Update :: October 9, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Steve and I moved into a new apartment on September 31, 2009. I stayed until Oct. 6 to allow our transition to occur without trying to do everything in just a couple of days. It is a more rural area with accommodations suitable for Charla when she is ready to transition to a home environment. There are some indoor workout rooms and an indoor pool. The pool was the selling point. This week Charla has an opportunity to walk on the hospital grounds. Some more fresh air and a chance to sit on a park bench. Charla's humor never ends. Charla was expecting a visitor to come to talk to her. We got her out of the hospital gowns and into some shorts and a pretty blouse. When the nurses and aides commented on how good she looked she told them that she had a date. Charla would always ask for the time when her meal came. Then estimate when her soup would be cooled down enough to eat. Before I left I gave her a talking clock where she could tap the button on top for the time. She gave me a hug to thank me. I almost finished all the emails. I did not have enough time to read off the responses from the last update. So very close but there will be another time. Some good humor has come in the emails and I will send them to Steve to read to Charla. Briana will be visiting her mother this weekend. While in Ohio she will try to visit a few colleges. Oberlin College, Denison University, and Kenyon College are on her list. Hopefully, she will be able to visit them all. Her guidance counsellor has taken Brian to a few colleges in the north-east. Briana is so lucky to have someone to step up to the plate to assist with her college plans. It is such a good feeling to be back home. I really miss being my wife and in my own home. I have a lot of things to catch up on, including last years taxes. Fifty percent of the leaves have fallen and I just spent the past four hours with the leaf blower. Usually I try to get to them before too many have fall. I prefer to do two hours at a time. People have asked about Charla clothing sizes. Charla needs very little at the moment but here is the information. 5' 9" 140 lbs. Women large shirt Women medium shorts. I am not sure about pants. People have asked about Charla and what she is really feeling. Charla has accepted her losses. She accepts that she can not change this. I have to believe that she is still struggling with the unknown. What will get fixed and when will it be fixed. A lot of changes and hard to comprehend how it will finally turn out. However, she has a lot of hope and confidante that Briana, Steve, and I are working for the best outcome. You letters are inspirational to her. She also understands how someone in her situation can be a source of hope for others but finds it difficult to understand that that person is her. She is not use to being the center of attention. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Stephen and Michael Nash 6805 Mayfield Rd. S124 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124

Update :: September 26, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Steve stopped by to visit Charla before he left to go to his 40th College anniversary. Charla was very happy for his visit and looks forward to his return next week. I will be returning to New York on October 6th. The Doctor who designs and made the prosthetic device for Charla will be making another primitive device that will be able to hold a cane. The person from the blind center will work with her on how to effectively use the device. Charla continue to enjoy walking outside. These walks are on the rooftop where the hospital has set this up to overlook the city of Cleveland. There are seven foot window panel that span about 150' to 200' of the building. There are chairs available and an indoor lounge where folks can sit and get a snack. Next week if the weather is nice, Charla will be able to walk and relax in a park like area on the hospital grounds. When she gets her cane this will be a good area for her to practice in. Charla got to hear the Ophra Winfrey interview with Connie Culp. Her story has demonstrated to Charla that life can and will get better. To Charla, Connie's tragic event, her loving daughter, and also a twin is someone that has walked in her shoes. Charla and I would like to meet Connie where they can spend some time to just talk. I think this event would help the both of them. Steve and I are moving to a larger apartment in October. At some point in time Charla will need to transition to a home environment. This place will provide her a more normal place with the privacy to adjust in and go to in between the recovery periods of her treatments. Briana had a tough week. All of her wisdom teeth were pulled. She called a day after and actually sounded pretty good. These events sound very general and common place but for us this is a very good thing. It is our lives being a more normal and adjusting to a horrific event. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Charla Nash C/O Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44195 Attn: Michael or Stephen Nash

Update :: September 22, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Charla is much happier now that she is able to walk in the hallways without the staff closing down the unit. Her walks are longer and she like to sit in the waiting areas. Just sitting here she is more comfortable for her. More freedom and less closterphobic. Today we had a opportunity to walk outside; twice. It was a bit muggy but still a good feeling for finally doing something different. Charla wears a hat and vale during these leisurely walks. Charla is comfortable among others and people have been considerate. In a hospital setting most people would be very understanding and less curious. A hospital is a place where visitors also have personal issues to deal with. Charla and I are very close to reading all the emails that have been sent. the responses from the last two updates are all that is left. Then we can stay current with future updates. Charla had me buy some candy and trident gum so she could offer this to all her new friends. This is Charla, always wanting to do something for others. A trainer for the blind came to work with Charla. Steve discuss the type of skills and techniques she will be taught. Then they went for a walk and he provided her with some techniques to be able to find her way around her room. Steve also assessed her physical abilities so he could design a way for Charla to use a cane. Briana called mom to tell her she got a 100 on her first calculus test. Charla is also taking an active role in Briana's education by talking to her guidance counselor. Charla's previous landlord in New Jersey has been calling me and Briana to keep updated on Charla. A very nice lady who was a grandmother to Briana. Charla called and talked to her one afternoon. They enjoyed a nice long awaited conversation. Steve will be flying in on Wednesday for the day. Visit Charla and then we will have dinner. Later he will leave to go to his 40th college reunion. Returning in October when we will transition a few days before I return home and he stays with Charla. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Charla Nash C/O Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44195 Attn: Michael or Stephen Nash

