September updates

Well, last week marked a big day for us, Shriners Hospital donated a manual wheelchair to Whitnee. And it is even Purple! It was a really exciting day for us, even though you see that Whitnee was really tired for the fitting.

It has taken some getting used to, due to Whitnee's partially dislocated hip it dose tend to put pressure on her hip if she has been in it to long, but I have noticed in the last couple of day's that she is doing better sitting in it. I tried to take her out the other day and she took the lap buckle and tried to buckle it back up herself. So we are seeing that she enjoys being in it. And I know it is a lot more comfortable for her to sit in.

I think it has taken me some time to adjust to the chair too. It was bigger then I had expected weighing in at 40lbs, which is not a whole lot but it is very difficult to to lift and load.
Putting it in the Van for the first time was very interesting. I Thought I would not be able to get it in. I was very thankful that we had just purchased the Van and that I was not putting it in the explorer. We now have ramps that help me load and unload but running to the store is not and in and out experience any more. I have to allow plenty of time to load and unload. Kortnee and Nic are a lot of help with it too.

Our next project is building a ramp in the garage for the wheelchair. Right now it is interesting getting it up the steps and into the house. I am glad there are only 3 steps.



We had a chance to go and see Uncle Chris at at Camp Williams for Governors Day a couple of weekends ago and see some really cool Helicopters and Air plains fly over head.
Here is Nic Whitnee and Kortnee sitting in a Helicopter after the ceremony. It was really cool.

As for other news this month. Mom got a Van for her birthday as mentioned before and Since she had so much free time on her hands, ha ha ha. We adopted a Shorkie Puppy this past week. She is 1 years old and really cute. Both Dad and Mom felt that a therapy dog for Whitnee might do her some good this winter being cooped up and all. So we are all adjusting to the new little dog running around. Kortnee and Nic are playing Soccer again and seem to be enjoying it. And Nate just went on a 50 mile 4-wheeling trip. He was in heaven.

Everyone is doing well and keeping very busy. Fall and Winter is a scary time of year for us with Whitnee, with her chance of catching any thing being very high. So we want to thank you for all of your thought and prayers. We are also great full for those of you who have taken the time out of your busy schedules to call us and visit with us. We sure do have some great support out there.

Thank you:)

Power Chair Update !!!

Well, I promised a picture of Whitnee learning how to drive a power chair. We went up yesterday to Shriner's to try out another joy stick, this one is very sensitive to the touch so it was perfect for her to use. She sat in the chair for 45 minutes just spinning in circles. She loved every minute as you can tell.

We go back up to Shriner's on Thursday the 16th to sit down with Shriner's and IHC Health to write up our order for her power chair. And if every thing goes well with our Insurance ( cross our fingers) and they don't turn us down for anything we should have her power chair around Thanksgiving. Yippee!!!! We can hardly wait for her to be able to move around on her own.

Yesterday when we got there and they were setting up her joystick and trying to get it to work, she begged and begged to sit in the chair. She kept pointing and it and saying chair, chair. She already know that it allows her to be free to do what she wants.

Shriner's is also building and giving her a manual wheelchair to have also, so we are in the works for that chair to. Just a few more trips to Shriner's for some measuring and trying things out and I think we will be good. Thank you Shriner's for all your help!!!!

Long Time... No Update... Til' Now :)

Well I guess it is time to update our family site. We are all doing really well, with school being out I have a lot of help at home and I love every bit of it. Kortnee and Nic played soccer this spring and sure had a blast doing it. Nic managed to make the final goal for the year again to tie up the game. Boy was he on cloud 9. Kortnee did great too, her coach actually walked up to Nate and said I can't believe how aggressive Kortnee has gotten with the ball. Boy was her dad proud.

They have also spent time up in Idaho with their grandparents and cousins too. This last visit was for a week and yes mom had a hard time with them being gone that long. But my wonderful Niece came and stayed with me while they were gone to help me out! Thank you Jessica. We love you !!!!!

We thought we would try our first family trip since our episode with Whitnee to the Hogle Zoo! The kids loved every bit of it. I think Whitnee's favorite part was the Monkeys, every time she saw one she would say Bobo Bobo (thank you Diego!) It was really cute. We had to cut our visit short due to the heat. So we plan on going back to finish our sight seeing this fall when it is quite a bit cooler for Whitnee. Well Whitnee had her first cold after our little episode in March, we managed to get through it with out Nate and I having a nervous breakdown. We are so greatful for her cough assist and suction machine. We managed to make it through her 2 week cold and so did she with out having to call the ambulance! Yippee !!!!!

I guess our most exciting adventure this summer so far was our trip to Shrinners Hospital this week for Whitnee's Wheelchair Evaluation. They measured her for her Wheelchair and then put her in a electric wheelchair and let her play with the joy stick. Her facial expression was priceless when she pushed on it the first time and started going in a circle. The look of Wow it moves when you touch this thing. The giggles between the movement was wonderful. A few more trips up there to play with the Wheelchair and I think by the end of August we will be in the process of purchasing her chair.

Welcome Home!!!!!!

YEAAAHHHH Whitnee's home. After a long stay at the hospital Whitnee was able to come home on Wednesday. She still had an "IV" to administer some antibiotics, but it was taken out last night around 6:30pm. So now she is sitting on the couch and laughing at her brother and sister. Even Daisy (the dog) noticed her being gone so long, she wouldn't leave the bedside all night until I rousted her out.

What's Next?
Well we will be feeding her through her "Gtube" for the next 6 weeks at least and possibly longer, only because she did not pass her swallow test at the hospital. The doctor said that she will likely recover fully, however the "G-tube" will always be a way to assist her staying healthy. As for the rest of us we are trying to get used to the routine. Anna, should get an honorary nursing degree after all of this.

As for now we are all doing much better especially not having to consider the hospital a second home. Still many things to come and learn over the next few weeks, but couldn't be happier now that she is home. I have had a few people ask about visiting and what they can do to help. Visiting is great, we just ask that you make sure you are healthy before you come. As for what we need, well we aren't really sure yet... We are still waiting for word back concerning her wheelchair session. As for now Just coming out and visiting is great.