Merry Christmas from Christie

Hello everyone,
Please know this is going to be a long entry. So much to say about Christmas with Christie. We went to see Christie for Christmas. We got there before she got off the bus from school. We spent our time waiting talking with Chris. He is another resident at FCC. Chris is a young man whom Mama and I have adopted. He calls us Mama and Mam maw like Christie does. We visit with him when we see Christie.
Christie was meet at the bus with her Santa hat in hand. Christie and I have always worn Santa hats at Christmas. We spent a few minutes outside looking at a new born kitten that the mama cat was trying desperately to find a safe spot to put her kitten. They must have been born the night before but it appeared that one had drowned in all the rain that Miami had Thursday night.
We went inside to the " Christmas Party" it was a beautiful but sad event all at the same time. It reminded me of a movie scene set at an orphanage. All of the children were set in a semi circle in front of a table laden with gifts. The gifts where handed out and each child received one gift. They spent a little while looking and playing with there gifts. There was also some finger foods provided for the ones that could eat it. Then the children returned to there rooms or to the hall way and Christmas was over. Christie had a great time. She kept asking " is it Christmas" I would say "yes" and she would say "Is there a present for me?" I said "yes, you have a lot of presents" Christie had a great time opening her gifts.
We where also ecstatic to find out while we where there that Christie is now eating 3 meals a day even at school. They are still pureed but she isn't receiving anything from the feeding tube at this time. If this continues with no problem the feeding tube will be removed at a later time. We where also more happy to learn that all though the surgeons and doctors have said Christie will not walk, CHRISTIE IS WALKING. Christie can walk with assistance half the length of the hall way. Pillar the physical therapist said she was going to surprise us with Christie walking on Christmas day. I know Richard will send us all a video of such a happy and monumental moment as he did when Christie first stood.
After the party we hung out with Christie, had supper with her then tucked her into bed. She was exhausted. She gets up for school about 5 A.M. I think I was told.
Saturday we went back. and spent the day with Christie. We just chilled out. We both drew or colored with her new art set. While she drew I treated her to a day at Mama's Spa. I brushed and braided her hair, shaved her legs and applied a nice smelling lotion that Christie liked the smell of, and I cut her toe nails. It was fun to see her admiring her fresh pampered look. Sometime during that day we watched "second hand lion " on TV. I got up in Christie's bed and she sat beside me in her chair with her feet propped up on the bed next to mine. We also had lunch and supper with Christie.
Sunday we spent most of the day with Christie. We had lunch together. Mrs. Patricia the speech therapist was there. Christie ate very well. After lunch Christie was to have therapy.Mrs. Patricia was going to let Christie chose which kind of chips she wanted. Christie is working on eating crunchy things in therapy. When asked what kind she wanted, Christie raised her hand as in school and said actually I really don't want any I'm full.She made a face like a chipmunk with checks full. It was really funny. Christie is so much like the girl she has always been. There's still pieces missing that will never return but it is awesome to see what is.
The whole weekend was great, It was also great to see Brittany, Christie's roommate before she left. Brittany got to go home Saturday for good. She has progressed enough to where she was able to leave. I look forward to the day when Christie to gets to come home.
I can't wait til the next visit with Christie.

Christmas

Hi Everyone,
I have no new updates at this time. I will be going to see Christie for Christmas and I will update and add new pictures then.

Giving Thanks

I just talked to Christie she was very talkative tonight. We talked for 56 minutes. I told her bye and she said " no bye yet" so we talked some more. As always she talks of coming home, wanting a job and asking where she is. Talking to her reminds me of the wonderful Thanksgiving I had this year. The only thing that could have made it any better would have been for Christie to be home with the rest of the family. I got to have my first meal and Thanksgiving with Christie since before the wreck. Then on Thanksgiving my son was here from the Navy to spend Thanksgiving with me. it really was wonderful.
I can't wait for Christmas so I can go see Christie again.Scheduling is a little harder because Xander and Christie are in school and I don't want Xander to miss days.It was easier before they started school. I would just pack up and we would go when I could. It is well worth the effort and the trip. I look forward to the day when Christie is back home and we can see each other everyday. Please pray that day comes soon.

