Busy Week

I took Asher for his second round of botox this past week and I have to say that it has been the hardest appointment in a while.  It's tough having your child not understand why you're holding them down while someone is repeatedly sticking them with a needle.  It goes against every instinct you have as a parent.  Asher just screamed and cried and kept saying mama.  It was really tough but I just have to be strong and remember that I'm doing these things to help him. 

We also went back to the urologist for a post-op exam on Thursday and his doctor said everything is looking great.  I like his doctor a lot but hopefully that will be the last time we see him.

On a different note; I took my twelve year old son, Parker, to see the doctor this week as well.  He cut his finger a while back and it doesn't seem to be healing correctly.  It's healing crooked and he can't seem to bend it very far.  His doctor is concerned that he may have cut a tendon so we have an appointment with a hand specialist this coming week.  My two boys definitely keep me on my toes but I feel so lucky to have such great children. 

My mom and two nieces Iliana and Raevien were in town this weekend for a visit.  They are both so sweet and got along great with Parker and Asher.  We took Asher on a walk outside and got a chance to see what a dare devil he is. He kept wanting to go down a hill near our house as fast as he could with his walker.  He had a giant smile on his face the entire time.  It was so great to see him feeling so care free and enjoying himself.  We also went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Iliana's birthday and had a great time.  We did find it challenging for Asher to get around with all the commotion and kids running around.  He had a blast riding some of the toddler "rides" but using his walker isn't an option at places like this and neither is crawling. We're positive that soon enough he'll be up and running around with the other kids.


Asher walking like such a big boy

Raevien, Parker & Iliana



New AFO's

It had been really hard to get back to our normal routine but I know that it's important for Asher and it has also been a welcome distraction.  I took Asher to get his new afo's on Wednesday and they are super cute.  The skull and crossbones ended up being a great choice, even the orthotist was impressed by how nice they turned out.  Asher also got fitted for his derotation straps which were made while we waited.  Both the afo's and derotation straps have really been helping.  The afo's are a great fit and the derotation straps have corrected the problem of his left leg turning in at the hip.  He was so cute walking up and down the hall of the orthotist's office in his walker.  He looked great.  I even had him walk through the waiting area and out the front door.  I didn't think we would ever get out of the office.  Every few steps he would turn his head and say bye-bye to the receptionists at the front desk.  They would laugh and tell him how cute he was and he just kept on hamming it up.  He is going to be quite the little flirt.


new afos and shoes



derotation straps

Both times I have gone to the orthotist to get Asher's braces they have also provided a pair of shoes that will accomodate his braces.  The last shoes he got were black and reminded me a little of shape-ups but they look like designer kicks compared to the pair I got on Wednesday.  Mark and I had a good laugh but we can't understand why shoe makers can't understand that these kids already have enough things that make them feel different, their shoes don't need to be one of them. 

  

We were supposed to go in for Botox on Tuesday but I postponed the appointment until next week.  Asher had a cold which turned into a double ear infection so I thought it would be a good idea to get over all of that first.  I have to say that Asher has been such a little trooper since his surgery and that whole thing went very smoothly.  I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that he won't need it repeated later on.

Asher & his friend Savannah



My Big Brother - Chad

The last couple of weeks have been very hard for me and my family.  The day after Asher had his hydrocele surgery I recieved a call from my sister letting me know that my brother had been found unresposive at home and had been rushed to the hospital.  I packed Asher and I up and raced to Salem, VA to be with my mom, stepdad and brother.  When I left the house I had hope that things may be ok.  Less than an hour into my drive I recieved a call from my mom letting me know that I needed to pull over.  The news was and still is devastating.  I feel so very fortunate that they were able to keep Chad on life support long enough for me to get there and say goodbye.  Getting to hold his hand, run my fingers through his hair, and kiss him goodbye is something that I will always cherish.  The entire week still seems like a bad dream.  Losing my brother, helping plan his funeral, cleaning out his apartment and helping to care for his two wonderful daughters Iliana & Raevien helped to distract me from the reality that he's really gone.  I still can't process that I will never again get to hug my brother, see his infectious smile or hear his great laugh.  There is an emptiness inside of me right now that I'm not sure will ever go away.  It's hard to imagine my brother not being there for his daughters whom he adored and who adored him.  My boys will never get to truly know their uncle.  I will miss my brother everyday and he will always be in my heart.