Beth is continuing to improve and work hard to achieve full recovery. She is still at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. However, Beth was recently transferred to the pediatrics floor as a final step before being transferred home. She has been on the pediatrics unit for almost two weeks now, and it is estimated that she will be on this floor for a total of 8 weeks before being able to come home. 

Beth continues to show many steps toward recovery! She is no longer on the ventilator and has been proving that she no longer needs supplemental oxygen. Her tracheostomy has been completely capped for almost two weeks. Praise God that she has been able to breathe on her own so well as of late! If this continues to progress and show tremendous strides of improvement, Beth may have her tracheostomy permanently closed up!

Beth had her vocal cords examined at a recent ENT appointment. This appointment revealed that Beth has complete paralysis of her left vocal cord with only partial paralysis of her right vocal cord. Beth is able to talk and produce sound, but it is very hoarse. The main issue with vocal cord paralysis is that Beth cannot protect her airway. This means that it is unsafe for her to swallow anything as anything swallowed would travel into the lungs (not good). Therefore, Beth will need to be on tube feedings until her vocal cords prove to be functioning. However, Beth continues to work hard during speech therapy sessions, continuously strengthening her vocal cords, swallowing muscles, and her voice in general. Her speech therapists have voiced positive and notable improvements since she had her ENT appointment. We are hoping and praying this fully recovers soon so that Beth will be able to eat normal food as soon as possible! As Beth would say, "I just want orange gatorade and pizza." :) 

Beth is getting stronger each day. She is able to fully lift her right arm now (previously couldn't move it at all), as well as sit up, and slide up in bed. She is getting rigorous therapy with both physical therapists and occupational therapists. Beth is able to take a lap around the pediatric unit with one physical therapist supporting her side. Its a decent amount of support she gets, but nonetheless, she's getting stronger and more coordinated in walking! The main thing Beth needs is to regain feeling in her legs (often has a numbness or pins and needles sensation) and coordination. Beth is also working on building up endurance as one lap is very tiring for her. 

She continues to have double vision in her left eye, so Beth has been both wearing special glasses that train her eyes as well as attending vision class to work on eye movement and coordination. 

All that said, Beth is definitely anxious to come home. As you can imagine, being cooped up in a hospital far away from home is very difficult and taxing on the soul. Beth is still her silly self which gives us many moments of laughter and joy. 

Prayer Requests:

Full healing of the vocal cords in order for Beth to both be able to eat fully and talk fully.

For Beth's coordination as well as endurance to greatly improve, allowing her to become more mobile, active, and strong. That the numbness and tingling in her legs would subside. 

For Beth's vision to be fully healed. 

That Beth's oxygenation status would continue to make great strides, eventually allowing her to be free of her tracheostomy. 

For Beth to be encouraged and uplifted as this journey has been no small feat. That her strength with rest in the power of the Holy Spirit, that she would feel the love and presence of her Heavenly Father surrounding her and filling her up. That the joy of the Lord would be her strength. 

Thank you for the prayers, words of encouragement, and support!