We're at Billie's

It's a beautiful day! I'm sitting here having coffee with my sifter!!! She looks awesome and is doing so well. Tyger, Zach and I drove in yesterday. We arrived around 4 p.m. so we got to have a good dinner with her. Mayflower Seafood, YUMMMM! Billie's choice. She is speaking a little and tries to have conversation so I'm excited to hear what she has to say this week. It was raining and cloudy yesterday. Most of our drive up was in the rain but it is starting out to be a clear day so far. The sun is shining and the birds are pecking away on her deck and bird feeders.
I'll be sure to write more and hope to have some pictures to share as well. Gonna enjoy my time with her right now so, until later...

Woohoo!

Glad to hear that Billie is home and doing good. Don't forget I'm on skype too.
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Billie is keeping busy at home.

Billie has been home for a few days now and is enjoying being back with her family. She spends her days busy tending to her house, working word searches and she's even trying to keep me happy with a little phone conversation! (me, me, me... she knows how needy her little sister is!)
She has managed to get her room all arranged and organized with the help of Lonnie, Mama and Taylor. She is still the super cleaner and what she cannot accomplish on her own she makes sure to show everyone how to do it for her.
That's my sifter! Ya can't keep a good woman down!!!
She has been able to get into the bathtub and she is able to wash her own hair and does most of her bathing herself. We all know how wonderful that can make us all feel! Nothing like a good shower to revive her!!
She is getting around the house well, even goes out to the patio deck to enjoy the birds and get some fresh air.
Her therapy sessions should resume soon, hopefully this week. Arrangements are still being made to schedule the therapist visits. In the meantime, she is doing her workouts with Mama and Lonnie every day to keep her muscles toned and exercised.
Remember, she is checking her page often so please be sure to post a comment or two or three for her to enjoy!
Well, gotta end this now... she is sending me a message on SKYPE! I'm so happy!!!!!!!!!!!

She's Home!

Billie made it home early Saturday afternoon. Lonnie said he was a little delayed in getting to the hospital to pick her up. He had to wait for the hospital bed delivery but he rushed over as soon as it arrived to find her sitting there, waiting with everything packed up to go home.
I phoned them late Saturday evening to see how the transition went and Lonnie was busy cutting up a BBQ roast for her and she was giving him the hurry up look. She had a few visitors Saturday and the transition seemed to be going smoothly.
I know everyone is glad she is home. She is probably the most glad of all! There is no place like home!!
Keep up the hard work Billie! We all love you!!

Happy up here too!

Taylor, I think it is great that your Mom is coming home!!! I wish I was there to help out. I know it has been a long month and a long road ahead to recovery for Billie, but keep your heads up! She is coming back. You and Lonnie are all she wants so even when the tough times hit give her your best.

Billie, I miss you dearly and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't stop and think of you. I love you and am happy to see that strong will of yours shine through in this tough time. I can't wait to see what you capture with that Canon of yours. I'll bet you can't wait to get your hands on it.

Lonnie, I hope you know how proud I am of you and how proud I am to call you my brother. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

She's coming home!

It's official, mom is coming home tomorrow!
I was at the hospital yesterday with her before anyone else got there and I helped her eat her food. She enjoyed her vegetable soup. I talked to her about coming home and her being able to take a nice shower and eat some home-cooked meals. She's very excited for that. =]
When they confirmed her dispatch date yesterday, dad and I were very happy to hear it. She started to cry and she said, "I want to get out of here!" It was the first thing I had heard her say in person. I started to cry, and so did everyone in the room. It was a happy cry, though.
I'm so pleased with mom. I can't wait to have her home, and it will be tomorrow! Rascal is going to go crazy!

Some Words from Taylor

I am Billie Jo's daughter, Taylor Rae. Words can not express the severity of our situation here at home. Our life has totally changed since February 13, 2009. I will never forget that night, anxiously waiting to start my senior play, knowing my father and mother were in the audience, ready to watch and be proud of me. I never would have imagined that when Mrs. Johnson said, "Can someone perform emergency service?" that it would be for my mother.
My mother has been so strong throughout this whole experience. She is such a strong woman and I will always admire her. I know some can't believe the progress she has made already, but I can. I know my mother, and she is not going to let this get in the way of her dreams. She is a fighter, and I have been ready to fight this with her.
She will be coming home soon, which I can not wait for. We are not sure what day she is coming home yet, for the hospital keeps trying to buy her more time. We do what is best for her, always, but I will be glad knowing that she will be in a room right next to mine. I can't wait to fix her dinner and watch crazy shows and movies with her. I want her home now, but I'm waiting patiently until she can come home.
She has been saying words, laughing so much, and showing great emotion. I'm so proud of her. I know for a fact that she can not wait to come home, for she said it herself! No more hospital food! The animals miss her like crazy, and dad misses her with all of his heart. He wants her home so badly, and I wont be surprised if I wake up to him sneaking into her hospital bed just to be next to her.
My dad and I have been going insane this past month, but we are pulling through and trying to cope with this new lifestyle. Both of us are waiting for this next step... Helping her into our door for her to stay.

Billie has more to say!

Joan (mama) just called and told me that Billie was pointing at Lonnie today. She said Billie was pointing him up and down and then she said,

"I wanna go home!"

Lonnie was surprised and asked her, "What did you say?"
Billie stated firmly again,

"I wanna go home!"

This is fantastic news!
Lonnie explained to Billie why he thought it was best she stay the rest of the week. We can all see the wonderful effects the therapy is having on her. She will be home by the weekend.
Keep up the great work Billie! Can't wait to hear more!!!

CORRECTION! From a previous post...

It was reported earlier on that Billie had suffered a loss of 75% of her brain during the stroke. I am happy to say I made a huge mistake. I misunderstood the conversations and was not present during the viewing of the MRIs or any CTScans so I only wrote what I heard. I apologize for the incorrect information and if I caused any extra worry I am deeply sorry.
The correct information is that only the left side of her brain suffered damage. The report should have stated she suffered damage to 75% of the left side of her brain only.
Obviously she is recovering well. I will continue to post her updates as I receive them and I ask that anyone with information that contradicts my postings should please advise me as soon as you are aware of these errors. I don't want to cause any confusion and any undue worry.
Thanks again, and be sure to take all mistakes as love.

OMG!!!

Yay!! Billie!! Keep it up!
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Billie has SPOKEN CLEAR WORDS!!!

In my morning skype conversation with my mom, Joan, she wrote...

"HEY your sister Said some words yesterday!!!"

"WORDS"

The nurse told Lonnie that they were getting Billie out or into bed and she as plain as day asked,

"Where am I going?"

Then, when Lonnie was helping her with her exercises (home work as we call it) he told Billie that is all, you have finished it all and she said,

"???(something) WORK!"

It almost seemed as though she was as surprised as we were. Her brain seems to be waking up! She seems excited but cannot repeat the words when asked so we just reassure her that this is great progress and it will all come back.
Happy Sunday Everyone! What great news!!!

Billie has some new sounds.

Billie had a good Friday, she got her nails done by Taylor. She was in a good mood and very upbeat. She is working hard and it really tires her out. She has new sounds in addition to her chuckling laughter. She has said or made the sounds "Uh-Huh" and "Maaa". Not sure what she is trying to say. She said "Maaa" to Lonnie. She said "Uh-Huh" to her speech therapist.
Way to go Billie! Can't wait to hear more!!

Just a random thought.

Hey, not much for me to say about Billie other than I love and miss her. It had been 9 years since I've been back to visit. Now I want to come every year if I can. Family is very important and we can't let the time slip away again.

I am cheering for you Billie!
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Billie Would Love To Hear From YOU!!

It is easy to leave her a comment. For instructions please scroll down past the March 14, 2009 entry: Billie is confirmed to stay another week. Below this posting you will see COMMENTS 1. Click on the comment word and it will show you my comment/instructions.
Hope this helps and encourages you all to show your support.
Thank you!

Billie is confirmed to stay another week.

Billie will officially spend another week at Danville Regional. Her doctors got her approved for one more week of therapy. She should be discharged Thursday or Friday of this week. Her progress is continuing and although she is tired from all the hard work, she is in good spirits!
Her regular physical therapist was not in Thursday and this put her in her therapy session around 5:30 p.m. She had dinner in her room before therapy and when she completed her session in the therapy room she wheeled herself back to the room by herself. Mama said she did well. "She maneuvered that wheelchair down the hall and into her room and parked the chair beside her bed,smiling and chuckling her little laugh." She is becoming quite independent lately. She picks her own clothes out every day, she is always searching the room to be sure things are in their place and when she finds something that needs to be moved or tossed out she is quick to point at the item and lets everyone know where to put it or she points at the garbage can. She is spending less time laying in bed and more time up and about in the wheelchair.
On a sweet note, all of us wives and girlfriends will really appreciate this one,
Lonnie told Billie Jo (while his Dad and step-mother Sandra was there) that he could not believe how much she did to keep that house clean. Since Billie has been in the hospital he has had to become domesticated and it has really made him respect the hard work she does every day to keep the house clean and running efficiently the way Billie does. Sweet, huh? She hid her face like she was embarrassed and laughed. Oh, what a sweet, sweet declaration!!! You go Lonnie!!!!
Lonnie has completed almost all of his tasks at the house to prepare for her arrival home. He only needs to build her a ramp and remove the shower doors.
Get ready everyone! She'll be home soon!!!

Billie has visited the blog billiejo.info.

