Heidi Ho

Leigh and Heidi, 10 days ago at the Q

Heidi, on the far right, at the game on Saturday before getting hurt.

The past two days have been two different experiences.

Yesterday, I went to the hospital to visit Heidi - thinking that since she'd awoken from her coma, she would be sitting up, talking and smiling...  when I got there, and I stepped into the room, I walked over to Heidi, looked at her head bandaged, her face swollen, and immediately bolted for the corner.  Em was so strong, and talked to her and held her hand and joked even though she was basically unresponsive...and I stood in the corner crying like a baby.  That was not what I had been expecting at all.  I've only known one other person to ever be in a coma, and sadly, she never came out of it.  So I guess I just pulled from television and movies - where people wake up from coma's and just look around and start talking.  But that was not the case.  After I calmed down, I talked to Heidi and held her hand and even though she didn't really respond (she "winked" / twitched an eye at me, and also squeezed my hand slightly), it felt really good to see for myself that she was breathing on her own.  I left feeling hopeful, but sad at the memory of visiting Christine in the hospital a year and a half ago.

Today was a COMPLETELY different experience.  When I woke up, I felt good because it was so warm outside.  I went with Em to Urgent Care (she has Bronchitis, eww!) and then class.  Then we drove to the hospital.  When it was my turn to go back, I was nervous but I knew that she was doing better.  When I walked in the room, SHE OPENED HER EYES AND SAID, "HI CHIPS!"  (chips is my rugby nickname).  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She immediately knew who I was!  Her eyes were open, and we talked for about 10 minutes, and while she's not completely 100% (she still gets confused about things, she's quiet and keeps her eyes closed a lot, and her movements are very sharp and clumsy), SHE SAID MY NAME!  SHE RECOGNIZED ME!  AHHHHH!!!!!!  It was so good to hear her voice.  Such a difference from yesterday.

I have not been this excited in so long!  We left the hospital just BEAMING.  

It's time for bed...keep sending positive energy to Heidi, as her and her family still have a long road ahead of them.  

Love everywhere,

Kris