We're on our trip

We are on our trip. Yesterday was a long day. Lots of waiting in airports. We were picked up in a limo and taken to the airport. Josiah thought that part was the best. All he wants to do is swim in a pool. We keep telling him we could have done that at home. He's seven, go figure.

Allyson is doing well so far. She is excited but tired. We are trying to resist the urge to do to much. We have one goal, her wish, other than that nothing else matters for this trip.

I included some pictures of yesterday.

Josiah's pictures are for him to share with his friend Archer.

Dana

The meeting

The meeting went great. Everyone seemed to be on the same page when it came to what they thought Allyson needed for school. We will be doing home instruction thru the summer until the start of the next school year. She is doing better in most subjects but math is still very difficult.
Taking a summer break would be like starting all over again.

We will be scurrying around this weekend getting ready for the trip. Lots to do in little time.

Dana

Big day tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big meeting with some of the teachers/counselors from Batavia High School. We are looking forward to this meeting as we will be discussing what will be done for Allyson to finish this year and get ready for next year. This is so much more important now that we know Ally will probably be doing her outpatient rehab at Drake Hospital. This is around a 45 minute to an hour drive each way for up to three times a week. Since both Randy and I work, we are going to need to make some dramatic changes to make this schedule work.

On a happy note, Allyson will be getting her wish granted from the Make a Wish Foundation. I can't reveal the details online until it has already happened. But those of you who know her well, you know what she loves and her idol. The whole family leaves next week. She will be very happy come Wednesday night.

Dana

Ally's 24 hour pass

Allyson was able to come home to visit this past weekend. It was wonderful. She did great.

Ally has very little memory from before the surgery. She remembers the important stuff like, American Idol, Rainbow Girls, famous faces and cute boys. She doesn't remember family members and friends. Don't feel bad if she doesn't remember you, she doesn't remember either me or Randy except from after the second surgery. She knows we are Mom and Dad but doesn't have memories. The doctors say they will come back but don't know when. We now they are in there - example, when we went to church, she didn't remember the building but went right to her dad's office and was able to find the hard to find light switches. There is hope.

She is scheduled to come home on Friday, April 25, 2008. Everything is looking good for that date.

Dana

More rumors....

I really don't have anything concrete to tell. Most of what we know is hearsay. The nurse or another staff member will tell us they heard it or something.

So here is the latest "rumor" - Allyson will probably be staying until the original dismissal date of April 25. She may get a 24 hour pass this Saturday. It's to see how she does "out in the real world" and gives the therapists a chance to deal with any issues prior to dismissal.

We have recieved our first letter from our insurance questioning whether they will pay. I assume this will not be the last. We have a very nice person at the hospital who assures us that everything has been pre-certified and we shouldn't worry. I'm sticking with that until I no longer have to worry about Allyson. I can't handle my mind exploding right now.

More rumors later

Dana

Ally starts school at the hospital today.

Today Ally starts 45 min classes at the hospital for school. They are working on her writing skills. She is excited. This week 3 teachers from her school will be visiting her to see the rehab therapies she has been doing. It should be an eye opener for all. Allyson will be going back to school this year but I don't think she will be able to re-join her regular classes this year. She is doing great but it would be too much.

Dana

Ally is doing great.

Allyson's therapies are all going very well. She is re-learning very quickly. She is still weaker on her right side but is gaining strength every day. I really don't have much to report. This is actually good news. The less news at this point usually means less has gone wrong. She just needs to keep getting stronger so she can go home. once home, she will have outpatient treatment. At least we would then be back to "normal." What does that word mean anyway?

Dana