Joan (mama) let me know that she takes her laptop to the hospital every day so when Billie feels she is ready to go online it will be available. Last night she said Billie was pointing behind her head, trying to tell mama something. So, mama asked her if she was pointing because she wanted the computer and Billie shook her head yes. Mama set up the laptop and Billie maneuvered the mouse on her own. Billie read the entire blog with Lonnie by her side. She showed expressions of concern and sadness and she communicated this with Lonnie and he was able to both comfort and reassure her that she is doing great and she is recovering well.
Yes, Billie, you are doing so much better than we could have ever hoped for when we saw you those first few days. No one videotaped you, there are few photographs as well out of respect for your privacy but you can see how far you have come. You are doing much more independently and you are almost home!! It must have been very difficult for you to read all of the intricate details and to learn so much about what you have experienced. But, my dear sifter, take it all in and use if for motivation. Celebrate your achievements each day and be proud of yourself for pulling through this with the strength and stamina you put forth each day. We are all here for you and we will stand by you.

Oh, yeah... Billie DID get to go home for a little while!

Ok, so we all thought Billie would be coming home tomorrow and you can imagine the anticipation...
In preparation for the in-home visit from the therapist on Wednesday and Billie's discharge from the hospital just the next day, Lonnie took two days off work to get the house prepared and to be there to bring Billie home Thursday (of course). When he got to the hospital this morning they advised him of their plans to keep Billie an extra week.
Bummer.

Well, not exactly. They then proposed allowing Billie to come to the house for the in-home visit. Whooooo hoooooo!!!!

Yep, you guessed it, Billie got to go home!

She HAD to be driven home by Lonnie in HER car due to some policy that the therapist could not transport her nor could he ride in the same vehicle with her. (Oh, darn... what a shame, a little alone time for THE MAN and HIS WOMAN!! please!!!!)
So, they drove to the house and she wheeled all over the house in her wheelchair! How wonderful!!! Lonnie said she got around the house really well and he'll only have to move a few things around (the shelf in the kitchen where she keeps the bread basket, the shelf in the bathroom where they keep the extra towels, the shelf over the toilet bowl, he'll have to remove the shower doors and replace them with a curtain, and he'll add a bench to the tub for her.) He joked that she did quite well with the wheelchair but he'll probably have to repaint the house after a while because she bumps into everything. Yeah, Lonnie, we know. She used to do that with cars when she was younger. Uh-oh, TMI.
He will need to add a ramp to the back porch as well. All minor changes and upgrades for such a huge reward!
He also said that Rascal went crazy when she came in. She was emotional to see him as well. Trixie was no where to be found, of course. She is a shy cat.
Lonnie said Billie got up with her walker and walked across the living room while she was there too. Taylor, Kevin and Casey were there along with Lonnie and I am sure that was one happy houseful today!
When it was time to go Billie willingly got back into the car for her return to Danville Regional. She knows she is coming home and she is working hard to get there every day. It won't be long until she is back home for good where we all want her to be again.

And, I don't want to forget to mention that when mama left the hospital last night Billie blew her a kiss. She remembered how to do it and after her first kiss to mama she tried again and added a kissing sound to it as well.
I'll end this post with her kiss... her sweet, innocent, miraculous kiss.

Billie may spend one more week in Acute Rehab

Billie has been doing well. During the therapy session Lonnie attended with Billie Monday he was happy to report she walked across the room about 20 or so feet. When Joan (mama) attended Tuesday's therapy she was impressed to see Billie walk 65 feet. She said Billie's therapist told her she was showing off for her and she should attend more sessions if Billie was going to work so hard. She said Billie walked from the therapy room past the dining room before she tired out.
Billie is able to transfer herself from the wheelchair back to her bed unassisted.
Lonnie said he was so tired Monday night that he crawled into bed with Billie and the nurse had to wake him to tell him visiting hours were over.
Perhaps the thought of coming home soon helped give her that little extra push. She seems very motivated to do well with all of her therapy and the doctors agree she is doing quite well. So well, that they have requested to keep Billie an additional week to see just how much farther they can get her along before she is sent home. There are many pluses to having her remain in the therapy she is in now. The sessions go on all day from early morning at wake up until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. When she goes home her therapy sessions will be limited to an hour per day. Obviously she will benefit from the longer sessions as well as the equipment at the facility.
So, this means she won't be home Thursday after all but it's all for a good reason and Billie agrees. She nodded yes to the therapist when they asked if she wanted to stay another week. Then, she nodded no... Lonnie asked her which is it and she nodded yes.
Mama and Lonnie both say she seems emotional at times which is to be expected but for the most part her spirits are high and she is approaching this with her best efforts to recover.

Billie will likely be home by the weekend!!

Lonnie visited Billie yesterday and she is doing great. He was present for some of her Physical Therapy and was pleased to see her working so hard, it is really paying off! He said he "assisted" her across the room while she walked using a walker. She still has very little use of her right side at this time but she was able to remain upright and with his assistance, keeping his hand on her left hip to keep her from swaying to the right side, she was able to walk (using her walker) across the room. She is still not able to speak but she communicates by writing, giving hand gestures like thumbs up or thumbs down, laughing, nodding her head yes and shaking her head no.
It's been a hard couple of weeks for her in therapy and she is definitely tired after the long day but she still manages to put a smile on her face and share quality time with the family and friends that visit her daily.

Joan (Billie's Mom) said she had a nice visit with Billie last night and when she went to leave Billie blew her a kiss!!! She had to think about it a minute and mama (Joan) reminded her to put her hand to her mouth and blow it away. What wonderful news!

She's coming back to us everyone! Little steps, huge accomplishments!

Thanks needs to be given to Amy and her family for all their efforts in putting the Stew and Bake Sale Benefit together for Billie Jo and her family. The event took place this past Saturday (March 7, 2009). There was a tremendous turnout and I heard that every quart of stew was sold. What a blessing to have such wonderful support for my sister and her family. Thank you to everyone for all of your efforts.

Lonnie and Joan have both been in training with the Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist and the Occupational Therapist these past two days. They are learning things to help them keep Billie on the mend and have her working out and getting around her home safely. If things go well tomorrow she will likely be allowed to be discharged and return to her home with her family.

Billie May Come Home This Week

Lonnie reported wonderful news today. Billie has done so well with her therapy that her therapist thinks she may be able to come home as early as this week.
There is still a lot to prepare before she is released from the Rehabilitation Center. There will be training sessions for Lonnie and Joan (Billie's Mother) since they will be with her throughout the day. Arrangements have to be set up to schedule daily in-home therapy as well as scheduling an aid to come in a few days a week to assist with bathing, etc. The therapist has also said a tour of their home will be necessary to discuss any needed modifications to the home to accommodate her wheelchair, walker and hospital bed.
What an exciting announcement to make! She is doing wonderful with her therapy and is gaining more independence daily. Keep up the fantastic work Billie Jo! We are all rooting for you!!!

Billie Jo's writing February 16, 2009

Grandpa Jack holds Billie Jo's hand in ICU February 18, 2009

Billie Jo's writing February 19, 2009

Lonnie watches Billie Jo do her homework February 21, 2009

Billie Jo's Writing (Taylor's Age) February 21, 2009

Billie Jo's Speech Therapy Homework February 21, 2009

Glenn (little brother), Joan (mama), Billie Jo and Sharleen (little sister) February 22, 2009

Billie Jo's writing practice February 22, 2009

Lonnie and Billie Jo February 22, 2009

Sharleen Recalls Feb. 13 through March 6, 2009

This is my personal account of the time line of events since my sister’s stroke on the night of February 13, 2009. All of my notes may not be completely accurate and I make no apologies for my sloppiness. This is just my way of documenting the unfolding of a life-changing occurrence in my sister’s life. Please take all mistakes as love.

11:30 p.m. February 13, 2009

Taylor called to tell me her mom has been admitted into the ER for having a seizure. She said she was getting ready to go on stage to perform at her play and she heard someone in the audience say they needed some medical attention. Her friend Laura approached her and told Taylor something was wrong with her mother. Taylor said she left to find her mother and when Billie was taken by ambulance she decided to stay and continue to perform the play. Kevin stayed with her and said it was an awesome performance. Taylor said her mom is non-responsive and is staring blankly with her eyes rolling back in her head and she is drooling. Taylor is spending the night with her uncle Kevin and will be back to the hospital to see her mother tomorrow.

12:15 a.m. February 14, 2009

I spoke to Lonnie. He is upset but handling things well. Said he was sitting with Billie in the audience and they were reading the program together and talking. Said she was talking with him one second then she was silent and staring the next second. It was quick. They had her admitted to the ER already and she was expected to be moved to the ICU within the next two hours. They checked her vitals and she has slightly elevated blood pressure, her blood sugar seemed fine too. They are saying she had a seizure but need to have MRI results to rule out a stroke. Her vitals are all good but she is unable to speak, squeeze her hand, lift her right hand or right leg.

2:40 a.m. February 14, 2009

Hey little brother, I just spoke to Lonnie. He is home, going to try to get some rest. They have moved Billie to ICU and he cannot see her again until tomorrow at 10 a.m. due to strict ICU visitation. He felt bad about leaving her but knew it was best to go on and take care of the pets and try to get some sleep himself. I told him I gave you and mama his cell number, he was pleased you will be calling to check on her.

