Not The Only Chameleon in the neiborhood...

A week and a half ago we had a neighborhood party and got the chance to meet many neighbors we had just never met before, while at the same time enjoyed seeing our neighbors that we see everyday. We have a really friendly neighborhood that is full of great people.

One couple that we know has a little girl that they just adopted from China in the last year. She was born with a birth defect in her foot and has spent her first two years in a leg brace much like the one that my son wears. A few months ago she had surgery to amputate her leg and foot and now has a prosthetic. I watched this little 3yr. old girl as she played with my daughter and her sister and many of the other kids. She ran, she jumped in the bouncy house, she rode her bike, she had just as much fun as the other little girls. She was a true chameleon.

We also got to meet a family that my boys have known, but I had never had the opportunity to meet. This family has 4 children, two boys and twin girls. Their second son was born with a spinal condition (similar to my son's) that caused atrophy in all of his muscles. He is in a wheelchair and probably will never know what it is like to walk. Now how could a child in a wheelchair blend in with his surroundings? Well, while I stood in the park talking with his mom, she looked around with curiosity. Then she asked the question that all mom's ask from time to time... "where is my child?" I looked with her, scanning the crowd, looking everywhere for that very recognizable chair on wheels. He had done it. He had blended in with his surroundings. We found him right in the middle of a group of adults sitting in lawn chairs and talking. Later I looked over and saw all the kids racing on foot, on scooters, on bikes and then the one boy was racing his wheelchair. I noticed that this young boy often came in last while racing and I wondered how that made him feel. The next time that I looked he was way ahead of the other kids and about to cross the finish line. His dad had gotten behind him and was pushing him while running as fast as he could. He was once again blending in with the other kids.

The next time you notice a child with a disability, look for ways that this child may be blending in and enjoying life as they know it.

No longer blending in at the hospital!

My dad went for a check up with the specialist the other day and came home with some wonderful news! NO Cancer is detected in the Liver or Bladder. YAY! There is still some rements in the scar tissue near the appendix. Possibly one more treatment and he could be cancer free. He also tells me that he is daily gaining his strength back. I look foward to seeing him in a few months and spending some quality (not sick in the hospital) time with him.

Blending into 4th grade...

Today was the first day of 4th grade and the first time that we got the chance to meet Karston's teacher. This is Karston's last year at Elementary school and considering he has been at the same school since 1st grade, I really don't think that there will be much of an adjustment period. Most of the kids in his class have been in his class at one time or another and know how well he Blends in. The teacher is the only New Element to the New year.

When we met Mrs. Lett, she told us of how she had already spoken with his 3rd grade teachers about how his schedule had worked last year. She also informed us of how she had already looked at the schedule and found the perfect times for Karston to leave class for his needs. It was all worked out and the timings were perfect.

I think that she really set us at ease most when she admitted that she had never had a child in her class with Spina Bifida and then asked if she could call us anytime she has questions. I was amazed. No teacher had ever been so honest with us. Usually it seems that the teachers are scarred or intimidated by his "disabilities," which means that Heath and I have to initiate any conversations about his "Needs." We always forget to tell them something, which causes a problem at some point during the year. It is so nice to know that this teacher is interested and Wants to be involved in helping my son be the Chameleon that knows how to be.

And the Doctor Says....

This just in from my dad via F.B.: "After I was re-tested, I was told that I have made great improvement. The cancer has actually receded and many other things that tested negative last time, tested positive this time. I questioned why the C.E.A. levels were higher when they tested me at the hospital and she postulated that the breakup of the cancer cells could be causing the higher levels. My treatment formulas have changed now because while there has been much healing, there is still much to accomplish. Overall it is a good report. "

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for more improvements towards healing and for the family's hearts and souls to be filled with Peace and comfort. God is Good.

Not Giving Up...

Well it was a short stay. Dad went home from the hospital tonight, but not without getting some news from the Oncologist about his blood work. It is not the news we have all been hoping for or even praying for. The news is that the Cancer seems to have doubled in size.
Dad is still determined to fight and is not giving up. He is going to B'ham next week to follow up with the kinesiologist (herbalist.)

This has been very hard for all of our family. Please continue to pray for him and for all of us as we continue to fight with him and for him. I was reminded tonight that God can still work a miracle here. So while you continue to pray that God would extend his healing power into my father's body, don't forget to also pray that his Mercy and Compassion would reach to each of our hearts and souls and keep our faith charged so that we can KEEP UP THE FIGHT!

Exodus 14:14
Deuteronomy 3:22 and 20:4

Grump Chameleon

Dad was admitted to the hospital after he passed out at devotions this morning --Ambulance to Gulf Breeze Baptist hosp. --found blood clot in right leg. The doctors will be putting in a filter to keep the blood clots from hitting the heart or the brain.

My Aunt tells me that he is in good spirits today and that she told the doctors that he is unable to stay long at the hospital becuase it just make him more sick. Dad is eating organic foods and taking meds from the kinesiologist (herbalist) since he can't eat the hospital food. Should be a very short stay this time.

An example to follow...

If you read my other blog than you know that my dad has recently been diagnosed with Colon Cancer has been in and out of the hospital several times. He was given a colostomy bag in the hospital and told that it would be a permanent situation. Upon coming home and trying to live life normally we discovered that the colostomy bag was too small and he needed to be fit for one that would fit him. Because it was too small there were many challenges that came along with it. It was very frustrating for my dad to have to deal with this learning curve.

Now I know you are saying I thought this blog is about your son, why are you using this forum to tell us about your dad? Here is why...

My family has always been so supportive when my Chameleon has had challenges that we have had to overcome. They understand that it has not been an easy road for us and try to be there for us in any way that they can, even if all that they can do is give us words of encouragement. My family is great at supporting and encouraging each other in a crisis or emergency situation. My Aunt Beanie has been one of those family members that has a big heart for my son and what we go through. She often sends me messages to let me know that the family is supporting us with prayer.

Several weeks ago we were in Florida (where the family lives) trying to help out where and when we could. My Aunt explained to me that my dad was having a rough day with the colostomy bag and was getting very discouraged. She told me that she explained to my dad that if his grandson could do it so could he. She told him that he should look to my son as his role model during this situation. It is very sweet to think that my son's way of life could be an encouragement, especially at a very difficult time in his grandfather's life.

I told my son that my Aunt had told his "Grump" to look to him as a role model. His 9 year old response was this... "Um... I don't think that is such a good idea mom. He really shouldn't be running and climbing trees and stuff right now." I love it! It is the Chameleon part of him that made him think only of his "normal" abilities rather than the differences that he and "Grump" now share with each other and no one else.