Hi Everyone,

We’re having a tough beginning to our July. The weather has been terrible in PA and Accu-Weather Corey can feel the change in the barometric pressure everyday. She’s had a headache since last Wednesday.

Corey also decided to test me with a fall today. She was resting on the couch hoping to relieve today’s headache, sat up without me, reached for her glasses on the coffee table, lost her balance and fell off the couch. She fell to her left side, her weaker side, and could not break her fall. She landed on the family room floor bruising her left cheek and her right knee.

We have been applying ice on her shiner and knee all day. We called her Doctor immediately and went to the local imaging center for x-rays to make sure she didn’t do more damage than the multiple shades of purple reflecting off her cheek and under her eye were presenting. The Radiologists report should be back tomorrow but this evening she looked much better, was aware of her surroundings, but she had no idea she fell or why her cheek hurt (amazing how prevalent the memory loss is despite the pain in her cheek).

We have had multiple conversations about her gymnastic stunt and I’ve tried to explain to her if she continues practicing her somersaults, I’m going to need more hair dye!

On a less stressful note; Corey continues to make gains at PT/OT. We are looking at submitting a request for more botox. Corey’s left arm and leg seem to be contracting again. Botox will by-pass the signal blocked by the brain to the muscles in her arm/leg. Once numbed, Natalie and Anne can continue to push more challenging exercises which will strengthen Corey’s muscles. More strength, more flexibility = greater range of motion. In the meantime, we are pushing her long distance walking, balancing, bike riding and (for fun and therapy) we are beginng to learn how to play the piano. Music heals both sides of the brain. It will increase her processing, response time, dexterity and hand flexibility/coordination. All of this will carry over to her ability to be independent in the kitchen which we all know is her main focus.

It has been a very long emotional day. Once again I’m reminded how quickly an accident can happen, especially when I’m not far away! I know you all keep us in your daily prayers, but please add a few extra to slow down my gray hairs! xoxo