I took Lauren to the orthopedic office that did her surgery two years ago. The doctor looked her over and asked a lot of questions. I am glad we went since he didn't feel that there was anything to worry about. Even though he has no solid reason why it happened, the consensus is that she fell and pulled a muscle in her back. Since she is not completely verbal enough to communicate the real cause, we are going with that one.
I have to be on the look out for a fever or rash in the next few days. That could be a sign of infection in her hip joints. Unfortunately, she gave a big hug and a kiss to her best friend yesterday who went to the doctor for the flu today. Now I won't know if the fever is from her or an infection. Oh well, such is the life of a parent.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Weird Weekend
Lauren woke up Friday morning with a terrible pain in her back. She wouldn't put any weight on her feet and was hunched over like an old woman for most of the morning. She was able to get dressed, but her daddy had to carry her to my room and lay her on the bed. Usually, she is up and off like a racehorse from the moment her feet hit the ground.
After about an hour or so, I was able to hold her hands and she started shuffling around my room. She was still hunched over, but she was not crying anymore. I gave her some Tylenol hoping that I would see some improvement.
Eventually, Lauren was walking fine for the most part. Every once in a while, she would turn funny and she would wince in pain and her leg would sort of give out for a split second. It was very weird to watch.
By Saturday, she was running around, but would not have the strength to pull herself up onto the bed or couch. Everything else seemed back to normal. We are going to the Orthopedic doctor that performed her surgery two years ago today at 3:45. I will keep you posted. I am sure that it will be nothing, but better safe than sorry.
After about an hour or so, I was able to hold her hands and she started shuffling around my room. She was still hunched over, but she was not crying anymore. I gave her some Tylenol hoping that I would see some improvement.
Eventually, Lauren was walking fine for the most part. Every once in a while, she would turn funny and she would wince in pain and her leg would sort of give out for a split second. It was very weird to watch.
By Saturday, she was running around, but would not have the strength to pull herself up onto the bed or couch. Everything else seemed back to normal. We are going to the Orthopedic doctor that performed her surgery two years ago today at 3:45. I will keep you posted. I am sure that it will be nothing, but better safe than sorry.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Happy Birthday, Lauren
Five years ago I made the comment, "Maybe I will go into labor and not have to go to Open House". Well, I did.
I am still in awe of how far this little girl has come in five short years. She started her life on a ventilator. Her first 12 days were filled with two seizures, kidney/liver problems, a stroke, feeding tubes, apnea monitors, and wires sticking out everywhere. To think that five years later, it would all be a distant memory is nothing short of a miracle.
Lauren, I am inspired everyday by your determination, your sweet spirit, and that infectious smile. I am so proud of how far you've come and how you never let anything stand in your way. I know God has great things in store for you. It is no accident that you are here with us. Things might be hard sometimes, but you have so much strength and can handle anything that comes your way. You are my joy and I am so glad God chose me to be your Mommy. Happy Birthday, sweet angel!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Greatest Neighbors
We have an older couple that lives at the end of our street. They are pretty much the nicest neighbors I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. They took an instant interest in Lauren and our family. She buys Lauren Christmas gifts and has special treats every time we go over for a visit. Today they proved once again why I love them so much.
Lauren has a pretty dangerous bus stop, if I do say so myself. The bus stop is at the end of our road. It is a pretty busy street and there is a blind corner that cars come barreling around every day. I have put a request into the transportation department to change the stop. No surprise that it has been two weeks and I haven't heard a word from them.
My neighbor stops me this afternoon and offers to help speed things up. He knew that if other people called to complain about the dangerous stop that they might speed up the process. He said that he would love to call tomorrow if I would give him permission to help. Ummm, yes, please! I really love them....
Lauren has a pretty dangerous bus stop, if I do say so myself. The bus stop is at the end of our road. It is a pretty busy street and there is a blind corner that cars come barreling around every day. I have put a request into the transportation department to change the stop. No surprise that it has been two weeks and I haven't heard a word from them.
My neighbor stops me this afternoon and offers to help speed things up. He knew that if other people called to complain about the dangerous stop that they might speed up the process. He said that he would love to call tomorrow if I would give him permission to help. Ummm, yes, please! I really love them....
Monday, August 31, 2009
Back Story
A few of you wanted to hear the back story about why I had to wear scissors around my neck in elementary school. Here is the whole account of that fateful accident.
It was 1987 when I was in second grade. We had a great playground at our school with one major flaw. The playground was on cement. Just cement. No wood chips, bark, or rubber pieces under any of the equipment. It was also the era when I rode on the arm rest next to my dad while he was driving. Booster seats weren't even a blip on any one's radar and neither was a soft landing spot under a jungle gym.
We were playing a game of tag when I decided to run as fast as I could away form the person who was 'it'. What I didn't count on was a broken shoe and a sharp turn. Most people would put their hands down when they fall. I guess my arms were pumping to hard and I fell squarely on my chin. I fell so hard that I shattered the round part of my jaw into a zillion pieces. The last thing I remember is holding my jaw and screaming as I ran to the nurses office.
