10:00 pm. Just came up to the neuro trauma ICU unit (our home away from home) to use the computer. Kind of eerie as there is no one in the aiting room or at the reception desk. This is good, means no families life has been turned upside down this evening. Actually the last few days have been quite up her. I'm glad.
Allie had a good day today as she continued to smile and now make funny faces for us. I got in around 3:00pm and was greeted almost instantly to a smile. I melted and the world seemed right. Kind of wierd. It's as if Allie is my baby again and she is growing up all over again but learning so quickly. Once she gets something, shes got it. I compare it to the Adam Sandler movie, Billie Madison. in the movie, he goes back to school, kindergarden - 12th grade spending one week in each grade and needing to pass it before moving on. It's kind of like Allie is doing the same thing - she is relearning so rapidly. Today kindergarden - then first grade - second ..... then PACE University, New York City and the Big Stage.
Speaking of PACE University, Bill Offed (sorry if I mispeleld your last name and I am sure I did) let us know today that they would extend Allie's scholarships and place at PACE as long as necessary and that they would do everything to help Allie attend when she was ready. This is so huge and goes to show you that God's angels definitely work at PACE University. If you're looking to make an endowment anywhere - may I suggest PACE. God bless you guys.
While our nephew Mike Va made Allie smile, her friend Kristen brightened our day by raising her eyebrows at Allie making the suprised face. Go ahead and raise both of your eyebrows up (look in the mirror and do it). Allie thought this was hilareous and now she does it. Every one is amazed and our sister-in-law Ellie, a nurse for 20 something years says it is nothing short of a miracle. We know!
Nancy left around 9:00 today as she has been her for the last 21 days straight. i was happy that she took some time off and I got a little alone time with Allie. Believe it or not we just sat there and held hands - we didn't talk - we didn't make noise - we just stayed quite. She fell asleep and my heart felt good.
Matt is awesome. He is the unsung hero and a shining star. A big heart and a tender young man. For those of you that don't know Matt, he is 6' tall and 190 lbs of muscle. he has longish brown hair and the most gorgeous blue eyes and an awesome smile. He is a good student, skatboarder, brother and son. Matt, mom and I love you. Thanks for everything you are doing. Hang in there baby!!!
For all of the people taking care of our dogs (4 of them) we love, apprecaite and thank you more than you could ever imaging. You are helping above and beyond the call. To Michelle and the FlyLady - we will never forget adn to the superior court judge and DA in Transylvania County (that's right - transylvania county) thanks for letting me out of jury duty - I'll see you in November.
Oh yeah, one more cool thing before we go - Allie looked at her cousin Mike, pointed to her eye, her heart and then to him. Guess she loves him to. Get it, she said, eye love you.
So once again, forward progress. Another good day! Love ya'll.
Allie's Dad
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25 comments:
Am praying for your family!
MaryO
San Pedro, CA
Am praying for your family
MaryO
San Pedro, CA
Another magical day!! I just raised my eyebrows with Allie! And PACE extending Allie's scholarship - what awesome people. This is such a miraculous time - each and every day. And we're so glad to hear that Nancy has returned home for the first time since the accident. I hope she can sleep and sleep and just begin to recover a bit herself. You have all pushed yourselves beyond the limit - but with what beautiful results. Allie and Matt are so special and so lucky to have you and Nancy as parents. Have a good evening and sleep good, Steve.
Tibby
Loving thoughts to your entire family--especially love hearing how well Allie is doing, and what a great little (well, if 190 pounds can be called "little"!) brother Matt is. I will hold you in my prayers.
Maria in PA
Dear Friends,
Here I am on deadline again with the next issue of The Mountain Voice and I keep checking this site to see what is happening. I can hardly see this page. Once again Allie and her progress has me in tears. I am so happy for all of you, but we (you and I) KNEW that Allie would be back 100%. Faith is such an awesome thing.
I am so happy to hear that PACE is holding Allie's space and scholorship. She will go on to such wonderful things, this will soon be a distant memory. Not something that you will ever forget, because you won't, but something that has taught many people to trust and have faith in God and that is a good thing. Your new website Total Recovery will help so many people as well.
Keep up these updates, as it helps us to be a part of this miracle. Remember how much you are all loved and prayed for.
Have you practiced your walk for the stage at graduation???
