The Adventure Begins
Gideon in the Up & Go
My Daughter!
11 years ago
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Gideon Will Walk!
December 20, 2009
We have been home almost 8 months now and the word we have gotten from the Doctors both at Childrens in Cincinnati and Shriner's Orthopedic Center in Lexington was he will never walk. Get used to the idea of him being a "sitter". Get a powered wheelchair and we'll teach him to use it. I still wasn't satisfied and was feeling very frustrated. Our physical therapist, Molly suggested taking Gideon to Delaware to see Dr. Jay and his team. So in early November I made the appointment. Thursday Dec 17th Gideon myself and my sister Joy began our journey. The drive was supposed to be about 10 hours--North to Columbus then East to Wilmington Delaware across the Penssylvania Turnpike. Our 10 hour trip took 12 1/2 hours. After checking into the Ronald McDonald house and getting Gideon a quick bite to eat it was off to bed. Our appointments began at 9am with Reenee the physical therapist then to Marnie the Occupational therapist and finally with Dr. Jay at 12:45 and meet with all 3 for a plan. After 6 hours there we came away feeling great. Our Gideon will walk, they have no doubt. We have a long road ahead of us with many more trips back up to Delaware and surgery in the future but he will be able to walk. They had him in a gait trainer called the "up and go" and he was trying to walk--It was all so much to take in. He received 2 new sets of splints for his arms and hands and a new set for his legs. He will be fitted for new hip to toe braces in April after he has used these new ones and gone through weekly therapy. Well we were feeling very blessed and happy with the news but.....there was a huge snow storm brewing and we needed to get out of Delaware, sooo after spending all day at the hospital we packed up and hit the road about 4:30 friday evening and drove as quick as legal. We needed to get as far across the Pennsylvania turnpike as possible. The whole area was expected up to 2 feet of snow! Well about 9:00 pm the snow was starting. About 10:30 we were checking into a hotel for the night. It wasn't the nicest place but it had heat and hot water! Through all of this Gideon was an absolute angel. The next morning we awoke to about 8 inches of snow on the ground! After eating and listening to the forcast of continued snow we knew we needed to keep going so after cleaning off the car and purchasing some items for the trip home-gloves, flashlight, lighter, snow scraper, drinks and snacks we were once again on our way. Well as we started to get on the turnpike at the toll gate we asked the man how the roads were and he said they were not good. He said they were very bad and to stop at the next town about 35 miles away and ask them what Interstate 70 looked like before continuing on. He was right the roads were treacherous. But at the next town they said the worst was yet to come so we kept going. We passed 3 serious wrecks but we kept going and praying--we of course had everyone praying back home as well. So after 9 1/2 hours of driving on Saturday Gideon and I arrived home at 8:30 pm. We were carried home on the prayers of many! It was just an amazing trip provided by an amazing God and we are so blessed!
