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Reese’s aunt, Laura Dufford Jackson shares the following update with us:
Sorry for the delay in a “real” update. It has been a busy summer for all of us – even our sweet Reese. We often times find ourselves reflecting on our 2014 summer – and we have to pinch ourselves at how far we have come. A year ago tomorrow (August 1), Reese was taken off of ECMO and the R-VAD was put in and this is truly when Reese began to turn around. We are thankful for anniversaries like tomorrow’s and are so grateful that Reese has been in the care of such caring and brilliant staff. Since my last update, Reese looks so different! She is about at what her ideal weight would be and is carrying a lot less fluid these days – she truly looks beautiful and looks like our old Reese. She got a new wheelchair a few weeks ago – one much smaller and one she can wheel herself around in. She practices wheeling herself during therapy these days and can often be found in a wheelchair race with her mom or therapist (and Reese usually wins). She is also practicing steps – since she has steps in her home she has started practicing stepping up on a step and stepping down – and she does so well with this. Today, she practiced getting in and out of the bed on her own – and this was challenging but everything is the first time…she is just so much stronger and her therapist do a great job of keeping her challenged. This morning was a monumental morning of sorts…Reese has been on VAD support since August 1st – and she still is – but the respiratory team changed a piece on the VAD that will hopefully get us closer to heading home. The change will allow for lower RMP’s of flow and allow her heart to begin learning to work at a normal rate – all at a gradual and slow process. She has handled this change very well and so far so good! This procedure and change is a real bridge to getting home – a huge step in that direction. This may be confusing for some – just know that this is a big change for Reese and it will allow her medical team to see what she is capable of and will push her a little to continue our healing process. Overall, Reese is more and more like her old self with each passing day. Her appetite is huge, her spirits are high, her skin is healing each day and she wants all the things that other 8 year olds would want. Reese’s summer has been full of many visits from so many friends and family. She has truly had an amazing summer – from the Pantene visit (her cow), to a Minnie Mouse visit, a private concert from Aberdeen Green, fun and games with many friends, math camp, crafts galore, birthday parties for grandparents, aunts, uncles and her cousin and even just fun visits one-on-one with friends…her summer has been incredible for a little girl who can’t be home. We thank each of you for the cards you continue to send, the support you continue to give our family through meals and gas cards and thoughtful gestures. I know we say it every time – but your support throughout this long ordeal gets us through each day. Yes, we are human and we each have a bad day from time to time – even Reese can have her bad days emotionally and she does get infections from time to time too – but she bounces back so much quicker and so do we. Thank you all – truly, thank you for the support you continue to shower upon our family.
