Thursday, March 29

Kerrie… who were were told, 5 months ago, would have permanent paralysis.. Kerrie.. who, 4 months ago, had some feeling in her leg, but couldn’t wiggle the toes on her right foot.. Kerrie.. who, 3 months ago, amazed us by being able to sit on the side of the bed if someone helped hold her up.. Kerrie…who, 2 months ago was able to stand at a table ( if strapped to it) and move blocks from one side of the table to the other.. Kerrie, who 1 month ago, had me in tears when she took a few steps across the floor ( while someone held on to her)… Kerrie…. CLIMBED STAIRS YESTERDAY!!!!!

She took three steps up, while the Physical Therapist helped support her.. but she did it. This was while she was at Out Patient Rehab yesterday. When she got to the top of the steps ( all 3 of them) Tim, the Physical Therapist, told her it was time to go down.. She kept saying, “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t..” but he insisted she could and made her SAY she could, so after saying, “I can, I can, I can” she walked down those three huge steps… sat back down in her wheelchair and gave him a big thumbs up!

She sounded so happy with herself when she told me this and I was so happy I almost started crying 🙂 When I asked her if she was happy about it she said, “Well.. it wasn’t what I wanted, but it was good!” Silly girl..

Still not exactly sure what’s happening with Out Patient Therapy, but the plan is she will go again tomorrow. Whether or not she stays as an out patient, or we continue home care, still remains to be determined.

Today, Kerrie told Mom all she wanted was to just have ONE day where she didn’t have to do anything. Just one… so, for the most part, Mom let her have it. She did have to get out of bed for a little while though. Mom needs to get a car that will be easier for Kerrie to get in and out of, so someone from the dealership brought a smaller style SUV/ Minivan type vehicle out to the house so they could see how it would work out. She had to get of bed, so she could try getting in and out of the car.. I think Mom said it was a Pacifica. Nice car, seat was at a good height, but doors didn’t open wide enough and the grab handle was in a spot that wasn’t right for Kerrie. We need something a little lower than an SUV, but higher than a car.. until they find the perfect fit, Mom will stick with her Jeep. The perfect one is out there.. somewhere. I think she’ll look at a Compass and I suggested the 2007 model of the Honda CRV ( it’s lower than a normal SUV, but higher than a car). Any good suggestions? Let us know. And… if Donald Trump happens to be reading the K.A.S.T. Web Page.. feel free to donate a car along with the Huge TV and Laptop I asked you for last week 🙂 Better hurry, Bill Gates might beat you to it ( of course I doubt it since I am a Macintosh fan).

Except for having to try out the car, Kerrie had her day of rest. Mom tried too, but doesn’t sound like it was too sucessful. Spent most of the day trying to work out what is going on with Rehab.

I did find out that Kerrie didn’t need me to remind her of Grandma’s birthday. She tried calling her on Tuesday, but our Grandmother is so popular that the phone was busy all day ( That’s what happens when you have 12 kids, a gazillion grandkids and a million great-grandkids)… She finally got to talk to her yesterday.. and yes, I remembered to call her today. As far as I know, I’m still on the list of acceptable grandchildren 🙂

Grandma, next year Kerrie and I will dance in the hallway on YOUR birthday ( Aunt Jeaninne.. you can still dance in the hall on mine). Kerrie.. we are all very proud of you and can’t wait to see what you are doing in another 5 months!!!!!! Keep it up.

Jenn