Katie's pediatrician is referring Katie to a neurologist at UCLA ASAP. She says we need to get on this fast.
Looks like we will be seeing them this coming week sometime. I will keep everyone abreast.
Thanks for your prayers.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Yet another hurdle to scale....
Mark and I got a call from Katie's pediatrician this morning and received some challenging news. The results of Katie's sleep-deprived EEG came back in not-so-good news. Evidently, Katie is having brain seizures. I'm not sure what that all entails... but it seems our medical journey is not over yet.
Thanks for your prayers. I will keep you posted as we find out more.
Chow 4 Now.
Susan
Thanks for your prayers. I will keep you posted as we find out more.
Chow 4 Now.
Susan
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Morning After.............. YAWWWWWWNNN.
Well, we did it. Katie was able to stay up ALL night... no sleep whatsoever.
Withholding her Clonidine was the key. Her hyperactivity and Tourette Tics went through the roof.. and she talked and blinked a mile a minute until I finally gave her her meds one hour before the test.
Let's see.... what did we do during all those late and early morning hours???
Aunt Bea worked the night shift while mommy went to sleep at 6:30 PM
Katie went with aunt Bea to the Yogurt Shoppe...
They made Pineapple/Canadian Bacon Pizza with Tortillas
They played SEVERAL Card Games.
They went shopping at our 24 hr. Walmart and bought a game for her Gameboy.
Aunt Bea did a LOT of listening to Katie's hyperactive ramblings... over and over and over...
Mommy woke up at 3AM and took over...
She and Katie went to Denny's Restaurant and ate a verrrry early morning breakfast.
We played several games of Skip-Bo while we ate.
We went home and took a shower (both of us).
Mommy trimmed Katie's hair and then dried it and put it in pig tails.
Got dressed and drove to West Hills for our 8:30 test (and fought traffic all the way).
A few blocks before we got there, Katie suddenly got very very sleepy and had to fight strongly to stay awake. I put some very upbeat music on in the car... LOUDLY... turned the A/C on full blast (brrrrr) and sang/shouted "Woo Hoo" often. At first Katie thought that was funny... but then she started to cry... "I'm just so tired mom... I don't think I can stay awake". I wanted to cry for her... and I told her what a great job she did in staying awake as long as she had.
When we arrived at the office, she laid on the table and was OUT COLD. In fact... 1/2 way through the procedure we needed to wake her up and get her to hyperventilate for 2 minutes... but all the screaming, clapping and shaking and stroking of her face couldn't do it. She was passed out asleep. The technician just giggled and said it was okay if we couldn't wake her... she'd make a note of it.
MAN-O-MAN... does Katie have an ACTIVE brain.... even when asleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After an hour, the test was complete, and we had a dickens-of-a-time trying to get her to wake up so we could leave. I practically had to carry her out. She slept all the way home in the car (understandably) and once in the house, went straight to bed... which is where she and aunt Bea have been for the past three hours. We'll be lucky if we see them at all today.
As for me... I am exhausted... but there is much catch-up work to get done here at the house... so I will postpone my sleep till tonight... if I can.... and get my wife/mommy stuff done now. My first matter of business was to get this blog done for today.
We will continue this blog until she is back in school and we see how she transitions and fits back into real-time life. The battle's not over yet. In fact... this is where it's going to get hard. All our safety nets and security blankets are gone now... if this success is going to continue, we and Katie have a lot of work to do. But then, there's God...
And we are counting on that.
Chow 4 Now.
Susan
Withholding her Clonidine was the key. Her hyperactivity and Tourette Tics went through the roof.. and she talked and blinked a mile a minute until I finally gave her her meds one hour before the test.
Let's see.... what did we do during all those late and early morning hours???
Aunt Bea worked the night shift while mommy went to sleep at 6:30 PM
Katie went with aunt Bea to the Yogurt Shoppe...
They made Pineapple/Canadian Bacon Pizza with Tortillas
They played SEVERAL Card Games.
They went shopping at our 24 hr. Walmart and bought a game for her Gameboy.
Aunt Bea did a LOT of listening to Katie's hyperactive ramblings... over and over and over...
Mommy woke up at 3AM and took over...
She and Katie went to Denny's Restaurant and ate a verrrry early morning breakfast.
We played several games of Skip-Bo while we ate.
We went home and took a shower (both of us).
Mommy trimmed Katie's hair and then dried it and put it in pig tails.