Update :: September 08, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, I went to New York for a couple of days for a routine Doctor's appointment. Charla is in great spirits so I did not cancel. Charla is doing well and has made a lot of friends. She always wants to know about everyone around her. Their families, school, and other activities. I still continue to have the computer read emails to her. In a week or two, Charla should be current with all emails. These emails will be synchronized with each new newsletter that I send out. A staff member from a sight center visited Charla last week and let her know he plans to work with her. He also plans to follow her to the other hospital when a room is available. I believe this new activity will benefit Charla because she will begin to learn and experience greater independence. It will be cooler soon and they plan to have an outside area for Charla to have access to. I bought sneakers, zip up sweat shirt scarf and a ski hat. Some people have tried to send gifts and had them returned. I am sorry this has happened. I will soon provide an address that these gifts can be sent. I will also provide the sizes of her clothes. Charla has minimal material needs and the best gifts that she receives are emails and cards that are sent to her. Charla wounds on her scalp have healed to the point she does not need any more dressing changes. This took longer that I ever would expect. The hospital staff has always done and continues to provide the best medical care for Charla. I forgot to mention the surprise I got when Paul picked me up at LaGuardia Airport. It was 8:00 am in the morning and Briana was with him. She got out of bed before noon to greet me. So nice! I guess this was also good training since school was soon to start. She is a senior now and it is quite amusing how excited she and her friends are about going to school. A goal that will finally be reach but little do they know that this is really a new beginning. A time where a person is challenged and their actions will decide their path in life.

Update :: August 31, 2009

I have a doctor's appointment so I came back to New York for a few days. Charla's lawyers came out last week for their first meeting with Charla. They were amazed at her physical progress and her ability to carry on a normal conversation. Her recall of current events, long term and short term memories also impressed them. The best of all was her courage and ability to endure. She says she can not change what happened so I just need to move on. The lawyers were able to talk to Dr. Alam about Charla's medical history at the Clinic and future plans. They also provided forms for a current status for the Connecticut Probate Court. Since I am a court appointed conservator the court is require to monitor Charla's medical status and financial status. Dr. Koffman, Charla's phyciatris needed to give Charla a test to evaluate her mental status for the courts. Some of the questions are not what you would expect. She asked Charla if she had any special powers like mind reading or the ability to control people's action. Charla replied, 'No, but it sure would be fun if I could!'. We all had a good chuckle after hearing that. I have been working with Charla and her primitive prosthetic by picking up some ceramic cubes. This give her the ability to obtain more dexterity with her thumb and train her hearing to focus where the cubes are. It is a difficult exercise but she is committed to trying all options available to her. Charla's operation last week has healed very good. She did not take pain medication after the operation and wanted the doctors to wait a while before they did their cleaning. Charla prefers to avoid any pain medication if possible. She is back to her exercising, Harry Potter CDs and having the computer read emails. My surprise for Charla is on hold for a while. I am trying to bring an ER doctor from Stamford to visit her. Doctor's schedules are unpredictable and has caused this visit to be at a later date. I can not bring everyone from Connecticut but someday I will bring Charla back to Connecticut. While in New York I ran into a friend the both of us went to school with. She is going to write Charla a letter which will be a pleasant surprise for Charla when I return.

Update :: August 23, 2009

08-23-200 Hello Friends of Charla, Charla's is doing well after some minor surgery to thin out the transplanted thigh muscle on her face. The opening for her mouth was also opened a little wider. This made eating with the straw a bit different and retraining was needed. I also obtained some wider straws which helps with the thicker foods. Charla started walking the day after this surgery but it took a few days for Charla to get back into her routine of walking several times a day. Charla was given a primitive prosthetic to slip on her right arm with an opening for the thumb. The had area is a basic block as if you had a close fist. This allows her thumb to press against it and pick up objects. This is proven to be a bit difficult to use but I bought some glass cubes for her to practice with. Steve took Briana out for her first driving lesson. Briana quickly called her mom and shared this with her. I find great pleasure with these seemingly simple events. These little events that Charla, Briana, Steve, and I came all to close to never happening. These little events that give us the strength and joy of life to allow all of us to continue. I have been playing the emails on the computer for Charla. I am about half way through all of them. These emails are grouped by the email name because it would be too difficult to do by date. The responses to the last two updates are grouped together by update. Some people have been asking if Charla can smell. She is able to smell but openings originally made on the transplant have closed up. This is a temporary limitation and will be corrected with reconstruction or transplant surgery.

