October 18th - As if this was not enough - Chips Adventures Inside Our Couch

Okay, tonight our weekly adventures continue. I was sitting on the couch with my legs propped up to relax after a stressful week. Chip, in his infinite wisdom, decided to crawl inside the couch. Now, he has done this before. Usually, we quickly get him and scold him; end of story. Not tonight! Chip had crawled in the couch between the seat and the back of the couch where the couch folds up. I guess it was a nice warm hamock. Problem is, he couldn't get himself out. We couldn't fold the couch up either cause it would have squished him. We could not stand the couch on end because he might have gotten hurt by the steel frame; and, our couch is quite a heavy sucker too. After much deliberation, my genious husband suggested that if we could just get some of the seem undone that he might be able to get out the side. It took a bit of doing, but we were able to loosen a couple of staples. Chip happily crawled out unscathed. He had us all worried and concerned. After Kojo's adventure yesterday, we did not need another injured dog! Oh my goodness. What next?!?

Jennifer Richardson RN
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.academyofthepossible.com

October 17 - Stress Continued - Kojo's Tail

Well, I would say this has been an extremely adventurous week with quite a few ups and downs much like a roller coaster. I think this week has a mind of its own. Our dog Kojo in an effort to chase his tail, scratch his tail or just chew off some pesky flee, actually bit off the end of his tail. We had to take him to the emergency animal hospital (after hours when everyone else is closed of course). The first visit they tried to glue his tail with special glue to help skin heal together. After barely getting home and a short period of tail wagging, his tail was gushing as much as before. We rushed him back in. This time to the after hours hospital, since the previous one was now closed. Kojo ended up having part of his tail amputated in order to fix him up. He is slowly mending, although he still really likes chasing his tail. The vet said it may be a neurological thing. Great! A neurotic dog. Not really; Kojo is a very sweet dog who likes to play. We will be so glad to see him all better.

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.academyofthepossible.com

October 16 - A Very Special Day for Wishing

Michael had the pleasure of being chosen by a group where he could wish for the stars if that is what he wanted. A team of people came out to ask him about all of the things his heart desired. We were so thrilled for him with all that he has been through the last few months, not to mention years. His life has been tough from the start. It is so nice to see him with a reason to smile again. The worries on his heart are so large, and sometimes you can nearly see them sitting on his shoulders. Michael has such a huge heart; his dreams were about being sure his family was taken care of. To top the day, we just received a letter stating that Joseph was chosen by them as well. All of our children were wishing on stars tonight and dreaming with big imaginations, Joseph and Michael in particular. I know they both want ABC to come so badly; I hope they can look at the blessing this has to offer and trust that the Lord will provide for their needs in his good time. They even got to meet the dog who is the mascot. Quite exciting.

October 14 and 15

The 14th and 15th this week we have been very worried about Michael. After his huge seizure on Tuesday night, he is having a great deal of trouble with walking, balance and coordination. He has already tripped and fallen several times. He is also having trouble with drooling, swallowing and choking and gagging on food. The neurologist says this is an exacerbation of an already existing deficit, meaning his cerebral palsy, and that the post seizure effects usually resolve within 24 to 48 hours of the seizure. That would have been tonight, and that does not seem to be the case. We are still seeing smaller seizures too. Hopefully the seizure medication Michael is now on will help soon; it is not at a therapeutic level yet.

Jennifer Richardson RN
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.academyofthepossible.com

October 13 Seizures

Michael had a Grand Mal seizure, also known as a tonic-clonic seizure. It was rather frightening. Even with all of my own education about it, the experience is entirely different when it is your own child. He stopped breathing for 3-4 minutes turning completely blue. A full blown seizure in every way. Michael took quite a while to come back around to the point of awareness of everything. We are still seeing some deficits as a result of this seizure including weakness, tripping, and falling etc. Michael slept quite a lot the next day, even at the neurologists office. Michael has had other seizures which have been smaller and are classified as simple partial seizures or complex partial seizures since September.

Please keep Michael in your prayers.