Got dressed and drove to West Hills for our 8:30 test (and fought traffic all the way).
A few blocks before we got there, Katie suddenly got very very sleepy and had to fight strongly to stay awake. I put some very upbeat music on in the car... LOUDLY... turned the A/C on full blast (brrrrr) and sang/shouted "Woo Hoo" often. At first Katie thought that was funny... but then she started to cry... "I'm just so tired mom... I don't think I can stay awake". I wanted to cry for her... and I told her what a great job she did in staying awake as long as she had.
When we arrived at the office, she laid on the table and was OUT COLD. In fact... 1/2 way through the procedure we needed to wake her up and get her to hyperventilate for 2 minutes... but all the screaming, clapping and shaking and stroking of her face couldn't do it. She was passed out asleep. The technician just giggled and said it was okay if we couldn't wake her... she'd make a note of it.
MAN-O-MAN... does Katie have an ACTIVE brain.... even when asleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After an hour, the test was complete, and we had a dickens-of-a-time trying to get her to wake up so we could leave. I practically had to carry her out. She slept all the way home in the car (understandably) and once in the house, went straight to bed... which is where she and aunt Bea have been for the past three hours. We'll be lucky if we see them at all today.
As for me... I am exhausted... but there is much catch-up work to get done here at the house... so I will postpone my sleep till tonight... if I can.... and get my wife/mommy stuff done now. My first matter of business was to get this blog done for today.
We will continue this blog until she is back in school and we see how she transitions and fits back into real-time life. The battle's not over yet. In fact... this is where it's going to get hard. All our safety nets and security blankets are gone now... if this success is going to continue, we and Katie have a lot of work to do. But then, there's God...
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase
To added affliction He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His Love has no limit
His grace has no measure
His power has no boundaries known unto man
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and GIVETH AGAIN.
And we are counting on that.
Chow 4 Now.
Susan
We have a UCLA Graduate!!!!
The Graduate, Katie.
This morning we graduated!!!
What a wonderful morning it was!!! Grandma and Grandpa Cook met us at the house (they are my mom and dad) and we all caravan'ed to UCLA together in two cars.
Bea, Mark, Grandma Cook, Grandpa Cook (Mom was taking the photos).
We were met by a team of smiling, congratulatory doctors and therapists, and I gave them our last home report... a good one of course.... and several trays of muffins for the graduation party after the ceremony. One of the ABC Clinic workers has a secret connection with someone in the cafeteria, and they were able to get a big bowl of melon chunks and juices sent up for the party as well. We had to wait for Dr. Jessica (the psychologist) to arrive (she got stuck in traffic, and we couldn't go on without her) and then the ceremony began.
The red carpet was rolled out, and Katie walked down it with an expression of determination and sobriety. She was SO proud of her accomplishment... and for good reason. She has applied herself 100 percent, and the payoff has been great.
Then she got to sign the underside of the red carpet (that made me cry... seeing Katie's signature among HUNDREDS of other kid's signatures and dates of graduation).
After that, she was given her graduation gifts from the staff.... a plush puppy (that looks like "Tink" our new dog), two reading books of Katie's choice, and a singing/speaking Diva Barbie. Katie was beside herself with joy and excitement... and her face beamed SO brightly. It absolutely melted my heart.
Grandma Cook wrote Katie a poem about her graduation and how hard she had worked (and slipped some money in it for two months subscription to Toontown (an online computer game):
Congratulations Katie
This is the day we have waited for.
A day that we celebrate
all your hard work and accomplishments.
The work that you did is "FIRST RATE".
In this card is a gift for you
2 months of Toontown you'll get.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful game
Do we love our Katie..?? YOU BET!!
So remember all the things you've learned
that we knew you could do from the start
Your grandma... and your grandpa too
think you're SPECIAL and dear to our heart.
Love,
Grandma and Grandpa Cook
Everyone then ajourned to eat and party for about 1/2 hour... I got a lot of pictures of each doctor and therapist... and there were a lot of teary goodbyes. These folks... knowingly or unknowingly at the hand of God, were our miracle workers. And unbeknownst to them, were ministered to and told the gospel to from a 9 year old little red-head. It just doesn't get much better than that.
