Looking back over the last year is very heartbreaking, and hopeful at the same time. One year ago on Feb. 7, 2007 our little Lucy had the flu which turned into encephalitis. Man have we made some big strides. When we brought her home at the end of May, we were really overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with everything. Have to take care of our normally very healthy, active, articulate, and very loving child. Having to do everything for her. Not being able to hear her say I love you, which she did often. Not hearing her laugh , which she did often. Not getting her hugs, which she gave freely and with her whole heart.
Let me give you a little insight on what we are missing (but are getting back, slowly). In preschool everyone called her Smiley, because thats what she did, smile all the time. When she walked into a room she demanded attention, either by announcing that she had arrived or just with her smile. She made everyone she came in contact with feel like they were the most special person in her life. When she was in the hospital, we got cards and letters from people from the school. One card said, Tell Lucy that I miss her hugs, from: The Lunch Lady. Now tell how many kids hug the lunch lady. The janitor/bus driver (not ours, she didn't ride the bus) stopped me when I was at the school one day and he had tears in his eyes saying he missed her and to tell her that he missed her hugs. She had the nack for even making a few kids a little older than her feel special, kids that I found out, that needed to feel special and loved. Her teacher last year (1st grade) told us that she has seen when kids leave or move the kids talk about them for a couple of weeks then they just kind of move one, especially at that age. Not Lucy though, they talked about her all the way through school. She told us that the kids were coming in to class saying they had dreams about her coming to class, all the way to the end of school. When I go to the school for Tman, all the kids from her class last year ask when is she coming back to school and to tell her they miss her so much. She is just one of those kids that touch your heart. I know they all do, but you know how it is. There is just something that reaches out and grabs you and pulls you in. Its a wonderful thing. She is coming back very, very slowly, because I have been really seeing "her" lately. I just can't wait to hear her voice. I just miss "her". She is still here with us, but it's like she is locked inside herself fighting to come out.
Anyway, 2008 is here and its going to be a great year. 2007 sucked big time, 2008 will be great!!!!
Thanks for listening,
Lana
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Travel Season
This time of year has been hard on us. B is traveling a lot so the kids miss him. I miss him because it makes me feel like a single mom and I don't like that feeling ( no offence to the single moms out there). Yesterday he left for Las Vegas (for an industry show), so I'm jealous too. He will be there for about 5 days and then he will fly to Oklahoma ( for a get together and hunt). Then on the 9th I will drive up to OK and pick him up and we'll be back on the 10th. Then B will be home for about a 3 week stretch, it will be great. So travel season is just about over.
With Lucy's condition though his absence is felt more that ususal. Because it's flu season so we don't get out, it's cold ..so we don't get out, I would have to get her out all by myself... so we don't get out. I'm still not really used to the reactions and questions, so.... we don't get out. Since we don't get out we get to feeling a little couped up.
Heres to Spring right around the corner.
Lana
With Lucy's condition though his absence is felt more that ususal. Because it's flu season so we don't get out, it's cold ..so we don't get out, I would have to get her out all by myself... so we don't get out. I'm still not really used to the reactions and questions, so.... we don't get out. Since we don't get out we get to feeling a little couped up.
Heres to Spring right around the corner.
Lana
Monday, January 21, 2008
Reasons
They shipped us off to Baylor Our Childrens House. OCH is a rehabilitation hospital so they say. I'm sure it has been a wonderful place for some, but our experience there left a lot to be desired. We had already been through 6 doctors in 7 weeks at Childrens Med. Center, and when we arrived at OCH we started with one Dr., had her for about 3 or 4 days 'till her shift was done. So you know she wasn't to thrilled to get too involved in us. So her shift was done and she happily passed us on to the next Dr. who may I say was just a little book smart and thats about it. Who, with one look and a little info on where we lived, put us on the farm instantly. Who literally talked down to us, like we didn't know squat from day one. If you can't tell, we were not very happy with him at all. There was one Dr., Dr. Mac, who was very patient with our questions and concerns. He always seemed interested in our case. Not just because he had too. He never treated us like he was just there to get is 8 hrs. in.
