Archive for March 29th, 2011

My new PT Sofia!

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

 My PT Geovanny who I see in San Jose is a professor at the University Santa Paula. He was kind enough to put my parents ad on the University facebook page. We had a good response to the ad and during my stay in the hospital my parents were able to interview four girls that were interested in the position of being my full time PT.  All four girls had just graduated in December and received their license to be Physical Therapists. It was important to my parents and me that whomever we chose would have to have the right chemistry with me.  After interviewing the girls, my parents had them each come to the hospital and do a 20 minute PT session with me in the hospital bed.  My grandma, dad and mom had their score cards out!  All four girls were very nice but there was only one that really grabbed my attention and her name is Sofia.

When Sofia came to see me at the hospital she brought toys for me to look at and things for me to touch. She was very well organized and even had a treatment plan lined out for me. She talked to me the entire time she worked with me in my bed. She has such a very sweet voice. She explained everything that she was going to do to me and each muscle that we would be moving together. I at once felt very comfortable with her and I really appreciated her talking to me and explaining to me what she was doing.  

Sofia, is from Cartago, Costa Rica. Cartago is just outside of San Jose in the mountains. It is colder there and rains more often she is in for a big change of weather in Delicias were it is hot and sunny right now! She is okay with that and is looking forward to a change of scenery.  Sofia has been with us now for three weeks and things are going very well. We work out two times a day together. In the morning and the afternoon. At first it was very hard for me to get back into working out so much. The good thing is that even though I was weak I had not forgotten to do the things I was suppose to do like lift my head. We started out very slow and easy. Today Sofia took a video of me lifting my head without any help whatsoever. She is not having to tell me to lift my head I am doing it on my own! 🙂

Little by little I am regaining strength. I think I am moving along quite well and just know that I will be back to where I was before in no time. Thanks for coming into my life Sofia. I know we are going to make a good team.

Love Malia

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

I would like to thank Hospital de Los Ninos Intensive Care Unit for saving my life. There were many dark days and many times even I did not know whether or not I would make it. Your constant attention and care to my health meant the world to me and my parents. Thanks to the nurses that helped in many ways get me thru my days. Some of you were truly exceptional. A special thanks to Cheverra who was head of the respiratory department for bringing in the Smart Vest and helping me make it off the ventilator. Also to all the respiratory therapists who helped me to breathe and get rid of all that gunk in my chest. Josey Mar you believed in me I thank you for that and for the many times you managed to get me to cough! A huge thank you to my team of doctors, Dr. Armando Perez, Dr. Ramirez, Dra. Boza, Dra. Porras, Dr. Baltodano, Dr. Victor Perez and Dr. Huertas. Thanks for all your help in saving me and making the right decisions at some very critical times. Thanks as well for putting up with the constant questions from my parents who were only looking after my best interest but at times I am sure drove you all crazy! Thanks from the bottom of my heart, you have a fine institution and I am proud to be a Costa Rican kid.

Love Malia