So, as Chaser gets closer to discharge - I feel anxious and excited. I am anxious about him going back to school. They say that school itself is therapy because kids thrive in routines as well as the modeling of other children regarding social norms and behaviors. Chaser is perseverating with: rubbing eyes and picking his nose. So please pray that he can conquer that because one thing that the rehab specialist said is that he may be teased by other kids at school for doing those behaviors. She says it's part of educating Chase about social norms - she said it's like training a toddler "it's not polite to calls someone fat" etc... So, prayers regarding that would be so appreciated.
He is Rancho 7/8 and I'm praying he gets to 8/9 before we discharge because part of 7 is inappropriateness and it's tricky. He tries to throw himself out of his bed and he says "I'm ditching this dump." it's very typical Rancho 7. We are reminding him that he needs to remember to stay safe. This is all very typical Rancho 7. And it's comforting to know that it won't last forever.
All along, I have been reminded that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Chase has come so far. One tech today reminded me that just a few weeks ago he was just blinking... Now he is trying to throw himself down the hall as he is ALMOST walking on his own.
We went to Zermatt and he went swimming and he moved around the hot tub without assistance. It was a familiar environment and he put his face under the waterfall. I was sitting in a chair snuggling Bai while Justin had the 3 older kids in the main pool. I felt weightless - like I was floating I was so happy. The kids were just squealing with justin and Bai fell asleep on me. It was so normal and felt so good. Chase even took 4 steps with Justin in the water. His legs just took off from there and you can tell a difference this week.
He had testing during speech today to see if he had language aphasia - where he struggled with word retrieval. His therapist said that he blew it out of the water - So we to just need continue to practice sentences. Again, being around his peers and learning norms of 9-year-olds will drastically improve his speech. Bottom line: he is speaking and communicating his needs and desires.
I'm so excited about having additional services when we get home. His care will continue with his outpatient and in-school therapies. He is slowly coming back to me. When he walks, he throws his body forward - so please pray he can stand tall.
I know I am getting ahead of myself, but I'm looking forward to family vacations, Christmas (almost one year from his accident) and just snuggle time at home. Our school district, Alpine School District, has a whole Traumatic Brain Injury team that will help him re-integrate. Also, my fabulous sister becky stepped right up and said that she will use her new Smart Board (thanks again mom and dad!!) to tutor chase over the summer.
I can't believe how blessed I am that everything is falling into place. As I write this, chase is trying to take off his leg brace (his right leg still hurts to go all the way straight... It's just a stretching pain), eating sun chips (that he asked for) and watching Scooby Doo (which he picked out at the store).
He is advancing through his Ranchos and I am sincerely praying that we get to go home at 9/10 ... We will be there & just building upon that. My beautiful friend Amy told me that emotional healing happens at home. I have already seen that on the weekend. At the movies, we couldn't find Bai's treat and chase was pulling at my purse saying "mom... Bai" ... (yes I sneak treats into movies in my purse). Chase was upset and trying to take care of Bai. We found it and his said "good" handed it to Bai and then got back to the movie. He's such a caretaker; I love it.
As we transition home, I will probably switch to www.makinclan.blogspot.com... But not yet. I am going to print this blog out for chase in a custom book with pictures. It will be called "the amazing chase." I will add my personal journal to it as well... Which I have written in every night to him. The social worker gave me a blank notebook the first night... It was still so raw. That journal saved me. I wrote and wrote and just cried and cried. It was amazing therapuetic.
Probably I will start using my makinclan one next week. Thank you to my amazing sister jess who has posted all these. I will need some tutoring but I will put up some pics on my blog. After we get home ;-) what a miracle and experience. I know the marathon isn't over, but the road is not as uphill or unsure. I know I can finish the marathon - especially with all the continued love and support from you all.
Thak you doesn't seem enough. Life is somewhat normal again... My son just is in a bit of a fog. They may come down on his Baclifin - I should know today. Also! This weekend, I was driving Justin's car (following him... Too many cars at the hospital). And Bri was sitting next to chaser just loving on him. She said "momma?" "yes" "I feel like crying." I looked at Bri in my mirror "why baby?" she looked right at me and said "this is my brother. I can tell by his eyes." it took my breath away. I said "it's been chaser all along." what a miracle.
Another sweet story that happened on chase's second pass with Bri is that Bri ran up to the car and thrust her hands through chase's rolled down window. She grabbed his hand and said "I can't believe I'm touching you right now." she had tears inher eyes. My children are so so good and pure. They truly love each other and it just warms my heart.
Thank you so much for all your love and prayers. I am grateful I have documented this experience. I read my whole journal last night and I kept thinking "that's rig... I had forgotten that." it was such a traumatic event that I'm so grateful I documented. Thank you all for your comments and especially prayers. I just can't say that enough. In a situation where your baby's life is hanging on the line - you just ask for prayers ... And my cup runneth over.
Slow and steady,
Jen
No comments:
Post a Comment