This is Clare and I'm wanting to make our announcement. We're due to have a little boy on December 7, 2012. If you would've told me I'd be back in the hospital just a year from the time I got released, this is the only way I would've been okay with it. They say everything looks good so far, they just say I'm a high risk because of my pelvis getting broken in the accident. I get a shot everyday now because it's not safe to be on coumadin, a blood thinner, during pregnancy. We're super excited for this new chapter in our life!! I continue my therapy at Neuroworx in South Jordan a couple times a week and they're focusing on getting my core strong enough to hold the baby and getting my gait back to normal. They're also focusing on my balance because i'm gonna need it here soon to chase a little boy around-and if I learned anything from getting Jonah, it's that little boys are full of energy and always want to be on the go, so i have a little tornado I will need to keep up with! For any of you that don't know what Neuroworx is, it is a specialty rehab center that specializes on rehabilitation for people who have suffered spinal cord injuries, and getting people walking and behaving physically normally again.
We have been remodelling our house the last few months and have 2 chickens still left; the others have all escaped somehow. My llama likes to escape too and doesn't seem to spend too much time in his pasture. My little dog loves having me home, and my husband especially does too. We just can't wait until our little family grows by one here before the end of the year and we are really excited at how well this therapy is working for me in my road to recovery. I'm not done recovering, I know that, and am working hard everyday to get back to how I physically, and mentally was before the accident.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Superhero
This last week my husband and I went to Zion National Park with a few people for spring break. We mentioned to Clare that she was welcome to come down and hang out, but I didn't think she would really make the drive to Zion. Well, Tuesday morning rolled around and Clare texted me saying her and Kris had just left Meadow and were heading down to meet us!
When Clare and Kris arrived we went to hike Weeping Rock, a 1/2 mile round-trip hike that is pretty steep. I expected Clare to struggle with it, but she did the whole hike without taking any breaks!
We hung out at camp for awhile and watched the boys play on a rope swing they made, then we decided to go on another hike called Watchman Trail. This one is about 2 1/2 miles and is steep and more difficult than Weeping Rock. We kept telling Clare we could turn back at any time, but she was adamant that she wanted to do the whole hike saying, "If I don't finish I won't have anything to brag about!"
It was slow-going and we took a lot of breaks, but she was stubborn and we made it through the hardest part of the trail before it started getting dark and we (unfortunately) had to turn back. Clare had pushed herself so hard her calves were cramping up, so Kris gave her a piggyback down a lot of the way.
At this moment, I think I had a little taste of what it must feel like to be a parent and see your kid accomplish something great-I was more proud of Clare as I watched her determination to reach the end than I have been of anyone or anything ever before!
When things get hard it is so easy to give up, but Clare has so much motivation and drive to get better, despite the pain it may cause her. I have a new resolution to have the drive Clare does.
When Clare and Kris arrived we went to hike Weeping Rock, a 1/2 mile round-trip hike that is pretty steep. I expected Clare to struggle with it, but she did the whole hike without taking any breaks!
It was slow-going and we took a lot of breaks, but she was stubborn and we made it through the hardest part of the trail before it started getting dark and we (unfortunately) had to turn back. Clare had pushed herself so hard her calves were cramping up, so Kris gave her a piggyback down a lot of the way.
When things get hard it is so easy to give up, but Clare has so much motivation and drive to get better, despite the pain it may cause her. I have a new resolution to have the drive Clare does.
Clare, you are my hero!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
It has been quite a while since posting an update. Yesterday I went to Meadow to help with a project that Kris is in the middle of. It was a good day and we got a lot done. While I was there Clare made brownies for us. She did it all without any help from us. Clare is able to walk on her own. Her gate is not quite even and she is unsteady at times, but boy has she come a long way. It is a miracle. Seeing how far she has come in the last couple of months just makes be look forward to this summer.
Kris and Clare surprised me by following me back home (about an hour behind me) to attend a surprise party for my birthday. She was so pleased with herself that she didn't "spill the beans" and let me know that they were coming up. She spent most of the evening talking to friends and family and enjoying being out. It is easy for her to smile and laugh. I am so glad that she has a pleasant disposition. I know she gets worried and discouraged, but she is trying so hard to keep positive. She is always making lists and writing down notes in her "memory book".
I am looking forward to the day when she wants to write on this site. I think for now it is just one more thing for her to forget to do.
Thank you for your continued concern and prayers. Clare and Kris still have a lot of healing to do, but they are taking on the world together.
