Road to Rhizotomy

What is Rhizotomy?
A rhizotomy is a neurosurgical procedure that selectively severs problematic nerve roots in the spinal cord, most often to relieve the symptoms of neuromuscular conditions such as spastic diplegia and other forms of spastic cerebral palsy. ...
Yeppers!  This is the path we are on!  A long, bumpy, scary and faith-building path.  It began in February, at Spasticity Clinic with several doctors and therapists.  We were (in a nut shell) told that if Abram didn't have Rhizotomy (scheduled for November 7th) that he wouldn't walk.  Now you might be thinking, "but he has a walker and i have seen him walk?!"  Well, yes he does walk just not very good, and the likelihood of him struggling to walk everyday on his own is not promising.  He would probably end up just using a wheelchair.  Abram is entirely TOO bright to be stuck in a wheel chair.  He thinks, acts and talks like a 3 year old!  It's just his body that doesn't work like typical kids. 
SO, our prayers for this year are 1) God will return before November 7th or 2) We would just wake up one morning and Abram is completely healed!!!  BUT, if neither of those happen God will still get all the glory!  And the Bible says that in the twinkling of an eye we will all be whole!  What a great sight it will be, to see Abram RUNNING into his Saviors arms!  I hold tightly to this promise, some days it is what gets me through.  We have a great God  , who has taken care of us this far and I am sure he will be holding my sweet angel on November 7th as doctors open up his spine and sever nerves permanently.
Our Prayer needs for "before Surgery" are:
-Abram would consistently get physically stronger.
-Abram's MRI would be fine for surgery.
-Abram's hips would not get any tighter (we are working on this).
-Abram will stand longer and walk faster.
-That United HealthCare would approve Abram to have more than just 20 PT visits a year.

Our Prayer needs for "after surgery" are:
- His Mother wont lose it! HA!
-Abram will heal quickly
-Abram will respond to Physical Therapy wonderfully!  (which will be twice a day for several weeks!!!)

I'm Still Here

WOW, OK, so I am stopping to take a deep breathe and vent a little (honestly it's more like whining).  First- I LOVE my Sequoia and I don't think I ever want any other SUV.  Of course an updated version in about 3 years would be nice.  But, I don't want to spend all week in my car!!!  Let me explain, Abram just started a 4-day a week class at The Bell Center.  Which is GREAT!  Right?  A resounding YES!  But that means a 30 minute drive there and back 8 times a week!  Well, now that I spell that out it doesn't sound so bad.  OK, I really am just whining!  You know you are in the car entirely too much when you know ALL of the answers to Mickey's questions and you haven't even seen the video.
I'm done.


 

it's all good in the hood...

this has to be a quick blog but at least its something!  "it's all good in the hood" came from an ET shirt that asher has, it cracks me up EVERY TIME he wears it!  things have been ca-ray-zzy since i last blogged.  when i looked at this weeks calendar i really thought "good, a down week", boy was i wrong! 
so, today when we got back from the bell center i put the boys down for their nap and i thought i would get outside and walk/run a bit.  it felt great!  the feeling of being FREE, no diapers, no mess, no laundry!  as i searched for just the right music on my ipod, i chose hillsong united -to the ends of the earth.  track 3 - FREE- came on, and it was so fitting.  it says,
"would you believe me if i said that God can make miracles happen today?" "would you believe me if i said that you don't have to wait for the answers before you step out in faith?" " would you believe me if i said nothing is ever impossible for God?" 
i have heard this song a million times but today was different.  today it wasn't just a song, it was from God himself.  He was right beside me, listening to all my fears and doubts.  even though we might have to make some very hard decisions, HE will be with us.  it's all good in the hood.... for now  

fix wheels

since Doug was out of town today the boys and i stayed home and just hung out.  we had several visitors stop by like Momers, Paul and even Pappa came over for a little bit.  the kids LOVED it and they kept us laughing the whole day!
so, i posted this picture of Abram in his walker so you could get a visual.  that is not actually his walker but it is very similar to the one he has now.  if you don't know already Abram has cerebral palsy and needs a walker and AFO's (ankle and foot orthotics) to walk.  we have to start upping the amount of time in his walker, so today we walked for about an hour total.  i also took the wheel lock off so now his wheels swivel.  when Abram is in the walker i normally have to find some sort of motivation to get him to walk.  tonight, Elmo had crashed in the hallway and needed rescuing and he was on it, until getting sidetracked and saying over and over "momma fix wheels stuck."  even though he has such a hard time walking, crawling, eating and talking he still has a smile on his face.  for a kid who should be mad!  he isn't.  he amazes me daily with new words like "that's better", which he told Dr. Law on Thursday after Dr. Law removed his AFO's.  life just isn't fair but this is what we were given and in the end GOD will get ALL the glory.
Amen

Used Therapy

since yesterday was a little intense (and by a little i mean a LOT)  i thought today would be a good day for some retail therapy!  (and when i say retail, i really mean consigned/used, YEAH that's right Duggar style!)  so i met Brandy and Maddie crumlyfamily.blogspot.com  at a Whale of a Sale to dig around.  we found several good items, but most importantly Maddie found a pink tutu to add to her collection.  Abram found a "special prize" since he didn't get one yesterday, and Asa found a jar of toy cookies that you count.  i cant wait to hit up a few more consignment sales before spring hits!  then we hit up Costco and Chickfila and by the time i got home Abram had a nice poopy all over his lower half.  Now they are all sleeping and hopefully Doug and i will get to watch the social network.

SMILES

1 more go

i know, i know! i haven't posted anything in over 2 years but... i have been inspired by the lovely, fashionable, and oh-so-sweet Lindsey Lowe. who's blog is AMAZING! i can guarantee you mine won't even come close to hers. anyway, the next few years in the Duncan house are going to be full, (at times) difficult, demanding, and (hopefully) rewarding. so i thought i would journal it. i know this is not going to be an easy task for me, because i do NOT like being vulnerable, but if you dare hang on for the ride, i promise you will see the heart of the Duncan's and our precious boys.