The race is not always to the swift, but to
those who keep on running.
Our sweet cherished Alysha Rose Smith is recovering from a post surgical complication that put her into cardiac arrest and into a coma for 7 days. She emerged from the coma with severe brain damage. This website was created to update friends and family of Alysha's progress along the road to recovery. Please join us as we support Alysha on her journey. (For earlier details, like the history behind this medical nightmare scroll to the bottom of the blog and click "older posts.")
December 15th.
Fundraising dinner and auction.
Alysha came home on Friday evening after completing her therapy sessions for the day. A three night, extra long weekend at home was planned. She came home a day early so that she could attend a benefit dinner and auction at Georgian College. Georgian College is the school Alysha was enrolled in prior to her brush with death. The hours of the benefit (7 pm to 11 pm) were challenging for Alysha as most days she is exhausted and in bed by 5:30 pm. Lisa brought Alysha home on Friday night so that she could sleep in and have a restful day prior to her big night out on Saturday. This was Alysha's first evening out since July 24th. The benefit was attended by some friends and family and it was so nice to see Alysha out at a public event. Alysha did tire early into the evening event but went on to socialize until about 10:30pm.
December 13.
Alysha spells the words she can't pronounce clearly.
Today, Alysha's therapy included Christmas arts and crafts. Lisa and Alysha made some ornaments together. Alysha was in charge of holding the glue and Lisa reported that they had "glue everywhere." It was also Alysha's responsibility to direct Lisa where to place the glued pieces.
Alysha's is making a lot of progress with her speaking. When the situation arises where a word can't be understood by the listener, Alysha spells the word for them. By the way, Alysha's spelling abilities are not deficient in any way.
The Doctor was back in today with a recommendation that Alysha accept a therapy option that will reduce the effects of the contracted muscles in her wrists. The therapy they are suggesting has been made famous for reducing facial lines and wrinkles for women of a certain age. BOTOX injections. Alysha has been against this therapy because it involves more needles. Lisa is going to try to encourage Alysha to consider this therapy more seriously. It is possible that it may reduce the chance of permanent disfiguring and disabling contractures. I have included a link to a web site that describes the condition of spastic muscles (scroll down to the section Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Spasticity for a comprehensive but simplified read). I have also included 2 links to information about the medical use of Botox injections for conditions such as Alysha's.
Link: Spastic Muscles definition, treatment
Link: CNN Health - Botox information
Link: Botox article
December 12/12/12
Fundraising dinner and auction.
Alysha came home on Friday evening after completing her therapy sessions for the day. A three night, extra long weekend at home was planned. She came home a day early so that she could attend a benefit dinner and auction at Georgian College. Georgian College is the school Alysha was enrolled in prior to her brush with death. The hours of the benefit (7 pm to 11 pm) were challenging for Alysha as most days she is exhausted and in bed by 5:30 pm. Lisa brought Alysha home on Friday night so that she could sleep in and have a restful day prior to her big night out on Saturday. This was Alysha's first evening out since July 24th. The benefit was attended by some friends and family and it was so nice to see Alysha out at a public event. Alysha did tire early into the evening event but went on to socialize until about 10:30pm.
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| Alysha Dancing |
December 13.
Alysha spells the words she can't pronounce clearly.
Today, Alysha's therapy included Christmas arts and crafts. Lisa and Alysha made some ornaments together. Alysha was in charge of holding the glue and Lisa reported that they had "glue everywhere." It was also Alysha's responsibility to direct Lisa where to place the glued pieces.
Alysha's is making a lot of progress with her speaking. When the situation arises where a word can't be understood by the listener, Alysha spells the word for them. By the way, Alysha's spelling abilities are not deficient in any way.
The Doctor was back in today with a recommendation that Alysha accept a therapy option that will reduce the effects of the contracted muscles in her wrists. The therapy they are suggesting has been made famous for reducing facial lines and wrinkles for women of a certain age. BOTOX injections. Alysha has been against this therapy because it involves more needles. Lisa is going to try to encourage Alysha to consider this therapy more seriously. It is possible that it may reduce the chance of permanent disfiguring and disabling contractures. I have included a link to a web site that describes the condition of spastic muscles (scroll down to the section Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Spasticity for a comprehensive but simplified read). I have also included 2 links to information about the medical use of Botox injections for conditions such as Alysha's.
Link: Spastic Muscles definition, treatment
Link: CNN Health - Botox information
Link: Botox article
December 12/12/12
Alysha is progressing rapidly.
The occupational therapist told Lisa today that she has never had a patient progress as rapidly as Alysha. She is getting so much stronger every day. Looking back on Alysha's arrival to the Rehab institute 4 weeks ago she was, "unable to control her spit and was still drooling but now she is drinking from a cup!"
Alysha is most challenged by the function of her left arm. It is very affected by muscular contractures. Lisa requested that the staff re-visit a therapy technique where Alysha completes a bicycle peddle exercise with her arms. Alysha has also been fitted for arm splints to strretch out the contractures.
December 11/12
Alysha can do simple math, and she can do it quickly.
When Lisa arrived on Tuesday morning Alysha was all upset and agitated. She was upset because the staff had been in to draw her blood for tests. Alysha told her mom that she wanted to go home and not be in rehab any more. She is so tired of being a human pin cushion. She is tired of all the medical investigations to ensure she is safe and recovering well.
Alysha is very aware of her anticipated discharge date of January 25th. Today she was talking to Lisa about this. She knows that she has over a month to wait to be released home full time. She also knows that Christmas is quickly approaching and that she will be home for an extended period of time over the holidays. Lisa was rambling on to Alysha about there being 14 days left until Christmas but noted that Alysha would be coming home 4 days before that, and Alysha immediately offered that that would be ten days from now. Lisa asked her how she knew that and Alysha simply answered, "subtraction." Lisa continues to be surprised at all the brain function Alysha has maintained.
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