Two good days....

Yesterday and today have been good. Paula has rested some, was active at times, sitting up on the side of the bed, and standing. Tonight, she sat on the side of the bed by herself.....I ask for a hug and she didn't give me one, so I told her I was going to hug her. After I did, then I ask her for a kiss, and she leaned her face toward mine, and put her lips on mine (mushy stuff....but GREAT stuff!). I ask her to sit up straight, and she did. After a while, she propped on one arm, so I sat next to her and pulled her to me, so she layed her head on my shoulder and went to sleep.

When she had her eyes open today, she seemed very alert. It looks like she's becoming more focused and more alert each day......GREAT STUFF!!!!

Progress, progress,......progress!

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

I believe if God allowed us to see ALL the evil that surrounds us.....we would ALL immediately die of a heart attack! Satan is ALL around us.....and wants to destroy us at every turn!......but God......

On Dec. 16th.....Paula could have easily died right there....but God!!!!! He has something for her/us......I'm anxious to see what that is.

As Scott said earlier this evening, Paula has made "exponential" progress over the last 18 days!

Ventilator removal, O2 removal, standing up by herself, sitting on the side of the bed, communicating, focusing, responding, walking.......

Today, she walked appx 25 ft with the aide of a contraption that helped hold her up....but she actually supported herself, she later wanted to sit on the side of the bed, then she wanted to stand up. I was there by myself, and was reluctant to let her....but she insisted, so I told her she would have to help me, so she did. I stood there with her.....holding her, but she supported herself. Also, she pulled my hand to her lips and kissed it!

Even with all the exercise, she was VERY active in the bed. The Dr. said that quickly, they will remove her trach....and they are planning on moving her to Walton Rehabilitation Hospital sometimes next week, so I know they will give her plenty of excercise.

Amazing progress.......but it really should not be amazing....."Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen...."

Moving????

They took Paula to the physical therapy room yesterday, and worked with her a good while in there.....they had been doing the therapy in the hospital room until then. The main Dr over therapy said that she was ready to go to a rehabilitation hospital.

At one point in her room, they had her sitting in a regular chair with restraints on, she stook up by herself lifting chair and all!

The therapy section at Doctor's Hospital would not accept Paula, so they're going to get Walton Rehabilitation Hospital and Sheperd Rehabilitation Hospital in Atlanta to evaluate Paula. Walton would be more convient.....but after looking at their website, Sheperd really looks good

Speaking of......

Paula was a little active last night. They had the trach valve that helps to facilitate speech/eating/drinking in from 6:30 to 10:00. Her O2 levels held steady. Several times when I would talk to Paula, she would make noises as if responding to me. I said "Paula" several times.....and she would make one sound each time....then when I told her I loved her, she made quite a few sounds.

They changed her trach out, reducing the size from either an 8 or 10mm to a 6mm......she did well during the procedure.

The nurse said that one time during late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, they walked by Paula's bed and although she was restrained.....she was siting on the side of the bed. The nurse assured me that Paula could not have fallen out of the bed by the way she was restrained. Paula has always excercised a lot, and the way she's been acting the last few days, I think she is READY to get out of that bed.....I'm praying for Paula's continued healing and safety

Caution.......

With brain injuries, it's sometimes hard to tell if the person's actions are purposeful......or if they are just actions. I've tried to be realistic and CAUTIOUS, about my observations of Paula, so as not to have or give out false hope....

We were going to leave around 6:30-7:00, because April has to fly back to L.A. tomorrow....but Paula, woke up and started moving around quite a bit.....around 8:00, she scooted herself to the edge of the bed, put her feet off, then sat up by herself. She hugged me and April several times, sometimes on her own, sometimes when we ask her to. Once, when April and I were close together and to Paula, Paula reached one arm around me and the other around April, and pulled us close. It DEFINETELY looked like Paula tried to kiss me!!!! She then started trying to stand up, so I helped her......I held her for a while, then sat her down. She was on the very edge of the bed, and we couldn't get her back.....then we ask her to help....and she tried.....we ended up having to get the nurses to help.......what a BLESSING...... from our Heavenly Father!!!!!

I didn't post yesterday, because Paula slept all day.....so when there is ANY news.....I will post....
Thanks for ALL of your SUPPORT, LOVE,......and especially you PRAYERS!!!!!!