Mikele just called, with the words, "I've got the most amazing post yet, for the blog!"Dorothy's been drifting in and out of consciousness all day, as you read earlier. The Doctor came by at 5pm, when Mikele happened to be elsewhere. He said "I'd like to remove the pressure sensor bolt from her head, but I don't think she's awake enough." The Nurse said, "Oh yes, she is! Watch this!" She said, "Dorothy, open your eyes, real wide" ... and Dorothy opened her eyes, really wide. Then she said, "OK! Now, close your eyes tight" ... and Dorothy scrunched her eyes shut, really tight. She didn't just close them. She *scrunched* them closed!
Needless to say, the pressure sensor bolt isn't in her head any more.
Later on, the Nurse and Mikele were doing some things with Dorothy. The nurse said, "Now I want *you* to see it. OK Dorothy, open your eyes wide." Dorothy opened her eyes wide. "Now scrunch them shut" and she scrunched them shut. I suspect it was impossible to move Mikele from her spot by Dorothy, for the rest of the day.
Later, Mikele was talking to Dorothy, and said "Your friend Michelle was here." Dorothy's eyebrows were moving, as if to say, "Oh really? I know her!"
This is great progress! Mikele says she was supposed to expect that Dorothy wouldn't be able to think any more clearly than a 3-year old at this point in her recovery. Recovery. What a wonderful word!
Mikele was chatting on, and asked, "Would you like me to read from the blog?" and started reading from the pages of comments she'd printed out. Eventually, Dorothy's eyes started drifting shut. Mikele asked "Do you want me to read more? Blink twice if you do." ... and Dorothy blinked twice! Mikele read some more, and Dorothy's eyes started drifting closed again. Mikele asked again. Dorothy blinked twice again. Mikele read some more. That went on for awhile. When she read one of Dorothy's girlfriends' names, her eyebrows went up - "I know her! That's my friend!"
It appears that our Dorothy is just itching to bust out! Unfortunately, we won't know if she can talk, until the ventilator comes out, and that won't happen for awhile. Her tongue is so swollen, the Doctor is afraid she'd choke on it.
So now, she has to wait for her tongue to thtop clogging up her mouth, before thhee can finally athk for thum thocolate pudding! :-)
Woo hoo! She's awake and communicating! Now I think Mikele needs to teach her the Morse code. Kidding... :D
Pic from 2005.
12 comments:
That's so good. =D
That's so awesome. x33 <3
I'm so glad she's responding to auditory stimulations. I want to be there so bad to visit and see all of the hushing-klines through this, but with school starting on monday I'm just glad I have this blog to keep me updated. Dorothy and you guys are in my prayers, I hope to hear even better news as the days pass.
dorothy you are amazing!
it's such great news!!!
darling, this is truly a blessing!!
<3
alanna
My family and church has been praying for you. Keep it up. Alanna and michelle attacked me. they scare me sometimes.
SpOt =) :) ;o
Uncle Bob and family--My mom told us about Dorothy. We have been following her great progress on the blog. Thanks to Sumner for the updates! Lynn and I have been thinking about all of you and praying for Dorothy's speedy recovery!! Sounds like she is doing great, keep it up Dorothy!!! We will keep all of you in our prayers. We love all of you.
Jason, Lynn, Brock and Bo
i'm glad she knows my name ^^
i'll write a poem with other familiar things that she'll probably recognize :)
blink three times if you love us dorot!!!
<(^_^<) <(^_^)> (>^_^)>
hey, this is Rachel Glau and old friend of Dorothy's from girlscouts.
I saw what happened on the news. and I am REALLY glad to hear she is doing good. I was trying to find a way to keep updated on her status when one of my friends found these blogs. I am praying for her so much!
Glad to see your still in there Dorothy! I wish we could come by and visit her.
An alternative to Morse Code is a kind of eye code, eyes up for yes eyes down for no, just go through the alphabet to spell out words. Hopefully her tongue will heal soon though. =D
Good idea Lucy! Also, my neighbor just told me his brother and wife had a code when he had a tracheotomy and couldn't talk. She'd offer up the alphabet, and he'd go left or right with his eyes, and that meant the left A-M or right N-Z half of the alphabet. Then they'd do the next half A-G or H-M, until they got it down to a specific letter. I realized we use this "binary search" method in the computer world, for sorted lists all the time. It's much faster than going through the alphabet one letter at a time A-Z.
Hi, it's Taylor. Kelcie's mama. I have soooo much i want to say, but there will be time later. I do know that Mikele and I are in store for a wonderful relationship. The Lord has given me a heart full of love for you and your whole family, and some words that He wants me to share with you. I can't tell you how happy I am with Dorot's progress. The Lord is carrying her, until she can walk again. To Dorot: You are a treasured gift from God given to your parents. They teach you and love you, and prepair you for the world. holding your hand the whole way. They will protect you as no other can. And together,
with your family, friends, and the Lord, you WILL not just recover, but will thrive. Sending much love to you all, including XXXXOOOO
From Taylor (kelcie's mama)
Hi Dorothy, I'm lighting your candle every day now and sending you a big air hug. This morning I put the Christmas tree lights on for you too, as they are soooooo beautiful and I know they would make you smile. (ya know, I never take my christmas tree down till april, so you'll be seeing some colored sparkles in the dark for a while.) I had lunch with your Aunty Ottmay yesterday and we were sending some serious love your way, did you feel it? mixed in with a little chow mein??? Love Sher
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