- P.U.S.H.

Every TBI is unique. Olga is moving forward one baby step at a time. After the emotional roller coaster in November and December and after Olga clearly stated I am not leaving without a fight, God answered our prayers and began leading Olga to recovery.

Through John Keller story and many others, we have learned a lot about hope, faith, patience, ambition, inner peace, and the list goes on. But one thing that stands out is P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Somehing Happens).  Most of us do not think much of a person's blinking or breathing pattern, coughing or eye movement.  After the hemorrhaging incident in early December (I call it hitting rock bottom) Olga began to show small indications of progress.  I remember saying to my family, "I have never been so excited about someone coughing." Have you? For some of us this is exactly what P.U.S.H. means and then you build up from there and continue praying until the man upstairs decides what is next.  Among Olga's first baby steps was coughing then blinking then opening her eyes.  A baby's devlopment is somewhat expected based on thousands of years humans have been around. For some of us, Olga is a born again baby. We are always excited to see what she is going to do next. She moved her pinky 1/8 of an inch. Woooooohooooo!  We took a victory lap.  Oh! Next day she moved her other finger 1/4 of an inch.  Woooooohooooo! And we took another victory lap and so on.  In retrospect, the baby steps are big leaps.  For the most part, everyday is a celebration. 

Christmas eve (December 24, 2010)
Nine days after being discharged from ICU

In January, as expected she had good and bad days. Vital signs are stable but with show stoppers here and there; yet, she moves forward: 5 steps forward and 2 back. Now a promising trend. 

February...

March/today Olga continues to be stable. She tries to follow commands and is more alert. We are glad we see her in pain. Why? Because she can feel it. Pain is a great sign.  She is telling us I am here and I need to get out of here. 

Again, we get excited and continue to P.U.S.H. into April.

Special thank you to John Keller and his team for the great deal of inspiration and what they do for TBI survivors.

http://www.johnkellersmiracle.com/blog/olga-reyes-granados-mexico-city

- March 13

As mentioned on the March 4 post, Olga continues to make progress. Since Olga was given the challenge to live a normal life back in October 2010, she has overcome many obstacles.  We call her "La Guerrera" (The Warrior) as she held on to God for her life.  While in ICU in November 2010, Olga's condition was everything but stable.  Olga was given 30%, 10% and 5% chance of living, all within days of each other. It was not a promising trend. Olga's story is just one of many people that are in a similar condition.  In the USA, "TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths." (http://www.cdc.gov/) We could not find similar statistics for Mexico.

Source: Center of Disease Control & Prevention,  Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury

We are told that every brain injury is unique and we deep down know that Olga's condition and recovery is also unique.  Olga was under an induced a coma for a couple of weeks to help an edema subside.  In mid November, I wrote the following note to my wife the day I was to return to Houston after spending a few days with Olga and our family.

"Health condition is about the same now both pupils are dialated. Will check if sedation is not the cause else things wont go very good from here on. We are all very hopeful god will shine on her and heal her from the illness.  This is a test of faith and we are all putting her in His hands to do with her what she was here to do. I will get on the plane and continue to pray and be with her until SHE tells us is over. A little down, but keeping my chin up."

On the night of December 5th, Olga developed internal bleeding and ultimately the family was called to the hospital to basically say our good byes. I belive her nickname La Guerrera fits her very well and the above proves her will to live. 

In March, Olga continues to push forward.  Soon she will be discharged from Long Term Accute Care (LTAC) and move back home with her husband Ivan.  As previously mentioned, in Mexico,  the medical & rehabilitacion recovery programs in regards to TBI are not as advanced as in the US. The few locations/facilities where she could get help cannot admit her due to her medical condition. 

We hope this begins to clarify some doubts you may have about Olga and our current situation.  We look forward to have Olga begin her rehabilitation at TIRR MH soon.  Thanks again in advance for your prayers and donations.  Until the next post. Be safe and God Bless.

- My Journey To Recovery

Hi! 
My name is Olga Reyes Granados and I suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) starting October 2010. On Feb 22, 2011 I completed 4 months in the hospital and I am looking forward to continue with my recovery. God has been guiding me along the way and I pray that I become another one of His great miracles.  

October 1, 2010 Alexa's Birthday Celebration

I have made some progress since I was first admitted to the hospital. TBI recovery takes time, dedication, lots of praying and patience.  I will be discharged from the Instituto Nacional De Neurologia y Neurocirugia Manuel Velasco Suarez in the next few weeks as I have maxed out my recovery opportunities in Mexico due to medical advancements.  I have come a long way and tried so hard thus far.  I have overcome the 5% chance they gave me back in November and I am not willing to accept that my chances for recovery stop here.

Together with my family, we have identified TIRR Memorial Hermann as the best place for my recovery. However, due to my TBI and its economic impact on my family, I am unable to get to TIRR at this time.  I need your help.

I am 38 years old and married to Ivan Olvera. I live in Mexico City.  I am the youngest of 5 sisters and have 3 brothers. I studied graphic design and work at Canal 11 in Mexico City. I am a new blogger with the purpose of sharing my story and increasing awareness of TBI.  I invite you to follow me on my Journey to Recovery. Please follow future posts to learn more about my progress and learning to live with TBI.

My family is campaigning on my behalf to raise $30,000 to cover both transportation costs from Mexico City to Houston and $125,000 for six weeks of rehabilitation at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas.  My insurance is unable to cover the transportation cost since we have reached the maximum coverage and the rehabilitation expenses are out of the country.  At this point, I am strictly dependent on support of my family to cover these expenses and on your donations. Please click on the "Donate" button below to help me continue with my recovery.  I will be posting progress to ensure you know how I am progressing and how your contribution has benefited me.  Thanks in advance.