Christmas Message

The following is a special message from the Foulger family...

We would like to wish everybody reading this blog a very Happy Christmas. The Foulger family has not mailed Christmas cards this year because we are all concentrating on Natalie’s recovery. However we would like thank all of you for all your help and support over the last few months, and particularly send our heartfelt thanks to:

All of the first responders who were at the accident scene in Watertown.

The Neuro, Orthopedic and Trauma teams and all the other doctors who helped Natalie at University Hospital in Syracuse.

The nurses and other staff in Neuro ICU, Neuro step-down, and unit 7A at University Hospital.

The doctors, therapists and nurses at Sunnyview Rehab Hospital in Schenectady.

The organizers and participants in the Benefit Run, the Irish Quilt and the Spaghetti Dinner.

National Vision Center and their employees for their incredible fundraiser.

All of our friends, neighbors, relatives and colleagues who helped in so many ways, with visits, cards and words of encouragement, financial donations, looking after our house (and Stormy!), providing meals, hotel accommodations, etc.


Best wishes for the New Year from all of us!



Marc and Tina, Becca and Mike, Kyle, Al, and of course Nat.

Foulger Holiday Plans

Some of you have expressed interest in the family's plans this holiday season. I will do my best to update you all on whats happening with them.

Al plans to drive up to Watertown this Christmas to be with his family. He will be driving late on Christmas day.

Rebecca came to visit me - she will be here for Christmas Eve and we will drive back to Schenectady early Christmas morning.

Kyle, Marc, and Tina all remained in Schenectady and will be there on Christmas as well.

Natalie has a 'get out of jail free' pass for the whole day on Christmas so we will be taking her to the apartment to celebrate the Day.

I hope that this brief post is informative enought to answer your questions. Let me know if there are any other questions I may be able to answer.

Happy Holidays!

-Mike

Spaghetti Dinner Summary

"The dinners went well on both Wednesday and Thursday nights. Combined we sold a total of 323 dinners. There were a multitude of concerned questions about Natalie and endless good wishes extended to the entire Foulger Family. Cindy Harnas, Mary, Terese and Barb from the H.S cafeteria all donated their time to cook, clean and supervise the kitchen activities. What a lovely and generous group of ladies they are!"

Thanks to Elizabeth Fralick for an explanation of that wonderful night!

A report of grand success!

Natalie has been doing very well lately. She has been exceeding in three key areas - walking, eating, and overall improvement.

Currently Natalie is able to stand up with the help of a special walker. This walker is taller than traditional walkers assisting Nat in keeping her body upright. Therapists stand behind her to observe she is standing straight and push the walker forward, and she is now able to move her feet on her own!

Typically, after every meal, Natalie would have a set amount in her tube-feed because she was unable to provide her body with enough nutrition during meals. She no longer needs a tube-feed after every meal because of her improvements in feeding herself! She does still receive a continuous tube-feeding from 7pm to 7am, however, so she is not yet completely eating on her own.

Starting this past weekend Natalie has been granted passes allowing her to leave the hospital for a few hours at a time. This week the family piled in Al's car and took her for a ride around Schenectady!

More exciting updates to come!

Spaghetti Dinner

There will be 2 Spaghetti Dinners in the SJCS High School Cafeteria to benefit Natalie in her continuing recovery. They are scheduled for this Wednesday, Dec. 13 and Thursday, Dec. 14. Take-outs will begin at 4 PM on both days and eat-in begins at 4:30 PM. Wednesday's dinner will end at 6 and will be followed a t 6:30 PM by the Middle School Christmas Concerts. Thursday's dinner will end at 6:30 PM to be followed by the High School Christmas Concerts and Dance Company. Dinner tickets cost $6.00 per person, 5 and under are free and the Family rate is $20.00. The menu will include spaghettti and meatballs, tossed salad, homemade bread, dessert and coffee, tea or milk. A few more volunteers to help serve and clean-up on each day would be lovely! If anyone would like to help, please contact Elizabeth Fralick at (315) 782-4138.

A Useful Link

Natalie's father just sent me an email with a wonderfully descriptive page about Natalie's current stage, Post Traumatic Amnesia. I urge everyone who continuously reads this blog to visit the link as it paints a brilliant picture of Natalie's abilities and disabilities to this point. The link can be found here.

A Quick Week's Update

This week Natalie continued having stomach problems. As a possible solution doctors have changed her food. She is still receiving most of her nourishment through tube feeding, however, she does continue to feed herself orally. Natalie has been making small steps of progress and will continue to improve as time passes.

A Quick Post

This update is to bring you all up to speed on Natalie's newest 'condition'. Surgeons examined her x-rays three times and concluded that a hematoma had developed beneath her pelvic incision. The doctors decided not to go along with any surgical procedures because the condition will not interfere with her health.

On another note, Natalie's Aunt Ann recently ended her visit to the states. I know I speak for the rest of the family when I say thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. Your presence was greatly appreciated in this time of need.