Kris update from Carol and George…

Dearest friends and loved ones!

My last email may have sounded a little bit blue because it was right after Kris's surgery and it seemed that she slipped a little.  Not to worry!  By Monday last week, she was back up and running!  She had her spirit back, her sense of humor, and her drive!!!  Last Thursday, we took her back down to Brooke Army Medical Center to have her staples out, and that just seemed to help her even more.  This week has been about the same: she's working hard, making some more "tiny steps" and, generally speaking, she is back on track.

Kris did have another swallow study this week and, while the epiglottis seems to be working a little bit, it still isn't doing the job it's supposed to do.  Therefore, she will have to continue with e-stym (electrical stimulation) to her face and neck to encourage good swallowing, and I will continue to give her tiny teaspoons full of sherbet, pudding, yogurt, etc.  It's a tedious daily happening, I'm afraid, but I've learned it takes all 54 muscles in the neck, face and mouth to actuate a complete swallow (think of it!), otherwise... choking and the possibility of pneumonia looms out there.  We'll keep working!!!

Having said all that, there are some new things coming.  George and I went to San Antonio to look at another facility that had been recommended to us by a family here at Texas Neuro Rehab Center (TNRC).  They are taking their son down there and told us of the great TBI program they have.  Since TNRC was highly recommended for traumatic brain injury patients, that's why Kris was sent here to Austin back in May.  However, when we went down to the facility in San Antonio (it's called Health South Rehabilitation of San Antonio), we discovered it is everything the other family said it was and more.  The best part, it will allow Kris to be much closer to her home, her family, and all of her friends and co-workers at both Wilford Hall Hospital and Brooke Army Medical Center.  Russell is all for the move so, as soon as the paperwork and the military get things worked out, she will go back to San Antonio. 

While we've been staying in the loveliest RV park here in Austin (and the folks here have been super!), we still are not used to the traffic here and, believe it or not, San Antonio is not as bad!!!  We do believe a change of scene, a new beginning with new therapists and just being closer to home will help Kris a great deal.  We're ready to go now, but it will take a few weeks to make it all happen. 

I may not have had time to respond to some of your emails lately; I keep running out of time.  But please know that I will get back to you.  We are constantly meeting new folks out here and making new friends.  So many are in similar circumstances and in need of prayers, too.  You just can't imagine!!!  If I were to give any advice to folks we know and love, I'd say: wherever you go, please drive carefully and safely.  Don't ever take life for granted; it can change in an instant.

Blessings and much love,

Carol and George