Happy 2012!

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year!!

Yes, I know it has been quite a while. As usual, summer came and went all too quickly for us. The change in weather moved Allie inside where she spends her days beating us at scrabble, using her laptop to catch up with friends on Facebook, do research, play games or enjoy a cherished visit from a friend. She's wrestling a bit with the winter blues but is happy that although it is usually too cold for her to go out most days she can see and feel the sunlight by sitting close to the glass sliding doors in the dining room. Which by the way, she has figured out (by using the foot pads on her chair) how to open and close to let the dogs in and out!

This year for the first time since Al's injury we were able to make the customary trip to Auntie Pam and Uncle Rod's in Shingle Springs for Thanksgiving. Since we took the motorhome Allie was able to comfortably stay for a couple of nights and make the most of the visit with her cousins. Thanks very much to my sister and brother-in-law for making their home wheelchair accessible. Our best KOA yet:)

In December Allie celebrated her 22nd birthday at a party at home with a small group of her closest friends. Her confidence and comfort at social events continuing to grow slowly. She's always so appreciative of any opportunity to attend a party, dine out with friends, go listen to music, have a friend over for a movie night or a visit from cousins Latasha or Eric. Lately, Allison's been coming over on Wednesdays and she and Allie have been having Twilight marathons. It's great when Allie has something to look forward to on a regular basis. On the downside, it is next to impossible for her to avoid the inevitable comparisons. For everything she misses due to inaccessiblity, time restrictions, special medical needs and people's fears.

Allie's new year's resolution was to wean herself completely off her nerve pain medication. She accomplished this ahead of schedule in December. She's still haunted by frequent nerve pain but because the meds do not rid her of the pain completely, she feels better for having fewer drugs in her body. Her determination and strength is truly admirable.

We are quickly approaching the three-year mark since that morning in April when all our plans and expectations for the future, our life as we knew it, was sent crashing off its path as violently as the car Allie was driving. Things become easier though, things get better and we adjust. We've gone from living second to second, minute to minute, day to day, week to week and now the months seem to fly by. Sure there are the occasional scares. Ventilator mis-functions, stubborn secretions that don't allow Allie to get a breath. Blood pressure drops that are accompanied by the all too familiar statements "Mom I can't see, I can't hear, I'm gonna pass out" and the many other dangers that are the result of a spinal injury. Still, Allie has beat the odds so many times that my mind can only accept her future as one full of miraculous recovery. We will never give up believing that Allie will take her own breaths free of the machine she depends on now. She will feel the ground beneath her feet when she walks and hug those she loves with her arms. I'm afraid it may take longer than originally thought. I assure her she has time. She's only 22! And if there is anybody out there listening that is working on the cure for those suffering as Allie is, we thank you and we beg you to not give up and if it's not too much to ask ....please keep my girl in mind.

The best and most exciting news we've all had in a long time is that there is a wedding in our future. Our daughter Anjel is soon to be the most beautiful of all brides. She and her finance, John (whom we all love and think of as a family member already) became engaged this summer and will be married in September. Plans are underway and we've had a blast shopping for bridesmaid dresses and shoes, the mother of the bride dress, and most importantly, the perfect wedding gown. Such fun. Allie will participate as one of seven bridesmaids and has been busy participating in all the plans. It will be a three-day event including a rehearsal lunch the day before the wedding and a wine tasting outing the day after. Once again the motorhome will allow Allie's participation in this three-day event.

So, as you can see life goes on. Some families have it easier, some have it more difficult. I wouldn't say that Allie is happy or content. I will say that she's adjusting.

Our biggest blessing continues and will always be that we have the most amazing family and group of friends anyone could ever even imagine. I am stubborn and sometimes overly confident maybe, but even I admit that this is too much for us to go through alone. When emotions get close to the breaking point there is always someone to help us through. When we celebrate, there is always someone to help us make the most of the celebration!

I recently had an unexpected stay in the hospital and when I got home needed quite a bit of help. A giant and special thank you to my sister, Victoria for stepping up and totally taking over responsibility of Allie's special needs (at the expense of many nights sleep). Vic with help from Pam, Marquerite, Marsha, Tricia, my brother Doug, Anjel, Adam and Ron, Allie was very well taken care of!  I never worried knowing that Allie was in the most loving and capable hands possible. For her though this was an especially challenging time since she was not only worried about me, but for the first time had to depend on several others for an extended period of time. She did so with patience, bravery and grace. I'm so proud of her. Thank you for the cards, gifts, and get well wishes and to Susan, Rosalie, Kathi, Nancy, my brother Richard, Sis Sandra, Annie and Kerry for your get well visits. And most of all thank you to my husband for taking such good care of me:)

We love you all and are oh so very grateful for your support. Thanks for your continuing interest in my girl's progress. Please remember her in your prayers.

Love, Peace & Happiness
Deborah