Friday Evening, August 31st

To finish up from the blog before.

Anyhow the shots were not going to happen and the nurse was in there to see Allie's reaction. So we told the charge doctor that we were not going this route and that he woudl ahev to find another way. Well they are all pissed off at me and think I am the most non-compliant trouble maker ever to grace the hallowed halls of Greenville Memorial hospital. Anyway Dr. Big comes in later and tells us that is is the shots in the stomach twice a day even though there is no sign of stroke or cumadin but that the levels would not get high enough and on and on. Well while he is talking Nancy goes into the hallway to make a call and then comes back in adn when I ask her her opinion she says she would like to speak to me in the hallway for a moment, well this sends Big into a tizzy and like a prissy little school girl he stand up and says Don't do this to me and I will not stand for this and storms off with his minions in tow saying when you've made a decision, come find me - real pro eh? We decided we will go the sapirin route. Come on, how many of you could hold your 17 year old daughters down and have them let you inject them in the stomach with a medicine that burn as it goes in twice a day much less having a daughter with a brain injury. Let's get real, another brilliant moment like the 24 hour eeg.

Well they all went away and Allie and I had a grand old time playing pool and foosball and cards until she had yet another MRI to see if thing have gotten worse and one of the neurologists just reported in that it had and that he saw no option but to do this Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap), well we talk for a while and basically he said it is to determine if she has a viral infection, bacterial infection or nothing at all. and I ask what he would do either way full well know if it ws viral - nothing, bacterial, antibiotic and nothing, well? nothing and he agreed. So is it would it, now I'm between a rock and a hard place, I am sure it will come back negative and even asked him how he could think infection especially since she has not had any fever the entire time and he just shrugged. We have go through everything else so I asked Allie what she thought and she calmly said, whatever is best for me so they have beat me into submission, I will hate myself for doing it or I may hate myself for not doing it but basically I hate myself for being in this situation and not trusting who I am or what I believe in. Forgive me.

Anyhow my anxiety level is off the charts but please let me say, you are only reading my thoughts. Many people have questioned my faith or how I was doing recently and I really am doing fine, I am just stuck in a situation I do not agree with and I am doing things I don;t believe in andI am having a hard time with it - I will be OK and I am OK, so let's just all get through this and get our little girl home.

Peace and Love'
Allie's Dad

Friday Morning, August 31st

Hi All

Sorry for missing the day but all went well. Git the report from the radiologist in NY we sent the pictues to and all is well as far as vascular problems or stoke goes and that's great news. They will be taking Allie down for another MRI in a few minutes and then we should be able to go back home today. They wanted her to stay on a blood thinner called Lovax or something like that and I have never been happy about it nor has nancy and amazing alot of the nurses have asked or questioned why they want her on it. This morning I was supposed to give her the shot (in the stomach) but that was not going to happen, she would not allow it

Wednesday Evening, August 29th

Today was a great day getting back to work and knowing that Allie was going to have an easy day in the hosiptal. There would be not tests and only one or two shots so it should be faily smooth and I ws not wrong. First for me, I love going to work. I get to spend time with some people I really like and have grown to love and be like family. I get to wear shorts, laugh and help people, I consider it a great honoer to work with the people who come to me everyday. My patients deserve a big thank you from Nancy and I as they have been there for us everystep of the way as we have changed shedules on them ( a few times), and we have had to inconvenience them and they have always been there to love us and hug us and carry us through. Thanks Guys and for everyone else, and to the thousands who have and continue reading the blog. Many of you are silent but we know you are there praying and cheering us on.

We are more confident tah ever that Allie is now going to recover at even a faster pace. Now that we are able to adjust we have also begun changing her diet by getting her back on Juice Plus in the hospital and by bringing her in fresh food and juices. Thanks a billion to our dear friend Kimmi Oddo and her whole family who run the Inn on Main in Brevard, NC for catering Allie's dinner tonight. They are not only great friends, they are Allie's great friend (and boss'). The Quiche and Kimmi sauce was eatin here her tonight - each bite with a big smile!

My sister Roni joined me on my trip to the hospital after work tonight and that was a real treat getting to spen some time with her; probably the most since her trip her due to the current situation. When we got there Allie looked great and was so happy to she us she satood up and great a big round of hugs to all of us. What an awesome greeting. Of course Nancy's was awesome awesome also and quite reconnecting after being apart for the day. Allie told us about her day and they had dinner. After that is was a game of foosball with all of us laughing and then we all played rummy and Aliie won the first hand - truly won. At no time ws she upset or complaining, her spirits were good and her with was quick.

Thanks to everyone who has sent information, articles and books (thanks dad), you have moved us with all of the information. We have made calls, sent films to other doctors and sponken to master herbalists who we will seek care with once we leave.

So here's the really great part of the day - All of Allie's cat scans and angio cat scans have come back negative for any blood leaks or hemmoraghes and no vascular disorders or stenosis. Now that's great news. The doctors still want her to stay on this heavy blood thinner but we will talk. We know these guys really do want the best for Allie but it has been a very difficult road with many tests and few answers. We are looking forward to getting her home and that comes with a lot of uneasiness but we can not leave her there for ever.

Anyhow, great day, great news still a long way to go but we are all ready to do it. Giove my regards to broadway.

Allie's dad

Tuesday Afternoon, August 28th

Thank you so much for all of you love and concern. We are in a calm sense of right as we have have once again been able to clear out thoughts and our hearts and recomitted Allie's care to to love and protection of God and have taken back our believfs in natural healthcare. Since letting God we have been filled again with the spirit and the calm and doors have begun swinging wide open and not hospital doors but universal ones.

Earlier in the day i visited the chapel as is my custom to pray and put in a prayer request for Allie and in my prayer I asked for a personal favor as I have been taught you can do and that is when i was once again filled with the light. Upon returning to Allie's room she looked up at me and said Dad, I'm OK and she shook me to the core. I forgot to mention that earlier in the day she looked up at me and said Dad, pray for me today. She has asked this of me twice in the last two days. Once in the room I did some energy work on her and then adjusted her cervical spine and she immediatley relaxed. This has been only the second time I have been able to manually adjust her and she moved unbelieveably. Her face immediately cleared and we went for a walk.

Sometime when you are caught up looking for answers whe have to remeber the incredible healing power of the body. How long has the subluxation been interfering with her nerve flow and could that ahev caused seizures. OF COURSE and could it have interrupled with the blood flow causing vascular problems - OF Course. I am so glad she let me pray for her and them adjust and lay hands on her. Removing the nerve pressure is what we do and now that we are able to touch her, she is once again on her way to Full recovery - only quicker. Of course we will still send the fils out to be read and take every precaution but we all know deep down who does the healing - and who has the power. If we can put her little frame back in place and allow the God force inside of her to work again - Broadway here we come.

Your research and letter mean so much to Nancy and I - thank you, thank you, thank you. Yo can not believe the ministers and spiritual leaders of all faiths that have called us in the last few hours. It's as if the heavens have once again opened up and the angels have spread their wings for Allie to ride on.

Sorry I had to get off so abruptly before but Allie needed me - right then!!!

Full Recovery - never a Doubt
Allie's Dad

Hi everyone,
This is Nancy. I feel like there is someone out there who can help us right now. This is my gut feeling. I don't know who he/she/they may be, however, I know someone has insight to this "obstacle". If you feel something deep down - possibly something/someone comes to you - please contact us asap. Time is of the essence. I am begging for help from friends, family and of course, from our Almighty God. We are struggling and need your help. Please whatever anyone can do, we are open to receive. God bless you all for your continued love and support. With love and gratitude.

