Sept 18th

Today was a good day for Clare. She is able to rest and had several visitors that were able to spend some quality time with her. We appreciate the way visitors have helped maintain such a healthy atmosphere for Clare. I have been told that sleep can be difficult to find for people with brain trauma. The respiratory therapist thought that Clare did not sleep the past couple of nights so when she does have her eyes closed we try our best to not disturb her. She wakes herself up enough as it is. Now she seems to thrash only when her pain medications start to wear off.
People keep asking us if Clare is doing well. This is kind of a difficult question to answer. A better question would be "Is Clare still making good progress?" One of the first blog entries that I did said that we compare everything to the past. So when we say she is doing well it is in comparison to where she has been and that she is making steady progress. Coming from a coma score of 3 to 8 is significant progress. Clare will probably have to relearn many things. We won't know the full extent of her injuries for many months to come.

Clare does like to find and focus on the colorful butterfly Char bought her. She is in a very good place to get well. All of the staff is very upbeat and positive about her progress. That is what we need to keep going. Kris spent time at the hospital today and I feel pretty confident that I can speak for all of us when I say thank you for everything that so many are doing to help. Kind thoughts really do go a long way to make this road one we can travel. I am glad we are not traveling it alone.