That was sort of our tone for the day (after coffee and the earlier grumpy post that is). We needed a kick start and it came from our pediatrician this morning on rounds. She came in checked Grace out and told her she was healing great but she needed to do something with her messy hair! We talked about some ways to better manage her pain and still keep her progressing. Then she boldly told Grace in her very Dr Savrick way, "Grace, you are not sick and you need to get out of bed!" I just love her, she loves complicated kids! With that little phrase our day got momentum. This was not an unanimous vote - Grace has very strong objections but Darrell and I felt strongly that she needed to know she wasn't sick and the trach was just part of her for a while. We got her up, gave her a bath, put her in clothes rather than a hospital gown and told her we had lots to do today. She protested quiet loudly at first but she eventually started to get out of her patient role and be more Grace. The Grace she chose to be today was still a little extreme, at times, but overall a better day for her. She seems to be getting her confidence back and isn't as scared to do routine things. She still has a way to go but I think she is realizing she can still do all the things she did before she got the trach. In her mind and really in her recovery that is super important.
Recovery wise she is healing well. Dr Edmonds removed her sutures from the trach and on Wednesday will change the trach for the first time. She began drinking a little more and ate a few bites today, so that is progress. She's been telling us tomorrow she will do all the things we asked her to do today so evidently she has a big day planned. Darrell and I got our class times for Wed and Thurs to take our trach class and CPR class so it is possible we could get out of here this weekend. Yippee! I am sure missing the little ones!
I have had several people ask about how to post comments to the blog so I wanted to give some instructions. If you look on the left hand side of the blog there is a new section that hopefully gives clear instructions on how to leave a comment. We are so thankful to have so many sharing this journey with us. It is so amazing because it is a journey we did not want to go on and then we have all of you volunteering to go with us - it is just humbling! It has been such a blessing to hear from you and know that others are cheering on our sweet girl. She LOVES for us to read her messages and then she quotes them all through out the day! She has always been a high maintenance girl for one reason or another but it does her well to feel loved!
And on a random note- I am going to get a book tomorrow (for me) and am up for recommendations.
Bridget
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
33 comments:
Oh Gracie! I am so excited you have BIG plans for tomorrow! It will be a great day!! I am so proud of the choices you are making. You are doing an awesome job!!
Love you sweet girl,
Ms. Ali
Grace,
I am having a hard time with Sydney. I bought her a cute sweater and she wants to wear it with something it doesn't match. So, should I let her wear what she wants or wear what matches? Any advice would be great!
BTW - What yummy foods are you eating? It sounds like you are doing awesome - I am so proud.
Love, Becky
Grace, I am so impressed that you are going to do all the "stuff" your doctor and parents want you do tomorrow. I love a girl with a plan. I will be waiting to read the blog about how GREAT you are going to do at each thing. And going home this weekend!!!! WOOHOO. That is awesome, you go girlie.
Book, no good ideas right now. I will be thinking....
Thinking of you guys!
Ms.Cassidy
Hi Grace,
This Hadley, Jackson, Hank and Shelby! Be brave!!! I hope it does not hurt. Hope you recover well. Fell well! ( each of us said a line..).
We love you!!!
Bridget,
Lately I have been reading a lot of Law and Order type books...but here are a few I can think of that I enjoyed. Not sure what you are looking for, but they are all pretty light reads.
The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Creel (love this one-love story-I think was made into a Hallmark movie if that is any indication :) )
Eye Contact by Cammie McGovern(thriller/mystery-autistic child witnesses crime...)
Dee Henderson (I like all of her books I have read but The Witness I think is my favorite)
Blind Side by Catherine Coulter
If you Ever tell by Carelne Thompson
Good luck on your book finding adventure.
Gracie-
We are so excited that you are getting out of bed and have a big day planned! Woohoo!!!!
You will have to tell Mommy and Daddy to tell us on your website about your big day. I will check in the evening to see what you did.
I will start getting our lessons ready because it sounds like you will be ready to start working soon.
Love you!
Grace,
It was so good to get to visit you today and see for myself that you survived your surgery with flying colors! I loved all your great Hannah Montana stuff...I think your socks were my favorite! I told Hannah & Grant about your cool bed and I think they are a little jealous. We looked online at Halloween costumes today (we can't decide what we want to be) and I saw some great pirate ones that made me think of you!
