Computer Issues.... :0( Will blog tomorrow hopefully!

Keep on Trucking on!

What a whirlwind of days since I last blogged!  We welcomed a new arrival Sophia Lynn Moody to our family.... 8lbs 7 oz to the proud parents of Zach and Jodi Moody our brother and sister-in-law :0)  SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!  Jodi had a rough delivery this past Thursday, going in at 6am and delivering at 11:15pm that night.... 3 epidurals that didn't work... Sophia finally arrived.  Thank you God for this wonderful blessing and precious child of yours.

Saturday Brooks had a football game and then we headed out to Tampa to see Nick for parents weekend.  WHEW... that went by fast!  Got in at about 6:15 then headed to game,dropped Nick off at his apt, went to hotel, got up had Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, picked up Nick did some grocery shopping then to Longhorn to feed him and back to Jax.  In the blink of an eye we were there and then gone!  Time is precious to me now and I try to squeeze in as much as I can with all my boyz.... only I mostly feel like there isn't ENOUGH time if you know what I mean!  I miss you already Nicholas Adam!

We were back on track at therapy today... Alex practiced getting up and off of the curb more than 12 times AND also did stairs.... 24 to be exact!  He had a great workout and showed out as usual.... see below!






It is with a heavy heart tonight that I have special prayer request  for a very special family that I love dearly who has recently experienced a loss.... The Lloyd / Dykes Family.  Miss Sue passed over the weekend and she was one of my many angels.  She played a huge part with my sanity when I was in my darkest of hours with Alex... she made numerous trips to the hospital to give me hope.... to let me know that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.  She sat and shared stories of her son and his brain injury and how hard it was....everything I was somewhat was experiencing.... she shared her side of what she had been thru.  Selfless.... compassionate.... caring... loving... beautiful inside and out.  She loved her family and was very close to her granddaughters Carly and Tori Lloyd.  I am sad that Miss Sue never got to meet Alex outside of Shands.  This is where time comes into play and how it got the best of me again!  I kept saying... ok next week we'll make it work and all get together.... we'll make our schedules work and we will fit in a visit.  Time got the best of me.  I wasn't practicing what I have been preaching all along!  LIVE TODAY AS IF THERE WERE NO TOMORROW.... DON'T PUT OFF TILL TOMORROW WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY.... TOMORROW MAY NEVER COME!
I only knew Miss Sue for a short time but I loved her.  She was a huge blessing to me and I truly regret that I did NOT make the time for Alex and Miss Sue to meet because I know he would have been a huge blessing to her.  I am deeply sorry for the families loss and I pray that Jesus wraps his arms around them and comforts them with the many beautiful memories they have.  An Angel on earth is an Angel in Heaven and I know she is with our Father and dancing on streets of Gold!!

Instances like this put things into perspective once again at how easy I fell back into a routine.  Time is precious.... don't sweat the small stuff.... hug those babies and your spouse.... don't let time get away from you.  Express your love more than you think is enough...and then some more.  Leave no stone unturned.... make the most of every day.  Reach out to an old friend.... smile at a stranger.. if you have trouble with this one... come hang with me and Alex for a day and he will show you how it's done!  He knows no strangers and will make certain he addresses everyone in a room of many.  My little brain injured child... how sweet you are.... I laugh at you but I admire the heck out of you!  Your brain is quirky and you say the craziest things sometimes.... but God has truly blessed me by leaving us with your Wit and your Charm.  It is on days like today that I am put back to the test and thrown back into reality..... TODAY IS A GIFT PEOPLE.... A GIFT!  Thank you God for one more day with my handsome boy.... for blessing me with 3 beautiful boys and a wonderful supportive husband.... for an awesome extended family that branches out from all directions.... with more sisters than "Hannah and her sisters" (lol).... friends beyond friends and family beyond family.... a momma who loves me unconditionally and is there for me no matter what....THANK YOU GOD for all these blessings and much much more.  Thank you Lord for opening my eyes once again to see that I have much to be thankful for in my busy, crazy...wonderful life.   I am reminded today... one phone call can change your life and there is no turning back time on the clock.  One phone call.  Point being.... please here me... LIVE FOR TODAY.  If you have lost your faith... if you don't know our Lord as your personal savior.... it is with all my being that I hope you find him and know that he is always there for us.  He's knocking at your door waiting for you to let him in.  FAITH... big word... big meaning...It's not believing that God can .... it's knowing that HE WILL!   "if you'll hold on to me for dear life" says and you always God....I'll give you the best of care, if you will only get to know and trust me".  Psalm 91:14-16

DON'T BE SO INVOLVED WITH THE WHEN THAT YOU MISS THE NOW! Life is too short!

