Such grace we have seen in the past year as God not only preserved Kim’s life but has enabled so much more in her time of recovery!
This is Sharon’s current update on Kim – prayers for healing are still needed with eye surgeries coming up in 2015! Thank you!
November 19, 2014 - 1 Year
Posted 23 hours ago
One year ago today, in a split-second, our lives changed. As we think back over this year, we would not want to re-live it, but we also have so very much for which to be thankful. Most importantly is that our precious Kim is even with us. We will hug her tightly at 3:15 pm, the time of her accident.
There are still ongoing health/recovery issues that will take years to resolve, or that Kim may not ever recover from. But her doctors and therapists continue to be amazed at her recovery considering the severity of her injuries.
The most pressing health issue now is her eyes. At yesterday's eye appointment, we learned she will probably need 2 surgeries. The first will be in January and will help both eyes track together. She has the best vision in her left eye, but the lid doesn't open all the way and she has very limited up/down movement. She strains her left eye to work better which is causing her right eye to drift up farther than it should. The surgery will be on both eyes to help them track together better. the surgery will be on 2 muscles in each eye - left to help up/down movement, and right to limit how far that eye moves. Recovery time is 2 weeks of no activity, then approximately 3 months for complete healing. Because her eyes are so far out of alignment, the doctor couldn't give a surgery success rate estimate. She usually has 85% success with this surgery, but said she expects Kim's outcome to be less. The second surgery would be to help the ptosis of her left eyelid and wouldn't be scheduled until after she heals from the first surgery.
Earlier this month, at the recommendation if her occupational therapist, I took Kim to an eye therapist. This doctor said the surgery was necessary, but also gave us some eye exercises that should help the surgery outcome be more successful. Thankfully, these we do at home so there isn't another appointment to fit into the schedule. She also thinks some of Kim's left eye issues are due to scar tissue from the orbital bone/facial reconstruction surgery she had last December. She is hopeful that the exercises will help that scar tissue heal.
Another positive note is that at Kim's last rehab doctor appointment, we were told that at the next appointment in March, Kim could start being weaned off one of the narcotic medications she is on. It will be a very slow process and could take up to a year before being completely off of it. Decreasing these medications too quickly can cause serious side effects. She will have to be monitored closely to see how she reacts. These strong medications have been a concern since she started them, so I'm thankful we can at least start thinking about decreasing them.
Kim has a very busy schedule. Monday morning she helps the children's librarian with the Pre-school Story Hour at our local library. In the afternoon, she and her Uncle Denny volunteer at the Watertown animal shelter for several hours. This shelter is extremely busy - over 100 cats! The staff there have her doing everything from laundry to giving medications. Tuesday is appointment day - speech and occupational therapy and any other appointments scheduled. Wednesday, Kim helps at a church nursery for several hours during a Bible study for moms.
Thursday, she goes back to the library and does prep work for next week's story hour craft, or does whatever the librarians ask of her such as straighten book shelves or "read" the shelves to see that books aren't out of place. Friday, is horse therapy day. Though Kim still enjoys her time with animals, the highlight of her week is now the time she spends with children.
Her love of children (and people of all ages) has been one of the outcomes of her personality change. She has decided she no longer wants to be a vet technician, though she still loves animals, but would like to give her life to working with children. Many parents have told her she has a gift of working with children and should go into that field of work.
Kim still has consequences from the traumatic brain injury that she and we deal with daily. Occasionally, I reread through the brain injury information to be reminded of the areas of Kim's brain that were injured and what those areas control. She still has some age-inappropriate mannerisms and conversations, doesn't react well to some news items and can be very opinionated about it, and doesn't always understand someones "personal space". If I didn't keep coaxing/pushing her to do her exercises, read, and work on a school course I've started her on, she wouldn't do them. She also needs reminders to take her medications and keep her planner up to date. It's hard to get much of an answer from her doctors as to how long she will deal with these issues or if they will eventually end. All brain injuries are unique and heal in different ways and to varying extents.
We have many things to be thankful for at this one year mark:
* The myriads of doctors who have worked with Kim. The knowledge and expertise that God has given them has been used to bring Kim this far in her recovery.
* Kim's appetite is better! No more tears and "I'm stuffed" after 1 or 2 teaspoons of food.
* Family, friends, neighbors, and even CarePage visitors we have never met who have reached out to us this past year. Your prayers, help, and words of encouragement are priceless.
* Kim's upbeat attitude - she could be "bitter" because of her accident, but she has chosen to be "better". Early in her recovery this wasn't true, so we are thankful that she now has a positive attitude.
* And mostly to God - every day with Kim is a gift. God gave us the gift of Kim - twice. And we are so very thankful.
Psalm 145:2,3 - Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.
