WOW! I called Kimmie's room at rehab yesterday afternoon, trying to get ahold of my sister for any recent updates...lo and behold, who should answer her own phone but Kimberly Anne!!!!??? I thought I was hearing things for a moment...asked who I was speaking to...and she said "Kim"...I laughed and said I wasn't expecting to hear her answer the phone...she chuckled and said "I know..." :):):) No one else was in the room, so we talked for about 15 minutes until she got tired and I let her go...I didn't want to hang up the phone!!!!! I was listening to the sweetest, most beautiful sound on earth and didn't want to stop :):)   Everything is still VERY soft...just above a whisper...and slurred bad...but it's talking and I didn't have too much trouble understanding her. If she takes the words individually, she can do it just fine! :)  

She let me know that she loved me and missed me...and that she was wearing the shirt that I had sent her from Florida last week. Her Dad and brothers are out there with her visiting for a few days. She seemed pleased to have everyone there. I asked her if she remembered me coming to see her in the hospital here, but she didn't...she sounded sorry when she said, "no, I don't"...so I told her that it was OK...just to know that I WAS there every day...and that I loved her. You could "hear the smile" as she said "I love you, too".

I had to laugh...there was a moment of silence...and I asked her if she was still there...to which she replied, "I'm watching TV". I laughed and said, "Some things never change, huh??"...and she laughed and said, "No, they don't"!  I told her I was going to come see her in about a month, to which she replied, "I'll be here" :)  When I told her I'd let her go watch TV and get some rest, I said my goodbyes and love yous and she replied in her complete normal voice and pitch, "See ya!". Talk about a wonderful surprise!!  I was flying high the rest of the night :):):):)

Mary says that Kimmie has astounded her therapists...to the point that they said she can probably go home next month!!! When they went to speech therapy, the therapist said that they usually start out simple...with comprehension-type questions...but that there was really no need in Kimmie's case since she was already obviously aware of everything and able to get her feelings/thoughts across just fine. They were able to move directly to the mechanics of speech...just teaching her how to make the sounds again :)

She still has her feeding tube in her belly. I asked her about it and she replied, "I have to drink". Mary said that they had tried it once, but it choked her, going down her windpipe instead of her throat...but that they were going to try again in the next couple of days...and that Kimmie is determined to get it right this time...she knows what she has to do. Please pray that the next try is the one that works :)

They finally removed the piece of glass from her right arm that was causing her so much pain. Her future sister-in-law was the one who removed it. She's a physician and the rehab center let her do it. It only took a local anesthetic and a couple of stitches :)

Kimmie dresses herself every morning now...and yesterday morning she was able to tie a bow in her waist-tie on her pants! She still can't reach down to tie her shoes, yet...but she'll get there! They have removed her "cage" that was around her bed at night. I guess they deem her "trust-worthy" now. *chuckles*  She still can't seem to get her balance when walking, but she's trying. Mary said they aren't getting her up walking as often as she thinks they should, but I told Mary that after she gets her home, she can do that all she wants. She does sit regularly, though...every day...and gets around in her wheelchair just fine for now. Mary says that the diapers are a memory now :):)  Kimmie goes by herself just fine. She was having a bit of trouble when sleeping...lacking control then...and would still ask for a diaper when she was getting sleepy...but that she's woken up dry for 3 days straight now! These things sound so elementary, I know...small-sounding steps that are really monumental!! They are all huge blocks...hurdles that need to be overcome...and every time we beat one of them, it's a victory for the home team :):)

Enough for now...hopefully, I will be back soon to update on the feeding tube! Please keep the prayers coming!!!!
 

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!!