It is just Mark- Sorry. I was pleased to see Jenny willing to write on this web site. As a matter of fact, she is rapidly hitting the computer pretty hard this past week. I have to pull her off to eat and do therapy. Jenny has also discovered the method of sending highly detailed lists of work for me to do via e-mail. I have long 3 e-mails from just yesterday that detail what each child needs from work on baby books, thank-you notes, portrates, Easter clothes, etc… I have been waiting for this day when Jenny feels more in control and is able to find purpose and entertain herself. This is one of those situations where you say, ” I guess I got what I asked for”
Family
Feb 23, 2005
Since Jenny has been using the computer, we have always joked about her going crazy on e-bay, but she has rarely done more than checked e-mail, played games, or written in her journal. For some unknown reason, Jenny woke up and immediately stated that she wanted to go on the internet. She immediately began shopping and spending. I would not have known this except our credit card has a new expiration date since Jenny used it last and she needed help when it did not work. She first hit Deseret Book to get supplies for our Primary class, Zach’s upcoming baptism, and some church tapes to listen to. She hit a music web site to get new tunes to listen to. E-bay was most likely drained of it’s goods, and she even researched some cool party ideas for Sophia’s upcoming “Dora the Explorer” birthday party. Jenny read her e-mail and maybe even wrote one (which she hardly ever does). I hope this was a matter of getting it out of her system since she was been holding out for a year. However, it was good to see her desire to be more independent and assertive. What I really think is that she just wanted to get more mail.
Feb 18, 2005
A number of people have asked if Jenny saw the most recent “ER” episode last night about a woman who had a stroke and was ‘locked-in” briefly due to the stroke. Jenny did see the episode because she saw the previews for it. She use to love ER, but finds it too hard to watch, but wanted to see how they portrayed it. If you watched it without sound, it was pretty accurate. Jenny stated that the woman’s thoughts were “lame” and “written by someone who had never had a stroke”. Of course, there was a tv ending where the woman almost fully and immediately recovered even though she had a totally blocked artery for several hours (it only takes minutes to cause permanent damage). A few scenes were too real (the woman was a mother of three in her 30’s). Jenny reassured me that that at no time did she ever think that her emergency room doctors were “hot”, like the tv show lady was thinking.
Feb 15, 2005
The kids have been really sick for the first time and it is difficult on Jenny to not be able to pick them up and comfort them like she use to. Not only that, we definately do not want Jenny to get what they have, so they really can not even sit on her lap like the usually do for comfort. Jenny strated showing signs of congestion and weakness, but is looking better now.
I am still impressed with Jenny’s improvements that happen ever so slightly. I am encouraged by her trunk and stomach muscles. She is begining to be able to bend forward and back while on the tilt table or in her chair. This would greatly increase her range of abilities if she could do that.
Feb 9, 2005
We returned from a 5-day vacation to Disney World last night. We went with Jenny’s brother (Steve) and his family and had one of the best times of our lives. Steve and Ellyn had planned it so Jenny was able to do all of the activities and basically feel that there were no barriers for her to truely have a good time. They had occomplished this task perfectly. Aside from the normal Disney excitement/activities, so many wonderful things occured while on our trip.
Despite Jenny’s previous worries, she was able to ride rides, find an accessible bathroom, and enjoy living life. She stated that this was the first time she had been truley happy all day since her stroke. I knew this because for 5 whole days she did not cry once (except happy cries), whereas she typically cries at least once daily due to pain, suffering, and general depression.
After our maiden voyage to Austin to figure out air travel, it seem like we were able to smoothly conquer our hurdles of the previous trip. Also, Jenny was able to actually utilize the accessible elliments in a hotel room. Not only that, Jenny was able to drink water for the first time without gagging or coughing at any degree. She typically coughs at least a little at first, but generally does fine when drinking the bulk of her liquids. We did an improvisation of standing since her tilt table was back in Indy. I supported Jenny against a wall and let her do weight bareing exercises that way. In the process of doing standing therapy, we learned that Jenny could stand against the wall without any support or assistance for short periods of time (I did not dare let go of her for more than 10 or so seconds), but she could have gone longer. This was the first time that Jenny has been able to sleep without the assistance of medication (and I think that it will continue). Sophia even surprised us by showing excellent toileting skills there- which have continued since coming home.
We loved spending this time with Steve’s family and our kids had a ball with their cousins. Jenny loved the weather and just seemed to do better physically and emotionally. Right now, she is on the tilt table-wishing that she was back in Florida. It will be nice once we move closer to more of her family and live in a warmer climent. It was nice to just leave our worries behind and enjoy being with the kids and not worrying about insurance, therapies, dr appointments etc…
JENNY LYNN'S NEWS 