Dear Lord, thank you thank you thank you for opening my eyes tonight.  I start to write and because of you the words just seem to flow.  Thank you for my many many blessings and I ask that you give the Lloyd/Dykes family the strength and courage to lean on you this week.  I give you all the honor and the glory God in all I have and all I do.  Thank YOU Lord.

May tomorrow bring a new kindred spirit into your heart and you let your light shine!

PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP!

Lisa

ALEX WOWS ME AGAIN!

The person dependent on Christ has the amazing ability to maintain a steady ship on a stormy sea.  


GO ALEX MICHAEL ROSS.... YOU AMAZE ME EVERY DAY AT THERAPY... I LOVE YOU!

Today Alex had Miss Christy for physical therapy and she incorporated "stairs" into Alex's therapy today.  He was to climb up 4 stairs and down 4 stairs 9 times.... a total of 72 stairs.  Once at the bottom of the stairs he had to place a number in the square of how many times he had completed the task.  I tell you what... he was kicking butt!  Sweating like crazy and probably did lose a pound or two... lol.  He was cracking us up... singing speed racer.. go speed racer.... acting like he was looking for Juliet at the top of the stairs.... a good sport in the midst of what was really hard work for him.  I'm talking dripping with sweat and his clothes were soaked, lol.  I can't tell you how proud I was today to watch him keep going and working at it.  He knew he had 9 to complete and he never asked to stop.... just kept cracking jokes and smiling.... kept on trucking on!!

See below his hard work:  The videos say 9-21 but they are from today... I just don't know the date, lol!







ALEX'S WORDS FOR TONIGHT:


I love all of you who have been praying for me, especially Zoe.  Thank you Ms. Alison Buckel for getting my voice where it needs to be.  Thank you Ms. Ali Wehunt for pushing me in physical therapy and now because of you I can walk by myself with a cane.  I busted my butt today in therapy by walking about 50 yards and for the first time was able to go up and down the stairs.... 72 to be exact!  I think I lost 5lbs I sweated so much.  It was hard but I've learned to fight thru it if I want to walk and be back to my normal self one day.  Please pray for Savannah Wood's grandma.  God Bless and Good Night!!

We are having computer problems... I will have to close for now... I got the majority in of what I wanted to say... hoping to have issues resolved tomorrow.  I NEED TO BLOG, LOL!!

Tomorrow we welcome our niece SOPHIA MOODY as sista Jodi will be induced tomorrow morning bright and early!  WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HER!  Please keep Jodi, baby Sophia and daddy Zach in your prayers for an easy delivery and a healthy baby as they welcome Sophia to their family.  I can't wait to spoil you baby girl!! Jodi and Zach.... we love you and are so very happy tomorrow is finally here and know that you will be GREAT Christian parents! She is a lucky little girl!!  Big prayers, hugs and kisses coming your way.

PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP~
LISA

LEAPS AND BOUNDS!

THANK YOU GOD FOR THE MIRACLES YOU CONTINUE TO BLESS US WITH DAILY IN ALEXS LIFE!

So keep a firm grip on the faith....
It won't be long before this generous God
Who has great plans for us in Christ....
will have you put together and on your feet for good.
1 Peter 5:9-10

Alex gets up from mat BY HIMSELF, bends over and picks up the cone...HUGE HUGE SUCCESS!  WAY TO GO ALEX!!!  LEAPS AND BOUNDS I TELL YA!



