March Update

Catherine in Flagstaff Hospital 3-12-98

Catherine with Grandma Bessie and Dad 3-12-98

Catherine with Mom and Niece  3-12-98

Catherine's progress has been slow but definitely steady. For those who have been visiting on a daily basis, it is sometimes only slightly noticeable, but to those who come after a few days absence, it is very apparent. While she has been opening her eyes for some time, this week she seemed to do so in direct response to voice command. Last Sunday (3-8-98), her mother held the phone to her ear so she could listen to the church song service by way of phone hookup, and when her Aunt Mary Daulton sang a special, she opened her eyes in response. Earlier this week, her cousin had been visiting, and when time to leave, asked her if she would blink her eyes twice for her before leaving. The response was immediate and definite. Her Aunt Berta also got a positive response yesterday when telling her about a family member. Today has been a very encouraging one. While her mother was playing a video of family, she could hear the familiar voices and opened her eyes. Then she clearly focused on the TV monitor and followed the actions with her eyes for several minutes. This is the most sign of visual focus and recognition yet. They are removing the support collar at times (see photo) and there is talk of modifying her trach' to accommodate speech.

While all the factors concerning consciousness are encouraging, there is still concern about her muscular condition. The normal tendency is for the muscles to contract and not release. This causes the hands to clench, her shoulders to curl inward and other similar posturing. The nurses and family continue to give extensive therapy, but it is hard work and met with much resistance. Here, again, today there has been a marked improvement. She appears much more relaxed and "unpostured". She is put into a special therapy chair much of the time and allowed to be wheeled into a private visiting room where family and friends can visit and sing freely. There has been an enormous outpouring of support and many visitors. While the Lord has allowed a maximum of comfort and convenience for the current circumstance, the faith is still very high that complete recovery is just a prayer away. As in the prayer above; "God, we pray today that You'll move back every obstacle". And we believe it is already done!
 

Catherine with her Aunt Debbie  3-20-98

From left to right, Catherine's sister Neta-Bess - back to camera, Aunt Esther Dorington, Catherine, Amber Hawkes, Aunt Debbie Chiba.  3-20-98

Praise the Lord! Catherine is no longer considered to be comatose, but rather "stuporous". She is smiling and focusing her eyes more. She responds to smells - oranges and lasagna with a chewing action. The family wants to experiment with other stimuli too. The therapists are standing her on her feet 3 times a day and she is starting to assist them more and more. Also they are having her do some weight bearing exercises in which she is actively using her right arm to push her body up. They have down-sized the tracheotomy and hope to possibly remove it all together in 2 or 3 days. She was able to spend some time outside in the sun today, pushing her face toward the sun. We are encouraged and expecting more response from Catherine every day.

Amber is doing well also. She now has little or no pain and is walking more normally.

Catherine is still in a stuporous-coma state, but each day sees a little more progress. Her mother, Cynthia went to Phoenix this week to visit Barrows Neurological Center to get advice on the next steps for rehabilitation. They advocated an aggressive therapy program and while they are the best facility for the region, there are complications with getting the insurance to cover this treatment. So short of a miracle, we need to pray that the Lord provides a means to get her the additional treatment.

They started using a special speech valve which encourages her to breath more normally so she can be weaned from the tracheotomy and also facilitates speech. On Tuesday, she said the word "HI" on 2 different occasions in response to her Aunt Alberta. She keeps her eyes open much of the time now, and when she is sitting in her therapy chair, if someone walks close to the chair, she will raise her leg out towards that person. Since Thursday, they have started standing her up each day with a tilt table to get her used to applying weight on her feet. The family is noticing more responses in terms of eye tracking and shaking or moving her head. She shows definite signs of displeasure when she doesn't like something. As mentioned last week, they are still applying "aroma therapy". The family is still very much encouraged and thanks everyone for the outpouring of love, prayers, and encouragement, but asks for your continued prayer for a full recovery.
 
 

Catherine with her  2 sisters, Neta-Bess  and Joy   3-30-98