So, he told me she is now on meds for the seizure. She will be given an MRI between 7 am and 8 am tomorrow morning and hopefully that will give us much more information and a diagnosis. He is trusting the doctors, said they know more than he does but he feels she may have had a stroke. She has had so many episodes in the recent past that it seemed they were possible TMIs. He said she does not appear to be in pain and she is responsive to him when he speaks but she cannot speak at all. He said she can move her body parts, the doctor have asked her to move around for him and she has except for her right leg, she cannot move it at all. He said he noticed when she yawned that the right side of her mouth/cheek appeared a little droopy. Even though she can move her hands she has no grip/no strength. The nurse came in just before they moved her to ICU and told Billie, "We need to give you some pills. Sit up and let me give you these pills." Lonnie said the nurse raised the bed and Billie sat up, opened her mouth and when the nurse put the cup of pills to her mouth she took them and swallowed water from a cup.

All good signs to me.

Lonnie is being so strong. He said he will do his best to sleep tonight and will be at the hospital all day tomorrow. He promised to call me as soon as he gets the MRI results or if anything new arises. He said she will remain in ICU for at least a few days regardless and said the nurse told him the meds she is taking for the seizure will stay in her system for a few days so no matter what she'll have to wait a few days once they stop the meds before she can leave the hospital.

That's all I have for now.

Love ya and I'll be in touch as soon as I hear more.

I'm going to try to get some sleep now.

9:30 a.m. February 14, 2009

Well, nothing new to report. Lonnie has had ZERO sleep and his mother and aunt are driving in from Florida to help him out at home.

He said she was supposed to have been given the MRI this morning but they are still waiting for someone to transport her to the MRI room. He said he is not happy but what can you do...

She has shown neither signs of decline nor any sign of improvement so far. She is medicated and that will keep her resting, the nurses told Lonnie that's when the healing will take place... when she is resting.

He seems to lean towards it being a stroke but said the doctors still are trying to rule it out and won't know a thing for sure until the MRI. He also stated her white blood cell count is extremely high. Should be around 9-10,000, Billie's is 17,000. She is obviously fighting some kind of infection. All signs so far point to something in the brain at this point.

I had found a flight last night that I could get today but when I went online it was already booked up. I'm not sure what to do at this point so I'm still searching flight options and waiting for Lonnie's call about the MRI. I think I may be of better service to them all if I come after she's improving but hate to think of what could happen if I wait too long.

Ok, I'm off for now. Love ya little brother!!!! So, so much!!!

11:23 am February 14, 2009

I just spoke with Lonnie. He had just exited the ICU from his 10:30 visit. She has shown some signs of improvement, she seems a little more able to focus but still has not gained vocal ability. She is now in the process of being transferred to the MRI for tests and a Carotid Ultrasound.

The doctor feels certain it is a stroke at this point but won't be absolute until the results are read.

Lonnie is on his way home to get all of her prescriptions so they will be aware of what she has been taking. She has been responding to the pain tests and has feeling in her body and extremities just still not able to move her right leg and still unable to speak. I suggested they might give her a pad of paper or a white erase board to see if she can communicate through writing. Nurses feel it would possibly stress her out too much, not sure it is such a good idea.

Lonnie is holding up strong and will call me as soon as he has the doctor's results of the MRI. She is still stable and her vitals are good.

I will call/write when I get more. Not sure how long this will take and I will not call him unless it gets into the afternoon 2-3 and we've heard nothing.

Love you guys! Keep Billie in your prayers!

3:00 p.m. February 14, 2009

I just spoke to Lonnie. The results of the MRI are not in yet, he hopes to get that when he sees her at the 5 p.m. visit.

They have done four tests on her today a sonogram of the arteries/neck and a cardiogram to check the heart and from what he said they seemed to think these were all just fine. That leaves one conclusion, a clot in the brain. She has no internal bleeding and is showing better signs of response. Lonnie said she reached out and grabbed his hand with her left hand today. When Taylor arrived she had a teddy bear for Billie and she reached out and grabbed it from her. He said, "Oh yeah, she knows what's going on." He said she seems to show signs of aggravation kind of like she knows what's happening and wants to get her point across. Said she'll stare at him hard when he or the doctors and nurses ask her questions.

She does have feeling in her right side, he says when they pain test her by pinching her she flinches away but she is still unable to raise her right arm or leg.

She is still on meds to prevent further seizures. She has been diagnosed with having a seizure and a stroke so far. They still need to locate the suspected brain clot.

The doctor told Lonnie she will have a very long recovery ahead. A very long recovery.

Lonnie also said this is life changing. Since she had a seizure she will lose her driver's license for a year, she must be seizure free for a year to get it back.

Taylor drove herself home and Lonnie was pulling into the driveway while he was talking to me. He said a few people have come by the hospital and he will be returning at 5 when he's able to go in to see her again. He needed a break and wanted some time with Taylor and to try to eat something.

I hope to hear more after his 5 p.m. visit so I'll send you an update when I hear something.

Glenn, Mama is on her way to Grandpa's and they are going to the hospital to see Billie tonight. Grandpa said he may not wait for mama he may go on ahead of her so he has a chance to see Billie. I'll be sure to let you know what they say about her condition when I speak to them.

I love you!

Glenn’s Facebook Conversation with me:

Glenn Pearson

Today at 3:50pm

I was texting Taylor to see if I could setup a connection on her phone with mine and I could send voice messages for her to play to Billie. It didn't work. She has a blackberry so she has facebook on her phone too. Not sure when to call though. Maybe now for a few minutes.

Ok keep me updated.

Sent via Facebook Mobile

Taylor is going to be at the college by 5 pm. Perhaps that is why she is not taking our calls. She didn't accept my call or Bill's call. She has a second night to perform the play. She is being strong. I am both shocked and proud of her. I would have expected her to be so much more emotional. I'm happy to see she is not.

Glenn Pearson

Today at 4:33pm

I just talked to Lonnie and he sound worn out. I told him to get some rest because he need his energy to be there for her. He seems a bit broken up and he needs some support. Thank goodness his mom is coming.

I told him to not call me to just call you. One less thing he has to worry about, so I will get updates from you. I hope that's ok. This is a good system.

Sent via Facebook Mobile

Sharleen Gamble

Today at 4:36pm

I am so glad you called him. Yes, he's holding up but you can tell it's not easy for him either. He'll have no time to rest... next visitation is 5 so he's just got another 30 minutes. Poor guy. I'm going to find a way to get up there just got to work out the kinks. Seems to me she'll be in the hospital a good while. Love ya. I'll be sure to let you know any news I find out.

Sharleen Gamble

Today at 4:55pm

Grandpa is on his way to the hospital to see Billie. He said he won't wait for mama, she probably will be lucky to make it by the 8 pm visitation time.
I love you. Will write more soon.

10:00 pm February 14, 2009

Well, just got off the phone with Grandpa and mama. Grandpa had made it for the 5-6 pm visit and said he noticed improvement from that time to the 8 pm visit.

When I spoke to him around 6:45 he said she looked really bad but he felt sure she'd pull out of this. Said she is emotionless and cannot speak but is aware he is in the room. She raised her hand to him when he arrived and said Billie was hugging Taylor's teddy bear really tight.

They still have not read her MRI and wont' until tomorrow morning. Lonnie is not happy, said they are waiting too long to get information. He is a little concerned that they may have waited too long to determine she had a blood clot and they passed a three-hour-window for giving her a pill that could have reversed a lot of the effects but he is afraid they didn't conclude the tests quick enough to get her the meds fast enough.

Mama said she looks good, considering. Said her face is expressionless, no tears, no smile, nothing. But when Lonnie's cousin who is a nurse there was in the room she asked Billie to hold up her thumb, hold up two fingers Billie did both with her left hand. His cousin told her to wink at her and Billie did not so she said ok, you can't wink... wave bye-bye to me. Mama said Billie glared at her like, let me wave bye-bye upside your head and Lonnie's cousin just laughed and told Billie to hold up your middle finger at me and mama said Billie lifted her left hand and flipped her off and mama said she could see a faint grin appear on the side of her mouth.

We are certain she can hear and comprehend what's happening, just something inside is not letting her reply or show any response or emotion. She is tough and should pull through this well if she gets the proper care. Lonnie is considering moving her to the Univ. of Va this week, he is not sure she is getting the attention she needs here.

Lonnie's mother and aunt are supposed to be in town by now and he is home trying to find them a place to sleep. I expect things will be really busy for him now as well as he should be pretty well exhausted since he's had no sleep since Friday.

Mama and Grandpa will be back at the hospital in the morning so I hope to have more updates then.

She is still heavily medicated and goes in and out of sleep. Mama said Billie's left eye seems a little more lazy than the right and that her pupils don't match up so she's watchful of this. Still no movement of her right hand and leg but we are all hopeful as time goes on she'll pull more and more out of this. I'm pleased she is showing so much improvement in a matter of hours today. That gives us hope that we can see more positive change in the next few days.

It's killing me not to be there but I have to plan carefully so I don't lose work and my kids have someone to care for them while daddy is at work. I will keep you posted on my plans to visit her too.

Well, I'm really exhausted. Gonna go crawl into bed and try to sleep.

Mama is at Grandpa's and has no plans to return to Monroe any time soon. She does not get a good signal at his place on her cell phone so if you have to call there and she doesn't answer, ring him... I called her phone four times and it rang and rang. Called Grandpa's line and he answered before the second ring.

I'm so glad they made it there. It helps me visualize her condition a lot better.

Ok, Good Night little brother. I love you so much!

11:30 am Sunday February 15, 2009

Lonnie’s phone didn’t pick up, called Taylor’s. They are in the parking lot getting ready to leave after visiting Billie. Taylor said Lonnie got to see the MRI and said it showed 2/3 of the brain has been taken over/damaged from the stroke. She has had a massive stroke on the left side of her brain. (mama thinks this is odd, most strokes she has heard of happen on the right side of the brain).

