A true day of gratitude. Every now and then, Allie and I decide to go visit the nurses and doctors at Greenville Memorial Hospital. It is not only a reminder to us of how far we have come but also serves to let the docotrs and nurses see that their good work does produce great results (sometimes, not every thing or nothing is in our control) and it also helps some of the people we meet along the way in there; people who are suffering on their own and are given a glimpse of hope and possibility by her presence. Today I think I went mostly for me and may just be the last time we make this trip. We will still seek to inspire but I no longer think I need the (in some wierd way) comfort of being there. When you are somewhere for so long it becomes comfortable there and almost feel safe in some strange way. I personally feel free and safe and on the road to full recovery myself along with every member of my family. I no longer think that Allie will ever need their services again and that life is really going to be okay.
It was inspiring at the hospital today. Not only inspiring but validating and in many ways the validation came from being recognized by many of the nurses and doctors for the control we had at the hospital and for the way we handled our daughters recovery. It is not that validation is needed but it feels very good. It makes you just look at each other and allows you to nod in silence together. We make the connection that we did do our job to the best of our abilities and with God, prayer, the nurses and doctors, her brother Matt and his wise guidance, we, in some way, did make a difference in her recovery and will continue to.
The nurses in the ICU were so excited to see Allie and they clamoured around her and peppered her with questions about what she is doing and how school was going and when she dyed her hair red (yesterday) and she handled all of their questions very well. The ICU shook her up this time and hit her emotionally especially when she saw a guy with a fresh amputation of his leg, no dressing on just fresh healing. I did have to explain to her and with no disrespect to anyone that he was fortunate to be alive and that many people live active and fulfillinf lives with artificial limbs. She wasn't fully convinced but we moved on to the Rehab Center and saw her doctor there who was quite amazed by her and they chatted for 10 minutes or so. The rest was a lot of the same but the emotional ties are fading. NOw we have been here before but this time I believe we have crossed a hurdle that we never have to go back over.
You know, a lot of this was also to show them, to prove to them that she would make a full recovery let them know that if they would open their eyes and make a better attempt or take a different approach that they may have different outcomes. To almost sat FU, damn it, you were ready to give up on her but we were not! There, I said it. FU we will not give up them and we will not give up ever. Don't know where all that came from but it sure is what I was feeling. I guess the trip today stirred up a lot of the bad crap also but reingited out fire, our gratitude and our love of God. Thank you for this journey. I know it's not over but I now look forward to the rest.
As crazy as it may sound to many but today I was told that it is time that we all move on with our lives. I like the sound of that.
Before I go and I am sure I will always be back, let me tell you that I had the chance to hear Allie siong with her new instructor Kate this morning and I was floored. I have been told by two people that her pitch was perfect and that she is singing as well if not better than before the accident.
In gratitude, now and always
Allie's Dad
PS please pray for our friends Paige Cook and Rachel Juliano and please pass all of their names on to your prayer groups. Allie Cagen, Paige Cook, Rachel Juliano and all of their families. God Bless
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday, April 19th, 2008
Hey everyone. Just a quick note to say hello and let you know that everything is going OK here. Don't get me wrong, TBI's suck but everyday we make more and more progress. At sometimes it seems like we are going backwards and we probably are but that is the nature of healing.
Last week was spring break and Nancy, Allie and I went to the beach where we met Nancy's brother Mike. We love Mike. We saw that the weather was going to be iffey on Monday and Tuesday so we got spontaneous and drove three and a half hours to the Magic Kingdom and spent the day with Mickey Mouse and to top it all off we called my sister Roni who lives three and a half hours on the other side of Disney and she drove up and met us. It truly was Magical. Every day we learn more and more about Allie and her injury. Some days we cry, somedays we laugh but everyday we are grateful to have the opportunity. This is certainly the hardest thing any of us have every had to endure and it goes on and on. Someday we will reach our goal of Full Recovery.
After we left Orlando we drove north to St. Augestine, FL. What a cool town and then home again for beach time.
Allie is teaching me to be a better person but sometimes we fight and argue and say things that we shouldn't but we all get frustrated and it has to be very hard for a 19 year old to be around her mommy and daddy so much and to have her life controlled as much as it is.
