July 1st

Yes, July 1st is an optimistic date set to get Mary Ann home. She is walking with a walker and two assistants helping her to make sure she stays balanced. She is doing 75% of the work. Very good progress from two months ago when she was lucky to blink and that was it.

The slogan on the floor reflects Mary Ann's great attitude, she is a real trooper trying so hard each day, so she can return home asap.

She has started to eat solid foods as of two days ago. Soft foods such as yogurt, apple sauce are her current mainstay foods; however, she is eating more and more solid foods each new day.

More Good News

Mary Ann moved from the Utah Valley Specialty Hospital to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Rehabilitation Center which is at the south end of the hospital. This is the main hospital on 5th West in Provo. They immediately removed her IV and catheter which now allows much more freedom of movement.

The goal for UVRMC Rehab Center is to ready her for returning home. It is intensive physical therapy (body strength), occupational therapy for personal readiness, meaning bathroom chores, getting dressed, etc. and speech therapy which is swallowing, eating, forming words, cognition and remembering.

She is in room 2677, and she can receive guests during the noon hour and after 3:30 PM until approximately 8 PM.

Good News

Mary Ann is progressing to the point that they were able to remove the tracheotomy tube from her throat yesterday afternoon. This is really good news. Mary Ann is making adjustments and is still not fully able to speak or mold words like you or I would normally expect; but it is happening little by little.

As you might note her hair is growing back quite quickly, nurses and every visitor notes that there are no grey hairs but just nice beautiful coloration of a red/brownish hue.

Birthday Bash May 29th

Mary Ann celebrated her birthday with cupcakes, flowers, good cheer, birthday song, birthday beads, birthday caps, banner, cards.

Jennifer Legas and Adam, Gunnar, Cooper, Mia and Kes. Gayle and Vic Deauvono added their bright smiles and beautiful voices to the Happy Birthday song plus the balloons and other birthday paraphernalia.

Connie Lee from our ward had a bunch of members sign her beautifully decorated and impeccably calligraphied birthday banner which graced the hospital wall with love.

The Baughman's who now serve as Mission Presidents in Budapest Hungary sent the beautiful flowers.