Tuesday Morning, August 28th

Sorry for not blogging yesterday, I am sure alot of you are wondering what is going on. First of all, yesterday I was so tired and frustrated that I thought it best universally to hold my tongue until I could mediate and pray somemore and I would like to take this opportunity for letting my emotions get the better of me in past blogs. I know that truly the only things I have control over are my attitude and my emotions and both need to be extremely positive inside and out unfortunately right now it is only outside and that I am having a hard time with.

I am just very frustrated and not sure we are in the right hospital for Allie so we have begun looking for others. It is just that once again we seem to be chasing down the rabbit hole and no one is able to say with any degree of certainty what is going on. They all guess and speculate but no one is willing to go out on a line and they just double talk you to death so you can never come back and say well Dr. So and So said this because in all actaulity like I told one yesterday, I hear a lot of words coming out of your mouth but you are not saying anything. Everyone is looking for deniability so you can never come back to them. Then they do an angio-Cat scan and use the older machine so they do not get the best pictures and it just seem like one foul up after another. Just don;t feel comfortable and for as positive as I normally am I just think we gotta go.

Sunday Evening, August 26th

9:10pm and our little darling was so tired she couldn't keep her eyes open for another second. Unfortunately she will have to get a shot shorty which will be a rude awakening but hopefully for only a moment - she has been exhausted ALL day.

So where do we begin today? Who knows but there is good news. It's all kind of wierd to be doing so good fro so long and then a curve ball comes at ya. Well they put Allie on the antiseizure med. the other day and we are prretty sure that she has still been suffering seizures and that should not be because of the medication so what else could it be besides a TIA or mini-stroke with reversable paralysis. It will be OK if we figure it out because it is treatable but if not treated it is a precursor to something bigger - irreversible.

When we got here today they put her back in pediatrics which was OK but we had an uneasy feeling about the pediatric neurologist - probably very good and he did recommend further testing and got her directly admitted today but you know, when something dosen't sit right ot just dosen't so we asked if there were any other pediatric neurologists but to our suprise in the whole system there were no so we asked for an adult neurologist come and see Allie - well they called the one on duty but the guy was the biggest ass8&%^& on the planet and would not come over to the pediatrics unit to see a patient and yelled at the resident that made the call and told them to put a real doctor on. What a jerk!!! So now Allie is without a neurologist for the moment - if one will not come tomorrow, we will ahve to move her to the adult unit - what a bunch of semantics. Those guys won't come here because they feel like they are stepping on the pediatrics guys terratory - screw the patient. What we have to put up with. Anyhow the rest of the doctors and nurses on the floor have been teriffic

Poor Allie once again became the human pin cushion - lots of blood samples (some going to the MAYO clinic to check and see if her blood really coagulates to quickly which may be a problem - to thick) and her veins are so tiny it is extremely difficult to get blood from her. Ouch!

From there it was off for another CAT scan to check for any hemmoraging in the brain of leaking and thank goodness there was none - then back to MRI to a prestroke evaluation to check for any stenosing or narrowing of her arteries which may be the problem. If it is she can just be treated with blood thinners for awhile.

What has happened to my baby - the good news is on the way to the hospital she told me she was a fighter and not a quitter and she wanted to get healthy and go to school and go on Broadway so thank you God for all of the healing you are giving her and thank you all for caing.

Allie's dad

Sunday Afternoon, August 26th

Back in the hospital again.

Once again Allie experienced a seizure (episode) after her shower but this time we don't know if she also had a reaction to the medication but it was worse then normal and she got real tired, stated running a fever was very wobbly on her feet, slurred speech, double vision, nystagmus (twitching of the eyes) and on and on............ Poor kid has been so good throughout all of this.

Called the neurologist and he recommended that we get her back here - so here we are. Damn!

Hopefully be back with better news later. She is in Greenville Memorial Hospital room 5522

God Bless
Allie's Dad

Sunday Morning, August 26th

It appears that I'm running a day behing but that's OK.

Yesterday was just a hang out day. We all sat around and had a huge family breakfast and then hit the couches for the day to watch movies together. Allie seemed to do well as she always does when she is home. Now it's my turn, seems like I have an abscess in a tooth or something and the entire right side of my face is swollen. Oh well.

Weather is wierd so probably the same plans for today except I might have to go seek some help. What the heck...........

Anyhow, Dr. M the scarce guy I wrote about called yesterday to see how Allie was doing. Nice job - little late but much appreciated. Allie ws playing rummy with Nancy last night and was using her left hand again to hold onto things; cups, cards ..... How awesome to see her use that left hand and not drop things every few seconds. The hardest thing now, for all of us and especially Nancy is to wait for her to get up in the morning to see how she is doing. She had never had a problem (knock on wood) and the for that one day when she woke up and looked the way she did it levaes you full of anxiety wondering everyday now if she will wake up like that again.

I like when she says I lvoe you and gives you hugs now. The medication seems to be working and we will move her appointment with the neurosurgeon up. I think the one thing we all need to remember that in the hospital and in life we are in charge and it felt really good to take our power back, scary as it may seem and we have to make the final decision as to what we are comfortable with and understand that God gave us an innate healing ability and we have to trust that. Glad science is here even more glad that God is.

So where does this leave us? On the road to Full Recovery, where else!!!!!!

I guess my question for today is, how can I make my families life a little better today, how can I show them that I love them, how can I be selfless for that is when I will grow, so is being selfless - selfish because I am growing or am I growing because I am not thinking about me - quick someone call a monastery and get me a reservation. I just love quantum physic - don't you, makes you think so hard that when you stop thinking and just experience - enough of that just watch the secret (www.thesecret.tv) or what the bleep (Great DVD) or the books are even better. They deal with Universal Principles escpecially the Laws of Attraction.

I was supposed to take my sister Roni (who is just so cool) for an airplane ride today but we will seeI want so much to hug you all and let my friends Dr. Rick and Donna Humiston and family how much they mean to us. There are some people in the world that you don;t talk to alot but that you have spiritually connected to and know that they are always there; just like most of you guys.

The more I sit the more I could type but I hate to bore you with my ramblings so have a great day.

Love Y'all
Allie's Dad

Saturday Morning, August 25th

Home at last. Who ever said theres no place like how knew what they were talkng about, same as the guy that said carpe diem, life's to short, be prepared and question authority.

As I type everyone else slppes and my anxiety build as I await to see how Allie is this morning. Those who have ever been in a clsoe call in an auto accident can relate to how I feel right now. At the time your adrenaline is up and you are in survivasl mode and once it is over and you can relax for a moment your can fall apart a bit.

The final nuerologist came in and really tried to scare us that we needed more tests and such as if we didn;t stay in the hopsital a few more days and do more tests - who knows. Fortunately I ran into the neurosurgeons who are great and I trult trust and they put both Nancy and I at ease. These guys in the hospital can truly have your forgetting who is really in charge - glad we were strong. I requested all of her records and wouldn't leave until I had every paper, picture, note and test - let's get some other opinions. For now, Allie needs to be home and once she got out of there she seemed to to immediately go in the upswing. I olny pray she slept well and she awakens better. It just keeps running through my head - I will never leave you, I will not forsake you.

Everyone (all of the auxillary people) in the hopsital are alway so kind to Allie and truly love her. Ms. Ruby in the gift shop (as Allie would say, my favorite place) God bless her 83 years old and still there working the shop and quite well I might add, Ms. Patty, Jane and Darlene and of course the good folks in subway who know immediately what she wants as soon as she walks in.

