Amy, true to her nature, has made it through her third brain surgery this week. We are all grateful for the care and attentiveness of the medical team working with her.
She will need time to recover and regain strength and responsiveness after this week's hard work at which point she can begin again with her therapy team.
Please check the blog this weekend for some photographs of the moving dance benefit performance put on in Amy's honor a few weeks ago. The expressions of love for Amy keep her and us all strong.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
first week of december, medical update
My apologies everyone for the delay in updates.
Amy's progress is less dramatic than in the first weeks after her accident - this is not a bad thing!
We are beginning what will be a 6-18 month process of intensive therapy and re-programing for tasks such as communication and eating among other things. This takes a lot of energy for us all, and mostly from our brave Amy.
Amy's spirits remain good. She smiles, shrugs, gives thumbs ups, and continues to hold hands with determined strength. At the arrival of every card, poster, or picture she lights up and observes each attentively.
Physically Amy remains on a feeding tube as she has to re-learn how to swallow. She is still receiving oxygen support and is on another round of anti-biotics for her current lung infection. It takes a great deal of energy for her body to deal with excess cerebral fluid that is not being properly absorbed and it is likely that a surgery next week will help her deal with this problem for the long term.
Amy's vitals are all stable, however she is highly susceptible to any bug or infection from the outside world with her highly compromised immune system. Please continue to send her your love in emails to be read to her, cards, and pictures of you and loved ones.
Cognitively Amy is about one month into what doctors tell us will be a 6 month process just to reach her new baseline. Our current priorities mostly deal with communication and language. Because Amy was hit on the left side of her brain it is very difficult for her to recall words and even the shape that your mouth makes to pronounce sounds. Amy's speech therapist is working with her and family to access other pathways of potential communication on the right side of her brain such as music and tapping out rhythms. Although, because of an added component of Amy's trake which allows oxygen to be pushed through her vocal cords, she is physically capable of speech it is unlikely that we will hear her voice for a very long time.
When Amy is stable enough, able to participate in three hours of therapy a day, and has had the surgery to return a piece of her skull (which was removed to alleviate pressure from swelling when she first arrived at the hospital,) she will be moved along with family to a live-in brain injury rehabilitation hospital.
I want to emphasize that my sister still looks like herself and behaves like herself. This tragedy has altered her life in significant and undeniable ways which we are all struggling to comprehend, but Amy is still Amy - bright eyes, full head of wavy hair, delicate dancer arms, simply just as beautiful as ever - and loves with the same sincere, tenacious love she has taught us so well over the years.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support, concern, love, and enthusiasm for Amy. We will continue to update this blog, however if you have specific questions or are concerned between updates please email myself (Jess, writer of these blog updates) at j.genevievebailey@gmail.com, instead of Deanne who needs to focus all of her attention on Amy's health and does not want your emails or calls to go unanswered.
Amy's progress is less dramatic than in the first weeks after her accident - this is not a bad thing!
We are beginning what will be a 6-18 month process of intensive therapy and re-programing for tasks such as communication and eating among other things. This takes a lot of energy for us all, and mostly from our brave Amy.
Amy's spirits remain good. She smiles, shrugs, gives thumbs ups, and continues to hold hands with determined strength. At the arrival of every card, poster, or picture she lights up and observes each attentively.
Physically Amy remains on a feeding tube as she has to re-learn how to swallow. She is still receiving oxygen support and is on another round of anti-biotics for her current lung infection. It takes a great deal of energy for her body to deal with excess cerebral fluid that is not being properly absorbed and it is likely that a surgery next week will help her deal with this problem for the long term.
Amy's vitals are all stable, however she is highly susceptible to any bug or infection from the outside world with her highly compromised immune system. Please continue to send her your love in emails to be read to her, cards, and pictures of you and loved ones.
Cognitively Amy is about one month into what doctors tell us will be a 6 month process just to reach her new baseline. Our current priorities mostly deal with communication and language. Because Amy was hit on the left side of her brain it is very difficult for her to recall words and even the shape that your mouth makes to pronounce sounds. Amy's speech therapist is working with her and family to access other pathways of potential communication on the right side of her brain such as music and tapping out rhythms. Although, because of an added component of Amy's trake which allows oxygen to be pushed through her vocal cords, she is physically capable of speech it is unlikely that we will hear her voice for a very long time.
When Amy is stable enough, able to participate in three hours of therapy a day, and has had the surgery to return a piece of her skull (which was removed to alleviate pressure from swelling when she first arrived at the hospital,) she will be moved along with family to a live-in brain injury rehabilitation hospital.
