I don't really have time to write at this moment as I'm behind in my school work...both doctorate and lesson plans, but I felt it necessary to give a quick update because so many ask and are keeping Bradley in their prayers.
For those of you that have seen him lately you know we are now wrapping his entire arm and instead of just his hand, thumb, and forefinger, we are now wrapping each finger on both hands individually. This past weekend was especially rough for him with itching...He pulled his wrappings off his hands 3 times Sunday.
He's back to having some deep areas on his right ankle and knee and the spot on the back of his left thigh is now the size of a quarter...it had gone down to the size of an eraser tip.
Now not to let everyone think I'm totally ignoring Tori Brooke...she needs your prayers too. We've known for a while that she too has eczema and a possibly milk allergy, but her skin is nowhere near as bad at 10 months as Bradley's was at 10 months. So pray she continues to only have it mildly. We did however find out this weekend that she is allergic to peanuts. She had a small bite of a cracker that had a thin layer of peanut butter on it and within seconds her face on one side was swollen, she was tearing at her hands, and she had hives along her stomach, back, neck, and head. Luckily no breathing problems and Benadryl did keep everything under control.
The scary thing is I know how thin my parents spread peanut butter on stuff....less than paper thin...and how much I gop peanut butter on things. What if I had been the one to give her a taste? Afterall this reaction was to only a small minute amount.
More to come later. Thanks for all your prayers!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Teacher in Me
Okay, for some of you who read the post below, you may be wondering why I explained things the way I did when I said "I know not what I do....etc."
I'm a teacher which means I build schema and scaffold to the point of more complex understanding and thinking. In laymens' terms, I'm using words I know Bradley can understand right now (his background knowledge) and I will build up to more complex understanding (schema building) of being a sinner, admitting to being a sinner, and asking Jesus into your heart and to forgive you of sins (schema building). All along the way I will be release the responsibility to him for continued growth and understanding while I (and others) provide support to him as a Christian (scaffolding).
Hope this makes sense to all.
Lord, I ask that you bless each person reading this as well as those in my life who are not. We are in troubling times right now, but through you all things are possible. There are also many people in my life that I do not know, but have touched me because of prayer requests from others. I ask that you take care of their needs to. You provide me with so much peace and I know others will benefit from the peace you can bring. In your name I pray, Amen.
I'm a teacher which means I build schema and scaffold to the point of more complex understanding and thinking. In laymens' terms, I'm using words I know Bradley can understand right now (his background knowledge) and I will build up to more complex understanding (schema building) of being a sinner, admitting to being a sinner, and asking Jesus into your heart and to forgive you of sins (schema building). All along the way I will be release the responsibility to him for continued growth and understanding while I (and others) provide support to him as a Christian (scaffolding).
Hope this makes sense to all.
Lord, I ask that you bless each person reading this as well as those in my life who are not. We are in troubling times right now, but through you all things are possible. There are also many people in my life that I do not know, but have touched me because of prayer requests from others. I ask that you take care of their needs to. You provide me with so much peace and I know others will benefit from the peace you can bring. In your name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Telling Secrets
On our way to the hospital for Bradley's EEG today, I heard, "Mommy, look Christmas lights."
He had seen one of the many crosses that was decorated with white lights and a circle of red lights at the top.
"You're right baby, but they are not for Christmas. They are representing when Jesus died on the cross for us. When he was killed. But you know what God knew that was going to happen and Jesus died for us. He died so that we could tell him "I know not what I do, but I believe in you and ask you to come into my heart and forgive me."
Trying to keep it simple but to tell the truth.
The next thing I know Bradley's telling me, "I like God."
"I'm so glad you do."
"I talk to him," said Bradley.
"I know we talk to him when we pray."
And then he started telling me that he talked to Jesus and Jesus talked to him.
"What did he tell you?" I asked.
"He said I can't tell, it's a secret."
"It's a secret?"
"Yeah," Bradley said.
"Well did he talk about you getting better?"
Excitedly Bradley said, "Yes, he said he's going to make my feet better."
Confused I asked "Your feet?"
"Yeah, he's going to make my feet all better."
"Okay, anything else? Is Jesus going to make anything else better?"
"My boo boos."
"I'm so glad he's going to take care of your boo boos too."
And then the conversation sort of waned as Bradley's attention was drawn to the river below as we crossed over the bridge into downtown.
I'm still a little confused about the feet comment. I know in the past Bradley's struggled with eczema covering his toes, tops of feet, etc. but this recent break out has only affected his ankles. And let me tell you Bradley is quick to let me know those are his ankles and NOT his feet if I say anything about his feet. Now he did complain a few times last week about his feet. The closest Mark and I could get him to explain was there's a lady bug inside poking him. (And yes, I shared that with his doctor).