Another road in the adventure and I am sure this was for a reason - never question why, we can only do our best and work for the future, We need to enjoy life more, play with them more, hug and kiss them more and certainly tell them we love them more adn with any luck we have done enough and we have instilled an unshakeable faith in them and an intense will to succeed and will will all live to see another sunrise and grow old together. When people write, expecially those corny quotes you may blow them off because you are only reading the words but not feeling them the way the writer meant them to be felt. Live for the day, I would trade all my my gold for another day of health,,, not words but feelings on paper and unfortuantely you may have to have suffered a tragedy to feel the feelings. I hope you don;t/

Morning, before anyone wakes up has always been my favorite time of the day.

Gid Bless
Allie's Dad

PS - Thanks for writing back. It really helps

Friday Afternoon, August, 23rd

3:30 still here and still getting differing information. Every doctor that comes in has something different to say. this one says this this one says that nothing can confirm everything......... You can see why American healthcare is in such a problem and why Americans are on so many drugs. If you are not educated on asking questions or do not want to offend a doctor you will be run down the rabbit hole into an abyss of uncertainty - especially if you do not ask questions and have good insurance. Nuff said there.

As my dear deceased father in law used to say to me - Stephen me boy, never let'em get their clutches on you. Well Bob - this ones for you!

At this point I don;t know what to say but we will exhaust every avenue for Allie and as always put our faith in God and know that Full Recovery is right around the corner and Full recovery.net is needed more than ever and in every hospital room in the world because dealign with these detached people never has a positive spin on it - well they won't get me!!! And in the future they won't get many others due to all of our efforts and it can not just be a web site but will have to be virtual - we have to teach people how to be positive and advocates. I know these guys mean well but the neurologist was watching the television while talking to us to the point where Nancy stood up and turned it off and I told him that he was coming across as intimidating and not to try to scare us. Why did three others doctors see the same report and feel everythign was Ok and now last minute again like last night another test - fill another bed for the night - create another test bill for the hospital???????

Anyhow we will do the best for Allie.

Love and Prayers,
Allie's Dad

Thursday Evening, August 23rd

Well today was a waiting game fuill of frustration. At tinmes thigs seemed to go well and at others, not so well. At times we seemed to know what was happening and at other times, it was a big guessing game. It's like the old days, in the beginning, just one big ball of frustration and being Allie's advocate watching every move they make because again, at times it's like the left hand dosen't know what the right is doing and once again it's the same old crap of putting up with nurses that are non-caring and or just plain _____, you fill it in.

Just when we though we might have an answer, we did eeg's, MRI's, MRA's, CAT Scans ..... and though we might be going home - nada. At three thirty a resident comes up to us and tells us that they are going to do a 24 hour eeg. This means putting 20-30 electrodes on Allie's head and then wrapping it up with gauze and a sock and having her stay in her room, on camera for 24 hours. This was riduculous. It makes me wonder if doctors ever think of the patients and/or review their history or take them into consideration in any way other than the robotics of just order another test to fill a bed. How frustrating!!! There is NO WAY on earth that Allie was going to do this and one would think that a neurologist would take into consideration that she is a 17 year old traumatic brain injury patients and would understand there is no way they are going to let anything like this stay on their head or at least they woudl have the common sense or decency to talk to the parents to ask them if their child would be able to endure something like this. It would have also been nice if they would communicate with you before ordering it and sat down with you to let you know what it was for, what it would tell them and if it would be conclusive. We determined it would be a crap shoot - might tell them something, might not. After kicking it around for a wile and knowing full well it would never happen but wanting the best for Allie we and she agreed to try it. While it was a BAD move and we knew it I believe we might have done some good. The probes were on and Allie was on the computer for about 20 minutes before she absolutely bugged out and began crying hysterically that it was hurting her so bad and continured to scream for the next 30 - 40 minutes until we got someone up there to unhook her but what they were looking for was to see if they could catch her when she was having an episode of seizure and from all of her screaming and crying they may have done that because when she got off her lip was drooping and she was slurring her words again. Crappy price to pay but hopefully it was what they needed. Either way we are taking her home tomorrow unless something major wrong shows up and there is no way that will happen.

The poor dear pooped out at about 7pm tonight and hopefully will get alot of sleep tonight. Nancy and I went out to get a meal for the first time in two days and while it was nice I wanted to get back. Well I was going to stay in her room for the nicght just to be near her but I looked in her window and she was sleeping so sound I will walk across the street and stay with Nancy at the Ronald McDonald house.

Driving back from dinner we were talking about how we would never forget the sight of her stanging there with her face and arm dropped in paralysis, drooling and slurring her speach and how heartbreaking it is much more so then when she was in a coma becasue then she didn't know and not she is just so confused and really doesn't understand but on some level must, like what happened to me. It breaks my heart to see her left hand in a claw not being able to grab things and she seems to not know there is something wrong with it. Fortunately this will pass and she will regain her stregnth and with luck these things are one time occurances.

I don't know, just a long day but a good one just to be here with her and know that in the end once the frustration and junky feelings have passed, it will be all right.

Love you all,

Allie's Dad

Thursday Morning, August 23rd

Well that was a heck of a night.

When I got back from K-Mart anf finished blogging, I when back to allie's room to find her awake and sitting up watching TV and trying to eat cereal. Most of it was on the floor as she probably tried putting it in the bowl herself and does not have the stregnth or coordination to do it. How sad, it broke my heart. she looked all disheveled and confused and I asked what she was doing up. She said the doctor had come in and worke her up and she thought it was 9:15 in the morning instead of 9:15 at night so she had taken a shower and was starting her day. The poor dear was so confused after slleping for a half hour and being awakened. I showed her it was night time out and we both just laughed - hey it's happened to all of us and actually it was a good thing because they came and got her at just after 10 to do the MRI/MRA. They were supposed to do it this morning but somehow had a slot they slipped us in to. we got back to the room just after 11 and I was glad it was over. Midnight, she turned the TV off and it was the start of a new day. Lots of prayers and off to sleep on the most uncomfortable chair bed ever. 1 oclock, still praying and thinking. 2oclock babies crying, loud intercom announcements, 3:30 nurse comes in for vitals, 7 oclock doctor comes in, 7:30 nurse comes in, 8:00 oclock doctor comes in. 9:00 oclock 8 doctors come in. Basically we still don;t know anything but there is nothing really dangerous happening here at least we do not believe so at this time.

Allie is kind if pissy this morning and who can blame her. It just kind of hurts a bit when she gets mean. Maybe not hurts but sure stings for a moment. When she got up this morning she appeared OK but then took a shower and once again got very confused and started drooping and slurring her speech again. The saddest part is the mental confusion, well actually it's all of it. She came out of the shower with her sweatshirt on backwards and my heart broke a bit but our sister-in-law Ellie, a nurse and awesome support system for us spent the night researching her symptoms and what the doctors ahve told us and has reassurred us that thigs would be OK and as she has always given us great advice and has always been right so we feel comfortable with what she has told us today. It's great having her and she has been such a blessing for Nancy - Thanks Ellie - i love you.

Unless something turns up that the neurologist sees that no one else did we will probably be going home sometime today. Allie may need physical therapy for a while to get her left arm going strong again or maybe not??? Who the heck knows. The more I want to know the more nobody can tell me. One thing I have learned in the hospital is patience and really when it comes to the brain injuries - no one knows but they have all been so nice and helpful here - I am really glad we chose this place.

To realize how truly blessed you are all you have to do is walk any floor in this place especially the one we are on - pediatrics. Wow.

Anyhow it's now noon, once again she is eating Subway and we are just waiting to see the neurologist and I believe they ahve the physical therapist coming to see Allie.

It's all good. We love you.

Allie's dad

Wednesday Evening, August 22nd

2nd Update

Allie fell asleep at 7:30, the poor dear was so tired all day long and went through so many tests, thank goodness she finally conked out. She looked so little ans so innocent as she hugged the blankes and said good night, then in a weak little voice she said I love you and I just felt so small myself.

