McLarty News

Well - where do I even begin.....

I guess first I'll start by saying that we hope each of you and your families had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas was a bit quiet this year - and the house somewhat empty without Deena's bright shiney face there with us.  She spent Christmas in rehab and had several visitors throughout the day and opened presents that the family sent with Michael and Greg.

Michael and Greg too were a bit quiet as they, of course, very much missed Deena being with the family this Christmas.  Michael said he just wasns't much in the "commercial" Christmas spirit this year - as well we could expect.  He did spend time with family and also with Deena at the hospital - it just wasn't the same as being home for Christmas.  Watch out next Christmas though - Deena I'm sure will make up for lost time if all keeps going the way it is right now....

With that said....now for some very exciting news - but I'm going to catch you up on a few things first since it's been a while since the last post....

As you know from previous post - Deena was moved to rehab last week.  She is going through her daily therapy and improving daily.  She is still having a bit of trouble with cognigtive skills - but only time will tell as she continues to heal. 

She's spent time doing daily skills like flash cards, walking, sitting, climbing stairs, computer generated skills, etc.  She was having trouble with the fact that she has simply lost track of days and times and as the days come together for her she is realizing slowly why she is in the hospital and in rehab.  Michael feels that she is starting to realize the seriousness of her injuries and has slowed down a bit on getting out of bed on her own, etc.  I think she got "grounded" by her nurse the other day because she decided to get up and explore and even found the linen closet next to her bed....guess she wanted to put on a new gown on her own - you who know Deena well would just be laughing because that's Deena!  She promised the nurse that she'd let the nurse help her next time....

Deena says that one of her challenges is finding something that fits over her new halo - and turning corners with her new halo.  She said if she cuts the corners too sharp she bangs her halo on the wall....of course when she was telling us about this she was fully animated as you can imagine.

Now - for some awesome new.....Michael met with the doctors today at 1:30 and was happy to report in that Deena will be given a 24 hour pass on New Year's day.  She has to go back after 24 hours and if all goes well she "could" be released from the hospital on January 5 with 24 hour supervision and 6 hours a day of outpatient rehab.  Is this an amazing answered prayer!!!!?

Please remember to keep the family in your prayers because although Deena is healing and improving daily - there are still a lot of simple tasks that are quite difficult to accomplish at this time.  Again, as mentioned above, only time - and may I add - prayer - will tell.

If you go visit Deena at rehab - be sure and identify yourself to her and make sure she remembers who you are and where she knows you from.  This is something that the doctors and nurses have asked of us to help in her healing process.

God bless you all and please keep the power of prayer going!  Deena is proof that God does answer prayer!

Sorry for the delay in getting Thursday's update to you guys.  I know if you're like me you are keeping close tabs on Deena's updates.

According to Michael, Deena was put thru a full battery of tests on Thursday which included her mental and cognitive skills - including reading, writing, memory, etc.

She will go thru more tests today (Friday) which will include physical skills, etc.

Monday will be another full day of tests for Deena and then on Wednesday (after Christmas) Michael will be meeting with the team of doctors and nurses to get a full scope of the test results and what they have to look forward to as estimated time in rehab as well as what they will be doing for Deena to aid in her recovery efforts.

This is a long road guys - we need to be sure and keep Deena in our thoughts and prayers as she will be pretty much exhausted at the end of the day each day.

Please be sure to come by and visit with her because part of her recovery process will be talking, laughing, singing, etc. as well as recalling people's names and faces.

God Bless you All!

No new news or changes to report today.  The doctors spoke about moving Deena to the rehab unit once a bed becomes available.  She is still having a bit trouble remembering things day to day but this is all still part of the healing process.  Once Deena is moved to rehab they will work with her more one on one with the rehab process as well as the continued healing of her injuries.  Once again - we do have to remember that this is only day 17 since the accident and the doctors are all still amazed at her progress to date.  Please continue to pray for Deena as she continues to regain her memory while going thru this long healing process.  Please also keep Michael and Greg in your prayers during this time as well because they are very anxious at this point to see daily progress and are thankful every day for the tiny baby steps that she has taken thus far.

One bit of interesting information to pass along - Michael was having lunch at one of his favorite Mexican restaurants on Hwy 35 near where Deena's accident occurred.  The waiter that was waiting on Michael mentioned that he hadn't seen Michael in the restaurant in the past couple of weeks and Michael went on to tell him that his wife was the one that was in the accident on November 29 that shut down the highway.  The waiter told Michael that his uncle was right behind Deena when the accident occurred and witnessed it and was also one of the first people to arrive at the scene.  Michael is anxious to have the opportunity to speak with the uncle and said that he has seen him in the restaurant before and knows he will see him again and will try to find out more details of the accident in order to piece some more pieces of he puzzle together.

