Before and After

Some of the best "before and after" shots I've ever seen!

Osteopathy and Water Therapy

Naomi and I both spent some time with Dr. Thieme here in Bowdoinham yesterday. She discovered that one of Naomi's legs is measuring longer than the other, so Naomi is working on that, along with posture. I (Jen) have been having some problems in my neck, back, and face since the accident, and the appointment was really helpful to me. We're really thankful to have a doctor like Stacey in our area!

Water therapy (for help with arthritis) will be on the schedule for Naomi. We are looking forward to the improvements in mobility that this therapy may bring.

Mom (Jen) is back in college for a summer semester...and it is a bit busy; but I am glad to be exercising my mind a bit, and continuing on toward my goal of becoming a nurse.

Jason is feeling stronger (though, of course, not back to normal yet). We are still receiving so many nice cards (my card box is overflowing!), and support. We are incredibly thankful for the love and care we are being shown.

Jen and Family

In the Home stretch...

Baseball season has begun and ALL the kids are playing. Naomi is running! (She does still have a limp...but she's doing it!) We will be taking her to an Osteopath in our area, and also getting her a prescription for water therapy. While her doctor says that the bone injury in her hip won't heal, he is supportive of us doing all we can to help her as far as mobility and quality of life. At this point, she will need a new hip, or a fusion of the hip, some time down the line (unless my hopes for a miraculous recovery are discovered!).

May 23rd will be our last appointment with the cardiologist - if all looks well. I will update then.

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.

Latest News...

Reading the article in the Times Record today was a bit emotional - and it reminded us of all the rescue workers we are so thankful for.

It also reminded us that there is one "family member" who never made it onto the blog. So, here is a picture of Bella. She was probably thrown from the car early in the accident and was nowhere to be seen at the time. However, she was sniffing around and looking for us at the scene later on that morning. She is obviously very happy to be home (it took us a couple of months to get her here).

A benefit baked bean supper for the Cloukeys will be held April 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Topsham American Legion Hall on Foreside Road. The cost is $6 per person. The event was organized by Joanna Sweeney of Topsham, whose daughter goes to school with Naomi. To contribute a dessert for the fundraiser, call Joanna at 729-6583. B&M Baked Beans donated beans and bread for 400 people, and Hannaford Supermarket of Topsham is donating paper plates.

Jason is weaning himself off of the back brace at this time. However, he will have restrictions on lifting and physical activity for the rest of his life. Hopefully, when he is fully healed, he will be able to lift up to 25 pounds. He will have to be very careful not to stress the areas of his back that are above and below the fusion. Naomi continues to heal nicely and is diligently working on using her legs correctly.

We are very aware of all that we have to be thankful for - every minute.

We still can't help but smile!

Well, we just found out that Naomi has post-traumatic arthritis in her hip. The doctor will be x-raying her hip again in a month to see how it's coming along. He's hoping to see some improvement, over time, as the other option is a major reconstructive surgery (no, thank you!). I am reminded of the time where the neurosurgeons were deciding between the use of a back brace or back surgery. It was such an answer to prayer to find out that we could treat her fractures with the brace. I'm sure we can see another answer to prayer in this area! So, for those who believe, pray with us that Naomi's hip heals over this next month. I'm looking forward to giving a good report!

Since Naomi is not in a lot of pain, and is now off of her medications, it is looking like we will be able to sign her up for softball after all! We've still got to get the "okay" from 3 different doctors, but it's looking good. She may not really be able to play much, but it will feel good to be a part of her old team.

April 3rd may be the last day of the brace. We'll know for sure after her x-rays on that day.

Jason will be having x-rays this week and we are hoping for some more good news.

Even the weather seems to be improving around here. We look forward to being out and about again soon!

Doctors, appointments, more doctors, more appointments....

We are once again headed out for an unplanned Doctor's appointment. A nasty virus is making it's way through our home and has now hit Naomi. While Mom and the kids can just rest and suffer through it, a closer eye has to be kept on Naomi. Jason has not gotten sick yet!

When Naomi starts to feel better, she'll be able to work on her walking some more, but it looks like no softball for her this season. She's pretty bummed out about that one! We will be meeting with an Orthopaedic specialist soon to take a look at what is going on with her pelvic fractures and legs.

She is getting really good care and we're sure she'll be feeling better soon!