Allie

Allie

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Allie gets a look in the mirror

Dear Friends and Family,

A few nights ago very late Allie asked me if she could see herself in a mirror. This was an event I knew was coming but lived in fear of. For those of you that have not seen Allie or someone else in a halo, I will try and describe it to you. There is a round metal "halo" that goes around her head about an inch out. It is secured to her head by four pieces of hardware that are screwed into her skull. Two are in her forehead and two above her ears. There are four long round bars that hold the "halo" and are attached to a vest that goes around the tops of her shoulders and ends below her ribs. Allie looked into the mirror and asked if those screws were actually in her head. We told her they were. Her only response was "Oh my God". Then she asked to see her trach with and without the tube in it. Then she informed me that the circles under her eyes weren't as bad as I had been telling her they were (thought it might get her to sleep more). She gave us kind of a "oh well" expression and that was the end of it. I continue to be in awe of her ability to cope.

Allie's day yesterday was a series of frightening experiences. It would take too long to go into them all but she lost the air from her vent three times. Beyond scary!! As good as it is here, I could go on and on about the mistakes made, personnel issues, etc. but I won't.

Allie continues to be in a lot of pain. Some from her injured neck and a lot from what they refer to as nerve pain which manifests in her limbs and back in spite of the fact she can't move or feel those areas of her body.

It is impossible for her to get comfortable. She rarely sleeps more than a couple hours at a time.

On the positive side she swallowed a couple of ice chips today and she is scheduled to go outside for the first time today (was suppose to go yesterday but portable vent wasn't charged).

Thank you all for your prayers, love, concern, help, visits, etc.

Please continue to pray for Allie and Jerry's recovery.

Allie has asked me to share my faith with her everyday that she will get better. I believe she will.

Love,
Deborah

19 comments:

  1. You are in my prayers Allie! I believe in you and I believe that God will heal you. Keep your chin up and stay positive :) You are an amazing girl and have such a strong will that you can do anything! My God grant you many years, the strength you need to get better, and a full recovery!

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  2. Thank you Deborah for the update,I am thinking of you all constantly.
    May Allie get some good rest and strength on this daily path of healing .

    Namaste,love you all ,Gabi

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  3. Allie sweetie. We are praying for you and your family. So glad this web site is here. With your determination and go get it attitude I know you are healing. I hope you can get longer periods of rest. Hugs to you and your family, Carol Pavlina, another Valley Mom

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  4. Dear Allie, hope so much that everything become good again - I will send Reiki for you and your family and pray for you all.
    Best wishes to you
    Conny from Germany

    Sorry for my bad English

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  5. Allie is so amazing. I love you so much Allie! Thank you for the update Deborah

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  6. Allie you are the angel that fills our hearts with hope, faith and love.............

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  7. Hey Deb and Allie,
    Jordan is on her way back from there right now... I couldnt make it today but im gunna try 2mrw or sun... Aliie's surprise still hasn't come but I called so it better be here 2mrw b/c she is going to be sooo excited... always in my heart forever on my mind girly... xoxo
    love michelle

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  8. Hi Allie,
    I heard a few different stories but after reading this and getting the real story it just breaks my heart. You are such an amazing strong girl. Please take all the time you need and get better. I have kept you in my prayers and I will keep praying.
    I am so happy to hear that you will be able to go outside today that give's me a lot more hope in your recovery. If there is anyway my family and I can help let us know. get better!
    Love Lauren and the Rozario family

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  9. Josephine SwensonMay 9, 2009 at 12:00 AM

    Hi Allie,
    It's so hard to believe that so many years have passed - it seems like it was yesterday that you and your group of friends were rehearsing for your Talent Show in elementary school. All of us "Valley Moms" will do anything we can to help you and your family. Please know that you are always in our prayers and we will continue to pray for your pains to go away and for your body to heal. Your strength is amazing and I know you are lucky to have such a wonderful family and group of friends by your side. You also have A LOT of friends who would love to visit you when they're given the OK.

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  10. Blessings, Oh Lord, for this young woman, that she may heal and overcome the hard road ahead. That her heart remains joyous and positive and that, with the love of those around her, she thrives and continues to be a light to those whose lives she touches.

    For her family Lord, give them peace, give them hope and give them what they need to see their daughter, sister and friend, grow past this.

    May God bless you all.

    A friend

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  11. Allie & family - Keeping you all in our prayers. Praying for what you need when it is posted, and then some.
    So glad to see the fundraiser announcement!
    Lots of Valley Moms are ready to help your family & friends with the fundraiser.
    Keep that fight inside you alive Allie!
    Sharon Ferry

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  13. Aloha Allie,
    Hope you got to go outside!
    Sending you boundless love and prayers to nurture your courageous spirit.

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  14. Allie,
    You are in our thoughts and prayers always, every day. We pray for your strength and courage and healing. We have faith in your determination and ability to overcome, and to heal. Deborah and Ron, Adam and your whole family is in our prayers. We send our love continually to all of you.

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  15. Allie is such a strong and determined girl, i am in awe with her ability to cope with all of this. But that's Al, and she has all the stength needed to recover. Im thinking of her everyday, please tell her I miss her very much and I'm so sorry I havent been there this past week. I'm coming tomorrow around 11:30 with some of Al's friends. Ill call before to check up and make sure that's alright.

    With Love,
    Haley

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  16. Dear Allie, I'm so glad I could come for a short visit the other day. I think about you every day; send my love, strength, support and prayers. Knowing that miracles happen every day and knowing you are a strong believer, I KNOW there is a miracle with your name on it. I KNOW there is healing for you. You are loved and cared for. Keep the Faith and Hang in there! All My Love, Carla

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  17. Ha. I try not to laugh about such serious matters. But it reminds me of the day my sister snuck a compact mirror into my hospital room after my accident, which I am sure is so minimal compared to what you guys have been through. My mom had insisted on no mirrors because my face looked like I put it on the BBQ! Which those of us that remember, I was going to be a model, ahhahahahah. Anyways I feel for you lady. I remember that first look in the mirror is really hard. But now its been seventeen years and the scars have healed and its not so bad anymore. Things do get better, I know its hard to see it when you are in the thick of it. But you are the strongest person and have the best family and group of friends the love the crap out of you!

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  18. Dear Allie, I pray you get better every day. I am interested in stem cell research and I hope your parents look at this ABC News article on spinal cord injury treatment with stem cell therapy. It works! It has been in clinical trials since January. The science is fascinating. Don't lose hope!

    http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6714904

    God bless you,
    Susan
    stritch@usa.net
    If I can provide you anymore information please feel free to contact me.

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