I want to emphasize that my sister still looks like herself and behaves like herself. This tragedy has altered her life in significant and undeniable ways which we are all struggling to comprehend, but Amy is still Amy - bright eyes, full head of wavy hair, delicate dancer arms, simply just as beautiful as ever - and loves with the same sincere, tenacious love she has taught us so well over the years.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support, concern, love, and enthusiasm for Amy. We will continue to update this blog, however if you have specific questions or are concerned between updates please email myself (Jess, writer of these blog updates) at j.genevievebailey@gmail.com, instead of Deanne who needs to focus all of her attention on Amy's health and does not want your emails or calls to go unanswered.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thanksgiving week, medical update.
Amy continues to settle into the PCU. The walls are now decorated with the beautiful posters made and sent by all of you, and we try to keep music playing.
Amy is fighting a new lung infection. She recovered well from her last case of pneumonia, and while it is not unsurprising given her lengthy respiratory struggle, we are saddened that she has to fight another side battle.
For some of us gratitude is vastly easy this week - for her life, her love, her irreplaceable nature. For some of us I know gratitude is hard - her pain, her undeserved suffering, and her different life.
What is fact is that Amy loves Thanksgiving.
So for no more complex reason then this, I assure you she will be very disappointed if we all forget to eat.
Amy is fighting a new lung infection. She recovered well from her last case of pneumonia, and while it is not unsurprising given her lengthy respiratory struggle, we are saddened that she has to fight another side battle.
For some of us gratitude is vastly easy this week - for her life, her love, her irreplaceable nature. For some of us I know gratitude is hard - her pain, her undeserved suffering, and her different life.
What is fact is that Amy loves Thanksgiving.
So for no more complex reason then this, I assure you she will be very disappointed if we all forget to eat.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
update: week four.
Good afternoon from the Denver Health Progressive Care Unit!
Amy has successfully moved from her ICU room to the Progressive care unit. This unit is still technically part of the ICU and staffed by extremely experienced nurses, however the move is a nod to Amy's growing stability. She will stay here until she is strong enough - physically and cognitively - to move to a brain injury rehabilitation hospital.
Amy's new room is larger and we are excited to decorate it with the beautiful posters, photos and letters which keep arriving for Amy. Amy responds with attentiveness and smiles to cards and envelopes - opening them with her left hand. Please keep sending her mail (I will update the address on this cite under the tab "mail for Amy." If you've recently sent to her ICU address, don't worry: The hospital staff has been bringing all her mail to us from the old room.)
Although Amy's health is improving and her vitals stabilizing, she is still in a very delicate transitional period. Because she has suffered several complications (including a challenging lung infection and respiratory disorder, along with blood clots and air between her lungs and chest wall,) her immune system is still compromised. Especially while she remains on a course of steroids, it is vital that she is not exposed to any colds, coughs, or germs which could easily overwhelm her.
Although Amy has been moved to the progressive care unit, her Nurses and Doctors are emphasizing the importance of slowly building Amy's world again from the familiar to the less familiar. Due to this cognitive rehabilitation strategy, Amy's fragile immune system, and her need to work with physical therapists and then have steady periods of rest, visitation is still being restricted to family. Amy's physical therapists have emphasized how much she will need in person encouragement a little down the road.
However, Amy is a person who deeply values relationships. Although she is still finding ways to communicate with us as she recovers, it is clear that letters and cards comfort her.
In gratitude always for your loving support and enthusiasm for Amy's recovery.
Amy has successfully moved from her ICU room to the Progressive care unit. This unit is still technically part of the ICU and staffed by extremely experienced nurses, however the move is a nod to Amy's growing stability. She will stay here until she is strong enough - physically and cognitively - to move to a brain injury rehabilitation hospital.
Amy's new room is larger and we are excited to decorate it with the beautiful posters, photos and letters which keep arriving for Amy. Amy responds with attentiveness and smiles to cards and envelopes - opening them with her left hand. Please keep sending her mail (I will update the address on this cite under the tab "mail for Amy." If you've recently sent to her ICU address, don't worry: The hospital staff has been bringing all her mail to us from the old room.)
Although Amy's health is improving and her vitals stabilizing, she is still in a very delicate transitional period. Because she has suffered several complications (including a challenging lung infection and respiratory disorder, along with blood clots and air between her lungs and chest wall,) her immune system is still compromised. Especially while she remains on a course of steroids, it is vital that she is not exposed to any colds, coughs, or germs which could easily overwhelm her.
Although Amy has been moved to the progressive care unit, her Nurses and Doctors are emphasizing the importance of slowly building Amy's world again from the familiar to the less familiar. Due to this cognitive rehabilitation strategy, Amy's fragile immune system, and her need to work with physical therapists and then have steady periods of rest, visitation is still being restricted to family. Amy's physical therapists have emphasized how much she will need in person encouragement a little down the road.
However, Amy is a person who deeply values relationships. Although she is still finding ways to communicate with us as she recovers, it is clear that letters and cards comfort her.
In gratitude always for your loving support and enthusiasm for Amy's recovery.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
In gratitude
On Sunday November 11th, the Colorado Dance community gathered to dance for Amy.
Over ten companies presented work in honor of Amy's recovery and dedication to dance.
