Tori and Whitney, summer of 2001

Tori and Whitney tubing during our trip to Utah in 2001.

I see that Tim already beat me to reporting what I saw yesterday. But I felt like it was important to mention here so that there would be more than one witness that what Tim has been saying is correct.

The Schmanski's lived next door to us in Lindon for the past three years. They were the greatest neighbors we could ever hope for. My wife, Ann, and I have visited Tori, Tim and Maria a few times at the hospital now. We've been in to see and talk to Tori twice. The first time was June 26 and then yesterday. Both Ann and I were amazed at how great Tori looks and in our eyes she has made a lot of progress.

At one point in our visit, Maria started joking about all of Tori's text messaging which resulted in an $80 bill. This produced on Tori's face a full blown, both sides of the mouth, can see her beautiful white teeth -smile! I realized then that Tori hadn't been outside hanging out with the old people in the neighborhood because she was inside chatting or text messaging with her friends! Back to the smile...it looked to me like I could see her attempting to laugh. Prior to that she had smiled a few times, but those were kind of limited to one side of her face. Those had come from talk of her grades and things like that. At that big smile, Ann said "Oh my heck! There's Tori!" You can tell my wife has been in Utah too long.

We have no doubt she is aware of what is going on. She recognizes people and reacts differently to different people. It was her mom that she smiled so beautifully for yesterday. And we were lucky enough to be there.

Just found this on my computer and thought i should put it on here

And your journey continues! Even more wonderful news from you. I'm watching for entries from the "site enhancers". It's beautiful. When Tori reads this she will love it. I'm thrilled and over-joyed that you have found a facility that is close to home / work, one that YOU like and that is affiliated with hospitals. It is a very good choice. Take it easy and I am looking to see if I can find a website for that pastry shop! All our love, Auntie Jill and Uncle Donny. P.S. Please do let us know Tori's new address when she moves - I have promised deluging her with cards and notes and want to keep them coming!

This one is from Kenzie's collection of pics.

If not mistaken, this picture was taken during the trip in Santa Clara. Not certain.

Hello all,

Tori had a day filled with stimuli and activity primarily because she had 15-20 visitors today to which she responded very well. She was awake again for most of the day and she also served up the most smiles we have seen to numerous people. She even threw one out to a doctor who was checking her belly with her hands!! So it is NOT just Maria, Guy and I who have personally seen the smiles now!! Some of the timing regarding her smiling is also intriguing as it appears that Tori has not lost her sense of humor. At one point today Guy and Maria threw a 'short man' type joke my way and Tori responded with smile. I personally didn't think it was too funny and I'm not that short but oh well... ;-) Later, as the frenchman Guy was speaking in his native tongue to her I told Tori to tell him to quit speaking spanish to her which drew another nice big smile. Now this next one is the real topper!! The biggest Tori smile or even grin drawn today was immediately after Maria began complaining about Tori's $80 text messaging bill!! She really seemed to enjoy that one!! :-) We are always asking ourselves whether this behavior is purely coincidental but that theory is very hard to believe when the behavior is witnessed live in person. The timing is absolutely right on cue.

Tori did have a 30 minute span today where she coughed and coughed to get all of the mucus from her lungs. It completely wore her out and she had to be placed back on the respirator for a while to get her blood oxygen level back up. She also had a very long and nice nap afterward and the coughing episodes after her nap were not nearly as extreme as the ones earlier in the day.

As Guy mentioned in his mid-day update, we toured the UVRMC Inpatient Rehab Center again today and it is definitely now our top choice for Tori. We met with several of the nurses and respiratory technicians and they all seemed very nice, knowledgeable and interested in Tori. We will begin pursuing the next set of steps necessary to get her there on Monday.

Tim and Maria went to visit 2 places this morning in Provo. The IHC Utah Valley Hospital Rehabilitation center and the 'East Lake' Center across the street from it.

The Center attached to the hospital is fairly nice. With only 18 beds and 1 nurse for every 5 patients, it seems to offer the highest level of attention of all the centers Tim visited. There is one technician assigned for each nurse. So basically, 2 people of staff for every 5 patient. They have availability and would be able to take care of Tori.

It is located 10 minutes from Tim and Maria's house and only 5 minutes from Maria's office.

After touring the 2 facilities, we stopped at a french bakery and loaded up (again one may add). The 3 of us ordered probably 8 or 9 pastries. We took them to go and then ahead to Starbucks Coffee on University Parkway in Orem. With 2 Grande Caffe Late and a hot chocolate, we were set with our breakfast of champions.

While discussing over breakfast, we commented about Tori's friends nicknames online. Something that Maria said made me somehow manage to spit a mouth of hot chocolate all over myself (Tori, you are not the only one).

It is now 2pm and she has been awake for a few hours and off the respirator since 9am.

She has quite a few visitors today. Jim Norman, his spouse and youngest daughter are here visiting her. Tina, her husband, Russell and Ashton are here. And finally, Ryan, his wife and 2 boys are here as well.

Tori was watching Shark Tale earlier on TV and, as I am sending this, is getting repositionned and released from air-pressured socks and shoes.

Love,
-Guy

Hi again,

Tori seemed to spend more time today resting when compared to yesterdays activities. When she is awake she continues to be aware and responsive of sights and sounds. We have also noticed that she is raising her arms much more lately and resting them on her chest. Her reaction to the decreased Keppra has been very good and the doctors would like to decrease it to zero if she continues to respond well over the next wo days. The zero amount of Keppra step does make us a bit nervous... If she can avoid the Myoclonic seizures with no Keppra administered they will look to decrease the Depacone next. Tori also spent 6 hours or so breathing on her own and her cough is very, very strong!! She does have to be suctioned frequently as her lungs are filled with mucus right now. That is actually a GOOD thing because it shows her body is fighting off the bad stuff in her lungs. Maria and I have been doing alot of the suction ourselves. Tori still doesn't like it too much though... We believe her throat is still very sore from having the ventilation tube in her mouth for so long.

Tori had many visitors today including Mike, Tina, Russel, Ashton, Melanie, Brandon, Deanna, Mark, Julie, Shaid, Grandpa and Grandma Schmanski and I think that was it.

I spent my morning today near home visiting and touring about 7 health care facilites and the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center (UVRMC) Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. Maria and I also visited the Health South Hosptial in Sandy Utah which is about 30 minutes away. I have found that Rehab Centers which are tied to a hospital are cleaner and provide a more 'professional atmosphere' than the private Rehab Centers. Having actual doctors and some serious medical equipment nearby is also more easing in our minds. This is only my opinion and it's based on everything I've seen to this point. Maria and I will probably decide on one of those two hosptials after we visit the UVRMC again tomorrow. It is about 10-15 minutes away from our home and that alone would be soooo great!! :-)