One More Piece To The Puzzle

As many of you have heard, we received a unofficial diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy for our son Hudson. This really came as no surprise to me, seeing that I have thought this was the case for years. Just based on watching Hudson, my own personal research on Cerebral Palsy and what doctors have said in the past. Granted no one has wanted to label him like that. Maybe thinking it would cause fear in us as parents or just to keep from the worry. Or just plan because no one really fully understands this diagnosis and what it could mean for the child. Seeing that each and every child has different types, and degrees of CP, it can be complicating to diagnose.

The recommended action for a child with Cerebral Palsy can and will vary a great deal as "Cerebral Palsy" is used to diagnose a vast range of problems having to do with brain damage/trauma. We do not know what exactly the future holds, but then who does? All having a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis means is that we now have answers as to why Hudson did and does certain things. It means sometime his brain experienced trauma; in his case it was a grade IV brain bleed a few days after he was born. It means the control he has over his muscles isn't the same as what you and I may have. It means some things are harder for him to do. It means he may need help doing things that others take for granted. There’s no clear cut answer to how this will indeed effect him as he gets older. We do know that Cerebral Palsy never gets worse. You just notice other things with age. After the brain bleed, we were told Hud would prob not survive. And he did! Then later we were told he may never walk, and he walks! Hud is an amazing kid! He’s a handsome, sweet, caring little boy with the greatest smile.

For many, getting a diagnosis may mean the start of some serious life changing things, (possibly among them Occupational, Speech, Physical, Surgery, Medications, etc.) In his case he has already been receiving occupational, speech and physical therapy since birth, and has had heal toe cord surgery as well. We are doing everything we can to get him the help and or assistance that he needs to be the wonderful boy that he is. We will see what is to come. I can only see a bright future ahead of him. We can only live each day to the fullest, and keep track of anything that is out of the ordinary. We also need to be the best parent advocates we can be; our children need us. Talk with each other and share our stories. We will get through this. We just have to stay strong and be there for each other.

"God only gives us things he knows we can cope with. We may stumble and fall but we will get there in the end"

Goodbye Flu Bug!

We're still here...just been fighting off illnesses that have been passed around the house. The kids all seem to be doing so much better now. Just a few upset tummy's every once and a while. Whatever this illness was it got to me earlier this week and I'm getting over it now. Whew! Glad that's over!! D is off on his first business trip since the new job. We are hanging out, enjoying the nice weather while he is away.

On The Road To Success

Today, I met with Logan's current Pre-K teacher for his Parent Teacher conference. Overall he got a wonderful report and is doing very well in school and has showed tremendous progress during the year. As in the words of his teacher, "Logan continues to do an awesome job during phonics and reading groups." This was something new that they started during this semester. His spoken language skills are performed most the time. He has mastered all the reading and phonics skills, except reading a complete sentence. He is writing very well, although he has been able to write his full name since day one. So he was already ahead of the game on that one. What can I say, my kid is a genius! Hehe! That's what all parents say, right?! What I can't believe is that his mathematics skills are almost all mastered. Now I have to say he does not get his mathematics skills from his mother, nor his father. All the credit there goes to good ole G-Pa! He's always teaching him counting skills etc. when they are together. Way to go G-Pa!!

In regards to his social developmental you really can't get any better than he is right now. Well, I guess there is always room for improvement right. But seriously. This boy has the social skills of his father. His daily living and motor skills are almost mastered completely. His classroom behavior overall is very well. His talking in class has improved greatly since last semester, and his misbehavior seems to occur when he does not know what is going on, and there is not enough to do or focus on.

This brings me to Kindergarten talk. His teacher is encouraging us to observe all the classes soon before he is placed in a classroom, so he can be matched up with the best fit for a teacher. Because Logan needs constant activity and likes to be aware of everything that is going on throughout the day. His teacher is conference that he will have major behavior problems if he does not get a teacher that works more in that manner. So I will defiantly be speaking with the elementary school soon and meeting with them and speaking with the principal to make sure they understand his situation.

Overall though, he is doing fantastic! He has the ability to do any and all work that is presented to him. He has proved that. He just has to be focused or determined enough to do it.

