HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hi all,
Sorry I haven't written, I couldn't get on my blog page due to user error, I had blocked something in security and couldn't get on. Anyway I titled this update Halloween because Christie has always loved Halloween. I will add some pictures of Christie's past costumes.
I call everyday several times to check on Christie, nothing much to add. Richard and Angie got to visit Monday, they called and let me talk to Christie. Sharon asked when I was going to get to go see Christie again, the answer is as soon as I can. I am tapped out, due to attorneys fees and all the visits I've made thus far. As soon as I save up enough, I'll be gone again. This time, My Daddy is going to make the trip, We will have to take it slower, due to his medical condition. Daddy hasn't seen Christie since her last trip home in December. For those of you close to the family, you know what I mean when I say Daddy needs to go as soon as he can if he is going to see her. I would love to go now, but I have to be content with sending Christie care packages every week. This week I sent her new clothes for her new school, besides she needed winter clothes anyway, all she had was shorts and Capri's for summer.
Thanks for every ones prayers,
Becky
P.S. Pictures at bottom

Still remembers

Christie is having a good day. She wanted to talk to me so the Facility I will call it FCC for short called me. Christie remembered I am still only a phone call away.I wish I knew what she was saying back but she got to hear me and know I was there. She got her letter from me today. It did arrive Thursday, but it was in an office somewhere, so she got her letter. The nurse said Christie did a thumbs up when she read it.
Becky

Really doing good

Christie seems to be doing good at her new "home" I call several times a day, and every time I call, she is either in activities, on her way to activities or just got back. I don't have an update on how she is doing in therapies yet, but I know she has them 3 times a week for 30-45 minutes each. Christie asks where she is, and she looks at the pictures from the wreck and seems to be understanding more, or at least remembering more. Christie remembered she is 16 that is better than when she thought she was 13.I sent her Halloween costume, but she hasn't gotten it yet, it was suppose to get there Thursday, but you know how the mail can get. That's another thing, Christie will get to dress up and take part in the Halloween festivities that the center is having.
Keep praying Christie will remain happy and in good spirits,
Becky

Missing her even more

Christie seems to be settling in, although she asks about me when she wakes up and says she wants to go home. I called to check on her today. Today was movie day. I was excited she would be going to the movies, it has been a very long time since she has gotten to do or go anywhere other than the doctors. She didn't get to go today, because Richard hasn't signed the papers for her to be permitted to go. Maybe he will soon.
Keep praying,
Becky

Doing O.K.

Christie seems to be doing O.K. I called this morning and she was going to activities. I called back this afternoon, and she was in bed, She had been in bed for about an hour. They said she was going to stay in bed for another hour, then she would get up and go to afternoon activities. I don't know what she does, I really can't get any details on what it is she does in activities..
I am sending her a Halloween costume in tomorrows mail. Christie said she wanted to be a vampire, so that is what I got her. I am also sending a disposable camera so they can take pictures for me of Christie doing everyday activities. I will post them when I get them. Unfortunately I won't be getting pictures as often as I was.
Becky

Settling In

Christie seems to be doing well settling in. She will be having physical therapies 3 times a week, She will be having occupational therapies 3 to 5 times a week. Speech will meet with her tomorrow I'll know more about that then. Some of the things she will be working on in these therapies is trying to move herself around in bed, dress herself and do things for herself. She can already wipe her face with a wet cloth, she can put chap stick on and Tuesday I saw her put her right arm in a long sleeve shirt by herself using her teeth. She will also be going to activities daily, some of those are painting, coloring, computer etc.
Madge and Dave called from Christie's room so we could talk to her again. I went down to Mama's and daddy's so they could talk to her as well.The facility put a phone in Christie's room today, so I can call and talk with her.
Thanks for your continued prayers,
Becky

nice surprise

I had a nice surprise Madge and Dave called me from Christie's room so I could talk to Christie. She said she missed me and loved me. I asked her if she wanted to watch CSI tonight, and she said yes. So they are going to turn her TV to survivor at 8:00, then CSI comes on right after. Madge and Dave are going to call back in the morning so I can tell her good morning. I'm going to go down to mama's and daddy's so they can talk to her to.
Thanks Madge and Dave
Becky

