Holli got her trach out today and is doing great. I know it must feel so much better having that out of her neck. We have gotten the okay from Holli's doctor and Madison Healthcare to take her to Nashville on Saturday, September 5th. I am in contact with an air ambulance service and we will work out the details tomorrow. I can't wait....only one more week. The sad part is leaving all my new friends behind. Everyone has been so wonderful to both Holli and myself. I could not have made it these last 6 months without your friendship and love. I will never, ever forget you. Holli has been so blessed to have wonderful friends that truly care about her. You have helped her get through these past months with your songs, music,laughter, stories and touch and I have made some wonderful friends. I will keep up the blog as we continue this long journey. I hope that you will keep in touch. The address for Holli will be Madison Healthcare and Rehab, 431 Larkin Springs, Madison, Tn, 37115 or you can send it to our home 600 Sue Drive, Antioch, Tn. 37013. May God bless each and everyone of you for being there for Holli.
Diane

Praise the Lord! Holli has been accepted to Madison Health Care in Nashville! My prayers have been answered. We probably won't leave until after Labor Day. She has to have her trach out and do okay with that for before we leave. I will post when I know the exact date. I want to thank every one who has helped me in trying to get Holli back to Nashville. I appreciate each and every one who has made contacts and for all the prayers. This is a great birthday present for me!
Diane

As I write this update, Holli is intently watching a Harry Potter movie on tv. I am happy that she can enjoy watching tv at times. I am sure she gets bored otherwise. She has smiled a couple of times this week without the aide of her sleeping medication. Once was when I was acting goofy and dancing to a song on a commercial , I turned around and she had a big grin on her face! Then yesterday when Harrison came to see her she smiled at him. It is so good to see her beautiful smile. Physical therapy came Thursday and re-evaluated her and they will be starting to work with her again now that she can follow some commands. That thrills me so much because she needs the stimulation. She had just been getting some stretching of her neck and some range of motion this past month. Her step-father, Doug, is flying out next Saturday for a week. I can't wait to see him....it has been since April since he was out here. We had hoped that Holli and I would be back in Nashville before Doug and my birthdays. Now Doug and I will celebrate them here with Holli in San Francisco. The only thing that matters is that we are together. I still do not have any word on a facility in Nashville. I pray that something will turn up really soon. It will be 6 months tomorrow since the accident. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayer. I pray for Holli's continued improvement and that the Lord will give her peace and strength throughout her journey.
Diane

Holli is still very quiet but she is focusing very intently on people and her surroundings. She checks out the staffs name tags when they come in to care for her. She will look right at you and usually follow you with her eyes around the room. Today when Eliza came by and played music and danced in the room, Holli watched her every move. Holli also is now reaching up more and more with her left hand to her face and this weekend she watched the movie Aladdin on tv. These are little things but they are small positive steps. She has again started moving her mouth, smacking her lips like she wants to say something but has not made any sounds. I feel like it is around the corner that she will start talking again. Her doctor keeps on adjusting her medication to help her get more awake. I can't wait till the day that she talks with me again.
On a personal note I was unable to get my leave extended so as of August 26th I will be taking early retirement from my job of 37 years. My first priority is being with Holli and making sure she is getting the proper care. I am still trying to find placement for her in Nashville. I was hoping to be home for Doug and my birthdays but nothing has fallen into place yet. I want to thank everyone that has been trying to make contacts for us in finding a facility. Your help is so much appreciated. I ask that everyone continues to keep us and our getting home soon in your thoughts and prayers.
Diane

I wish I could report that Holli has continued to talk but she has been very quiet for the past 4 to 5 days. It is almost like she has regressed back to her previous state of just being very quiet. She does still focus on people but does not try to speak. I still encourage her everyday to try to talk. She is being seen by another physician that does healing hands therapy with meditation or what they call reike (rei means Divine and ke means energy). I was told by one of Holli's visitors that when she went through breast cancer that she had reike therapy and it helped her recover twice as fast. She highly recommended it for Holli. This therapy was suggested by her primary physician. I am still waiting to hear something about a facility in Nashville but so far no word. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Diane