Easing On Down the Road....

Madelyn is continuing to ease on down the road to recovery as she was able to venture out to the Healing Garden yesterday at Sacred Heart. What an incredible thing for Maddy to do! To see Water Skippers dancing along the ponds edge to the forsythia tress in an explosion yellow blossoms. To be able to take a moment to take in the sights and smells of Spring! Oh, what a happy day!

Madelyn continues to be in ICU and is enjoying the fact that her room is big enough for her family to hang out in while she watches tv or naps. She is eating softer foods on her own still and is able was able to enjoy a nibble of a Snicker doodle cookie yesterday. MMmmm...... She is still on oxygen, which will be the case for a while, but overall she is continuing to kick-butt! Way to go Maddy!!! They also changed her trach to a smaller tube once again, which is also a positive step in the right direction. And, when we ventured to the Healing Garden, her sats stayed in the high 90's. Awesome!

Madelyn's road to recovery is filled with love, prayers, and so many amazing people that is it no wonder she is excelling at this. Just like everything she and her sister do. They do it with determination, determination to be the best!
Her journey on this road to recovery started out as a wild ride for sure, but now we are thrilled that she seems to be at ease with the process. She is such a fighter in so many ways and I am thrilled to see how far she has come!

Many continued thanks for everything you do. It's really incredible how one kid can pull out the best in all of us. It's because she is one, amazing, loving kid and her supporters are a reflection of this. Amazing! Thank you!!!!!

As we ease through our Friday and look forward to our weekend ahead. Please remember to keep Madelyn in your thoughts and prayers. Although she is doing wonderfully well, she still has hurdles to jump in her recovery process and we want her to know how proud we are and how much we support her! Keep up the Awesome job!!!!


** Now for the continuing adventure of Kitty Girl Johnson

"Ladies & Gentlemen, when we last met Kitty Girl Johnson was battling the Whirlwind of Illness with the help from Loudmouth Leo, Vallory Van Vohnson, and Daisy Duke the dancing dog. The crowd were on their feet chanting KITTY GIRL, KITTY GIRL. The Sacred Heart Dome was a wild place indeed! The air is super-charged with excitement as they cheer on their beloved Kitty Girl as she takes down the evil Whirlwind of Illness!

OH NO!!!! Whirlwind of Illness is on his feet again!!!! He has is wearing some kind of super power vest that, that.....seems to Vibrate, Ladies & Gentlemen! I have never seen anything like that! What on earth!?!?! It seems as though the more the vest vibrates, the STRONGER he becomes! I can't watch Ladies & Gentlemen!
( the crowd are once again on their feet, mouths gaping! )

Just then! Out of the blue comes Mrs. Onstot & Ms. Johnson from Hamblen! What DO they have???? IS it??? Could it BE???? It looks like loads of spaghetti & brownies...and BINGO cards!!! They knew that Kitty Girl & Vallory Van Vohnson were going to need nourishment as they begin Round 10. Oh thank goodness!!! Kitty Girl was beginning to looked pooped since the evil Whirlwind of Illness ate all of the Powerful Popsicles! OH! It looks like Acrobat Alice, Loudmouth Leo, and Pins & Needles Penny all think the spaghetti is for them!!! TO PLAY WITH!!!!! This could get messy, Ladies & Gentlemen!

Kitty Girl Johnson is on her feet!!!! She ripped off the vent!!! She pulled out her feeding tube!!!! Ladies & Gentlemen, she is like the Incredible Hulk!!! She is SO powerful!!! SO strong!! The Whirlwind of Illness is shaking in his boots! And, it's not from the vibrating vest! **ME**0oooWwwZzzAAAaa**** Kitty Girl just body slammed the Whirlwind of Illness! Ouch! That's gotta hurt! WHAT?!!?? She seems to be trying to rip the vest off of the Whirlwind of Illness! And, it looks like she is succeeding!
Way to go Kitty Girl! Now, Kitty Girl has the vest on!!!! She's vibrating like a jumping bean Ladies & Gentlemen! She's bouncing. She's bobbing. She bouncing right over the top of the Whirlwind of Illness! LOOK OUT!!!!!

**DING-DING : Ladies & Gentlemen, it's the top of Round 10 and Kitty Girl Johnson is dancing around the ring with her powerful vibrating vest as the Whirlwind of Illness is looking pretty haggard. Will this be the End?????
Kitty Girl Johnson just landed yet another powerful uppercut! **ME*O0ooWwZzaAaa**
Whirlwind of Illness is down once again Ladies & Gentlemen! 1....2....3....

