Grey Matter and Nerves of Titanium

I was with Amacker today when a neurologist came by to check out Amacker's cognitive skills and reflexes.  For the most part Amacker is doing great.  Since many of you will start visiting Amacker in the near future, it is necessary for me to inform you about a few of the places she isn't doing as well.

Amacker is missing some of the links between speech and thought.  For example, she cannot spell fairly simple words.  When asked to spell world, she says w-r-d, and looks very satisfied, as if she knows she's correct.  When asked to do it again, she says w.... and simply cannot come up with the rest.  When asked to subtract 7 from 100, she starts talking about how she's always sucked at math.

The fact that her sense of humor is so intact has actually hidden some of the deeper problems.  She uses it to hide what is a difficult reality, and probably embarrassing as well.

Amacker has fairly good motor skills.  Most everything works, except she cannot move her left ankle upwards.  She can, however, wiggle toes on that foot.  More troublesome is the fact that she cannot raise her left wrist.  It is fairly limp.  This is not unexpected, given the clean break in that arm and the inevitable nerve damage that would come from such a break, but when asked to work it, she says, "well, I had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome before the accident -- it never works."  Her wrist was painful and weak before, but never limp.

The reason I tell you these things now is because they have implications on your visits.

Amacker has shown no inclination to read and has trouble with memory.  That means reading books and web surfing are difficult for her.  Further, she is very saddened to discover the parts of her brain that aren't working correctly.  As you visit her, be sensitive as to what you ask her to do.  As far as I can tell she has little interest in visual stimulation, though she is asking for audio books, music, and possibly an audio language lesson.  (I know that last one seems stressful, but since she's rebuilding connections in her brain and has plenty of free time, it might be a great time to learn French!)

All that said, you might want to read her your card if you bring one.  You might want to read her a book, tell her stories, talk with her, but don't be surprised if she gets frustrated.   Also know that she has sudden outbursts of tears.  She will focus on one thing in conversation.  Lately it's been how much she misses her cat.  This doesn't mean we should smuggle in her cat to see her.  It's just one of the few things she can really remember clearly right now. Oh, and she sleeps a lot.  Let her.  The doctor explained to me that all of this is fairly common for someone who's been through what she has.

Finally, we don't know about the rate in which she'll heal from these injuries.  The wrist and ankle will require physical therapy and possibly some nerve repair.  The brain will take some mental exercises and time.