Anyway we were at Baylor OCH for 8 weeks. About 4 of those Lucy was still considered to be in a coma. Then just one day when B was there just talking to her like he always does, he asked her a question and said "isn't that right Lucy" and she nodded her head yes. I believe a nurse and a therapist were in there and he was asking them if they saw it, and they did. When Dr. Mac would come in a do his check, she wouldn't do anything though, so you know they were like yeah right. The next time they came in and B was trying to get her to answer and wouldn't he asked her "Doyou want me to give you a spanking?"(like he really would) and she shook her head really big no. From then on she was considered in a semi-conscience state. It was wonderful.
She has been progressing a getting stronger ever since. Especially since we brought her home at the beginning of June "07. I think just being home in her space has done wonders.
The encephalitis hit her really hard this time and left her with a pretty serious brain injury. She is having to learn to walk, talk, eat and everything all over again. But with her spirit and drive she will do it. One thing that we try to get people to understand is "she" is still all in there. With her being able to answer yes and no quesitons we know she remembers everyone. Her family, and friends at school. She remembers some of her math, and spelling, which at 8 and 1st or 2nd grade is mostly visual. She can see, but she can't move her eyes or keep them open a lot yet.
As of today, she can walk with assistance. She can sit alone for several seconds and she is finding her voice a few times a day. We have some amazing therapist that work with her that have in a short time fallen in love with her, like most people do. You can just feel her spirit when your around her, she just touches your heart.
Thanks for listening,
Lana
Anyway we were at Baylor OCH for 8 weeks. About 4 of those Lucy was still considered to be in a coma. Then just one day when B was there just talking to her like he always does, he asked her a question and said "isn't that right Lucy" and she nodded her head yes. I believe a nurse and a therapist were in there and he was asking them if they saw it, and they did. When Dr. Mac would come in a do his check, she wouldn't do anything though, so you know they were like yeah right. The next time they came in and B was trying to get her to answer and wouldn't he asked her "Doyou want me to give you a spanking?"(like he really would) and she shook her head really big no. From then on she was considered in a semi-conscience state. It was wonderful.
She has been progressing a getting stronger ever since. Especially since we brought her home at the beginning of June "07. I think just being home in her space has done wonders.
The encephalitis hit her really hard this time and left her with a pretty serious brain injury. She is having to learn to walk, talk, eat and everything all over again. But with her spirit and drive she will do it. One thing that we try to get people to understand is "she" is still all in there. With her being able to answer yes and no quesitons we know she remembers everyone. Her family, and friends at school. She remembers some of her math, and spelling, which at 8 and 1st or 2nd grade is mostly visual. She can see, but she can't move her eyes or keep them open a lot yet.
As of today, she can walk with assistance. She can sit alone for several seconds and she is finding her voice a few times a day. We have some amazing therapist that work with her that have in a short time fallen in love with her, like most people do. You can just feel her spirit when your around her, she just touches your heart.
Thanks for listening,
Lana
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Meanies
What is it with some people on the internet/forums? What is that makes people feel the need to berate and lie about people? Is it because of the anonymity? Is it some sort of jealousy? What is it? Because I really just don't get it. See I was brought up with, if you can't say something nice, don't say it at all.
See B is kind of "known" in some hunting communities and there are some people out there that are just bound and determined to see him fail, and have a hand in it. Some of these people have never even met him or even talked to him in any way, shape or form. They just want to be on the bandwagon. Some spout off and say they have known him before anyone knew him (which they have not), they call him all kinds of names( how do they know when they have never even spoken with him). We have had people that really know him, or have just met him once or twice try to defend him, and these people turn on them too. They have tried to make people question B's integrity and ethics, they have called people we do business with and tried to turn those people against him also. There is one in particular that really has a problem. He says he has "dirt" on B, but he's going to be the better man and not tell it all over the internet. We, and others, have told this guy to go ahead tell, because we want to know too. But he won't. WHY? Because he has nothing!!!! But the insinuation is there, so it makes people wonder. It's like those questions that really have no answer or you can't answer like, When did you stop beating your wife? You can't answer that question, but it puts a bug in peoples minds, ya know. I know its the written word, there is no emotion to it, and personalities don't always mesh. But really just because you don't like someone is it cause for all this. What happened to being civil to people? Why can't these people just leave us alone? They don't seem to care, but it's not just B they are hurting, its our whole family.