Update :: August 09, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Charla had some more visitors this week. Friends from Connecticut; Paul and Michelle came. Charla was very happy to be able to thank them in person for providing a place in their home for Briana. Their conversation was very uplifting for Charla because she was updated about many of their friends and activities. Paul and Michelle were pleased that they were able to see that Charla was in good health and in good spirits. A meeting was held with Charla and me with Staff from the Hospital's Social Services department to discuss the future treatment plan for Charla. This allows us ask questions and any concerns that we may have. Charla works with the physical therapist and she gets a good workout. Usually she has to take a nap after these sessions. Charla is very self-motivated with doing the daily stretching exercises and walks that are recommended by the physical therapist. This is normal behavior for Charla and the attitude a doctor wants to see in a patient. Charla has received a primitive prosthesis for her right arm that will allow her to grasp objects. A more advanced device is plan that will allow her to hold some tools, like a spoon or a brush. The Clinic is doing a very good job with providing Charla with information and the practical experience on the medical options that Charla will soon be making a decision on. Charla is just waiting for a room too open up where she will get much more and different types of therapy. This area should help relieve her boredom. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Charla Nash C/O Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44195 Attn: Michael or Stephen Nash

Update :: August 03, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, This week has continued to show improvements. Charla is bored but coping very well. When I came back this time I made a slight mistake. Charla was using her feet and arms to get a sheet over her. I grab the sheet and put it over her. Later I realized that she did not ask for any assistance. So I no longer help unless I am asked. Charla is learning to adapt on her own. Charla and Briana are doing so well together. Briana read cards to Charla that were sent to her after the accident. Charla will reply to some of them with Briana's help. I will continue this process now that Briana has return to Connecticut. If you see very nice hand writing then this was written by Briana. I will try to make my writing readable. I have also continued to have the computer read emails to Charla. Charla is still a great mother. Briana goes online to study the DMV manual. There is an audio format. When she has questions Charla will help provide an explanation. Carla had some visitors this week One was a daughter of a very close friend that lives on a farm in upstate New York. Stephanie came and had a great conversation about her father, her horses, and others that she had bought and sold at auction. Stephanie is like an older sister to Briana. They both went out to dinner and a movie that night. In the morning Stephanie pounced on her to wake her up. This change in routine was good for Briana. This Sunday the parents of Charla's friend and now a co-guardian to Briana came to visit. They were at a Cleveland game and bought her a Cleveland Indian cap. Their talk was a bit enlightening. Moments after starting a conversation, you do not feel like you are in a hospital. Instead you feel like you are talking to Charla at the kitchen table. They talked about the Indian's ball game to local Stanford, Connecticut politics. We went to dinner and they expressed their amazement in Charla's recovery. Especially her emotional and mental progress. I received a lot of great suggestions for food that Charla would be able to have. The food has to be drinking straw consistency for her consumption. These suggestions will definitely expand the bland diet that she is on. Dr. Alam stopped by to check up on Charla. He discuss the move to therapy and plans for minor surgery that should occur very soon. Charla has started listening to the Harry Potter books. As suggested by a Friend of Charla, I ordered and picked up the first book of the Twilight series. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Charla Nash C/O Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44195 Attn: Michael or Stephen Nash