Thank you for sharing your lives with us.
Lynn, Ralph and Adam
God Bless you all...Allie, You go girl...you show them that your a fighter and survivor...the angels are watching over you and your family...We all know as caring people you will pull through this a stronger person...High 5...
My prayers are with you all...
i'm glad allie is doing much better. i've been keeping up with her progress thru flylady. i'm a flybaby from georgia. hope everything continues to improve for allie and all your family. God bless ya'll. ----- amy
Thank you so much for sharing this. As a mother of six children I am in purple puddles right now. You're love and support are very comforting. I hope and pray that her improvements will continue (as we all know it will).
I am going to have thyroid surgery on Wednesday to remove a nodule. I have been scared, but I feel better now.
While all this is going on Ally might enjoy learning ASL (American Sign Language). It's nice for when you can't talk and don't want to write. Someone (teacher or aide) from the local HS might be able to come in and help teach her since school will be out in the summer.
Have fun, get better and God bless,
Janet
I don't know Allie, but am one of the FLYBabies and have been following her progress via email posts. I've been praying for her strong recovery as I'm sure many of the other FLYBabies are too.
Thanks so much for keeping this journal of her recovery. The scholarship extension is a very good message of hope too. I'll keep Allie in my prayers.
Wow, Wow and Wow,
None of this surprised me. When Allie makes up her mind to do something she jumps in 150+%.
She has an awesome will, which will guide her through, I dare say, an interesting continuation of her life.
Matt, you are an awesome kid, you have been so supportive and loving to your sister and parents. I know they would not have been as strong without you there. You so totally rock dude!
Nancy, WOW... what strength you have shown. Barely ever leaving Allie's side for such a long period of time. I know you think "most" mothers would do the same, but you are not "most mothers". You are an awesome woman! I am blessed to have you as my BFF.
Steve, Dude... rock on.... shaved head and all. The way that you have helped not only Allie, but others in the hospital is a testament to others. It is so easy to think of yourself at times like this, but you took the time to be there for others in need as well.
Last, but certainly not least, Sammy, Atlas, Charlie and oh my gosh I forgot the retrievers name (sorry sweetie).. you guys have shown support like nothing else. Loving whomever comes to feed you and let you in or out. Playing fetch like we are part of your family. You are true love and devotion. Extra doggie treat for the 4 musketeers.
With all my Love, Brie
This is the first time I've seen this blog and felt compelled to go back and read all your entries. I believe God will use this blog many times over to encourage and inspire others to walk the same path you have if it becomes necessary. May His blessings continue to 'overtake you' as you all continue to Allie's perfect recovery. My heart cried with you as I read and rejoices with you -
a grandmother in Florida
Mornin Cagen Family...
I am so excited by your latest post! Allie is just boucing right back as you and everyone else have prayed she would do. Atta girl Allie...you have what it takes and are surely going to be the miracle girl in so many peoples lives. The power of prayer and your personal strength are an amazing thing to behold. We love you and hope to visit soon. Hugs, Tina & Mac
Every day is an inspiration to read the latest great news about Allie.
I'm so excited for all of you!
With love,
Ondine
My prayers go with you, Allie, and your family. My daughter had a good friend in high school, who, on Groundhog Day, 2006, was in a car wreck, hitting a tree. He was airlifted to our local trauma center & was in a coma for days just as you were. When he came out, he was as fine as he was before the wreck! Other than the head trauma that took a little time to heal, he has come back 100%, in just a very few months. He was a high school senior, and started college on time, with no trouble or difficulty due to the trauma.
Please know that God will heal you as He healed Tyler, and yes, angels do protect us!
Elaine
Shreveport, LA
I found out about you the other day when I was listening to the archives of the Flyady show and Allie's dad was on. I live in PA and have four children, two boys and two girls ages 3, 6, 9, and 11. Presently my husband is in Massachusetts with my 3 year old starting a new job and I will join him with the others when school is out. When I heard your story the other day it just broke my heart. Being away from my youngest right now is hard enough but I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. As parents, everyday we pray that our kids will be safe and we want to keep them that way. Getting a phone call that one of them has been in an accident is something none of us want. I've read all the posts about Allie's progress and I am impressed. Not just by her but by all of you. You have such uplifting and incredible spirits. I look forward to hearing Allie sing someday. With such a wonderful family and support system, she will get better and be a great success. You all have renewed my spirit in people and the power of positive thinking.
