Tuesday Evening, September 11th

Well things seem to be slowing down and evening out - this is good news but kind of wired. There are not those emotional highs and lows at the moment but we have had that before so you are always slleping half awake and with one eye open but at the same time you feel relaxed a little at ease. You can almost breathe again however I am certain deep down that we are done with the critical care and have been blessed to move on to the next level.

Two things begin to happen at this point which kind of bother me a little because I need both of them - one: I seem to have slowed down on the blog because things are smooth and two: alot less people are reading and responding and that is just the natural progression of things but I am comitting to continue the blog until Allie is in college or has reached Full Recovery and there is nothing else to report. Either way I hope you all will continue to stay with me.

Thigs really have evened out and Allie is healing at a wonderful pace. We met today with the case worker at the rehab and she was amazing. She was organized and well versed in working with brain injury patients, she knew the neurologists and is able to get us appointments with the proper doctors and therapists. We are all very comfortable at the new rehab and look forward to going for our appointments. Allioe really likes that we all go out for lunch afterwards also. This experience really has led us to change our life styles and while I am still driven for success and motivated to achieve, it is now in a different way. I love spending time together with everyone.

Tomorrow the pool table is being delievered and Allie is so excited. We cleared out the living room and as of tomorrow we will really begin living in it. I don;t know why we have living rooms but never live in them. Now after changing it into a game room the family and friends are all set to gather aroung and have alot of fun together.

Allie's attention span is increasing every day. She did 45 minutes in K-Mart the other day and she looks beautiful as her hair grow in. Her sense of humor is back and once again she is a non-stop chatter box. The case manager brought up about Allie beginning to drive again and we were all like whoa, she was talking about down the road and the training she will need but still it ws like whoa is anyone out there selling a used tank, guess I'll have to get in touch with the army for a used Hummer or one of those armored vehicles.

Allie began lessons with a new music teacher who she said she really liked and enjoyed her lesson. He is a really good guy and good friend named Bob Hamilton who has been involved in music and teaching his whole like and has actually worked and conducted orchestras on Broadway. He is working on theory and helping Allie regain her pitch and relearn the piano. God has blessed us and we continue to use our affirmations that we are meeting all the right people in all the right places who want to help us in every way possible and that we are happier, healthier and wealthier than we have ever been.

The more we go through this process then more we realize that we can never, even for an instance allow a negative thought to enter our minds with regards not only to Allie's progress but to our entire lives - work, relationships, finances and we can not fear because as Dad says, fear is such a useless and wasted emotion. God, how much we fear and worry only to find out how useless it is and how hameful and devestating it is. One of Allie's favorite sayings is happiness is optional and it is so true.

I am still praying so hard for everyone out there Paige, Rachel and everyone suffering. You can visit them at caringbridge.com type in paigecook or racheljuliano

Full Recovery - Never a Doubt
Allie's Dad