Turning Toward Home

The last week has brought a mix of progress and some challenges—especially when it comes to sleep. Dallas has had a tough time settling at night, which has made for some groggy mornings. The doctors recently started her on a new medication before bedtime to help her rest, and while there’s been some trial and error with dosing, we finally seem to be in a pretty sweet spot. For the most part,  she’s sleeping better at night without sleeping through her morning therapy sessions, which is a win on all fronts.

In PT and OT, she’s been working hard on tummy time and rolling from side to side. These are big, foundational movements, and she’s so determined to master them. We’re starting to see her anticipate what’s coming—like lifting her leg just before the roll starts. This week, she even held herself up on her arms for five solid minutes during tummy time, showing off the strength that’s slowly but surely returning to her body. We’re also seeing her spend more time holding her head and trunk upright, with less support from the therapists.

She’s been grasping more too—reaching for our arms, holding tightly to her baby doll “Baby Chrissy,” and grabbing the little noise makers or toys around her. These moments may seem small, but for us they’re enormous signs of healing and reconnection.

Her facial expressions are also starting to show up more often. The other day I leaned in to kiss her and she gave me that unmistakable crinkled-up face—her old “you’re too prickly” look—which felt like a perfectly-timed little throwback to pre-hospital Dallas. Though she’s not yet speaking, we still hear her voice occasionally, and you can see how badly she wants to talk. It’s frustrating for her, and she’s made that clear. We’ve got a feelings chart in the room, and lately she’s been pointing—sometimes forcefully—to the “sad” or “frustrated” faces. One day, she even pounded her right hand several times and pointed, letting out a vocal cry. We know how hard these past 100-ish days have been on us. It’s humbling and heartbreaking to think about how hard they’ve been on her.

One bright spot has been watching her continue to use the ASL sign for “potty” again. It’s not every time, but when she does, we’re often able to get her to the toilet—and that’s a huge deal. Another step toward independence and healing, and a sign that her mind and body are continuing to reconnect.

Yesterday brought one of the best therapy days we’ve seen yet. Emily from OT and Kimberly from PT were both here, and Dallas had incredible sessions with each of them. Kimberly even called it her best session to date, and Dallas busted out her “shoulder boogie” dance moves in celebration while music played in the background of the gym.

And now, it’s hard to believe we’re less than a week away from coming home. After what will be more than 100 days in the hospital, we’re set to head home next Thursday, July 10th. That sentence feels almost unreal to write. This moment has been hoped for, prayed for, and imagined a thousand different ways. While it marks the end of one chapter, it also signals the beginning of another—one where the routines, care, and therapies don’t stop, but shift into a new rhythm inside our home.

We know many of you have asked how to help, and please know how much we appreciate it. Several friends and family members have stepped up to organize support in a few different ways, and for anyone feeling led to lend a hand, here are the links:

Meal Train – If you’d like to help lighten the load with meals during these first couple of weeks home, here’s the [Meal Train link].

Amazon Wish List – We’ve compiled a list of items and equipment Dallas will need to make the transition home easier. You can find that [here].

Caregiver Help – We’re currently looking for an in-home caregiver to assist with Dallas’ ongoing care. If you or someone you know may be a fit, here’s a link to the [Facebook post with details].

It’s not easy to ask for help—but the truth is, we can’t do this alone… it’s going to take a village. Thank you for walking this road with us, for the kind words of encouragement, for lifting us up in prayer, the cards/calls/messages, and every single way you’ve shown love to our family. We’ve felt it, and it’s carried us.

“She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” – Elizabeth Edwards

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Dallas is HOME! »