Sorry for the rant. But I just really don't get it.
I guess the saying is true once a bully always a bully.
Lana
See B is kind of "known" in some hunting communities and there are some people out there that are just bound and determined to see him fail, and have a hand in it. Some of these people have never even met him or even talked to him in any way, shape or form. They just want to be on the bandwagon. Some spout off and say they have known him before anyone knew him (which they have not), they call him all kinds of names( how do they know when they have never even spoken with him). We have had people that really know him, or have just met him once or twice try to defend him, and these people turn on them too. They have tried to make people question B's integrity and ethics, they have called people we do business with and tried to turn those people against him also. There is one in particular that really has a problem. He says he has "dirt" on B, but he's going to be the better man and not tell it all over the internet. We, and others, have told this guy to go ahead tell, because we want to know too. But he won't. WHY? Because he has nothing!!!! But the insinuation is there, so it makes people wonder. It's like those questions that really have no answer or you can't answer like, When did you stop beating your wife? You can't answer that question, but it puts a bug in peoples minds, ya know. I know its the written word, there is no emotion to it, and personalities don't always mesh. But really just because you don't like someone is it cause for all this. What happened to being civil to people? Why can't these people just leave us alone? They don't seem to care, but it's not just B they are hurting, its our whole family.
Sorry for the rant. But I just really don't get it.
I guess the saying is true once a bully always a bully.
Lana
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Reasons Cont.
When the ER docs decided they didn't know what was wrong, and said she need to be in Dallas, B and I go in to auto pilot. B being the decisive one starts giving orders to everyone. He will fly to Dallas (yes they care flighted her, pics to come later) with her, I will go home and tie up loose ends with our business so its not left hanging for who knows how long. Pack clothes and essentials for he and I for a few days and then my mom and I would make the 2 hour drive. My sister would take the other 2 kids in for a few days.
We finally get there and they were doing test and background and all the fun stuff still. Long story short on all the tests is, the only thing they could figure out is she had Influenza A. Which in turn went to her brain and resulted in encephalitis. Encephalitis is a swelling of the brain tissue. Lucy had pretty severe swelling which put her in a coma.
After a few days in ICU, we just knew she'd wake up just any day now. Then more tests, MRIs, CAT scans, almost daily. A few days turn into a few weeks which turn into about 6 weeks in ICU. After 6 weeks, and she doesn't have any sickness per se, she just won't wake up. They move her to the floor for a couple of weeks, until they can ship us off to the next place. Baylor Our Childrens House.
to be continued......
A little side note. See this episode was not Lucy's 1st trip to the ER, this is her 3rd. When she was only 13 mths old she had a stomach virus that went through all of us. Hers hung on a little longer though. I took her to the dr. and he gave her stuff to ease the vomiting and such, that evening she started having seizures. We rushed to the ER and from there they flew her to Shreveport, because CMC Dallas was full. She was in ICU for about 5 days, with a diagnosis of encephalitis. She recovered very quickly and very well, you could never tell she'd ever been sick. Fast forward a year and a half. Lucy is the last to get the flu that we all had. Took her to the dr. he gives her the same stuff to ease the vomiting and such, that evening she starts having seziures. We rush to the ER, the dr. keeps her at that hospital for 4 days. In that time she never really wakes up. She has short moments of answering quesitons then back to sleep. After 4 days of tests and all they can come up with is she has Influenza. During this time the dr. was trying to find a neurologist to at least consult on her case, and the only ped neuro in town refused, said he wasn't taking any new patients, he wouldn't even come to a consult. So from there we went back to Shreveport. There she was in ICU for about 7 days with a diagnosis of encephalitis. But after the 5th day of sickness, she wakes up in the ICU telling the nurses to answer the phone. Blew everyone away. She recovered well, and you couldn't tell she'd ever been sick. Then fast forward 5 years to now. So you see, she is our little "Medical Mystery".
Thanks,
Lana
We finally get there and they were doing test and background and all the fun stuff still. Long story short on all the tests is, the only thing they could figure out is she had Influenza A. Which in turn went to her brain and resulted in encephalitis. Encephalitis is a swelling of the brain tissue. Lucy had pretty severe swelling which put her in a coma.