My mouth was wired shut for six weeks. I was not able to open my mouth. Luckily, I had four teeth missing, which I used to shove food through in order to eat. My mom would cut up bite size pieces of PB&J for lunch. I would shove it through my teeth and squish it on the roof of my mouth until it was easy to swallow. It was really fun to sit with me at lunch. No one lost their appetite at all.
To make this social nightmare even worse, some genius administrator at school decided that it would be a good idea to wear scissor around my neck in case I started choking. That way a responsible adult could cut the wires and give me any life saving procedure I might need.
The best part? They decided to use bright, yellow yarn to tie the scissors around my neck. Not white or tan or even pale yellow. No, highlighter yellow, as if it was a nerd beacon screaming, "Make fun of me!" as I walked through the halls. I wore the scissors in class, going to the bathroom, PE class, even to lunch. I guess no one told them that it could be dangerous for a 7 year old to be running and playing with scissors two inches from her heart.
Needless to say, the playground had wood chips all around the equipment a week after my accident, I survived the social torture of the scissor incident and I made it through second grade without any puncture wounds. Now, if I could just look at yellow yarn without twitching.
It was 1987 when I was in second grade. We had a great playground at our school with one major flaw. The playground was on cement. Just cement. No wood chips, bark, or rubber pieces under any of the equipment. It was also the era when I rode on the arm rest next to my dad while he was driving. Booster seats weren't even a blip on any one's radar and neither was a soft landing spot under a jungle gym.
We were playing a game of tag when I decided to run as fast as I could away form the person who was 'it'. What I didn't count on was a broken shoe and a sharp turn. Most people would put their hands down when they fall. I guess my arms were pumping to hard and I fell squarely on my chin. I fell so hard that I shattered the round part of my jaw into a zillion pieces. The last thing I remember is holding my jaw and screaming as I ran to the nurses office.
My mouth was wired shut for six weeks. I was not able to open my mouth. Luckily, I had four teeth missing, which I used to shove food through in order to eat. My mom would cut up bite size pieces of PB&J for lunch. I would shove it through my teeth and squish it on the roof of my mouth until it was easy to swallow. It was really fun to sit with me at lunch. No one lost their appetite at all.
To make this social nightmare even worse, some genius administrator at school decided that it would be a good idea to wear scissor around my neck in case I started choking. That way a responsible adult could cut the wires and give me any life saving procedure I might need.
The best part? They decided to use bright, yellow yarn to tie the scissors around my neck. Not white or tan or even pale yellow. No, highlighter yellow, as if it was a nerd beacon screaming, "Make fun of me!" as I walked through the halls. I wore the scissors in class, going to the bathroom, PE class, even to lunch. I guess no one told them that it could be dangerous for a 7 year old to be running and playing with scissors two inches from her heart.
Needless to say, the playground had wood chips all around the equipment a week after my accident, I survived the social torture of the scissor incident and I made it through second grade without any puncture wounds. Now, if I could just look at yellow yarn without twitching.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Hearing Loss and Genetics
I learned an interesting fact when I took Lauren to her appointment in Chapel Hill a week or so ago. For those of you who don't know, Chapel Hill is the number one place to take your child if he or she has a hearing loss. They are the top teaching hospital for hearing disorders in the entire state of North Carolina. If you ever go, even just once, you will see what I mean.
While Lauren was getting her hearing aids fixed, I was talking with her audiologist. I asked her if there was any chance that Lauren's hearing loss could be an predictor to hearing loss of other family members. Could this be genetic?
Her answer was simple. Hearing loss can be familiar, meaning 'family'. If you have grandparents that can still hear great at 90 years old, you will probably hear fine for a long time, too. If you have grandparents that are losing their hearing, you might find that your mom, dad, or even you might lose you hearing later in life as well.
I guess it makes sense. Although, I have to lend some credit to how loud the world is now a days. Surely, listening to iPods, cranking the radio in the car, and the constant roar of traffic all can contribute to hearing loss. Since my grandpa can't hear a thing, I should get my hearing tested just to see where I stand. You never know...
While Lauren was getting her hearing aids fixed, I was talking with her audiologist. I asked her if there was any chance that Lauren's hearing loss could be an predictor to hearing loss of other family members. Could this be genetic?
Her answer was simple. Hearing loss can be familiar, meaning 'family'. If you have grandparents that can still hear great at 90 years old, you will probably hear fine for a long time, too. If you have grandparents that are losing their hearing, you might find that your mom, dad, or even you might lose you hearing later in life as well.
I guess it makes sense. Although, I have to lend some credit to how loud the world is now a days. Surely, listening to iPods, cranking the radio in the car, and the constant roar of traffic all can contribute to hearing loss. Since my grandpa can't hear a thing, I should get my hearing tested just to see where I stand. You never know...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Oldies, But Goodies...
I found some old pictures of Lauren taken when she was about three months old. They were a surprise for my husband for Christmas. A fellow teacher in Shelby, NC took them for me in my third grade classroom. I can't believe how different she looked. I could still bite her cheeks off.
What's weird about these pictures is the fact that we had no idea that she had a hearing impairment or Cerebral Palsy at the time they were taken. It would be six months after these pictures were taken that we got the diagnosis of CP. It would be a year and a half before the diagnosis of her hearing impairment.
The journey we took still amazes me sometimes...
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