I'm not exactly sure when Bradley talks to Jesus (other than when we pray together) and I definitely don't know when Jesus talks to him, but I do believe Jesus has spoken with Bradley. For one thing, I believe Jesus talks to us all, we just have to be open to hearing him. And for another, I don't think Bradley would be making this up. Finally, given the fact that I prayed last night for God to meet Bradley's needs because He knows Bradley's heart better than I do, it is too much of a coincidence that Bradley told me about his secret from Jesus.
I also know it may have been wrong for me to push Bradley to tell me this secret and for that I am sorry Lord.
God, thank you for providing Bradley with what he needs. Amen.
He had seen one of the many crosses that was decorated with white lights and a circle of red lights at the top.
"You're right baby, but they are not for Christmas. They are representing when Jesus died on the cross for us. When he was killed. But you know what God knew that was going to happen and Jesus died for us. He died so that we could tell him "I know not what I do, but I believe in you and ask you to come into my heart and forgive me."
Trying to keep it simple but to tell the truth.
The next thing I know Bradley's telling me, "I like God."
"I'm so glad you do."
"I talk to him," said Bradley.
"I know we talk to him when we pray."
And then he started telling me that he talked to Jesus and Jesus talked to him.
"What did he tell you?" I asked.
"He said I can't tell, it's a secret."
"It's a secret?"
"Yeah," Bradley said.
"Well did he talk about you getting better?"
Excitedly Bradley said, "Yes, he said he's going to make my feet better."
Confused I asked "Your feet?"
"Yeah, he's going to make my feet all better."
"Okay, anything else? Is Jesus going to make anything else better?"
"My boo boos."
"I'm so glad he's going to take care of your boo boos too."
And then the conversation sort of waned as Bradley's attention was drawn to the river below as we crossed over the bridge into downtown.
I'm still a little confused about the feet comment. I know in the past Bradley's struggled with eczema covering his toes, tops of feet, etc. but this recent break out has only affected his ankles. And let me tell you Bradley is quick to let me know those are his ankles and NOT his feet if I say anything about his feet. Now he did complain a few times last week about his feet. The closest Mark and I could get him to explain was there's a lady bug inside poking him. (And yes, I shared that with his doctor).
I'm not exactly sure when Bradley talks to Jesus (other than when we pray together) and I definitely don't know when Jesus talks to him, but I do believe Jesus has spoken with Bradley. For one thing, I believe Jesus talks to us all, we just have to be open to hearing him. And for another, I don't think Bradley would be making this up. Finally, given the fact that I prayed last night for God to meet Bradley's needs because He knows Bradley's heart better than I do, it is too much of a coincidence that Bradley told me about his secret from Jesus.
I also know it may have been wrong for me to push Bradley to tell me this secret and for that I am sorry Lord.
God, thank you for providing Bradley with what he needs. Amen.
Monday, March 16, 2009
I Hand These Problems to You Lord
As I stood watching for the buses to come in thinking I could use some extra hours of sleep, then pasting on a cheery smile to greet the sleepy students as they pour in, I heard a page on the phone to a coworkers room. Never in a million years did I think it was going to be a call for me, but it was.
"I can't get Bradley to wake up."
My heart stopped, before panic and fear could truly take hold, God intervened and I was able to speak, "What do you mean?"
"He got real quiet on the way to daycare. I thought he just nodded off for a nap, but when I picked him up to carry him in to daycare, he didn't even try to wake up. Ms. Connie and I keep trying to get him up, but he just falls back into a hard sleep. When we do get him to respond or to sit up, he'll walk over to his spot on the rug, but then lay down and fall back to sleep."
"Call the nurse, NOW"
As I stood there, pasting on the smile, forgetting how tired I was from only 2 hours sleep, panicking because I didn't know what was happening with my baby, I started to rationalize things. On the radio that morning they had been talking about how this day after time change was the hardest and that elementary children really have the most difficult time with the adjustment.
"That has to be it, but no it doesn't make any sense. Bradley got more sleep last night than he's gotten in a long time. Besides even when he's super tired and falls asleep in the car, he still stirs enough to find out where he is." This kept running through my mind. "Something doesn't seem right."
I called Mark back.
"She said to call the ambulance or get him to the ER, but he's up playing around now. What do you want to do?"
"Get him to the ER. Take him to Lexington, I'm on my way."
I quickly got a teacher to cover for my last bus, got down the hall found the administrators, told them what was wrong, grabbed my purse, and was out the door. As I turned down the road it hit me...we should go to Richland Memorial....his pediatrician office is associated with them, he's been admitted there before.
So I'm back on the phone telling Mark where to go instead. I hear Bradley in the background crying because he wants to stay at school.
