Call it a miracle of sorts.
Our daughter, our beloved Suzanne, is now home from the hospital, where she has been since becoming ill nearly one year ago. She suffered a devastating brain aneurysm that left her brain damaged and having to learn how to do everything all over again.
She just woke up from a lengthy coma not even two months ago; she is still learning where she is, who she is, what is giong on. She has no recollection of life B.A. (before aneurysm); she only knows the here and now. It's as though she's reverted to being an infant; to see our once-vibrant, giggly teenaged daughter lying in her hospital bed, barely able to move, and unable to eat, dress herself, or even go to the bathroom on her own has been one of the hardest things we've ever had to face as parents.
It's better than when she was lying in the Intensive Care back in the hospital, hooked up to a whole forest of tubes, wires, and monitors, and hearing the doctors' grim prognoses day in and day out. Compared to where she was, our daughter, even with all her infirmities, has come a very long way.
Suzanne can let us know when she needs a change of clothes (diapers), is hungry, sleepy (tired), or bored; she still has the expressive eyes we've known all our lives. Her eyes are big and green; they're her father's eyes. They are absolutely beautiful! Suzanne is very good at letting her feelings (wants) be known. She may not talk (yet), but she is direct in her answers, her feelings.
Every day is a slow, ongoing process. As with anybody, she has bad days and good days; she can do well in her therapies one day, and the next, slide back into her previous pattern. It's very frustrating; just when we think she's making strides, she will revert, become more like an infant.
We have nurses that come over every day, to help us with Suzanne's ongoing medical care. A team of therapists come too, and she has checkups every week, to ensure that she is continuing to improve. It also gives us, her family, a much needed break; we actually get to go shopping, out to eat, or to a movie if that's feasible.
If it were not for these breaks, we would have gone crazy long ago.
I will continue to keep you updated on Suzanne's progress on a (semi) regular basis. Until then, this is Margaret Richey, Suzanne's mother, signing off. Take care and God bless! Continue to pray for us; we can use all the prayers we can possibly get!
~To be continued.~