OH NOOOooooo........ Whirlwind of Illness is out of control!!!! HE CAN'T!!! NO!!!!!

**Stay tuned for the continuing adventure.....

I've got the Power!

Each of us hold enormous power. Power to be able to do things that we might not have thought we could accomplish. Madelyn is, in my opinion, the the best example of personal power & strength. Madelyn was, by the assumption of many of her doctors back on March 10,11,12, 13...not expected to live. Madelyn, through her incredible personal strength has and is continuing to overcome the odds! She is breaking the rules and not stopping. She, is POWERFUL!

We, as a family...all of you...we are Powerful! We pray, we love, we care for, and we believed that Maddy would pull through this horrible ordeal. The power of prayer and positive thinking has gone so very far. It is powerful to witness and I am grateful that Madelyn has so many people who are so powerful in her life as well.

Power also comes in the form of little sisters. A little sisters who never complains that she is missing out on her normal life, only wanting to spend every free moment at the hospital so she can be near her sister, Madelyn. The power of love is strong!

Power is all the nurses and doctors who, in the beginning, were working around the clock trying to keep Madelyn alive. The time and care they have invested in Madelyn and our family is powerful. I speak for all of the Johnson-Flock's when I tell you how truly impressed we are by each of you Sacred Hearter's. You have done amazing work with Maddy. And, although we understand that much of her healing has to do with her own personal fight and determination. We also know that you never stopped trying! The power of medicine is alive at Sacred Heart.

Madelyn is still off the vent and continuing to kick butt! She is still on oxygen and will be for some time. She is still in ICU, but getting stronger everyday. She sat up again for most all of the day yesterday and was able to drink on her own, eat her own meals, AND got her feeding tube out!! This is awesome!! It must feel incredible to be able to begin to do the things you used to do. Way to go Mad!! Maddy was also able to enjoy some quite reading time, which we know is one of her favorite things to do. We are all so very happy for Maddy!

Again, many continued thanks for your love and support. We are a powerful group and it is because we have come together in the name of one powerful kid, Madelyn Johnson! Thank you for never giving up and for continuing to be there for us. You have no idea how much you have done. Thank you.

Now, let's head out and enjoy this day! Let's put some power into it!
And, all you Hamblen kids, as you take your WASL, do it with enthusiasm because Maddy would give anything to be able to take that stinky test.

Here's to the POWERFUL Madelyn Johnson!

A Breath of Fresh Air

Oh what a day! To be able to be outside and take in all the sights, sounds, and smells of Spring! Most of us don't think twice about this, but we should. It is a gift and each day we should remind ourselves of how fortunate we are to be apart of this wonderful day!

Madelyn was able to go outside in her cool wheelchair yesterday to take in the smells of Spring. This had to have been an amazing day for Maddy! It was for me just hearing of it. Maddy, just like her beloved butterflies, entered Sacred Heart in winter and was in her cocoon for a very long time. Now Maddy begins to emerge with the enthusiasm of a butterfly, dancing through the spring air, taking it all in! I can only begin to imagine how awesome it feels to be able to walk again, eat again,and talk again! So many wonderful things that are now coming back to Maddy. Madelyn, you are amazing!
You are our gift! You are my reminder that all things are possible! Way to Go Maddy!!

Madelyn is still in the ICU, but is making amazing progress. She is off her vent now, but still on oxygen. Yesterday she was able to have her trach closed off, with oxygen in her nose as she ventured outdoors. Really awesome! And.....she was able to eat her favorite home cooked meal....meatloaf & mashed potatoes! MMMmmmm......
Maddy is continuing to walk around and sat up in her chair most all of the day yesterday. Again, really good news for Maddy! Her lungs still have a way to go and need to clear up, but we will be patient. We are just so grateful of how far Maddy has come!

Many, many heartfelt continued thanks goes out to each of you who log on, care for, and pray. We all feel so very lucky to be surrounded by so much love and support. Love and support that has been a continual wave of prayers, food, cards, messages, balloons, pto time, and by just knowing that you are there for us. Thank you!

Let's go out and take a moment to really breathe in the fresh spring air for our Madelyn Johnson. Take a moment to listen to that bird or watch the butterfly in flight. Take a moment to remember that today is a gift, open it with the enthusiasm you had as a kid on Christmas morning and enjoy it all day long.

Chatty Maddy is making a comeback!

Happy Monday to all of you. I hope you had a lovely Easter with your friends and family!

Madelyn had a pretty good day yesterday, but at night she was up coughing quite a bit. Which is a good way for her to get the crud out of her lungs, but it's not good when she needs her rest. We ask that Maddy is allowed to have some quality quiet time with her family today. Please no visitors for a while until she can rest up. Thank you for being understanding and respectful of Madelyn's need of rest. It's most important that Madelyn is able to rest as much as she can so she can be well and go home.

