Jenny’s progress keeps improving, but she has a few set backs every now and then. Earlier in the week, Jenny was suffering from horrible pelvic contractions/spasms that turned out to be related to a blocked catheter. Once the problem was discovered, she went back to normal. It brought back the memories of her earlier times at the hospital and it was difficult to see because there is so little I can do to help with this pain. Jenny has been able to interact with family by way of video over the internet. Previously, we put the phone to her ear and someone had to listen and tell the speaker when Jenny blinked “yes” and “no”. Now, Jenny can nod to to answer questions and has more of a feeling of independence. Plus, she is able to see people like her new nephew in something other than a still picture. Technology sure has made life more enjoyable for her and I imagine than 5-10 years ago that many things she is able to do would not have been available- which gives hope for what will come in the next 5-10 years.

Jenny got rid of a few more medical related things today and did some aqua therapy indoors today. The weather has been cool in Indy this summer – which happens to be the first year we try to get to a pool more often. Anyhow, with just under 2 weeks’ break from aqua therapy, Jenny was able to demonstrate new movements in the water with her left leg, as well as right arm and leg. Many times, Jenny surprises herself when she is asked to try something and she ends up doing it. I have learned that it does not hurt to ask. I ended up getting Jenny’s face in the water, by accident, and she did fine – despite my error. Her biggest problem was laughing too much.

Jenny enjoyed her birthday last Sunday and is most positive that now she is 31, things can only get better. She really liked 2 parts of her party. The first was the lasagna that her sister made (with plenty of leftovers). The second, which was a surprise to me, was a simple watch that speaks the time on the hour. It appears that we have erred when it comes to keeping Jenny informed of the time and date. I did hang a large wall clock, but I guess that is only good if I also placed her so she could watch it when she needed to know the time. It appears that this simple gift was another way to lift one more barrier.

We have been slowly getting rid of medical related equiptment which the act of doing so serves as a symbol of her progress. The trache is obviously gone (the hole seems to be completly closed now), I have removed head and trunk supports form her wheel chair. The medical rental company removed medical equiptment from her room. There are also various plans to removed or reduce other medical related things in her life. At times when progress has slowed, or she has experienced decline in her vision, it tends to be a positive boost to have these medical things removed.