Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Visits with Ilene

One of Ilene's former students named Alissa came to visit Ilene.  Alissa presently lives in California.  Her mother brought her to Las Vegas for Spring Break to visit Ilene.  This touched Ilene's family deeply.  What a special relationship Mrs. Sorenson and Alissa have. 

Thanks to all the families, friends, teachers, students for their love and support.  Ilene's room is full of cards and pictures and notes from people who love her. 

Yesterday I recieved a phone call from Rosie.  She put her cell phone to Ilene so I could hear what was going on.  Ilene was counting fast and correctly.  (12, 13, 14, 15) She was practicing her numbers and letters.  Later in the day we went to visit Ilene and see all the excitement.  She was awake and practicing words with her speech therapist.  She also ate choclate pudding and they got her to sip some apple juice.  It was very exciting.  MacKenna Osborne and Kelsea Smith were standing next to Ilene.  Ilene said, "Rosemary promise me you'll bring Mackenna back!"  This was very exciting and of course made Mackenna's day.  -B. Smith

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Talking Ilene

Today was an exciting day for Ilene, her friends, and family.  While a few friends (Lisa Lopez, Carly Perez, Tom & Debi Carli, Palolo, Rosemary Osborne) were visiting Ilene today the Respiratory Therapist put an adapter on Ilene's trachea.  Ilene spoke a few words and names.  She said Scott, Lisa, and said "Why?" Rosemary, Ilene's sister told her that "she was a miracle".  Ilene then said, "I am a miracle!" They were able to reach Scott on the phone and let him share in the excitement of Ilene talking.  Good News

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Beautiful Day

A change in scenery for Ilene today.  It was such an amazingly beautiful day today.  Rosie decided to take Ilene outside to see the blooming roses and blue skies.  Together they could smell the different flowers and breathe in some fresh outdoors.  The visit outside was short, but knowing how Ilene loves her front yard and being outside on a gorgeous day, I am sure she enjoyed her field trip. 

Carnival For Ilene

Ilene's school is doing a fundraiser for her family.  It's a carnival on Friday, April 29th from 5:30-8:00.  It will be held at Kitty Ward Elementary (5555 Horse, between Jones and Decatur on Horse Ave).  All proceeds will be given to her family.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Help For Ilene

We're appreciative of all the help and support we have received for Ilene.  Jo Tyra is coordinating visit times to sit with her, when her family can't be there.  If you are interested in helping, please contact her at joanddavid@cox.net.


Ilene's School is doing a couple of fundraisers for her medical costs. If anyone else would like to make donations an account has been made for her at Nevada State Bank, acct #0338035363.   Her family greatly appreciates all the support they are receiving.

Ilene is continuing to heal.  They are getting Ilene up into a chair daily.  She opens her eyes frequently and keeps them open for longer periods of time.  They have changed the bandages on her right arm.  They now have it wrapped up and in a sling.  Her left hand and arm are getting stronger and more active.  She uses the left hand and can play with the blue ball.  The day they changed her bandages on her right arm she was grabbing the new sling.  When the Nurses were in changing her over to her bed from her chair they told her to let go of one of her tubes.  She let go, the nurses were impressed that she heard them and responded, and let go.  There are hopes for next week for her neck brace to be removed and her trachea changed to a smaller one.......Thank you for your time, prayers and love..........

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Thank you's and please post....

Thank you for the all the loving visits, daily prayers, and tender care for Ilene.  Ilene's family greatly appreciates all the visits and the attention spent to make sure Ilene is getting the best care.  Many friends and family members have been sitting by the bedside of Ilene paying attention to details that are very important.  The family thanks you and appreciates you.  This week has had a lot of ups and and a few downs and Ilene has received so much support.  Thank you to her family, friends, co -workers, ward members and childhood friends.  Heavenly Father has blessed Ilene and surrounded her with people who love her and are helping her recover.

If you have any memories or stories you would like to share or have told to Ilene, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. They will be given to Ilene and read to her as loved ones sit by her side.

My Sister.......

Rosie said........
My sister Ilene is a teacher.She is really, really good at it. There are cards all over her hospital wall from students who love her. The cards come from the class she was currently teaching at Kitty Ward Elementary. They also come from the children she taught last year and beyond. Most of these cards mention that those children all learned from Ilene that it is important to wear a helmet. By Example is always one of the best ways to teach. Ilene was a safety girl and always followed the rules when she rode her bike. There are visits daily from her co-workers at Kitty Ward Elementary. Even though some haven't gotten in to see her, their love and support has been incredible. All those who know Ilene know how dedicated she is to her profession. She gave it her all. This year she really enjoyed Tristan and all the funny comments he would say to make her smile.
My sister Ilene is a teacher.There is a banner hanging on her wall from Young women in her ward. Like Michelle Beckwith said, she struggled at first when she got that call in her ward. Though Ilene has always been partial to her nieces she never raised a girl. Those Young women seemed a little snotty in the beginning. Ilene hung in there and they all grew to love each other. She was excited to be their camp director.
My sister Ilene is a teacher. She does not have much music ability but has managed to be called as primary chorister twice. She taught the songs of truth so well with her incredible creativity and enthusiasm. She taught a song recently on the moment in primary. The words of a new primary song that Ilene loves are If I listen with my heart I hear my Savior's voice. Ilene loves hearts.
My sister Ilene is a teacher. She has taught me and mothered me all my life. She is one of my dearest closest friends, she is my sister, she is my second Mom. A friend (Ilene and I end up Sharing most our friends) said that Ilene is more of a Mom to her than a friend. That is because Ilene always wants to take care of everyone. Right now we get to take care of her. Even while she sleeps, she is still teaching us so so very much.....

Friday, April 1, 2011

One small hurdle

Ilene is recovering from her procedure.  Yesterday was a very big day for her.  They transported her to Mountain View Hospital in an ambulance to have her blood clot ports put in.  She was then taken back to her room at Health South.  She was resting peacefully late last night.  The swelling in her legs has gone down noticeably.

Reports for today:  They removed some stitches in her neck by her trachea.  They are hoping to put a smaller trachea in for her soon that will be more comfortable.  She's using her left hand and holding and moving the little blue ball almost constantly.  She opened her eyes several times.  She pleasantly surprised her visitors and family today with her small steps of progress.