Lifting Charlotta's Spirits

This weekend was a turning point for Charlotta. In addition to getting stronger at walking, she has also come out of the medication-induced fog that she's been in since surgery. She is no longer getting any morphine and is only taking Tylenol for pain. She's talkative and awake most of the day -- it's good to have the old, chatterbox Charlotta back.

Since our stay here, we've received many great get-well gifts from family, friends, co-workers, classmates and teachers. Charlotta has been given some great balloon bouquets, but the one that arrived today from my brother and his family in Ottawa takes the cake. Each balloon was 3-to-4 feet in length, and there were six of them all together (a horse, a turtle, a unicorn, a rainbow, a butterfly and a dolphin). Looking into Charlotta's room from the hallway, you could barely see her bed for all the balloons in the way.


The balloons also had a therapeutic value. They arrived just as Charlotta had finished up a walk with the physiotherapist this afternoon. The physio had wanted her to walk a bit further, but she didn't want to do any more. Then, Steve and the physio had the idea to take the horse (Charlotta's favourite balloon) for a walk. The "led" the horse for a full lap around the ward. That balloon was just the encouragement she needed to go those extra few steps.

Jack and Ashley also got in on the balloon action, as Charlotta gave them each one of the big ones to take home -- the unicorn for Ashley, and the dolphin (named Flipper) for Jack.