Thursday Night

Well, almost a whole day has passed and I haven't updated yet. We've been very busy today with keeping Jordyn active. She slept pretty fitfully last night until 3-4am. She said she couldn't sleep with the lights on. The problem was, all the lights in the room were off, but I couldn't turn the hallway lights off. She finally got to sleep, only getting up about once an hour to go to the bathroom.

Jordyn was awake by about 9:30am and ate a little breakfast (all she wanted was a pop tart, but we were mean and coerced her into eating a boiled egg and a few bites of sausage first). Shortly after breakfast, the neurologist team came in and checked her out. They said that she seems to be right on track for recovery, and is doing very well. Good news! They could see a definite improvement in her motor skills. Next came the physical therapists. Unfortunately, Jordyn had just fallen asleep and they had to wake her. But, being the trooper that she is, she got right up and did what they asked. They had brought in Mr. Potato Head and Connect Four. Shortly after they did a few minor tests, they had her sit up in bed and then get up and stand to play with the potato. This she did great at. (There are pictures on Facebook) After a little while the nurse did some checking and found that Jordyn's H1N1 tests all came back negative, and she was taken off her quarentine--all the nurses and dr.s were required to wear gowns, gloves and masks when they came in. So the therapists took off their gear and we actually took Jordyn over to the play room to finish her therapy.

It was amazing the difference between yesterday and today. She was walking much more steadily (less shaky, though we still have to hold onto her for safety). Her balance isn't completely returned, but she can take a few steps without help. When we got to the play room, she was so tired and didn't want to do much, but the therapists convinced her to play a game of Connect Four. At this time, we decided we'd try to have her eat lunch in the play room--we knew if she went back to the room, she'd just go to sleep. Jon ran down and got a Happy Meal for her with a chocolate shake. By the time he got back, she had moved over to a toy work bench and then stood up and built a tower of very large legos. It was great to see her bend down, pick up a block and stack them neatly. We had her eat a little and then headed back to the room. The therapists said she is doing wonderfully and they were impressed.

Later on, a dr. from the rehabilitation center came and evaluated Jordyn. She said she may be a candidate for out-patient rehab. The biggest concern is that our house is two-storied. We may have to just have her set up camp downstairs.

Jordyn and I were playing with her stuffed animals in her bed, and she loved it. She actually was active in the playing and made Buddy squeal when the Catberry ghost came near him. Then she was laughing loudly when the penguin pillow would slide down the hill made by her knee under the blanket. The rehab dr. was outside and heard all of this and was very impressed. We learned later that the dr. said she may not even be a candidate for rehab at all!

Just before bed tonight, we took Jordyn back to the playroom, and she walked there almost entirely by herself. She was able to squat down and sit on the floor and hold a video game controller (though she quickly got tired and had me play!). Her nurse was very happy to see this much change in so little a time. We headed back to the room with a snack and gave her a sponge bath. She brushed her teeth, watched an episode of Dora, and is now getting bedtime stories. We thought that it would be a good idea to get the bedtime routine started again, and hopefully help her sleep better tonight. (Jon and I could use some of that ourselves!)

Oh! I taped all of Jordyn's get-well cards up on the cabinets in front of her bed. She really enjoys looking at them, and is able to read them from in her bed--for the most part! Again, thanks to everyone who has given us support, food, care packages, and cards. Your love and good energy is helping! I think that is all the news I have for today--at least all my sleep-deprivated mind can think of. Let's hope for more good news tomorrow!