Today we returned to Sick Kids Hospital for a follow up neurology appointment.  Returning to the place where we had lived so deeply for eight weeks was powerful for James and me.  Lydia has no memory of the hospital or the people we saw today.

Her neurology Doctor who did her brain surgery for the ICP probe and drainage tube, was amazed at Lydia's progress.  With a twinkle in his eye, he said to Lydia, "we always thought you might make a rapid recovery, but this is wonderful to see!"  Consequently, Lydia does not need to return until Sept 2013 for a follow up visit.
After this appointment, we went to 5C, where Lydia brought smiles to the faces of her former therapists and nurses.  They were so delighted to see her, and how well she is doing.  "She is on the miracle track" one woman exclaimed.  "I can't believe it!  I am giddy!" was another's response.
We have been told that brain injury patients usually have a very long, slow, recovery.  It can be likened to a steady uphill climb.  In the past three weeks, Lydia has made fantastic gains, and leapt forward in her recovery.  The spike in her recovery is amazing to many who regularly work with Traumatic Brain Injury patients.  One nurse I spoke with today shared her view with me:  "This is extraordinary!  This is the work of God!"  I share her view.  God is graciously answering our prayers with abundance.  Your prayers for Lydia are making a difference  - a difference that the medical community can recognize.
Thank you.  We are so grateful to be seeing more of Lydia return each day.  And thanks be to God!  How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God!  And all will see, how great, how great is our God!  (Chris Tomlin song: How Great is Our God)

Today Lydia walked up two flights of stairs, using the railing, and supervised and kept safe by her therapists, and then she walked down them too.  She is wobbly, and uncoordinated, but strong.  This took almost 20 minutes, but she did it!  She also experienced some different textures under her bare feet in therapy this morning.  When we get home this weekend,  we're to walk barefoot in the grass!  Sounds like fun homework!
School begins for Lydia tomorrow.  She was not properly registered, although we had thought she was.

Tonight, we played some instruments and did some music therapy together.  She played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the glockenspiel, and then Mary Had a Little Lamb on the key board - both with assistance, but with interest and determination of her own to do it.  She sang along too, and happily, when she sings, there is pitch returning to her voice.  She sang a C + scale tonight: C D E F G H-oops A B C!
Psalm 40:5  Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done!