Monday Morning, January 19

Hi Everyone

So our tale comes to an end, or so it seems for the moment but it is just so happy that I needed to let everyone know as this truly is going to be my last blog. I have been journaling the whole time just to have a complete record of her entire journey.

I was originally going to end my blogging days on the day that Allie went off to college and that occurred last week. It was a wonderful day as we dropped her off at the dorm and went inside to get her roo set up. There was something magical about the day - who ever would have thught that just eight short months to the day she would be attending her first class at University. Many, many days ago I would have been happy if she was walking at eight months so leaving her alone in a dorm room was far beyond my wildest dreams. Fourtunately her best friend lives just up one flight in the dorm and she has a beau, so her little life is a fairytale at the moment - away from mom and dad, living in a dorm at a great college and having your best friend and beau right there in the same building. Wow

Well I had to add this one last note: We went and saw Allie last Friday and took her and her gentlemen friend out to dinner. She looked great as she met us in the parking lot and had big hugs and smiles for mom and me. This was great!!! She was happy to see us! We went downtown Asheville and walked aroung for a while and then had a big sushi dinner. It was a snowy day and the weather was cold as we walked around and we were worried for her as she walked the campus going up and down stairs to get to the different buildings but you can't worry about everything, we have learned to let go of many things or at least not voice them out loud. But all of this is said for a reason and lends itself to show how well things are.

Allie is just so happy being Allie and she is so Okay with the accident and being who she is. It makes me cry inside to see her so back in her element - there are som issues but they are minor and nothing that isn't being worked out.

Now back to dinner and the nicest way to end this final entry. As we dropped Allie and Andy off at the dorm we hugged them both good night and as they turned to walk away we sat in the car and watched as they hugged each other. It was dark and the lights were on in the parking lot as they stood there silouetted against the buildings; we could feel the feelings they had for each other - it was a beautiful moment as they then turned for the building and he took her hand in his and together he helped her up the stairs like two sould that belonged together or had possibly been together for a long time and had once again found each other.

Nancy and I sat there in silence knowing that everything was truly going to be okay. As they reached the top of the stairs, she turned and waved to us - and life goes on.

Full Recovery - Never a Doubt
Allie's Dad

Allie can be reached at:

Allie Cagen
University of NC Asheville
One University Place
Asheville, NC 28801
Founders Hall Room 203B

Wednesday Morning, January 3rd 2008

With a New Year upon us, we are back to work and school and life as normal. Hard to believe I can say life as normal considering 2007 but this is now our normal life. It's different but it is better in most every way. Funny ow when we set goals we sit back and evaluate where we were, where we are and where we want to go. This time we sat down and figured out where we are and where we want to go because for me there was no before May 14th. On that date we were reborn to a new world and our lives had just begun the journey they were supposed to be on at this time. Will they change again?? If they do we will embrace the change as we do now.

How can we give thanks to everyone who has carried us and loved and prayed for us and supported us on our journey and cared for us and cried with us. How can so many people be so kind. No matter what the shape of the world may appear to be, when there is human struggling, the universe calls it's angels together to surround and support those who need it. Your kindness has overwhelmed us.

From the many people who knitted blankets to those who sent baskets and flowers to those who read and answered the blog to those who visited and to those who prayed for us. THANK YOU

Nancy and I look forward to 2008 as a year of healing, a year of growing and a year of recomitting ourselves to each other and to those who need us.

Allie is doing really well.
So the new year beging with excitement and joy. We have so much to be thankful for.

Stay tuned.

Allie's Dad

Thursday Morning, December 20th

Well it's great to be back.

So much has happened in the last 3 months that it would be impossible for me to catch up in one quick session so I will try to summarize how blessed we have been.

Allie is doing remarkable well and is enjoying life with a new understanding and outlook. She is a softer, kinder, more compassionate and loving teenager. She has been blessed with a second chance in life and she realizes it and is grateful ( a grateful teenage?) Every moment is a blessing and joy. We have our moments but if you spent most of every day with me for the past three months you would understand.

Allie will be going to college in three weeks and will be moving out of the house and into a dorm and while I have had my concerns I am finally at peace with the fact that she will be OK. We have a large group of people who will help, her best friend is only one floor up in the dorm and her mom and I are only an hour away. Sure I still have some trepidation but I must let go because God has a plan for her and I can not interfere with it.

Allie is singing again and doing so well. She now sings four times a week and is singing in a church choir. At the Christmas service the other night we all felt the presence of the creator as she walked the processional. As she went by my knees buckled and I actually had to catch myself from falling. There I was, this great big guy with tears running down my eyes - what a sight - but I knew the full story and the Christmas miracle I had just witnessed.

Allie is having her hair done today for the first time since the accident. Tomorrow it is off to NY to see family, also for the first time since the accident and we are all thrilled.

So much more but have to go to work now. Please continue to pray for Allie and for all of our other friends on caringbridge.com. Paige Cook, Rachel Juliano and Jessie Garren.

We love all of you and are so grateful. Where do we go from her? I don;t know. I guess she will lead and we will follow.

Full Recovery - Never a Doubt
Allie's Dad

Wednesday Evening, September 25th

I forgot to add my e-mail address - it is drcagen@citcom.net and my cell phone, should you need to speak with me directly is (828) 553-2139

God Bless
Steve

Wednesday Afternoon, September 25

Dear Friends

It is with great sadness that I will no longer be blogging. Apparently the blog is causing Allie to much stress and she is becoming resentful that I am doing it.

