Samantha’s Traumatic Brain Injury: Week Three

Wow, so much progress this week!! You can read about weeks ONE and TWO here.

The biggest change was that she was moved to Mary Free Bed rehabilitation hospital. She seems a lot happier here!

At Mary Free Bed, she has a full schedule of things to do. They are currently doing occupational, physical and speech therapies. Her stomach infection is still a concern right now, so she’s not able to leave her room. Once that is all cleared up, then she will be able to travel outside her room to do her therapies. I think that will be really nice for her!

Samantha’s definitely more awake now! I mean.. she sleeps a lot too but her eyes will fully open. She will focus in on you and can respond to what you’re saying. They actually capped her trach this week too!! We got to finally hear her voice! She’s not saying full sentences just yet but little things here and there.

I let her hold my phone to see if she remembered how to text. She went and found our text conversation, then typed “Ur gay” to me all on her own. I was laughing so hard because she definitely hasn’t lost her personality. My mom asked her if she remembered her phone passcode so we could bring her phone to have. She said yes and then my mom asked what it was and she said, “none of your business”!! Little brat haha!

She loves to throw up the peace sign for photos too!

Although I love all the spunk we are getting, she still zones out a lot. She will turn her head away or close her eyes when she’s too overwhelmed. These are all normal things for TBI patients. She’s getting stronger every day though. She almost sat up on her own! During therapies, they are having her put on her own clothes, brush her teeth, write, sit on the edge of the bed, stand up for a short time, etc. They also do lots of stretches with her.

She has to have a “sitter” in the room at all times so she doesn’t try getting out of bed or pull at her feeding tube/trach. She’s been known to grab at all her cords!

I brought her niece and nephew up to see her this week. She slept the entire visit so they were sad. The next day I asked Samantha if she remembered Harper and Mason being up to visit and she said yes. That tells me she’s always listening even if it appears she’s sleeping.

Samantha’s own children haven’t seen her in 20 days. Her son is now walking and she missed his first steps. It’s heartbreaking. We are waiting to bring them up until she is more herself. I’m sure her appearance would shock them too but once she’s able to communicate more, it will be better for them.

Thank you all for continuing to pray for Samantha. People have brought meals, groceries, diapers, etc. to my parents and it’s all so very helpful.

I vlogged one day this week too – you can hear more about my thoughts of the latest court hearing and you can see a little clip of Samantha in action! WATCH IT HERE.