New Diagnosis

I took Nathan back to the doctor a couple of weeks ago because I was never really satisfied with the "spastic hamstring" diagnosis and his situation has not been improving enough to ease my concerns.  With him starting in the middle school this year, I wanted to try again to get to the bottom of the problem.

As it turned out, our referring doctor had never even heard back from the specialist that had given us the spastic hamstring diagnosis.  He was concerned when I told him that Nathan lags behind the family when we are out, and that he has a pronounced limp.  Our doctor referred us to another physical therapist, one that is even more specialized.  He said if we couldn't get improvement with him, we'd likely be going to Primary Children's.

So Nathan had his first appointment with the PT yesterday morning.  He asked us some background questions then had Nathan remove his shoes and shirt.  Right away he noticed a problem in his back and said it looked like a compensatory scoliosis...meaning that something was causing a curve in his back.  One side of Nathan's back was higher when he leaned over and one foot was turned in just a little.

He manipulated several spots on Nathan, found several motion restrictions and loosened him up quite a bit.  After a short amount of time, the PT concluded that the scoliosis was not being caused by anything, rather it was causing Nathan's problems.  He said it could explain Nathan's short stature as well because scoliosis can stunt growth.

Usually, this kind of scoliosis is discovered in Jr. High when the government funds health checks to catch it....right at puberty and its accompanying growth spurts.  I feel good that we are aware even before that time.

The PT was very clear that we were not at the stages of this to be overly concerned.  He told me not to look it up on the internet because it would just be a lot of scary stuff that didn't apply right now.  Of course, he didn't know who he was talking to! I looked up a little last night.  ;)

For now, Nathan has two more appts. scheduled over the next two weeks.  I am hopeful that we will now be moving forward and getting Nathan some relief.

Yesterday afternoon, we were meeting Nathan's 5th grade teacher and I mentioned that he'd just been given the diagnosis of scoliosis that morning.  (I wanted her to be aware, just in case he had a bad day in the first few days of school.)  What a surprise we got when she said she also had scoliosis!  Some people would call it a coincidence.  I call it a blessing.  And I said as much to Nathan on the way home.  I told him I knew Heavenly Father was mindful of him and was watching over him.  Really, on the VERY DAY he finds out?  That is a tender mercy from heaven.

HOT Summer...part 2

I complained earlier that it has been extra hot this summer.  We've been in the 90's more than we haven't.  It was 95 today.  Thankfully, it is only supposed to get to 92 for both of the next two days.

This weekend, we had two children end up with heat rash (Daniel and Rebekah).  The discomfort is obvious as they try not to scratch.  We just coated them in hydrocortisone and hope that they feel some relief soon.

I have some concern for the heat next week as school starts.  The elementary school doesn't have air conditioning.  I am hoping for a quick entrance of Fall!

I'll be back to complain about the cold in 5 months.  ;)

A Quiet Moment

After a particularly stressful week (it really wasn't more stressful than most other weeks, but it kind of builds up...you know?), I was making a valiant effort to put my feet up and disappear from the bustle for a time.

The kids were supposed to be doing their dinner chores...at the other end of the house.  I had my book open and was trying to read while fielding constant questions, comments, and complaints from the constant stream of children coming into my room.

When Sarah started climbing up on my lap, taking up space where my book was supposed to be, I finally got frustrated enough to complain out loud.

I sighed and said something like, "Why can't you guys just give me some time to myself?  I just need a quiet moment!"

Then Sarah leans back into my chest, spreads her arms over mine (as if I am the arm chair), rolls her head to the side, sighs, and says in her little squeaky girl voice, "I just need a quiet moment!"

I tried really hard not to laugh. It didn't work.

HOT Summer

This summer has been very hot! There have been more days in the upper 90's this summer than any other summer I can remember.  That makes it very hard to be nice to each other. ;)

On that note, Daniel had a much better day today and only almost got himself in trouble at bed time.  I am hoping that tomorrow will be good as well.  If not, Operation Solitary Confinement will start.

Daniel had a physical therapy appt. today for his jaw.  It was a scheduled visit and he wasn't hurting, but he has been, so we were hoping for just an adjustment.  Then we got a call saying that his PT was sick, but we could get in with another guy. We did that and it may have turned out to be a good thing.  We are trying to watch his posture and strengthening his neck muscles.  Doesn't it sound strange that something like that would affect his jaw?  There is so much about the body that I don't understand.  I am amazed.  And I am hopeful that we will find a way to manage his jaw pains.

Nathan's leg is still really tight and he lags behind when we go out.  He hasn't asked for medicine for a while, so that is something.  He sees an even more specialized PT next week. 

Leah sees the doctor about her sleep walking tomorrow afternoon.  I would love an answer about that, too!

Despite the pain and money it takes to look for relief from the pain, the kids are still robust and healthy.  I know we could have it much worse and I'm thankful for what we don't have to face.  Even so, we are getting very weary with the challenge we've been given.

My kids were introduced to "Kid History" on youtube.com this week.  If you haven't seen it, you should check out the videos.   There are several of them and they are very funny.  (Little kids tell wacky stories and grown-ups act them out, lip syncing to the kids' voices.)