Miss Melody, Katie's First Psychologist
Miss. Jessica, Katie's Second Psychologist
Miss Barbara, Parental Counselor, Nurse
Miss. Pat, Educational Therapist and Educator
Miss Wendy, Social Worker 
Mr. Paul, Recreational Therapist (Katie's Favorite)
Miss, Joanna, Mr. Paul's Assistant
Mr. Lyle, Social Therapist
Our time at UCLA reminds me of when Paul the apostle was thrown in jail... he didn't want to be in there, but because God planned him to be there, a guard and his entire HOUSEHOLD were saved. We will never know the total effect of all the "Jesus and His love for us" talk that we and Katie did during these past two months at UCLA... but I believe we were right where God wanted us... and both side benefited by our being there.
The staff all mentioned that we had been the "Ideal" family, and Katie's progress was an anomaly... because although all the kids show some advancement by the time they leave, Katie made unusual progress... so rare... and the were all amazed and extremely pleased with her outcome... and ours as well. I told them all... "Well, we have a big God on our side". I can say without a doubt, it was most certainly because of all YOUR prayers. He hears you when you pray.
Katie stayed at the clinic and worked with her therapist for a few hours before coming home early at 1:30 pm.
Katie stayed at the clinic and worked with her therapist for a few hours before coming home early at 1:30 pm.
Tonight we need to keep Katie awake as long as we can... she has her sleep deprived EEG test tomorrow morning at 8:30. I am going to hold her Clonadine medicine tonight in hopes that it will allow her hyperactivity to help stimulate her and keep her awake.
Keep those prayers coming.
Chow 4 now.
Susan
Monday, March 30, 2009
Day Number...??? What Day is this???
I have lost track of what day this is. It seems like I have been here at UCLA for months and months.... but alas, tomorrow Katie finally graduates from the program. it has been a life changing journey... not an easy one by any means... but the best thing we could have done for our girl... and us.
Let's see... what's been going on since the last entry... 5 days ago....
Katie went for her MRI and did amazingly well. She got a bit teary with the IV... but at one point as the nurse was taping the IV in place and administering the medication for sleep, Katie asked the nurse, "Do I have to go to sleep?"... at which point the nurse said, "No... you can stay awake if you want". Katie smiled... and then proceeded to shut her eyes and tip sideways... and then was out cold. Mark and Bea said it was SO FUNNY to watch. We should know the results of her MRI in a few days.
I had my endoscopy/colonoscopy the next day and got a little surprise. The doctor said he had to do a biopsy on 'something' and I need to see him in two weeks to talk about his 'findings' and the results of the biopsy. Oh joys. I wasn't expecting them to find anything. I hate surprises like this.
Anyway... Katie has had a few difficulties with her homework that was given at the end of last week. She had two major meltdowns... saying she didn't know how to do the work... her legs and stomach hurt... and she got ragingly-angry and banged the table, threw her pencil and aggressively cracked her knuckles and shouted and cried.... but eventually, she sat and did it... correctly. Afterwards, she looked up and said, "That was dumb to cry like I did. Why did I do that? It was easy." I told her she is not the same little girl she use to be... and she doesn't have to be afraid of homework anymore. We decided to call it "School Practice" rather than homework... it wasn't such a frightening term. Sunday she did three pages of homework... and where it use to take her 45 minutes to an hour with constant supervision and a big BATTLE to get it done, she did it in less than 15 minutes... CORRECTLY... and on her own with no talking or supervision!! Who is this kid????
For the first time in our lives, Katie sat in "big church" with us... and decided that she didn't want to color or draw... she wanted to sit and listen. She sat quietly.. and participated in communion and worship... and at one point got teary... dabbed her eyes... and then leaned over to me and whispered... "I just love God so much". (Who is this kid???) Mark got to baptize a few people in church Sunday morning... and it was a good thing for Katie to see her dad doing that (and mom too!) He was in his element... and I could tell her was living out his pastor's heart.
Oh... I almost forgot... Saturday the three of us (Mark, Katie and I) went to the Animal Shelter and adopted a puppy. She had to get spayed first, so we couldn't bring her home till Sunday afternoon (yesterday). The name we have given her is "Tinker" (we call her Tink)... she is 10 months old... and she is a cross breed of a Miniature Doberman Pincer and a Pug. She has the body and coloring of a Tiny 6 pound Pincer... but has the Pug floppy ears and shorter snout. She is ADORABLE!! Katie is in heaven... and I must confess... mom and dad are highly enjoying her too. She is still a little woozy, sore and low key since she was spayed yesterday morning.... but she is sleeping well in her pet carrier next to me here at the hospital right now... and she has already bonded with the three of us very well. Hopefully one day you can come and meet her... she will certainly charm your heart like she has ours.