Nancy and I drove over to K-Mart to pick up some clothes and I decided to walk back to the hospital. On the way back I kept running over the day and how each of us handled what was happening. I remember feeling so helpless as we drove down the hill with Allie just saying how her life was ruined and repeating that she just wanted to die asking me to kill her and how I just kept reassuring her that everything would be OK to which she would reply how do you know, have you ever felt this way?

I remembered how my heart sank when I got home this morning and I saw her sweet little face and she was drooling as she spoke because of the paralysis and thinking OH my God as my heart sank. The feelign was just pure love and wanting to help her and hold her but there was no time we just sprunf into action. I remembered how I put her shoes on and when she stood up and started looking around and when I asked her what she was looking for she said her left shoe, when I told her it was on her foot she told me she couldn't feel it and I was going down the rabbit hole quickly but no time, had to go. All the while as she picked up her left hand with her right hand to get moving she never once seemed sad or upset. She couldn;t walk down the stairs so we had to go out the side door and around the house and yet she did not understand the urgency we had in our voices.

It's hard to understand how much you can love someone especially when they are so vulnerable and unable to assess the situation. Just cut my arm off she said, I'm right handed and don't really use it anyhow. How can you not just crumble. She then looks at you with her short hair and cherub face and starts to cry becaus eshe is either understanding the gravity of the situation or she is in so much pain or both.

I remembered her getting lifted into the ambulabce and giving me a thumbs up and saying she loves me before they closed the door and all I wanted them to do was drive as fast as possible.
I remember how much the IV line hurt her today and how much she cried that she wanted to go home, home much she hated the hospital and everyone in it and how she called Nancy a bitch and me a f%$K and how much we loved her in return and how we then walked to the gift shop together like we used to and talked and bought chocolate and then walked back.

So many thoughts, so many emotions, God working in strange ways. I came back to the NeuroICU to type this blog, where it all started on the very machine that I wrote the first blog on; it seemed only right.

Poor Allie is so confused, she seemed to ahve regressed mentally a bit but is just so happy and blissful and it hurts my heart to see her the way she is. I know she will make a Full Recovery but I also know that we will love her and take care of her forever. I want nothing more than to hug her and tell her everything will be OK, to see her happy in a different way, right now she is happy in a different emotional way, in a cute, young, innocent 4 year old way. I know it is coming and for as good as I know it will turn out, my heart breaks tonight.

Once again I long for tomorrow.

Allie's dad

Wednesday Evening, August 22nd

For the best part everything is OK.

I'm sitting at my desk this morning when I hear the phone ring, Sabrina our assistant no sooner answers it then I see the panic on her face and I know something is wrong. I grab the phone and it's Nancy, Somethings wrong with Allie, she cant move her left arm and her left eye and lip is drooping. Within two seconds I'm in the truck driveing life a mad man beeping and blinking my headlights all the way up the mountain, My mind is racing Holy Shit what's going on. I call on the cell phone and tell Nancy to call Dr. Toma and Dr. Gardner right away. A few seconds later she calls back. Dr. Toma wants her to call 911 and get her to the local hospital stat. Oh, my God! We both agree we are going back to Greenville where they know her and we are confident and comfortable. I got to the house in no time flat and Allie is not looking good, we get her in the Pilot and dash off not waiting for an ambulance. On the way Nancy tells me that Allie got up at 7:30 and aroung 9 after her shower, she comes into the room holding a towel and tells her in slurred speech that her arm is not working and she can't feel it. No time to waste. As I race out of the subdivision we call 911 and tell them what is going on and ask if they can take her by ambulance to Greenville, they can not so I just continue driveing with Allie scream she is in pain and my heart in my chest. As we continue to drive we call Greenville 911 and ask to have an ambulance meet us and after some confusion we meet up, put Allie in the ambulance to stabalize her and head off again. Now I'm alone in the car and Nancy is in the ambulance and as I once again call the Ronald McDonald house the tears start to flow. Deep down I know everything is going to be OK but in the moment with Allie in the ambulance basically paralyzed on the left side my mind starts to wander until I get it under control. Why is the ambulance driver going so slow I screamed to myself. About that time the phone rang - it was Nancy, everything seemed OK.

At the hospital, the ER doctor examined her and got her sent off for a cat scan, about this time Allie seemed to be back to normal, her eyes were OK, her smile was even and she seemed to be able to use her left arm again, A wave of it's going to be OK came over all of us. The Cat scan was good, no damage or anything to worry about there. Allie was really hungry and it was after lunch time so they let us walk to the cafateria while they got her room ready. nancy and Allie got Subway and I went into the cafateria. As soon as I got on line my phone rang, it was Nancy and she was breaking up bad, all I heard was we are going back to the ER, I left my tray on the line and ran back to the ER to find Allie had relapsed and was not able to use the left side again and it seemed to be worse, my heart sank and Nance was a mess. All in all Allie seemed to have taken a big step backwards and it looked bad to us but we tried not to look how we felt.

After a battery of test, doctors and the likes it appears that Allie had something called a Todd siezure which will go away after 24 hours or so but to be on the safe side they will be doing a MRI/MRA tomorrow sometime. It seems that at worse she may need to take iezure medication and at best it was a one time occurance and will never happen again. That's tonights news.

Allie is as tired as can be and I will be spending the night in her room. I got Nancy an hotel nearby so she can get some good rest, she is exhausted and it will be the best thing for her.

This is for a reason, for all of us - don;t know why, don;t care. As mother Theresa said, I just wish he didn;t trust us so much.

Stay positive - Full Recovery - Never a Doubt

Love and Recovery
Allie's Dad

Wednesday Afternoon, August 22nd

Dear Friends

At this time Nancy and I are asking you to once again reach out to your prayer circles for Allie. This morning Allie lost function on the left side of her arm and face. We rushed her back to Greenville Hospital with the help of EMS meeting us along the route to transport her. She has had a battery of tests since she has been here and will have more in the morning.

I will keep you informed later tonight.

She is regaining her motor function and we are unsure if it was a TIA or a siezure or brain healing or ...????

Full recovery - Never a Doubt

Allie's Dad

Tuesday Morning, August 21st

How odd. I find myself looking ove rmy shoulder as I type to be sure Allie is not coming. I wish she could understand what the blog is and how it is helping me and many others learn and deal with the trauma and recovery we now have. I understand that it may be embarrasing to her for others to hear of how she is progressing and the trials and tribulations which accompany the healing process or possibly she reads is and discovers things about her which she may not be aware of and when she reads is it could sparks off a feeling of not being what or where she use to be. This could be the reason she is recovering the way she is. It gives me the ability to write about her progress, knowing that she will recover fully and if she does read it maybe it will geive her the hope for Full Recovery also - we all know it is coming. Interesting the many philosophical issues you can look at her - Ayn Rand watch out - (one of my favorite philosophers)

It's 8:30 am and Roni (my sister), Nancy and I have been sitting outside dringing coffee and tea for quite a while now talking about life in general and about Allie and how well she is doing, about the many teachers who want to work with her, about going to the inhouse rehab next week and about how frustrating all this must be to Allie - I think Roni put it a great way when she said that this happened at such a critical timne in her life that it must be very frustrating; about to graduate from high school - missed it, senior prom - missed it, off to college - missed it and to not remember the performance of the school play Throughly Modern Millie; it must all be so very frustrating. Stephen Covey in the Seven Secrets talks abot unconscious incompetents, conscious incompetnets, unconscious competents and conscious competnets. What he is saying is that the unconscious incompetent does not know they don;t know (where Allie used to be), then the conscious incompetent knows they don't know (where Allie is) can you imagine how frustrating that must be for her to know she doesn't know. She will say things like - what's that word when you do good in school and then they give you money to go to school and you tell her scholarship and she will say Oh Yeah. Very simple but sometimes (and probably many more times than we knoe) getting stuck on little things. The good news is that she is very positive and is back on her way to being a conscious compentent and with her singing she was a unconscious competent - she was so good she didn;t really ahve to think about what she was doing ( or at least that is a proud father typing).

