I absolutely love this picture of Ross and his niece Marley. I also got an update from Betsy, Ross's mom, but really needed to post the photo first!
Betsy wrote:
Our house has been much busier in the last few months. Establishing our new Team Ross is going along, but is taking more time than I anticipated. I have been trying to list all of the things we do that were developed over eleven years. That list is very long, and making it a routine is a big job.
Ross has weathered the changes, and he likes the new caregiver. Without the delayed rain, the air born irritants in the air have given us all respiratory irritation. We rushed Ross to the doctor a few weeks ago because of a cough that didn’t clear. The doctor said his lungs were clear, and suggested that we use homemade saline solution for spraying his nose instead of the more complex commercial product we have been using. Immediately, Ross started to feel better and became less congested as well. Sometimes simpler is better.
Since Jeremiah had done such a good job as Ross’s therapy coach, we wanted to make sure that Ross would continue to progress. We had a Physical Therapist from the local hospital district come for a few sessions. She was very pleased with Ross’s progress, and reviewed the principles that we should be covering: weight bearing, standing, walking, laying prone, rolling, and pedaling. She gave us more tips on walking with Ross using a gait belt, and with Ross using the parallel bars. The parallel bars are becoming an important part of our work with him.
Ross now has more energy, is more cheerful, and more verbal. I think it is because he is feeling better physically, and also because he is more alert. For example, he periodically asks us individually,, “Are you a cat?” My response is a meow, and he says, “Meow!”
Sometimes, when I give him something to drink, he will ask me, “What is this?” Or, his question might be “Will it hurt me?” Today, Jacob asked him if he wanted lunch; Ross said no, and then a little later he said, “Yes.” Today, when I checked his SAT rate (Oxygen Saturation Rate), he wanted to look at the gauge, which shows oxygen saturation and pulse, and studiously watched it for about twenty minutes. Obviously, he is more aware, and is starting to take a small part in the decisions of his everyday life.
Thank you for your love and prayers. This is a difficult journey, and we are grateful for your support. Onward and upward!
Betsy wrote:
Our house has been much busier in the last few months. Establishing our new Team Ross is going along, but is taking more time than I anticipated. I have been trying to list all of the things we do that were developed over eleven years. That list is very long, and making it a routine is a big job.
Ross has weathered the changes, and he likes the new caregiver. Without the delayed rain, the air born irritants in the air have given us all respiratory irritation. We rushed Ross to the doctor a few weeks ago because of a cough that didn’t clear. The doctor said his lungs were clear, and suggested that we use homemade saline solution for spraying his nose instead of the more complex commercial product we have been using. Immediately, Ross started to feel better and became less congested as well. Sometimes simpler is better.
Since Jeremiah had done such a good job as Ross’s therapy coach, we wanted to make sure that Ross would continue to progress. We had a Physical Therapist from the local hospital district come for a few sessions. She was very pleased with Ross’s progress, and reviewed the principles that we should be covering: weight bearing, standing, walking, laying prone, rolling, and pedaling. She gave us more tips on walking with Ross using a gait belt, and with Ross using the parallel bars. The parallel bars are becoming an important part of our work with him.
Ross now has more energy, is more cheerful, and more verbal. I think it is because he is feeling better physically, and also because he is more alert. For example, he periodically asks us individually,, “Are you a cat?” My response is a meow, and he says, “Meow!”
Sometimes, when I give him something to drink, he will ask me, “What is this?” Or, his question might be “Will it hurt me?” Today, Jacob asked him if he wanted lunch; Ross said no, and then a little later he said, “Yes.” Today, when I checked his SAT rate (Oxygen Saturation Rate), he wanted to look at the gauge, which shows oxygen saturation and pulse, and studiously watched it for about twenty minutes. Obviously, he is more aware, and is starting to take a small part in the decisions of his everyday life.
Thank you for your love and prayers. This is a difficult journey, and we are grateful for your support. Onward and upward!
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