Marie is thriving at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. Her progress has been tremendous, although she still has a long road ahead of her. Her private room is becoming a shrine to her recovery covered in flowers, get well wishes and a flood of cards! On behalf of her family and friends, thank you for your overwhelming response. Artifacts of love and concern surround her, but please keep them coming.
Along with her physical injuries, Marie has also suffered some brain trauma. For those of you with interest in the medical aspect of her recovery, there are 10 stages of recovery for brain trauma. Marie is currently in LEVEL IV (4). More detailed information may be found on the “Rancho Scale of Cognitive Functioning” link to the right.
I thought this might help people better understand Marie’s recovery process a little better. The site also gives some suggestions how we can help Marie recover as well as understand her actions and emotions right now. This is probably the most difficult stage in her recovery as her physical injuries continue to mend and she gains more alertness and cognitive function.
Madonna is definitely keeping Marie on a full schedule - essentially from 8-4, Monday through Saturday. Although visitors are welcome, people should know that her recovery is now a full-time occupation and with the schedule to prove it. The best times to visit are Monday through Saturday late afternoon/early evening and Sunday afternoons. Please make your visits short but sweet. Every day she makes a little more progress, even joking to “break out of here”! It’s amazing to see God’s healing powers firsthand.
Jeanne and Dick will be spending a little time in Manhattan with family. Please continue to keep them in your prayers for strength and comfort as Marie enters her fourth week of recovery. Friday will mark the one month anniversary of the accident. Let’s keep them covered in prayer and good wishes!
Please keep your prayers, cards and good wishes coming Marie’s way. Unless something significant happens, look for the next update on Marie Wednesday or Thursday.
-Amy
Email from Will — 7/29/06 7:29pm
Hello all!
I’ve made it through the first week. I showed up for our first day of class on Tuesday morning with 14 other soldiers, both Air force and Army. We start our mornings bright and early by getting up at 5 am or so. Then we need to show up out at the school by 5:45. Our teachers arrive around 6 or so then our day begins. I was appointed as our class leader, since I have the highest rank. Its not a big deal, I just have to pass information down to the guys in the class after the instructor gives it to me. Plus I have to march them around when ever we are out side. Its just around the school though. I’m not a drill Sargent! I am in class with soldiers right out of basic training though. They get pretty nervous around me but then realize I’m not a scary person and they loosen up.
We have had 3 tests so far and I’ve done well on all of them. I’m really hoping to get honor grad while I’m here. This means that I will have to get 90% or higher on all of the tests and pass all of the physical requirements on the first try. At this point it shouldn’t be a problem but I’m sure things will get more difficult.
I’ve made some good friends since I’ve been here. Starting with Tim Jonas. He was an airborne ranger and served in Iraq with Delta Force. He’s from Kansas and will be in Lincoln quite a bit after we graduate. Then there’s Schiro. He’s from Nawlins (New Orleans)! I don’t have any problems understanding what he is saying but there are quite a few people who have to ask him to repeat himself. Jarrell is another guy I hang out with. He’s from Iowa but grew up down south and also has a thick southern accent. He cracks me up and is the clown of the group. I’m sure I will make more friends while I’m here and I will fill all of you in on everything that is going on. I need to run for now. I’ll talk to you soon!
Will
Email from Marie’s parents — 7/26/06 3:14pm
Hi everyone!
Watched Marie begin her re-hab program today…they keep her really busy!!! She is still in the “agitated” state of recovery, and so she is in a bed with a net “tent” over her so she won’t fall out.
It was really hard to watch her try to concentrate on naming colors and identifying words…it made me realize how far she has to come. The feeling is, that once she does begin to recover, she will do well. The “schedule” at this point in time is that she will be here for 6 weeks…then they will re-evaluate her again (actually re-evaluation is on-going). She probably will be unable to live alone for awhile after the 6-week period.
I think I was in denial as to the severity of her injuries, so I am struggling a bit with all this, but I think the prognosis is very hopeful. The word is “patience”….and I’m not known for having a lot of same….
We keep hearing from new people all the time as word spreads about Marie’s
accident. Wish I could communicate with each and every one of you. But this is the next best thing….
Thanks again and again, for the thoughts and prayers….we’re “hanging in there”
Jeannie and Dick
Email 7/24/06 5:19pm
Good News!!! 
Marie has progressed to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital….she was more wakeful today, but also agitated and ready to “get moving”. We know she will want visitors, but we please ask that you give her a day or so at Madonna before you go visit.
She will be evaluated tomorrow as to what her rehabilitation needs will be and they have stressed to us that it is still a hospital (so please don’t visit with a cold etc) _and_ brain recovery needs some quiet times too…
They recommend short visits and only a couple of visitors at a time. We are hoping we will get some guidelines for visitation in a few days; it sounds as if she will be quite busy with the therapists, and even on a schedule…so it will be easier to determine when she can be seen. It’s all new to us too!
Not too much new infor for you today. She seemed pleased to be leaving ICU, but was really tired by the time they got her moved. She went by ambulance, just to make it easier. She ate a good lunch (AND breakfast). Seems to understand what we’re talking about, but still not able to “get her words out in sentences”. She still can’t seem to stand or walk…but we do see bits of progress in that direction, as they move her from bed to chair and back. The left leg is still a mystery…think Madonna can sort that out. She doesn’t want to put any weight on it.
Overall, they said she is showing progress and knowing her “spunkiness” they think she will do well in rehab. I can only imagine how frustrated she must be not to be able to communicate with us. Thanks again everyone, for your thoughts, messages and prayers.
I will try to keep you updated….but we won’t have the use of that wonderful computer at the hospital!!! We are currently using one at the motel where we are staying and hope Madonna will have one as well.
Jeanne and Dick
Editor’s note: We will post visitation guidelines and schedules here just as soon as we have them. In the meantime - please keep your prayers, cards and comments coming. More updates as they arrive!
Email from Will – 7/23/06 6:51pm
Hello again!
I’ve been here for 5 days now and …..um……I think I’m home sick 
I know I know that’s pretty pathetic. Oh well what can I say, its NOT Nebraska! The good thing is, I in-process tomorrow and start school Tuesday. I’m excited about that! I have been working out almost every day I have been here. I’m pretty sore right now so I took a couple of days off. But next time all of you see me I’ll be in shape!
Before I came here every one talked about how hot it would be. Well, its been in the hundreds 1 day so far and I think the hottest its gotten other than that is about 95. It hasn’t been too uncomfortable.
Lets see what else can I tell you…. The food is good. Or the chow in army talk :) I’ll need to eat a lot from what I hear. I guess the training gets pretty intense and they say I’ll need all the energy I can muster up.
I’ve been out in San Angelo a few times. Its nice :) um….that’s about all I have to say about that. I’ll keep every one posted on what’s going on in my world. I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to email once school starts but I’ll get on the computer as often as I can.
Please keep me up to date on everything back home and keep me and Jennie in your prayers. Thanks and I’ll talk to you soon!
Love,
Will
