June 3rd

Megan started her day at 630 this morning with an ultra sound on her right leg just to see if everything was working right. After breakfast she had Speech Therapy and PT.  One of the doctors came in to check her leg.  She has been able to move both of her legs since her stroke.  But last night she started having trouble lifting her right leg.  After examining her they decided she should go back to the ER at Brigham & Women's for more tests to be sure there were no changes in her brain.  We were all really scared that maybe she'd had another stroke.  So we spent the afternoon at B&W getting  a CT scan and X-ray.  Everything was clear! We were so relieved! They are finding that some of the motor connections in her brain are not functioning properly. Her brain is telling her body to do something, and sometimes it just doesn't work. It's like skipping a beat. Over time and with therapy these connections will be fixed and those movements will become easier. Some of the neurologists she was working with at B&W came to examine her as soon as they heard she was in the ER. It was so funny, Megan saw them coming down the hall and said, "no way!" They have never seen a stroke victim as young as Megan and would like to track her progress for months to come.  They were happy with her progress with her speech, and were able to tell us the reason for the weakness in her right leg.  So after a very long and stressful afternoon, we went back to Spaulding! 

Some more good news for today, Megan was able to move her right arm! She has to think very hard, and look at it to make it move. Megan is telling her arm to move, but it doesn't make the connection easily. They were little movements, but hey, it's starting to move! 

One of the highlights of my day was riding in the ambulance back to rehab! Aunt Sue rode with Megan on the way in, and wasn't so thrilled. Not going to lie, I had fun. Megan was wiped out from a long day, and I was chatting with the guy in the back. Once back at rehab it was time for dinner! Megan wasn't so thrilled about her turkey and mashed potatoes, but once she tried it she actually enjoyed it. I know it's weird, Megan enjoying carbs. For those of you who don't know, Megan usually eats pretty healthy and has been avoiding the carbs! 

Tomorrow is going to be a long day for Megan! She has a fully day of therapy. The meeting with her rehab team didn't take place today because of our trip to the ER, so hopefully that will take place in the next day or so. As I have said each day Megan's speech has improved. It still surprises me when she puts full sentences together. For example, today in the ER she put 6 words together and started a conversation with us! Even though it was just a six word phrase it is such an improvement from the one word answers every once in a while from earlier in the week. We look forward to her continued progress, and hearing her lovely voice more and more. 

This is Megan on the way to physical therapy!! That smile is looking better everyday.