Teeth Music

Yesterday after Ellie's arrival home, Thom & I made sure that Ellie was with one of us at all times.  She wasn't really able to walk or move about very well after being bed-ridden for 5 days.  The problem was she would not recall that she could  not do these things and end up in trouble.  For example, I was in Ellie's room diligently studying the on-line take out pizza menu, when I heard a loud thump.  Perplexed, I wondered what had made that sound.  I looked and there on the floor in a big purple heap was Ellie unmoving.  She had fallen off of her bed (which is fortunately on the floor) but the fall had knocked the wind out of her and then she did not have the arm strength to push herself up.  I bent down to try to help her up and the whole thing just sort of struck me as both sad and funny.  You know like when you suddenly feel like you have to laugh in the middle of a wedding or worse yet a funeral?  I got her all sorted out and in a better position on the bed.

Today while Thom was in the shower, Ben & I were playing "office" with Ellie (yes, it is true, Ben has gotten his "card" back and is now occasionally allowed into the bookshop.)  Ben brought all of his tools in and was playing hospital with me as his patient, where he discovered that I do not have a brain.  Every time Ben would talk about us being at the hospital, Ellie would say, "I'm sad we're at the hospital."  And we would have to remind her that in fact we were just playing hospital until she started reminding herself, "Ben is just pretending to play hospital, right?"

We received a lovely card from Ellie's school and a lot of the teachers were telling her to feel better soon.  Ellie responded, "I think I AM feeling better."  Her main teacher from last year, Ms. Zwart signed her name, "Sue" and Ellie immediately said, "Oh, that is Ms. Zwart."  Which totally blew me away.  I mean she is disoriented with place right now but she can recall her special ed teacher's first name from last year?   

As Ellie was struggling getting up out of the bath, she said to me nonchalantly, "Sometimes moving around is more difficult after surgery."  I was amazed at how she said it, no sadness or regret or even frustration, just matter-of-factly.  I informed her that every time she gets up it will be easier for her that her muscles are just remembering how to do all of these things and every time they get stronger. 

Right now Thom & Ben have built a sliding hill in our backyard (14 inches of snow will give you that ability even in a level yard.)  Ellie, on the other hand,  is sitting on her bed making "teeth music", completely entertained to be sitting, staring, making soft music with her teeth.