Cookies!

Hi all,

My apologies for not posting yesterday. Bridget had such a busy day there was really no time for it!

Since it was the 4th of July, we planned for a fun evening. In the afternoon my Dad and I slipped out for a bit while Bridget was resting between sessions and 1) got Bridget a cinnamon twist from one of her favorite bakeries, and 2) rented a movie to bring back to the hospital. We rented 007: License to Kill (1989). Unfortunately, however, that has to be one of the worst Bond movies ever. But it was fun to bring the big TV into the room and have a movie night. We'll have to pick something better for next time.

At around 10:00 the nursing staff also allowed people to head down to the gym to watch the fireworks show. Since we're up on the 6th floor of a hospital on a hill we had a pretty nice view of the Seattle show over Lake Union, and we could also look out and see simultaneous fireworks shows from other cities farther south. That was really nice, as it just wouldn't have been the 4th without fireworks. But it did mean that Bridget stayed up WAY past her bedtime. So an early bedtime is in order tonight.

Bridget's balance and leg movements continue to improve. She is now getting quite good at standing up from her bed or wheelchair. And her assisted walking is looking awesome as well. I think within the next week they might try her in a walker, who knows!

Bridget's coordination/ataxia just gets better and better with each day - especially in her numb right hand. For example, yesterday started a new knitting project! She cast on a garter stitch scarf (size 10 needles; bulky weight). She can also tie her shoes with no trouble (did it twice today). And her handwriting is becoming legible again. Admittedly, it looks a little preschool, but that's a huge improvement considering it was incomprehensible less than two weeks ago.

Finally Bridget also got to make cookies today in her OT morning session! That was super fun and super impressive. They were Betty Crocker sugar cookies (no eggs needed somehow). The hardest part was getting the individual butter packets open - especially after she had buttered-up her hands after opening the first one! But she did it, and they were delicious.