Amy (Seger) Heggemann Benefit

Warrenton, MO 63383

March Update Archives

  • march 7, 2008

    Hello Prayer Warriors!
    Wow!!!!  Soooo much to tell you - grab your coffee or popcorn!
    Today marks six months since the accident.  Looking back, Amy has REALLY accomplished so much.  And yet, she has much, much more to accomplish in her future.  We can thank God, family and friends for many, many blessings that have occurred these last six months.  It is amazing to me when I go back 4-5 months and read a past "Amy Update" email.  Amy is a winner, for sure.
    Amy's evaluation on Wednesday went very well, once again.  She continues to do well in all aspects of her therapy.  It was said that one thing about Amy is that is she has the "let's get it done" attitude, always working hard. 
       
    Physical Therapy:  Amy's level of alertness has improved, she is less tired in therapy; probably due to the reduction of medication (more on that later).  Wednesday we saw her stand at the parallel bars with support/assistance from the therapists and Bob at her side.  Although they were there for support; Amy was doing most of the work herself.  A second time at the parallel bars included her left foot up on a box, forcing weight to be on her right side.  She did well, but she does still favor her right knee.  In another activity, they had Amy to stand (therapist behind her sitting on a stool), then Amy leaning forward some, forcing weight onto her legs, then turning pages of a magazine with her left hand, forcing weight onto her right hand which was placed on the table in front of her.  Many activities are directed at forcing weight onto those extremities, building those muscles and increasing her endurance.  They do notice Amy's right hand opens up easier (probably since less medication??).  They can see a difference in her right leg; it is stronger; definite improvement.
    Occupational Therapy:  Amy is doing really well.  Her transfers are better (going from bed to chair, etc.)  She is bearing more weight making it possible for just one person to assist her; with the exception of the bathroom.
    Her morning routine is more and more "Amy".  She is grabbing that toothbrush, doing it on her own and not just tippy toeing around - she is really BRUSHING, the therapist said.  She is helping more in the shower, etc.  Understand, Amy is not all of a sudden deciding to help; I'm sure she has wanted to do all of these things on her own, but she is now stronger and more alert to do them on her own.  Yea, Amy.  She is eating mostly on her own with occasional assistance.  Her grip is great around the fork and spoon.  She is shaking less and just simply doing GREAT.  Her special cup has arrived.  It looks like a glorified sippy cup.  It only allows 5 cc of liquid to drink.  She is required to have supervision yet with this cup, only because they don't want her aspirating or choking, etc.  This is challenging for Amy - she wants to chug down a drink and only gets a bit.  That garage door still needs improvement.  She is learning to not throw her head back, too, which will make a difference.  Soon she will be independent with the cup.
    Speech Therapy:  Amy's communication is better and better overall.  She can speak the words asked of her in sessions.  We heard her say many.  Amy needs to improve on being louder and clearer so that we can understand her better.  So, they are working with her on her posture (which needs to be better, so they are practicing that), articulating and respiration power.  She does stretching exercises to train the muscles of the mouth.  And face massaging, stretching those facial muscles.
    When Amy speaks her teeth are usually clenched and so it is hard to understand her clearly.  When you remind her to open her mouth, she does better.
    They are having more sessions in her room to have her communicate about the things in her room.  They are working on putting 2 and 3 words together at one time.  She is doing well.
    Is she carrying on a conversation yet?  No.  But, she is communicating more and more.  Sometimes when asked to show a finger for yes or no............she just puts up three.  :) or wiggles them all at you.  She can say yes or no; those around her just have to be patient and listen closely for it. 
    They are not keeping the tray on her wheelchair as much, they think it aides to her wanting to put her head down............during the evaluation session, Cami looked at Amy and said "busted!".......Amy laughed, knowing exactly what was being said and meant.  :)
    A Chiropractor in Carbondale was present at the evaluation session.  He is willing to help in whatever way he can.  To start, Amy will be receiving a massage twice a week to help loosen up those muscles, to relax.  A couple of his fellow Chiropractors in Carbondale were also willing to help if they could, too.
    God is working.  Blessings are chasing Amy down and overcoming her body :)
    Amy is completely off of one medication that she was on, Kepra.  Everyone is seeing more alertness and she is less tired.  She does not rest her head as often as she used to.  She is currently being weaned off of a second one, Lexapro.  And the third, Providual (sp?) is being lowered as well.  The fourth and last is the blood pressure medication, which they will look at very last.  She did receive an injection last week of a medication that helps numb areas to help relax the muscles so that therapy can work with those muscles. Overall, her right foot is flatter and there is arm improvement since the injection.  The Botox has not been given as of yet; but will be soon.
    The good news on her knee - she DOES NOT HAVE "H O"  OR BONE GROWTH.
    Praise God.  I think we all prayed that away, don't you!?!  She does have a bit of arthritis.  So, we can be praying for that to disappear, too - God is a healing God and HE has NO limitations.  PRAY AND BELIEVE.
    Even better news.  Amy's right eye had a great report at the eye doctor.  After a very long wait the visit was a success.  Amy's retina appeared to be in good shape.  She can see out of that eye.  The muscles and such look good.  Optic nerve is good.  Her obstacle is that her Third Cranial Nerve is not functioning or regenerating.  Eye examination was not even considered until 6 months out - the next six months can include lots of healing yet, per the eye doctor/surgeon. 
     OK, PRAYER WARRIORS - THIS IS ONE OF OUR PRAYER FOCUS............... THIRD CRANIAL NERVE. 
    Basically, she can't look down with that right eye, it does not track with the left.  She therefore has double vision, etc..............
    PRAYER FOCUS...........THIRD CRANIAL NERVE.   Surgery is an option, but won't even be considered until the year mark from the accident.  And there are risks.
    PRAYER FOCUS..................THIRD CRANIAL NERVE.  FULL RECOVERY FROM HEAD TO TOE.
    Also, let's focus on Amy's nutrition as a prayer focus, too.
    While there on Wednesday, Amy had Frosted Flakes for breakfast.  Now, I am not a nutritionist, you can tell that by looking at me!!!  I have my share of cereal.  But, gosh, I at least know that Frosted Flakes are full of sugar (not beneficial to anyone I know) and don't give you much protein or energy for the day.  Despite that Amy was awake all day, with no nap due to the eye doctor appointment, then followed up with the speech therapy session...............a very long day.............she did great.  So, anyway, let's pray that the staff will make good choices with healthy meals with protein, whole wheat, less sugar...........vegetables........etc.  Now, I have been at the Tucker house when there are more balanced meals.........but I bet they could be even better.  Let's pray for Nutrition angels to surround the Tucker house, not only for Amy, but for everyone there............for heaven's sake...........EVERYONE there needs nutrition and exercise to get home faster, get healthier faster. 
    Thank you for continuing to pray for POSITIVE INFLUENCE in Amy's life.  May God surround her with positive television (ha!  is that possible??), positive staff with positive comments and thoughts, positive family and friends, positive movies of comedy to make her laugh................  The mind is so powerful.  What you send in is what comes out.  What Amy's brain needs is positive influence.  Happiness is healing.
    Keep that in mind for yourself, too.  If you are sick or battling something with your health..................start with a positive attitude, positive books, positive encouraging movies, positive friends (move away from those that drain(or suck) the life right out of you - love them, pray for them and let go of them).  Eat right and exercise.  It will fix a multitude ..........I'm preaching to myself here, too!
    Amy had lots of laugher on Wednesday.  That is my favorite thing, is to see her laugh.  After they eye doctor they gave her those disposable sunglasses.......I told her she looked like Stevie Wonder, she needed to sway her head and sing a bit.......she just laughed :)  It is not hard to get her to laugh.  She knows exactly what is being said around her, she understands; that has not changed.  Amy is Amy in there.
    I am excited about her progress as I know you are, too.
    Continue to pray for Bob, the boys and Bob's extended family for whatever their needs  might be.
    Heard the Pancake Breakfast raised $1000 - YIPPEE!  Thank you Charrette Creek Church.
    Blessings to all of you.  May God's love be with you this weekend.
    Love, Lynda