This is a short one...we thought it was funny.  Search "Kid History" on youtube to find them all. :)


I am looking forward to possible rain/thunderstorms tomorrow!!

Summer Cancer

I am looking forward to school starting next week.  We are suffering from a cancer that is eating our family from the inside.  When the kids start school, they will be able to reconnect with friends that they have been missing all summer and use up their energy in more structured activities.

Things have been so crazy around here that we've had very little structure.  Sometimes we had swimming lessons, sometimes we were catching a movie from the summer kid series, there was a week of basketball camp for Daniel and Leah, we've made several trips out of town, there were two different scout camps, and we've been missing our Daddy. 

It's been hot this summer and our house doesn't have air conditioning.  That hasn't helped the temper flare-ups much.

Daniel composed a poem for Leah tonight. 

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Your shoes smell like poo,
And you look like some, too.

She wrote it down and showed it to me while I was working on dishes and they were supposed to be going to bed.  So I composed one of my own and wrote it down for Daniel.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
When you are unkind to others,
They will start to avoid you.
-And you will be sad, mad and lonely.

Daniel is the main source of contention in the house.  I am ready to confine him to areas that we are not in during the day tomorrow.  He won't have to stay in his room the whole day, but he will have to leave whatever area we are in.  He may find himself with a lot of thinking time in the garden, too.  I am to the point of desperation.  (Out of respect for him, I won't go into all the dirty details.  I still believe that he is better than he's showing us.)

So while our family is struggling with getting along and making happy memories, I have the assignment to teach the RS Presidency message/lesson next month.  The topic?  Strengthening families/Making a home where others want to be.  HA HA HA!  I am twitching, laughing hysterically and pretty sure I'm the least qualified to teach this lesson.  I suppose that means I have the most to learn. It should be interesting...right up to the final AMEN.

Letting things slip

Some of you may be wondering how it has been going around here with Chad working out of town.

Well, I haven't killed, maimed or liquidated any of my children yet.  Does that sound a little harsh? I'l let you borrow my shoes for a mile.

Housework has become a dirty word.  And endless days of 90+ degree weather in a home with no air conditioning doesn't make it any easier.

For this reason, I am just now turning my attention to the kitchen floor.  It's pretty sad that I can sweep up a pile of food and dirt that big and turn to see a surface so in need of mopping that even I question if I already swept!

Daniel is outside mowing a very large lawn with a heavy lawn mower.  It's already 85 degrees.  He is dieing.  He has been at it (with lots of breaks) for two hours now.  He is half done.

Running a home and yard is much more efficient with both parents.  I am praying that our situation will change quickly and that we can hang on until it does!

School starts in less than 3 weeks.  I think that will help.

Honoring Daniel

Daniel turned 12 last month.  He had been looking forward to this particular birthday for a while.  All of his school friends had already turned 12 and he was feeling left out when they'd go to scouts or a Deacon's activity without him.

This past school year, Daniel became extra interested in Legos.  It seems to be a bit of a fad with some of his friends.  I'm OK with this kind of fad.  There are so many negative this that I hardly bat an eye at this one!

So it was only fitting that I make him a Lego cake.  Unfortunately, a real Lego man cake pan is small and PRICEY.  Fortunately, I had a Wilton astronaut/space man pan.  It was close enough!  I trimmed a bit and used the frosting to my advantage, but it passed the 12-year-old boy test.

He puffed up his cheeks and blew out the candles.  He almost did it all in one breath, too!  Almost.  Twelve candles is a lot! 

Eventually, we got through half of a Lego Man before we were filled.  I think it's great that he can keep smiling after all he's been through!  hee hee

 We had a visitor this day...Grandpa Peterson.  (This was also the day we sheared the sheep.)  We got to take Grandpa to dinner with us...a reverse of what usually happens when Grandpa visits.  We were glad to treat him for a change!  Daniel was pretty excited that his visit fell on his birthday.

The following Sunday was a pretty big day for Daniel.  He had picked out his first official suit and was looking forward to wearing it to church.  He was ordained a Deacon by his dad in a small group of family after church meetings.  The next week he passed the sacrament for the first time.  He was nervous but happy!

 Along with the ordination to look forward to, Daniel also anticipated his b-day party.  It had been 4 years since his last one. (We celebrate every year, but not with friends.)  Daniel invited several of his friends.  They ALL came.  They did not all RSVP, but I planned the most important things for all of them and was only a little thrown off to have them all show up.

We played some Lego-themed games, including shooting the BB gun at a target of their own (to take home).  We opened presents and had cupcakes.  

While we waited for rides to come take the boys back home, we visited and ran around the yard in true young men fashion.

I was pretty impressed with the behavior of these 11 and 12-year-old boys.  No one complained when they lost a game or accused anyone else of cheating.  They took everything in great stride and joked and laughed equally with each other.  They weren't all members of the church and it didn't cause any stir at all...either way.  I am glad for a first hand witness that Daniel is choosing good boys for friends!