The Quiet Triumph of the “Red Cap”
Yesterday, as millions of people around the world gathered around television screens to watch a game of touchdowns and halftime shows, a much smaller, far more significant battle was being won in a quiet hospital room. For Scarlett, victory didn’t come in the form of a trophy; it came in the form of a small, crimson piece of plasticāthe Red Cap.
In the world of tracheostomy recovery, the Red Cap is a symbol of immense courage. It is placed over the trach tube, forcing the body to do something it hasn’t had to do on its own for a long time: breathe entirely through the nose and mouth. It is the ultimate “capping trial,” a high-stakes test of the lungs and the spirit. Yesterday, Scarlett wore that red cap for the majority of the day with no issues. Every breath she took was a defiant statement of independence, a rhythmic “Praise the Lord” that echoed louder than any stadium crowd. This isn’t just a clinical milestone; it is the final threshold before the trach can be removed for good.
From “Mixed Feeds” to “Full Strength”
The day began with another hurdle: the transition of her nutrition. For weeks, Scarlett has been on “mixed feeds,” a delicate balance of supplements as her digestive system slowly relearned how to process fuel. It is a slow, often frustrating process of trial and error. But by yesterday evening, Scarlett had crossed the finish line. She finished the day on full-strength feeds with absolutely no issues.
For a child fighting for neurological and physical restoration, fuel is everything. Moving to full-strength feeds means her body is finally strong enough to absorb the nutrients it needs to repair, grow, and heal. It is the “breakthrough” we have been praying forāthe moment where her physical recovery finally found its stride.
Valentineās Love from Miles Away
Even in the middle of a grueling therapy schedule, Scarlettās heart remains focused on the people she loves back home. In a touching moment of “Grit and Grace,” she spent her afternoon working on a special Valentineās project for her teacher.
With Mimi guiding her hands (“hand over hand”), Scarlett carefully placed stickers and colors onto the paper. It was a beautiful reminder that while her body is confined to a hospital wing miles away, her spirit is still very much a part of her classroom back home. This wasn’t just a craft project; it was an act of inclusion. It was Scarlett saying, “I am still here, I am still learning, and I haven’t forgotten you.” —
The “Hidden Detail” That Left Mimi in Tears
As they worked together on the Valentine, Mimi noticed a “hidden detail” that brought the entire room to a standstill. As Scarlett was choosing colors, she reachedāwithout being promptedāfor the specific color her teacher always wears. It was a flash of memory, a spark of recognition in her brain that proved the “divine healing” we are praying for is happening in real-time.
In that moment, the craft wasn’t just paper and glue; it was evidence. It was proof that Scarlettās mind is navigating its way back to us, piece by piece, memory by memory. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as they realized that the girl they love is still very much “in there,” fighting to reconnect with her world.
A Sunday to Remember: Watching with Papa
The afternoon brought a much-needed sense of normalcy. Scarlett enjoyed watching the fish in the big tank, listening to her favorite music, and even catching some of the Super Bowl on the big screen with Papa and the other patients.
A photo taken Saturday night shows Scarlett and Papa “watching” the game together, though, truth be told, Scarlett wasn’t quite as invested in the score as Papa was! But the score didn’t matter. What mattered was the rest. What mattered was the community found in a shared hospital lounge, where patients and families become a temporary tribe, cheering not just for a team, but for each otherās survival.
Small Steps, Big Faith: The Road to Restoration
As we march into a new week of intensive therapy, we are holding onto the promise of Mark 5:41: āTalitha koum!ā which means, āLittle girl, I say to you, get up!ā We see Scarlett “getting up” in every sense of the word. She is getting up from the mixed feeds. She is getting up from the breathing assistance. She is getting up from the silence of her injury.
- The Path Forward: We continue to pray for the medical teamās wisdom and for the complete restoration of Scarlettās brain.
- The Strength of Monday: Today begins another week of hard work, but we start it with the “Red Cap Victory” in our pockets.
- Your Prayers: You are the wind in her sails. Your “Praise the Lord” comments are the fuel that keeps this family moving.
Conclusion: Marching into Monday
Yesterday was a giftāa day of rest and quiet miracles. Today, we go back to work. We continue to believe in the “complete healing and restoration” of our sweet girl. Thank you for walking this sacred path with us.
What did the lead therapist say when she saw Scarlettās hand-over-hand progress this morning, and what is the “Monday Goal” the team has set for her first session of the week?
