Jenny has a semi-private room with an unlikely chance of having a room mate, so she has more room for family and friends to spread out it. I brought our laptop to finish an on-line defensive driving course (before the deadline expires tonight) and Jenny began looking all excited about getting on-line. I realized that she had so many activities that involved the internet that I should have hooked her up sooner. Her vision is still difficult, so I read most things for her. I showed her this web site since she has heard so much about it and the comments. We checked out her Primary message boards. She was punished by hearing me complete the 3 hour defensive driver course (24/25 was my passing score). I’m sure Jenny answered all the questions right in her head though. I promised her a little trip to the e-bay web site if she worked hard today. Jenny is a bit scared and emotional about her change. She still states she wants to be here, but I can only imagine how scary it can be for her to have limited knowledge of her surroundings and having to trust strange new people with every aspect of her daily living.

She was excited to hear that they expected her to be dressed in other clothes besides a hospital gown. I brought in a few changes of clothes/nice pajamas. I also told her of the posibility of a shower. Her eyes really lit up on that suggestion. Unlike the other 3 hospitals, she came here with the assumption that she will improve use of her voluntary motor functions. Every place else had the goal of preserving life and stabalizing her. Therefore, she is treated by staff as though she will improve. Well, it is time to begin rehab, so I’m off to cheer and support.

From what they tell us, we will be in Indy this afternoon- but we will wait and see. I realized that I have had the advantage of being one of the few people who have been with Jenny all these weeks (it has almost been 3 weeks). We obviously had our initial grief and the expected dealing with the general unknown. However, I have aquired a real peace about our future and our family doing well with our new challenge. I know Jenny will progress much more than doctors let on. Our faith is going to play a huge part in that. Unfortunately, most of our friends and some family have not seen Jenny since before the stroke. I realize until they see Jenny and realize she is doing better each day, that it is difficult.

We have actually had a bunch of times where Jenny is laughing (a quiet laugh with a huge smile) at stories, jokes, and the situations that come up. Yesterday, she coughed and ended up clamping down on her bottom lip with her teeth. I saw the pain in her face and helped free the lip. Once it was done, she just laughed on how silly the situation was. She cries too. It is hard for her to talk about her hobbies, primary calling, or other lifestyle changes without choking up. She is getting better as she gets use to things. When a movement occurs that is voluntary, we celebrate, and you can see it in Jenny’s eyes that she did it on her own. She is proud and excited as well. I have found myself talking to family or friends who just found out about Jenny who obviously try to say the right things about the initial stroke. I feel torn with being somber when discussing Jenny with others for the 1st time, but yet excited about the progress that just occured. I would imagine that when others are able to visit, Jenny will get emotional (mostly because visitors are crying as they see her for the first time), but the mood is usually returned to laughing and celebrating. We are so blessed with what we have been given, despite the hardships we know we will face.

Our family will be participating in a group fast and prayer on behalf of Jenny on Wednesday, March 31, 2004. We will all be joining together in prayer at 11:00 am Mountain Time. We invite all who believe in the healing powers of The Lord to join us.