Love,
Ms. Denise
Hurray! What a very brave girl! Sounds like Grace is going to be running the hospital before you know it! We are praying for you and know you will be home before soon. Thinking of you.
Chad & Alena
Books: Girl you have got to read some of the Harmony Books by Philip Gulley. Home to Harmony is the first one and they are funny and touching. Fabulous!!!!!
Hooray for Gracie! I was so proud of you for walking the floor today and taking your medicine. Uncle Troy was jealous that he couldn't come up there too..but was really excited about what a big girl you are being!
I hope you sleep comfy on your Hanna Montana pillow tonight. :)
Love, Aunt Sheri
So glad Grace is improving day by day! She is certainly surrounded by a ton of love of prayer and we are glad to be in her camp. We love you all! -- Ronnie & Martha
Gracie, Papa Dave wanted to tell you Good Morning and I Love YOU! It was important for me to do that early today since you are going to be soooo busy today doing all the things you put off doing yesterday.
Grandonna and I were excited to see you walking around the floor last evening. We also enjoyed checking out the library.
Have a good day.
Love, Papa Dave
Gracie,
I heard you got out of bed and walked around the halls yesterday!!! That is awesome! Aunt Sheri was so glad to see you and she talked about you all night last night. I can't wait until I can come see you too.
I love you,
Uncle Troy
Hey Gracie! Uncle JD told me to say ELMO!! :) lol.. We are thinking about you today & hope you have a great day! We love you so much! Mimi got a little of her voice back. I can't wait to see you! I have some surprises to bring you! We love you baby!! Love Uncle JD, Aunt Mimi, Jacob, Katlyn & Belle :) Belle says woof woof... :)
Happy Day Grace!!
You are loved!!
Ms. Ali
Good morning, Gracie!
I was so happy to see you yesterday. You looked so pretty in your "hot pink". I'm so glad the nice doctor took out your stitches because that means it getting close to time to go home. Sounds like you have a very busy day planned. Hope you, Mommy and Daddy have a lot of extra energy for today. I'll see you soon.
I love you,
Miss Ann
I am so proud of you Grace and your Mommie and Daddy. You are progressing so fast and that is really answered prayers. We continue to send them up.
On the book, I have one that is fantastic and will get it to you asap. I am sure you will need more than one. "Same kind of different as Me" A must read. My neighbor has my copy, but it will be in your hands as soon as possible. I always loved my Mom's quote: "And we think we've got problems!" The story is such a redemptive one. The authors spoke at Second Mile Missions banquet in'07. Life changing book. Love to you all and looking forward to seeing you back at church very soon. Love you Jean
Hi Sweet Grace. We read your blog every day to check on how you are doing. We are so happy u are doing so well. Tell Mommy that a GREAT book is "Same Kind of Different As Me"--a true story of 2 men in Ft. Worth, one black & one white who met in an unlikely manner, and whose lives are forever entwined. Don't miss this story!! Love u & your parents. Judy Avera
Good Morning Grace! Since you were walking the halls yesterday, I bet you will be out there finding out new places to visit in the hospital. It is a big hospital and lots to explore. You are SO AWESOME! We can all tell you are doing your best to get to go home soon. I hope to see you before you leave the hospital.
The book "Same Kind of Different as Me" is a very good book. Well worth the read.
Hope you all have a great day!
Love you Sweet Grace!
Ruthie
Grace~
I am so proud of you and all the stuff you are doing!! Just remember, the more you do, the faster that you get to go home!! Tell mommy that she HAS to read everything ever written by Charles Martin. Better yet, I will loan her my books!! See you later today!
corey
Gracie,
We are all so excited that you are making such great progress. I wish we come up and see you but appearantly IKE has left us all with a bit of cold and since your not sick we certainly don't want to pass our germs. We can't wait to see you and are saying lots of prayers for you and your family.
Luv,
Aunt Al, Uncle Rog, Dustin, Katherine, Haley & Heather.
PS. Bridge I am currently reading a book called Women and Stress by Jean Lush W/ Pam Vredevelt.
It gives practical ways to manage tension. It is quite insiteful and spiritualy based.
Luv AL
Hi Gracie,
It's Peyton's mommy...I was just thinking about you and wanted you to know that Peyton prayed for you last night. She keeps asking when you are coming back to school! :)
You are such a brave girl and you have an awesome Mommy and Daddy!
