Day 142 Doctor

Bill, Lydia and I went together to visit Dr. Civitello.  Here is Bills update about our visit.  

Lydia Update

Since you’ve expressed some concern Lauril and I wanted to share the results of our visit with National Children’s Hospital regarding Lydia’s seizures.

Lauril had done an excellent job documenting all sorts of details about the seizures and their progression.  Of special benefit were the videos she took, that helped the doctor see the extent and progression of the seizures, and the journal she brought from her visit to the school documenting 23 seizures in a 10 minute period.

There are more tests to conduct including an EEG or two and an MRI to understand what part of her brain is causing the seizures and what the actual cause is.  The good news is that she was able to rule out some really important concerns.  No tumor, no infection and no brain injury, so no surgery.  More tests later on could reveal a need for procedures in the future but all signs point to some form of epilepsy that drugs can help control.  This should help her get back on track with her learning and protect her confidence.

After the EEG next Thursday, Dr. Civitello will probably prescribe a drug to control the seizures.  She said that it is important to know what type of seizures she is having because certain drugs are for certain types of seizures.  

Doctor Civitello was great to listen to our concerns watch the videos I had taken and get a family medical history.  She spent about two hours with us.  We are grateful to have found a great doctor to help us help Lydia.  We know that having the right doctor will help Lydia as she grows because it will be a on going relationship.

Day 141

Teaching 14 year old in Sunday School can be an intimidating calling, but I think I am going to really like it.  We have a great group of youth in our ward.  I enjoyed getting to know them a little today as we built the gospel using Jenga blocks.  They enjoyed the activity and it got them talking.  I hope that as we learn together and we can feel the spirit and learn something in a new way.  It'll be an awesome experience.

Day 140

We couldn't pass up a beautiful Saturday without going on a long walk in the woods.  Willy and Austin were busy staining a fence, Emily went to a camp meeting, and Jessy had something else going on, so Lydia, Bill and I went for a hike down at Bull Run regional park.  We hiked for about 2 hours.  Lydia was so enjoyable to be with.  We stopped and sat on a bench and talked for a while.  We listened to the birds and talked about trees and water and her upcoming doctor's appointment.  Lydia was all about enjoying the moment.  I wish I could have the carefree easy going attitude of a seven year old.  No worries about tomorrow only thoughts of today and the moment she was in.  I love watching Bill ans Lydia together there is nothing like seeing a father and a daughter chat and play and hold hands.  It's the look in their eyes that says I love you no matter what and the look of protection as they goof around and look back at each other.  The look says more then words could say between them.

Day 139 Ticket

Friday, the starter in the car is replaced and it's nice to be a two car family again.  Jessica is excited to drive the van to a facial she has scheduled.  As she crosses Liberia she sees the blue lights go on from the police officer that has been behind her at the light.  I can see the panic that must have came over her face and the thought of I waited for the light to turn green.  What is going on?  She pulls over after getting through the intersection and receives a ticket not for anything she has done but for the negligence of her parents who in the hustle and bustle of life forgot to register the car in a timely manner.  I do remember that we did sit at the computer to register the car but the DMV computer was down temporarily.  I guess after the try we forgot all about it.  Tomorrow morning Bill will be standing in line at the DMV while I run kids  to their various morning activities.  Hopefully we'll remember to pay the ticket before the court date.  Life  full of up downs and unexpected twists turns and tickets.

Day 138 Walk

The beautiful sounds and smells of spring lured Bill and me out of doors for a walk around old town.  We walked for an hour or so just enjoying the smells of honeysuckle and newly mowed yards.  The cool breezes and colors of the setting sun were calming.  We chatted about dreams about work and about the up coming marriage of a nephew.  Bill is such a wonderful friend to share my feelings with, and about my concerns about the children.  I love to hear about his up coming presentations at work, and I love how he asks me my opinion about them.  He really asks about my ideas because it matters to him, not because he just wants to make small talk.  I'm glad that he listens to me about how I'm trying to find the new me and what I should do with the rest of my life.  It was wonderful to walk and talk like old friends.  It just felt so good to open our hearts to each other it's just been a while since we've been so open.

Day 137 One Car

We are running on the forth day with only one car.  Somehow I have managed driving kids to and from Seminary and Bill to work.  After school to swim lessons, mutual, pick up Bill from work, grocery shopping and everything else.  Because the van is broken down and the little blue car is a stick it leaves Bill and I the only drivers.  This is nice in some ways like I can't fit everyone in the family in the car thus less fighting,  I get moments of peace while driving because no one wants to ride in the little car.  These break times are precious and sometimes I will leave early just to steal a few more moments of peace.  But there is so much more to do than drive and others need times of solitude.  However, I'll remember to let Bill take the van to work so that I have a fun diversion, driving like a race car driver, changing from gear to gear quickly, grinding, and hopping the car, because keeping in practice is important when you are driving a stick!  We dropped off the van tonight to get fixed tomorrow.  Hopefully it won't be a 1000 dollar repair.

I took Lydia and Austin to the Doctors.  They both have strep throat.  So they are receiving Amoxicilin.  One more day at home and then back to school for them..  Hopefully no one else will get it!

Day 136

Today I had one of those moments that made me realize my child's world does not always revolve around my world. While  sticking a thermometer in Lydia's mouth she says I'm going to school no matter what.  She can hardly move her head off her pillow but she starts crying Mrs. Herring will miss me so I need to go.  I reassure her that her teacher will miss her but she needs to stay home.
 Her temp is 103 and more Tylenol is called for.  Lydia doesn't like medicine so I mix it with koolaid and she finally forces it down.  I think she'll be beat this today if not Doctors tomorrow.