We have been home almost 8 months now and the word we have gotten from the Doctors both at Childrens in Cincinnati and Shriner's Orthopedic Center in Lexington was he will never walk. Get used to the idea of him being a "sitter". Get a powered wheelchair and we'll teach him to use it. I still wasn't satisfied and was feeling very frustrated. Our physical therapist, Molly suggested taking Gideon to Delaware to see Dr. Jay and his team. So in early November I made the appointment. Thursday Dec 17th Gideon myself and my sister Joy began our journey. The drive was supposed to be about 10 hours--North to Columbus then East to Wilmington Delaware across the Penssylvania Turnpike. Our 10 hour trip took 12 1/2 hours. After checking into the Ronald McDonald house and getting Gideon a quick bite to eat it was off to bed. Our appointments began at 9am with Reenee the physical therapist then to Marnie the Occupational therapist and finally with Dr. Jay at 12:45 and meet with all 3 for a plan. After 6 hours there we came away feeling great. Our Gideon will walk, they have no doubt. We have a long road ahead of us with many more trips back up to Delaware and surgery in the future but he will be able to walk. They had him in a gait trainer called the "up and go" and he was trying to walk--It was all so much to take in. He received 2 new sets of splints for his arms and hands and a new set for his legs. He will be fitted for new hip to toe braces in April after he has used these new ones and gone through weekly therapy. Well we were feeling very blessed and happy with the news but.....there was a huge snow storm brewing and we needed to get out of Delaware, sooo after spending all day at the hospital we packed up and hit the road about 4:30 friday evening and drove as quick as legal. We needed to get as far across the Pennsylvania turnpike as possible. The whole area was expected up to 2 feet of snow! Well about 9:00 pm the snow was starting. About 10:30 we were checking into a hotel for the night. It wasn't the nicest place but it had heat and hot water! Through all of this Gideon was an absolute angel. The next morning we awoke to about 8 inches of snow on the ground! After eating and listening to the forcast of continued snow we knew we needed to keep going so after cleaning off the car and purchasing some items for the trip home-gloves, flashlight, lighter, snow scraper, drinks and snacks we were once again on our way. Well as we started to get on the turnpike at the toll gate we asked the man how the roads were and he said they were not good. He said they were very bad and to stop at the next town about 35 miles away and ask them what Interstate 70 looked like before continuing on. He was right the roads were treacherous. But at the next town they said the worst was yet to come so we kept going. We passed 3 serious wrecks but we kept going and praying--we of course had everyone praying back home as well. So after 9 1/2 hours of driving on Saturday Gideon and I arrived home at 8:30 pm. We were carried home on the prayers of many! It was just an amazing trip provided by an amazing God and we are so blessed!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
We're Still Here
June 12, 2009
We haven't disappeared we are just extremely busy. So much has been happening. We have been home for about 6 weeks now and Gideon is doing magnificent. He has adjusted so well to our family and keeps us smiling. He continues to be such a happy baby. We have been seeing many doctors. Some with encouraging news and others not so encouraging. I guess I just haven't wanted to post the not so encouraging news but I want you all to know what has been going on. We have seen another orthopedic Doctor at Childrens who took a lot of time with us, took xrays and thoroughly examined Gideon. His prognosis was that he feels any surgery for the hips and knees would be to risky due to the way his joints are formed and due to the webbing of skin behind the knees and at the pelvic area. He says that the nerves and blood vessels are too close to the service and the risk of causing more harm is too high. He says we should look at him being in a wheelchair the rest of his life. I was not very happy with that news and have talked with our pediatrician and we are pursuing a 2nd opinion with Shriners Hosp in Lexington. We wanted to coordinate this prior to any casting being started on Gideon's clubbed feet--This was also decided - to proceed with the serial casting (Ponsetti Method). Anyway we have an appointment with Shriners June 25th and the casting starts june 29th. We also saw the Pediatric Medicine and Rehab Dr at Childrens who will also follow along. They are recommending to see the Physical therapist for treatment as well as wheel chair fitting. We are trying to find out how much will be covered by insurance and pursue some aid. I have been on the phone a great deal trying to figure it all out. It is all very complicated. We live in northern Ky so go to Cin Childrens Hosp but if we do this we can't get help from Ky--we have to go to Ky doctors--all the way to Lexington. Anyway--we have to think about our house and car as far as being accessible for the wheelchair as well. Needless to say we are a little overwhelmed. It will all work out--because He is in control. He worked miracles to bring this precious little one home and I know he won't stop now.
Anyway Gideon is getting stronger at sitting up. He is talking more and more. He is eating more solids though still hasn't gained any weight. He loves to go for walks and play outside. He now loves the swimming pool and likes to take a bath too! I am back to work 3 days a week and he is doing great with that as well. We are settling in to more of a routine and things feel like they are more back to normal. We are a very busy family but we wouldn't have it any other way! We are so very blessed to have been chosen to be the parents of our 7 precious children. I will post pictures tomorrow. Have to go get all the kids ready for bed. Tim gave me an hour to myself and it is over. I am blessed with a great husband too!
