Wiggle Worm

I spoke with Ra Jette this afternoon regarding Delgean's status/progress.  I was told that, "she's coming along like you wouldn't believe.  They call her the wiggle-worm."  She has a chair she sits in for therapy which she likes.  She stood up for really the first time today with very little help.  She held her head up straight and tall.  She is a "go-getter" with her therapy and is more and more responsive to what she is being asked to do.  She's not yet talking.  Her therapy focus is on keeping muscles loose and keeping her mouth loose and moving.  The family feels she may be getting a little bit of a feel for where she is at and why she's there.  She is making progress and the family reports she is noticeably better today than even one week ago. 

Levi travels to Flagstaff tomorrow to see if he can get his jaw de-wired.  He continues to do well.

Movin' On Up

Delgean was moved to St. Joseph's Hospital on Friday to begin the rehabilitation process.  That is a great step and a necessary one for her continued progress.  I'll get more details and get them posted...

Giant Steps!

Since there has not been an update for a few days...let me try and recap the great improvements Delgean is making:

Sat-Sun:  Delgean was very active.  She watched television, followed some commands and was moving around much more frequently.  It was a great day/night/day.

Sun-Mon:  One of the nurses came into the room only to find that DELGEAN HAD GOTTEN OUT OF BED!  Everyone was very excited about this.

Tues:  The physical therapist came by and sat Delgean up and began working with her.  She was showing signs of responding.  He put her on her elbow and she pushed herself all the way up to sitting.  The doctors are now discussing moving her to the pediatric floor of the hospital and monitoring her improvement there.  She is responding now to roughly 50% of commands given.  If they can get her up to 80% they will feel comfortable in moving her to another facility for rehab.

In short, really great improvements over the past few days!!!

By way of a report...the auction was a success.  Those who came were generous.  The Fillingim's are so appreciative of Norma's help, as well as everyone else that chipped in.

Auction Tomorrow!

Norma Livingston, a friend of John and Ra Jette's, has worked tirelessly to put together an auction to raise money for the Fillingim family.  It will be held in Show Low at the Village Arena tomorrow, Saturday 6/12.  I believe they will begin serving lunch around noon, with the auction beginning at 2:00 p.m.  If there is anyone that has questions or desires to donate an item to be auctioned, you can contact Norma at (928) 537-2045.  I met with Norma to get some of the details on the auction...she has been able to get some amazing items donated ranging from golf packages at Torreon and Pinetop Country Club...to an autographed Diamondbacks baseball...to everything in between.  I know the Fillingim's appreciate all of her efforts.

Also, we've been able to get the PayPal option on the blog for those wishing to contribute to the "Fillingim Donation Account" that has been set up by another family friend through the National Bank of Arizona.  Any donations made through PayPal will go directly into the National Bank of Arizona account.

Baby Steps...

Delgean continues to improve in increments.  A couple of days/nights this week she had a fever, but that seems to have corrected itself last night and today.  The doctors took a culture of what they thought was bacteria in her throat.  The initial tests after 48 hours look like everything is fine.  They will continue to monitor that.  She slowly is becoming more active...for example, yesterday she lifted her hips off of the bed and lifted her head up.  She is not responding as fully as the doctors would like her to, which means she may go into a "home" prior to relocating to Phoenix Children's Hospital or St. Joe's for rehabilitation.  Once she is responding like they would like her to while staying in a "home," they anticipate moving her for rehab.  In the meantime, she is receiving some physical therapy and is doing well.  Delgean has had visitors nearly every day, which is wonderful.  Ra Jette and John have drawn strength from so many that have shared experiences with them of family members who have suffered injuries and have recovered.  In short, Delgean is improving little by little each day.

Levi Makes An Appearance

There were rumors circulating that Levi was seen supporting his baseball team at some of their games. His friend Nika sent this picture of the two of them confirming the same. He is recovering nicely. He had an appointment in Flagstaff this week where they checked on his progress. He is healing more quickly than they had anticipated and may be able to get his jaw un-wired in 2 weeks!

Delgean Yawns, Rubs Eyes, Rocks Out To Music

This morning Ra Jette informed that she is so happy with Delgean's progress yesterday (Sunday).  The nurses began alternating every 2 hours taking Delgean off of the respirator and putting her back on.  When she was off of the ventilator she was given oxygen from the hose connected to her hospital room wall.  She responded well to this.  At one point yesterday Delgean scratched her face, rubbed her eyes on two occasions, and yawned.  In addition, she enjoyed listening to a music CD one of her Young Women's leaders brought for her.  The nurse informed Ra Jette that she thought Delgean must have liked the music because it appeared she was trying to put the ear piece back in her ear once the music was done playing.  She also moved one of her legs quite a bit and was awake more than normal.  On Thursday or Friday the doctors will remove the tracheotomy tube (I don't know if I'm saying that correctly) to determine if there is any infection.  If she looks good, they anticipate moving her to a different facility to begin rehab.  In short, Sunday was a success!

