update on Kim

 

In addition to Sharon’s update below about surgery, please be in prayer for Kim as she celebrates her 20th birthday also next week on the 27th.  Thank you!

 

June 18, 2015 - Second Eye Surgery

Posted 6 hours ago

Kim's next eye surgery is scheduled for June 25. Surgery will be on her right eye only. The first eye surgery helped to bring both eyes into better alignment, but she has continued to tilt her head back to bring her right eye into alignment with the left. Her right eye doesn't drift up as far it did before the first surgery, but her eye surgeon feels she can tighten the muscles some more which should prevent Kim from having to tilt her head back to focus better. The surgery should also help with the double vision she still has. It is currently being controlled by diagonally cut strips of tape on her glasses. Dr. Bradfield is hopeful this surgery will eliminate the need for the tape.

I was concerned about a second eye surgery only 6 months after the first one, but since this isn't considered "invasive" surgery, it is safe to have the surgery so close to the first. This will be out-patient surgery just as the first surgery was, and with the same restrictions of no outside activity for 1 week and no strenuous activity for 2-3 weeks.

Yesterday, Kim had her Learning Rx evaluation to assess her ability to return to school. She wasn't surprised, but was quite disappointed to learn she tested in the 9th percentile for memory recall. To be successful in school, she needs to be at a minimum of 50%, and 80% is more ideal. She had good reading skills other than she reads much slower than she used to and it's hard for her to concentrate for very long. This company has had very good results with the brain injury clients they have worked with. They feel they can help Kim get the skills back that she needs for a successful return to school. The recommendation is for approximately 100 hours of training, 2 or 3 times a week with additional training done at home.

As the temperatures have been rising, we have noticed that the heat/humidity seem to bother Kim. On warm, humid days she complains of being dizzy and light-headed and tires easily if she is outside very long. She has learned to manage this by drinking lots of water and limiting her time outdoors on hot days. The ability to regulate body temperature is a result of her traumatic brain injury. The UW Hospital doctors told us brain injuries heal better in cool temperatures than in warm. Last year, when we visited Kim at Clearview Brain Injury Center, we would need to wear sweatshirts to keep from shivering. CBIC kept the facility cool for a reason.

Kim enjoys her time working with children at our public library, helping with child care at a church, riding horses for therapy, volunteering at the animal shelter, and spending time with a dear friend painting ceramics and yard art. She is more aware of her limitations and has concerns for what her future holds. She does have times of sadness when she considers that friends and siblings are able to move on with life normally and, in her mind, she isn't. Most of the time Kim has a cheerful attitude and outlook on her life. We use the sad times to remind her of where she started from and how far she has come. God spared her life for a reason - we are thankful for the gift of every day no matter what the challenges are.