Below in this video if you look you will see something around Alex's left knee area.  This is bioness... it has a device that is also in his shoe and it sends electronic signals, shocks if you will, to his nerves in his leg to wake them up.  He will tell you how much he DETESTS it and how it is worse than a dog shock collar and feels like a shock collar of that on an elephant.... hahahahahaha!  He cracks me up.  He hated it and continues to tell me he won't be doing that again but it is working and I'm the boss anyways! :0)



He continues to please me at his therapies, however I feel like his ADHD meds might be having a different effect on him since the incident.  I feel like it has him all over the place and overstimulates him making it more difficult for him to focus on one thing at a time.  Last night it was very difficult for him to sleep and he was up at least 8 times off and on for various reasons with crazy crazy dreams and talking randomly in his sleep all night!  He was a little off kilter at therapy Monday but I chalked it up to him having a new therapist and the bioness in both occupational and physical therapies and that always puts him in a tizzy!  Today he did great with his schooling and is johnny on the spot with me anytime he is sitting there with nothing to do, he wants to do online schooling which is great.... however... when we got to the testing parts today... it was like he was rushing thru them and answering before even thinking over the possibilities that D might could be an answer if I could get him to scroll all the way down and look at ALL the possible answers.  He just wanted to take the first answer he thought it might be and go with it.  Normally this is not his style... his little OCD self will evaluate and evaluate and evaluate.  Since on the medication he has been a little erratic, irrational and a non listener.  What the heck???  Soooooooooooo, tomorrow I am NOT going to give the meds and see how he does throughout the day.  PROCESS OF ELIMINATION.

Alex is insisting he has a paragraph tonight... here goes :0)

Hey everybody....It's Alex, I wanted to have at least one blog.  I went to therapy on Monday, it was good except for my physical therapist was shocking me.  Please pray for my teacher Miss Colberts friend who was shot several times recently, for Jocelyn Batiste and Shauna Terrell.  Philippians 4:13 I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.  Faith is not believing God can, but knowing God will!  God Bless and Good Night!

BLESS HIS HEART! :0)

Closing for now with that note as he will not go to sleep as long as I sit here and type lol.  Keep the prayers coming... I have one special prayer request for a follower and precious girl:

Savanah Wood would like us to pray for her grandmother, Rose Wood Olson, who had a bad stroke and is not doing so well.  Please lift her up in prayer.  I love you sweet Jesus, please watch over this family and give them the strength to pull through this as a family.    Give them the strength to lean on you and trust in you Lord.  You are capable of miracles Lord and we are hoping for one right now.  Comfort this family and wrap your arms around them and Gma Olson...... and please take away any pain she may be experiencing.  In Jesus Name I pray... AMEN!

Gotta run... Alex is wigging out!
Peace~love~n~thumbs up!

Lisa

Starting ADHD meds again today..... YAY!

Time slipped away.... where does it go??  Since I was last on here, we have been to a 6 week check up from the Botox procedure and have gotten a couple of new medications and discussed some future procedures for Alex to enhance his recovery.  We have both also had the stomach bug that is going around and I can tell you that hasn't been such a fun adventure!  

Alex weighed in at 156.1 pounds at our visit.... a growing boy, lol.  WOW... considering he weighed 115 back in January... then 98 when we left Shands..... 130 when we left Brooks Rehab.  He hit puberty right smack in the middle of all this... now weighing more and taller than me!  Growing boy :0)  In his evaluation at Wolfson's, the Botox has proved to be a success with much more range of motion in most places except his hips.  Doctor wants me to consider a baclofen pump, another surgery, where they place a pump inside his stomach which continuously feeds the baclofen throughout his body.  He takes the medication by mouth now, however I was told the majority of that is going to his brain and not the body, therefore they think the pump would be more beneficial to all parts of his body via the pump.  Alex is NOT SO keen on the idea of another surgery.... needless to say, we are leaving all options open at this point and considering all aspects to help out the recovery.  We may explore other options before opting with another surgery as I surely don't want to put him under any more duress if we don't have to.  He has been put back on his ADHD meds, today will be the first day of taking them... hoping this helps with his attention issues, especially during school lessons and hoping it controls his appetite.  The brain still does not tell him when he is full, therefore he constantly wants to eat...... and eat.... and eat, lol. Before this happened the medication would make him not want to eat so I am hoping that it has the same effect now, lol.  He also was given a med for frequent urination, something else we are going thru and have been since this happened.  Every time he drinks something, he feels the need to go and if he drinks a full drink.... he will be going forever over and over.  The doctor explained this as when something like this happens, the brain goes back to thinking the bladder is the size as it was when we were born....uuuuuuuuuummmm not so big right!  Explains everything we have been going thru, lol!  It's no fun having to take him to pee every 10-30 minutes and a little inconvenient at most times, lol.  We can't even get thru a full hour of therapy without a pee break.  Any who.... we got meds to control this yet I feel like it has worsened the case, lol.  Making a call today to see what's up with that.