Kris and Clare surprised me by following me back home (about an hour behind me) to attend a surprise party for my birthday. She was so pleased with herself that she didn't "spill the beans" and let me know that they were coming up. She spent most of the evening talking to friends and family and enjoying being out. It is easy for her to smile and laugh. I am so glad that she has a pleasant disposition. I know she gets worried and discouraged, but she is trying so hard to keep positive. She is always making lists and writing down notes in her "memory book".
I am looking forward to the day when she wants to write on this site. I think for now it is just one more thing for her to forget to do.
Thank you for your continued concern and prayers. Clare and Kris still have a lot of healing to do, but they are taking on the world together.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year
So many want to know how Clare and Kris are continuing to mend. Well it is a slow process but they are making progress. Friday we drove to Meadow and brought Clare back to South Jordan for the weekend. Kris worked 3 twelve hour shifts this weekend and it ended up being a good situation for us to help and for many family and friends in Northern Utah to see Clare.
Clarissa is able to walk pretty well with some assistance. Her walk is slow and unsteady and she does not trust her right leg yet so she takes very small steps. She has made so much progress in the past few weeks. Her memory is also much improved. We notice that she is sharper in the morning when she is fresh than at night. It is very common for her to remember things she did today as well as the past few days. I am very encouraged with her continued progress and understand from others that have had brain injuries that significant improvement happens for years and that a positive supportive environment is what she needs. Kris is really good at making her feel happy and caring for her.
Saturday we went to the movie "The Adventures of Tintin" Clare had to walk quite a ways and she did it very well. She enjoyed the movie even though afterward she said she had a hard time following what was going on because she forgot what had happened. She did like the popcorn. Sunday morning Kris surprised us coming straight from work to attend Sacrament meeting with us. The ward family was very excited to see them both and Clare seemed happy that she remembered all the people there. Her long term memory is very much intact and seeing so many people from her past was good because it brought back memories and helped her feel that she has not forgotten as much as she fears she has. It is just the short term stuff she has trouble with.
Sunday afternoon Kris had to return home to work his last long shift of the weekend. We invited family and friends to come to our home in the evening. There were times when the house was packed with people. Clare handled it very well and smiled and looked pretty all evening. Scout on the other hand sat at Clare's feet most of the night, guarding her and barking at people when they moved. It has quieted down now. Clare, Bethany and Annette are planning a baby shower for a friend and having a good time.
The bottom line for this post is for all of you to know that Kris and Clare continue to heal and make progress. Thank you for all of your concern, prayers and positive thoughts. At church today many people told me they were so glad to see Kris and Clare and that they looked amazing. Hundreds of people have been involved on a very personal level and it is almost a "payday" for everyone that sees and talks with Kris and Clare. It is amazing to feel the outpouring of faith and appreciation that everyone expresses wherever we go.
Clarissa is able to walk pretty well with some assistance. Her walk is slow and unsteady and she does not trust her right leg yet so she takes very small steps. She has made so much progress in the past few weeks. Her memory is also much improved. We notice that she is sharper in the morning when she is fresh than at night. It is very common for her to remember things she did today as well as the past few days. I am very encouraged with her continued progress and understand from others that have had brain injuries that significant improvement happens for years and that a positive supportive environment is what she needs. Kris is really good at making her feel happy and caring for her.
Saturday we went to the movie "The Adventures of Tintin" Clare had to walk quite a ways and she did it very well. She enjoyed the movie even though afterward she said she had a hard time following what was going on because she forgot what had happened. She did like the popcorn. Sunday morning Kris surprised us coming straight from work to attend Sacrament meeting with us. The ward family was very excited to see them both and Clare seemed happy that she remembered all the people there. Her long term memory is very much intact and seeing so many people from her past was good because it brought back memories and helped her feel that she has not forgotten as much as she fears she has. It is just the short term stuff she has trouble with.
Sunday afternoon Kris had to return home to work his last long shift of the weekend. We invited family and friends to come to our home in the evening. There were times when the house was packed with people. Clare handled it very well and smiled and looked pretty all evening. Scout on the other hand sat at Clare's feet most of the night, guarding her and barking at people when they moved. It has quieted down now. Clare, Bethany and Annette are planning a baby shower for a friend and having a good time.
The bottom line for this post is for all of you to know that Kris and Clare continue to heal and make progress. Thank you for all of your concern, prayers and positive thoughts. At church today many people told me they were so glad to see Kris and Clare and that they looked amazing. Hundreds of people have been involved on a very personal level and it is almost a "payday" for everyone that sees and talks with Kris and Clare. It is amazing to feel the outpouring of faith and appreciation that everyone expresses wherever we go.
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