More Therapy

Tomorrow I go for my first appointment for occupational therapy at Envision in Wichita. What an answer to prayer it has been so far since insurance will pay for it. We will see what they say about my vision and what they can do to help me out.

In regards to vision it has improved since I have been home, but it seems like it has come to a stopping point. I still see about the first 3 letters in a word so reading is still difficult, but I think I am learning new ways of reading. It is amazing how your brain works and how you can train yourself to use different parts of it to compensate for the parts that have brain damage. Wow! I am sure glad that God was in charge of creating us.

I have also been blessed by our regular optometrist as Dr. Gordon here in Derby can really relate to vision issues. As Nic was going for his regular check-up before school started back up he was talking to Dr. Gordon about me and the doctor said he woke up one morning cross eyed and couldn't see. This happened about 10 years ago and come to find out he had a brain bleed in the center. He has given me such encouragement and support during this time and has asked me to come in every 2-4 weeks to just check in and possibly do a case study using the I-Pad for those with vision loss. He has told me that my vision loss is the hardest to work with since it is the upper right quadrant of both eyes that is missing so therefore things do disappear and reappear on me. He has recommended me taking folic acid, B-6, and B-12 to help with regrowth of nerves from the eyes to the brain. He even said taking B-12 injections would be great. He encourages me to use my hands as much as possible to help trigger brain functions.

Not only have I gone to physical therapy, occupational therapy, but now my sister is working on knit therapy for me. My sister is an amazing knitter and so since I am to use my hands and work with tactile things she is coming over on Fridays to help me out with my cowl that I am knitting. It is one thing that is enjoyable for me since I only have to look at one place and it gives me something to focus on. She gave me a very special gift that she had been working on since I went into the hospital and that is a healing shawl. The yarn is just amazing and the detail work is gorgeous. She told me it is filled with her prayers and tears. It sure was special and I will always keep it close to remember the love that is around me.

Thank you all for your support during this time as the vision, balance, and muscle coordination on my right side is still a work in progress. We take for granted the things we have as I am reminded each day when I open my eyes and look around and put my feet on the ground to get out of bed. It has taken a loving husband, a wonderful family and the many prayers from friends to be the therapy that I need. Thanks again! I love you all!

Our Trial Run

Cooper and I took a trial run on my new mode of transportation since I am unable to drive due to my vision. I was truly blessed with a new adult tricycle from some very dear friends of mine that understand how important it is to me to be able to take Cooper to preschool on my own. I couldn't be more thankful for this gift and the blessings that they placed upon it before presenting it to me.

My mom and Parker followed us in the car as we strapped on our helmets and hopped on. We took off with me doing my best to tell my right leg to push and concentrate listening for cars while Cooper relaxed in the bike trailer with his fruit drink yelling, "Go fast Mom!"

We made it to his preschool which is 3/4 of a mile one way and I was thinking man now I have to make it back home. As we stopped for a short break before heading home Coop tells me, "Good job mom!" Let me tell you that is all that I needed to make it back home. As I looked at my mom with tears running down her face I said, "Lets do it!"

We arrived back at home with "Jello" legs and I unstrapped Cooper from all of his gear he told me once again, "Mom good job and that was fast!" I couldn't help but tear up and think what a gift it was just to be here. Thank you once again God for your faithfulness and strength. My mom helped me inside to the couch as I could hardly walk and we just sat there and didn't say a word for a few minutes. What an emotional journey it was and yet all I could say is that we did it!

Cooper's Surgery

Cooper had to have his tonsils and adenoids out August 4th. We noticed that he started talking different for about a week so we checked his throat and his tonsils have always been huge. I checked his ears and he did have some blockage so we got that out and thought maybe that was it. Still talking different we checked his throat again and what do you know his tonsils were so big that his uvula was nowhere to be found. When thinking back he never did complain about anything, but he did start to drool a lot and his snoring was getting louder than daddy's. We took him in and they said both tonsils and adenoids need to come out next week. We were really surprised that they needed to come out so soon, but they told us that kids can have sleep apnea and that they could stop breathing.

He did great and I am so proud of our boy! He really enjoyed the ice cream and popsicles. Those tonsils were ginormous. I can't believe he could even swallow with those things in there.

Lab Work

I continue to have lab work done to have my INR checked which is how thick my blood. I am still on Warfrin blood thinner and they say it may be 6 at least 6 months so possibly to October. They want my INR to be between 2.0-3.0. The lower the number the thicker the blood and the higher the number the thinner my blood. In order to leave the hospital they wanted me at a 2.0 and so they gave me an injection in my belly since I was at 1.9. This week I have not been stable so I am going weekly to have it checked. Wednesday I was at 1.6 so they increased the mg of meds. It is very sensitive and the amount of vitamin K input that I have has a lot to do with it. I have to limit my green vegetables and my ranch dressing. If you all remember I lived on chicken nuggets and ranch dressing while pregnant with Cooper. I have been really good about my salad eating since that is one of my favorite foods.

Thursday the 29th my INR was at 1.7 so they are still increasing the mg's.
Thursday August 5 my INR was at 2.3 so I am staying at 5mg of Warfrin.

I am currently stable so I go back in a month we shall see September 3rd.