Update December 28, 2006

As of today it looks like Taylor will be moved across the street to Shriner's Hospital next Tuesday, January 3. She will have surgery at Shriner's on January 8 to install the phrenic pacer. Following surgery, she will go through rehab for 4 to 8 weeks to ween her off the ventilator. If everything goes according to plan she should be breathing on her own in a couple months. Although she has learned to talk a bit with her ventilator, she will be able to fully communicate with the phrenic pacer.

Taylor has been sitting up in her chair a lot lately. The goal is to have her sit in the chair for three hours per day. She's been doing well considering that it's not always her favorite activity. She continues to do her physical therapy. They concentrate a lot on working her neck and shoulders. Yesterday she moved her neck and shoulders at the same time, causing her to lean forward a bit.

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and got to spend time with family and good friends. Taylor has received all of your Christmas gifts and well wishes. Because Taylor loves spending Christmas at home with all of the lights and decorations, she has requested to celebrate Christmas once she gets back home to Chico. So don't be surprised if you notice Christmas lights and a Christmas tree in Chico sometime next year!

Taylor has really enjoyed seeing a lot of her friends before the holidays. She has been making Christmas ornaments with Diana and Courtney from Family Life. We have a tenative date for surgery. Jan. 5th is the last we have heard. Surgery will probably take place at UCD and then we will be headed to Shriners for a few months. Taylor is starting to get into her chair 3 times a day. Tammy was able to pick Taylor up and have Taylor sit in her lap for awhile. Tammy said that was the best feeling she has had in a long time. Taylor is learning to talk over the Tracheotomy that is in her throat right now which makes comunicating a lot easier. They will not change the Tracheotomy she has now until the surgery on the 5th of Jan. Everyone is so thankful for the continued support and we wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Please continue to hold Taylor in your prayers; this is where her greatest healing possibility begins!!

Update 17, 2006

It looks like Taylor will be moving to Shriner's Hospital in Sacramento at the beginning of January. From what we understand, Taylor will be the first patient on a ventilator accepted to Shriner's Hospital. After Taylor's transfer from UC Davis Medical Center to Shriners, Taylor is scheduled to undergo surgery to install a phrenic pacer. After the surgery they will slowly wean her off of the ventilator. Taylor will continue her recovery and rehab at Shriners.

Taylor is starting to get up in her chair twice a day and even got to go outside to visit the dogs (Chico and Amanda) the other day. She continues to do her physical therapy once a day. She has started doing neck exercises. The excercises were difficult for her at first, but are starting to get easier the more she does them.

The doctors are talking about modifying her tracheotomy to hopefully allow her to speak. The schedule on this is unknown right now.

We would like to thank Round Table Pizza, Costco, and all of our friends and family who helped put together the fundraiser last Thursday. We wish that we could have been there to thank you in person. Everyone's support is felt here in Sacramento.

Taylor got a visit from her friend Xavier yesterday. They had a good time together. Taylor always enjoys visits from her friends. She does get very tired after her visits, so we have to keep visits short. Taylor's teacher sent Taylor her homework yesterday, so that should keep her busy for the week.

Taylor got a visit from the wives of the Kings basketball team last week. She now has an array of Kings paraphenalia, including a basketball, calendar, and a pom pom.

Update December 12, 2006

We woud like to thank everyone who came to the Carnitas Fundraiser at the Woodland Elks Club. A special thank you to Ginny Monroe and Bob Frommelt for organizing the event. Approximately 500 people came out to show their support and get together with family & friends. We were entertained by the Davis High School Madrigals, who sounded great. It was great to spend time with friends.

During the Carnitas Fundraiser, Taylor and her Aunt Melissa decorated Taylor's room for Christmas. They even put up Christmas lights.

REMINDER: Thursday night is the Round Table Fundraiser to benefit the Taylor Parker Hope Fund. If you're in the mood for pizza, order take-out or visit any of three Chico Round Tables.

If you are interested in receiving a "Hope for Taylor" button, please send an e-mail to tayparker@gmail.com with your address. Button donations have been around $5, but are not required.

Taylor continues to be very vocal. She's been eating hospital meals in addition to being fed through her feeding tube. It hasn't been ideal weather for taking trips outside, but Taylor continues to get up in her chair daily.

Update December 9, 2006

The doctors have decided that Taylor is a good candidate for a surgery that would install a mechanical diaphragm. This would be very similiar to a pacemaker except that it would be installed to function her diaphragm and make her able to breathe on her own. The main benefit would be that she could be removed from the ventilator, which could increase her options for rehabilitation facilities and would greatly increase her comfort. The surgery would be performed in a couple of weeks and it would take several weeks to wean her off of the ventilator.