Linda in PA
I found out about you the other day when I was listening to the archives of the Flyady show and Allie's dad was on. I live in PA and have four children, two boys and two girls ages 3, 6, 9, and 11. Presently my husband is in Massachusetts with my 3 year old starting a new job and I will join him with the others when school is out. When I heard your story the other day it just broke my heart. Being away from my youngest right now is hard enough but I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. As parents, everyday we pray that our kids will be safe and we want to keep them that way. Getting a phone call that one of them has been in an accident is something none of us want. I've read all the posts about Allie's progress and I am impressed. Not just by her but by all of you. You have such uplifting and incredible spirits. I look forward to hearing Allie sing someday. With such a wonderful family and support system, she will get better and be a great success. You all have renewed my spirit in people and the power of positive thinking.
Linda in PA
So very happy things are improving daily.
Just know you have positive thoughts and wishes coming to you from Orlando Florida!
I just wanted to let you know that Allie is in my thoughts and prayers! I am so happy that she is awake and making such wonderful progress!
What a blessing!
I only know you from Flylady, but she is faithful in updating us on Allie's progress!
Many thoughts and prayers for continued healing!
Steph G.
I am sooooo sorry for what you and your family are going thru. I understand, I really do..
Last august my husband suffered a severe tramatic brain injury.
They didnt think he would even survive the swelling in his brain. Today he is in a short term rehab center and is accepted into a long term one.
Keep faith and know that there is hope.. even when the dr.s say otherwise.
If you ever want to chat with someone who has been going thru it as well, let me know.. :)
Thanks for sharing your trials and blessings.(you are in our prayers every nite..we have 2 sons..17 and 19) I heard about you all thru Flylady..we are in Texas..small world.
Now that sweet angel will be eating, I wanted to share a nutritional nugget...a way for her to get 17 fresh,raw, juiced and dehydrated fruits and veg and grains in a vegcap everyday ...called Juice Plus. You can check out medical research studies and more info at
www.jphealth.net/starwar
My contact info is there if I can help.
Just Breathe
Blessings from Texas
I just finished reading all your posts. I'm crying as I write because one of my son's best friends just lost his mother last month. She was hit by a drunk driver and was in ICU here. She lived through 2 or 3 surgeries but after the last one her brain function declined. She made up her mind to cross over rather than stay on earth. Her son is 20 and had to turn his mom's machine off.
Very hard. He didn't have the support you have and is not moving on well. I pray every day for him.
I wanted to comment on Allie's "eye heart you."
My daughter & I have that as our own quiet signal. It means so much and I'm SO GLAD for Allie that she can use it. That's a Huge step in communication. Yay, Allie!
You and your wife are amazing. I can feel your love for Allie and your feelings about your friends and family in each of your posts. This is the loving, connecting, healing, creative power of the internet at work.
God Bless you both, and Matt and Allie. You will all be in my prayers.
Jeannie
I learned of Allie from the Fly Lady. (She sent out prayer request for her along with updates) I am so excited to hear that ALLIE ..you are on the Road to a FULL RECOVERY!! and I am so humbled by your Dad's Blog. What a Blessing to have such loving parents and brother. I love that he signs his Post: Allie's Dad. Allie..there are people all over praying for you. God IS GOOD and HIS love endures for ever! Holding you up in prayer... every day,
Theresa from Georgia
note: I look forward to seeing the new recovery web page
Dear Cagen Family,
It is so great that you have this blog to record allie's progress. Every time I have a chance I get on here to see how she is doing. Every day she gets better and better. She is doing so well. she really is a MIRACLE! And you guys are the best family ever, allie knows that. I miss you all, and send my love.
martha
That's so incredible. I'm a Flybaby, and have been praying for Allie. God is good, and He's healing your sweet Allie.
Leaps of progress! Oh how it buoys the spirit to see daily miracles. The strides in the past four days would have been delightful in four weeks...but the speed of Allie's recovery is a miracle before our eyes. Praise God! Anxious to read each new step, the fun, the love, the magic, the humor, the wit. Allie's personality shines through as does the fortitude and faith of the entire Cagen family. Thanks so much for including all of us bloggers in this amazing adventure. Huge hugs and much love to all you, Ruth
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