With a standing room only performance, over $6,800 was raised for the Amy Hollinger Benefit Fund.
The sincerity of passion in the dancers and the audience was beautiful to behold and steadied our hearts.
Many thanks to all - to those who danced, to those who handed out tickets, to the Dairy Center for the Arts, from stage managers to choreographers to financial managers, each and every person who took a seat or a stand in the audience to celebrate Amy.
We are most thankful.
Please check back for pictures of the event.
If you would like to be involved in the next Amy Hollinger recovery celebration please stay tuned for more information about the upcoming January 19th performance.
Over ten companies presented work in honor of Amy's recovery and dedication to dance.
With a standing room only performance, over $6,800 was raised for the Amy Hollinger Benefit Fund.
The sincerity of passion in the dancers and the audience was beautiful to behold and steadied our hearts.
Many thanks to all - to those who danced, to those who handed out tickets, to the Dairy Center for the Arts, from stage managers to choreographers to financial managers, each and every person who took a seat or a stand in the audience to celebrate Amy.
We are most thankful.
Please check back for pictures of the event.
If you would like to be involved in the next Amy Hollinger recovery celebration please stay tuned for more information about the upcoming January 19th performance.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
week/wekend update
Amy's week passed well in the ICU with the doctors slowly bringing her off her ventilator and some of the heavier medications. As she becomes more aware and physically interactive she will see her team of occupational, speech, and physical therapists more often.
Unfortunately, just as Amy was about to be moved to the hospital's progressive care unit a large blood clot necessitated an operation. Amy is recovering well back in the ICU. Given the demands of surgery on the body we are helping Amy stay calm and sleep as much as possible over the next few days.
Amy loves opening cards and envelopes. The good wishes, kind thoughts, prayers and love that you are all sending fill her room with such peace.
As the weekend progresses we are very excited about tonight's dance benefit in Boulder for Amy! Please join us this evening as Colorado's leading companies dance for Amy. More information can be found a few posts down on this blog.
Unfortunately, just as Amy was about to be moved to the hospital's progressive care unit a large blood clot necessitated an operation. Amy is recovering well back in the ICU. Given the demands of surgery on the body we are helping Amy stay calm and sleep as much as possible over the next few days.
Amy loves opening cards and envelopes. The good wishes, kind thoughts, prayers and love that you are all sending fill her room with such peace.
As the weekend progresses we are very excited about tonight's dance benefit in Boulder for Amy! Please join us this evening as Colorado's leading companies dance for Amy. More information can be found a few posts down on this blog.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
a good tuesday
As we spend our third week in the Denver Health ICU, Amy has lifted our hearts yesterday and today with her liveliness, affection, and, frankly, suborn determination.
Lessening Amy's sedation is a very delicate process, however today she was deemed strong enough for doctors to negate her heaviest med entirely and cut another in half over last night. Now that she is awake more than asleep, Amy has begun the process of exploring her environment and learning what her current confines of interaction with it are.
Watching the change and seeing glimmers of her personality and facial expressions has been indescribable today. She consistently beats Jess at thumb wars, follows Mom around the room with her eyes, fingers her mail, and glares indignantly at her new respiratory therapist. Tomorrow Amy will meet with a physical therapist and hopefully continue to require less pressure on her ventilator. Her physical condition is still very delicate, and for all the new found fun, rest is paramount.
She breaks my heart and mends it all over again every time she gives me a one-armed hug. It's been a very blessed tuesday in denver.
We are all accompanying Amy on a long road to recovery which will no doubt be scattered with temporary set-backs, continued fears, and a steep learning curve for all of us.
However, what we do know for sure, admits much uncertainty, is that Amy knows she is loved and can consistently and forcefully communicate her own love in return.
We want everything for Amy, but, at the end of the day, this is everything.
Lessening Amy's sedation is a very delicate process, however today she was deemed strong enough for doctors to negate her heaviest med entirely and cut another in half over last night. Now that she is awake more than asleep, Amy has begun the process of exploring her environment and learning what her current confines of interaction with it are.
Watching the change and seeing glimmers of her personality and facial expressions has been indescribable today. She consistently beats Jess at thumb wars, follows Mom around the room with her eyes, fingers her mail, and glares indignantly at her new respiratory therapist. Tomorrow Amy will meet with a physical therapist and hopefully continue to require less pressure on her ventilator. Her physical condition is still very delicate, and for all the new found fun, rest is paramount.
She breaks my heart and mends it all over again every time she gives me a one-armed hug. It's been a very blessed tuesday in denver.
We are all accompanying Amy on a long road to recovery which will no doubt be scattered with temporary set-backs, continued fears, and a steep learning curve for all of us.
However, what we do know for sure, admits much uncertainty, is that Amy knows she is loved and can consistently and forcefully communicate her own love in return.
We want everything for Amy, but, at the end of the day, this is everything.
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