Monday, May 24, 2010

Monday Afternoon

Pheobe thought it would be good for me to post a quick note to record what has been going on today. Shannon has been a lot more responsive, moving around a lot more, stretching her arms and legs and trying to get more comfortable. It is cute to walk into the room and see her lying there with her legs crossed. I can't imagine how uncomfortable if must be to lie in the same basic position for days and days. What is really cool is that she has been communicating more with nodding or shaking her head in response to questions. Jaime, her nurse, would ask her if she was hurting and she would shake her head "No." Then she would ask Shannon if she wanted to lie on her back and she would nod "Yes." There have been lots of things that she has provided those kinds of responses to today. She doesn't like some of the tubes and things that are bugging her and she keeps trying to sneak her way towards them and scratch or pull on them.
I think the increased responsiveness is a combination of her continued progress and the fact that they are reducing the frequency of her medications. It it fun to see her respond, even if it is because she is irritated by tubes and things.

6 comments:

  1. i have been watching Shannon's progress closely and keeping my family informed. She has been a major focus of our prayers. i want to thank you for sharing this with us. It has given us a very real way to teach our family about adversity and where to turn in an hour of need. Thank you Blackham Family!

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  2. Great news about your Shanny girl today.... hugs to you all!! love, JoAnn and Larry

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  3. At Sunday dinner Kade (6 years old) offered his prayer and asked Heavenly Father for a blessing upon Shannon and asked Him to help her learn how to ride a bike after she wakes up so she can ride it back to Alpine from the Hospital. I just want to thank the Blackham family for your great example. We have noticed that the quality and the level of intensity in our boys' prayers have increased remarkably because of their genuine desire to see Shannon get better and back into our neighborhood. Thank you and as you can see... the Gambill family keeps praying for "Tanya's sister"... Love always, The Gambills

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  4. I love to hear that Shannie is responding:) From what little I know about DAI, Shannon is showing us how blessed she is and that miracles really do happen. I am sure we would all like for the progress to be more rapid;but miracles of this magnitude take a lot of time. I am sure she feels the same. However, I am equally sure that she has been accompanied by ministering angles. Oh to be privileged enough to behold how thin the veil truly is and to be encompassed round about as she has. Shannon is luck to have such a wonderful and dedicated family. in part you too are her angels.
    We love you and are continually praying for you all
    Love Trish

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  5. Shanni, My heart is full tonight having you on my mind the entire day. All I can do for you from here is keep you in my prayers, and close to my heart. Have a good nights rest, and here is a lullaby for your dreams.

    Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
    Smiles await you when you rise.
    Sleep,
    pretty baby,
    Do not cry,
    And I will sing a lullaby.

    Cares you know not,
    Therefore sleep,
    While over you a watch I'll keep.
    Sleep,
    pretty darling,
    Do not cry,
    And I will sing a lullaby.

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  6. Dear Udell, Phoebe and Family-We can see the tone of the blog changing with Shannon's increasing responsiveness, innumerable prayers, and less medication. This is all good news. For the second time, I am REALLY encouraged with her progress. From Australia, with love, Jay

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