I am on cloud nine!! In the last week Holli is starting to talk more and more. Yesterday while Heather, her sister, was with her they called me at home and put Holli on the phone. She said "Hi Mom" and "I love you". Today I have been with her and she has said no and yes when I asked her several questions very loud and clear when she was up in the chair. Once we got her back in the bed I asked her could she say her name....she said Holli. I asked her could she say Hawthorne and she said it very clearly. It is not all the time she is talking but it is happening more and more without her sleeping medication. She has said several more words and short sentences today. Tonight when her sister, Heather, came by to see Holli, we got her abc letters out and Holli would say the words that Heather was spelling. I decided to try and see if she could sing the ABC song. She started immediately when I began and did not miss a letter! Of course we had to sing it several times!!!I feel so blessed that this is finally happening and prayers are being answered.

Along with this blessing I am saddened by the loosing of a dear friend last week, Mark ,who was Harrison's Mom's love for so many years. He was such a wonderful man who loved Karen and her family dearly. He was so kind to me while I was there in San Francisco. I will truly miss him. I send my love and prayers to Karen , Harrison and Riley during this difficult time in their lives.

Diane

It is hard to believe that this year is already gone! This has been such a hard year for us. I pray that Holli will have a great year in 2010 and continues to heal and improve to get her life back. She got her new custom made wheelchair today. It gives her good lateral support but she does not have the head support. She can hold her head up straight when she wants but it only lasts a few seconds and then she lets her head drop. We are also going to find a neurologist to take Holli for Botox injections in her right arm so we can really stretch her arm out and be able to leave on a sustained brace to get her arm straight again. Both of these is an expense out of our pocket. I am so thankful we still have some funds left to help out. If it wasn't for friends and family and even strangers that have helped us we would not be able to give this extra medical care that Holli really needs. Thank you so much. I also want to thank you again for all the love and prayers for Holli and for me this past year. It has really made a difference. Happy New Year!!!

Diane

Today marks the 10th month anniversary of Holli's accident but today we also celebrate Christmas Eve. Holli has started the last couple of days to move her left leg really fast, like she is shaking it. Yesterday she was doing this while in bed and fell out of bed on her knees. There was no one in the room with her at that time. The nurse heard someone yelling "HELP" and came into the room to find it was Holli!!!! Thank goodness she was not hurt but it is also great to know that when in distress that she was able to call out and SAY help!!!! She is also getting into the agitated stage of her injury. She seems to loose her patience very easily and will definitely let you know she does not want to be bothered. Thank goodness you can still get her to smile and laugh when she is not tired or agitated. My mom and dad, sister, Joy and niece, Jill with her two boys are coming up from Mississippi on Sunday for a couple of days to see us. It will be great to be with family and I know Holli will be glad to see them. I wish all of Holli's friends and family and all that have sent their prayers and thoughts to Holli this past 10 months a Very Merry Christmas from the both of us. God bless each and everyone of you.
Diane

I am so sorry I haven't updated this blog since Thanksgiving. Holli has been in good spirits this week. Her sister, Heather decorated her room with a small Christmas tree and red garland. I am enjoying it since I have decided not to do any decorating at home this year. Since I will not be home but with Holli this year I just can not bring myself to put up a tree at home.
Holli has been sitting up in the chair for longer periods of time this past week. She has tolerated it well. She usually dozes in the chair each day. We are getting her a custom built wheelchair that will give her better lateral support. She has been measured for it but I am not sure when it will be ready. It should help her build up her core strength. She is getting more muscle movement in her right leg. One of our main concerns is her right arm that still has alot of tone in it and she is unable to straighten. She is also making more "sounds" with her mouth instead of nasally when she laughs. She tries really hard at times to speak but it is hard to understand what she is trying to say. We had the Salvation Army and children come by last week to sing carols and bring Holli a Christmas stuff animal. There will be several Christmas activities here the next couple of weeks that I hope to get Holli involved with them. On Christmas Eve Santa will be visiting each room and bringing presents from the Angel Tree. I hope that everyone is enjoying the Christmas season.
Diane

My heart is so full this Thanksgiving. As I sit here with Holli today I thank God for all the many blessings that we have received. Through the love, prayers and support of family and friends we have been able to endure this journey. I have been blessed in getting to meet and know Holli's west coast friends and have made some life long friendships. I will never forget your kindness and love. My family has been my strength to help me through my darkest days. I know without your love and support that I could not have been strong for Holli when she needed me the most. Holli still has a long way to go this next year. Please continue to pray for her strength and healing and to give me strength to be strong for her. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you took the time to give thanks for your blessings.
Diane

It was great having Holli's friend, DA, from San Francisco here with us for 4 days. Holli really enjoyed him being here entertaining her as well as trying to figure out another way of communicating. Holli still tries at rare times to say something but it is so faint. She did tell her sister, Heather, the other night after Heather told her that she really needs to work hard in therapy....Holli told Heather "no problem"! It is usually now after she has her night time meds before she goes to sleep that she will try to talk. She continues to laugh more and more which is great. Sometimes as she is watching tv she sees something that tickles her and will laugh.

Well, as of today we are having to adjust to something new. Holli has a room-mate for the first time since her accident. I can tell that it is bothering her....she has gotten very quiet and solemn since her room-mate arrived. It is different having to share the room and having to be quieter and considerate of her needs too. I am sure that Holli will adjust but that it will take some time.
I bought Holli some high top tennis shoes for therapy....they are silver with pink shoe laces and trim....they are so Holli! Everyone in therapy love them.
Diane

Holli is starting to talk again. This Sunday Holli was trying her best to whisper something to me for about 45 minutes. It sounded like she was saying "forgive me". It was frustrating for us both because it was so faint that I had a hard time hearing her. Today when her sister, Heather, arrived Holli grabbed Heather's arm and pulled her to her mouth and said in a voice that you could hear "forgive me". Heather and I both reassured Holli that there is nothing to forgive and that we are here for her and that she is loved. It is exciting to know that she is on the edge of being able to communicate with us and will soon be able to tell us how she feels and her needs. I can't wait to hear what she remembers about her journey thus far. I have missed her voice.

Diane