Reece's Follow Up CT Scan

Reece goes in for a follow up CT scan from his surgery a few weeks ago. They're making sure the cholesteatoma has not grown back and that everything is healing nicely.

He's been a bit of a handfull over the past few days. He really crashes off of his ADHD meds. He basically goes into his room, tells us to "go" and plays by himself for an hour or two. He's defiant and gets angered very quickly.

Seems like there's always something.

Reece is Sick

Reece appears to be coming down with a cold or something. It's hard not to be paranoid with all of the swine flu scares and everything. We are going to get vaccine shots for both boys for the regular flu and Swine flu. Swine flu shots are to be available in October so they say. Scary stuff.

Reece's doctor says he has Alopecia, a condition where hair lost lost around the body, but mainly from the scalp. He has developed a few bare spots on the back of his head. We're upset about this as you could imagine. The last thing we want is for him to lose his hair, be stared at (more than he already is), and have to deal with yet another challenge. The challenges seem to keep coming. I'm sort of getting numb to all of the challenges Reece faces, and those that we face as a result.

Reece has recieved great reports daily from school. He seems to still be thriving in the school system here in MD. Since he has a one-on-one aid, he's able to stay focused and learn pretty quickly. We're thrilled with his progress.

We have not been able to find our tennis racquets since we moved so we bought new ones for the family over the weekend. Got the cheapest ones they had. $60 for 4 of them! With a dozen practice balls! They boys love playing. Owen seems to have picked it up quickly and was returning some soft shots I sent his way. Reece spent half the time trying to throw the balls over the fence and into a ditch and spinning his racquet. He did have some nice shots though. Both boys are extremely athletic. Reece likes basketball best and can actually make shots on a regulation 10 foot basket. Owen is all about baseball, football, and now tennis. It's fun.

Short business trip this week. Great opportunity with a prospect. Very blessed to have my job and to work for such a great company.

I'm interested in knowing if anyone has tried the Total Transformation Method! Give me a shout!

Update on Reece

Reece has been having a reaction to his ADHD medication. Taking him to an allergist and also to a Down Syndrome clinic for further evaluation. He's also losing his hair in the back of his head. Doctor says it's an auto-immune issue but we are also looking for more info from other docs.

If anyone has any recommendations on ADHD medication or treatment, I'm listening. If anyone has tried "The Total Transformation Method" advertised on TV and radio, I'm interested in your thoughts.

On a positive note, Alabama looked good against VA Tech Saturday night. We were a bit nervous but are happy with the win. Looking forward to the GA Tech game on Thursday night. Go Jackets!

Travel has died down for work. I am going to Philly on Monday night and tuesday of next week. Should be a good meeting.

I've been diving deeper into my Bible reading and am also studying Charles Stanley's "How to Listen to God". I've mentioned it before and it is still a great book. Combining this book with Chuck Swindoll's daily sermons on XM 170, I'm convinced that God is redirecting my life. He's given me a great job with a great company and is putting challenges in place to test my faith and obedience to follow His direction.

I recommend visiting the website for Truth for Life with Alistair Begg...great sermons and life lessons.

Be blessed. More soon.

Reece's First Football Game

Took the boys to a high school football game tonight. My wife's high school was playing at home here in town. My father in law does the public address for the game. Reece didn't do so well near the action, but played soccer with some other kids off a ways from the field. My mother in law was there looking after him. I was in the booth working as the spotter for my father in law.

We won the game 49-0. Opposing team had like 20 kids. They did their best but most had to play both ways. They were tired, lot's of false starts on offense, kids falling out of their stance...one serious injury where an opposing player was taken away in an ambulance in the 3rd quarter.

Sometimes it's difficult to accept the fact that my child, with his challenges will most likely never play football. I mean sure, it's possible. But with his cognitive delays and physical limitations, he most likely not be able to play. I read newspaper stories from around the country where a kid with Down Syndrome joins the high school football team. He's allowed to play and typically he gets in for one play during the season, the community rallies behind him...maybe that will happen. Too early to say. And in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter anyway? I'm tired and am rambling now...

Before Reece was born, I had dreams for my oldest son, football, baseball, other things that are typical for dads. I guess my dreams for him have changed. Other things are important now. High school graduation, having a job, living independently, being accepted and included, having friends...these are the things that are important to me now.

Bama plays VA Tech at 8PM tomorrow night...Roll Tide!! Both boys like to watch football on TV so this should be a fun weekend with College football getting under way.

Have a great long weekend everyone. I'll try and log in anything interesting that happens over the weekend.

Great Day at School for Reece!

Reece got 2 thumbs up at school today. A measure of his behavior in the morning and afternoon parts of the day. This is such a relief that he is settled while at school and able to focus and learn. ADHD is so disruptive to the learning process, but he appears to be doing OK!

Tonight he was pretty tired by the time I got home at 7:15. In fact, he went into our room, undressed, closed the shades and curtains, and climbed into bed. Of course, he didn't put new clothes on when he got into bed!!! So we got him in his PJs. He sat by the open window for a few minutes just looking outside and counting the cars and trees in the neighborhood. It's not often that he's so peaceful, but we're thankful!

Results From Reece's Ear Surgery

So Reece had his ear surgery this morning. The doctors did in fact find a cholesteatoma in his right ear. It was not as bad as they had originally thought. It was in his ear canal instead of in his inner ear which is why the CT scan missed it a few weeks ago. They removed the growth, cleaned him up, and put in his new ear tubes. He's good as new! Praise God!

Reece started school yesterday and has a new teacher and one-on-one aid. He had a great first day and the teachers were pleased with his behavior. His ADHD patch makes a big difference during the school day. He crashes at night though. Makes it difficult to have a sit-down dinner as a family when he's up every 10 seconds chasing the cats around the house or raiding his brothers dinner and drink.

College football starts in a few days and we are so excited we can't even sit still. This is the best time of the year by far. We've had great weather over the last few days. Nice crisp cool mornings with high temps in the low 70s. I love it.

Until next time...