Allie's moods have been very good recently and she is also getting very good at riding in the car, her wit is quick and she is usually very congenial, She still and never did like to be told she was not doing something right (and who does) but she is a quick study. Loves to talk and be with you but will also take a break as she sees fit. I guess the best way to say it is that Allie likes things on her terms - but who doesn;t. She is getting a filter and is just so gtreat to be around.

Thank you for all of the encouraging e-mails and letters. We are so blessed to have her home and have all grown so much closer together. I hope all of our friends in the hospital are well and are going home soon. I miss seeing everybody there, they were our family for a few months, the nurses and therapist and especially Mark Clark the man of the hour who really single handidly took Allie under his wing and boy did she love/hate him for it. I am not singleing out because everyone was great but Mark and Allie had a very special relationship, one I am sure she will always remember and one which I am sure he will to.

Allie's Dad

Sunday Afternoon, August 19th

Today's lesson. Allie is not ready to be in a play. She is doing so well at so many things that she can fool me at times and she did this time. Don't get me wrong, she did want to be in the play and had a great time at the tryouts but she really was not ready for such a big commitment, so I let the troupe know yesterday and they were (as always) so gracious. There sole intent was to help Allie and they did. I will always love and appreciate them for giving us this opportunity. We will be back in a few months. I have to tell you though that being at the tryouts with here and watching her read and laugh and interact in her own element was a few hours I will never forget. The thought of being in a play together with her was so exciting for me, a true father/daughter opportunity - it will be wonderful it it could happen again. If not, I will always treasure those two hours.

Nancy and Allie went to the movies last night and I had the opportunity to take Matt and one of his friends flying. That is one of those father/son things I love to do with him. We took off from Asheville airpost and just flew around over the mountain and watched the sun set. He likes it when I give him the controls and let him fly around. It's especially exciting when he has a friend in the plane.

My sister Roni got her this afternoon and it is always great to have her. She saw Allie the first few days in the hospital and is blown away by how she is now.

I feel like getting philosophical foe a few moments so please bear with me. Right now we have one hundred and twenty some odd posts up and in each one I have tried to be inspiring, honest and hopeful. I have never once complained, asked why, questioned or gotten angry, I accepted when I made the decision that our daughter could die or could come back a vegetable, para/quad. Every feeling was real and I have been comfortable with every one. I know God has a plan and a purpose for each of us and this was something we had to go through. It has not been easy but is getting that way. Whay am I saying this? Because for as much as I never questioned the action, sometimes I find myself questioning the result. Why is my girl healing so well? Why is she so good. For as bad as the accident was, as you know they were unsure she would not live the night and we allowed her to go if she needed to - there are no facial scars, no limps, no paralysis and please I am not complaining, feel where my heart is. It is just that sometimes as I write I am almost unwilling to share because I never want anyone to read this blog and feel as if I am bragging or gloating and I never, ever want to add to their pain or make them say why isn't my loved one doing as well. I don;t know and just as I didn't as why then, I can not ask why now but as I continue developing Full Recovery it almost makes me a little uncomfortable because I do not know the pain that some others are experiencing on a daily basis. I am just going to let them know that my heart is in the right place and I will do everything possible to help provide information and encouraging words to help ease everyone pain as they go through their own recovery.

Well gotta go

Allie's Dad

Saturday Morning, August 18th

Bright and Early, everyone is still sleeping. The blog is becoming quite an issue with Allie as she is beginning to feel as though it is invading on her space and she has expressed the desire to my wife a few times that I stop. As much as I want to respect her wishes I am torn, however I know that in the end ............... but that's not today :-)

Nancy and I got to celebrate our Anniversary and left Allie and Matt with Sabrina for a full 10 hours. It was AWESOME!! We had the best time but even better was that Allie had a great time with Brie and that she attempted to go to the play rehearsal without me. Sabrina took her and they got there right on time, however they could not find the troupe (big club house) and when they finally did Allie was aggitated and did not want to go in. The poor dear. I felt so bad for her, putting in such a big effort and then, well Brie said she did not have to go and they left for home. Good call on Brie's part and the outstanding thing is that Allie was able to let go of her frustration in only a minute instead of holding on to it and in the words of the great philosopher Larry the Cable Guy, That's Progress - I don't care who you are.

Well her she comes, so her I go. Be back Later

Allie's Dad

Friday Morning, August 17th

Back to the morning blogging.

The days at home seem to be blurring together and I hardly remember the times I blog. Now that I have gotten involved in this play with Allie the days start at 7am work and end at 9pm after play read throughs. Phew. So please excuse me for the sporatic blogging.

Everyday we realize more and more how well Allie is progressing and just as we never asked or questioned why this happened whe never ask or question why she is getting well so quickly. Nancy said she sang for 40 minutes yesterday with her voice coach and I have stopped being amazed by the the things she does. She has become a joy to be with, She is just so polite and fun and funny and innocent and pure that every moment is now unbelieveable.

Her speech therapist was here this morning and Allie put on her sad face and mustered up a few tears. I'm tired, I don;t feel good... Yadda, yadda, Yadda.... then Ms. Ginger knocked on her door and of course she was in the shower (2nd or third one of the day and it was only 10am - that's cool) and she came right out and got to work. I asked Ginger for an analysis if Allie - basically I was saying where was she or what level was she reading and/or comprehending at. While it is very difficult for her to answer that and I completely understand, she said she was basically reading on a High School level and getting better with each session. Allie still trips us over big words - can you believe I said matter of factly that she still trips up over bigs words as it was a casual thing when it is really one huge miracle. I do not want to and don't take her progress for granted but I really don;t know how to jump up and down and shout it all of the time. I think that would come across as boastful and while it is not I am ever minful of the goodness of God who is doing this and respectful for my friends whose children are not accellorating as rapidly. I at all times wish to console them and still be happy and joyful. So Allie's reading is coming along great and when asked certain questions she will immediately say I don't know but with very minor prompting she comes up with the answer. She know the answer the whole time but just takes the easy way or needs a little bump to get her going. She is amazing and my heart bursts with joy and love everytime she hus me which now is almost anytime I want. You gotta understand, this is a different child.

Her friend are off to college and all appears to be fine for the moment. Her Aunt Roni (my sister) is coming for a few days or a few weeks and that's great. Allie and Roni have a great time together and each will grow from being with each other. Allie is not only learning but is teaching the world many lessions during her recovery. This paragraph could go on forever but let's just say I have learned so much I could write a book - patience, love of the day, how important is it, simple is better, you can achieve.......... save it for the book.What have you learned? Please let me know, I really need and appreciate your feedback.

Allie's friends from PACE University, Stephanie and Joe (Washington DC and NY) will be coming down on Monday to visit for a few days. How great is that.

I have finally found a web designer I have confidence in to create the full blown Full Recovery Web site. We will be meeting the first week of Sept. and it is devine intervention that we found each other. After searching and speaking to designers for months by fluke I ran across her site and unbelieveably (or believeably) she is in our home town and has been following Allie's story and praying for her. I wanted a woman to do the site because truly they have a better level of sensativity, and her portfolio showed clean, attractive work. This will be world class and will help many. many people. It will take awhile to do but we will be doing it right.

