The Road to Recovery - Week 30.

"Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that's what makes you strong." (Sarah Dessen)

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.")

NOTE: You can now expect weekly updates.  

     Alysha started the outpatient rehab program in another location of the Toronto Rehab Institute this week.  This location is slightly easier to get to than the previous one downtown.  Lisa was relieved to find this out after Alysha and Lisa made their inaugaral visit to the Rumsey center.  Through the process of supporting her daughter through this health care crisis, Lisa has learned so much as she adapted to their new reality.  One amazing skill this country bumpkin mom has acquired is the ability to drive in Toronto.

     Alysha attended 2 therapy sessions. The first day was all paperwork and the second day was evaluations of Alysha's abilities.  In the new program, Alysha  has a physiotherapy session, occupational therapy session,  and speech therapy session all in the same day two days a week.

     During the week, Alysha spent a day with Aunty Michelle helping her with her childcare business.  This allows Lisa some time to get some of her things done while ensuring Alysha is safe and well cared for by an equally devoted Aunty.  The arrangement was so successful for everyone, that there is a plan for Alysha to spend 2 days a week with her Aunty Michelle.  Lisa gets some time to focus on her multitude of responsibilities that have been set aside since last summer,  Alysha, gets a change of scenery and enjoys spending time with her Aunty and the children and animals, and Aunty Michelle gets some quality time with her niece that she has been desperate for since the summer.

     On the weekend, Alysha got together with most of her aunts, uncles and cousins to celebrate her cousin's 16th birthday.  She was a chatter box from the minute she arrived at the party.  She was cracking witty comments that made the other guests laugh.  There were comical exchanges between Alysha and her Aunt Michelle, with Michelle pretending to pick on Alysha and Alysha calling for her mom to protect her from her aunt and Richard.

      At one point in the visit, Alysha needed to use the washroom. She called for her mom to help her walk to the bathroom.  We were all amazed by the muscle strength and control Alysha had getting up off the couch supported by her mom.  She then "bolted," to the bathroom. She was moving more quickly than we have ever seen. When we asked her, "Why are you moving so quickly?"  Alysha smiled and said, "I REALLY have to go pee!"  

     I took a video of her walking later in the visit.  She is moving at a normal pace in the video.