Moving On

T minus 10 days to go. If you haven't and you plan to say goodbye, now's the time before Boston. Also, Gabi is looking for a hand/occupational therapist in the Boston area- preferably one that would like to donate their services. If you know of anyone or know someone who might know someone, please let us know. Thanks!

Moving Back East

There's less than six weeks to go until the big move to Boston occurs. While Gabi is still doing better and better, she's not able to use that left hand, and therefore can't play her French horn. This means that she needs to find a job in the music field (due to work permit restrictions), but it can't be in performance. She's planning to give lessons or do something administrative. At this point, anyone's contacts or suggestions would really come in handy. Any ideas on where she should look or who she should talk to?

On the bright side, the slow slow slow government finally said that her work permit is on the way! Only three and a half months after they received her paperwork. Wonderful. Just in time for the move.... too bad for the music library at OCU.

Remember the Wheelchair-Only Transportation Days?

Just a quick note to let the whole world know: since July 1st (per Gabi's goal), she has been walking without ANY assisted devices at all. And after a rocky start, she's now walking up and down curbs and single steps without any help whatsoever- and often while carrying something! She's doing great, and her physical therapist said that her left leg has greatly improved its walking movements. Yay!

Unfortunately, the government is taking its sweet time (meaning, breaking its promise of taking only ninety days to process her working-papers-application).... and Gabi is still very bored while waiting to go back to work in the music library. Anyone have suggestions on productive uses for her time?

Cubs in Texas!

What an exciting day Gabi had yesterday! Thanks to one of her many doctors, she scored a couple of free tickets to the Cubs game in Texas last night. Since this was so last minute, she was really lucky that her friend Josh was able/willing to (strong-armed into?) taking her. Despite having to walk FOREVER in the nasty heat, they had a blast. Luckily, they beat the worst part of the storm last night and made it back in one piece. Josh, you rock.

Here's a couple fotos (finally downloaded) from a month or so ago:

Practicing holding a French horn... but it was a little hard to do anything with that left hand.

Being silly.

PS

On the financial front, Gabi wanted to thank everyone, yet again, for their generous donations. I think the total is around $1200 right now. Every little bit helps, for sure. With that said, please keep helping! The need for donations has not died down. Also, if you have any great fundraising ideas, please pass those along as well. There must be a bigger-scale way to do this!

Reunion

Today, Gabi was invited to a going-away party for one of her old physical therapists at the hospital's inpatient rehab ctr. Everyone was so sad that she was leaving to work at a hospital in Dallas, and we were both glad to be able to go say goodbye. Gabi, walking down the long hallways without a walker or any support, was greeted by all of the staff with loud cheers and hugs. (She demonstrated her control over her left arm by using it to hug, too. She doesn't give one-armed hugs anymore!) Gabi enjoyed catching up with them, too. It was strange to return to the center where she lived for five weeks. However, all of the various therapists (speech, physical and occupational) were all very excited to see the progress she's made in the last month. Today marks exactly one month since she's been at home. She was told that her smile is looking great (ie, her left-side facial muscles are working very well- almost back to normal). Everyone was thrilled, of course, at how great she was walking. At outpatient therapy, Gabi has been dilligently practicing the heel-to-toe technique with her left foot, and it's obvious she's improved enormously. Of course, her OT (who believes in a tough love philosophy) joked that she should be walking around and negotiating the crowd while carrying her own plate of food. On second thought, he realized, she's not his patient (to boss around) any more! It was lots of fun to go and visit, and lots of fun to be able to walk out and go home.

Update

Gabi is getting settled into our new apartment and into a routine of outpatient physical and occupational therapy. The apartment is a ground-floor, so there aren't any more worries about stair-climbing. Yay! She's waiting to start working again, part-time, at the OCU Music Library. Until then, Gabi would LOVE company. If you are in the area, please give her a call. As of next week or so, she should be able to use the internet at home to keep in touch with out-of-town friends.

She'd like to give a special thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and generous. You guys are the best (especially those who helped us move!).

That said, the hospital bills are still rolling in and everything counts. If you can, please click on the donation button to help out with her medical costs. Thanks!