Love you!
Mrs Carrie
Gracie, I'm so happy that you are dressed and running around the hospital. Are you playing chase with Mommy and Daddy? When you move to the next room, I'm going to bring you some surprises that Amber sent you. I still know who the cutest, sweetest, and smartest girl in that hospital is. Who do you think it is? That's right, it's Gracie!
Love you,
Gran-Bubbie
Grace,
We are thinking of you and your family. You are such a beautiful little girl! It sounds like you are doing an awesome job getting better! I can't wait to read tomorrow about all of the stuff you are going to do!
Scott & Meggan Herman
(Aunt Sheri & Uncle Troy's friends)
I'm sure this is hard, but the good news about how she is doing overall is so exciting! Keep on keepin' on! We are praying and Emma keeps asking if they've cut you open yet. She doesn't mince words! She's quite fascinated about the whole process. We love you guys! Love, Amy
Grace, what would life be without a little drama? No fun! You should remind your parents that you are just practicing being a teenager with all of the hard times that you give them and that you are working on perfecting it! HAHA! It sounds like you are making leaps and bounds and for that we are all so greatful to God! Keep up the good work and you have my have my thoughts and prayers! Go on girl!
Love ya,
Suzanne
Grace, I have been praying that you would be back to your ol' self soon. I see that God is answering that request. Have fun tomorrow when you are busy doing all those activities!
Bridget, have you read "The Shack" by William P. Young? What types of books do you typically like? I am happy to run by the bookstore and send/bring a couple by.
Nancy
Hi There Neighbors! We miss you and we are so glad that Grace is get up and moving around. Lots of Love. Grace --We Can't wait to see you! Take care, Mrs. Alice, Mr. Ben, Caroline, Catherine, Courtney, William and Teeny
Dear Grace,
Yeah!! You are up and walking. That always makes hospital patients and their parents feel better. Even better you are dressed and out of those hospital gowns. I wonder if they are like the ones I had to wear - the back kept coming open!
I've been telling everyone at school about the great progress you are making. Mrs. Tran's class is anxious for you to return. Kelli told Mr. Freeman that she misses you and can't wait for you to come back with your new voice!
Keep up the positve attitude and do everything you are asked to do so you can come see us again.
Love, Mrs. Schueler
Paw Paw Dean cant wait to see you, hope your home soon. I love you so much Im going to get aunt Alice to bring me up there, so until then be sweet.
Hey Gracie! Mimi loves you!! :)
Hi there Gracie!!
Yeah -- clothes -- getting out of pjs and putting on clothes can make a huge difference in how you see the day. I know! I love pajama days -- they can be fun, but its good and important to put on real clothes -- play clothes. And a bath -- wow -- what a difference that can make!! I am so proud of you!! You keep taking steps to being the precious girl you have always been. Just like the little engine trying to get over a big hill, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. . . chooooooo choooo (as she tops the hill). You can do it Grace! You'll be home soon -- just keep trying, believe in yourself and in God and follow what your dr's, nurses, and Mommy and Daddy say. We love you (and your Mommy and Daddy, too)!!
The Wolfe Pack
Gracie we are so proud of you.. I have been checking in daily and thinking of you.. You are one STRONG girl and excited to hear you have BIG plans for tomorrow. I bet you are ready to get home, but remember to get home you have to do what the doctors say.. I know somethings aren't that fun, but think about all the fun you are going to be having at home, letting mom and dad spoil you.. YOU GO GIRL!! Keep working hard.. And I am still enjoying your blog, I guess I need to get up to date on ours.....
Stacey, Jess, drake, and carter
Richards
Hi Gracie Girl,
Wanted to be in touch one more time
before I head out early in the morning for Pennington, suppose to
meet your MamMa for lunch, then spend
the night with her. We fly to Florida and get on the Ship Thursday.
You keep up the good work while we
are on our trip, do what ever one says and you will be home when we get back. Tell mommy that I am glad she mentioned looking for a
book to read, because I wrote down
the suggestions she was given, I needed to learn about some good books to look for in the
Library here in Rowlett. I read
over 70 books last year. Wanted to
try other authors, so your blog
helped me.
Love You,
Aunt Darlene
Post a Comment