Let's see... what's been going on since the last entry... 5 days ago....
Katie went for her MRI and did amazingly well. She got a bit teary with the IV... but at one point as the nurse was taping the IV in place and administering the medication for sleep, Katie asked the nurse, "Do I have to go to sleep?"... at which point the nurse said, "No... you can stay awake if you want". Katie smiled... and then proceeded to shut her eyes and tip sideways... and then was out cold. Mark and Bea said it was SO FUNNY to watch. We should know the results of her MRI in a few days.
I had my endoscopy/colonoscopy the next day and got a little surprise. The doctor said he had to do a biopsy on 'something' and I need to see him in two weeks to talk about his 'findings' and the results of the biopsy. Oh joys. I wasn't expecting them to find anything. I hate surprises like this.
Anyway... Katie has had a few difficulties with her homework that was given at the end of last week. She had two major meltdowns... saying she didn't know how to do the work... her legs and stomach hurt... and she got ragingly-angry and banged the table, threw her pencil and aggressively cracked her knuckles and shouted and cried.... but eventually, she sat and did it... correctly. Afterwards, she looked up and said, "That was dumb to cry like I did. Why did I do that? It was easy." I told her she is not the same little girl she use to be... and she doesn't have to be afraid of homework anymore. We decided to call it "School Practice" rather than homework... it wasn't such a frightening term. Sunday she did three pages of homework... and where it use to take her 45 minutes to an hour with constant supervision and a big BATTLE to get it done, she did it in less than 15 minutes... CORRECTLY... and on her own with no talking or supervision!! Who is this kid????
For the first time in our lives, Katie sat in "big church" with us... and decided that she didn't want to color or draw... she wanted to sit and listen. She sat quietly.. and participated in communion and worship... and at one point got teary... dabbed her eyes... and then leaned over to me and whispered... "I just love God so much". (Who is this kid???) Mark got to baptize a few people in church Sunday morning... and it was a good thing for Katie to see her dad doing that (and mom too!) He was in his element... and I could tell her was living out his pastor's heart.
Oh... I almost forgot... Saturday the three of us (Mark, Katie and I) went to the Animal Shelter and adopted a puppy. She had to get spayed first, so we couldn't bring her home till Sunday afternoon (yesterday). The name we have given her is "Tinker" (we call her Tink)... she is 10 months old... and she is a cross breed of a Miniature Doberman Pincer and a Pug. She has the body and coloring of a Tiny 6 pound Pincer... but has the Pug floppy ears and shorter snout. She is ADORABLE!! Katie is in heaven... and I must confess... mom and dad are highly enjoying her too. She is still a little woozy, sore and low key since she was spayed yesterday morning.... but she is sleeping well in her pet carrier next to me here at the hospital right now... and she has already bonded with the three of us very well. Hopefully one day you can come and meet her... she will certainly charm your heart like she has ours.
This morning Katie has another blood test... and has now become a "Pro" at it. I don't need to hold her arm anymore or give her instruction on what to do... and she let's the tech know that she doesn't want tape... she'd rather hold it for a while herself.
So tomorrow Katie graduates from the program. I will bring in a tray of Muffins for the party they will have for her... and we will certainly get a TON of pictures. Grandma and Grandpa Cook will get to be there for the event... and of course, Daddy, Mommy and Aunt Bea wouldn't miss it for the world. Katie has worked very very hard to get to this place, and she deserves all the accolades and support we can give her.
I wish we could have had everyone come to this event... but lack of space made a huge limitation... but if you would be willing to... we would be thrilled if you could send Katie a congratulations card in the mail.
Our address is:
27206 Cross Gate Ct.
Canyon Country, CA 91387
I will post some of Katie's graduation pictures on this blog a day or two following the ceremony.
One other newsy item... tomorrow evening following the graduation, we have to keep Katie awake throughout the night as much as possible... only letting her sleep LESS than 3 hours. She is going to have her Sleep-Deprived EEG the next morning (Wednesday) . Thank God for Denny's Restaurant which is open 24 hours. I plan on taking her there around 3AM so she can eat whatever she wants... as much as she wants... and play Skip-Bo cards with me and long as she can. Anyone want to come and play with us?? Nope... I didn't think so....