Levi Returns To Church

Levi came to church yesterday for the first time since the accident and barely one week since his surgery.  Unable to take the sacrament himself, because of his jaw being wired shut, he was nonetheless anxious to assist in passing the sacrament.  It was a sermon to the Ward members on the importance Levi places on fulfilling priesthood assignments.  Then, at the end of the sharing of testimonies, he stood at the pulpit to share his testimony.  As best as he could, he shared his thoughts and feelings and thanked the Ward members for the prayers offered on behalf of he and Delgean.  It was a tender moment that will not soon be forgotten by any who were in attendance and a highlight of the meeting.

Improvement

Yesterday was a tough day to say the least.  The doctors were able to go in and clean out a lot of "junk" that was making it difficult for Delgean to breath.  Today around noon they will perform the tracheotomy and insert the feeding tube.  This morning Delgean gave Ra Jette's hand a good squeeze.  Her vitals are all looking pretty good.  I think everyone is feeling better today than they were yesterday.  What a difference a day can make.

The Latest On Delgean, 6/3

By way of an update, I only have the following information...early this morning one of Delgean's lungs collapsed.  The doctors have her back on the ventilator and have put a feeding tube into her stomach.  John and Ra Jette, like each of you, continue to pray for Delgean's recovery.

I thought, however, it might be appropriate today to share a recent story about Delgean that I shared with the Linden Ward on Sunday.  A week or so before school got out, our daughter who is 7, came off of the school bus and into the house in tears.  Ann tried to figure out what had upset her, but to no avail.  Just behind our daughter came Delgean, who rides the same bus home as our kids.  Delgean (age 14) spent some time with our daughter trying to comfort her and make her feel loved.  She certainly was not the cause of our daughter's sadness, but worked to help heal her.  We never were able to get it out of our daughter just what the problem was.  However, Delgean was able to comfort her.  Ann and I were so grateful for Delgean's sweet and considerate spirit and for the time she took to comfort our daughter when we couldn't.  I don't know that too many 14 year olds would take the time to comfort a 7 year old when they didn't need to.  However, anyone that knows Delgean, would certainly not be surprised by her actions that day.  Typical Delgean...

Update on Delgean...Creation of Account

For much of the day yesterday (Tuesday) Delgean slept.  The doctors anticipate conducting a couple of tests on Thursday to determine whether she can maintain her airway and feeding.  If she can, there will be no need to perform the tracheotomy.  In addition, if those tests go well, she can begin rehab as early as this weekend.  In the meantime, she is resting.

Also, a family friend has created an account through the National Bank of Arizona for anyone who wishes to donate to the Fillingim's.  You can reference the account as the "Fillingim Donation Account."  We are working on setting up PayPal where you can donate through the blog and the funds will be deposited directly into the National Bank Account.  That should be set up within the next few days.

Finally, a separate family friend is in the process of organizing an auction to raise money for the family.  It is tentatively set up for Saturday, June 12th at the Village Arena (across from Bodyworks in Show Low).  As I am made aware of more details, I will post them to the blog.

New Month, New Update

I spoke with Ra Jette this morning just after 9 a.m.  Yesterday (Monday) Delgean's eyes remained open while Ra Jette read an article from the Ensign.  She looked around the room.  The machines indicate an increase in heart rate and breathing when friends and family speak or hold her hand.  All good indicators.  The doctors are anxious to get Delgean going on rehab, which will likely either be at the Phoenix Children's Hospital or St. Joe's Hospital.  They plan to put in a feeding tube today and are deciding whether or not they will need to put in a tracheotomy.  In any event, while this will likely be a long recovery, inch by inch she is progressing. 

Levi is home and is recovering.  I had a chance to see him while he was sleeping on the couch yesterday evening.  The swelling in his face looked to me like it had subsided a little from before the surgery.  I had heard a rumor that someone saw him in Safeway.  Turns out it was true.  He went in to get some prescriptions filled.  One of his baseball coaches informed me that the boys were anxious to have him in the dugout as soon as possible.  Right now he is trying to recover enough to make the trip to Phoenix to see Delgean.  There may be a picture of Levi posted soon.