All Kinds of Stuff

There's so much to write about from yesterday's appointments with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology that I thought I would write some of them out point form. Here goes....

- Marie's meal plan upgraded to soft foods and "thin" liquids (aka regular liquids)!!! Yipee!! We went downstairs to the gift shop to enjoy a cold green tea to celebrate. As Marie would probably tell you, all of the emotions that go along with having your first "real" drink in 3 weeks really caught up with her. She said through her tears, "if you asked me right now if I wanted a personal chef for the rest of my life or to travel the world" or have this drink right now I would choose this drink! We are all sooooooo glad your experience with thickies is over Marie!

- Marie got her assessment back from physiotherapy (PT). They spent most of the week completing a detailed assessment. Marie and the physiotherapist have made goals for the short-term and long-term. They involve things like balance, endurance, and continuing intensive therapy on her left arm. On Friday Marie was able to do another movement with her left arm, moving it forward on a table slightly. It's great news! It certainly isn't an easy journey, and can get understandably very frustrating for Marie.

- The overall plan for discharge in a rehabilitation facility is largely determined on a day by day or week by week basis. Right now the team here has set a goal for Marie to be discharged from this facility by the end July. These goals however are always constantly reassessed, because among other things, they want to make sure that they can provide the most value possible to Marie. After leaving this facility there are a couple of options that exist, including attending outpatient services 2-3 times per week at a Barrie facility, attending a live-in vocational program in Toronto. Marie will also have surgery again to reimplant the piece of her skull that was removed. The dates for all of these things is to be determined. The one thing that is for sure is that things are moving quickly.

- Because Marie has made such good progress, the team here may start to allow her to take short leaves from the facility as early as this weekend. Motion sickness has been a challenge for Marie (although improving daily). Journeys outside of the hospital will be done with this in mind.

That's it for now!

Laura

PS) Marie has also recently been able to start reading all of the cards, notes, emails, and this blog. I know she really appreciates all of your comments tremendously!