Today was another long, but good day for us.
We started our morning with our speech therapist who is helping us reteach Chloe how to take a bottle. Chloe had done such a great job yesterday during therapy but other times during the day she just bit down on nipple. Well, once again, she amazed us. With the help of her therapist, Chloe took the sweetwater right away and we were soon trying a bottle of formula. At first, we were unsure but she indeed drank 10 cc’s of milk. Her sucking reflex is not yet strong but we are headed in a very positive direction. Yay Chloe!
Chloe is also doing well with her physical and occupational therapy. We have been working with therapists to help Chloe find her ‘midline.’ Your midline helps you to, in a way, organize your body so it’s been important for us to help guide Chloe’s hands to the center of her body or have her eyes focus to the middle. Both therapists have been teaching us interesting ways to help Chloe reacquaint herself with her body by placing her hands on her belly, chest, face, legs, etc. It almost feels like Chloe is a newborn again and she is figuring out what and where everything is and where her boundaries are.
We are also optimistic in that her neurologists were happy to report that there have been no seizures over the past 24 hours and that her CT scan from today showed no change since her surgery. No change is a good thing – there is no pressure in the brain and her ventricles have not shown any increase.
So with our days becoming busier and busier with the work and therapies Chloe requires, we are off to tour two rehabilitation centers tomorrow. We will visit St. Mary’s in Bayside, Queens and Blythedale in Valhalla, Westchester. We have heard wonderful things so we are hopeful to find a place to take our next step toward recovery. If anyone knows of either place, we would truly appreciate any information you can offer.
With much love and thanks,
Rethier, Michelle, Olivia and Chloe
Dear Reith and Michelle,
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers are with all of you everyday. We hope Chloe is doing well today. She continues to amaze us with her determination and courage. She is such a special little girl and we can't wait to tell her what spectacular parents she has. Although I'm sure she already knows that. The strength and positive spirit you both show is admirable.
My friend worked at St. Mary's (as an RN) after we graduated. I know she thought they were wonderful with the children and families. I will call her today and ask for more details. I will write to you later after I speak with her.
Hugs and kisses to Chloe and Olivia.
Love from all of us..Dina
Yay Chloe! I'm so glad she is having success with the bottle. What great news! Looking forward to hearing more about her progress. Love from Kevin and I.
ReplyDelete-Maria
I am so excited that Chloe is moving right along!!! I can't wait to see you guys soon!
ReplyDeleteLuv you!
Jeannie and Taylor
I am very happy to hear of another positive step in Chloe's recovery!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note I used to volunteer (many moons ago) at St. Mary's in Bayside and I and many other simply praise the place. The staff is awesome to both the patients and family members. They make what normally are not-too-pleasant times a lot more bearable and positive.
I have heard good things about Blysdale in Valhalla as well, but don't know anything personally.
I am sure either location would be a good choice.
Wishing you all well and much continued progress!
All the best,
-J. Hyland
keep up the good work chloe!
ReplyDeletelove,
g, christine,
sam, syd and sky
Praise God! We know she will continue to make great progress in her recovery. We love you all so much!
ReplyDeleteLove, Jeff, Eileen and Ella