Alex has been doing great with his walking with the quad cane.... we practice more and more everyday ... taking more and more steps for longer periods of time.  He loves to show out and is really excited that he has come so far.  He told me that he thought he would never be able to walk again..... so you can imagine how excited he is.  Funny story to share with you before I close out... on our way home from the doctor visit, I decided to stop at McDonalds for him, get some lunch for him and grab me a movie from the red box :0) So I go inside, leave him in the backseat of the car, running with radio on.....I'm at the counter ordering his food when all of a sudden I hear a HORN.... blaring at random beats.... I'm thinking it can't be my car... Alex is in the backseat, can't walk or reach the horn in the front seat right? I continue to wait for my food, horn still going off now at like a rhythm to a song, lol... I see customers getting up staring out the window to see where it;s coming from.... ok, I'll bite... let me look too and see what the heck is going on,lol.  YES IT WAS MY CAR.... YES IT WAS ALEX.... he had his cane taking it from the back seat to the front and pushing the horn.... OMG... little turkey!  He was cracking up in my car to himself while he pulled this little trick of his off!  The people inside thought it was a dog in a car because they couldn't see anyone in the front seat, lol!  Excuse me... that's just my kid,  in the backseat with his cane and a brain injury making a funny, lol!  My little trickster with a great sense of humor...THANK YOU GOD!  I have to admit... it was funny considering I had ruled him out in my mind of not being able to pull that off, ha!  jokes on mom!


Sir Alex is calling me now.... wanting his choc chip pancakes of course.... closing for now.  Therapy today... some school... lot's to do!  Hoping to get some videos up today of his therapy so stay tuned.


PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP!
Lisa

GOD HAS A WAY OF PUTTING YOU WHERE HE NEEDS YOU!

Today was one of THOSE days from the past.... WHO WAS THAT KID WITH ME TODAY?

We had planned to go to hospital before the eye appt, which meant Alex would have to get up early 7:30 in order to leave our house and make a worthwhile visit.  Well, being that Alex couldn't get to sleep before 2am probably had a little to do with the ALEXANDER that was with me today.  We got to the hospital only to find that there is no record of who we wanted to see.... this tells me that the parents probably opted out of visitors which I could have done and when someone asks to see them, there is no record that the patient is there.  Sooooooo, our visit with this family was unsuccessful :0(  If ANYONE out there knows this girl and/or her parents... please contact them and get in touch with me so that we can give emotional support and HOPE to this family.  I wish there was a "ME" when I was going thru this to share similar stories and hopes for miracles.  I had two precious families that shared their stories and it still gave me hope but their stories were very different from ours.... it's rare that you find someone who was shot in the head and survives.  I can relate to everything that this family is going thru and Alex soooo wants to share his story with them, go figure, lol... but he really wants them to see that "this too shall pass" and sometimes there are bigger and greater things out there that the medical world cannot control.  We left the hospital and went to Alex's eye appts.  Our appt was for 10.... we waited till 10:45 and finally got in for the "Humphrey visual field test" something like the Goldman eye test he had before in regards to his peripheral vision.  It was to see if he has gained any of it back and improved at all.  Well well well... Mr. Alexander decides he wants to show up as soon as we get called back into the room.  Touching everything, grabbing an eye patch and putting it on, playing with the machine.... just all over the place... crazy.  The guy sets the machine up and he has to place his forehead and chin against the machine, look at the black dot and push the button when he sees the light.  Alex kept falling ASLEEP and the guy would say... open your eyes ....next thing I realize Alex is just pushing the button to push it!  The guy finally ended up stopping the test and sending us upstairs.  I was livid and took his phone from him.....the one thing I know can get positive results and better behavior!  We go upstairs where we have an 11am appt with Dr. Hill... I'm thinking it is a follow up for the test we just took and she is going to go over it...only we didn't finish the test so what now, right?  sitting in the waiting room, Alexander shines like the sun!  Mad that he can't have his phone back, trying to go down the hall and drink out of the water fountain... water everywhere, speaking loudly to get his phone back, slapping at me, speaking loudly that he is ready to leave after sitting there for 30 mins... by this point I am in tears in the waiting room... he keeps asking me not to cry, he is sorry, he didn't mean to act out, he is just tired and ready to go.... he rolled over wanted a hug and asked if he could have his phone back, lol.  Nice try Alex :0(  I think he meant it... he just hasn't figured out to ease into things.... or rather a strategic way of getting what he wants, lol.  I told him no, he could have it back when we got home if his behavior improved.  Next thing I know... I look over at him.. he is ASLEEP in his chair... chin on hand... snoring, lol.  Long story short... we were at the dr office until 12:30 for an 11am appt.  TOO LONG FOR ALEX AND HIS BRAIN INJURED BRAIN.  Kinda like taking a 4 year old to the mall and it interrupts nap time.... NOT GOOD.  Anywho... today brought back lots of memories from those Alexander days that I DO NOT MISS!!!

