Christie Martel

Monday, August 18, 2008

She's Back

Yesterday Paula and Aaron went to visit Christie. They had a really great visit. They wrote to each other on the magna doodle. The one thing that was the greatest.Anyone who knows Christie knows how much she loves to pinch. Well, a picture is worth 1000 words. Sorry Aaron.
Becky

School started early for Christie

I talked to Kim, Christie's speech therapist. Kim introduced Christie to the computer, Christie maneuvered the mouse herself. Christie scored a 100% on her comprehension. She read each of the paragraphs and used the mouse to answer the question correctly. School would have started for Christie tomorrow if this terrible wreck had not occurred, I guess Christie got a head start.She took her test and scored 100%. I've been told Richard will start back to work in 2 months, If he does, then maybe Christie's insurance will continue and Christie will be able to remain at FINR for the full 2 years. What a blessing that would be for her in her recovery.
Becky

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Getting better all the time

Christie is doing great. I talked to the dietitian today, and they are going to try increasing her tube feedings a little to make sure she isn't hungry. I should get a report Friday and see how that is going. Her therapies are going well. She really is doing a great job. She is a real fighter. Christie has already surpassed every ones expectations, and she is still going. I think she may be related to the energizer bunny.After all she is her mama's daughter.
Becky

Saturday, August 9, 2008

God is Good

Mama and I went to see Christie. We got to see her Thursday and Friday. Mama brought her a poster of a dragon. Christie loves dragons. I brought her 3 books on CD. We thought it might help kill time when she doesn't have visitors or therapies.
Christie has improved so much. If you speak to her, she gets confused and mouths "What" Kim, the speech therapist found out if you write to Christie on a dry erase board, that she can read and understand what you wrote. Christie also surprised us all by writing back. I will post some of the pictures of her messages tomorrow as I have just got home and have a lot to do. I would ask that if anyone is in contact with Christie, please don't eat or drink or talk of food in front of her. She has written and mouthed the words that she wants food. So please be courteous to her. Thank you. Also, she got her braces for her legs. She has to wear them 24/7 unless she is getting a bath. She don't like them but I showed her pictures of her feet and explained why she needs them so now she calls them her new shoes. The nurses ask her if she is in pain so they can give her something if she is. Christie is fortunate to have such caring people that are there to help her. FINR has some of the nicest, caring staff and I thank you all for taking such good care of Christie when I can't be there.
Becky

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

still at it

I haven't heard to much with Christie changing, but a funny thing I did hear was that Jose her case manager went by her room and he saw Christie messing with her feeding tube again. Christie put her finger over her mouth as if to tell him not to tell on her.Jose did let the nurses know and they put an abdominal band on so she can't mess with the tube.Moral of the story, don't tell Jose your secrets. lol.
Becky

Sunday, August 3, 2008

That little Rascal

I called again to check on Christie as she had pulled out her feeding tube. The X-Ray tec got there to take an X-ray to make sure it was in the right place. When the nurse turned back the cover there was Christie with the newly replaced feeding tube in her hand. She had pulled it out again. They put it back, took the X-ray all was good. When someone else came in the room and ask Christie if she had pulled out her tube she mouthed the words "no" the nurse said "You did to and I already called your Mama and told her" Christie shook her head as to say "No you didn't".
I hate she is causing more work for the staff, but I'm glad she is getting better. I love my baby girl.
Becky

A little note

Christie is doing O.K. . I called last night and talked to her. When I talked to the CNA I told her Christie could hold the phone herself if she put the phone to her left ear she could hold the phone with her right hand. After I was done talking to her I told her to give the phone back to the CNA. When the CNA got back on the phone I asked her if Christie gave her the phone back? The CNA told me no, but that she did put the phone down on her chest, and was mouthing something to her she couldn't understand.
Sunday I got a call from FINR, Christie pulled out her feeding tube.They put it back in without any problem. Christie wants to eat one day maybe she will.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Wonderful Birthday

Well, where do I begin. Christie has made so much progress, it is unbelievable. I will try and put a video clip of her blowing out her birthday candles. Not only did she blow out her candles, she can put on and take off her glasses by herself. She is mouthing sentences. She mouths some words plan as day like "My Mama, I love you, Bye, what,yes and no" as well as some others. Some times she mouths sentences we can't make out.
Christie got a new wheel chair, so she is not in the lounging one. The botox injections was started Friday and the braces for her legs have been ordered.She even took the phone away from me. She can stick her tongue out at you. In therapy, we threw the ball to each other as well.Look at the new pictures, Christie looks great.
Becky