Still very happy with the Neurofeedback and the progress we are seeing with it.
Love to All
Steve
Last week was spring break and Nancy, Allie and I went to the beach where we met Nancy's brother Mike. We love Mike. We saw that the weather was going to be iffey on Monday and Tuesday so we got spontaneous and drove three and a half hours to the Magic Kingdom and spent the day with Mickey Mouse and to top it all off we called my sister Roni who lives three and a half hours on the other side of Disney and she drove up and met us. It truly was Magical. Every day we learn more and more about Allie and her injury. Some days we cry, somedays we laugh but everyday we are grateful to have the opportunity. This is certainly the hardest thing any of us have every had to endure and it goes on and on. Someday we will reach our goal of Full Recovery.
After we left Orlando we drove north to St. Augestine, FL. What a cool town and then home again for beach time.
Allie is teaching me to be a better person but sometimes we fight and argue and say things that we shouldn't but we all get frustrated and it has to be very hard for a 19 year old to be around her mommy and daddy so much and to have her life controlled as much as it is.
Still very happy with the Neurofeedback and the progress we are seeing with it.
Love to All
Steve
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tuesday Morning, April 7th
Hi Everyone
The neruofeedback seems to be working very well with Allie and the best part is that she does not struggle with it or give me a hard time when I want to train with her; infact, it is just the opposite these days and I believe that is one of the benefits we are seeing in this short time. In fact; she is not struggling with anything at this time. Don't get me wrong, there are still things to work on and will be for a while but her attitude is excellent and she is maturing as a person.
Other thing we have noticed is that her movements are more fluid and are becoming quicker, less thinking about what to do and more just doing it. Like not having to think to pick up a cup - use to be "pick up cup - extend arm, open fingers, close fingers, lift" - now pick up cup in one fluid motion. She is sleeping better, dressing better and doing her homework better. WOW! All in only 10 training sessions. Very worth looking into for all sorts of issues www.eeginfo.com
Right now she is in the den with a new voice coach. I can not believe how well she is singing. This time the tears are internal and the smile and hope are what I am wearing on the outside. I think she is singing in Italian and english. She is still having pitch problems but they are soing away. Hell, even if they never went away, just to hear the voice.............. but since there is never a doubt, she will sing as well if not better than she ever has.
Allie is doing well at her job and seems to enjoy it. She is working 6-9 hours a week in an assisted living facility. She is helping with the activities, calling bingo, helping people do puzzles, serving food and basically just being a friend.
There is just so much to say but it gets really into deep philosophy and universal principles that I will leave it for a discussion group.
As Allie would say, Peace Out!
Love you all.
Allie's Dad
The neruofeedback seems to be working very well with Allie and the best part is that she does not struggle with it or give me a hard time when I want to train with her; infact, it is just the opposite these days and I believe that is one of the benefits we are seeing in this short time. In fact; she is not struggling with anything at this time. Don't get me wrong, there are still things to work on and will be for a while but her attitude is excellent and she is maturing as a person.
Other thing we have noticed is that her movements are more fluid and are becoming quicker, less thinking about what to do and more just doing it. Like not having to think to pick up a cup - use to be "pick up cup - extend arm, open fingers, close fingers, lift" - now pick up cup in one fluid motion. She is sleeping better, dressing better and doing her homework better. WOW! All in only 10 training sessions. Very worth looking into for all sorts of issues www.eeginfo.com
Right now she is in the den with a new voice coach. I can not believe how well she is singing. This time the tears are internal and the smile and hope are what I am wearing on the outside. I think she is singing in Italian and english. She is still having pitch problems but they are soing away. Hell, even if they never went away, just to hear the voice.............. but since there is never a doubt, she will sing as well if not better than she ever has.
Allie is doing well at her job and seems to enjoy it. She is working 6-9 hours a week in an assisted living facility. She is helping with the activities, calling bingo, helping people do puzzles, serving food and basically just being a friend.
There is just so much to say but it gets really into deep philosophy and universal principles that I will leave it for a discussion group.
As Allie would say, Peace Out!
Love you all.
Allie's Dad
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