Maggie Rudy Fri 8/31/18

I'm way behind on updates! My apologies, but things are working their way back to normal, and Maggie continues to make progress.  Since the last post, Mags has been to two Keys games, a visit to a horse farm, a hike in Harpers Ferry, and a handful of soccer games among other things. Here's a picture of Maggie and Nadia on our Harpers Ferry hike: 

She also visited Catoctin Creek Park where the accident occured and got an opportunity to walk around the trails and visit the stream.  She retains no memory of the day of the accident.  She got to have lunch with the staff and campers, and really enjoyed that - including a game of hide & seek with the kids at camp.

Her therapies continue during the week - occupational and speech therapies with Baker coming to the house, and recreational and physical (card games, walks in the neighborhood) with family.  In a week or so she will move to Baker's facility for therapies.  Cognitive processing speed is improving, as is handwriting though cursive is still a bit of a challenge.

Maggie really has come a long way, and we are very blessed.  Except for the tracheostomy scar, she appears as if nothing ever happened at first glance.  She's has a lot of friends and family visit, and wanted me to relay her gratitude for all the love and support.  She says HI! to everyone.

So it must be time for an OPEN HOUSE!  Please save the afternoon of September 29!  We are so looking forward to having you over to see us and thank each of you in person for your support this summer.  I'll post here and email the exact time and our address in the next few days.

Happy Labor Day, and we look forward to seeing you soon! 

Maggie Rudy Sun 8/12/18

We had a great visit this past week in Baltimore.  On Wednesday, Maggie had a follow-up appointment with a neurologist who will be her regular doctor moving forward.  She was very thorough, completing a neurological exam, asking questions from childhood to all three of us (Maggie and Laura and I). We got a chance to discuss medications, lifestyle changes. We left confident that we were correct in moving her juvenile files from Children's Medical Center in DC to UM in Baltimore.

Next on the trip, we walked the two blocks to UM Hospital.  It was an odd sensation walking into that place again, since the last time we were there Maggie was a patient.  She does not remember the place or her stay there at all, except for sitting in the sunroom on the 4th floor on her last day or two. There's a small bakery inside the front door of the hospital, and we got lunch at around 2:30 pm.

After lunch we made a visit to the neuro ICU to visit some of Maggie's caregivers when she was a patient there.  Wednesday was day 53 since her accident.  The reception from the care team was awesome!  Maggie went in first, followed by Laura and I.  The nurses recognized Laura immediately, and had to look a few times at Maggie - they could not believe she was walking back into the unit already!  There were a lot of tears (of joy) and stories of Maggie as a patient.  We got to see around 7 of her nurses, two or three of her doctors including Dr. Morris, her first attending neurologist, a pharmacist, even a few folks on the 4th floor where the sunroom is located.

Although Maggie didn't remember anyone, she got hugs from everyone.  It was a truly uplifting experience for all of us, and we are forever grateful to this team.  Here's a picture of Maggie with the ICU team on day 53 since her accident:

I have not shown this photo until now, but asked Maggie's permission.  Here's Maggie on day 2 (June 17, 2018):

The neuro care team at UM Hospital is amazed at her progress so far in such a relatively short time.  The power of prayer is our answer; that and some good care at the hospital and at rehab!

Maggie Rudy Sun 8/5/18

Maggie has started outpatient rehab with Baker here in Frederick. Both OT and speech have been coming to the house, though this will change to their office in the near future, and probably add PT.

We've been walking or on the stationary bike for PT at home, and keeping up with brain games. The most recent alphabetical list: countries of the world (there is no "x"). We got to the pool today, and walked through a RV dealership for a few hours yesterday.

The latest big achievement: she has been able to get her contacts in her eyes the past two days! This really helps, because her glasses prescription is old.

The tracheostomy and stomach scars are healing well, though they itch a lot. Mags also takes a few naps per day. This is part of the healing process, and we're very pleased with her progress so far. We have a follow up appointment with the neurologist this coming week, and plan to stop by UM Hospital to visit the team at neuro ICU. I hope to get some good pictures from that visit!

Regards, CR

Maggie Rudy Wed 8/1/18

Maggie is doing well here at home. We continue walking and quizzing - usually these are alphabetized lists of elements in the periodic table (there is no j or q, and Krypton is the only k), or Disney characters and their show or movie, or some other fun category.  Mags is struggling with jigsaw puzzle a bit, but she is continuing to try and she gets a little better every day.

Mags is sleeping much better, and has started outpatient therapy with Baker Rehab here in Frederick - they specialize in TBI.  They are starting in the home, and will move to their facility on TJ drive in a week or so.

Lumosity is a help, but frustrating - her processing speed is improving, but for her age group the games are fast!  She can see her phone much better, and can respond to texts, watch YouTube, etc.

We're glad everyone is home! It's been a small adjustment, but all of us are enjoying eating together at dinner, and swapping stories.