Taylor is as talkative as ever and had a private lesson with her teacher Mrs. Knecht today. Mrs. Knecht brought gifts from other children and lessons that Taylor needed to catch up on. Tammy should keep busy with home schooling!

We would like to thank everyone involved with the fundraising at the Woodland Christmas parade today and everyone helping out with the carnitas feed. Thanks for all of your support and emails. We're looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Woodland Fundraiser - Sunday, December 10, 2006

What: Carnitas Lunch (Carnitas, Rice & Salad served)
When: Sunday, December 10, 2006, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Woodland Elks Lodge, 500 Bush St.
Cost: Donations accepted, all proceeds from the lunch will be donated to the Taylor Hope Fund
Questions: Please call Bob Frommelt @ (530) 681-0564 or Ginny Monroe @ (530) 681-1570

The Davis High School Madrigals will be performing at 12:30 pm.

We would like to thank the Elks Lodge for hosting this event and would like to thank all those involved in organizing the lunch!

Update December 7, 2006

Well, Taylor got her wish the other day, she got to eat pizza! Taylor has been chewing and swallowing well, so the doctors gave her the ok to eat most foods. She can't eat anything hard like chips, but as long as pizza and mac-n-cheese are in her diet, Taylor's happy.

Taylor continues to get up in her chair everyday. When Taylor is up for it they cruise around outside to get some fresh air. Yesterday she enjoyed going shopping in the hospital gift shop. She picked out a very cute ornament. Taylor continues to be very vocal and enjoys when people read her stories. She really enjoys Cinderella.

Taylor's aunt Melissa painted her toe nails yesterday in Christmas red. Her big toes have hearts on them that sparkle.

The doctors requested that Taylor get some shoes that would keep her feet at a 90 degree angle to her leg, so last night her grandma Vicki brought her pink cowboy boots with some matching pink silk pajamas. Taylor's going to be the best dressed patient on the floor!

We continue to print your messages and e-mails to read to Taylor. She loves listening to them, especially the messages from her friends.

Pizza Fundraiser Update

Just a note on the Pizza Fundraiser scheduled for Thursday, December 14th...20% of all delivery orders will also benefit the Taylor Hope Fund. So if you're in the mood to eat at home or eat at a near-by Round Table, all orders will benefit Taylor's Fund.

For those of you requesting buttons, they will be available at the fundraiser. For those of you out-of-town folks that are requesting buttons, we're going to have to come up with a way to get you some buttons. Give us a little while to work out the details and we will post it on the website.

An update on Taylor will follow tomorrow.

Update December 4, 2006

Taylor continues to sit up in the chair daily and yesterday she even got to go outside to get some fresh air! Sitting is not Taylor's favorite thing to do right now, but it should start getting easier the more often she does it.

Everyone is excited to see that Taylor is her same spunky self. She's very good at telling the doctors, nurses and her parents what she wants and needs. It's her personality and drive that are going to help her recover.

If you are interested in donating with a credit card to the "Taylor Hope Fund," you can now make a secure online payment using Pay Pal. A "Make a Donation" button has been added to the right side of the website. To make a donation, simply click on the button to be routed to a secure Pay Pal webpage.

We hear that "Hope for Taylor" buttons are circulating around Chico and want you all to know that we, too, are wearing our buttons everyday. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support!

Update December 2, 2006

Taylor had a good day today. She sat up in her chair for another two hours. She is not a big fan of the neck brace that she has to wear when she sits in her chair, but she is brave and did very well.

Taylor got a big treat today. She passed a couple swallow tests so she is now able to eat soft foods. Her first food today was apple sauce. She is now able to eat ice cream, milk shakes, smoothies, etc. She was craving pizza today, but until they make puree pizza she's going to have to stick to apple sauce (at least for a while).

Update December 1, 2006

Happy December!

Taylor had a good day yesterday. Her brother, Tanner, came to visit her for the first time. Tanner and Taylor had a great time together. Tanner layed in bed with Taylor and both of them were laughing.

Taylor sat up in a chair yesterday! It wasn't the most comfortable thing for Taylor, but she's a tough girl. The hard part was holding her head up. Her head has been in the same position for about two weeks, so he neck is very stiff. With help from Tammy, Taylor was able to sit up for two hours.

Thanks again for all your e-mails and comments. We're lucky to have such supportive family and friends.

Update November 29, 2006

We want to thank everyone for their uplifting e-mails and blog comments. A binder containing all of your e-mails and comments has been made and will be read to Taylor as she recovers.

We would also like to thank our friends that have worked hard to set up the Taylor Hope Fund and organize the Pizza Night/Bake Sale Fundraiser. Information on Taylor's Fund and the upcoming fundraiser can be found on the right side of this website under "How to Help."

