Ashlyn's Angels Benefit Concert was a huge success!!!! I want to extend a huge thank you to Love and War in Plano, Jordan and Casey Hendrix, the bands and everyone who donated auction/raffle items and/or money, and helped to organize and attended the event. Its overwhelming to know there are so many generous and caring people. For those of you who couldn't attend, Ashlyn had a blast and was quite the entertainer. She started the evening with a medley of "ABC..." and "I am a Pizza" on stage and over the microphone. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. The Steve Ferguson Band brought her up on stage for a guitar solo. Love and War has offered to host another concert in the Spring. 
Sorry for the delay in blogging...I've gotten lazy since returning home. Ashlyn started back to school half day last Wednesday and started all day yesterday. On top of school she has therapy two times a week. So far she seems to be handling it all well. She is happy to be back at school with her teachers and friends. This picture is from her first day back to school. She loves her new little backpack on wheels!
We met with the neuro-surgeon on Tuesday and the decision was made that Ashlyn doesn't have to use her wheelchair at school and only has to wear the helmet when riding a bike. The wheelchair will only be used when we are walking long distances.
Many of you have asked about her seizures...that seems to be the million dollar question. Except for one grand mal a couple of days after surgery, we haven't seen any of her classic seizure activity. The teachers and her dad and I have observed multiple starring off spells where she is unresponsive for a period of time but we aren't sure if they are seizure related. The doctors are aware of what is going on and an EEG is the only way to see if this is seizure activity. According to the doctors, the recovery time for this surgery is six months and that during this time her body may do some bizarre things that are not necessarily alarming. We will just continue to think positively!
These wonderful women are the speech, occupational and physical therapists who have worked so deligently with Ashlyn the last five and a half weeks. Today was her last day of in-patient therapy; tomorrow morning we will be headed home. Although it has been very difficult to be away from home, Our Children's House has been a wonderful experience. The doctors, nurses, therapists and other staff have really helped us pull through this surgery. They expected nothing but the best from Ashlyn and look at the results! Ashlyn still has a ways to go with follow-up care, but I can leave this facility saying I have my baby back. She's walking, talking, smiling, and using Nubby! Our family has been blessed to have the very best neurologist, surgeon and after-care specialists guide us through this crazy journey. Homeward Bound! 
Thank you to everyone who put this boat trip/fundraiser together and for the generous donations. It was great to see all of you. I am so blessed to have such a strong support system. Update on Ashlyn...today she went running....yes running by the nurses station and the doctor smiled and asked if we were ready to go home. We all know the answer to that question! It was decided today that Ashlyn will be released this Friday and will begin out-patient rehab. She has progressed so quickly that the doctors and therapists feel she can return home! 
Great news! Prior to surgery, we were told Ashlyn would most likely lose the functioning she had in her right hand. Many of you remember that prior to surgery her right hand was very spastic but she was able to grasp objects. Up until a couple of days ago she was unable to voluntarily move her right hand, but....we all know that Ashlyn is the exception to every rule! In the last couple of days she has been able to wrap her little fingers around one of our fingers. You can see it all over her face that she is trying to squeeze our finger with that hand. Since the surgery, her right hand and arm are less spastic which makes it easier to work with. Ashlyn's mood and behavior have continued to improve. She is making lots of new friends and likes to challenge others to wheelchair races. She is pretty much walking without any assistance but there are still some balance issues. She has even gotten brave enough to try running. Some of the therapists and child life coordinators are taking the kids to Dave N Busters this week. 
Today the kids played dress up and Ashlyn chose the angel wings...so cute. She is walking more and more on her own. She is asking to go outside more which is great to see. She loves to get in the wagon and have mommy take her around the block. This week was a little rough with all of the stomach issues but she seems to be getting over it. She is looking forward to Daddy coming for the weekend. She only has two therapy sessions on Saturdays and Sundays are strictly R&R and fun! 