Maddy continues to be off her vent and on oxygen today. Way to Go Maddy!!!!
She also is beginning to be able to talk again, which is the coolest!!! Her trach was changed, which allows her to speak in a whisper like tone. I was in tears yesterday as I was able to have a conversation with Maddy on the phone! SO COOL!!! I mean, SO Cool!!!!! Maddy Rocks!!!! Boy, those Johnson Girls are the greatest and I know that I am not alone in feeling very lucky to have these two girls on my life!

Special thanks again to all of you who make our days brighter with your heartfelt gestures. We truly appreciate your love and support. Thank you!

Here's to our chatty Maddy who will be talking all about bugs, butterflies, soccer, hamsters, motorcycles and all kinds of homework from here on out! I for one could not be happier! Keep up the awesome job Kitty Girl!!!!

*********

Now, for the continuing saga of The Whirlwind of Illness & Kitty Girl Johnson

"Ladies & Gentleman, when we last met Kitty Girl Johnson was kicking some major bootie with the help from Betty Sue Moo & Acrobat Alice, it looked like Whirlwind of Illness was down for good! 1....2.....3.....4........
OH NO!!!! Whirlwind of Illness has a secret weapon! He seems to have developed some super-duper strength from, WHAT! A Popsicle!!!! Somehow, Ladies & Gentlemen, it seems as though the Whirlwind of Illness got his grimy mitts on on of Cocoa Puffs Powerful Purple Popsicles! Oh NO!!! It can't be!!!! ( the crowd is again, on their feet covering their eyes! )
Just then, out of a cloud of pink glitter and rainbow smoke comes, YUP! You Guessed it Ladies & Gentlemen, Vallory Van Vohnson is BACK! And, it looks like she has brought backup with her this time! Who is THAT!?!?! Huh??? What??!? It looks like Daisy Duke, the Dancing Dog & Loudmouth Leo the CAT!!!! This time, Ladies & Gentlemen the Whirlwind of Illness will not be able to defend himself! Not, with this dynamic trio!
It looks like Vallory Van Vohnson is ready to lay down some more powerful riffs on her magical guitar while Daisy Duke & Loudmouth Leo sing & dance their way to the ring!
**ME*Ooo00WwZzzAaa** Kitty Girl Johnson has just landed a mighty uppercut as Whirlwind of Illness was mesmerized by the singing and dancing by Daisy Duke & Loudmouth Leo! This is amazing, Ladies & Gentlemen! Leo is starting to sing louder as Vallory Van Vohnson continues to rock the crowd with her stellar, magical-guitar playing skills!
( the crowd are on their feet, singing "We will, We will Rock YOU" We will, We Will Rock YOU! ) Ladies & Gentlemen, the crowd is really getting into this fight tonight!
They are not going to let Kitty Girl Johnson go down! The entire crowd at the Sacred Heart Dome is cheering her on! "KI*T*TY GIRL, KI*T*TY GIRL!" **Me0ooWWzzZzAaa**
Kitty Girl Johnson is on her feet, towering over the evil Whirlwind of Illness. Her strength is undeniable! She is on a Roll, Ladies & Gentlemen! Leo, Daisy Duke, and the famous Vallory Van Vohnson are in a Wild Musical Cat-Dance-Trance.....It's like nothing I have ever seen in my life, Ladies & Gentlemen.
Will this be the end of the Whirlwind of Illness? OR, does the evil doer have more tricks up his evil sleeve.
Stay tuned for the continuing adventure of Kitty Girl Johnson

Happy Easter, Happy Day!

Happy Easter Sunday to all of you. I hope this day finds you filled with love and appreciation for today. We all have so many things to be grateful for.

The Johnson girls continue to kick some butt! Mallory scored a goal in her soccer game yesterday and Madelyn lapped the nurses station in the ICU unit TWO times yesterday!!!! Whoo-Hoo!!!! Way to go Johnson Girls!!!
Madelyn's sprints are becoming increasingly long and they are working on taking her off her vent to see how she does. As of now, she has been off the vent for 28 hours!!!!! This is HUGE!!!She is still on oxygen and still needing to be suctioned, which helps get rid of all the gunk in her lungs, but she is making major progress! We are so very proud of Madelyn's accomplishments and we are also very proud that she has such a strong little sis to hang tough through all of this. keep up the AWESOME job Johnson Girls. You Rock!

