A Not So Fun 4th and Tough Week for Faith

-
Image
The other day Faith and I were standing in line at the pharmacy, and someone asked her, "How was your 4th of July?" She responded quite honestly, "Terrible!"  Yes, it was definitely not a very fun 4th. In fact, this whole week has been one challenge after another. The only thing we really did for the 4th was go to Art in the Park in Mandan, which was last Friday. Faith found a new tie-dye t-shirt, and I enjoyed a yummy root beer float.  Art in the Park in Mandan on the 3rd I had actually gone with the goal of getting an Indian taco, but it was so humid, I didn't feel like eating anything hot. Because it was so warm, we only stayed for an hour before heading back to Bismarck. That night, I noticed that Faith seemed uncomfortable in her chair, almost like she was having pain. She told me she needed to get out and lie down. I thought maybe being out in the high humidity had been too much for her or that she was having muscle spasms. After she lay down for a bit...
Post a Comment

Wild Wednesday

-
Ever since Faith stopped going to therapy at the clinic last fall, I felt like we haven't been running around so much. It's actually been kind of nice. But now today I was reminded of how our days of running around used to be and how we managed with only one vehicle.

This morning, we had to get Rob to work then Faith had an appointment. We had about an hour before her appointment, so Faith and I hung out at the library for a little bit. She picked out a Curious George book and I found a Roxanne Henke book I haven't read yet. Then we checked out The Red Rooster Cafe which is located right in the library. I enjoyed a delicious iced mocha and Faith had what else? Ice cream!

Then it was time for Faith's appointment. She had a mild meltdown in the waiting room and continued to cry when the nurse came in to get her temp.  She was nervous because she knew someone was going to be looking at her mic-key button, which was the reason for the appointment. 

By the time the physician's assistant came in, however she had calmed down. The PA checked Faith's button and sure enough it was looser than normal because there wasn't very much water left in the little balloon that holds the button in her tummy.

The PA said there may have been a microscopic hole in the balloon part which allowed the water to leak out. I am so thankful we went in to have it checked. We would have been able to deal with it if it popped out at home, but it is scarier if it happens at school or with a respite care provider.


 Afterwards, we made a trip home so Faith could have a feeding and a chance to relax a little before heading off to hydrotherapy. She had a blast swimming in the pool today. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures because in the midst of making sure I had packed her swimsuit, swimming diaper, extra briefs, plastic bags, Faith's hand splints, orthotics and her tennis shoes, I forgot I had left the SD card in my computer. For some reason, I can't store any photos on my camera itself. Hopefully next time, I'll get pictures - she looks so happy and relaxed when she's swimming in the pool

After hydro, she had physical therapy where she got in the gait trainer and did great! She took about 30 steps. Afterwards, she was pretty tuckered out. As soon as we got home, we had to start another feeding.

After respite care gets here, I'll be off to hear Abby Johnson and some other pro-life speakers at a public forum at the Doublewood. It should be really interesting. While I'm doing that, Rob is going to be cheering hard for the Canucks to win the Stanley Cup tonight. They play in Vancouver and haven't lost a game in this series yet at home.

All in all it has been kind of a wild day and I'm looking forward to getting back to our somewhat normal routine tomorrow!

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Posts

A Not So Fun 4th and Tough Week for Faith

-
Image
The other day Faith and I were standing in line at the pharmacy, and someone asked her, "How was your 4th of July?" She responded quite honestly, "Terrible!"  Yes, it was definitely not a very fun 4th. In fact, this whole week has been one challenge after another. The only thing we really did for the 4th was go to Art in the Park in Mandan, which was last Friday. Faith found a new tie-dye t-shirt, and I enjoyed a yummy root beer float.  Art in the Park in Mandan on the 3rd I had actually gone with the goal of getting an Indian taco, but it was so humid, I didn't feel like eating anything hot. Because it was so warm, we only stayed for an hour before heading back to Bismarck. That night, I noticed that Faith seemed uncomfortable in her chair, almost like she was having pain. She told me she needed to get out and lie down. I thought maybe being out in the high humidity had been too much for her or that she was having muscle spasms. After she lay down for a bit...
Read more

My Tetanus Shot Ordeal: A Real Pain in the Arm

-
Image
Last Wednesday I had my yearly doctor exam and when she said I should get my tetanus shot updated, I didn't think twice about it. The nurse said my arm would be sore for a couple of days, gave me a handout and stuck the needle in my arm.  The next day my arm was sore and although I found it a little harder to pick up and carry Faith, I was glad the pain wasn't going to last long. Boy was I wrong! But not only was my arm sore, my whole body was. I felt achy and extremely tired. According to a medical site on the Internet, these were mild side effects of the Tetanus shot. If these were only mild side effects, I would really hate to have them at a moderate or severe level. My arm is still red and sore on day 2 after my tetanus shot. On Friday, two days after getting the shot I felt so tired that I took a four-hour nap after getting Faith off to school. Then on Saturday I took a three-hour nap up until 7 o'clock, but still felt tired and was able to go back to sleep around 10. ...
Read more

Tuesday Tidbits

-
Image
I must say, after the long weekend, I am feeling a bit guilty. We didn't have too much going on, so we mainly stayed indoors, and I let Faith watch way too many videos. When Sunday finally rolled around, she was bored and a bit cranky. Before having kids, I always told myself I would not be one of those moms who lets the TV babysit their kids. Things sure turn out differently when you actually have kids! When Faith comes home from school, that is all she feels like doing. She is so tired from her long day, which not only includes classroom time but also working hard with her special education teacher, driving her power chair and any other therapies she might have for the day. By the time she gets home, she is spent.  I don' feel as guilty letting her watch so many videos after school but over the Thanksgiving long weekend, I am going to try hard to limit her video-watching time and find other things for us to do. I don't mind Faith playing on her iPad but it's too eas...
Read more

A Marvelous Mother's Day Weekend

-
Image
Previously, I wrote about how we have had some challenges this year with Faith's health. Those challenges persisted as she came down with influenza B, which turned into RSV. As a result, she missed two wheelchair dance practices and the performance.  She felt very sad, but I was proud of her for how well she handled her disappointment. She had fun watching the video of her friends in the performance and said she was "imagining herself being a part of the it!" Along with missing that, she missed two weeks of therapy and one week of her day program.  At the Belle Mehus for "Snow White" (photo by Millie Hyatt)  Last week, she finally got back to somewhat of a normal schedule, going to therapy and half-days at her day program. Thankfully, she had fully recovered so she didn't have to miss "Snow White," the spring performance put on by Northern Plains Dance .  She's always so happy to attend these shows, not just for the entertainment factor, but to...
Read more