We spend about 4 hours at the Er and by the time we left we had no answers.
After sending out a prayer request, I received an email from a God send. You see in the ER
Mark was asked if Bradley had any seizure type activity prior to the slumber he fell into. Of course Mark responded no. After all when one hears the word seizure you think convulsions, tremors, shaking, etc.
The email I received reminded me there are many other kinds of seizures. Not that I wish my child any more problems, but we need answers so we can help him. So the quick acting momma I sometimes am, started searching for information on seizures.
It hit me like a ton of bricks. How could I have forgotten? After all I'm reminded daily when following those annoying buses that have those flickering lights and monthly during routine fire drills. In undergrad school we learned about seizures where the person can seem as if they are daydreaming. And everytime I'm behind those buses that make my head swim or go through a fire drill and can't escape the flashing light fast enough, I think....what about people with seizures wouldn't this be a problem?
Later that night Mark added one more detail...they had just passed the fire station when Bradley had gotten quiet.....and the lights were going.
A few days later on the way to the follow up with Bradley's pediatrician, he scared me. We had just started going again after being stopped at a red light, when I noticed a subtle change in Bradley face. He appeared completely zoned out, of course having read as much as I had recently and not knowing what is going on with my baby, I called his name, soon I was yelling his name. Trying desperately to focus on the road ahead. Fighting to keep my eyes from staying glued to the review mirror. Thankfully we came to another red light. I turned around, tried yelling again. No response. Then he starts moving his lips as if talking.....but no sound coming out.
Coming to the end of Leaphart we were once again stopped at the red light before turning on to 378. A slight change in Bradley occurred again so I called his name once more. The response I got this time was a smile, frown, smile, frown...repeatedly, then just nothingness.
I couldn't get to the doctor's office fast enough.
I explained all that had occurred as well as our wondering if we had missed more of these episodes because we quickly passed them off as him being engrossed in Little Bear, Wonder Pets, playing, etc. I had really been thinking I was going to have my hands full since he was only 3 and able to completely ignore with no response whatsoever our attempts to get his attention...including waving our hands in front of his face, moving his arms, etc. Or passing things off because he takes so much medication. Had I been ignoring a problem all these months?
Fortunately our doctor knows that Bradley gets infections without exposure and when something happens with him, it usually happens fast and with little warning. She did blood work, urine sample, and scheduled an EEG and an MRI.
As we anxiously await these appointments, we pray:
God please be with and guide the nurses, doctors, specialists, and whoever else is involved. I pray you will show them what is troubling David Bradley's 3 year old body. Because no matter what they find, I know you will help us get through this. And be with Bradley, Lord. Provide him with the courage and strength he needs. You know all our hearts and minds. I know you know his and I pray you meet the needs he has inside that I am unaware of. I place him in Your hands. I turn over these new problems to you just as I have done with his skin and allergies. I trust in your O Lord and it is in your name I pray. Amen.
"I can't get Bradley to wake up."
My heart stopped, before panic and fear could truly take hold, God intervened and I was able to speak, "What do you mean?"
"He got real quiet on the way to daycare. I thought he just nodded off for a nap, but when I picked him up to carry him in to daycare, he didn't even try to wake up. Ms. Connie and I keep trying to get him up, but he just falls back into a hard sleep. When we do get him to respond or to sit up, he'll walk over to his spot on the rug, but then lay down and fall back to sleep."
"Call the nurse, NOW"
As I stood there, pasting on the smile, forgetting how tired I was from only 2 hours sleep, panicking because I didn't know what was happening with my baby, I started to rationalize things. On the radio that morning they had been talking about how this day after time change was the hardest and that elementary children really have the most difficult time with the adjustment.
"That has to be it, but no it doesn't make any sense. Bradley got more sleep last night than he's gotten in a long time. Besides even when he's super tired and falls asleep in the car, he still stirs enough to find out where he is." This kept running through my mind. "Something doesn't seem right."
I called Mark back.
"She said to call the ambulance or get him to the ER, but he's up playing around now. What do you want to do?"
"Get him to the ER. Take him to Lexington, I'm on my way."
I quickly got a teacher to cover for my last bus, got down the hall found the administrators, told them what was wrong, grabbed my purse, and was out the door. As I turned down the road it hit me...we should go to Richland Memorial....his pediatrician office is associated with them, he's been admitted there before.
So I'm back on the phone telling Mark where to go instead. I hear Bradley in the background crying because he wants to stay at school.
We spend about 4 hours at the Er and by the time we left we had no answers.
After sending out a prayer request, I received an email from a God send. You see in the ER
Mark was asked if Bradley had any seizure type activity prior to the slumber he fell into. Of course Mark responded no. After all when one hears the word seizure you think convulsions, tremors, shaking, etc.