Thursday I will take Katie for a visit to Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary school so she can greet her friends, the staff and her teacher... and get familiar with them again. While there I will have a meeting with the staff and give them a brief "training" session on how to respond to Katie from here on out. We don't want to reestablish old bad patterns again.
Friday Katie will return to school again... for a full day. I have no idea how it will go... my hopes are high but my emotions are reserved and bracing themselves. Time will tell.
The following week school will be out on Spring Break... so Katie will have time to get her head and internal clock back in sync again... no more waking up at 5:45 in the morning as we have for the past two months. No more LOOOOONG drives on the freeway or eating breakfast in the car. No more Monday-Morning blood tests. And... she will get into the habit of feeding the dog, giving it fresh water, taking it out to pee.... along with feeding her fish before school. Yup... she's growing up.
Katie has decided that she wants to become a child Psychologist. I think she'll make a FABULOUS one!!
Chow 4 Now,
Susan
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Day Thirty-Two: Get Ready... Get Set....
Monday evening when I got home from my weekend away, I was met by a very cheery, compliant, calm and yet energetic Katie who had dozens of things to show me... and a song to listen to that she has been writing on her keyboard. The change I saw in her from the time I left to the time I got back was DRASTIC!!! Truly, she has become the child I have always wanted... that child I have jealously watched other mom's experience... and thought I would never get to know. I remember being so afraid that we were mentally losing Katie... moment by moment... rage after rage... and she was getting father and father away from us. But God hasn't just answered our prayers.... HE HAS FAR EXCEEDED THEM BEYOND OUR WILDEST IMAGINATIONS!!! In fact, I am tearing up here at the computer just thinking about the last two days. I will never be able to explain the difference... I just hope one day you will be able to spend some time with Katie to experience it for yourself. It's God, at His very best.
Mark, Bea and I met with the clinician teams today (social worker, psychologist, parental trainer) and all agreed that Katie will be officially GRADUATING from the program next Tuesday. I had high hopes of inviting everyone to her graduation, but the room will be limited in space and will only be able to be attended by invitation. I apologize if my jumping-the-gun was a disappointment to you... it certainly wasn't intentional. I am SO PROUD of my girl... I wanted everyone to celebrate the payoff of all her hard work. Unfortunately that won't be an option for us.
During our talks this morning, the clinicians were very clear with us that they have been very pleased and thankful for all OUR hard work too (and it HAS been HARD work on our parts). They said that Katie was a very lucky girl to have such an extremely committed and passionate family who want to invest themselves and everything they have into her wholeness. I had to chuckle... we feel the same way about all these clinicians. They have FAR EXCEEDED our expectations, and have become like family to us. Their commitment to Katie and our family has been astounding and breathtaking to all FOUR of us.
I left the last meeting... with my heart soaring... and with a verrrrry long 'laundry list' of things I need to do and accomplish before Katie's transitions back to her home school. Her brain MRI is scheduled for tomorrow. (Please pray... she needs to go under anesthesia for it... and she will need to get an IV... and I won't be there.... I will be home preparing for an upcoming test). Mark and I have a scheduled meeting with her Fair Oaks Ranch School team (principal, nurse, teacher, school psychologist, behaviorist, resource worker) to write the IEP for her school return (Individualized Education Plan = Special Education in a normal classroom setting). It is a highly legal document. I have meetings with the Regional Center's case worker. Also, Katie gets to pick up her orthotics this afternoon at 4:00 PM which will fit into her new shoes (we need to buy) so her ankles and feet will get the restructure and correction they need. Mark and I have many home protocols we need to pre-define regarding Katie's computer use, TV use, homework, consequences, praise, rewards, and parental responses to various challenges. We have therapists we need to contact and set up for the future meetings. We have a puppy to buy... we need.....
Did I mention a puppy??? Ha ha ha ha... we promised Katie that when she graduates from the ABC clinic we would get a family dog since she will be better prepared and more responsible and emotionally safer to take care of one. She has proven herself very well... and so it looks like.. this Friday... after my endoscopy/colonoscopy (luck me), that we will make the trek to the Animal Shelter and see if there is a dog with the "Conner" name on it. (Figuratively speaking, of course). Our dog run is ready and our house (and hearts) are prepared.
Our plan is that Katie will graduate on Tuesday... her Sleep Deprived EEG will be Wednesday... I will take her to visit her school/teacher/friends on Thursday (so I can get her re registered)... and the she will go for her first FULL day back at school on Friday. Doing it that way will give her a break after her first full day and ease her back into the school setting one day at a time. The following week will be spring break, which we are thinking of taking a family trip somewhere in our tent trailer.
