Today is GRADUATION DAY!!!  We get to go home!  2 months to the date of the accident.  8.5 weeks!  I am so proud of how hard she has worked in these past 4 weeks while at Shirley Ryan.  Fighting everyday to get her independence back.  How far she has come in just the 4 weeks of being here.

Alyssa met with her core therapists yesterday.  They each wanted to assess how she has progressed.  Jenny, who is her Physical Therapist took me into the gym.  I was finally able to see what Lyss has been working on since the coronavirus quarantine.  WOW!!!  Night and day difference from the first day that she was in the gym.  She is able to climb stairs, up and down.  Walk for distance on the treadmill.  She is able to to walking lunges and squats.  Balance can be an issue at times.  The stronger she gets will help correct her balance.

Alyssa had to take a Neuropsych test.  This is a 2 hour test.  This test will clear her to go back to work and to be able to drive.  Abbey, her speech therapist told Alyssa this is a very difficult test and not to be discouraged if she doesn’t pass it the first time.  When I got back to our room when she was done, I asked her how it went.  She told me her brain hurt!  Lol!  We should have the results sometime today.  Abbey also met with us and told me how much Alyssa had improved over the month she was here.  She was marked as severe/moderate cognitive impaired when she was first assessed.  She is now moderate/minor cognitive impaired.  I have noticed a difference in their though processing over the weeks.  She is able to tell the time, date of the week/month.  The stories that she had to read and answer questions when she was done are coming to her a lot quicker now.  We were sent home with a folder of homework that she can work on.

Lyss also met with Christine from OT.  Alyssa had to make her bed and take shower.  Christine wanted to make sure that she is set up to be able to be independent when she gets home.  Christine filmed Alyssa the first time that she had to make her bed and then also filmed her yesterday.  The first time Alyssa was frustrated and cried.  She was angry.  Something as simple as making her bed she couldn’t do.  Alyssa had no issues getting her bed made yesterday.  Later in the day Christine came back in and asked Alyssa if she was able to use the film that she took of her for education purposes. Alyssa has improved greatly over the month and Christine would love to share some of the strategies she used to help her progress.  Alyssa also made muffins and cupcakes.  Christine had her go mock grocery shopping.  Things that we do daily, take showers, get dressed was a struggle for Alyssa.  Today she is able to shower and get dressed on her own.  Brushing her hair is tough due to her shoulder not having full range of motion yet. Once her ROM in her shoulder is back she will be able to brush her hair also.  

Alyssa has her assessment with outpatient rehabilitation tomorrow.  The assessment will last 4-4.5 hours.  They will set us up for Telehealth until the quarantine is lifted.  We have been sent home with exercises from PT to work on.  Being able to get out and walk for distances outside will also help.  After the quarantine we were not able to be in the hallways and she couldn’t leave her floor.  She was only able to walk while at PT and some days she would pace in our room.  Getting up and walking helps with the pain in her hip also.

We met with Dr. Hassaballa yesterday.  She gave us a packet of information.  Unfortunately Lyss will have to wear her c-collar for at least another month.  We will have to come back to Shirley Ryan for more imaging and then have a telehealth meeting with her Dr. from Louisville.  She had a fracture in her neck and some ligament damage.  Dr. Hassaballa told Alyssa they want to make sure that the ligament damage is healed to make sure there are no further complications.  It is just 4 weeks.. We are almost there!  

Alyssa will be staying with me in Huntley until she is cleared to go back to work and be on her own.  A few people have asked for my home address to send her cards.  If anyone would like my home address, please feel free to reach out to me or Carly.  

I would like to thank everyone that has reached out, sent love and prayers.  We couldn’t of made it through this without the support of everyone.  I will continue to update on Alyssa’s progress. Now that I have her permission I will start uploading pictures and videos also.

We love you!!!

Xo