Candice's Day In The Emergency Room: UPDATED 02/12/09

For those of you that may have have been keeping up with us on Twitter, or Facebook, know that today was a rough day. For all those that have not heard. I took Candice to the doctor first thing this morning, her ENT said her lungs did not sound good at all, she had some stridor and was dehydrated. She spent all morning throwing up. More like day..cause it totaled up to 16 times. The doctor sent her down to the Emergency Room for a work up. She got fluids, electrolytes, blood work, breathing treatments, nausea meds and steroids. Turns out they think the respiratory infection she was diagnosed with about 2-3 weeks ago, caused some narrowing in her airway. You just never know with our little Candi-cane. Even though she has had reconstructive airway surgery, due to the subglottic stenosis that she got after the prolonged intubation while she was in the NICU for five months, her airway does have a more likely chance of becoming compromised when she is sick. So an illness that our other kids get, can affect her in a more serious way. Thankfully, we have been really lucky up to this point and she has done really well. But we still have so much to be thankful for, because Candice was released from the hospital and is home tonight in her own bed. Hopefully she will have a good night, and can keep from throwing up. Soon as we left the hospital she threw up all over the car. But, hopefully tomorrow will be a much better day. Great news though, her ears look great, tubes are functioning perfectly and her hearing test today was completely normal. Yeah! She will be with me for the day tomorrow, while the other kiddos go to school. Mommy's gotta take care of her baby!

Update: Candice had a good night at home. She threw up first thing this morning, but has been fine since, Been able to eat small amounts and actually using the restroom today. So great sign that she is back to being hydrated and feeling better. :) She stayed home from school today, which I think she was way to excited about. She sounds way better, not perfect and still has the cough but breathing fine and that's what counts. Hehe!

Kindergarten Is Just Around Corner

Our first born is growing up!! Logan has been loving every minute of his pre-K program this year, and all the teachers just love him. How could you not love Logan anyway. Hehe! Although he has more energy than the energizer bunny, and is taking after his fathers people skills way too well, in his quiet moments, he is one of the most sweetest, loving and caring kids and person for that matter. You should see him caring for his brother and sisters. Nothing can top the special bond he has with Hudson though. It is just perfect. He really does seem to watch over his little brother and, loves on him, and keeps him safe. It's all the little moments of seeing them hug or laying together, or Logan whispering something to Hud, that I live for. That is what LIFE is all about!

Today, I registered Logan for Kindergarten! Ahhh! I can't believe it. He is so excited he is going to get to go to the "BIG SCHOOL". Where we live now, the elementary school is literally just across the street. I know we still have several months left in this school year, but it will be here before ya know it. :) Our boy is getting big!!

Kuddos To The Kiddos!

The Quads have and continue to enjoy there three hours of school Monday-Friday. They have come so far. It is amazing! The other day we got progress reports/evaluations of them in regards to there speech therapy. They all were said to of mastered 70% of almost every goal and step stone that was tested. Except for one, that they all received 80% on, in regards to recognizing names of things, people, etc.

Hudson is the only one receiving physical therapy now, and he scored 50% on each goal. Although, he continues to do well and plays well with the others and can keep his own, he does continue to have a consistent difficulty physically because he is not able to use his left arm/hand normally, and though his leg is much better since his heal toe cord surgery, it is still not normal. Not that it needs to be or ever will be, but of course as his parents, we want to do whatever we can for all of our kids to have the best possible life they can have. So we are looking into other options and seeking other opinions of what is the best plan of action to help him along, as much as we can.

Back In The Swing Of Things

Yes, I know..It's been a while since I last posted and I'm sure I left some of you hanging wondering about how my surgery went and all. Well, I'm back in business now. The overnight stay I was suppose to have after the surgery, turned into a six day stay instead. The surgery itself went very well, they did everything just as they needed to do, and from what they tell me anyway..it was about 5 hrs. Much easier being the one on the other side of it I know, not having a clue to time or anything for that matter. The doctors were wonderful and were so nice to call Donny to give him updates and let him know how everything went, since he had to be on the job (it was his second day at the new job, little to early to ask off..haha). The next day when I was suppose to be released, instead of the doctor coming in to send me off, she was ordering tests and scans to determine what was going on with me. My blood pressure shot up way high, and I had significant pressure and heaviness and pain in my chest. They were very worried that I had a pulmonary embolism, similar to three years ago. Turns out there was no PE, thankfully. But there was fluid in my lungs, which from what I was later told is common with the procedure I had done. My blood pressure remained very high for a few days, and then one day it just finally went down. I really don't remember much of the time I was in the hospital. So much that, I know I talked to my husband on the phone and I know I saw him in person, but the details are not there. But I think that's a good thing. Cause I do know that after the surgery I was in a lot of pain and the simplest of things was almost impossible. After a few days of being at home, and virtually doing nothing, I began to come around. And here I am now, doing very well. The major surgical pains, numbness and tingling that were due to the surgery, finally went away a couple days ago, and I've gone the last three days with no pain meds. Only at night to sleep, cause by the end of the day I'm pretty sore from doing normal activities. Sleeping is really the hardest thing right now, because it's hard to get comfortable and I don't have many options how I can lay. But hey, I can deal with that! I'm feeling really good at this point about the surgery. Hopefully the relief I am feeling from my symptoms before surgery will continue to stay away or be very minimal. For those who are wondering..I have no further surgeries on the agenda. Haha!