Jodie update

We recently returned from another visit to Dr. Leslie at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Everything went great and Dr. Leslie increased the dosage to Jodie’s baclofen pump a good bit, which I hope will help her loosen up some more.

On this visit we got to see Perry Ann Williams, the Regional Marketing Manager at Shepherd - she had not seen Jodie since we were discharged 3 years ago. When she walked in the room and saw us, she started crying. She kept telling Jodie how beautiful she is and how glad she was to see her. Perry Ann took pictures of us and they are posted along with this update. And I have to agree with her – Jodie does look beautiful! It is so strange because I see Jodie everyday and of course I know how well she’s doing, but when I saw these pictures I was even blown away at how great she looks. Her progress has truly been sent from above. Everyone at Shepherd says they think about us every day as they pass the Viking store coming to work!

Another notable – it takes awhile to empty out the old baclofen before they add the new and Jodie was ready to be finished – imagine Jodie impatient – so Dr. Leslie told her to count to 10 and then he’d be finished. He started counting and she mouthed it right along with him! She is really trying to say a lot of words, but I just can’t quite understand what she is saying sometimes - but I have faith that soon she’ll be able to say her words clearer so we can understand her better.

Jodie has also seen two other new doctors recently and we have been very excited about them. Dr. Ruth Fredericks in Jackson is her neurologist and has requested to see her every 2 ½ months so she can get to know her more and follow her needs – she is very knowledgeable in brain injuries and we feel she will be a great asset to Jodie’s care.

We also recently had an appointment with Dr. Daneca DiPaolo, an orthopedic doctor here in Greenwood. She is working on trying to get some more use to Jodie’s right arm. Right now it is contracted at the elbow and she cannot straighten it completely out. I had originally asked Dr. DiPaolo about tendon release (like Jodie had done on her feet) but she wants to try splinting first - the only problem is Jodie despises the splints and can get them off, which she usually does! Sometimes, as fast as I put one on, she takes it off – I’ve decided that she is turning into Houdini! Hopefully, with more use, she will begin to get comfortable with the splints and they will do their job.

As you can see, Jodie continues to progress. We thank you for keeping up with Jodie and we ask for your continued prayers for her recovery. It’s been a long journey and we still have a long way to go, but with the love, support and prayers from our friends, family and prayer warriors - the journey is a smoother ride. We thank God for Jodie and for each of you.


Nancy



Pictures taken at Shepherd Center - August 2007
Jodie, Nancy and Dr. Leslie