Update :: July 27, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Last Thursday I flew in Cleveland taking the scenic route. I was late for my flight and took an alternate to Atlanta and then onto Cleveland. However, I was on standby and missed the first flight but made the next flight. Instead on arriving at 10:30 am I arrived at 8:30 pm. My brother Steve picked me up and we went to the Cleveland Clinic. Charla did have a visit from her friend Debbie and Debbie's oldest daughter, Johanna. Charla was very happy for their visit and Briana got to be with her friend for a while. When I arrived, Charla and Briana were sitting in bed; talking and giggling. This is what I like to see. These two were so natural and happy together. Definitely the best medicine for Charla. Charla visibly looked much healthier and stronger from when I left in June. She also was in fashion. Briana picked up some jogging shorts, tee shirts, and sneakers. Charla told me the nurse said I picked out some really nice night gowns the last time I was there. It was late so I briefly talk to Charla and said I would be back in the morning. She knew of my scenic flight and understood. We all left and I picked up some food on the way back to the apartment. In the morning I was able to discuss a lot of what has been happening. I wanted to know if there was any decision I had made that needed to be changed. Since we have a very close relation and talked a lot, Charla agreed with what I had done. Especially having Briana stay in Connecticut with her friends to allow her to be in her school and with her friends. We still have a lot to discuss but it best to move slowly to talk about the past 6 months. I had the computer read a good number of E-mails to Charla and plan to get to all of them during my visit. Briana and Steve read a lot of cards to her. She and Briana have responded to some of them. This response is great, because this behavior is typical for Charla. One day Charla asked Briana to call one of her friends. What a surprise he got. He was at first speechless and then so happy that she had made his day. As they talked I got really emotional because Charla is not withdrawn. She is also adjusting. She wants to know everyone's name. She recognizes people's voices like Dr. Alam's while she was walking in the hall. She uses her feet and arms to cover herself with a sheet. Charla diet is very bland. Soup, broth, juice, tea, and other liquids. She does like smoothies. I just bought a blender so I could make them for her. I am also seeking suggestions for what else I can do to broaden her diet. Charla's doctor's are developing a treatment plan for her. Her injuries and situation are unique for the many types of rehabilitation therapies that she will require. This new plan will ensure the best treatment for Charla's recovery and security. The entire staff of the Cleveland Clinic have always put Charla's treatment first. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Charla Nash C/O Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44195 Attn: Michael or Stephen Nash

Update :: July 12, 2009

Hello Friends of Charla, Steve picked Briana up at the airport on Sunday. They had lunch and caught up on what was going on. Steve then dropped Briana off at the Cleveland Clinic with Mom. He left to go workout at the YMCA. When he returned they were both sitting in the bed talking, just very happy to be together again. Briana showed Mom her report card and they are still waiting for the AP scores. Briana feels confident that the scores will be good. She study hard and the test covered a lot of the material she focused on. It is not something you can ask but these two will learn and adjust to these life altering changes that have occurred in Charla's life. Changes that will effect everyone around her. I am very happy that my twin sister is still here for me. I will be there for her. My mom past away when I was in my mid 20's. A loss of a mother too soon is something you never get over. My mother never got to experience how my life has changed. She never even got to meet the woman that I married; my faithful and supportive wife, Larrisa. I am so happy that Briana still has the opportunity to do this for her mom. I am so happy that Charla has the opportunity to experience the results of raising her daughter. A single mother who's is always involved and concerned with raising her daughter to be a beautiful, responsible and smart young lady. Charla is in very good spirits because she's with her daughter everyday. A main discussion is college for Briana. She is a senior next year. Mom is so proud to hear Briana talking to her friends; making plans for the school year. Charla continues to gain strength. She meets with a lot of doctors that discuss all her medical options. She is getting bored with a lack of activity. I get to talk to her on the phone and I have told her I will be reading a lot of emails from the Friends of Charla. She is very interested. I am still amazed but not surprised at her courage and her determination. Charla has always been her own person. A person you always remember as unique and special. This is because Charla would always remember you. I will be going out to Cleveland on the 23rd. Steve will leave a couple of days later. My surprise for Charla will probably occur in August. I want Charla and Briana to enjoy their time uninterrupted. Here is a little story about Charla. Charla's Pets, Years ago I gave my sister a English Mastiff dog. Manfred the Wonder Dawg was over 200 pounds. The dog was too large for me to have and I felt he needed to have more space to move freely. Charla was living on a small horse ranch in Connecticut. Manfred was a gentle giant and would be happier there. During a winter visit I saw him sleeping in one of the stalls. Twenty barn cats were laying on and around him. Everyone was happy! It was that day that I noticed all her barn cats were limping. Twenty cats limping seemed a bit odd. Did my sister adopt only cats that limped? I asked her why all of her cats were limping. She said that they are mousers. When they chase after a mouse, they sometimes get to close to a horse. The horse gets startled and kicks. Life on the farm can be pretty rough! Charla also have a Australian border collie. He was a very active dog. He would play soccer with you. His training wanted him to coral sheep or cattle. There were none of these on the ranch. To occupy his time he would coral all of the barn cats. This was very funny but he did do a very good job. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Charla Nash needs your help. http://nashtrust.com http://www.friendsofcharlienash.com/ Send a note and/or sound file.to Charla: Email Charla: charlanash@earthlink.net Charla Nash C/O Cleveland Clinic 9500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44195 Attn: Michael or Stephen Nash

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