Nancy and I will be going out today to celebrate our 20th Anniversary and our good friend Sabrina will be here with Allie. She wanted us to do an overnight but we both agree it is to soon. So eventhough we were going to be on a cruise for 10 days we could think of no better way to celebrate 20 then to get a hot tub, a massage and to walk through Asheville holding hands and counting our blessings.

Carpe Diem
Allie's Dad

Oh my gosh, I can not believe that it has been two days since I have blogged. Excuse for last night is our internet was down and still is at the house so I am blogging from work. Some days I feel like I am boring you with my writing but then I look at all of the people who say it is helping them and that's great because I know that it is helping me.

The new nurse Amy started on Monday and she and Allie hit it off fantastically well. We have known Amy from our practice ans she is the perfect choice. She is reliable, congenial and loves taking care of others and she is also very funny.

We are very fortunate living in our subdivision because there is a pool and a few lakes they can go to so it breaks the day up and gives them something to do although Allie cant wait to go to the pool, be there for one minute and want to go to the lake and be there for one minute and want to go to the club house and one and on. It can me extremely frustrating but you keep the smile on and gas in the tank. Remember, we don't get anyhting more than we can handle and we are fortunate with her recovery, there are so may who have a more difficult situation them we do by far. God bless them.

Allie does NOT like her therapies at home and things just didn;t work out with her Occupational Therapist - enough said there. Yesterday she threw a fit because she did not want to go in the living room where her speech therapist was waiting and she locked herself in her room. Finally I remembered that in the hospital the therapist would go get her from her room and she always complied so I asked the speech therapist to do the same thing and it worked. Phew!

I don;t know if it's the recovery process and relearning to use inactive muscle but Allie always says things hurt her especially writing or doing her assignments. Anytime we want her to do something that she does not want to do she says it hurts her??

Well most of her friends are off to college this week and we will have to wait to see how well this goes as her core group will no longer be around. Wow. She understands hat she is unable to go to school, nor does she want to but sooner or later the realization of what is and has happened will have to have an effect on her and we will deal with it then.

Monday evening Nancy and Allie had a great time haning out in bed watching television together for at least 3 hours. I just hung out in the other room and let them have their time together. It was great. The anger had subsided significantly which has made life much more tolerable and has given everyone a better view of great things to come. She is working so hard internally to recreate what she has temporarly lost.

Her speech therapist is coming three times a week and siad thios morning that Allie continually improves in her reading and comprehension. Today we are thinking it may be possible for her to take a music class at the local community college in January - wouldn;t that be remarkable. Her voice coach Ginger is coming over and the piano was tuned today so ........ hopefully tomorrow we will hear music.

Outpatient therapy will probably begin in two weeks.

Today as we continue to pray for Allie we also pray for Paige and Marissa for their speedy recoveries.

God Bless You All
Allie's Dad

Sunday Evening, August 12th

Hi Everyone:

Lots of cool things going on and the growth is becomeing more and more remarkable with ecah passing day. While there is a long way to go and her behavior at times makes you want to hang yourself - it is becoming less and less.

As a optimist, I tend to dwell on the positive and remove the negative from my mind and that seems to work for me. I would rather place my thoughts and beliefs on what is possible instead of staying in the sickness consciousness that many fall prey to. I can also easily fall into the trap of negativity but will not allow it. This rule works well in life and business as well. Abe Lincoln said "Most folks are as happy as they make their minds up to be" or as Allie would always say "Happiness is Optional."

So for the good stuff. Yesterday was my birthday and guess who baked my cake. That's right, Allie did. She took out everything to make the cake and after reminding us that she was the only one who took cooking in school, that she should be the one to make it. How amazing is that!!!???
When we thought the cakes were done, she told us they weren't and she was right, they were not. Granted they dod not get frosted until today but who cares!! Our girl gave me the best birthday present ever.

Say Marla OK will you please e-mail me your address: drcagen@citcom.net and include your e-mail address also :-)

So today we all made a big breakfast and had a great day. So here is something really cool. The other day Allie and I were at the clubhouse and as we were walking back tot he car we saw a sign that said C.A.T.S which is the Connestee Amateur Theater people were putting on a play and were casting that evening. Allie said she would like to try it but it was later that evening and we forgot about it. Well the theatre community around here loves Allie and last night I got an e-mail from the director of the play offering Allie a part. he said he was aware of the challanges ahead of him but would love for Allie to have a small part in the play. At first she was against it but today was the reading for the parts and Allie and I went. She read (having difficulty but how can you not admire her and marvel at her courage and how God works) for the part of Maria. This is a Christmas play much like the Christmas Pagent but let's say mountain style. The part is her!!! Having brought her, they made me read for a part so I too will be in the play - pretty cool, not something I would ordinarily do but it will be fun doing it with Allie and I think just knowing I am there will help her greatly. Stay tuned but it is very inspiring.

Took her downtown tonight to meet her friends and we had some conversation about her being mean and I think somewhere inside she is beginning to understand that she just can not say mean things to people because they can say them right back and I would hate for her to get hurt. Also we managed to get up and down the mountain with no crying and she turned on the radio in the car for the first time. All in all - amazing.

Enough for tonight. Love you all.
Allie's Dad

Saturday Morning, August 11th

Hi Everyone

Time really gets by ya when you are taking care of Allie. After breakfast yesterday we got back tot he house and I had to quickly run back home. I told Nancy I would stay with Allie because Allie is very antaganistic with Nancy so Nancy and Matt went out for the day and got back arount 5:30?

During the time they were gone Allie and I had a ball. We played board games and cards for a few hours, then went to the club house and got candy, came home played cards and games somemore - even trivial pursuit for juniors. She did great and got alot of questions right. Back to the club house to play ping pong, never realized she had a good game and then back home to cook dinner. After dinner we just sat on the couch and watched Bam Margeria's crazt televison show for about 2 hours. This guys nuts but funny.

It's really a wierd time during recovery. You can not allow yourself to think of the person or who they were before the accident because that is so destructive. There is no before the accicent - there is only today and the future. To allow yourself to think about your loved one preinjury could make you spend your whole crying instead of enjoying the beautiful new rebirthing of your child, friend or family member. To those wre ho are having difficulty letting go, I am so sorry. It just that Allie is so beautiful, that when she smiles her eyes are so innocent are are just saying please love me and stay with me - to do anything else or to let her see the sadness in my heart is to do her a huge disservice, so I make it go away replace it with laughter, teaching and healing. There is no why only OK. There is no past only future. There is no me, only her.

This morning while everyone else was sleeping we hung out, talked, watched MAD TV and then she cooked scrambled eggs with cheese (all by herself) and we had breakfast together. Someday she will be gone and I will miss these days when we hung out and I had her all to myself.

I still don;t know if she understands her injury or even if she is injured but deep down I know her innate intelligence is working had to get her back to where she was and better. Some times I see her talking to herself or just standing there and I know that she is running through things in her head putting things back together and remembering. It's kind of like looking for files or pieces of information in her head. I like to see it working.

She has just begun playing this computer game again. I don't know what it's called but it has alot of boxes and if you pick the wrong box you find a bomb and the game is over. It's really hard and I could never do it but she could win everytime at the hardestlevel. I don't kow if she is winning, really don't care but what truly excited me is that she is trying. It seem like everyday she tries new things that she used to do before the accident.

Thinking about the games and playing shows me she is using strategy which is great cognative skill returning. I donlt know, very emotional today. She makes me laugh. I just gave new a white board I bought so she could make notes on it and I went into the other room and she had drawn a picture of two people - her and me and on me she wrote smelly and had lines coming off of it to show stinky. Funny kid huh? But I like it, semse of humor (I hope) and drawing skills.

