"I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday."
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.")
Arrangements are made for ongoing therapy closer to home.
Lisa was contacted this week and informed that there is an opening in a local rehab program in Barrie. After some reassurance from the staff and social worker at the Toronto Rehab Institute that a move to a different program wouldn't mean a step backward for Alysha's recovery, they accepted the spot in the local program. As of next week Alysha and Lisa will no longer be travelling down to Toronto for her weekly rehab session.
Vision test
After an inappropriately long wait, Alysha finally had her vision tested this week. The test did confirm that Alysha has suffered significant vision loss. Without corrective lenses, Alysha can't see anything except for movement beyond an arms length from her face.
It was also confirmed that Alysha has double vision caused by her right eye being weaker than her left. If she closes one eye the double vision goes away. It is believed that this can be corrected over time.
Glasses with the proper prescription have been ordered for Alysha but it could be up to 3 weeks before they are ready for her. Lisa has requested that they expedite the order. With Alysha's vision corrected with glasses we are hoping to see tangible improvements in Alysha's balance, walking, attention, and focus.
It was recommended that Alysha start wearing an eye patch to improve her eye muscle strength. In her present state of uncorrected severe vision loss, Alysha isn't interested in wearing the patch which serves as a further barrier to her vision. Perhaps she will be more amenable to the eye patch exercises when she can see again with the help of glasses.
Arrangements are made for ongoing therapy closer to home.
Lisa was contacted this week and informed that there is an opening in a local rehab program in Barrie. After some reassurance from the staff and social worker at the Toronto Rehab Institute that a move to a different program wouldn't mean a step backward for Alysha's recovery, they accepted the spot in the local program. As of next week Alysha and Lisa will no longer be travelling down to Toronto for her weekly rehab session.
Vision test
After an inappropriately long wait, Alysha finally had her vision tested this week. The test did confirm that Alysha has suffered significant vision loss. Without corrective lenses, Alysha can't see anything except for movement beyond an arms length from her face.
It was also confirmed that Alysha has double vision caused by her right eye being weaker than her left. If she closes one eye the double vision goes away. It is believed that this can be corrected over time.
Glasses with the proper prescription have been ordered for Alysha but it could be up to 3 weeks before they are ready for her. Lisa has requested that they expedite the order. With Alysha's vision corrected with glasses we are hoping to see tangible improvements in Alysha's balance, walking, attention, and focus.
It was recommended that Alysha start wearing an eye patch to improve her eye muscle strength. In her present state of uncorrected severe vision loss, Alysha isn't interested in wearing the patch which serves as a further barrier to her vision. Perhaps she will be more amenable to the eye patch exercises when she can see again with the help of glasses.
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