The artery in her neck had a clot and that is what caused the stroke. Dr said they cannot touch it, need to wait and see how it works out. She is reacting well to the drugs and the doctors are impressed with her improvement considering the severity of her stroke. She has a little movement today in her right leg she can wave, hold up 2 fingers and blink as of now she cannot talk still.

Taylor is going home to get some pictures and personal items to put in her room to help her out a bit.

2:30 pm. Sunday, February 15, 2009

Mama said she spoke with Lonnie and confirmed it was a massive stroke on the left side of her brain. They will be conducting a heart scan tomorrow/early tomorrow to determine if there are any blockages in her heart. This will be done under mild sedation and it will go through a tube in her throat. If there is a clot and surgery is required she will be transferred to Duke. Dr said it will be a very long recovery /no way to speculate how long for sure. Lonnie’s cousin Amy works in ICU and she brought Billie a dry erase board and marker. She was able to write a few things, not perfect but it is all legible. They are saving it; I will photograph it when I arrive. Can’t wait to see it for myself.

I fly to NC tomorrow at noon to see her myself.

Monday, February 16, 2009

I arrived in Greensboro at 1:30 p.m. Taylor picked me up at the airport and we headed for Danville. We got a few minutes to grab a bite to eat and then we were off to the hospital ICU for the 5 p.m. visit.

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. visit Arrived at the hospital for my first visit… she had a few people in her room already, mostly friends of Taylors as well as Lonnie’s family. Billie looked tired and disoriented a little but I could tell she recognized me; she turned her head to me and touched me with her left hand. The right side of her face seems very relaxed but not exaggerated. She cannot speak and cannot stick out her tongue. If she is asked to stick out her tongue she opens her mouth only a little and her tongue just lays still. She is trying to focus and from what I’ve been told so far she is doing much better. The past few days her eyes were rolling back every so often like she had not control of them for any good length of time. The right eye seems to move/look outward from time to time but seeing better control overall.

She has a few cards on her board and a stuffed white teddy bear from Taylor that she keeps in her arms all the time. Not able to move around much, her neck is floppy and her arms and legs don’t have much strength either. Mainly getting a pull-back motion when you touch her right leg or arm, no pushing. She has not eaten much at all. On IV fluids for nourishment. There is talk of a possible feeding tube if she doesn’t pass her swallowing test tonight.

She is constantly rubbing her left hand up the side of her face and pushing her hair off her forehead, a nervous tick associated with the stroke according to the doctors. She seems to do this every few minutes as well as a lot of yawning.

When visiting sessions are ending we all tell her we’ll see her soon at the next visiting session and kiss her hands and cheeks and forehead. She looks at us all blankly almost as if she doesn’t know why we are doing this. When Lonnie leans in to tell her goodbye he asks her to give him a kiss. She will look at him and slightly move her head to the side and he presses his lips to hers only.

8:00 -8:30 p.m. visit Once again, her room was full of visitors. Really surprised the staff of the ICU has allowed so many people in her room at once but everyone is being quiet and courteous of the other patients. She seems to be ok with it all; just looking around at whom all is there. One young man brought her some balloons and she has gotten some more cards.

No feeding tube was ordered. She did well with the thicker liquids so they will put her on a liquid diet that requires her food and drinks to be mixed with a Corn Starch Modified powder to make the broth and drinks thicker and safer for her. The concern is she may not swallow and if she coughs it could go into her lungs and she could aspirate/possible pneumonia.

Her Doctor, Dr. Hurtado arrived to give Lonnie the results of some of the scans and tests they have performed. He has her on 1) Levetiracetam (500 mg) (KEPPRAIV) NS 100ML minibag@400 MLS/HR (15 mins) – anti seizure meds 2) Blood thinner shot 3) Sodium Chloride. The nurses have begun to wash her mouth with a sponge and mouthwash using a suction tube to keep the fluids from running down her throat since she is unable to spit or swallow safely right now.

Dr. Hurtado asked Lonnie to step out of the room for his update and I was allowed to follow. He thinks the Carotid Artery in the left side of her neck has dissected and formed a Thrombus. She has a massive blood clot in this artery that apparently stopped all blood flow to the left side of her brain. During the stroke and seizure she suffered damage to nearly 75% of her brain. This is an acute injury and though it is not predictable he expects she will likely get better but says she may not regain movement on her right side forever. Only time and therapy will tell for sure. He said all recovery is dependent on her participation in her therapy and he was adamant that her age is a good factor, she is young and recovery is much better for younger patients. He said this is probably the worst it will be. Her Anominat Artery near her heart has a few small clots but they are not concerned for these, they do not appear to be a threat right now. Dr Hurtado said she has Coagulopathy, her blood is too thick and this could be hereditary or possible caused by illness. He has ordered tests to be performed by Hematology to try and determine this cause. She may need meds all her life to control this abnormality but still unsure at this time. The large clot and the smaller clots are inoperable. To operate on the large clot would put her at too great of a risk of dislodging some plaque and causing more risk of heart attack or stroke, said the clot will go away eventually and if it breaks off naturally it won’t matter, the area of the brain it would go to is already dead (brain cells to not regenerate). He drew a diagram of the way blood flows to the brain via the Carotid Arteries and showed us how the Circle of Willis is keeping blood flow to the brain now. He stated that fresh, unused brain cells can be retrained to help her regain the memories and behaviors that have been lost in the damaged area of her brain. He stated we have so much of the brain that is unused and there are many layers to the brain that until we see her in recovery there is no sure way to detect what she has lost and what she has retained.

Rehabilitation is possible and there are two types she is eligible for possibly at Kendrid in Greensboro. Depending on how she does in the next few days they may order Intensive live-in therapy where Billie will live in the rehabilitation site for a few weeks or maybe longer. This therapy will be grueling and all day 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, if she is physically able to exert herself. If not she may have to enter an assisted living facility and endure a simpler, less aggressive rehabilitation. The case workers have suggested Piney Forest/Riverside of Moses Cone in Greensboro for this less intense rehabilitation therapy that would take place for only one hour per day Monday through Friday

Dr. Hurtado says while it is too early to determine which she will be eligible for he hopes she will be able to go home in a few weeks depending on her circumstances. She has Cardiac and Brain Rehabilitation to come. He is very impressed with her abilities so far and says all her vitals are good. We are now in a crucial period of time the first seven days after a stroke are the most telling. Within day 4-7 she will begin to experience brain swelling and she will have to be watched closely.

A Cardiac Specialist from Duke Cardiovascular will be in tomorrow and will review Billie’s chart and see if he finds a need for surgery due to the clots near the heart and the one in her neck. Dr. Bernard Embrey, M.D. should be in around 8 a.m. and advised Lonnie to come in and have him paged.

My Facebook message to Carol Caputo IRT Billie and mama following my second visit to Billie in ICU, Carol was instant messaging me while I was trying to reach Glenn via his cell phone to get his arrival flight information:

Carol Caputois waiting to hear from joan or sharleen for update.23 hours agoClear Chat History
Couldn't retrieve chat history
Yesterday
9:46pmSharleen
Hi Carol

9:46pmCarol
oh thank goodness, i was hoping i would catch you somewhere...what's going on

9:47pmSharleen
Gonna try to keep this brief... She is improving constantly. STill cannot talk, very minimal movement on rt. hand and rt leg.

9:47pmCarol
any improvement is wonderful

9:47pmSharleen
rt side of her face looks better, less droopy and she is able to see and understand us. She waves at the nurses she knows when they walk by

9:48pmCarol
that is fantastic

9:48pmSharleen
She wrote on a white board again for us today, cannot make out what she is saying but she is able to hold the pen and her handwriting is close to normal just a tad sloppy.

9:49pmCarol
so you are able to communicate with her then

9:49pmSharleen
she was sitting in a hospital chair when we arrived at 1:30 today and they hope to have her in the "visitor" recliner tomorrow sitting with her feet on the floor, if her brain swelling isn't too risky they may have her try to stand on her feet as well.

she ate a bowl of oatmeal today, the nurse held it for her and she spooned it into her mouth all by herself and was able to swallow it.

9:51pmCarol
so how long before they expect to do surgery?

9:51pmSharleen
she was tired and did great today so the nurse gave us a red heart valentine lollipop to see what she'd do. she looked it all over while spinning it with her left hand then pushed it to her husband to open it. She went to eat it and saw a spot on it and pulled it away quickly (she is always very very picky so this was priceless!) she motioned the sucker to Lonnie, he picked off the white spot ( a piece of extra sugar) and she was satisfied, took it and popped it into her mouth. she was able to swallow all of her saliva and we were all so happy! Looking good.

9:53pmSharleen
There will be no surgery. Her clot is not going anywhere and they see no need to operate. Will control all the blood concerns with thinners and other meds

9:53pmCarol
oh ok, my sister must have gotten it completely wrong, thought there was a blockage

9:54pmSharleen
tests will tell us soon if she will need meds the rest of her life. She has coagulation (sp??) problems and docs are not sure if it's hereditary/genetic or if she contracted the problem with meds time and test will tell from here.

9:55pmCarol
oh ok....does your mom's phone not get a signal up there...i tried calling her three times today and not sure if she is even getting the calls

9:55pmSharleen
Yes, there is a clot. a very large clot/ she had a complete blockage of the carotid artery in the left side of her neck. Surgery and trying to remove it will be too risky if it breaks loose it will go into damaged area anyway and no harm should come from it.

