They say that the next couple months are big for Jenny’s improvments. She does more and more each day. Her tiny movements are such big deal to us because each and every increase is one more thing she can do that she was not suppose to do. There are still frustrations. Her eyes are a problem because she still has double vision and her glasses do not work very well in bed. She was examined by an eye doctor today who gave very little that we could do to help, except patching an eye to stop the double vision. He also discouraged the use of contact lenses for fear of infection and other eye problems right now. But this was still our best day yet.

I was able to be there duing her speech therapy. She ate another popsicle (a few bites). This time, she opened and closed her mouth on her own and had good swallowing. She was also given water and apple sauce, which she did okay with. All of the these went down the right pipe with no problems. Jenny also gets to were a speaking valve on her trache (it lets air in the trache but directs it through the vocal cords on the way out the mouth and nose) most of the day. It was so great to hear her finally! She has made no noise for 4 weeks now and I did not realize how much I missed it. Most of the sounds are moans and slight word sounds. She does have her beautiful laugh back. In the past month, cries and laughs were silent. She moves her mouth and tongue slightly as she tries to sound out words. I can’t describe the feeling of hearing and seeing this. They took the valve off for a nap and we put it back on in the evening for Zach to hear her make sounds. We practiced words for fun and she was actually making sounds where you could almost recognize the word. Her ability to make sounds increased greatly in just those few hours. I kept working with her to say, “Hi” to Zach when he came to visit. He came in, Jenny said the word, and Zach knew what she said! Jenny was also able to make voluntary movements with her arms and right leg during occupational therapy. She was able to do them for me as well. The therapists are almost in tears each time she does a little move for them. I am in tears every time.

Jenny had a much better day on Friday. Zach was able to see her sitting up in a special wheel chair/bed, which made her look more like herself. She made some great movements in her left arm and was laughing tons.
Saturday was difficult because she could never get into a comfortable position (which may be relative in her situation) and she was dealing with infections, bacterias, congestion, cramping, and fever. I brought in a video of Zach’s first soccer game (in which he scored a goal), but Jenny made us aware that seeing has been difficult and she was unable to really see well – even with glasses. I was told by doctors that double vision is common, but may only be temporary. It is frustrating to not know what to do to make her feel better. For now, I suction her mouth, reposition her, ask if she needs the nurse, do range of motion, try to play music of her choice, and just be there and talk with her. It really does not seem to help much, but I guess it might be worse without it.

Last summer, Jenny joined her mother on a trip to London to she Melissa (Jenny’s sister) perform in a show. Jenny was reluctant at first because it was too close to other big trips, but I am glad she went. She made audio tapes for the kids where she told them she loved and missed them and then read them a story. I found the books and tapes (4 in all) and let the kids listen ot the 1st. It was “What Mommie Do Best/ What Daddies Do Best”. It seemed to help the kids, but It was difficult for me to hear- even thought I was longing to hear her voice. At the end of the story, Jenny reassured them that while she was not able to be with them that Daddy was going to take care of them for her until she gets back.