We haven't disappeared we are just extremely busy. So much has been happening. We have been home for about 6 weeks now and Gideon is doing magnificent. He has adjusted so well to our family and keeps us smiling. He continues to be such a happy baby. We have been seeing many doctors. Some with encouraging news and others not so encouraging. I guess I just haven't wanted to post the not so encouraging news but I want you all to know what has been going on. We have seen another orthopedic Doctor at Childrens who took a lot of time with us, took xrays and thoroughly examined Gideon. His prognosis was that he feels any surgery for the hips and knees would be to risky due to the way his joints are formed and due to the webbing of skin behind the knees and at the pelvic area. He says that the nerves and blood vessels are too close to the service and the risk of causing more harm is too high. He says we should look at him being in a wheelchair the rest of his life. I was not very happy with that news and have talked with our pediatrician and we are pursuing a 2nd opinion with Shriners Hosp in Lexington. We wanted to coordinate this prior to any casting being started on Gideon's clubbed feet--This was also decided - to proceed with the serial casting (Ponsetti Method). Anyway we have an appointment with Shriners June 25th and the casting starts june 29th. We also saw the Pediatric Medicine and Rehab Dr at Childrens who will also follow along. They are recommending to see the Physical therapist for treatment as well as wheel chair fitting. We are trying to find out how much will be covered by insurance and pursue some aid. I have been on the phone a great deal trying to figure it all out. It is all very complicated. We live in northern Ky so go to Cin Childrens Hosp but if we do this we can't get help from Ky--we have to go to Ky doctors--all the way to Lexington. Anyway--we have to think about our house and car as far as being accessible for the wheelchair as well. Needless to say we are a little overwhelmed. It will all work out--because He is in control. He worked miracles to bring this precious little one home and I know he won't stop now.
Anyway Gideon is getting stronger at sitting up. He is talking more and more. He is eating more solids though still hasn't gained any weight. He loves to go for walks and play outside. He now loves the swimming pool and likes to take a bath too! I am back to work 3 days a week and he is doing great with that as well. We are settling in to more of a routine and things feel like they are more back to normal. We are a very busy family but we wouldn't have it any other way! We are so very blessed to have been chosen to be the parents of our 7 precious children. I will post pictures tomorrow. Have to go get all the kids ready for bed. Tim gave me an hour to myself and it is over. I am blessed with a great husband too!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Past 2 weeks
Mothers Day finally with our Gideon (missing Danielle)
Hannah's Dance Recital
Danielle home week prior to Mothers day
Hannah's Dance Recital
Danielle home week prior to Mothers day
May 17,2009
Wow we have been home for 2 1/2 weeks already. We have settled in and are doing great. Gideon has been awesome. He is a very happy baby and a very good baby. We have seen a couple doctors and have more to see this week. The orthopedic specialist for his arms and hands wants to take it slow. We will start with therapy for the arms and hands and splinting for the wrists and hands. We will talk surgery in about 6 months once he is settled in. We see the leg and feet specialist this week. He is already doing better. He really tries to use his hands a lot and the doctor feels he will have good function and be able to feed himself, write and more. We start therapy tomorrow. We have had some great family time and are just trying to get the house back in order. We had a great weekend with our daughter Danielle who visited from Virginia with her boyfriend Drew. Then mothers day was very nice with all my children except Danielle. Hannah, Caleb and Grace are doing well with their new little brother. It has been hardest on Gracie but she is doing better. We are looking forward to school being over at the beginning of June and having a good summer. I will of course be going back to work as of June 8 but only part time. I still look at this precious gift with awe. It was quite a journey getting him home but we knew he was chosen for us by the one up above and proved that by all the mountains he moved along the way. We so enjoy this little guy and know that the Lord has big plans for him. I will share some pictures of what has been going on over the past couple of weeks. Enjoy. Thank you all again for all those who had a part in God's big plan to make it all happen.
Friday, May 1, 2009
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