I spoke to Stephanie this morning and she has asked that I share the following with you.
No one could have prepared her for how difficult Caitlyn's recovery would be after the surgery. The tumor was located at a place in the brain where memory and speech are affected. Caitlyn has been struggling with these functions this past week and it has been very emotional for them to watch. Stephanie will need to re-teach Caitlyn how to do most everything.
As the doctor has been saying all along, we just have to take it one hour and one day at a time. As this week has progressed, there have been positive baby steps in Caitlyn's recovery process. She has been moved out of ICU, she has taken several steps on her own, she is eating well and her speech has improved. Prayers are needed to help Caitlyn find her words and be receptive to learning tasks that are now new to her.
We have a lot to be thankful for today and how far Caitlyn has come in her recovery process. Caitlyn and her family still have a long journey ahead of them and will continue to need our prayers, love and support. Tomorrow we will learn the results of the pathology test from the tumor. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.
Also, thank you for your generous donations to ROTR for Steph and the family. She might need more in the future but at this time she has a good balance on the account to get them through this week. I would encourage anyone who is interested in helping the family to make a donation on this blog.
Stephanie and her family are so grateful to each and every one of you. I know that we are all anxious to reach out to the family but we need to continue to allow them to focus on Caitlyn and send our well wishes by using this blog.
Love,
Mikkel
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As always, our prayers continue!!! We think about you all the time and are sending positive words and love your way!! We are here anytime you need anything. We can clean your house, take care of errands, anything!!!
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Mike, Jenn, and Callie Jane
xoxo
I have had some experience with this, I was involved with speech and occupational therapy for over a year with my son, it is so tough to watch your child struggle with thier words. Remember to be patient, breathe and allow Caitlyn to finish. The brain will recover faster when it used. I watched that first hand. So much trauma... my heart aches for you Stephanie. I have so many books I could give you that will help you through this. When you are ready, let me know. If you guys need anything let me know.
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Nicole DeAngelo
I tried posting a comment yesterday but I don't see it anywhere so I'll try again! Maybe you have met my son, Kyle Mengelkamp. He was in the same class as Ashley. 11 years ago, he suffered a brain hemmorage, and also had brain surgery, and went thru 2 mo. of rehab there at Loma Linda Children's hospital. He, too, needed to relearn how to talk, walk, read, do math, etc.He was 11 yrs. old. It is a long process but you will see huge improvements. 1 because she has an enormous amount of support and 2. the staff there is incredible. As long as she shows improvement, she can stay. My personal recommendation is to keep her there as long as possible even tho you long to have her at home. The intense therapy she will receive is what will bring her to recovery.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if Annie is still the secretary in the rehab unit there, but if she is, please give her a big hug from Kyle and Nancy Mengelkamp. She will remember us. We visited often after his release.
Take care, keep strong. I remember crying buckets of tears (always outside kyle's room!)I so know what you are going thru.
Warmly,
Nancy
PS-oh. . .and Kyle graduated from college last May :)Keep the faith!
Caitlyn has such a strong, amazing spirit. Please let us know if we can do anything. We love you guys. We will continue to pray for her and for your family to have the strength that you need, also.
ReplyDeleteGood day Stephanie: I am following your blogs and Patty sent me the connection to it. Please know that all of us from Greece and those whom I have asked for donations and prayers are all with you and know that God is taking care and watching over sweet Caitlyn...we expect next year for my son Haris to meet up with her of which we are looking forward to....God speed ahead and wishing you a lot of luck, hope and love. Joyce Gleeson-Adamidis and family
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