This morning the Easter Bunny had made a special visit to the ICU ward and Madelyn & Mallory were surprised for sure! Lots of colorful filled eggs and special treats for special girls. This will forever be an Easter to remember. Oh, what a happy day!

Thank you once again for all of your continued love, support, prayers, food, gifts, cards, blog messages, and care. We are truly thankful for each of you who have been on this journey with us since the beginning. We cannot say enough good things about the staff here at Sacred Heart. Thank you for your care. I know it is comforting for Maddy to have all of your on her team working so hard, day in and day out. Thank you!

As all of you go out and celebrate in your own way on this Easter, please continue to keep Madelyn in your thoughts and prayers. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Easter and a very Happy Day!

The Little Engine that Could....

Madelyn continues to chug along in her fight against all odds. She is much like the little engine that could....."I think I can, I think I can....I know I can, I know I can!!!" Whoo-Hooo!!!!!!! Go Maddy Go!!!! You are continuing to move forward and we are all cheering you on along the way.

Maddy had yet another good day yesterday. She walked again in physical therapy and continued to have sprints throughout the day. She cruised through the butterfly tunnel with her Mom, Dad, and physical therapist as well. We know how much Maddy loves butterflies, so this was a major positive for Mad. Being out of her room and w/ the butterflies! Yeah! She worked with her occupational and speech therapist, and worked in a quality nap or two. She still occupies the same bed in the ICU, but what I can tell you is that hands down, her room is the BEST! Nurses come in and take a moment to look at all of the cards, balloons, garland, and stuffed animals that seem to have taken over this once plain ICU room and even their faces light up! You cannot help but feel tons of love as you enter her room.

Today, they are going to try to change her trach. to a non-cuffed one to hopefully allow her to talk. We will have to wait and see as the day evolves. She will also moving up in her sprinting time to see how long she can last. Again, really big steps for our Maddy! She's one tough cookie though and I know she can do it! "I know I can, I know I can!"

I know that it is pretty hard for all of you to not be able to see Maddy and we also know that the day will soon come when you and Maddy will have some quality time together. Until that day, please share your thoughts through the blog. It's really a special thing for Maddy and it always brings a smile to her face. No visitors are allowed at this time in order to allow Madelyn to have time for all of her physical therapy, occupational, and speech therapy....and much needed rest. Thank you for understanding.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to check in with Maddy. We are so very lucky to have all of you out there supporting us in so many ways. Special thanks continue to go out to all of you Sacred Hearter's who continue to care for Maddy. She's in very good hands and it's because of you that she is here with us. Thank you!

Let's go out and greet our days with the zest Maddy has for life! It's the "I know I can!" attitude that is getting her through this. Way to Go Mad!
Whatever challenges await you today, take a moment to think about how a kick-butt, 11 year old named Madelyn would do it. She would Rock it! That's what I know for sure!

Madelyn, we know you can!!!!! 143

143

*Maddy wrote this special message:
" Hello, Today I am giving thanks to all of the nice nurses and people in the hospital. Thank you for being there for me."

Growing up, every night as we got ready for bed we would give our Mom & Dad three kisses. I think that it was because it meant, I. Love. You. 143
Now with Maddy unable to speak, we have worked out a wonderful way for her to tell us she loves us. 143.

I don't think that I can begin to put into words the way my heart feels when I am able to look into Maddy's big blue eyes. I can imagine that this feeling is 100 times greater for her Mom, Dad, & Sister. The feeling of love and the most sincere feeling of gratitude is overwhelming. She is alive and getting stronger each day. The feeling of pride I have is enormous.

Maddy continued to have sprints throughout the day, working her lungs to get them strong and cleared up. And, as many of you already know, she walked yesterday! It was truly amazing! Way to go Maddy!
Maddy is off to a wonderful start today! She's in physical therapy now working on walking and cruising around in her super cool wheelchair. Maddy is blowing us all away by her strength and determination! She Rocks!
Complete strangers, here at the hospital who have children in the ICU unit cheer her on as well. In fact, a woman just shared with me how cool it was to see her walk and commented on how very pretty she is with her big blue eyes and ponytails. I have to agree that our Maddy is quite the hot babe!

Another super cool surprise was in the cafeteria at Sacred Heart and there was Maddy's bright smile on a display poster! AWESOME! It sure did make Madelyn feel special. Thank you Sacred Heart!

Many continued thanks to all of you who continue to log on each day and share your special words of encouragement with Maddy and our family. It really does brighten Maddy's day and we are so appreciative. We also want to thank all of you who continue to pray and share your love with all of us. Thank you. And, thank you to those of you who continue to keep us fat & sassy with your yummy food and treats! Thank you!!!