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Christie's Birthday

Hello everyone,
We are going to have a party for Christie Saturday July 26 Th at 11:00 A.M. I hope anyone who would like to come can. I have tried to get together with the rest of the family but can't seem to get any concrete plans. If anyone would like to come and can't make it at 11:00, call Angie I know they will be having a get together for Christie. You can get her number from her blog. www.richardandchristie.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Becky

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Wednesday

I don't have much to update. Christie does have a urinary track infection that is being treated with antibiotics. She continues to do well in therapy and she has surprised and surpassed every ones expectations at FINR. She is a real fighter, whom I love more than life its self.
Also she turns 16 Monday the 28th. I will be with her this weekend, and will update with news and new pictures as soon as get home next week.
Thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers,
Becky
P.S. Madge and Dave where to arrive today. If they were able to visit Christie, maybe they will update on www.RichardandChristie.blogspot.com

MOTHERS

This is a truly BEAUTIFUL piece. Please Read this at a slow pace, digesting every word and in Leisure...do not hurry... This is a treasure...
>For those lucky to still be blessed with your Mom,This is beautiful. For those of us who aren't, this is Even more beautiful. For those who are moms, you'll love this.
>The young mother set her foot on the path of life. 'Is This the long way?' she asked. And the guide said:'Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it... But The end will be better than the beginning.'
But the young mother was happy, and she would not Believe that anything could be better than these years. So she Played with her children, and gathered flowers for Them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and The sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,'Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.'
>Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was Dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother Drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, 'Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.'
>And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and The children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children,' A little patience and we are there.'So the children climbed, and when they reached the top They said, 'Mother, we would not have done it without you.'
>And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up At the stars and said, 'This is a better day than the last, for my Children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness.Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I've given them strength.'
>And the next day came strange clouds which darkened The earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped And stumbled, and the mother said: 'Look up. Lift your eyes to the light. ' And the children looked and saw above the clouds An everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the Darkness. And that night the Mother said, 'This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.'
>And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and The years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with Courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, For she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill,And beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And Mother said, 'I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end Is better than the beginning, for my children can Walk alone, and their children after them.'
>And the children said, 'You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.'And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates Closed after her. And they said: 'We cannot see her But she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She Is a living presence.......'
>Your Mother is always with you... She's the whisper Of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach In your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand On your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives Inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love And your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can Separate you.Not time, not space... Not even death!
>I LOVE YOU MY BABY GIRL

Please Help Bring Christie Home

Please Help Bring Christie Home

A beautiful little teenage girl
lying in a hospital bed.
Only fifteen years into her life.
It's a MIRACLE she's not dead.
She was so vibrant, like a ray of sun.
But now she's in a coma
before her life has even begun.
She loves horses and feeding birds.
Rescuing turtles,
and jumping hurdles.
She loves to laugh and really loves to run.
Christie is so full of life
and her life is filled with fun.
Now we're praying for a Miracle
that only God can do.
For now her laughter is silenced
and God we're begging you.
The part of her brain that they removed,
we ask you to replace.
Let Christie run once again
and help her win life's race.
You made the brain in question
before the dawn of time.
And I ask you now with all my heart
to heal this grandchild of mine.

Mary Hudson- Christie's Mamaw
Piedmont, SC

A TRUE MIRACLE

After Christie's Left Temporal lobectomy we thought she would die. She remained in a coma for months. She remained on life support and a trach for a while longer. Everyone seemed to give up on her but God and me. The surgeons thought she would remain in a vegetative state for the remainder of her days. I'm very happy to say that everyone was wrong. As you can see in the pictures on this page Christie has surpassed everyones expectations. It wouldn't be right not to give God the Glory and Praise for things he hath done and if it where not but by God's Grace and Love Christie wouldn't be here today.If you do not know God as your personal savior I invite you to get to know him. He sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for you and for me. Please read John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave HIs only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The best thing that a person can do in these times is to accept Him. He has not let me down in my life, and He won't let you down either.

God Bless and thanks for the prayers.