9:57pmCarol
but they are anticipating the damage so far is not permanent?

9:57pmSharleen
mama has terrible reception here, the only place she gets a decent signal is in the ICU... go figure! Glenn is flying in tomorrow and she will be driving to Raleigh airport to pick him up at 5 p.m. she will have a long drive so you may be able to get her then. Glenn will stay until Wed/I go home Tuesday even though I don't want to.

no determination on permanent damage yet, the brain has layers so we can only see outside via the tests. She has great capacity right now and although the brain will not regenerate she could learn and memory can be added to unused brain cells.

It's all still touchy, she is only in day four and they say up to day seven is the test of time.

They were already talking to Lonnie today about rehab for Billie, just not sure if she needs heart/cardio or brain therapy first...

Hope that helps.

10:00pmCarol
ok i'll try her then. janet and i were thinking of coming up over the weekend for support. does your mom have all her meds and enough clothes and stuff?

10:04pmSharleen
If she doesn't she won't say, she is all about Billie. She is my mom ya know.


10:09pmCarol
well we checked out hotel rates and were planning on coming up early saturday and staying till some time sunday but i would like to talk to her about it first...of course we are all concerned for billie, but as parents rob and i have especially been concerned for your mom. rob keeps asking me when am i going, but i can't take off from work this week so the weekend is the best i can do right now


10:10pmSharleen
Bless your heart honey, you come whenever you can. She would never ask you to but we all know she loves you guys so much. I personally would love you to be here for her as well.

10:11pmCarol
ok then i will continue to plan on it

10:11pmSharleen
Gonna scoot off here, need to be with Lonnie and Taylor a little while. I'll write more when I can sweety

10:11pmCarol
i best get to bed too, talk to you soon

nite

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

We arrived at the hospital by 8 a.m. and Dr. Embrey had been called into emergency surgery for advice. We waited all through the visiting hours and he was still in surgery so we decided to wait to speak with him next visitation.

When we returned later that morning Billie was sitting in a hospital chair (the kind that looks like a modified bed with rails on the side and foot rest). She was belted in to keep her from slipping out. Her head is floppy, little muscle control and the nurse suggested we bring her a neck pillow since the bed pillow seems to push her head forward and it seems uncomfortable. She wrote a little on the dry erase board today, moved her right leg a little too. She responded to her right foot and leg being tickled by pulling it away from us just not pushing it down at all yet. More like a reflex motion than a deliberate movement.

She fed herself today! Oatmeal. The nurse said she held the bowl for Billie and Billie spooned it and fed herself. She is giving us the thumbs up and thumbs down for yes/no answers.

I brought some large photos from home as well as cardboard to hang them on so when she is moved the photos will not be ripped or taped together in the haste. I showed her each photo, a large one of Taylor with a sunflower in her hair, a black and white 8x10 of Lonnie and Kevin, a 5x7 of her, Lonnie ad Taylor. She gave me the thumbs up I could hang them. I walked to the wall in front of her and held the pictures in odd positions to see if she would tell me where to hang them. She would make a face at me and point aggressively at the wall next to the bulletin board as if to say put it there! I did this with each photo and she directed me every time.

During our morning visit Dr. Embrey’s assistant came in to apologize for the doctor being away and not able to see us. He was still in surgery. She confirmed what Dr. Hurtado had said regarding the clots being inoperable. She reviewed the same process of the blood flow and said we should just prepare for a long recovery for her and be proud of her accomplishments, she is doing very well so far and has surpassed their expectations due to the severity of her stroke. Later, on the way out of ICU, Lonnie was able to meet Dr. Embrey and get the information from him regarding not operating on Billie.

She is still wiping her face and pushing her hair back but not nearly as often as yesterday. She seems to do this when there are more people in the room. Maybe it’s a stress relief for her. Still not as much as yesterday. She is still yawning frequently.

During our 5 p.m. visit Amy was so proud of her accomplishments today that she popped in with a red valentine heart sucker for Billie and asked Lonnie to see what she’d do with it. Lonnie held it up to Billie and asked her if she wanted it. Billie took it from him and twirled it round and round with her fingers (left hand) she then pushed it towards Lonnie as if to say, here, open it up for me. When he gave it back to her she went to put it into her mouth and she had the back side of the sucker facing her… the white sugar painting on the front of the sucker was two hearts with a little arrow through them, apparently the sugar had spilled onto the back of the sucker and made a small spot. She stopped just before she put it into her mouth and wrinkled her eyebrows at it then handed it to Lonnie. Lonnie asked if she wanted the spot off and he picked it off, handed it back to her and she quickly put it into her mouth. It looked to me as if that was the best sucker she had ever had. She smacked her lips and sucked on it, still no tongue motion but she was able to swallow easily and there was no coughing… if she began to cough we would have to take it away to prevent aspiration. She held the sucker in her mouth for a few minutes and would pull it out every now and then almost like she was going to lick it. After a few minutes she pulled it out and gave it to me, gesturing to toss it out. I held the sucker over the trash can and asked her if I should throw it away and she stared at me like she was thinking… I kept asking, “Throw it away?” and she thought about it each time, finally gave me the thumbs up to toss it in the trash. (Lonnie and I went right to the store to buy suckers that night when we left!)

The clocks in her room are off… the one clock in front of her bed has the correct time but a bad date. The clock behind her bed is way off on the time and it seems to confuse Billie. Mama and everyone has noticed she keeps looking at the clock behind her and then back to the one in front of her. She must be wondering what time it really is. She seems to be more focused today and can hold her gaze longer, less wandering eyes. She has dry knuckles, elbows, knees and feet so I inquired if I could bring lotion for her and the nurses said yes.

Mama picked Glenn up from the Raleigh Airport at 5 today and he was with mama when they opened the doors to ICU for visitation. She walked into the room and Billie was lying in the bed looking out towards the window opposite the door. Mama spoke to her and she turned her head, just then Glenn walked up to her. He said the expression was priceless. She fixed her stare on him and dropped her mouth open like she was going to gasp. She grabbed him and held onto his hand tightly. Lonnie and I walked in after Glenn had already arrived and she seemed proud to have Glenn with her. It was very sweet to see her with Glenn. We told her it was a good thing he was visiting, not a bad thing that she was doing great and we were all there for support and encouragement. Glenn had her laughing a little before the night was over. He had a great sense of humor and was picking at her a bit to get her giggling.

Her lips moved a little into a flat pout and she turned her head in his direction when Lonnie went to kiss her goodnight.

On our way out Mary Howell, the social worker, advised Lonnie that Inpatient Rehabilitation has been ordered and the case manager at Cigna has been contacted to begin precertification. She mentioned a caregiver group meeting that will start up in March may be helpful to Lonnie. Reminded Lonnie to apply for the 12 weeks of FMLA, take the papers to Dr. Hurtado’s office in Dr. Singers old building next to the hospital.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Still in ICU. The nurse reported she had eaten some jello today. The nurse held the cup and Billie spoon fed herself. Swallowed well. Looks like no need for a feeding tube… yahoo!

The nurses helped Billie stand to get her into a regular hospital recliner (no straps, no rails, feet on the floor). She was very limp but seemed to be helping with this move. Her arms and head were flopping about when they stood her up. It was hard to see her like this but we all know it’s necessary. She was comfortable in her chair and seemed to have better neck control today. We brought her leopard print neck pillow in and she let us put it on her but not for long. She did well with her bed pillow.

She is pushing down and trying to move her Rt. Foot and leg, mostly pushing herself upward in the bed instead of putting pressure downward. She is answering questions yes/no with her up/down thumb gesture. She wrote her name today.

Mama and I both bought her some lotion, mama’s was a deep moisturizing lotion to help with tough calluses and mine was a pretty smelling Vanilla Amber Musk. I wanted to see if she would pick which one she wanted so I had her smell the lotion. After she smelled it she lifted her feet and wiggled them at me and mama to rub lotion on her feet.

She seemed better focused today, squinting, blinking, and also closing her Right eye to focus. She has a good grip with her left hand. Also noticed much less with her wiping her face and hair. She is yawning still but not nearly as frequently.

The nurses said if her CT scans are good enough they may be moving her to rehabilitation tomorrow.

At the 1:30 visit Billie at a bowl of jello. Taylor held the bowl and Billie spooned it for herself. She is very concentrated on keeping the spoon steady and not spilling a drop. We got a towel to use for a bib and that helped her a little but she was very cautious when she pulled the spoon past the bowl to her mouth. These are all signs to me that she is herself, always particular with food and neatness! She also drank some Gingerale, not too happy we have to put thickener in it. It leaves little floaties and she stares at them with curiosity but still drinks it. She was still hungry so Lonnie requested more Jello for her. Lonnie held the second bowl of Jello for her and she spooned it herself.

At the 5 p.m. visit Billie was just finishing up with Occupational and Speech Therapy. She did well according to Lisa Potter/Occupational Therapist and Shearin Light/Speech Therapist. She wrote a little today on her dry erase board… wrote her birthday, tried to write her address but got a little confused. She is identifying picture cards, when the therapist showed Billie a picture and three words she pointed to the proper word for the photo. Funny thing… one of her first photos to identify was a camera; of course she got that right! They had no idea she was a photographer. She is trying to write sentences. Billie is wiggling her right foot too. She knew what day it was, also when asked was it 2008 or 2009 she pointed to 2009. Her yes/no thumbs up/down are 99% accurate. She can ID her body parts but had mild confusion after a few minutes… likely she is tired by then. She is also counting with her fingers.