After a few days in ICU, we just knew she'd wake up just any day now. Then more tests, MRIs, CAT scans, almost daily. A few days turn into a few weeks which turn into about 6 weeks in ICU. After 6 weeks, and she doesn't have any sickness per se, she just won't wake up. They move her to the floor for a couple of weeks, until they can ship us off to the next place. Baylor Our Childrens House.
to be continued......
A little side note. See this episode was not Lucy's 1st trip to the ER, this is her 3rd. When she was only 13 mths old she had a stomach virus that went through all of us. Hers hung on a little longer though. I took her to the dr. and he gave her stuff to ease the vomiting and such, that evening she started having seizures. We rushed to the ER and from there they flew her to Shreveport, because CMC Dallas was full. She was in ICU for about 5 days, with a diagnosis of encephalitis. She recovered very quickly and very well, you could never tell she'd ever been sick. Fast forward a year and a half. Lucy is the last to get the flu that we all had. Took her to the dr. he gives her the same stuff to ease the vomiting and such, that evening she starts having seziures. We rush to the ER, the dr. keeps her at that hospital for 4 days. In that time she never really wakes up. She has short moments of answering quesitons then back to sleep. After 4 days of tests and all they can come up with is she has Influenza. During this time the dr. was trying to find a neurologist to at least consult on her case, and the only ped neuro in town refused, said he wasn't taking any new patients, he wouldn't even come to a consult. So from there we went back to Shreveport. There she was in ICU for about 7 days with a diagnosis of encephalitis. But after the 5th day of sickness, she wakes up in the ICU telling the nurses to answer the phone. Blew everyone away. She recovered well, and you couldn't tell she'd ever been sick. Then fast forward 5 years to now. So you see, she is our little "Medical Mystery".
Thanks,
Lana
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Reasons for Blogging
I have been working on getting up my nerve to do this for almost a year now. I have put it off and put it off because I do not have the gift of writing. I recongnized this fact back in 4th grade in creative writing class. Anyway, the main reason for this blog is to keep family and friends updated on the recovery of our special daughter Lucy. Of course to let every one know how we are all doing but Lucy especially. And just some random ramblings just cause I want to.
A Little History..
On Feb. 4th, 2007 the kids and I were at my sisters house watching the Super Bowl, where our very, very small town had a vested interest because the coach for the Bears went to school here. We had a pep rally and everything, lots of fun. Anyway Lucy, started complaining of a headache, but played on. On the 5th and 6th she was running very slight fever and not feeling her best, not wanting to go to school, which was very unusual for her, so she got to stay home. Late on the evening of the 6th, she started complain of feeling sick to her stomach and feeling very bad, still no real fever. I gave her some medicine to help her sleep, and to make sure she didn't get a fever. On the morning of the 7th, I went in to wake everyone up for school and to see how she was feeling. She was telling me "Mom I'm just so tired, I can't get my eyes open." So I let her sleep a bit longer, went back in to get her up and she still was saying she was tired and couldn't get her eyes open. So I walked to the bathroom to wash her face etc. and she still couldn't get her eyes open. I kept telling her she need to open her eyes and she finally said mommy I can't, and she reached up and opened one eye with her fingers. Trying to keep my panic under control for Lulu and Tman's sake, I rushed them to school and told them she would be fine. When I got back, B and been talking to her and doing math and joking and when we told her we were going to the docter she was like "Yeah!!!" It is approximately 25 to 30 mins to the nearest hospital, well there is one about 15 min, but I wouldn't go there for a hangnail. During that drive, she went from talking, to just mouthing words, to just nodding, to just following some direction. When we go to the ER she could only wiggle her feet or toes. We were only there for about an hour and they said you need to go to Childrens Medical Center in Dallas. They didn't know what was wrong.
to be continued....
Lana
A Little History..
