September 24, 2007

• Monday, September 24, 2007

  Spa #31 has relocated.

  New Address (and under new management)

   

  Spa Nine Thousand Eleven  

  Located Ninth Floor Surgical Step Down Unit

  Amenities include larger corner room with a view including contemporary architectural design

  Private bath, closet and vanity (kind of) 

   

  Our best client is progressing slowly but steadily with greater focus in her eyes and even puts her arm around her family when we approach her bed.  Dr Smith (plain spoken and direct) was very pleased when he saw her hugging me.  And this morning, Dr Miller said he felt good about Hillary.  In head injuries you should see progress in the first thirty days for best chance of recovery.  Hillary continues to slowly progress and we are at day twenty three so his words gave us hope.  As Angel Judy Jenkins and I spoke this morning, we both acknowledged we don’t know how far she will “come back to us” but she is coming back on some level.  In fact, Hillary may be moving slightly into Rancho Level III which is good news, but we need her at Level V for progressive rehabilitation services such as Stallworth or others. 

   

  We are so honored by your notes of consideration about Hillary’s next phase of care.  We know case manager Joy and others are working from their end here as well.  We know the answer is going to reveal itself to us as we muddle through options (or closed doors) for our injured girl.

   

  Now on to one of those stories I can not forget to share with Hillary when we finally get to that place where we are able to talk together and fast forward into the present:

   

  Our son Alex is in college so when I quote him in this update keep that in mind.  His way of speaking about his family affectionately is like this:  “I love this family…we’re just Bat @%#* crazy…but loveable.”  I know my friends and family are saying “…wonder how he learned to talk like that?  (But remember, my mother is reading this.)  In any case, I realized Saturday Alex is right.

   

  Our daughter Ashley’s friend and client Kim, owner of Salon Seven, gave my husband and me a wonderful and thoughtful gift of massages for our weary bodies.  As I laid there trying to stop my brain from working and relax, all I could think about was how wonderful this could be for Hillary.  All of us know how miserable and achy our bodies get when we lay in the bed too long and I knew Hillary’s agony must be paramount after twenty two days of it.  (Not to mention my Mom’s after weeks and weeks in bed with her broken back and disc problems)  Paul agreed finding some way of duplicating that touch and feel as well as the scents of massage oils and music was something we should pull together for them both.  We wanted frankincense (said to be good for the brain) and other essential oils to ensure Spa #31 offered the best for our girl.  We also wanted to pull together a library of beautiful soft music like the sounds one can expect during a massage experience.

   

  After several hours of Nashville traffic and logistics details for purchase of our spa inventory, we were ready to begin.  Soft spa music set at just the right volume…beautiful Care Partner Mary by our sides to assist ….adorable Nurse Shelley sharing her update of our spa client’s health assessment for the day…and we began Hillary’s custom massage.  Shelley and Mary suggested we begin at our client’s feet and sister Brittany began unleashing the most beautiful soothing and comforting touches and scents you can imagine.  I knew if Hillary didn’t respond by coming “to us” more, at least she would be soothed into a calm state and perhaps she would be less agitated overall.

   

  Soon after beginning, my friends from New York, Kristie and Dana, arrived and everyone agreed I needed to hop out of the room and let Brittany and Mary and Paul take over.  Of course I wanted to be with my friends and hug them, but I did feel I was letting our client down in Spa #31 just a bit.  I was assured again, our client was in good hands and I should feel free to visit with my friends.  After a few brief minutes to catch up with the girls, I stuck my head back into Spa #31 where the music had changed to rock and roll and wild talking and laughter from the “spa professionals”. (“Professionals” stated VERY loosely—you be the judge)  Of course I was shocked!  It was just like elementary school when the teacher must step outside the room to the hall, and within seconds the classroom becomes a zoo.  How could the three of them not “get it”?!?!  I knew they had each had a massage/spa experience.  I scolded them all as they sheepishly returned the room to the calm and peaceful massage room I had designed.  I felt (no hoped) I could trust them and I went back out to the waiting room to be with my friends.   Just one little tip toe back to the room for a check, and I swear it was back to wilder than ever!  Each spa professional was pointing their finger at the other one and I looked at Hillary who I swear had a tiny hint of a smile on her face.  I went out to the waiting room to protest to Ashley (the Queen of Spa Experiences) and to Alex for support and they said, “She’s been sleeping for 21 days…she has slept long enough.  Let’s get her awake.  And I decided the crazy part of my family has always been in control…so I gave up.  While Hillary didn’t come all the way “to us”, she did focus a great deal more on each of us.  And oh my how beautiful she smelled!   Nurses who have cared for her and loved her stopped in and assured us she is making great progress…particularly the ones who had not seen her for a few days. 

   

  So I let the monkeys of Spa #31 take over (they really did look like that commercial with the monkeys at the office) and I stayed away on Sunday figuring monkeys is exactly what Hillary is looking for as she finds her way back to us.  My guess is…monkeys have always been her favorite animal anyway after living with so many. 

   

  Thank you for every prayer for our family…and most especially for Hillary and her sweet boy.

  XOXOXO

  –Shawn

  
  
  

   

   

  • 12:42 pm
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