Therapists have advised she is in for a long rehabilitation. Still not sure if she will need Inpatient or Skilled Therapy for 3-4 weeks. Expect to see rapid pace recovery in the first couple of weeks. In three to six months they will better be able to determine her recovery capacity. Sometimes it takes up to a year. Home modifications will be likely such as ramp/bathroom modifications, wheelchair space, maybe hand rails in bathing/bathroom areas.

She has expressive aphasia. Meaning she has a good idea of what we are saying and she wants to reply but has trouble finding the right words and getting them out properly.

Glenn teased her today and told her to stick out her tongue at him. She looked like she was thinking about it and then she covered her face with her hand. She moved her hand away after a minute to reveal a beautiful smile and she made a faint “huh-huh” laugh. Her smile was midway raised on the left and slightly droopy on the right side, only showing a few teeth.

When Lonnie went in to give her a kiss she puckered her mouth a bit more than before and put her hand on the back of his head to lock it in.

I am trying to get her to give me the I love you sign with her left hand (hold up index finger, pinky finger and thumb out to the side). She tries, looks at her fingers and tries to remember which ones to hold up. When she gets it right I touch my hand and I love you sign to hers and she gives me the “huh-huh” laugh.

Glenn ended his visit with a quick thumb-wrestle and, of course, she won!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

When we Lonnie, Glenn and I arrived Billie was sitting in the visitor recliner chair, she had been up in the chair since 6:30 am. The nurse said she had drank several glasses of OJ and she had saved her food to eat with us. She smiled when laughing at Glenn and showed us both rows of teeth from left side of her mouth. When Glenn asked her to stick out her tongue she laughed, chuckled and breathed deeply, shook her chest, “Huh-Huh”.

She ate lunch, still on a liquid diet. Taylor thickened her soup for her and held the bowl while Billie spooned it and ate it. Billie also had Jello.

Glenn brought Billie some Anti-Monkey Butt Powder as a joke, she laughed when she was reading the bottle. She smiled too. He also got her a little puppy puppet that sings, “Close to YOU!” she slipped it on her left hand and stared at it as it sang the song when she moved it’s mouth.

Billie was scooting around on the bed and she pulled herself up a little higher on the bed using the bed rails and her left hand. She pulled her right knee up when we asked her to. Glenn shared his IPod with her to watch MamaMia. He put one earplug in the right ear only at first to see if she could hear out of it, she gave the thumbs up.

Her morning CTscan showed mild swelling in her brain. They gave her the first dose of Decadron Dexamethasone (10MG) at 6p.m. She will get 4 mg every 8 hours and this medicine will taper down. She also has begun to receive a shot of Lovenex, a blood thinner, as a precaution. She gets this as a shot in her stomach. Doctor and nurse say she may need Coumanden/Agrinox or Plavix or Aspirin when she goes home. She will probably need a blood thinner for long term.

For dinner she ate a bowl of broth and a bowl of jello as well as drank two apple juices.

I got to play a game of tic-tac-toe with her using the dry erase board. She still used her trick and trapped me into giving her two ways to win the game. Lonnie and Glenn both thumb-wrestled her today. She always comes out on top!

Friday, February 20, 2009

She was more responsive to talking as well as touch today. Dr. Timothy W. Brotherton, Ph.D., M.D. of Danville Hematology and Oncology, Inc. was in her room to discuss blood tests that were ordered by Dr. Hurtado and Dr. Embrey. He asked a few questions about family history, her recent doctor appointments and then advised that Billie has a coagulation problem but it seems she may not need constant meds. Her tests so far are borderline, but when a patient has a stroke they can come up with odd conclusions but she may be normal, it is too soon after the stroke to be certain. Her blood pressure has been good.

Dr. Brotherton wants to order more tests to check coagulation and screen for Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a blood disease that attacks young people. This is a test he can order but it can only be sent out Tuesdays through Thursdays from this hospital.

He left the room and went to review the CT scan Billie had in early August before her trip to Florida. He studied the test and returned to the room to advise us that the scan had nothing conclusive and showed no evidence of the clot. He further commended Dr. Waters for taking the foresight to go ahead with the blood pressure meds, said most doctor would not have considered this necessary. He thinks Dr. Waters prescribing the blood pressure meds helped Billie pull through this. He said he would be reviewing the blood test once it came back but to remember the delay due to the limited testing dates of the hospital.

Billie ate breakfast today. She had eaten before we got to see her. She had oatmeal and Lonnie noticed a cup of Starbucks coffee on Billie’s tray along with some sugar and butter packets that were used. When we asked the nurses they told us Billie had her oatmeal and was motioning for them to add the butter, sugar and even milk to her oatmeal. She drank a little Starbucks coffee as well, Amy had gone downstairs to get it for Billie.

Just as we were about to leave, visiting hours were over at 10:30 a.m., the nurse advised us that Billie was going to be moved today. They were only waiting for the orders to send her to a general room or to the rehabilitation area of the hospital. She was having her heart monitors removed and she will wear a pouch around her neck that will send the readings electronically to the nurse’s desk upstairs once she was out of ICU. We were allowed to pack up her things and go upstairs with her once she was put into a wheelchair.

She got into her now room on the fifth floor and they said she could have visitors any time of the day in this room. We got her pictures, cards and personal things put away while she was served a full lunch of thick liquids: tomato soup, banana pudding (she got pudding all over her face she ate it so fast!). She had barely finished eating when they advised us she would be moved to her new room on the third floor for Acute Rehabilitation. In this facility it would be a seven day stay. After seven days they will evaluate her and based on her improvement she could either be released to go home or she could be ordered to another seven days of Acute Rehabilitation. Dr. Hurtado predicst four weeks in Rehabilitation.

She is sitting upright steadily, holding her head up well. She did great during the transport in the wheelchair through the hospital. They will be monitoring her Heart Rate and BP manually every four hours now.

Her new nurses arrived in her room to help settle her in and advised us the Billie will be in Occupational Therapy all week Monday through Friday (no weekends). In the Acute Rehabilitation Facility she will have Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy. The Nurse Anita Finney, RN, advised us this is boot camp here. They will wake Billie at 6:30 a.m. where she will get a bath, then go to the dining room for breakfast, then occupational therapy, physical therapy, rest, lunch in the dining room, physical, occupational and speech therapy then back to her room for rest at 4 p.m. and her dinner will arrive around 5 p.m. and she will go to the dining room. Her visitation schedule will be limited due to this rigorous schedule. She may only have visitors Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m., Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and open hours on Sundays. Billie seems to be excited to start this therapy and is cooperating well with all the staff regarding her recovery.

We all hung around Friday until visiting hours were over. We got all of her cards and personal belongings put away and she was exhausted when we left.

But not too exhausted to give Lonnie a big kiss and when he pulled away she quickly put her hands behind his head and pulled him in for another longer kiss.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

We arrived at her room and the nurse advised Billie had some speech therapy today with Julie. She fed Billie everything from Cheerios to Cookies and she ate them well. They have moved her diet to Puree’d foods with Nectar like consistency drinks. They are performing mouth care on Billie for the whiteness on her tongue similar to Thrush. They are giving her a Nyastatin Solution to swish in her mouth.

Lisa, the Occupational Therapist gave Billie a shower… they both got into the shower together and Billie was able to help do it all, washing her hair and bathing. She got her hair dried and brushed and went to the dining room to eat Lunch. She also had some physical therapy: she stood at the parallel bars, sat up on a low, flat table about three feet off the floor to practice her balance. When they asked her to stick out her tongue today she stuck it straight out with no curve to the right or left (EXCELLENT!)

The I.V. has been removed from her right arm that arm from becoming uncomfortable due to the numbness and lack of motion. Sometimes small irritations can seem much larger to stroke patients. Her right lower leg has a little more movement today and her right foot seems to flex a little easier today with much less stiffness.

Anita, the nurse said it is important that Billie exercise her brain, eyes and arm. She suggested we bring her in some seek and find books as well as a deck of cards. She can also have her own clothes. Lonnie brought her some clothes today and we had to ask the nurse how to dress her with the catheter and the bag on her right side. They nurse came into the room and instructed us to dress the bad leg and arm first. She pulled the bag into the leg of her pants and slid them over her leg. The entire time, Billie was trying to sit up and put her left leg into the pants. SHE REALLY WANTED HER CLOTHES ON! Once she was in her comfy sweatpants and tee shirt she was relaxed and content.

Billie got quite a few visitors today as well. Taylor’s teachers, Lonnie’s parents, Kevin and Casey, Glenn, Sharleen, Lonnie, Amy from ICU, etc. Mama’s best friends Carol and Janet arrived as well and got a hotel room to stay the night so they could visit Billie again tomorrow.

The nurse brought in the WII game console and Billie got to try to play it. It was easy to set up, she followed all the instructions on how to press the buttons and select from the menu but Billie was not quite up to the task of moving her arms the way it was necessary to play the game properly. She did not become frustrated; she gave the controller to Lonnie and later to me. I think I made her laugh when I was boxing… It was hard work and she showed no interest in the game so we turned it off. It was a nice experience though.

She and Lonnie are sharing intimate gazes and longer kisses now. She is also trying to make the I love you sign with her left hand when I walk out of the room to leave for the night.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

The nurses said she did great at breakfast and she was much easier to get out of bed today. She ate very well. She is laughing and seems to be trying to talk. Answering yes or no with her thumb still. We’ve tried to get her to shake her head yes or no and she still hasn’t mastered that yet.