On Feb. 4th, 2007 the kids and I were at my sisters house watching the Super Bowl, where our very, very small town had a vested interest because the coach for the Bears went to school here. We had a pep rally and everything, lots of fun. Anyway Lucy, started complaining of a headache, but played on. On the 5th and 6th she was running very slight fever and not feeling her best, not wanting to go to school, which was very unusual for her, so she got to stay home. Late on the evening of the 6th, she started complain of feeling sick to her stomach and feeling very bad, still no real fever. I gave her some medicine to help her sleep, and to make sure she didn't get a fever. On the morning of the 7th, I went in to wake everyone up for school and to see how she was feeling. She was telling me "Mom I'm just so tired, I can't get my eyes open." So I let her sleep a bit longer, went back in to get her up and she still was saying she was tired and couldn't get her eyes open. So I walked to the bathroom to wash her face etc. and she still couldn't get her eyes open. I kept telling her she need to open her eyes and she finally said mommy I can't, and she reached up and opened one eye with her fingers. Trying to keep my panic under control for Lulu and Tman's sake, I rushed them to school and told them she would be fine. When I got back, B and been talking to her and doing math and joking and when we told her we were going to the docter she was like "Yeah!!!" It is approximately 25 to 30 mins to the nearest hospital, well there is one about 15 min, but I wouldn't go there for a hangnail. During that drive, she went from talking, to just mouthing words, to just nodding, to just following some direction. When we go to the ER she could only wiggle her feet or toes. We were only there for about an hour and they said you need to go to Childrens Medical Center in Dallas. They didn't know what was wrong.
to be continued....
Lana
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Christmas Vacation
It's wonderful to have the kids home all day. They get to sleep in, and play, and sleep in, and do things in the middle of the day they usually don't get to do during the week. To see what people really do while their at school. They get to learn that we aren't sitting around playing their video games, watching their movies, and playing and loosing their stuff because they always put their stuff away when they are done with it.
Now it's over, thank heaven. I can finally wash the clothes or dishes and not instantly turn around and a new pile of dirty laudry or dishes be there. There will be a little bit of piece and quite. Not the "I'm bored", " Can B and K and J come over?" "Lulu won't let me play with her and B and K and J" and on and on. Not that any of this bothers me or anything. But just a minute of quite would be really nice.
With B out of town for 8 days and a child with special needs and therapy almost daily and the other 2 and usually my nephew needing their attention it gets kind of noisy sometimes. So back to school they go, back to school they go. Yipee...
Just a little excited on a Sunday night.
Lana
Now it's over, thank heaven. I can finally wash the clothes or dishes and not instantly turn around and a new pile of dirty laudry or dishes be there. There will be a little bit of piece and quite. Not the "I'm bored", " Can B and K and J come over?" "Lulu won't let me play with her and B and K and J" and on and on. Not that any of this bothers me or anything. But just a minute of quite would be really nice.
With B out of town for 8 days and a child with special needs and therapy almost daily and the other 2 and usually my nephew needing their attention it gets kind of noisy sometimes. So back to school they go, back to school they go. Yipee...
Just a little excited on a Sunday night.
Lana
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Getting Started
I have wanted to have a little place in the web world for a while now. Well almost a year. Just a little place so friends and family can stay in touch, and up to date on how our little family is doing.
"Who are you?" You may ask. Well there is me, Lana, who will be keeping everyone posted as often as possible. There is my wonderful husband B, who travels quite often so you will probably be hearing about his comings and goings. Then there are our sweet, wonderful children. First there is our oldest Lulu who is an awesome and patient big sister. Then there are our twins Tman, the funny one who keeps us on our toes, and Lucy the one who lights up any room she walks into. Lucy is the main reason for me wanting to start this here blog so you will hear lots about her later. Anyway we reside in a little corner of Texas where both my husband and I were born and raised. We plan on staying here and growing old together because we love it so much. Its home.
Well thats who we are. May you won't get tired of us and maybe grow to like us some.
Thanks,
Lana
"Who are you?" You may ask. Well there is me, Lana, who will be keeping everyone posted as often as possible. There is my wonderful husband B, who travels quite often so you will probably be hearing about his comings and goings. Then there are our sweet, wonderful children. First there is our oldest Lulu who is an awesome and patient big sister. Then there are our twins Tman, the funny one who keeps us on our toes, and Lucy the one who lights up any room she walks into. Lucy is the main reason for me wanting to start this here blog so you will hear lots about her later. Anyway we reside in a little corner of Texas where both my husband and I were born and raised. We plan on staying here and growing old together because we love it so much. Its home.
Well thats who we are. May you won't get tired of us and maybe grow to like us some.
Thanks,
Lana
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