11/5 update

Super stoked about today's update.  If you haven't seen Kat lately, you should try to go.  She enjoys visitors and it's so wonderful to visit with her and she her process.

Here's her mama's update.

"Every day, Kat is showing improvements.   She is talking more frequently and in sentences.  She was sent to Paoli Hospital for a swallow test where they did an "active X-ray" as she swallowed food and she passed.   She ate a "real" breakfast yesterday for the first time although she said the pureed french toast was gross.

Bryn Mawr is amazing.   She uses a "Lokomat" that Kate says makes her feel like Robocop and helps her to use her left leg.  The website for the equipment states "it improves patient outcomes by increasing therapy volume and intensity, providing task-specific training and increasing patient engagement."  She also had equestrian therapy yesterday which helps her core.  She seemed to like it and is doing very well in all of her therapies.  She is doing more and more on her left side and is needing less and less assistance in moving and everyday tasks.

Unfortunately, her "awakening" seems to make her body's nerves much more sensitive to discomfort and she says she feels "sore" all the time and was uncomfortable much of last week.   We are hoping that this is a phase that will not last long.

Another good news is that Bryn Mawr has extended her estimated release date to November 29.  She will receive much more therapy at rehab than will be offered to her as outpatient. The date can move forwards or backwards depending on continued improvements and insurance approval, but the new date indicates that she is progressing well.

She does appreciate visitors and although we know it is quite a distance for everyone, she will enjoy seeing you.    She is tired by the end of the day so you will most likely have the best visit with her if you can make it in the early part of visiting hours."

10/25 update

From Joyce:

"Kat had a very good day yesterday. We were able to observe her therapies with her and were so happy to see how much progress she has made in her recovery. The therapists already knew that she was much stronger than when she arrived at Bryn Mawr. Even last week, she had little strength and a therapist had to sit behind her to hold her up in a sitting position. She can do that all by herself now. Even better, she surprised the therapists on Monday with her ability to move her left leg and arm. We thought we saw her left leg move this weekend but the therapists before that had warned us that she was not showing any movement on the left side! 

We continue to be optimistic about her recovery but know she still has a lot of work to do. The therapists are working on standing, walking and movement. She is talking more but still needs to increase her volume. We are so happy that is able now to communicate her needs. She still has the stomach feeding tube and is working on learning to eat again. Her speech therapist tells us they have to be very careful that none of the food or liquid goes into her lungs so they purposely progress slowly in this area. She still has a brace on her wrist but it is healing nicely. We are so happy to see her smile sometimes again and her face looks so much brighter. 

She is doing well cognitively but is not yet at 100%. Kat has progressed to a different wheelchair that allows her to pull herself along with her right foot. She has more freedom of movement!

We want to express our deep thanks to all of her friends and extended family for your continued support in so many ways.  

When you come to visit, if she is awake, there are some things you can do to help. Continue to encourage her and make her smile! Try to get her to talk! We have been told she has "left side unawareness". To help her work on this, try to sit on her left side and if you're showing her something like photos or cards, do so from her left side. You can encourage her to do things like playing cards, write or color in the sketch pads and books, and if she's feeling good take her for walks in the hallway and even better, see if she will pull herself along with her foot. 

Thank you again for all your thoughtfulness!"

10/18 update

Hey friends.  Kat is making  great strides everyday.  Here is the latest update:

"The orthopedic surgeon checked Kate's wrist and said she only needs to wear a brace now.  She is better at being able to sit up on her own and is able to eat some pudding with the speech therapist.  She is continuing to work on speaking louder so she can be heard and mobility of her left side."

She still sleeps a lot, so as always, we ask that you don't wake her if she's sleeping while you're there.  However, she does enjoy visitors (as she indicated with a head nod last time I saw her and asked), so please email me if you're interested in a visit.

In your email to: mantani24@gmail.com, please use the subject line: visiting Kat.  Let me know who you are and when you want to go.

Also, don't forget to get your tickets to the beef and beer that takes place on 11/12.  :)

That's all for now, folks.  

Keep it up, Kat.  We love you!

10/12 update

Joyce, Kat's mom, has an update for us today. It makes me smile.  :)

"Kate is continuing to improve everyday.  The trach came out on Monday and is already closed up.  Steve showed her messages friends have sent her on her phone and she smiled at the funny ones.  She is vocalizing a little but is working on getting the volume up by controlling her breathing.   They are working on swallowing with her.  She  was able to sip some of a cranberry drink today with the speech therapist.  She's still very tired but is so much more alert than she was.  Thank you again to everyone for your kindness and thoughts and helping out in so many ways."

Yay Kat! Keep it up, girlie.  We love you so much.

Quick update

I saw Kat last night, though she was sleeping.  I've heard many accounts from people who have visited, as well as her parents, that's she's quite active when she's awake.  She's aware and knows people are there.

The other day she was mouthing words that were understood by the nurses and her family.  She was answering many yes or no questions, and she even wrote (legibly!) down on some paper.

If you see Kat this weekend, please consider bringing her pictures, and of course, many stories to share.  Cards, notes, or other things to let her know you were there (in case she is sleeping) would surely be appreciated too.  We left her love notes to find when she's awake.  :)

Next week has some spots on Tuesday and Thursday, and many spots on Wednesday and Friday.  Please email me at mantani24@gmail.com with the subject line: visiting Kat.  I'll get you scheduled.

Have a good weekend, Kat.  Keep it up.

Spots open to visit

Kat had some open spots on Saturday and Sunday, and all next week.

Feel free to reach to mantani24@gmail.com.

Thanks everyone!

Visiting Kat update

Hey everyone.  I just talked to Joyce.  A couple of new points about visiting Kat.

The family is asking (and this will be reinforced by the center) that visitors stay for no more than 30 minutes at a time.  

Secondly, under no circumstances should any visitor wake Kat up.  

Kat has extensive and rigorous therapy to complete.  She's working hard, and tired.  It's best for her, again reinforced and confirmed by the center, that she is given ample time to rest and recover between sessions.

It's also important to note that her family may wish to have time with her that is family time only.  This is part of the reason scheduling visits was requested.  Please continue to that practice.

Thanks for your continued support of Kat and her family.  Let's all work together to ensure she has the support she needs throughout her recovery.

More updates later.