An update on Jenn

These past few weeks — it’s hard to believe that it actually has been weeks — have been filled with many highs and many lows.  On the plus side, I’m happy to report that Jenn has regained consciousness.  While she has had a Tracheostomy to help get her off the ventilator, she is now breathing on her own.  Last Friday, she got a shiny new (hopefully more reliable) implanted defibrillator.  With the help of physical and occupational therapy, she has been able to sit up in a chair for short amounts of time.  And finally, earlier today, she passed a swallow test meaning that they are reliably sure that she can swallow safely, hopefully she will soon be able to eat rather than being dependent on her feeding tube.  This is incredible progress, especially given that most of it has been made over the past week.

Unfortunately, not all has been smooth sailing.  Because her brain did not get oxygen for a long time, the extent of injury to her brain is constantly being evaluated.  As things stand, she is able to answer very simple yes/no questions by shaking her head.  In addition, she is able to say a few words, however, most of her speech is impossible to understand.  She has rediscovered how to grab and pick up objects, however she cannot yet get her hands to reliably work together to accomplish something.  As of now, she has not shown any interest in trying to communicate through writing or drawing.  Our hope is that with time and the right supports, she will be able to retrain her brain to better accomplish these things, but it will definitely take time and a lot of support.  

I want to again thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of food, love, and financial support.  your generosity has truly been a lifeline as we work to navigate this complex situation.  Jenn is still on the critical care unit, but we are hoping she will soon be stable enough to move to a less critical area of the hospital.  We’re not exactly sure yet what that area might be, but as soon as we know, we will be sure to update you.  For now, we are just taking things day by day, celebrating the accomplishments and doing our best to face whatever challenges come our way.