This blog means everything to me and to many of you, however it is now work causing Allie or our family the amount of stress it has been.

I can not tell you how much your love, blessing, gifts and well wishes have meant to us. They have pulled us through the darkest days of our lives and have carried us when we could not stand alone.

Full Recovey will become a reality and it is thanks to you so please check that site and pass it along. It will not be long before it is completely done and we are helping people aroung the world. Full Recovery Radio is now a reality and will air Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 eastern time. Just log on to www.blogtalktadio.com to hear the show and a phone number will show up on the screen where you can phone in. So we will be able to talk live and I want to get to know each and every one of you.

Please check back often as Allie may at some time want me to start blogging again, so it is with tears in my eyes and a broken heart that I say goodbye.

God Bless You All. Full Recovery - Never a Doubt!!!!

Allie's Dad

If you would like to join the Full Recovery Mailing list, please e-mail me your e-mail address and I will add you to the group. I hope everyone joins!!!! Again - thank you for being there, let's talk tuesday.

Tuesday Evening, September 25th

Today was a keeper!! Wow, what an awesome day full of memories that I will keep forever.

Allie and I went to therapy this morning and it was good. I asked Alli's therapist if I could have the first and last few minutes of each session to go over my thoughts with her and to get her feedback on how Allie was doing. One of the things I have discovered along the way is that if you do not ask them, they will not just come out and tell you. This is where Mark Clark at the rehab excelled - he, after knowing how much we wanted to be involved, went out of his way to find us each day and spend time explaining to us what was going on, what his rational was for what he was doing, where he was going with his treatment and what he thought the outcome was going to be. I believe on the website I will add a downloadable card that says just that: 4 questions: and 1 piece of advice.

1. What are you doing
2. What is you rational for doing it
3. Where is this treatment leading us
4. What is your expected outcome
5. Question until you are satisfied

Anyhow I asked her the 4 questions and I was satisfied so that was that. Unfortunately, to many health providers get their dander or insecurities up when you ask them questions but you have every right in fact it is your duty to know everything that is happening so you can make an informed choice .

Well after therapy we headed to the Maggie Valloey, a beautiful mountain community on western Morth Carolina. This place is a throw back in time with nice shops..... We drove to one shop which said the most photographed spot in the mountains so we both got out and went in. It was you typical mountain store with knick-knacks, and jellies and ciders. Seen one, seen 'em all but they had a large metal tower that you could climb up and see the view for the low low price of 50 cents each, so after Allie agreed up we went. Three weeks ago the girl couldn't climg 10 stairs and today she went 83 up and 83 down (I'll add pictures later). What an awesome accomplishment!!! She is doing so good. We just sandg the whole ride up and were happy to be with each other. It is so good for me to hang out with her and it just means so much to me.

After the stair climb we drove down to an amusement park in the mountains called Ghost Town. Now you have to picture that this is a mountain amustment park so everything is on the top of a huge mountain and the only way up is on a chair lift. As Allie would say Oy Guvalta. Anyhow we paiud our fair and off we went on this HUGE chair lift. I'm gonna say it again HUGE chair lift. Well we had a great time going up and Allie really liked it. It took about 15 minutes to get up. When we got off, I had them stop the lift all the way so Allie could get off easily and they happily obliged.

The amusement park was closed but the restaurant and a few other things were open so we played the shooting game ind it was a hoot. I showed Allie how to hold the rifle and off she went. She hit a few targets and we had alot of fun. Then in the gift shop we bought a Wizard of OZ mug. Allie has started collecting coffee mugs with actors and movie themes on them. How fun.

Also on the way up the chair lift they take your picture and ours came out great - it's really funny. Of course I bought it and ofcourse you will get to see it - as soon as I get it scanned. Then it was a beautiful ride down. The sun was shining and the temp. was probably 75 and just georgous. It was the kind of day you never want to end.

Well we were both hungry so we stopped for a little Mexican then 20 minutes of shopping and home we go - piano lessons at 3:30. While shopping we did manage to fine some home made chocolate and bought just a few pieces. We have decided to limit out chocolate intake.

The way home was just as much fun as the way there and we got home in plenty of time. Bob he instructor showed up, they had a great lesson and here we are. Allie and Bob get along just fine.

I'm going to go now. Allie is standing over me right now getting annoyed that I am writing.

Tuesday Morning, September 25th

I am going to start today's blog by asking everyone to pray for our friend Rachel Juliano that her recovery is a speedy one and that God will bless her and her family with a love and healing. That he will calm their hearts and help ease their pain. For personal reasons, they have chosen to close their blog site and all of our hearts go out to them. As many of you have been following her progress, I will update you as I am updated on her condition.

Yesterday was fun and different. I worked until 9 am and then Nancy came in and took over and I took Allie to therapy. After therapy Nancy called me and told me she would like tot work the rest of the day and for me to just take off with Allie. How fun. We drove around through the Biltmore village, then picked up Matt, came home, cooked dinenr and did her homework. She did really well staying focused for a while but then got a little frustrated or tired and we put it away. I will be having a talk with the therapist today because I don;t understand why she is giving Allie the work she is giving her and it's HARD I tried it for 45 minutes and couldn't get it, then Matt tried it and couldn't get it, so how is Allie going to get it? Iknow there is a reason, I just have to find it out.

We will be off to therapy in a few minutes and then off for a day of hanging out. I saw Allie had developed a rash on her feet and Nancy spoke to the neurologist who assurred her that was OK and only to worry if it was on the trunk of her body,

Have a great day
Allie's Dad