Many of you have asked where to send mail for Taylor. Taylor can receive mail at the UC Davis Pediatric ICU. The address is located on the right side of this website under " Taylor's Address."

Taylor has been doing well. She is very alert and is mouthing non-stop to her family. She has started physical therapy. They are starting with upper body work, moving her arms and shoulders. The physical therapist said that Taylor is a great patient. The feeding tube into her stomach has healed, so yesterday they started feeding her. Food is very important to her recovery.

Update November 25, 2006

We hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. We are thankful to all of you for your constant support.

Taylor has been actively communicating with Tammy by mouthing words. Tammy has become a great lip reader! Taylor has been asking for food and juice, which unfortunately she can't have. Although the doctors think that it is a great sign that she is requesting food. Taylor is getting to drink some water. Taylor has been asking a lot of questions about what has happened. Tammy has been talking to her about the accident and why she is in the hospital.

Now that Taylor is more alert and aware, the doctors and nurses are recommending that there only be one or two people in Taylor's room at a time. Taylor can now tell people what she wants, so she can communicate about who she wants in the room, if she wants to read a book or watch a movie.

Update November 22, 2006

Taylor had a tracheotomy and a stomach feeding tube put in this morning. The surgery went very well. They will wait to make sure the stomach tube wound has healed prior to feeding Taylor. It will most likely take a few days for the wound to heal. All of the tubes have now been removed from her face. She seems a lot more comfortable. Tammy should be a good lip reader in a few days!

The attending doctor stopped by today and said that Taylor is making great progress. She is responding to medication and he is very hopeful for her recovery. They have turned down the ventilator pressure, requiring Taylor to assist in breathing.

Russ, the EMT who was at the scene of the accident, came to the hospital today to visit Taylor. He gave Tammy a full account of the accident. Apparently the car spun three full revolutions prior to stopping. When Russ made it to the car, Taylor was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Russ performed CPR to revive Taylor. We are forever grateful to Russ and thank him for making the visit to see Taylor.

Update November 21, 2006

Taylor has been very alert the past two days. She has been awake most of the day. Lots of family have come to keep her company. Tammy and Carolyn have been reading books to her and she has been requesting to watch the movie Babe.

The doctors are recommending that Taylor get a tracheotomy in order to remove the tubes from her mouth. This will also help to prevent pneumonia and other respiratory infections. It's looking like the surgery to install the tracheotomy will happen on Monday. Taylor will still need assistance from a ventilator in order to help her breath until the doctors are sure that she can breath on her own.

We wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving!

Update, November 19, 2006

Taylor is a lot more alert and awake today. She enjoys seeing familiar faces and has been requesting some of her favorite movies. This morning the doctor's turned down the rate of her ventilator to see if she could breath on her own a bit. She did extremely well. The doctor's will continue to test Taylor's ability to breath on her own. They hope she will be able to breath without assistance from the ventilator soon. If they can remove the breathing tube from her mouth, then hopefully Taylor will be able to talk.

Taylor got a respiratory infection today. The doctor's say that this is common because she has been laying on one position for a long time. With the infection, Taylor also has a fever. The doctor's have put her on antibiotics to fight the infection. Taylor will have a private nurse tonight to monitor the infection.

A lot of friends dropped off pictures and cards today. We put them up on all the windows and it really helps to brightened up Taylor's room. We appreciate all of the thoughts and well wishes!

Update, November 18, 2006

Taylor slept a lot today. She was up late last night getting her hair washed and getting a bath. She is also tired from her surgery yesterday. Because her spine was stabilized during the surgery, her neck brace was removed today. She seems a lot more comfortable.

The doctors gave Taylor a feeding tube today. Food will be very important to Taylor's recovery.

A lot of friends and family came to visit Taylor today. Thank you for your love and support.

What happened...

On Thursday, November 16, 2006 Tammy and Taylor were in a car accident near Taylor's school. The car was hit in the center of the passenger's side. Taylor was sitting in the rear seat of an eight passenger SUV. Taylor sustained upper spinal injuries. An EMT, who witnessed the accident, saved Taylor's life by performing CPR at the scene. Thankfully Tammy only suffered from some minor facial cuts and bruises. After a short visit at the Chico Hospital, Taylor was Life Flighted to UC Davis Medical Center. She is currently being cared for in the Pediatric ICU. Currently, Taylor does not have feeling below her collarbone. She is awake and alert. Taylor recognizes family and friends and is able to communicate by nodding her head. She is not able to talk, as she is connected to a ventilator to assist with breathing.

On Friday, November 17, 2006 surgery was performed to fuse cervical 1 - 4 vertebrae. A metal plate was also installed to stabilize her spinal cord.