday's Fundraiser was a complete success!! OMG! If you were there, you understood the mass of people in Love with Chrsity!!  What a good good time everyone had!!  I wanted to make a special thank you to Kanani and Tina (right) who headed the fundraising and spent a ton of time on the incredible event.  Joining them was an equally incredible committee full of friends and family of Christy.  The Centerpieces, the slide show, the shirts- WOW!  Classy all the way, Christy would have loved every detail and will be so terribly impressed!!  Don't worry, she''l get to see it on film!  Chrsity's cousin was able to film the entire thing for her.  He is a cameraman, so he even hooked up what he was filming to all of the TVs in the joint!! It was very cool  There were so many people that it was hard to get anywhere, and almost impossible to see anything from the back that was happening on stage and in the front! 

 Hanae (Keli'i's wife) and her Halau danced beautifully as always!  Even Kelsen got pulled up to dance for mom!! love it!
This is Naomi and John ...

Naomi is the one helping with our flight arrangements on United!!  They are wearing the IheartChristy white shirts! 

Kaeo (Christy's brother and my love) is holding Camryn, Keli'i & Hanae's daughter, they are both wearing the shirts as well!! It was so special, everyone wore the shirts with pride.

You can see how it was getting crowded fast.  This picture is before 8pm!!  The bands were awesome, I heard the food was good!! Everything was organized so wonderfully, that things went smoothly.  Christy's friend Lorene sang her beautiful song for Christy up on stage!  She has such a pretty voice!  Mom Gail sang with Auntie Maggie 

and the gang (Ladies K)-- so awesome!  

Even Christy's nurses came to the party!! This is a picture of two of her nurses from 9DH at Queens!! Thanks guys for taking wonderful care of our 

Christy and for supporting her in every way!! Liz had to work today, too, so it was an extra special effort!! XO!

The silent auction was a big success!  Kevin Lopes (Christy's cousin Trani's husband) got some amazing signed items, (helmet, footballs) from Pro Bowl players!! SO generous!! That blew us away!  We had about 4 surfboards, and a million other raffle items, and auction items!! I'm sorry anyone I missed... there are just so many people who loved Christy and gave from the heart!  

There were people were at the event that didn't even know Christy and came in with their friends to have a good time!  They were awesome, too!! What an incredible night!! Yay!!

Back at Queens today.... Physical therapy came today just to stretch out Christy's legs.  It's the weekend, so they just have a skeleton crew going.  They wanted to make sure to see her before we leave to Colorado.  Christy is still having pain when she stretches her legs out but she is able to keep them strait on her own so well now!! Hopefully this will make her 7 hour plane ride more comfortable.  That is what we will pray for now.  A safe, comfortable plane ride with smooth transitions from the vehicles, to the plane, to Craig hospital.

Christy is so cute because she is so polite.  Today, she was wanting to clean out her mouth, and said Please and thank you.  When I asked her if she wanted another go around with the mouthwash and sponge, she said "No thank you".  Kaeo laughed and said "You don't have to be so polite! We're family"  Christy corrected him by saying "Even though we're family, we still can be polite!"  What an amazing person she is!  She cracks us up daily. 

We concentrate hard to try to understand what Christy is saying.  Christy is working on training her tongue to enunciate the words more clearly.  She was trying to tell us something, and Kaeo would repeat the words he understood.  So Christy was saying "I want hphee"  And Kaeo would repeat " You want..."  and she said more loudly and clearly "Pee", So Kaeo says, "You want Pee!"  And Christy just busted out Laughing.  We all did.  I love laughing with Christy.  It's just so so so much more happy than a regular laugh... you know?  It's so awesome that Christy is so there, and she knows exactly what is going on, and she laughs her butt off when we say things like "You want Pee!?"... We just say what we think she's saying.  She's probably like, what? Why would I want Pee, I want to Pee!!

Christy's memory is amazing.  She can remember people and things and all kinds of details from the past.  Her very short term memory, though is still catching up.  It will come. Slowly but surely.  I think Christy forgets that we are going to Craig Hospital on Tuesday.  Today she was cute... she was asking us, "Help me get up so we can get out of here"!  We were asking her where she wanted to go, and she replied "I want to go home".  She wasn't mad when we told her she had some more healing to do and that we were going to Craig to get some good rehab.  I reminded her again of Craig, and she said "When are we going?".  Chrsity may be bored and tired of being at the hospital since she's really awake now.   Kaeo was telling her she was going to have to do some hard work to get up and going again.  So we hung out, talked story, and adjusted the temperature in the room for her.  We got her comfy tan blanket over her, and the hot water bottle just right on her cramped up hamstring, and she went to sleep.  Christy is still sore from the cramping, but was getting pain meds today.  It didn't seem as bad today as it was other days.

Back to work tommorrow & packing, so wish us luck!! Pray for our safe, easy, comfortable flight!  

P.s. Thank you so much to Barbra W. from Hawiian Tel, I didn't get to meet you personally at the fundraiser, but you are sweet, generous and kind.  Thank you for thinking of me!  OX