Right now she wants to go downtown and go shopping so off we go. I am trying to get her off of the right now thing so I keep putting it off for a few minutes. Well Nancy just got up so I am going to go. One thing she just brought up is that Allie is beginning to hang out by herself which is great, also we noticed that in the last few days she has not watched The Millie video nearly as much. All progress and signs of Full Recovery - Never a Doubt - Right Guys.

On another note, there is another young lady that needs our prayers and love. Her name is Rachel Juliano and her mom found our blog and wrote to us. You may read her story at www.caringbridge.org/visit/racheljuliano . She is an absolutely beautiful young lady in need of our prayer warriors around the world so let's all get busy and help make anoter miricle and Full Recovery happen.

I love you all millions and billions
Allie's Dad

Friday Morning, August 10th

It's amazing how much Allie has changed since she has been home. She still makes up a lot of things but I just look at it as her having a great imagination, but the really great thing is that the anger part of the made up stuff is rapidly dissipating. We will be hiring a home health nurse today and Nancy will be coming back to work on Monday!

Allie has brought us back to the Boyscout Motto of "Be Prepared" as when she wants something it is NOW. Just like a little kid when she is hungry it is NOW, or when she wants to go, it is NOW, bathroom - same thing but she is just so cute. She and I shent some time in town yesterday and, Wal-Mart (hey, it's the only store we got in town), the coffee shop and the supermarket and it was so great the way everyone in town embraces her and welcomes her back. I wish I could thank each and everyone of them but we just give each other a knowing look that says thank you for your love and support. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful community which has loved and supported us in every way.

Allie got me up early and wanted to go downtown to the bagel store, so off we went, had a good time and got back home without incidence - Wahoo!!!! It's getting better. She siad she wanted to go to Asheville tomorrow???????

Stay tuned.

Have a great day!!!
Allie's Dad

Thirsday Morning, August 9th

Just a quickie. Forgot soemthing last night. while we were hanging out last night, Allie went into the living rom, sat down at the piano, looked at the sheet music that was open and played it - pretty cool, huh?

Anyhow now that she is home she is really accellerating. It's pretty amazing but for as much crap as everyone has in their lives I think you have to admit (it you get real and let all of the crap drift away) that life is awesome. If you don. think so, sit down and make a gratitude list. Make sure you get 100 things on it - if you can't do 100 today, keep at it.

Have an Awesome one.
Allie's Dad

Wednesday Evening, July 8th

What a nice night. Got home from work tonight and was greeted by Nancy, Matt and Allie and guess which one gave me a big hug - Allie!!! It was the most spectacular event to happen to me in a long time. You have to understand that Allie is NOT a hugger so for me to get his big hug was a huge, huge thing for me - and for Allie.

She had a good day today. The speech therapist and the occupatinal theapist came over today and each did a fifty minute session with her, she seems to be getting so much better every day. Nancy said she definitely had her angry moments today but overall we just know what the end goal is - right. Full Recovery.

We are all watching Last Comic Standing so have a great night - we are.

God Bless You All - We Love you so MUCH

Allie's Dad

Tuesday Evening, August 8th

End of the day and just a great day. Snippy here and there but during the process are all learning to just love unconditionally. That means that we know we are doing the right thing to the best of our ability with love and commitment - we have to take our own feelings out of the way. When you just love her and humor her she seems to respond very well and if you can keep you voice even it seems to go better.

We met with the speech therapist today and Allie did great. She got along with her and she will be coming to the house twice a week. We also met with the director of Home Health and she had some great people in mind to work with Allie twice a week. She went over Allie's likes and dislikes, what she felt she needed help with and tried to get a feel for Allie's personality and temprement so she could make the best possible match for her. So guess what everyone? Dr. Nancy will be coming back two full days a week. Yahoo!!!

We went to the pool for a little while and Allie helped me in the kitchen tonight. We sauteed chicken together and then prepared a spanish chicken and rice dish together. This is awesome - she askes me everytime I cook if I need help. I always enjoy cooking with her and Matthew.

After dinner we just sat on the couch and watched TV and she went to bed so now its Matt and I and it's great to get time with each of them.

Blessings and goodnight
Allie's Dad

Tuesday Morning, August 7th

Once again my schedule is a little messed up. Having Allie home and gettng used to the routine is great but throws off my blogging.

Yesterday was an experience. I was at work and it was the first time Nancy was the nurse, mom, caretaker, security guard, doctor and therapist. Phew, a hard task for anyone and it was no different for her. Allie was super mean to her and Nancy decided it would be best if we could hire a nurse to take care of her two days a week and Nancy would come back to work. A WONDERFUL idea. They both need a break from each other and we could really use her back in the office. I will be great for her to get back to a routine of doing what she loves and seeing the people that love her again.

We made a lot of calls to therapist and home health aides and we will be meeting with some of them today. We would love to get Allie to out patient therpy but she is still not happy riding in cars as Nancy found out yesterday. I seem to have better luck with her, Maybe I have thicker skin or maybe we are both two peas in a pod - whatever it is it is easier when we are both together and I am so glad I can be there for both of them. It still makes me misty as I write these things and feel (and) expose the love and emotions I have for them.

Allies friends came by last night and hung out for a while. Thank God, they have stuck by her and continue to do so. SO often you hear about friends falling away, but not Allie's. We never really know our children and the friendships they have made. For those of you who want to call Allie but don't know how, email me and I will give you our phone number or a way to personally contact her. She wants to talk to you. She would respond on my space but she can not remember her passsword. Imagine that!

Now for some really AMAZING NEWS. Allie wanted to go to Wal-Mart this morning so we got in the car and headed out. SLOWLY AND IN MY OWN LANE!!!! When we got to town I asked if she wanted to stop at the coffee shop. I am trying to get her back to familiar palces where she used to hang out and she said sure. Her friend Ashley was working behing the counter and Allie got her favorite - a Mark Twain Coffee Toffee topped with whipped cream. When we got in the car I asked if she wanted to stop and see Kimmie, her boss, great friend and one of the nicest people ever. Allie wored for the Oddo's, one of the nicest families who have really taken Allie into their family. We all adore them. She said sure and we drove over to the Inn. What a great reception she received!! After a few minuted Kim asked Allie if she was ready to get back to work and Allie put on an apron and with Kimmies instruction, started slowly getting back to work. (See picture of Allie and Kimmie). Well of I just broke down (on the inside) to see her interaction with the other waitresses and just having fun. I told her not to overdo it as we still had to talk to therapists (teachers) this afternoon but she wanted to stay, so they kicked me out and gave the the opportunity to get this posted immediately.

To all of the hospital people reading this, don't worry, Allie is extremely safe as the entire Oddo family is very well versed in owrking with brain injury and I am completely comfortable, anxious but comfortable.

Well I just couldn't wait to post this.

Allie's Dad

Monday Morning, August 6th

Sunday was good - well most of it was. I went flying early in the morning so Allie was still sleeping but when I got home I found out the she and Nancy went to the pool and spent an hour and a half there. One of Allie's friends was there and they just stood in the pool and chatted for a long time. Unfortunately many of her friend and support system will be heading off to college in the next few days. Hopefully that will not be to traumatic for her.

Today or tomorrow we will be finding out about her in home therapies and hopefully she will begin voice and piano lessons again next week also.

It's really different having her at home - it is great and she is really accellerating will in her recovery but still, there are no doctors or nurses there and thus no authority figure that she will take direction from without question. Mom and dad she can talk back to and defy and that is something we are learning to deal with. We are used to the back talk and the defiance but this is different. You know, serenity to accept the things .......

