Holli has had a quieter week this past week. She has seemed more calm for the most part. She still has her restless days but not as much. The newest progress is with her swallowing. At the end of last week she was swallowing more in speech therapy. When the therapist put a lemon glycerin swab in her mouth she started sucking on it which she had not done before. Then the therapist put a lemon wedge to her mouth and she sucked on it. Today the therapist put a few drops of lemon juice in a spoon and Holli was able to swallow it without any problems....small steps...small steps. I am always so thrilled with these "baby steps". I am still waiting to hear about her acceptance with medi cal insurance. They did not send all the paper work to the board and had to resubmit it again. I pray that it will be approved to help pay her medical bills. Hope everyone had a good and safe Memorial Day weekend. Ours was very quite. Looking forward to my parents and sister coming out in June for a visit.
Diane

Holli has seemed more peaceful and relaxed this week. She is not doing the frequent moaning cycles very much anymore. I hope this is a positive sign. She lies in her bed or up in the chair during the day very quietly and listens to music on her Ipod with her earphones. We have not had to give her pain medication but very little this past week which I am glad about. The doctor has taken her off the Ritalin since it has not given us the results we had hoped of waking her up. He is talking about trying a different medication soon. I wish there was more progress to report, but this is such a slow journey. Please keep up the prayers for her.
Diane

Mother's Day is tomorrow and as I look at my youngest daughter, Holli lying here I know I have been truly blessed. I know that I came really close to loosing her. She could not have come this far without Every one's love, prayers and help. I will never be able to thank everyone for all they have done for us. To be a mother is truly a blessing. I have two great daughters, so very different but both so loving and kind hearted. I cherish every memory that we have had together and look forward to the loving memories that we will make in the future. I also am blessed to have such a wonder Mom. She has always been there for me and has taught me that family is so precious and should always come first. She has also given me spiritual guidance in my valleys of my life as well as the mountain tops of happiness. I thank God for both of my parents as well as all my relatives who have always been there for me.
Holli seems to be better today. Much calmer and quietly lies and listens to her music on her Ipod with her beautiful brown eyes wide open. I think the medication if slowly getting out of her system that she could not tolerate and she has not been requiring as much pain medication for discomfort. The best Mother's Day gift for me would be for Holli to wake up but I know that it probably will not happen tomorrow. I will keep the faith that it will be soon. I hope all you moms have a wonderful day tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day
Diane

I am sorry I haven't posted anything lately. Holli for the past week was started on a different medication to try to help her hopefully wake up. We noticed that she was getting very sensitive to touch or sound and kept drawing up in a fetal position and drooling. After it was decided it was the medication the doctor backed off of it yesterday and today stopped it all together. She is much better today...able to straighten her out and not as "jumpy" to every little stimulus. It is disheartening to have her go backwards this past week but hopefully now she can continue to go forward in her progress. I had a meeting with the doctor, staff and therapist on Tuesday. They would not give me much encouragement. I guess you could say I had a "melt down". Even though I know what the future might bring, I will not give up hope until Holli finally wakes up and we know for sure. I continue to ask for your thoughts and prayers for Holli and for myself for strength and guidance. It is so hard being away from home, family and friends.
Diane