Again, please continue to keep Deena in your thoughts and prayers.  Please feel free to call, e-mail or come by as Deena needs the company right now and Michael and Greg need your continued support and prayers.

Today was a good day at the hospital.  With the help of a walker and a physical therapist Deena walked approximately 35 feet out of her room and to the nurses station!  She just keeps doing more and more miraculous things!  Also today she was able to get out of bed to go to the bathroom - that will make anyone feel much better. 

Tonight she had a sing-along with Larry and Joan Nutting from church and she DID sing with them.  Mike said it was an enjoyable time but that Deena was being "quite ornery tonight".  Ha Ha  What fun to know that she is back to being silly.  While I was on the phone with Mike I heard Deena laugh and actually got to talk to her on the phone.  It was wonderful to hear her voice and to get to tell her I love her and to hear it back. 

The doctors are saying they will probably move Deena to the Baylor Rehab center in the next few days.  We will keep everyone updated as to when that is happening and where exactly she will be.  In the meantime, as always, continue to pray for her continued miraculous recovery.

Deena continues to do well and make small improvements.  Rehab is working with her every day so she may be more tired on some days depending on the kinds of things they have her doing.  She and Mike love the diversion of having visitors come by and bring a part of the outside in.  One very important thing to remember when you go to visit Deena is this:  Please identify yourself when you come into the room and make the connection where she knows you from (i.e. work, church, etc.).  Due to the nature of her brain injury there are times that she does not know people when they come in or she may even forget you while you are there.  Please do not be offended if she never recalls who you are and do not be afraid to give her your name more than once if necessary.

Most importantly, please continue to pray for Deena and Mike and Greg as time is moving into week three now and if gets very difficult to carry on life both outside and inside the hospital.  We will update you more tomorrow.

Today was another awesome day for Deena.  There was not a lot of change or adventure like there has been the past couple of days but it was a day of improvement nonetheless.  Since Deena passed the barium swallow test she was allowed to begin a liquid diet today.  She had some jello and frozen jello pops but when they brought her the chicken broth she said she did NOT like that and wanted to go back to the jello.  Yay for Deena!  Nobody likes that hospital chicken broth! 

She worked really hard today in rehab and was very exhausted by the end of the day.  When she improves more and begins to be more stable she will be moved to a rehab room but for the time being Deena will be staying in the room she is currently in. 

Today was another great day of getting to hear Deena's voice and for her to get to talk to Mike and her visitors.  She now has a "plug" to use over her trach that allows her to use her voice fully. 

Many of you have asked about whether to send cards to the home or to the hospital.  Mike asks that you please send any cards to the house and he will pick them up and read them to her.  This will make certain that there are no cards lost in the hospital maze - especially as she begins to change rooms and moves to rehab.  We continue to covet your prayers for Deena's continued healing and recovery.  God has done so much already and we know He can and will do exceedingly more!

Today Deena was speaking and laughing! She showed that her sense of humor has returned and she was her usual self.  Her memory is getting better.  She is better with remembering names and who people are but her short term memory is not as sharp.  It seems that facts only stay with her for just a few minutes and then they are gone again. 

Today they had Deena out of bed and with the help of a walker she was standing up!  What an amazing and miraculous turn of events!  Tomorrow Deena will be having a barium swallow test to check her swallow reflex.  If all is well they will begin to slowly add some eating and drinking by mouth into her routine.  Pray that this test goes well and is easy for her.

Thanks for your continued prayers.  Deena, Mike, Greg and the entire family appreciate it and give God all of the glory for Deena's progress.  When you pray for Deena now don't forget to take a minute to thank God for what He has done for her so far.   She is definately a living miracle!

Deena has had quite a busy day today being the recipient of miracles!  To add to the previous post about her improvement, this is what Mike said this afternoon:  "Today I heard Deena's voice for the first time in 2 weeks"!  Yes, Deena has spoken. 

It is not clear how much she understands - if anything and things are still jumbled up in her mind.  When asked who Mike was she replied "Bob" and when asked about Greg she said "Steven Gregory".  So, clearly there is some healing yet to be done in the brain but the progress she has made so far is absolutely amazing.  Keep praying for continued healing for Deena that she will continue to amaze everyone and be able to go home really soon.