Back home, missing Christie again

Hi Everyone,
We are back from Florida. We went to see Christie Monday morning, and found out when we arrived that Christie was being moved to Miami Florida Tuesday morning at 6:00 A.M. despite all the talking and begging to not move Christie so far from everyone was to no avail. Mama and I didn't want Christie to be alone in such a transition, we arrived at the facility in Miami before Christie did.I'm glad we where there when she arrived. The first thing she wrote to us was "Why am I here, did I do something wrong" We told her no, it was just a new place for her to live for awhile.
We did get Christie's room the way she wanted it. She pointed to the places she wanted her pictures and posters and we hung them up. I did notice that a lot of her cards, all of them from the youth at church wasn't with her stuff, and some of her family pictures wasn't there either. We stayed with Christie until supper time, we didn't make it back to our room until 8:00 P.M. Christie didn't want us to leave. Christie asked are you going to leave I said yes but later today, but I'll be back soon. She mouthed how soon? I wrote, I'll be back before you know it. Christie wrote under it "Good because I would kill something to get you back" Needless to say that about killed me. I would have loved to stay longer, but we had to get back for court Wednesday.I had told the staff to watch Christie closely, she would pull out her feeding tube if left alone, I called to check on her on my way back to Port Charlotte, and sure enough, she had already pulled the feeding tube out.
I had hoped court would go better, but the judge awarded Richard guardianship. I wanted Christie here in S.C. at a facility that has a bed available, so that I could see her everyday and work with her, but the opposing side said Christie has come this far without family around her, so since Richard was the primary resident parent, in our joint custody arrangement, he was given guardianship.The opposing side, also thought I treated Christie like a baby instead of a 16 year old girl, and that they thought that would hinder her recovery, even though the 16 year old girl in question has part of her brain removed, can't walk, talk, eat or go to the bathroom on her own, she should be treated like a 16 year old. Does that make sense to anyone? Christie attorney even said Christie had indicated on 4 separate occasions she wanted to be with her Mama, that didn't help either.
The only thing I can do now is try to visit her even more so she is not alone. All the way in Miami, with her Dad back at work full time(40 hours) and not being able to drive, I don't see him visiting much, plus it is 3 1/2 hours from where he lives. Please keep praying for Christie. She needs it more now that ever, she is alone and a long way from home.I'll still update as often as I can, but with Richard as guardian, and Philip saying I can't call his house for anyone in the house I will be limited as to the information I can get.We are still praying that God will work it out so that she is closer to family.
Thanks,
Becky

Christie here I come

Hey everyone,
All is well in my little corner of the world. I'm going to go see Christie. I'm leaving in the morning. If I have Internet at the hotels, I'll try and update. if not I'll give a full report when I get home along with lots of pictures. Please continue to pray for Wednesdays court date. Pray that the best for Christie will prevail, even if it means she has to stay in Florida. i like to think God has a reason and her healing will continue to give her a better chance at life. Thank you everyone for all that you do.
Becky

Friday

Christie is doing well. Christie did very well while they did the swallow test. She cooperated with them while they did it. She still can't swallow well enough to eat on her own, she does get to try things in therapy. Christie had vanilla yogurt this morning, just a few bites. Yesterday she had ice chips, mashed up banana and honey like drink. It is a start and a long way from 6 months ago. Christie also is still doing well pointing to letters to communicate. She also has moved up to one on one care, meaning if she is in her room in bed, she won't have the mitt on she hates so much. Someone will be in there with her.
Please keep praying,
Becky

Swallow test

Hi everyone,
Christie had her swallow test today. I won't know the outcome for a few days. The therapist doesn't think it will go very well, but we will see. Expect the worst hope for the best.Friday we have our monthly meeting. I will attend by speaker phone.I will hear from all the therapist on how Christie has progressed, and I will get to ask them questions on how Christie is doing, what the future holds. etc.
Becky

Tuesday

Christie is doing well. She got her new wheel chair today. She was to have the swallow test tomorrow, but it has been moved to Thursday or Friday. They wanted time to prepare Christie for the test. It is uncomfortable but it is worth it if she can eat and drink again.
Becky

Monday

Christie is doing great. I don't really have much to update. Paula went and visited today, as well as Christie's Dad. Paula sent me new pictures, I've added some of them to the page. notice in one the bracelet Christie helped make, also her hair is long enough in the front you can't see her scar. Thanks for the prayers. I get to see her soon.
Becky

At it again

Christie is doing good. She has learned to pull the mitten off with her teeth. She got the mitten off Saturday, and then pulled the feeding tube out. It was put back in and all is well again, except she still has to wear the mitten she hates.
Becky

News with Christie

Christie is doing great. She is having a swallow study Wednesday,that will hopefully make way for the feeding tube to be gone. I don't know how long that will take, but it is a start. Also Christie will get her own wheel chair Tuesday.
Thanks for the continued prayers,
Becky

That's my Girl part 2

Hey Everyone,
My Baby Girl is doing GREAT. She says she wants to ride in a car. Christie helped Ms. Rachelle (hope I spelled it right) make a bracelet. Christie had helped her make a pillow before. Christie is wearing the bracelet she helped make. Christie also has been playing UNO, and Christie also asked for Joy Bear. When Joy Bear was brought to her, Christie smiled and Christie takes Joy Bear with her to all of her therapies.She is doing fantastic. If I haven't spoken it lately, Thank You Jesus for all you are doing in My baby girls life.
Christie's Momma

That's my Girl

Christie is doing great. I talked with a staff member and they said Christie was really doing well. Christie said "she wanted her freedom", Christie wanted to go outside, but she mouthed not with chair. Christie wanted to walk. Christie was told she needed the chair to help her for now, but that therapy was helping her to be able to walk, Christie said O.K.. Christie likes playing tic tac toe, connect four and she even helped one of the Ladies make a pillow for another patient. It has only been 5 1/2 months and Christie has far surpassed everything anyone ever thought. It takes the brain 2 years to heal. I can't wait to see the continued miracles in Christie's life. I may never know why this terrible tragedy occurred, but I know it is bound to have touched someones life. Maybe that is why.
I love you Christie,
Love Mom