The email I received reminded me there are many other kinds of seizures. Not that I wish my child any more problems, but we need answers so we can help him. So the quick acting momma I sometimes am, started searching for information on seizures.
It hit me like a ton of bricks. How could I have forgotten? After all I'm reminded daily when following those annoying buses that have those flickering lights and monthly during routine fire drills. In undergrad school we learned about seizures where the person can seem as if they are daydreaming. And everytime I'm behind those buses that make my head swim or go through a fire drill and can't escape the flashing light fast enough, I think....what about people with seizures wouldn't this be a problem?
Later that night Mark added one more detail...they had just passed the fire station when Bradley had gotten quiet.....and the lights were going.
A few days later on the way to the follow up with Bradley's pediatrician, he scared me. We had just started going again after being stopped at a red light, when I noticed a subtle change in Bradley face. He appeared completely zoned out, of course having read as much as I had recently and not knowing what is going on with my baby, I called his name, soon I was yelling his name. Trying desperately to focus on the road ahead. Fighting to keep my eyes from staying glued to the review mirror. Thankfully we came to another red light. I turned around, tried yelling again. No response. Then he starts moving his lips as if talking.....but no sound coming out.
Coming to the end of Leaphart we were once again stopped at the red light before turning on to 378. A slight change in Bradley occurred again so I called his name once more. The response I got this time was a smile, frown, smile, frown...repeatedly, then just nothingness.
I couldn't get to the doctor's office fast enough.
I explained all that had occurred as well as our wondering if we had missed more of these episodes because we quickly passed them off as him being engrossed in Little Bear, Wonder Pets, playing, etc. I had really been thinking I was going to have my hands full since he was only 3 and able to completely ignore with no response whatsoever our attempts to get his attention...including waving our hands in front of his face, moving his arms, etc. Or passing things off because he takes so much medication. Had I been ignoring a problem all these months?
Fortunately our doctor knows that Bradley gets infections without exposure and when something happens with him, it usually happens fast and with little warning. She did blood work, urine sample, and scheduled an EEG and an MRI.
As we anxiously await these appointments, we pray:
God please be with and guide the nurses, doctors, specialists, and whoever else is involved. I pray you will show them what is troubling David Bradley's 3 year old body. Because no matter what they find, I know you will help us get through this. And be with Bradley, Lord. Provide him with the courage and strength he needs. You know all our hearts and minds. I know you know his and I pray you meet the needs he has inside that I am unaware of. I place him in Your hands. I turn over these new problems to you just as I have done with his skin and allergies. I trust in your O Lord and it is in your name I pray. Amen.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Updates
No new inspirational words, just wanted to share some pictures. We are constantly in prayer and just want to take time to praise the marked improvements with Bradley's skin. We've been down the improvement road before though and are still praying for God to provide the wisdom to the doctors caring for Bradley that they may find out what is wrong.
We're also battling a new problem....and the scary thing is it may not be that new. It's just that we've been putting things off as him being really good at ignoring us. I'll post more about that later.
Right leg 2/15/09
Right leg 2/18/09
Legs 2/28/09
Right leg 3/12/09
Right leg 3/14/09
Right thumb 2/19/09
Hands 3/12/09
Hands 3/14/09
Left leg 2/19/09
Left leg 2/28/09
Left leg 3/14/09
We're also battling a new problem....and the scary thing is it may not be that new. It's just that we've been putting things off as him being really good at ignoring us. I'll post more about that later.
Right leg 2/15/09
Right leg 2/18/09
Legs 2/28/09
Right leg 3/12/09
Right leg 3/14/09
Right thumb 2/19/09
Hands 3/12/09
Hands 3/14/09
Left leg 2/19/09
Left leg 2/28/09
Left leg 3/14/09
Thursday, March 12, 2009
I Can't Believe I Made a Mistake Like That
In my post "His Hands Are Holding Me" I mistyped when I wrote about changing dermatologists back in January. The sentence in my head was....in January we changed dermatologists from Dr. Grice to Dr. Welch and that Dr. W. has been absolutely wonderful. What I wrote was that we had changed to Dr. Grice......NOT the case.
I have corrected the post to say Dr. Welch. So please if you are looking for a dermatologist, yes Dr. Grice is knowledgeable, but to address the needs of a child or for a doctor that spends more than a minute or two with you, I highly, highly, highly recommend Dr. Welch.
I can't believe I made that mistake!
I have corrected the post to say Dr. Welch. So please if you are looking for a dermatologist, yes Dr. Grice is knowledgeable, but to address the needs of a child or for a doctor that spends more than a minute or two with you, I highly, highly, highly recommend Dr. Welch.
I can't believe I made that mistake!
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