Thanksgiving Dinner

The dinner with Christie was GREAT!. I was so happy getting to be with her. I got to let her have the middle of a deviled egg. She loves them and we always have them at Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to see such enjoyment from something so small that we all take for granted.I also gave her a bite of potato salad that was a pre packaged salad. Christie has always loved my potato salad. She made my day by exclaiming " It's not like home" I think she was saying it's not like Mama fixes.Either way close enough. This was the most wonderful time. I knew I would be happy but that doesn't even come close to the emotion I was feeling I could hardly contain myself.
I would also like to say Thank you to Mrs. Patricia, Christie's speech therapist. It was so nice of you to be there so Christie could be with us on such a special occasion. Mrs. Patrica has done a wonderful job with Christie. I will post pictures but in one of them. Patricia was checking on Christie's swallowing and she was very close to Christie to hear Christie speak to make sure her throat was clear and Christie hiccuped right in Patricia's face.It's one of those shocked, embarrassed and funny things all at once. It would have made a great Master Card commercial it was indeed priceless.
It was a long trip for a day but worth every mile. Round trip was over 1600 miles I would gladly do it again to see Christie so happy.

Will be a Great Thanksgiving

FCC will be having their annual Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday. I found out today Christie will be there and will be able to eat dinner. Patricia the speech therapist will be there to help Christie.I will be there to eat the first meal with my daughter in a year and a half. What better time to get to eat with her than Thanksgiving. I also found out today Christie will be up graded to 3 meals a day now but she will have to be feed by a CNA. Christie can feed herself but she doesn't understand not to put to much in her mouth and she chokes herself. Richard and I will also be trained to feed her. I will start my training Thursday at the Thanksgiving dinner. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I hope you all have as great a time Thanksgiving with your families as I will this Thursday with Christie.

Visit with Christie & Court

Hi everyone,
I just got home and know everyone is anxiously awaiting the outcome of court. Court was canceled again. It has been decided that Richard and I should go before a mediator discuss and try to decided the best placement for Christie. If we can't come to a agreement then it will go back before the court for a judge to decide.
The visit with Christie was great. I even got to take her on the swings. I don't know which of us enjoyed it the most or who was the most tired afterward. Christie also remembered how to write her number 1-5 in Japanese. Joy bear got new pink tennis shoes and Christie has started drawing again. Christie still thinks she is 13 and she said she wants to stay the same forever and not have to grow up. I have included new pictures at the bottom. Please continue to Pray.
Becky

Christie Went to school

Christie finally started school. She went Thursday. Sure wish I was with her to see how her first day of school in 1 1/2 years went.Time stands still for no man. It breaks my heart to think of all the time and memories she has lost. I wish I was there for her to tell me all about her first day of school just like she use to do.

Song Titled... " Time after Time"

How much longer does Christie have to beg before she is allowed to come home?Life really isn't fair. The people who hurt no one are the ones that are hurt the most.Christie has never hurt anyone.But her life has changed forever.People responsible for it no consequences

One Step Back

Here is an email Richard or Dave sent me...


Becky,
Patricia has told me that she is going to have to scale back expectations regarding Christie's progression in eating on her own. Christie is going to have to comprehend that she is having problems and not lash out and argue over it. Yesterday Christie began eating too fast and became agitated when corrected and tried to hit Patricia. Even when starting to hurt herself with her actions, Christie does not listen to directions that can help her. It was also stated that Christie needs to feed herself instinctively without assistance and that is why no one needs feed Christie but herself. It would nullify all therapy if someone did. As it stands now, for safety's sake, Christie will be staying on a one pureed meal a day diet for a while with only assistance from the Therapist.

Continuing to improve

I got an email from Richard. Christie didn't go to the neurologist Friday, she went and got her cast off. Why he couldn't have just said that before I don't know. Anyway to the GREAT part. Christie had a soft p-nut butter sandwich today. Her therapist says she is doing really well and progressing well. If all goes well Christie will be getting 3 meals a day by mouth sometime in the next 2 weeks. Christie will continue to have the feeding tube in but it will not be used. The feeding tube must remain in for a least a month while she is eating in case she should aspirate. They would have to put in another feeding tube so this one will remain in place until we know Christie can do it completely on her on. You go girl. She gets her determination or as some would call it her stubbornness from her Mama. Just ask anyone who know me. ;)