Then... that next Monday... its full swing into transition. I have no idea what to expect... but God does... and we will all be holding His hand tightly as we maneuver through those exciting yet uncertain days ahead....
Oh.. look at the time!!! I've got to run upstairs and get my day end report. I don't have many more of those to go now!!! Yippee!!!!
Chow 4 Now.
Susan
Mark, Bea and I met with the clinician teams today (social worker, psychologist, parental trainer) and all agreed that Katie will be officially GRADUATING from the program next Tuesday. I had high hopes of inviting everyone to her graduation, but the room will be limited in space and will only be able to be attended by invitation. I apologize if my jumping-the-gun was a disappointment to you... it certainly wasn't intentional. I am SO PROUD of my girl... I wanted everyone to celebrate the payoff of all her hard work. Unfortunately that won't be an option for us.
During our talks this morning, the clinicians were very clear with us that they have been very pleased and thankful for all OUR hard work too (and it HAS been HARD work on our parts). They said that Katie was a very lucky girl to have such an extremely committed and passionate family who want to invest themselves and everything they have into her wholeness. I had to chuckle... we feel the same way about all these clinicians. They have FAR EXCEEDED our expectations, and have become like family to us. Their commitment to Katie and our family has been astounding and breathtaking to all FOUR of us.
I left the last meeting... with my heart soaring... and with a verrrrry long 'laundry list' of things I need to do and accomplish before Katie's transitions back to her home school. Her brain MRI is scheduled for tomorrow. (Please pray... she needs to go under anesthesia for it... and she will need to get an IV... and I won't be there.... I will be home preparing for an upcoming test). Mark and I have a scheduled meeting with her Fair Oaks Ranch School team (principal, nurse, teacher, school psychologist, behaviorist, resource worker) to write the IEP for her school return (Individualized Education Plan = Special Education in a normal classroom setting). It is a highly legal document. I have meetings with the Regional Center's case worker. Also, Katie gets to pick up her orthotics this afternoon at 4:00 PM which will fit into her new shoes (we need to buy) so her ankles and feet will get the restructure and correction they need. Mark and I have many home protocols we need to pre-define regarding Katie's computer use, TV use, homework, consequences, praise, rewards, and parental responses to various challenges. We have therapists we need to contact and set up for the future meetings. We have a puppy to buy... we need.....
Did I mention a puppy??? Ha ha ha ha... we promised Katie that when she graduates from the ABC clinic we would get a family dog since she will be better prepared and more responsible and emotionally safer to take care of one. She has proven herself very well... and so it looks like.. this Friday... after my endoscopy/colonoscopy (luck me), that we will make the trek to the Animal Shelter and see if there is a dog with the "Conner" name on it. (Figuratively speaking, of course). Our dog run is ready and our house (and hearts) are prepared.
Our plan is that Katie will graduate on Tuesday... her Sleep Deprived EEG will be Wednesday... I will take her to visit her school/teacher/friends on Thursday (so I can get her re registered)... and the she will go for her first FULL day back at school on Friday. Doing it that way will give her a break after her first full day and ease her back into the school setting one day at a time. The following week will be spring break, which we are thinking of taking a family trip somewhere in our tent trailer.
Then... that next Monday... its full swing into transition. I have no idea what to expect... but God does... and we will all be holding His hand tightly as we maneuver through those exciting yet uncertain days ahead....
Oh.. look at the time!!! I've got to run upstairs and get my day end report. I don't have many more of those to go now!!! Yippee!!!!
Chow 4 Now.
Susan
Monday, March 23, 2009
Day 31: A bump on the noggin
THURSDAY
In Susan's haste to get out of town, she did not finish Thursday's blog. I'll share one comical incident. During our visit with "Jessia Therapist," we were shown a portrait Katie had drawn of our family. Susan stood on the left and I stood on the right. Katie was seated in the middle...dressed as a queen. Guess we have a little work to do on defining who's in charge at our house.
FRIDAY
Today's events were highlighted by a less than gracious fall by Queen Katie. It seems that while playing outside, she fell backward and hit her head on the hard surface. Mr. Paul, the recreational therapist, said Katie complained of being dizzy and having a slight headache. As a precaution, the staff recommended that Katie be seen by her doctor. So, at about 1:00, I rode the elevator up to get her and down to walk to the car, fully intending to make an appointment with Katie's pediatrician while driving home.