Her therapist left some homework for us to do with Billie: (see photo) she needs to tear bits of paper and ball them up then blow them across her table/tray. They want her to laugh out loud and to make an audible sigh “huh”. We all practiced with her. She tore some paper with us and it took a long time for her to build up the breath but she managed to blow the paper a few times. She tried to cheat though, pushing the balls around the table with her left hand fingers. Sneaky , sneaky.

When I went to rub her feet mama got her right foot and Billie sort of flinched. I asked Billie if we were hurting her and if she preferred us to stop or be gentler. She did not respond, just thought about it. I rubbed her left calf and asked does this hurt. She said nothing. I rubbed her left foot and asked does this hurt, she said nothing. I rubbed both calf and foot at the same time and she made a loud, pleasant moan and a small smile. Guess it felt good!

I asked her if I could take some pictures of her since Glenn would be leaving soon and I’d hate to have no photos of her with him. She agreed and sat up straight for some pictures. I got some of her with Lonnie as well.

I called my boys so they could say hello to her and she was receptive and listened to them speak to her. During that call she got a phone call on her hospital room phone from a co-worker at Olan Mills and she let me put the phone up to her ear. She motioned to me to take it away when she was done. It’s a start.

She gave Lonnie a very passionate kiss today, we all teased them and reminded them that they were being videotaped by the hospital and they’d likely wind up on U-Tube… maybe we should all leave the room. She chuckled and kissed him again. You can see the love flow between them. Her sparkle is coming back.

Monday February 23, 2009

Visitation is from 4-9 p.m. only. It was hard to wait so long. Lonnie was back to work and Taylor was back to school. It was great to walk in and see her doing well. She was reading some of her cards she received. She made sure to show me her feet and remind me she needed a foot rub too!

She was watching TV, back to her reality, Hollywood TV shows. Good, playful mood and she was still practicing her “Huh” and blowing the paper balls. It was a nice visit. She is so much more alert and I haven’t noticed the face/hair rubbing at all today. She is fidgeting in the bed more, trying to get comfy on her own. I have also noticed she is not yawning all the time now.

Lonnie had to leave early tonight, he had to go home and tend to the animals and get ready for another day at work tomorrow.

After rubbing Billie’s feet and hands I walked out of the room to wash my hands and she sat bolt upright in the bed and began to grab her right sock. Glenn and mama said it looked as I she wanted to take her sock off. She laid back down and looked exasperated. She sat up again and grabbed at the bed trying to set herself off to the side so she could get up. I asked her if she had a cramp in her foot and she gave me a thumbs up. I got her dry erase board and pressed her foot down on it… not a good response; she pushed it away and once again tried to get up out of bed. I ran and got a nurse to come to help her and they stood her on her feet and she seemed relieved after a minute. We all reminded her to use the nurse call button in the future so she would not risk falling down. She seemed much steadier with her head, arms and neck control when they stood her up. And she is able to sit upright without so much support. Mainly showing balance trouble, leaning to the right still.

It was a good, friendly visit; she seemed tired after her first day of therapy but OK. Her dinner was served in her room since we were there to supervise her eating. She is still on Puree and the food is interesting, shaped into the form of the meat or veggie served but mushy when cut open. She ate the potatoes and meat easily but skipped the funky green stuff that none of us can identify, not even the nurses. J

I did not want to but I became a bit emotional when I had to say goodnight to her. I knew I had to fly out Tuesday before she could have a visitor so I gave her a card to tell her to keep on working so hard and I gave her a hug and cried my eyes out. She hugged me tightly and touched my cheek with her left hand. She stared into my eyes and looked at me so seriously as if she would cry too but no tears. She kept pulling me into her and hugging me tightly. Mama and Glenn said she seemed to be concerned for me. I begged her to talk soon that I could not stand to be without our daily phone calls. When I walked out she gave me the I love you sign with her left hand. We had done this since Wednesday last week and she was able to finally remember how to hold her fingers. I promised her I’d be in touch every day and I look forward to her phone call to me soon when she could say Hey!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I did not get to see her today.

Glenn and Lonnie were waiting in her room when Billie finished her therapy. Glenn said her therapist was in a chair rolling backwards and telling Billie to Come on, Come on…. Billie wheeled herself into the room by herself. He said she was struggling with keeping the chair in the direction she wanted to go and kept bumping into the wall and the doorway. He teased her and said “that’s just like how you drive” and she laughed at him but kept on trying to get the chair to go right for her. He said she looked proud to have accomplished that and even more proud that Lonnie and he were there to see her do it.

I spoke with mama and she said Billie was tired but looked good. She said Billie had a big appetite. She ate her Chicken dinner and wanted more. Lonnie suggested a double cheeseburger and Billie gave the thumbs up. Mama said it looked as if she’d put the entire thing in her mouth at once. She ate it almost all when Dr. Hurtado arrived. She laid the burger down and Glenn went to pick it up and she quickly corrected him and he left it alone! Dr. Hurtado said he had heard so many good things about Billie’s recovery and rehabilitation he had to come and see her for himself. He joked “this one is No Charge!”. He asked her a few questions to include who was Glenn (he pointed at Glenn). Billie thought about it and Glenn said he told her “brother” and he gave Billie the dry erase board and she wrote BROTHER. The doctor was very pleased. When they asked her if she’d like to write more she just looked at them funny and gave Glenn the pan back. Dr. Hurtado further discussed Billie’s therapy and said he’d like Lonnie to research a new type of aggressive therapy where they would strap her left arm to her side and “make” her move her right arm more. She seemed interested and gave the doctor the thumbs up that she’d try it. The doctor was unaware she was left handed until then.

Later, Glenn said he was sitting on Billie’s right side and placed his cold Sprite bottle on Billie’s arm to see if she would notice. She pulled her arm away from him intentionally and stared at Glenn like “do it again” and she “offered” her arm to him. She was moving it around for Glenn. He said he even tried to scratch her a little to see if she noticed. She did seem to have more feeling in that arm today. Great news!

He blood work was sent out today for the testing ordered by Dr. Brotherton last week.

Glenn got a nice goodbye from Billie. He tried to get her to say “Hey” but she still could not but she tried hard.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Spoke with mama, Lonnie is busy getting back into work and filing paperwork etc. Mama said Billie was tired but seemed to be doing well. She ate a big meal of Chicken, veggies and pie. She has no meal restrictions and they are now checking her sugar only 2-3 times a day. She is still on steroids and blood thinners as of today.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Mama said Billie was alert but tired from a long day of therapy. She has been able to eat in her room as long as there is someone in her room to monitor her. She got more flowers and a card today. Billie is reading the cards and telling mama and Lonnie where she wants the flowers and balloons placed in the room. Billie seems tired but she stays alert when visitors are there. The therapist gave her a whistle to practice blowing as well as a rolled up birthday party favor type toy that you blow and it rolls out (usually has a horn but this one was removed) and she has a little horn to blow. She blew the rolled up one in Lonnie’s face a few times and laughed. She blew the whistle a few times too. It is a quiet whistle.

Mama said Billie got all hot and sweaty and the nurses said she had a little indigestion/gas and gave Billie some Milk Of Magnesia. Mama said Billie was mildly gassy.. the nurses had given her a Fleet enema earlier maybe the cause of it.

When Lonnie arrived today to visit Billie he sat down on the bed next to her and her bed was very wet. Apparently her catheter had sprung a leak. Billie seemed unaware she was all wet. Lonnie got the nurses and they cleaned her and the bed and changed Billie’s clothes. She had to wear a pull-up until Lonnie brought in panties for her. Ahhh! She still wants no bra to wear.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Billie was in the dining room eating when Mama arrived to visit. She said the nurse allowed her to push Billie in her chair back to her room. While she was in the wheelchair Billie made a funny face and mama asked if she needed to go to the bathroom and Billie gave thumbs up. She is aware of her body functions. J The nurses came into her room and helped her from the wheelchair to the toilet.

One of the therapists has left a fine tooth comb in her room with a note to please brush it on her right arm to help stimulate it. Lonnie was doing this throughout the night. Mama is continuing to rub lotion on Billie’s feet and hands. Her skin gets very dry each day.

Mama said she did not see the catheter or the bag today, it must have been removed, not sure when. Also noticed her IV is gone too.

Mama said it was another big appetite night for Billie. She said Lonnie got Billie a double cheeseburger from Burger King and a Butterscotch Milkshake from Dairy Queen. Billie ate all her dinner, the cheeseburger and the milkshake all!

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Mama said at 2:30 today she had visited Billie at 1:00. Said Billie was sound asleep and mama just watched her sleep for about ½ hour before Billie woke up. She said Billie was facing the window when she woke and she yawned and stretched and was shocked to see mama sitting there when she turned her head to the right. Billie had her TV tuned to the Titanic movie. Billie seemed sleepy and mama knew Lonnie would be off work today at 3 so she suggested she let Billie rest and she’d come back later. Billie gave her the thumbs up.

Taylor was in Richmond today for her audition at VCU and Lonnie was working a day of overtime. They should be in later to see her too.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse with rain, sleet and some snow.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Not much new to report today. Billie had a relaxing day. After working out for a week, she deserved a good day of rest.

The weather was too rough for mama to travel safely in for a visit today. She will have to see Billie tomorrow.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Lonnie said Billie tried her best to talk to him today. She concentrated and tried very hard but couldn’t get anything to come out. He asked her if she had watched the Brett Michaels Rock of Love Bus Show on VH1 Sunday night and she gave him the thumbs up. When he asked her who was eliminated from the show she tried to speak to him and tell him. He said she thought about it and tried repeatedly to speak the words and when they wouldn’t come out he offered her the dry erase board to see if she could write it down. She could not and she began to cry. Tears came down her face. The first tears we have seen since her stroke.

