30. August 2008 by admin.

Sarah’s outpatient evaluations are over and now it is time to get to work. Her therapists say she is doing really good. She is working hard and today is the first time in a while I have come home from work and Sarah was in a good mood. It could have been the webkinz super carrier Kim bought her today. I finally got Kim to take some pictures at therapy today so here they are:

Not sure what type of torture chamber device this is, but I wonder if it could help my golf swing?

 Strike a pose

What is that cheerleading saying I heard all last fall? “HANDS ON HIPS, SMILES ON LIPS!”

Taking a few steps for the camera

Not sure what is on the floor but it must be pretty interesting

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25. August 2008 by admin.

We had a meeting with Sarah’s school today. It went very well. The spirit of cooperation gave me a sense of peace in my concern about Sarah returning to school. I just can’t believe how much the school system is willing to do for Sarah. Although her educational path may differ at times from the rest of the class, she should be able to keep moving on if she works hard. Everyone at her school has just been great in helping us through this transition.

I forgot to post the link to the news video of her homecoming (not because they interviewed me), so here it is. I think I held it together ok.

http://www.local12.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=32377@video.wkrc.com

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25. August 2008 by admin.

We all went to church this morning. The first time as a family in quite a while. It felt good to be in church again. Sarah’s Sunday School class was happy to see her, and she received a lot of hugs and kisses from everyone. When she got home I told her that she smelled like about twenty different perfumes. Pastor Rolen had a good sermon today about how impatience can lead you down the wrong path. I know I get caught up in wanting Sarah to recover 100% in a few weeks instead of the long term it will take to even get her back to 90%. I wanted to get a picture of Sarah sitting in church today, but I forgot our camera. I am such a slacker.

The physical therapist that she had while she was in the hospital told me that eventually she will be able to jog a bit, but never fully run like she would have to in order to get back into sports or other physical activities. I am not buying into that. I know God can heal her and she will be able to play sports again. It may not be until junior high or high school, but she will be able to “run jump and play” again.

I have to go now, Logan just ran in to tell me that the reason Kim is yelling for me is that Miley just spilt the water bowl all over the kitchen. She is not the brightest dog yet.

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23. August 2008 by admin.

Sarah has been doing well walking with a cane. She has only taken a few spills. She is determined to do whatever she wants, so we have to keep a good eye on her. We are enjoying being all together at home again. Sarah has enjoyed a couple of days off of therapy, but will be back at it next week. Miley has been busy chewing on everybody’s feet and shoes.

Her outpatient therapy is going to be at The Drake Center. Cincinnati Children’s has therapists there that are experienced with neurological injuries. We wanted to do her therapy at Cincinnati Children’s new Liberty Campus, but they are not completely set up yet and we were told that they will be mostly set up for sports injuries. Sarah had her evaluation at the Drake Center yesterday. She will start off with therapy twice a week plus whatever we can do at home. I was thinking of trying her out on our eliptical trainer. One of her physical therapist said that it would help with range of motion and strengthen her hip flexor muscles. Of course we will have to see how safe it is for her to be on it.

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21. August 2008 by admin.

Sorry for not posting anything yesterday. We have been so busy with Sarah getting discharged that I just collapsed last night.

WOW! I think every Madison football player, cheerleader, marching band member, and the rest of the community was here to welcome Sarah home. I was so overwhelmed. I am still having a hard time finding the words to describe it. I won’t live long enough to thank everyone for the support they have given Sarah and our family. Channel 12 (Cincinnati) and a reporter from the Middletown Journal was here and interviewed Kim, Sarah, and myself. I don’t remember what I said to them. I was too overcome from everything. Sarah enjoyed this so much. Amy Schenck (Township Fiscal Officer) presented us with a family pass for all of Madison home sporting events for this year. That is a great gift. We really enjoy going to watch the older Mohawks in action.

These are the pictures I have for right now. I wasn’t able to take any myself. If anyone wants to send me pictures or video I will try to post them as well.

Had to lift her up to see everyone

Sarah and I getting interviewed for the news

Mohawk Cheerleaders showing their support

The Mohawk Marching Band leading the way

Sarah taking a stroll

Our awesome Mohawk Cheerleaders again

We missed you too.

Lining the streets with Mohawk Football Players.

Sarah being presented with a quilt that was made for her

The quilt

Sarah with her friend Robbie

Sarah’s silly brother and his friend Evan playing to the crowd

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18. August 2008 by admin.

Sarah had a great time on her way back to the hospital. She got to ride in a big pink limo with some of her friends. We stopped at Red Robin to eat and then Cindy (the limo driver) took us to a park in Cincinnati. Everyone had a good time. She may get to come home in the limo on Wednesday.

The big pink limo

Sarah with Marissa and Abbey

All of us with Cindy (a rare picture appearance for me)

Checking out the park

Overlooking the Ohio River

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17. August 2008 by admin.

Sarah got her stitches out yesterday. Her hair already covers most of the incision so you can see it. She is getting more movement in her legs everyday. Her physical therapist told me today that she had movement in her hamstring that she could replicate, so her leg is flexing much better now.

After her therapy ended this morning (Saturdays are only half day therapy) Sarah got a pass to go home for tonight, but she has to return tomorrow evening. I brought her home and she has been playing with Miley ever since. She was really taken back by her room that the Benefit Committee redesigned for her. Her reaction was “Wow!”. She has been out in the back yard most of the day playing with her puppy and enjoying being outside. We went and got ice cream after dinner and then back outside she went to play with Miley. There is a surprise for her tomorrow. She is being driven back to the hospital in a pink limo.

Here are some pictures from today:

My Three Ladies

Miley being cool

Miley looking for something to nibble (maybe a nose or chin)

Sarah and Miley bonding

 All worn out after a day of playing

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16. August 2008 by admin.

I didn’t get to see much of Sarah today. I drove up to Columbus to pick up Miley. I got to see her mom, dad, brothers and sisters. Sarah is anxious to see her. I should have a lot more to post tomorrow when Sarah gets to see Miley.

Ava with Miley

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14. August 2008 by admin.

Sarah was feeling pretty good today. She worked hard and is doing awesome. The target day for her discharge is next wednesday. After that we will have a whole new set of challenges in doing outpatient therapy (will be at the mercy of the insurance company) and just keeping her safe around the house. We are trying to get the therapists together with Madison Primary to see when and under what circumstances she can get back to school.

I shot some video today. It is very choppy since we had to coach her a bit on what to say. Notice she is standing the whole time. Click here for video

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13. August 2008 by admin.

Sarah’s neurologist told us today that her cough is not a seizure. It comes from the brain stem and these type of things happen sometimes when kids have these type of surgeries. It should go away in time. I feel mostly relieved. She had a great day in rehab today. She was up walking with a walker. She went pretty far. Afterwards she was so tired that her legs were shaking from exhaustion. If she keeps up the hard work and makes more progress she may be home in a little over a week.

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