Allie gave me quite a scare yesterday, I told her I was going to my bedroom for a while and would be back out - she was watching Millie. I came out 30 minutes later and could't find her anywhere. I was going from room to room screaming for her and I was banging on her bedroom door and screaming her name. Her door was locked and of course when she was not answering I thought the worst and banged into the door. It sid not open and there was still no answer when I called so I banged it again and broke the door open and there she was lying in bed. I asked her why she did not answer and she said she was sleeping. I told her she must have heard me screaming and she just said she was sleeping and she did not have to answer if she didn't want to. Lesson learned - after I fix the door, no locks. I also found her roaming around the house at 3:30 this mornig. She said she couldn't sleep - another lesson learned - get those alarms in the windows. Phew, all is well.

Another lesson learned. I was flying back into Asheville airport yesterday when the haze really closed in as I was flying over the mountains bringing visability to 3 miles the lowest amount of visability for my rating and pretty much a yucky situation. From 6,ooo feet, three miles is not very much visability. I called the control tower to let them know our position and that we would be coming in for a full landing. They picked me up on radar and vectored me into position behing two other planes setting me up for landing in the third position letting me know the airport was seven miles ahead. With 3 miles visability that doesn't mean very much! After a few moments I knew the situation could get out of control with the mountains and low visability. I was already scheduled for landing but could not see the airport so I did what came naturally, I asked the tower (my higher power) for more direction and was guided by them until I could see the airport. Made the best landing ever by the way but what is the lesson? If you are lost, confused and cant see your way home; if you are in a dangerous situation or one that could get out of control; if you are in a situation that could be over your head just reach our and start speaking to your higher power, then listen and take action on the directions until you are in the clearing and back in control.

Full Recovery - Never a Doubt
Allie's Dad

Saturday Evening, August 5th

What a difference a day and being at home can make!!! Full Recovery is on the horizon - Never a Doubt.

Last night ended beautifully with Allie telling me she loved me and then going to bed and it was just as good this morning. I got up at 7:30 and it was quite wierd and wonderful not having to go to the hospital. Five minutes later Allie cam eout of her room and was just as chipper and happy as one could be. She sat down and we talked for a few minutes before breaking out the Millie video and watching it three times but her memory and awareness seems to have taken a huge leap in just 24 hours.

Matt and I went to the movies at 1:00 Bourne Identify (a huge so what) and ALlie's friends Madeline and Rachael came over just past one and spent 7 wonderful hours with Allie bringing her again to a complete new level of healing. They talked and did computers and watched videos and laughed alot. They could not believe how far she has come in the past two weeks. It's so different when you are with someone 24/7, you don;t see the daily growth but when someone comes in who has not seen her in a while it's great to get their feedback. They all went to the culbhouse in our development and got chickenfingers and then walked around the track for a while. I think they could have spent the entire night together but we had to give them the sign that it was time to go - we have to be ever vigelant that she does not over do it. Allie is accepting visitors but she still is not crazy about talking on the phone and she can not do my space because she can not remember her password so if any other friend would like to visit, just give us a call, we are in the phone book.

After the drive home episode, all has been great. Well tomorrow morning I get back in the plane to see how much I remember about being a pilot, then I will come home and relieve Nancy so she can get out for a few hours - getting things back to normal will take time but we are looking forward to it.

God Bless you all. We are so greateful for your love and prayers and so thankful to have Allie home again.

Full Recovery - Never a Doubt
Allie's Dad

Friday Evening, August 4th

Well Allie is home, safe and sound and we couldn't be happier. IT wasn't easy - the ride home was HORRIBLE, but one we got close to the house, Allie calmed down and has been great every since.

The day started great for a minute. Matt and I got to the hospital before Nancy and when Allie saw us she jumped up and sid in spanish, my family is here, then she said it's my final day here. Then after a few minutes she started to go off. It had to be the anxiety of making a transition - even though she was excited to go home, the was so very nervous as the hospital was her safe haven and she screamed and creid the whole way ome that she wanted to go back to the hospital and I mean ear shattering screams - I'm surprised you didn;t hear them.

Anyhow, as soon as we got home Allie wanted to go swimming so matt and Nancy took her to the lake and then to the pool while I took care of a few things around here. Nancy said she did great in the pool and dove around in the water. They only stayed a few minutes (20) - donl't want to over do it. Anyhow I thought it was quite amazing. Imagine only a few short weeks ago where we were. Hard to believe!!

Leaving the hospital was made even better when we realized upon saying goodbye to everyone (doctors, nurses and staff) how much they loved Allie and our family and much we had come to love them. Hugs and kisses all around. It will be great to see them again in a month or two at Allie's next checkup . She has come so far in the last six weeks, it incredible to think of how well she will be in another 8 weeks.

We had a celebration dinner tonight to beat the band and now we are sitting around watching what else, you guessed it Millie. It has been an exhausting day and it really becomes hard and emotional because bless her heart our little girl speaks and asks questions non-stop, small price to pay. She also sang again today so life is beautiful. We have her voice coach coming next week and a friend who has worked on Broadway will be coming over to work on her piano and her pitch using the computer and many other tricks he has.

It's hard to believe that we don;t have to set the clock tomorrow for the first time in months nor so we have to drive to Greenville and sit aroungd a hospital all day instead we will enjoy being home and being a family in our own house just how it is supposed to be.

God Bless you all. The blog will will continue until Allie is in college and we still have a long way to go so please keep your prayers coming and keep checking the blog. I wanted to get a picture of Allie leaving the hospital but there was no way that was going to happen.

It's 9:15 right now and the most amazing thing just happened. Allie just stood up, said she was tired and announced she was going to bed, then she goodnight dad, I'm going to bed, I love you and all at once the world was right again.

Have a great night and stay tuned for even greater things to come.

We love you all.
Allie's Dad

Thursday Mornig, August 2

Hi Everyone

Sorry about the morning posts, just the way it works out sometimes.

Just one thing to report from yesterday - Nancy said Allie had a great day and that she and Allie got along all day long. Now that's soemthing to write home about.

Big smiles
Allie's Dad

Wednesday Afternoon, August 1

Holy cow - it's August! Sorry about not blogging, just too tired and wanted to rest for a while - still really tired today - I wonder why?

You know, yesterday was just Ok and I don't say that to mean that things are not going well, only that some days are just OK. Allie is a miracle and in that sense things are beyond great and we feel like the luckiest people alive but still, some days are just Ahhh.

The little girl was hornery and at times gets very vocal - I don't care but she can be so mean to Nancy the person who is there with her the most and we know why but still the same with her coming home Friday it can be scary as all get out. Are we equipped to handle this - heck yes we are and I can say that boldly because I am not the one there everyday but I know that Gad has given us the stregnth, aptitude and attitude to take care of this in a loving, caring manner which will bring Allie to her highest level of recovery - Full Recovery.

All of us went to breakfast yesterday morning and had a great time but something set her off and phew, got kind of rough. At times you just want to shake her or speak loudly to her and say come on Allie wake up but you don't - you let it roll off your back and speak to her in your most loving manner and distract her onto another subject.

After we got back Allie had some therapies so MAtt, Nancy and I went to the mall to look for ways to alarm the house so we know where Allie is and if she has left the house. She gets lost very easily. No luck with the alarm but we had fun and Mat got some sneakers.

Lats night we threw pizza party for the people on her floor and it was fun. A lot of people are leaving over the next few days and it was fun to get everyone together on last time. Goodbye Issac, Allie will miss you and Jonathon and Adam. The night did not end well but that's the OK part, fortunately we have her for another day to try it again. I am sure today will be great.

Talk to you all later.
Allie's Dad