I was getting ready to put up Kimmie's latest update this afternoon...my Mom had called me and given me the latest this morning...and before I could get it online, Kimmie herself called me to tell me even better news!!! She wanted me to know that she gets to go home on my birthday - August 6th - only 2 months after the accident that almost took her life! I told her that it was the BEST birthday present I have ever gotten!!  I am still trying to believe that things are happening so fast...after all of the seemingly hopeless first days and weeks...to have come so far now is almost like a dream! She is talking so well now!!! Her voice was strong and sure...although still slurred...I compare it somewhat to the voice of a deaf person. It's not so slow and deliberate anymore ...more natural, but slurred on many words. It is worrying her that she isn't able to speak "right" since she wants so desperately to return to teaching one day. We are trying to reassure her that it will improve greatly with speech therapy. I think it's wonderful after such a short time that she can speak as well as she does!! I have little trouble understanding her. She heard from the school that she had signed on to teach at this Fall. She had already signed her contract with them, but wasn't to start teaching there until August. They told her that she was still on contract and had full medical leave for one year. :):):)  That's good...it gives her something to aim at...and Kimmie's not one that sets goals without giving it her everything to reach them! She's also scared that she won't remember what she needs to to be a teacher, but I am sure that once she gets herself back into that setting, she will remember what she needs to. She seems to have her long-term memory intact, but still needs to be "reminded" in order to bring it back consciously. Once presented with something she thinks she doesn't know how to do (such as playing a card game), her memory kicks in and she does indeed know how. I am hoping that it will be the same way with her teaching / education.

She had her feeding tube removed yesterday! She told me that she had eaten food and told me what it was...and I told her I had fixed the same thing that same night (as I said in the last update)...to which she replied, "I bet yours tasted better!" *laughs*  Since pureed sesame chicken doesn't sound overly appetizing, I'll bet she's right! :)

Mary says that Kimmie is getting stronger by the day physically. She walked 75 feet down the hall yesterday, holding onto nothing but a handrail on the wall! She now gets in and out of bed on her own...goes to the restroom on her own...dresses herself and makes her bed every morning...etc!!! Her right leg is getting really strong now and she probably will get back almost all function eventually. Her right arm and hand are still giving her problems, though. She has started trying to write with her left hand for now.

Kimmie has been talking about getting married constantly. She seems pre-occupied with the idea almost. Before her accident, she took it rather in stride, talking about it as a future event. She loves Joel and always has...but she just wasn't in any hurry to make it "legal"...they were happy enough the way things were. Mary questioned her about the change in her attitude the other day when all of them were in her room. Kimmie's reply was simple and straight-forward...she said, "I saw my life flash before my eyes".  That does seem to have a way of making you get your priorities in order.   :)

Mary is still promising me GREAT pictures SOON...so keep returning...I'll get them up as soon as I get them! :)
 
 

Thank you to all who have sent e-mails and prayers for Kimberly!! It really does help and each one is appreciated!
Please continue praying for Kimmie's complete recovery...the Drs said it would take a miracle...our miracle is happening!!

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