Seven Great Things That Happened with Aubrey Today

Hey everyone, this is Andy.  I wanted to share seven encouraging things that happened with Aubrey today. 

1. For the first time since waking up from the coma, Aubrey slept all night.  Thank You, Jesus.
2. Aubrey said "mommy" several times last night when Ashleigh was there.  And you can imagine how my heart melted when she said "daddy" twice today.  Plus, while the nurse was flushing her IV line today, she got impatient and said, "All done!" to indicate it was time for the nurse to give her some space. 
3. We took Aubrey's baby doll from her today, and despite how weak she is, she got mad, stood up, and took a step (with help) to get her baby back.  Her strength continues to improve, and she is now able to sit unsupported.  She also is able to sit herself up in bed.
4. She's also starting to interact with her environment more.  This morning, she was was watching the portable DVD player and it fell over.  Rather than let it sit there, she reached out and pulled it back.  Later on, she reached over and picked up a book that was sitting next to her and held it in her lap.  These victories may sound small, but it's the first time she has shown any interest in anything around her, and it's a good sign.
5. When the doctors lowered the dosage of Keppra, she became more calm, though she still freaks out when nurses or therapists approacher her.  Despite some ongoing struggles, her pediatriac doctor said he was, quite frankly, taken aback by how much progress she was making in just two to three days (God is at work!).
6. Thank God tests showed she has no acid reflux.  Plus, the doctors are so encouraged by her progress, they don't think she will need the feeding tube for long, and therefore, they aren't going to place the tube into her abdomen.  This is great news, because it means she will probably go to the rehab hospital sooner rather than later. 
7. Aubrey allowed an NG tube (tube from her nose down into her stomach) today and has not tried to pull it out.  We are successfully feeding her through that tube for now.  The plan is to keep it in until her swallowing and aversion to food improves.  A promising sign of progress is that when Lilly was here this afternoon, she offered Aubrey a cookie.  Aubrey didn't eat it, but she didn't flip out either (she flips out anytime Ashleigh or I offer her something to eat).  She also held the cookie in her lap and held her sippy cup.  She didn't eat or drink anything, but this is a step in the right direction.

So, for the next couple days the plan is to feed her through the NG tube, continue to monitor her agitation, make adjustments to her seizure medication, work on feeding and swallowing to the point that she does not need an NG tube, and then get her to the rehabilitation hospital.

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Can you take a moment to pray for these areas:

• the agitation would continue to decline
• she will participate with her therapists
• she will tolerate the NG tube feedings
• she will start wanting to eat
• she will continue to get stronger and want to start walking

Despite the dark nightmare we've been through, we felt some more hope today, and we know that God is responding to all the prayers.  We praise Him and are grateful that He is being glorified as we come together in agreement to believe that He is our Healer.