Happy New Year!
      Carly's 16U Girls hockey team, the Junior Hurricanes, will be playing at Extreme Ice in Indian Trail, NC this Saturday.  There are two games that day, both against the Lady Rush. Puck Drop is 12:30 for the first game and 4:30 for the second game.  (Training or Main Rink TBD, see info screens in the lobby, admission is free) This is the last time her team plays in this area this season; they begin a long series of games in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Indiana until the season ends mid-March.  If you read this post and would like more information, please send me an email at messerovski70@gmail.com and I will be happy to answer any questions. 
So to the real question you all want me to answer: How is Carly doing?
      The answer is simply amazing.  She continues to gain in strength and stamina due to multiple physical therapy sessions each week.  Her rehab facility, Ivy Rehab, have encouraged and guided Carly along a recovery path that motivates and pushes her to points beyond expectations.  The staff has become her personal coaches, cheerleaders and friends. We she started at Ivy, she was their first patient with GBS, and I believe they now have three.
      Carly's hockey and skating skills have returned as well.  She gains stability and shooting strength each time she steps on the ice (which is like 3 to 4 times a week). Carly remains her own hardest critic and is working really hard on her speed, puck handling and stability when she extends to shoot.  She is still around 75% of where she was when GBS took her down. However, none of this has stopped her from bonding with her team and being a contributor every time she is on the ice. She scored her first and second goals of the season on December 7th in Raleigh against the Lady Rush.  She's scored a few more since then and is racking up assists, not to mention a few penalties for checking. (she takes pride in being a "goon" for the team when needed). She is focused 100% on playing hockey into college and ultimately for the US Olympic women's hockey team. After months of being silent on social media, we are now posting pics and game updates via Facebook or Instagram so please feel free to follow us or her team.
      I will close this update with a non-hockey update: As a family, we still have moments or triggers that bring the past roaring forward. PTSD is not visible like a tracheostomy scar or something you can just ignore. We continue to work on the slow process of emotional healing while Carly's physical recovery progresses at a miraculous pace.  The support we continue to receive from our friends and family is like a security blanket. You know the blanket is always there, but the blanket wants nothing in return. It always offers warmth and happy feelings. 

Peace and love, peace and love.