Hi Everybody,
Facebook photo Today's operation was a success, Courtney is now officially the Bionic Woman. In case there's any issues with Court's heart, the defibrillator will sense any irregular rhythms (in excess of 200 beats a minute) and administer a shock.
We talked with the surgeon at end about the device and any safety precautions. I was worried about what might happen if Courtney rubbed her socks against the carpet and touched a doorknob, would it go off? I kept that one to myself, but Doug and Marty asked some more practical questions about Court being able to swim and exercise aggressively. In short, the defib is very safe, nothing short of deep sea diving down to the Titanic would cause any trouble. With the implant we can all feel more comfortable about her eventual move from Intensive Care.
Our Bionic Girl was all smiles this afternoon, her friends kept her laughing non-stop, we jabbered about feral cats and using Court's suction tube as a beer funnel. Julie had Court's friend Val on the phone, placed it up to her ear and she mouthed the word "hi." That was so encouraging, I know she'll be able to talk as soon as she gets the chance. She looks more natural, she has made so much progess in under three weeks.
Clear your calendars tomorrow afternoon for the Stryker 500 at Fletcher Allen Hospital. Courtney will be running the black number 11 chair sponsored by The Home Depot (she got Tony Stewart as her crew chief), I'll be riding in the number 4 Pabst Blue Chariot. I'll be sure to post the results and times tomorrow.
We Love you Courtney and we can't wait to have you back safe and sound.
-Sean
Facebook Photo
Facebook Photo
Photo from Julie deAnguera
Photo from Marcia and Derek
Photo from Marcia and Derek
13 comments:
Wow! That is such great news! I know that everyone there was anxious about the procedure. Great to know that Courtney is smiling & trying to talk, too.
What a woman......can't wait to hear what's next!
My love & prayers..
Patricia McD
Court! What fabulous news, I'm so excited! Hopefully I'll be able to come out and visit again soon, you just keep improving and exercising your newfound bionic powers.
Sending all my love- Court, I think about you all the time, everyday, can't wait till you're back with us.
Colleen
Good girl, Court! I knew the procedure would go well. Have fun in the S-chair on Wed. Don't go too fast!
Keep up your great attitude and fantastic smiles! Your progress is so encouraging. Say hi to Val, etc.
Love,
Aunt Marti
Does anyone reading this blog know anything about the Feldenkrais method , hyperbaric oxygen therapy or deep brain stimulation for Court? I've been reading some encouraging things about these things.
Marti
That is great news! Wishing Courtney the best today.
love,
Gary Flo
Great news Courtney! Just wondering if visitors can still come up at this stage.....
Thanks,
Claudia
Yes, visitors are always welcome, so far. just not past 9:30 p.m. or so. thanks for the inquiry
Julie
Marti,
I have a very good friend who is a Feldenkrais PT. He rides the trek across maine with us and lives in Freeport. Call me and let me know what you are wondering about.
Martha Conway-Cole
Way to go Courtney!!! I'm so glad everything went well yesterday.
Looking ahead, I just wanted to let everyone know that if Courtney does go to rehab in Boston, friends and family would be more than welcome to stay in my apartment in Medford. It's only about a 20 minute train ride into the city.
Please tell Courtney I say hi, I miss her, and I'll be back to visit her soon. I'm so glad that she's doing so well.
-Lauren
In response to Marti,
As an occupational therapist, I have worked with patients that were receiving the hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment. Their diagnoses were amputations, bone fractures, near-drowning, strokes and spinal cord injury. As for Courtney, her doctors would need to consider the effects on the cardiovascular system of course. I think it’s worthwhile to see if Court is a candidate to receive this treatment. I know some patients began the treatment while hospitalized or during inpatient therapy, and then continued the treatment with outpatient therapy. It’s not something to see immediate changes, but hopefully over time. Anything to promote healing and health to Court is worth looking into.
Oh, and Marti, I currently live in Phoenix also, so I am part of the AZ team rooting for Courtney. :o)
Courtney, keep up the good work. Keep us all updated on your therapies. Hey, I’ll wear my myo-electric hand and we can be bionic women together. Thank you for coming home when I was home in August. You are amazing and I love you!!!
Erica
Thanks, Erica! It's so helpful to hear about your first hand experience.
Happy Birthday to Marty! I hope you're having a good day and that you can take a break and have some fun with Julie, etc.
You all are on my mind as is Court. I hope she's having another good day.
A friend of mine here in Phoenix today said that she had a very strong feeling that Courtney will come out of this and be fine. There have been several people who have come to me to report these types of feelings. I truly believe Court will come out of this and do something amazing with this experience. We can all learn something from Courtney. As her friend Lauren said, "she's the strongest girl I know!" I know everyone who knows Courtney will totally agree!
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