Between 5 and 8 p.m. this evening, Kate's eyes were open and blinking non-stop, and her mouth was moving almost as much. She was in a position she doesn't much like lying on her left side, so I sat next to her on that side a rarity for me. I took her hand in mine (even though it has a monitor on her index finger) and massaged it.
She squeezed my hand! For over an hour, Kate squeezed my hand at first on command, then constantly just because she was showing off!!!!! Tonight was the best day I've had since she was born. I felt that she was there that she understood me that she was communicating!
Michael's dream that she is waking up is coming true. I remember Kate's reaction when Mike stood next to her bed at the Marquette ICU and told her about the dream: her heart rate and blood pressure went up. But she was deep in a coma then. Now she is just below the surface, ready to wake up and say "Where the f@#k am I?"
More later.
Mom Angie
Kate, the stinker that she is, keeps squeezing my hand, but will never do it for the doctors.
Until today.
A nurse standing two feet away today saw Kate give me a particularly hard squeeze and ran to note it on her chart. Later, Dawn, the wonderful nurse who posted here a few days ago, said Kate squeezed her hand (to command) just as the neuro was coming in for an assesment. Dawn says she heard the doctor encouraging Katie, and yelling for her to open her eyes further. She believes Kate squeezed his hand, too.
Earlier today I got depressed because the neuro's assistant came in for an assesment and said nothing encouraging at all. Not two minutes later, Katie was squeezing my hand. I should know by now not to underestimate my daughter. Slap me up the next time I doubt her progress just because the doctors may not believe. The assistant said Kate's mouthing is just a reaction. You and I know differently. When she moves her mouth...she is talking to ME!!!!!!
I am off to the hospital tonight to hold hands with my daughter.
Mom Angie
Katie is ready to go to what's called "coma recovery" or "acute rehabilitation". Now that Katie is off the vent and starting to respond on command, there are a few more places in the Milwaukee area available to place her. Angie and I checked out one this morning and dad and Angie checked out another this afternoon. The one from this morning is known around the country. Kate will stay at Burlington Memorial while dad and Angie determine the best place for her (and insurance approvals are granted). We'll keep you posted.
-Melissa
I remember when the nurse first told me my girl had turned the corner. She was still in the coma, but it was pretty awesome.
Although it wasn't as awesome as the first time I was talking to her and the blood pressure went up and all that jazz. She knew I was there.
Christ, that ruled.
I'll keep thinking hopefuly thoughts for Katie. How are you holding up?