Jodie Update

I know it has been a while since you have received an update on Jodie and I apologize. Jennifer had a baby and then moved so I (Jodie's mom) have decided I would do this update. I will tell you ahead of time that I am not the writer that Jennifer is but I can tell you what Jodie has been doing.

In going back I see that the last entry was in May and yes many things have changed since that trip to MMRC. Probably the one thing that would surprise most people is that the little skinny girl that we once knew now weighs, are you ready, 116 lbs!!!! She has certainly come a long way in the weight department seeing as she had gotten down to about 70 lbs. following the accident.

When I see how far she has come since that night 2 years, 3months and 22 days ago,I know that each and every one of you praying so hard for her has helped her on this journey.

Now for really exciting news – she is really doing great with her speech. She now says “I love you Mama”, “Hi Mom”, “Yes”, “No” and has said other things or names at various times. I decided after a visit to Dr. Yablon that we needed to try and make her say more things since it was obvious she could. Friday night her friend Candy called checking on her, I was in the kitchen getting her meds ready and when I got back to her room I handed her the phone. As soon as she heard Candy’s voice her eyes got so big – I said Jodie who is it – she looked at me and said “Candy”, I almost fainted. As the conversation went on Jodie was saying “yes” every time Candy asked her a question – it was so wonderful to see her smiling and communicating. Her interactions are great and even if she won’t say something one look at her facial expressions will tell you quickly how she feels.

One of the areas where she has also shown progress has been with making her own choices. The speech therapists added this to her regular sessions, they would have her look at magazines and pick out clothes she liked or hairdos or make-up. One day when I picked her up she had 2 pictures from a magazine – one was of a hairdo and the other picture of a hairdo was the color she wanted. She had picked out both by herself and yes her hair is that color and her “stylist”, Tracy, is shaping it toward that hairdo.

The Baclofen pump seems to be helping her so much and the doctor increased the dose up two different times this month. Dr. Yablon was so excited with her continued progress and said Friday she is right at the edge of talking. I will have to say that I agree.

We have not seen any big changes to her right side but neither is there any sign of any atrophy to the leg or arm. She is still having some muscle problems with that right arm so she also had a Botox treatment 2 weeks ago. He ordered serial casting on her arm to try and stretch the muscles and get them loosened up – if that doesn’t work he will probably send her to a surgeon for tendon release.

I used to wonder how people who do not believe in God and in His miracles survive something like this – then I remember some of the people I have seen in the hospitals along the way – the ones that always seem so miserable, like they have no hope. Fortunately for us, God provides our hope and comfort. I can’t imagine having gone through this situation without God’s presence in our lives. Even in trials and illness, He is always with us – taking care of us and giving us strength.

On the way to Memphis that night I saw this bright white light and heard this voice telling me she would be alright and I have never doubted it. I won’t lie and say I haven’t cried because I have, but sometimes we just can’t help that. The Lord has certainly heard all the prayers that all of you have said for Jodie and it has brought her this far and we will go the rest of the way with the Lord’s help and your prayers.

God's love,
Nancy Tharp