Hi Everyone,
We’ve had a fun filled time with many new recipes. There’s nothing like cooking therapy to get through a cold winter weekend.
One of the meals we prepared was a family favorite; Dedema’s chicken cutlets with “fancy bread”, mashed potatoes and string bean casserole. Both JohnPaul and Caitlin had Saturday night off (a rare occurrence). We celebrated with a belated birthday party for JohnPaul. Corey not only helped with dinner, she made the cake! (With the help of Betty Crocker…but the decorations were original) JohnPaul has played with Lego’s since he was old enough to build. We thought it only appropriate he celebrate his 25th birthday with a Lego cake. Check out the photo gallery.
Spending time with Corey and watching her interact with JohnPaul and Caitlin is a wonderful gift. She lights up when they are home. As you can imagine, the affects of her injuries are not exclusive to her. The kids, our friends and our community have been deeply affected by her accident as well. But as Corey heals, so do we.
Working with new families through the BIA, I am frequently asked “How are we going to do this”? Unfortunately each TBI is unique. No two patients will heal the same way or at the same rate. The brain is not a bone. All bones heal in 6 weeks the brain can take years. This is the most difficult answer a family member can hear. We share our experience for what it’s worth.
From the day Corey moved from the ICU to Bryn Mawr, it was a daily choice to speak and work with her as if it were October 1st not the days after October 2nd. Staying positive and focused is not easy, but if we don’t make the effort how will she or the rest of us move forward if we continue to look back or decide to stand still? Every day we wake up and hold our breath, waiting to see how Corey’s day will unfold. Will there be another “1st”? Will she slip back?
Then one day “we are awakened” to find that not only has she progressed ~ so have we. The pain, worry and anxiety suddenly are replaced (even for a moment) with joy, laughter and a feeling of contentment. When did it happen? The timeline isn’t the answer…it’s pushing through the hard days as we waited for the possibilities others talked about but now we are beginning to understand.
Recovery; the regaining of or possibility of regaining something lost or taken away.
The answer to the question; Nothing is Impossible…
The difficult is easy, the impossible just takes a little longer ~ xoxo