Homecoming!!!

Tania completed her last week of therapy at Craig Hospital this afternoon at 3:45. She then received a farewell party complete with one of her favorite desserts...brownies. The photo above includes Casey (left), her occupational therapist and Denise, her physical therapist.

Upon arriving home around 5:00 we were greeted by our kids, Laycee and our granddaughter. Following a delicious dinner brought to us by very dear friends and supporters, we helped Tania go downstairs for bed. I want to thank everyone for their prayer support for Tania's transition back home.

Rollie

Seven Months

This morning Tania went on an "outing" to Cherry Hills Community Church for worship and to hear a well known author, Lee Strobel, speak. She got dressed up in a new outfit and got to wear some new jewlery that she received for Christmas. She also wore her wedding band for the first time in seven months. She enjoyed meeting Tara, Saydie, Travis and Laycee at church, but she decided that she would rather return to the hospital after the service instead of having a family lunch.

Yesterday afternoon she had an "outing" to come home for a couple of hours. She started the time at home by helping to fold some recently laundered clothes and then took a nap in the bed that was moved by our sons earlier in the week to the study on the first floor. Her nap was over when Saydie and parents arrived to see grammy.

Each week Tania continues to demonstrate continual recovery. However, there are certainly more challenges ahead as we make plans for her to move home in five days. Please pray for a smooth transition. Thanks.

Rollie

St. Patrick's Day Brunch

As part of her occupational therapy, Tania hosted a St. Patrick's Day Brunch today and she invited approximately 25 friends and family. She walked in with the assistance of her physical therapist, Denise. She baked banana bread and made a sausage egg casserole with her occupational therapist, Casey. Once her guests arrived, she used a microphone to help amplify her voice for the presentation that she had written and practiced with her speech therapist, Julie.

The event was a success and we are so encouraged by the progress she is making! Thanks for the guests that brought food to share and we also want to extend a big thanks to the Craig Hospital team for making Tania work hard...it's paying off!

Tara and Rollie

Outing to the Denver Aquarium

Yesterday afternoon Tania and approximately 15 other patients, Craig Hospital staff and family members rode the handicap bus to the Denver Aquarium. Tania very much enjoyed the three hour outing and at one exhibit she stood up from the wheel chair so she could get a better look over the rail of the exhibit.

After lunch today she took a ride in Tara's car through a nice residential area near the hospital. She also enjoyed a chocolate shake from MacDonald's. We are most thankful that she continues to improve and is initiating more questions and conversation each week.

Rollie

First Car Ride in 2010

This afternoon I was given permission to take Tania out of the hospital for an "outing". Once Tania was seated in the car, I took her wheelchair apart and stored it in the trunk. We were gone for about an hour and went to Tara's house in Highlands Ranch to say "hi". Although I offered to stop at a clothing store for her to shop, she declined because she was getting tired.

She had a good week of therapy and is making progress on eating foods with more texture. On Tuesday, she told her speech therapist, "I want to get a certificate so I can eat something besides junk food". Last night I treated her to a carry in restaurant meal in the Friendship Room in the Craig Apartment Building. She said it tasted good!

Rollie

Six Months

6 months of hospitals down and 1 to go. Tania is set to be released on March 26, so just over 7 months of hospital time.

The last six months have been a rollercoaster. There have been times, like when my mom was in surgery, when the seconds on the clock seemed like hours. Other times when family and friends have gathered, we have laughed and prayed and these times have flown by.

My family was spending time in the tv room at Craig yesterday and a new patient's father walked in and said, "Wow, this is a nice room". It made me realize, that my family has scoped out so many hospitals...I know the best chairs, where to get coffee, the tucked away bathrooms and even where to find the best mountain views in many of Denver's hospitals. I truly hope this is some of that useless information we store in our heads and never need to use again!

Here are a few recent stories of Tania's recovery journey:

• Last week I went to one of my mom's speech therapy sessions. Her therapist was working on facial expressions and Tania was holding a mirror to see her own facial expressions when her therapist read a scenario. One of the scenarios said, how do you feel when you have had an argument with a family member and you realize that you were wrong. Tania's facial expression looked puzzled. Not the expression her therapist was looking for. Finally, Tania said "I'm never wrong". All of the rest of us in the room cracked up! Great to see some of her spunk returning!


• On Valentines day she received a large stuffed bear. She enjoys holding it and squeezing it, but when my father was out of the room, she said "I am NOT sleeping with that bear".


• My mom's sister, Sonia, has been in town this week and attending therapy sessions with Tania. One day Sonia had a water bottle and she walked away for a few minutes, when she came back Tania was drinking out of the bottle. Sonia asked what she doing drinking out of the bottle and with a smile, Tania said "I stole it."


• Yesterday, Saydie was able to visit and my Mom held her for a little bit while Saydie was enjoying a bottle. Afterwords, Saydie was sitting on a table and able to look eye to eye and give Grandma kisses.


• She has now been eating for about a week. She said the first thing she wanted to eat when she was allowed was brownies. I have the mix out and we are going to make some warm yummy brownies this afternoon and share them with the rest of the family.

We are so grateful for the prayer support from our family and friends! One of Tania's friends recently asked her how she could pray for her. My mom's response was "Pray that I focus on things eternal". I ask that you pray as she requested.

Tara

Sisters Enjoying Each Other's Company

I enjoyed sharing Tania's busy day of therapy sessions with her. She started out having current events read to her and having to answer questions about the article. She found it funny and did quite well with her answers!!

In speech therapy Julie wanted her to eat some chocolate pudding - Tania said," Why do they always want me to eat?" I told her chocolate pudding was good for her and they wanted to see how she swallowed. She just nodded and complied.

After lunch we talked about her busy afternoon schedule - at 1:30 she was to ride her bike until 2:00. She rode the whole 30 minutes and at 2 she said "go get that man - so he can get me out of this!" I got Dan and he said she had almost ridden 2 miles -- which is GREAT!!!

We spent time looking through cookbooks and planning a meal she could cook sometime- She provided good input into this activity. When Laycee brought Saydie for a visit during PT Tania was quick to smile. While Tania was laying on the mat and Saydie started to climb on her stomach Tania said (in a strong voice) "you're not helping me!!

We ended the day the decorating candles in the recreation department.

Sonia