Monday, July 30, 2007

What a day...

(This is another picture that my talented sister-in-law Thomasina took. It is from last summer)


So, as if we didn't have enough to deal with in our wonderfully full lives! Caitlyn's seizures have increased to at least 2 a day, if not more. (prior to this, she was fully controlled by medication, with the exception of maybe 1 or 2 a month) She is also experiencing some random crying fits, during which she will bang her head on the floor, or hit herself in the side of the head. So, being the pro-active mother that I am, I called to make an appointment with her wonderful Neurologist. (no really, we like him a lot!) We were due to see him at the beginning of September anyway, but I hadn't scheduled the appointment yet. Would you believe my anger and surprise when I was informed that the SOONEST appointment they had was 10 weeks away on October 16th? I kept my cool, as I knew it wasn't this gals fault that the scheduling system sucked. She advised me to call the nurses hot line and find out what we should do for now while we await that appointment 10 WEEKS AWAY!!


So I did my duty and left my message. Now, let me just say that the nurses line at this *un-named* hospital has a reputation of not calling...I have only called once, and I don't think they ever called me back. Since I am such a nice and understanding person (most of the time) I feel the need to give them a chance. Their recording said due to high volume, it may take 48 hours to hear from someone. So let's see...That would mean I should hear from someone by Wednesday evening. They have my work number, and my home number. In the event that we don't hear something that is an acceptable plan, we will begin to look for a new doctor. I will not wait 10 weeks, while my daughter becomes increasingly irritable and uncomfortable! I will update every so they can follow our adventure!


On a more positive note, we are planning some fun for the summer! On Sunday, August 5th Caitlyn will be 4 yrs old! We are going to go as a family to the Olympic Game Farm for the day. It should be fun, and I think Caitlyn will really enjoy it! I can't believe my baby is going to be 4!!! The following weekend, Caitlyn, my mom, and I are going to drive down to Seaside, OR for the annual NWRett Syndrome Conference. I have to be back at work on Wednesday, so we will go down Sunday and come home Tuesday late afternoon. It should be fun! I plan on coming back with a lot of pictures, as this will be Caitlyn's first trip to the ocean!

I will write again later this week when we find out what the plan is...Thanks for reading!

Friday, July 06, 2007

Things are looking up!



My sister-in-law, Thomasina took these pictures at the parade on the 4th of July! Go Cooper!!!


Well, Caitlyn handled the week inside with the Chicken Pox pretty good. Her dad was laying around with Strep throat, which I had the week before. They both got better, and Caitlyn started getting sick again. We took her in to the doctor and they did a rapid strep test which was negative, and chest x-ray which the doctor said nothing jumped out at him. But he decided to give her antibiotics to be on the safe side. We got home after filling the prescription, and the doctor called to say the radiologist said there was pneumonia! The next day she was feeling a little better, so we went and had some fun! Well, the next day (two days after seeing the doctor) the doctor called to say Caitlyn's 48 hour culture from her throat grew, and she did indeed have strep throat! Well luckily she was already on the antibiotics!

She is feeling much better, and even went and looked a daycare today! We found a place we are all very happy with! It is a in home childcare center, so it is a smaller group of kids. Caitlyn isn't the only child with special needs. It seems to be a good mix of kids, and they all seemed really happy! The neurotypical kids are used to having kids around that have special needs, and just in the short time we were there, kids were handing Caitlyn toys and being really nice to her. I think it will be a good match for Caitlyn! And there are a couple of others that go to her school, so she will ride the bus with others! And of course the best thing is it is almost $200 less than the big corporate centers!

So since Caitlyn starts daycare on Monday, Eric has to start work too!!! We are thrilled that he got a really good job, and he is happy to be going back to work! Finally, things are looking up for us! Next week will be busy: I go back to work on Monday after 2 weeks off, Caitlyn starts daycare, and then on Tuesday or Wednesday Eric will start work!!