She is beginning to make some more sounds. Her laughter is more audible now as well. She has been put on antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection they think she got during the catheter use. She does not seem to be in any pain but treatment was ordered by her doctor after a test confirmed the UTI.

There was 7 inches of snow on the ground today in Danville but it didn’t stop her family and friends from coming in to see her.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Billie was pointing her left index finger at Taylor sort of like pointing a pistol and firing with her thumb. Mama said Taylor just kept asking her what did I do? No one ever figured out why she was doing this but we were all impressed she demonstrated a new action.

Billie is showing more emotion today. She shows signs of sadness and even cried a little with Lonnie today.

She spent a good part of her day in the wheelchair. The nurses are helping her get into the bathroom so she can use the toilet now. Lonnie put her into bed by himself.

Mama says Billie seems to have conversations with Lonnie with her eyes and by touching his face. Lonnie gave Billie a foot and hand rub tonight.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

I spoke with the nurse on staff today, Hazel Lewis, she says Billie is doing great and she shows daily improvement. She said when she helps Billie in and out of her chair and bed that Billie is helping a lot more. Billie is also doing a bit more with her right side and helps the nurses out when they are dressing her by moving her right side more for them, she is able to lift her right leg a lot more. Hazel said as of Tuesday Billie has begun to nod her head for yes and shake her head for no. Said she still seems a bit confused and has to think about her answer before she replies yes or no with a nod or shake. Her laughter is becoming louder and more audible. Her UTI is improving and she doesn’t believe she is on the antibiotic anymore. The nurses and therapists have all praised Billie’s efforts saying she works very hard in her therapy and pushes herself well.

Mama brought her laptop in today to share with Billie and she was able to read her Facebook page and read her comments. It was emotional for Billie but she read everything. After that they called Glenn using the Skype internet calling program.

Mama’s notes on Billie’s Day: March 5, 2009

she wAS VERY TIRED AND EMOTIONAL.

[12:44:32 PM] Joan Miller: I told Billie I will bring my laptop with me and when she is ready we will try again (live video call via Skype program on the computer)

[12:46:29 PM] Joan Miller: She had read comments on her face book and Glenns and she got emotional and chuckled some, this was before the phone call, then Lonnie came in and she was very emotional

[12:47:11 PM] Sharleen Gamble: oh, so she has seen my daily entries for her?

[12:47:34 PM] Joan Miller: yes

I was hoping for a 3 way call with you. Glenn and Billie but she is not ready emotionally. we will try again later

I am happy you are coming in again but I know how hard it is for you leave your work and hubby. I am going to wait for Billie to indicate she wants to try again,

[1:01:07 PM] Sharleen Gamble: yeah, I understand. But remember, she has to be reminded of daily activities to get her going. Don't feel like you will pressure her, just continue to mention it is available. She will go for it when SHE is ready

[1:01:12 PM] Sharleen Gamble: I am patient.

[1:01:29 PM] Sharleen Gamble: I write her daily on facebook and I have the journal going too.

[1:01:46 PM] Sharleen Gamble: I'm so excited to get back up there. Can hardly stand the wait!

[1:03:43 PM] Sharleen Gamble: I spoke with the nurse at the hospital yesterday and she had good comments on Billie's therapy. She said I could call between 2 and 3 to speak to the therapists if I want more details. No one is sure if they are strapping her left arm like Dr. Hurtado suggested so I'm curious.

[1:04:28 PM] Sharleen Gamble: I'll probably wait until tomorrow or Monday to call them but I also told the nurse my card, yours and Glenn's are all hanging on her board. Told them to feel free to call us anytime to give us updates... we'd love to hear from them.

[1:04:36 PM] Joan Miller: He said he was not sure if the therapist would go for it

[1:04:49 PM] Sharleen Gamble: Hmmm, that's a shame.

[1:05:24 PM] Sharleen Gamble: Kaycie (Jordan's mom) said it is a very aggressive but very effective therapy. Said it would benefit her well since she is naturally left handed.

[1:07:26 PM] Joan Miller: he had not spoke to the therapist when he talked to Lonnie and Billie about it,

[1:07:48 PM] Sharleen Gamble: yes, I remember that too

[1:31:07 PM] Sharleen Gamble: :D

Sharleen Gamble

[1:31:44 PM] Sharleen Gamble: I'm sending you the pic glenn sent to me from your video call

[1:32:10 PM] Sharleen Gamble: you will have to accept it when it's done and save it as a file name you can retrieve. very simple to do, trust me

[1:32:23 PM] Sharleen Gamble: I know you see her in person, just thought I'd share

[1:33:46 PM] Joan Miller: not a good picture

[1:33:59 PM] Sharleen Gamble: no, tell me she looked better in person

[1:34:23 PM] Joan Miller: she looks really bad in that photo, I think she looks better in person

[1:34:42 PM] Sharleen Gamble: (clap)

[1:34:48 PM] Sharleen Gamble: thank you

[1:35:09 PM] Sharleen Gamble: did you get any other new information for me last night? I'm trying to enter a blog post on her site

[1:36:38 PM] Joan Miller: I see a lot more movement on the right side of her face/mouth, especially when she is chewing or smiling/laughing

[1:37:48 PM] Joan Miller: she can stick out her tongue, and response seems quicker

[1:40:29 PM] Joan Miller: the nurse said they had some movement in her right shoulder in therapy but I have not seen that. She can turn herself good to the right and left (roll from side to side) in the bed

[1:41:00 PM] Sharleen Gamble: awesome! It's coming along. her hard work is really paying off!

[1:41:47 PM] Joan Miller: yes it is

[1:43:00 PM] Joan Miller: but I sometime think she is not happy at how slow it is or may be, which I can understand

[1:44:56 PM] Joan Miller: what do I have to join to see the posts on Billies info web site?

[1:45:43 PM] Sharleen Gamble: yes, it has to be hard to comprehend. I felt lost until I did a lot of reading on the internet. Survivor stories help and hearing Karen's side of what she experienced has helped a lot. I put Karen a card in the mail today to thank her. She plans on visiting Billie soon, I am sure when she visits she'll help shine some light on things for Billie

[1:50:15 PM] Joan Miller: last night when she started to cry, she had teared up at the messages on face book, but Lonnie came with two cards she got in the mail so I put the Laptop on the chair and when she read the cards that when Billie Jo really cried

[1:50:58 PM] Sharleen Gamble: who were the cards from? any idea?

[1:51:40 PM] Joan Miller: and Lonnie bless his heart said what did that card say to upset her but it wasn't what was in them she was over whelmed, they were from her work

[1:52:11 PM] Sharleen Gamble: so, you called her after the cards and facebook both? gee no wonder she was so sad. I'm amazed she even attempted it after all that.

[1:52:44 PM] Joan Miller: so they embraced each other and both cried

[1:53:48 PM] Joan Miller: I think it was just after telling Glenn we would try again another time

Thursday , March 5, 2009

Billie’s speech therapist asked a former patient and stroke survivor who owns MidTown Market to come in and speak with Billie regarding her successful recovery. She let Billie know she could not speak after her stroke and after therapy she wanted Billie to see she could talk well now. They feel these pep talks will help motivate Billie and let her see there will be progress as long as she keeps up the hard work.

Mama’s notes on Billie’s day: Friday, March 06, 2009

[1:33:54 PM] Joan Miller: up date......Billie s speech therapist called one of her former patients and asked her to come see/talk with Billie. She and her husband own MidWay meat market on Holbrook Street in Danville, She had a stroke and it took her a year or so before she could talk but she is speaking plain and moving around good and she did come to see Billie yesterday. Billie seemed encouraged to complete her writing and math exercises more so than before and was in good spirits

Lonnie said the right side of her face is getting more motion in it. She is lifting both sides of her mouth more and he said her smile is almost perfect now.

Lonnie said when he rubbed her right arm today he noticed what seemed to be a large Charlie horse just below her right shoulder. He brought it to the nurse’s attention and expects them to put some attention to it.

When Kevin texted Lonnie to say he was on his way and did they need anything, Billie almost spoke to Lonnie to tell him what she wanted Kevin to bring her to eat.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Dr. Hurtado advised Billie is doing well and has approved her for another seven day stay in the Acute Rehabilitation Facility. He is still awaiting the results of her blood test. Billie has been working very hard in therapy and has been exhausted each night when visitors arrive but she still manages to be alert and available for everyone to visit.

Mama was there when Billie finished her dinner and she brought Billie to her room and helped her into bed from her wheelchair. Mama said Billie did most of the work herself. Billie seems to be moving around in her bed a lot easier and more often. She is aware of her body functions now and can tell when she is having a bowl movement or urinating. Her smile is almost even now, the right side will rise up almost evenly with the left side when she smiles. Her hands and feet are mildly swollen but hard to tell unless you really look for it. When the nurses asked her if she needed anything for pain she shook her head no.

A visitor has brought her in a grabber tool and another visitor has left her a handmade afghan.

She requested a razor from home, Lonnie assumes she wants to shave her legs.

Lonnie said he feels the knot/Charlie Horse is much smaller today. Thinks her muscles may have just been tight and needed to work out a bit more.

Kevin and Casey treated Billie to a supreme pizza tonight. She enjoyed it according to Lonnie but it seemed to give her a tummy ache afterward.