News about Kris

[Email from Carol and George Kline, Kris’ parents.]

Dear friends and loved ones! [exclamations marks also make me sigh a breath of relief when I get an email from Carol.]

After three days of hard driving (lots of rain, heavy winds and only one heated discussion about one's driving technique!), we arrived here in Austin late Wednesday evening.  It was, unfortunately, too late to go to the Texas Neuro Rehab Center to see Kris, but we were there at 8:10 a.m. Thursday morning!!!  (We would have been there sooner, but the traffic is horrendous here!)

We can tell you quite honestly that our greeting to you this morning is even more hopeful than all the others!  After having been warned all these many weeks that Kris's recovery will likely be extremely slow, all the many signs of progress are there however infinitely small they may be.  She is in the very best place to make even the slightest progress possible.  The people are very caring and wonderful and, because the area or building where she is deals with severe head trauma patients, the dedication to every detail and aspect of patient needs is first and foremost.  I met the neurologist assigned to her and staff representing all the therapies dedicated to her case; i.e., physical, occupational and speech.  Super people!  And I was appreciative of the fact that, while they were explaining things to me as they worked with her during the therapy sessions (morning and afternoon), they were also being very careful to explain everything to HER in great detail.  She has been responsive to a degree and, after repeating a certain request, Kris will usually manage to accomplish what they're asking.  Not every request, of course, but she surprises even the therapists now and then.  Yesterday, as they (there were three holding her and carefully working with her at the time) sat her up on the side of the mat-covered work area, she responded to their request to hold herself up with her arms and lean forward.  Because of the slightest stiffening of her arms and back muscles, it was agreed she had responded.  It was but a fleeting response, but they could tell she had held herself briefly and it was a good mark for that test.  I was elated and had to fight back tears!!!  Matter of fact, I had to do that all day!!!

After a day of reading to her, talking to her, loving her to pieces, coaxing and caring for her (I can now suction her and help with daily personal care), the real joyous moment happened last evening.  I had gone down the hall to get her laundry out of the dryer (they have a nice little laundry room there, too!), and George was all excited when I returned to her room.  "Did you hear?" he beamed.  "Hear what?"  The nurse had come in to check on her and he said, when the nurse asked if she knew it was him, she said, "Yes!"  Not clearly pronounced; it was more of an "S-s-s," but it was in response to the nurse's question.  The nurse then asked if she wanted to sing with her mom and dad, and Kris responded by making a rather higher pitched sound from her throat.  It may not have been an aria, but it was certainly music to their ears and the news spread through the nursing staff very quickly!  When the nurse asked Kris if she knew her mom was here, Kris moved her mouth and made sounds as if trying to speak.  I might add here that she is now actually opening both eyes (the right one mostly) and there is recognition present.  It comes and goes but it is quite obvious she has moments of being able to focus and recognize.  It was then that the tears came!!! 

I knew yesterday morning when Kris squeezed my hand that she is aware.  I saw that wonderful fleeting moment of recognition in her face.  I knew that having her sister, Diana, there last week was a wonderful help and a step in the right direction.  Diana worked with her and spoke to her and cared for her, and we are very sure Kris knew she was there.  Russell brought video tapes of the kids playing and talking and laughing, and that was a great help, too.  And, at last, it's Mom and Dad's turn to be with her and dedicate all efforts to whatever it will take.  It will be a long road back, no doubt, and there will be future surgery, of course.  But, through the strength of highly skilled people, lots and lots of love, all the many wonderful prayer warriors out there who continue to pray and, of course, God's planning and timing and healing, the miracles will continue every day.

We covet your prayers.  We love you for them.  And, yes, I will update all of you and continue to say thank you so very much!!!  We will give our deepest thanks to God who is truly in her corner every step of the way!!!

Blessings and love,

Carol and George