  • march 22, 2008

    Happy Easter Prayer Warriors!
    Hope all is well with you and your families.
    Hard to believe that Easter is already here - but come on spring!
    Amy continues to do well in all areas of therapy.  Speech therapy continues to work on mouth massages and mouth exercise or stretches, practicing breathing deeper.  They are working on increasing her volume and improving her pronunciation.  It might be explained like this......its like an infant has to build up their facial muscles and then they are able to coo and make noises.  Amy is in a similar boat with needing to build up those facial muscles.  They are working on her filling in the blanks with sentences.  She knows the words that are missing and says them.  Again, Amy is in there, working at coming out..............
    Her Dad, Nelson, told me they have a new machine in the living room area.  It is a Standing Frame; hydraulics that will lift a person up to a standing position.  And then there is a platform or table at the top so you could write or play cards, etc.  Amy does well in the standing frame and can even pull herself up to a standing position. 
    Also, her right foot is flatter on the floor - so maybe the change in meds is making a difference there.........
    She is enjoying activities such as going to Basketball games at the college, attending live theater with the group in DuQuoin, making blanket in occupational therapy, having her nails painted, etc.  She continues to laugh and talk more and more, says Nelson.
    Nelson did say that her right knee does bother her on occasion - arthritis.  She really pulls her right leg up high when it bothers her the most.  She receives some pain meds for that, when needed.  Sure would be nice if we could pray that pain away..........so she can focus on building those muscles, joints, etc...............let that be our focus this week.
    Bobby says she is now consistently receiving the upper body massages.  She has been tight, stiff and so the massages seem to be making a difference.  HELLO!!!!!!!!  Couldn't we all use a massage!!!!!!!!!!???????????  There is something about loosening up muscles, and relaxing that does a body good!  It's taking that time for ourselves, honoring the body God gave us by taking care of it. 
    As it gets warmer, I'm looking forward to walking off some "winter insulation" that I acquired over the last several months.  :)  :)  Seems like when we get rid of the candy from one holiday, here comes another one (holiday with candy that is)! 
    Bobby took the boys, along with some friends, to the Magic House in St. Louis yesterday.  They then headed to Carbondale to be with Amy for Easter weekend.  The boys and Bobby being off work and school on Monday will make a nice long weekend of togetherness.  Thank you for continuing to pray for all the boys in Amy's life.  :)
    Thank you for continuing to keep Amy in your DAILY prayers.  Although progress at times seems slow - it IS progress and it IS positive.  To think, six months ago - many had "wrote her off" and were shaking their heads believing for the worst.  For those of us who know Amy best; knew that she would fight and work hard at whatever she needed to do.  We are sooo proud of what she is accomplishing.  Let's continue to support her in our daily prayers; believing for the very best, a full recovery.
    Have you heard the term "shoot for the moon and land among the stars"?
    Blessing to you and your family this Easter weekend.
    Love always, Lynda
    P.S.  In regards to the book sales................
    Hi Lynda,
    The site is up and running now so you can let people know they can order through PayPal if they want.
    Thanks!
    Love, Linda Russell

 

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Warrenton, MO 63383