"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
(Walt Disney)
November 12/12
Alysha's last day at St. Michael's hospital
The application that was sent last week for the residential rehab program was accepted today. Lisa was informed that by 10:00 am tomorrow morning Alysha will no longer be a patient at St. Michael's hospital. She is expected to be at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute in the morning where she will begin a new phase of her recovery.
Lisa, Rich and Alysha took advantage of another nice warm day and stROLLed over to the Eaton's Center where they bought Alysha some new rehab - wear.
The dietician was in this morning and she has reduced Alysha's enteral feeds by 2 cans because of the nutrition Alysha is able to obtain orally with her improved chewing and swallowing skills. Instead of receiving 6 cans a day through her stomach tube, Alysha now receives 4.
November 11/12
Unlike yesterday, today lacked the thrill of a trip home. Alysha remained in Toronto, in and close by St. Michael's hospital.
Alysha has quickly graduated from completely pureed food to food with little soft solid chunks in it. Alysha is a fan of the chunky food and handles it very well. She presently eats about 4 oz each meal.
Last night, for reasons not explained to Lisa, the nurses delayed initiating Alysha's enteral (stomach tube) feed. The unfortunate delay meant that Alysha was attached to the feeding pump for the entire morning and unable to go outside and enjoy this unseasonably warm day until later in the afternoon.
With an entourage of Lisa, Rich and Lisa's friend Debbie, Alysha eventually made her way outside. They meandered about on the streets close to the hospital, and purchased a fruit smoothy for Alysha from a nearby store. She really enjoyed this frozen beverage (see picture.) Lisa is looking forward to a meeting with the dietician early in the week to review the feeding plan as it relates to removing the feeding tube that goes though Alysha's skin into her stomach.
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| Fruit Smoothy |
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| Alysha and Debbie |
November 10/12
Out of the hospital on a DAY PASS
After the administration of her morning medications and a quick breakfast of pureed peaches Alysha left the hospital for the day! With Rich driving and Lisa planning the day's itinerary, they made a quick stop at our house and then headed home to Elmvale. There was a reception crew waiting for Alysha at her house. Aunt Michelle, Uncle Chris, Aarren, Brycen and Jayden, Uncle Paul, Denise and Kahlan and Nana King.
A highlight of Alysha's day was her reunion with her dog. Later in the afternoon Alysha lay down on the couch but she was so happy to be home with her family that she couldn't close her eyes and sleep. Lisa prepared a roast beef dinner for everyone. Aunty Michelle helped Alysha with her pureed version of the meal.
It seemed like all too soon it was time to go back to the hospital. Lisa, Rich and Alysha headed back down to Toronto and returned Alysha to St. Michael's hospital about 1 hour later than her hospital imposed curfew.
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| Aunty Michelle and Alysha |
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| Zoe, Alysha and Abby. |
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| Aunt Marcia, Uncle John, Abby, Zoe and Alysha |
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| Abby and Alysha |
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| Uncle Paul, Denise, Kahlan, Lisa & Alysha |
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| Alysha is reunited with her dog Cierra |
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| A rest at home |
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| Alysha and Uncle Chris |
November 9/12
Lisa straighten's Alysha's hair.
Alysha had some pureed fruit for breakfast and chicken and rice puree (baby food) for lunch. Alysha doesn't like us to call it baby food. With a little bit of added salt, Lisa said that the chicken and rice tasted pretty good.
Lisa facilitated Alysha's physiotherapy session in her bed. The physiotherapist, like many of the staff was off today for the hospital recognized November 11/12 holiday. Lisa also helped Alysha have a shower and then straightened her hair. A few days ago Lisa shaped Alysha's eyebrows. Alysha really appreciates these little personal care touches reminiscent of her hygiene habits prior to July 25/12 (the day that everything changed.)
Stay tuned for Tomorrow's report. There is something really exciting in the works for Alysha and her family.
November 8/12
An application is sent to the Rehab Program.
Alysha ate an entire yogurt and half an apple juice for breakfast. She then went on to have a fantastic physiotherapy session. Today she walked across the room and out the door. Alysha's room is situated in close proximity to the nurses station. When Alysha crossed the threshold of her room and out into the hall it caught the attention of all the nurses who proceeded to cheer for her.
With all the wonderful progress Alysha has been making, she now qualifies for a residential rehab program. The doctors and staff have been preparing Alysha's application for rehab all week and today they sent it. The family is looking forward to this new phase of Alysha's recovery.
November 7/12
Alysha passes a modified barium swallow test
Today Alysha passed a modified barium swallow test. This test is a special xray that is taken to check swallowing skills. Alysha was asked to swallow small amounts of food and liquid mixed with barium. The barium allowed images of her mouth throat and esophagus to be seen on x-ray. The x-ray catches moving images of the food Alysha was swallowing as it traveled from her mouth through her throat and into her esophagus. This test helped to confirm that food and liquid are not entering Alysha's lungs (aspiration) through her eating process.
Alysha was told she could go ahead and eat mushy foods like mashed potatoes or apple sauce. Three times a day, the hospital will send up some food and a drink for Alysha.
Lisa reports that Alysha walked the entire length of her room today. Below you will find a video of Alysha transferring from her wheel chair to her bed. Alysha provides most of the muscle and Lisa supports her balance. Alysha and Lisa posed for a picture mid-transfer.
November 6/12
Alysha Walks!
Alysha got dressed up in her comfy pants, sweatshirt and gloves and surprised me as I was coming off the subway. The vision of Alysha out of the hospital and out of her hospital gown was so marvelous. Alysha was also wearing her glasses today. Lisa put the glasses on Alysha and she indicated that they improved her vision. Something else that I noticed right away is that Alysha no longer has a dressing over her tracheostomy site. This wound is healing nicely, you can see it as a dark brown spot in the middle of Alysha's neck.
The speech therapist was in today and Alysha showed off her eating abilities. She ate an entire petit danone yogurt. When Lisa was distracted talking to the staff, Alysha got impatient and leaned forward in her chair with her mouth open to signal that she was ready for more. Not only did she swallow the yogurt but she also chewed a few small pieces of canned peaches. We all watched as she moved the pieces of peach around with her tongue to get them in line with her teeth so that she could chew them up.
The speech therapist also practiced some vowel sounds with Alysha. Alysha has mastered the "soft a" sound. Her E, I and O sounds are marginally different from the "soft a," and I have no doubt that with more practice Alysha will be able to produce these vowel sounds more clearly.
The most exciting news of the day is that Alysha walked about 2 meters supported by the modified walker (see photo of the assistive device November 5/12). WOW!!!
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| Alysha Meets Aunty Marcia coming off the subway. |
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