So… what did YOU do?

Hello all!

Today was another big day for Kaitlin. The doctors drained almost 900ml of fluid from her lungs this morning. Apparently the procedure itself was uncomfortable (as it has been the past two times), but she is already feeling much better. Imagine trying to breathe with a full liter of liquid in your lungs... I’d want to get that junk out of there too! 

The therapists completed her ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) test for motor and sensory function in her whole body. She still has no feeling or mobility below T5, but her arms and upper body are functioning at 100%. When my mom and I went to visit this afternoon we got a pleasant surprise: Kaitlin was scheduled to sit up and be transferred to her wheelchair after occupational therapy! She also was able to wear the “normal” clothes (aka not a hospital gown) that Carolyn and Anita bought her from Old Navy. I’ve never seen a gal pull off sweats and a large striped sweater quite like Kaitlin :] 

After transferring to her chair one of the therapists gave us a full tour of Craig. Ironically, Kaitlin was the only one out of our two families who hasn’t actually seen the place! We really did it up today, though. It is such an remarkable facility. We were even able to wheel her outside briefly for her first breath of fresh air in 12 days. 

On top of gaining mobility, my sister also made several new acquaintances with other patients. The first guy she talked to wheeled right up to her and said, “So... what did YOU do?” His tone and facial expression reminded me of a rascally kid in detention. Kaitlin laughed and told him a bit about her accident. She also met a girl close to her age who has been at Craig for several weeks. I think it lifted her spirits to talk with these other patients, and it excites me to think about the friends/connections she is going to make during her time at Craig. One of the doctor’s said it’s a lot like “being part of a club you didn’t sign up for with people you didn’t think you’d ever meet.. in the best way possible!"

Continue to keep Kaitlin in your thoughts and prayers! We are all hoping for a restful weekend in preparation for the start of her therapy schedule on Monday.

Thank you all again for checking in and for your support!

Love, 

Megan