It's Time to Celebrate!

All is going very well with Gina and we're back into the swing of things. She will be graduating this year, right on schedule, and she finally decided she does want a party! (YAY!)
We will be celebrating all of Gina's accomplishments on Sunday, June 1 from 1:00 to 4:00 at Scioto Park. We hope that anyone reading this blog can make it. No need to RSVP.
Directions to Scioto Park
>From I-270 go North on Sawmill Rd. Turn Left onto Hard Rd. (3rd light). Turn Left onto Riverside Dr. (2nd light). Scioto Park is on the Right. Look for "Gina" signs with balloons.

No News!...is...Good News!

It means that we're just getting back to normal everyday life and nothing earth shattering has happened...we've all had quite enough of that! Gina is enjoying spring break and we're all enjoying the fact that we're all home again! Outpatient therapies are progressing nicely. As a matter of fact, Gina's physical therapist has to keep increasing her goals because Gina's progressing much faster than her therapist thought she would (no surprise to us though...just typical Gina determination!) Keep an eye on this blog for the big 'birthday/welcome home bash' info! I should have all the details posted by the end of next week.

Thinking of all of you,
Mimi

Happy Easter!

Gina's first week of school came and went successfully. She's adjusting to all of her classes nicely. She's taking government, english, keyboarding, drawing, and photography. (and all at a 12th grade level!). We had a few doctor visits this week that went exteremly well...we saw her neuro doc from OSU and after he reviewed her latest CT scan said that everything looked fine and he wouldn't need to see us again (we were told that sometimes these docs like to see their patients for 2-5 years after the TBI).

We also saw her trauma docs and they went ahead and removed her g-tube. (OUCH!!!) But, at least it's over and out! Gina is truely "cordless" now! We met her new outpatient therapists and they had a chance to assess Gina's progress and develope a plan for continuing improvement. This week is spring break for the school district, but for Gina it's still back to work! (after all she's already had a 7 1/2 week break!) ;-)

We're still planning to have a big 18th birthday party for Gina sometime in the next couple of weeks. So.....even though my blogs aren't as regular as they used to be, keep checking this site for the time and place. We hope to see everyone who reads this blog very soon!

Hugs,
Mimi

Happy (belated) St. Patrick's Day!

Gina, Paul, and I have all spent the last few days trying to acclimate ourselves to a normal schedule. On Friday, Gina and I went to meet the paramedics and EMT's that responded to Gina's accident & then we went back to OSU so she could officially meet some of the nurses that cared for her. There are so many wonderful people in this world. We've run into a few lately and we feel so blessed to have met the people who obviously care very deeply!

On Saturday, Gina and I went to see "Annie" at the Palace Theater courtesy of Childrens Hospital. It was a good play and we had a wonderful time!
Sunday was filled with relaxation and some friendly board game competition. Needless to say, Gina beat me badly...it's embarrassing because I REALLY was trying to win! ;-).

Yesterday she went back to school and was glad to be there! (she must be crazy!). She came home with a few stories about her day.....like, so and so broke up.....art is cool.....so and so was being stupid....I need to get a book for tomorrow...etc....same old, same old...it's good to be home!!!!!

Hugs,
Mimi

TODAY Is THEE Day!!!!

It's finally almost here and I can hardly believe it!!! Finally off the stinkin' couch and then we're OUTTA here!
We had the big meeting with Gina's School, her doctors, and all her therapists and it was decided that it would be best for Gina to go back to school on Monday!!!!! That's right...this coming Monday, March 17th. She'll have to remember to wear something green...especially at her school!

Special Note for Gina's Classmates: Please, please, pleeease remember to be careful around Gina. I know you'll be very excited to see her, but we all need to be careful around her so no one accidently knocks her over. So...gentle hugs only...no running hugs or hugs where she doesn't know what your about to do. To make her lose her balance and fall could be disasterous if she should accidently bump her head....but, if it should happen, make sure you let the school nurse know immediately....even if Gina seems ok. Spread this word around to everyone so Gina's first day back is a successful and positive one!!!!

Thanks so much,
Mimi

Good News Travels Fast!

The good news of the day is really a good news/bad news story. The bad news is that we won't be going home this Friday, but the good news is that we'll be going home on Thursday instead!!! ;-)

Gina's been busy taking pictures of the different areas of rehab that she spends her time in and writing short blurbs about them. She continues to work on her balancing skills and on multi-tasking. (Can blondes do that?).

After the last two nights back in the hospital we've both realized just how comfortable our own beds really are and we're anxiously counting down the nights left before we can return to them (2). (When Gina read this paragraph she said "mm hmm, true that!).

Tomorrow is the big meeting with Gina's school to discuss and make a plan for her reintegration. It should be exciting and informative.......it's all coming together now!

Hugs,
Mimi

Whew! What a Weekend!!!

We had a blast! We got to go home Friday afternoon instead of Saturday due to the weather. Once we made it home on Friday we snuggled in and relaxed in front of the TV and fireplace. On Saturday we went grocery shopping, then spent the rest of the day making some of our favorite meals and deserts!

On Sunday we went out to Mad River Mountain for a pot luck lunch and race that was held for Gina. Thanks to all at Mad River for making it a fun and memorable day for Gina and I. We appreciate all the hard work and planning that went into the "Carhart Cup". After we got home it was time to get everything packed back up for the hospital. We got back at Childrens at around 8pm on Sunday......we had to.....we needed to get some rest!!! :-D

Today was filled with more testing and assessment for Gina. She did get time to finish the Corvette she was working on...it turned out really nice! She's also been practicing her guitar like crazy and is consistently improving there too! Only 4 days to go!!!!!!!!