Lo and behold, we had a flat. To compound the situation, my never-ever-used temporary spare was flat. A quick phone call to AAA (well worth the $65 annual fee) summoned a tow truck driver who hooked up the car and pulled us through Westwood to the tire shop. As "coincidence" would have it (there are no coincidences in God's kingdom), the shop was owned by the same chain I purchased the tire from originally. After 20 minutes, the flat was fixed...at no cost. We quickly...okay, driving through Westwood on a Friday afternoon wasn't that quick...drove through McDonald's for a late lunch and rushed to the freeway.
To crawl.
By this time, two hours have passed sinced the Queen took her spill. She has yet to mention any side effects, other than when I asked her how she was feeling. So when Katie's pediatrician suggested a trip to urgent care, I decided to continue my "wait and see" approach. The decision was a wise one.
We arrived home about 4:00, relaxed a bit, and jumped into a game of SkipBo. It seems that sometime in the last few weeks, Katie's brain has slowed its gyrations to the point where she can multi-task quite well. It was amazing to watch her strategize every move. I could almost see the wheel turning as we played. Needless to say, this encouraged me greatly. My enthusiasm, waned, however, after she won the first game. After this, we played Uno, another card game. Katie is like her mother: she doesn't like to lose. I was so proud of her for keeping her emotions under control when frustration set in. In the recent past, a meltdown would have ensued.
For dinner, Katie decided to experiment in the kitchen. She created her own dish consisting of hot dog buns, tomato paste, cheese and a variety of dry spices. After a brief stay under the broiler, dinner was served. Katie was so proud of herself. I, on the other hand, wasn't affected in the least.
I can't begin to communicate my joy over Katie's progress in the last few weeks. Her behavior has become wonderful. While she still struggles a bit with appropriately expressing frustration and anger, so do I.
In Susan's haste to get out of town, she did not finish Thursday's blog. I'll share one comical incident. During our visit with "Jessia Therapist," we were shown a portrait Katie had drawn of our family. Susan stood on the left and I stood on the right. Katie was seated in the middle...dressed as a queen. Guess we have a little work to do on defining who's in charge at our house.
FRIDAY
Today's events were highlighted by a less than gracious fall by Queen Katie. It seems that while playing outside, she fell backward and hit her head on the hard surface. Mr. Paul, the recreational therapist, said Katie complained of being dizzy and having a slight headache. As a precaution, the staff recommended that Katie be seen by her doctor. So, at about 1:00, I rode the elevator up to get her and down to walk to the car, fully intending to make an appointment with Katie's pediatrician while driving home.
Lo and behold, we had a flat. To compound the situation, my never-ever-used temporary spare was flat. A quick phone call to AAA (well worth the $65 annual fee) summoned a tow truck driver who hooked up the car and pulled us through Westwood to the tire shop. As "coincidence" would have it (there are no coincidences in God's kingdom), the shop was owned by the same chain I purchased the tire from originally. After 20 minutes, the flat was fixed...at no cost. We quickly...okay, driving through Westwood on a Friday afternoon wasn't that quick...drove through McDonald's for a late lunch and rushed to the freeway.
To crawl.
By this time, two hours have passed sinced the Queen took her spill. She has yet to mention any side effects, other than when I asked her how she was feeling. So when Katie's pediatrician suggested a trip to urgent care, I decided to continue my "wait and see" approach. The decision was a wise one.
We arrived home about 4:00, relaxed a bit, and jumped into a game of SkipBo. It seems that sometime in the last few weeks, Katie's brain has slowed its gyrations to the point where she can multi-task quite well. It was amazing to watch her strategize every move. I could almost see the wheel turning as we played. Needless to say, this encouraged me greatly. My enthusiasm, waned, however, after she won the first game. After this, we played Uno, another card game. Katie is like her mother: she doesn't like to lose. I was so proud of her for keeping her emotions under control when frustration set in. In the recent past, a meltdown would have ensued.
For dinner, Katie decided to experiment in the kitchen. She created her own dish consisting of hot dog buns, tomato paste, cheese and a variety of dry spices. After a brief stay under the broiler, dinner was served. Katie was so proud of herself. I, on the other hand, wasn't affected in the least.
I can't begin to communicate my joy over Katie's progress in the last few weeks. Her behavior has become wonderful. While she still struggles a bit with appropriately expressing frustration and anger, so do I.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)