Continuing on...

Jason's x-rays looked good and the fusion in his back is doing it's job. However, he will have restrictions for life. Even after he gets his strength back (which he works at daily), he will have a limit of lifting no more than 25 pounds. That will be a big adjustment for all of us as we are very used to him being able to do "anything." He will have to be very careful not to stress the area of his back above and below the fusion and there is a strong possibility of further surgery as those areas of his back experience extra wear. He is hoping to be able to work again - in a few months - and also hoping to find a new line of work.

Naomi is now out of her brace and attending full days of school. When we went back to the "hip doctor," we were told there was no need of further x-rays. After looking at the first set of x-rays, the radiologist discovered that when her pelvis was fractured, the force of the impact to her hip caused the cartilage in that joint to impact and, most likely, die. Cartilage does not have a reputation for growing back.

At this time, Naomi walks with a limp and cannot run. She has scoliosis in her upper back that will be re-examined next April. At that time, the neurosurgeon will be able to tell if this scoliosis was caused by the accident or is a pre-existing condition. Naomi does what she can at softball practice, but won't be able to play in the games since she cannot run the bases. She is happy to be at practice, though, and has a really good attitude so far. I think we are all holding on to the belief that, somehow, she will heal and be walking and running like she used to. It's hard not to hope and pray for that (and we are). We are still waiting to hear back from the neurosurgeon on some extra x-rays he ordered last Thursday night, but "no news is good news," right?

On April 25th, Naomi will have a cat scan and an ultrasound to check the progress of the blood clot she developed in the hospital. It is in her arm, while two parts of it had travelled to one lung. Then on May 23rd, our wonderful cardiologist, Dr. Reyes, will be checking on her heart again. Hopefully, it will have healed by then.

I know that posting has slowed down considerably here, but that is good! A nice change from the daily changes we were going through for so long (in the beginning). I will continue to update at least once or twice a month. Many of you will be hearing from me by mail soon, as life is becoming a bit more manageable.

As we have continued physical therapy here, and look at options for Aqua therapy, there really is a chance for a lot of improvement for Naomi. She will also be taking Glucosamine, among other things, with hopes of overcoming her limp. Instead of focusing on the fact that her childhood (the playing, running and jumping part of it) has been "taken away," we are reminded that she can still walk, and is still "with it." We are so glad that we are all still here as a family. As for the rest, we'll be working like it's up to us, and praying like it's up to God.