Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to say thank you to all of the amazing people who have shown support over the last ALMOST 5 years! Can you believe it?! Jack will be 5 in only 2 weeks! Although our lives have become a "new normal" to us, I've been able to share all the the joys and frustrations of my journey with my cyber world that I know includes real people who care about Jack.

(make sure you check out the link at the end of the blog)

So much has happened since the last time I wrote. We moved right around Thanksgiving. Oddly enough, Jack took to the new house like a champion! He truly understands what the word "new" means. Jack has had a lot of "new" over the last several months (teacher at the old school, van, braces, house, shoes, new school). He'll even have a new wheelchair soon! Speaking of school, Jack started a week ago. He has been doing great and everyone loves him! Instead of a wheelchair accessible bus, a van picks Jack up. There is a lift, just like the bus in Decatur had, but it's at the back of the van. Jack stays in his chair and rides to and from school! Even better? His aide picks up and drops off Jack!!!!!!!!!!! Did you catch that? Jack has an aide! It's quite exciting. Her name is Becky and she works only with Jack. We are very happy that he has someone to help him out at all times while keeping a close eye on all of his needs.

I recently visited the classroom and caught Jack playing Memory with his 3 other classmates. Jack was turning over the cards (the aide and teacher helped prompt Jack) and when he got a match he became overly excited and clapped and squealed and the other kids cheered! It was great! I now understand why Jack says, "Jack's turn." 

(make sure you check out the link at the end of the blog)

Katie and I took Jack to St. Louis Children's Hospital for Neurology last week. This was a very important appointment. The doctor really is great. He spent 90 minutes with us in clinic. He got to see Jack at his best and worst. We discussed Jack's seizure history and his recent symptoms, along with the EEG that was done shortly after that long seizure while we were on vacation. The doctor felt it best to start Jack on an anti-seizure medication called Keppra based on all of the facts. I agreed. Jack has had several short episodes since the big one. Maybe I've been in denial. I don't know. Jack's been on the medication for 14 days (10 days at full dose). He is more agitated (possible side effect). He sleeps better most of the time (as in I don't hear a peep from his room). Does this mean that Jack was having seizures in his sleep? That's sort of scary. He has still had a couple of little zaps, as I call them, but I can only assume that medication hasn't taken the full effect. I'm giving it two weeks at full dose before I call the doctor with an update.

We took the kids to see Santa. Jack told him that he wanted Spongebob, a swimming pool, to walk, and instruments. Yah. I choked back tears. I truly hope he gets that wish from Santa. Or God. Or some other amazing being. It will happen.

In other news, amazing things are happening with CFC International. A wonderful mom in Florida created brilliant awareness pictures to go along with Advent. Instead of sharing 24 pictures, I've provided a link to a slideshow that she created once the project was complete. Please enjoy.
CFC Christmas Slideshow

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
May 2014 bring more wonderful surprises our way and maybe Jack will get his gift from Santa!

Love,
Becky, Jason, Evelyn, Jackson, and Katelyn