Has it been a year???

Here is a video of Izzy on the bike at school today!

Field Trip Fall 2010

We had a fun windy cold day at Orr Family Farm in OKC today. Izzy held a rabbit, pet a chicken and a pig! She rode on a hay ride to a pumpkin patch.... It was the 2nd grade trip, the little girl in the pic above is Grace, Izzy's friend. She has been so sweet to Izzy for years and has been in her classroom for three years (Grace told me this today). She prays for Izzy nightly and is one of a handful of girls who really love Izzy. Melanie, Izzy's teacher is holding Iz for the pic. Arionna and Nathaniel also went on the field trip. Tomorrow is another trip and then yet another in November!

Hips are healing... although allergies have been an issue this week.

Izzy got an award this week at school for meeting her AR goals (AR is a reading program).

In just two weeks I get to fly to Seattle to meet a group of mothers who have children who have nearly drowned. A few of these ladies have been such good friends for years! I am so excited!

where we are now...

I took Iz to the surgeon for a x-ray check on her back yesterday. He said that her back is 20 degrees improved with the brace. He was satisfied with those results so for now there will be no adjustments... other than those made by izzy getting used to wearing it. She made some acknowlegement today with Camilla that she is "wiggling" out of it, turning it sideways. When it is crooked her para Michele takes it off. So far she hasn't complained too much while wearing it.

Our next step is to visit the doctor in May to do pre-surgery paperwork etc. It's hard to imagine that her surgery isn't much more than a month away!

She had a few sleepy days this week but thankfully "came back" to us today. She was vocal and had the spark back in her eye. Melanie sent her report card home today with a lovely note about her progress that I will post when a) I have it on hand, and b) I have time to type it all out.

I cannot say often enough how blessed we are with the teachers and therapists at school.

pediatric orthopedic surgeon appointment update.

Matt and I took izzy to the pediatric orthopedic surgeon Wednesday morning. The primary reason for scheduling this appointment was reports of increasing hip pain and discomfort. The secondary reason was a discussion I had with her orthotist about doing some tendon release to get her feet where they need to be (flat.). It's no secret that Izzy's diagnosis is not something that doctors can "fix" or even know what to do about. The brain is a mystery. The body parts are not such a mystery, and Dr. Herndon felt very confident in the surgery he is suggesting as very necessary. I zoned out after I heard incisions and bone cutting so I'm not sure about the exact details but I do know that it is a long surgery requiring a partner to work on opposite hip at same time for six hours total. It will require a blood transfusion. She will be put in a cast from chest to toes for six weeks. Yesterday was very overwhelming. We live in a protective cocoon... believing Izzy will get better... not seeing her through physical eyes but with our spiritual eyes. Listening to a doctor make proclamations about her condition is and always has been disheartening. Don't misunderstand, our God is bigger than those words... but we are human and words hurt. These particular words seemed to hurt a little too much yesterday.

I continue to stand on the scriptures of promise that are tabbed above. I am so thankful for family and for friends who are supportive and encouraging at times like this when we face uncertainty, and yet know where all certainty comes from. Sounds like a double existance, and honestly sometimes feels like one. I think that is just another way the enemy inhabits our thoughts and tries to cause our faith to decrease. I was especially thankful for Matt yesterday. I remembered how good we are as a team yesterday. The reason I think we stayed sane (or partially sane :) ) through Izzy's accident and hospital stay. He is strong where I am weak. I'd like to think visa-versa as well.

We could sure use prayers (of faith) right now. Our church is having a 24 hour prayer vigil for Iz. I keep thinking someone is praying for her right now. What a comfort.

I have an appointment Monday for her to see the hospital orthotist to have a brace made for her back to try to keep her back straight(er) while sitting up. The next step will be an appt. with the orthopedic surgeon for xrays again to make sure the brace is effective.

a quilt.

Kate is a member of the ponds (parents of near drownings) group... she is not a parent of a near drowning, but is a quilt maker. She has a long waiting list for her special quilts. Isabelle has been on her list for years. At least two years ago Kate mentioned some of the patterns of material she had found and wanted to know if anyone on the waiting list was interested. She mentioned an olivia the pig pattern and I said I thought Iz would love that!

The Olivia the pig quilt arrived this week. Such a beautiful quilt full of so much handwork and love. The border around the edge says, "exercise is good, accessorizing is better." Isn't that cute? There are pigs with bows and different accessories on the quilt. It's a great size and I know Isabelle will enjoy it so much. We've had fun just looking at the different pigs on the quilt.

The quilt group is "Circle of Hope." Thank you Kate & Circle of Hope for such a wonderful quilt of love and... well... pigs :) !

a surprise

Today was Izzy’s day for ESY … which is Summer school. She has been missing Melanie (her favorite teacher)! Today Melanie came to surprise Izzy! She brought balloons… and one was ORANGE. Izzy grabbed the orange balloon when Melanie showed them to her. Word was that Iz did better with Karen and Camilla than she has all Summer. Melanie is a great motivator. Lots of exciting things to look forward to this school year including a new classroom of their very own that is bigger and can accommodate all the things needed to make school perfect! So great.

Thank you Melanie for coming to school today to surprise Izzy. She was so happy to see you! (so was I)

izzy's teachers...

I made the teachers and therapists t-shirts... they all wore them on her graduation day!

I'll be back later to post report card info for ms. smarty pants Isabelle :) !