HOWEVER... I will tell you that God has a funny way of putting you in the right place at the right time.  I truly believe that today I was placed where I needed to be.  Because we were unsuccessful visiting with Jocelyn, we went to visit our ICU nurses as we usually do when we have dr appts across the street in the towers.  Once there, Alex made his way around and we met a precious family that I feel NEEDED us today!    They are in that rollercoaster ride right now.... living second to second, minute to minute and hour by hour.  Things constantly changing and not knowing what the outcome is going to be.  Because I do not feel led to share the name or the circumstances in the nature of their hospital stay.... please please just pray for this young 14 year old girl and her family as they go thru this unimaginable tragedy they are facing.  They are a military family and not from here so they really do not have a support system even 1/3 of what I have.  Our circumstances are somewhat similar yet very different but I can tell you I hugged that momma and we cried and I just told her to never give up and to trust in HIM.  I feel as if I am right back in that ICU unit.... all feelings come rushing back of the time I was there and the unknown .  I don't think I will EVER forget those feelings and uncertainty of the next hour let alone the next day.  My heart goes out to this family and the long road ahead.... you all can only imagine after going thru this with me.  Alex was a trooper and Mr. No Filter himself... got right on up in there and asked every question imaginable and "momma" as I will call her... was awesome with him.  I would keep apologizing for his questions and she kept saying "no he is fine, really" and would get down to his level ...wheelchair level, and spoke soooo sincerely and answered every question he had.  He asked everything from "WHY?" to "HOW", "WHERE" to "WHO CALLED 911".... you can imagine.  Mr. Sponge soaking it all up wanting every detail... even asking "what did u think when u found out..... yada yada yada.  He made them laugh, he made them smile... he gave inspiration.... THANK YOU GOD.  They were amazed by his progress and couldn't believe that he survived what he has.... he went into every detail about how many operations he has had and showed them how he can walk with his cane.... I feel like it was therapy for ALL OF US.  God put us there today.... no doubt in my mind after visiting with this precious family.  We were exactly where we needed to be today and it was surely a blessing to be able to give someone else.... HOPE!

THANK  YOU GOD FOR BLESSING ME TODAY WITH NEW FRIENDS AND FOR PLACING ME WHERE YOU NEEDED ME TO BE.  Please watch over my new friends and comfort them in this time of need.  Lord, I will pray that they learn to lean on you more and more every day and I trust that if it is your will that you will perform another miracle and heal this precious child of yours.  Today was awesome and I am so glad to be a part of your calling.  Use me... let your light shine for all to see... Alex and I are your vessels ...... we know how awesome YOU are and we will gladly share it with all!

PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP!!
LISA

PS... If anyone would like to help out in supporting this family with anything... please email me... I wanna be there for them and help out in any way shape or form!  THANKS MUCHO!

OBSTACLE COURSES

I forgot to post these last night.... these videos are from Friday.  We had a day off today so we did some schooling.  Today we tackled HEALTH... he did so good!  He did about 4-5 assignments, a quiz and a chapter test!  90% on the quiz and 80% on the chapter quiz... BRAVO!! Crazy how he retains information and can understand it all.  It may be a whole new ball game once we tackle some of the math courses, lol.  

Our plans today were to go and pay a visit to Jocelyn, the 17 year old girl that was shot in head labor day weekend, however her parents were not available this am to ask if we could visit so we are going to try again tomorrow morning.  PLEASE PRAY IT WORKS OUT... I really feel like I need to touch base with this family and give some hope, prayer and optimism.  It's all Alex has been talking about.... you know he really wants to go when he offers to get up at 7 so we can leave by 8 to go before his doctor appts tomorrow!

He has an eye exam and then follow up visit with the eye doctor  tomorrow morning.  Special prayers needed for this visit as we will find out if his peripheral vision has improved at all.  If you remember a month or so ago I blogged that this has a chance to improve and if it is going to.... it usually does so within the first 6 mos.  LORD PLEASE LET HIS EYES HAVE IMPROVED.... I do not want to tell him he can never drive again..... I know this is in your hands Lord and I do not want seem greedy with our many blessings you have already so graciously given to us.  We have just come so far that it is hard for me to grasp the concept that he will never be able to drive again.  We can do all things thru you Lord.... you have a plan.... I ask that you continue to heal Alex from the tip of his head to the bottom of his toes in your time Lord.  I have learned sooo many things from this Lord and the most important lesson of all is that I know I CAN LEAN ON YOU.  I have total faith that you will do what you deem necessary and in your time according to your plan.  I ask all this in the name of Jesus... AMEN!

Alex's life is a miracle already ..... 8 months later by the Grace of God,  Alex is taking steps with a quad cane by himself!  WHO WOULD HAVE EVER THOUGHT ANY OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE??? Surely not me!  Check out his amazing progress below:







I cannot tell you how proud I am when I sit here and watch these videos.  In total awe of what God has done with my handsome boy!  If you have ever questioned your faith... ALEX MICHAEL ROSS is living proof!  All you have to do is have FAITH!  COMPLETE FAITH!  Let Go and Let God... IT WORKS!  Thank YOU God for one more day with my handsome boy and all the many blessings that come with that!!  :0)

Looking forward to a GREAT day tomorrow!
PEACE ~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP!

Lisa

JAG GAME TODAY... WHEW IT WAS A HOT ONE!

JAGS GAME

ALEX - TOP

BROOKS - BOTTOM

WAY TO GO JAGS.... WHAT A CRAZY DAY!  IT WAS SOOOOOO HOT TODAY AT THE GAME~  I paid $10.00 X 4 for us to have these "Frosty Towels" so that we could survive the blazing blazing heat!  Temp with heat index was 105 today...NICE, NOT!   A special thank you to Ryan Robinson for taking care of us today.... YOU ARE THE BEST... we love ya!  This is Just the sorta place that Alex loves to be with thousands of people to tell his story too, lol!  To the sweet Ladies who came up and introduced yourselves to Alex today and at Target last night... THANK YOU!  He loves loves loves to meet random people that have been praying for him when we are out and about.  He has probably shared his story atleast 25-35 times this weekend and giving thanks to God each time!  I must share with you a cute story from Friday at therapy where Alex met a new friend... Leonard.  Leonard is a 54 year old man who survived a brain aneurism and basically has no short term memory... kinda like the movie "50 first dates" if you get my drift.  He is Alex's perfect friend!!!  He got to tell him his story over and over and get that "WHOA" reaction he is always looking for, lol.  Here's somewhat of how it went:

Alex:  Hi, are you here for therapy

Leonard:  Yes

Alex:  Me too

Alex:  Do you mind if I ask what happened to you?

Leonard:  I don't know...(he then asks his wife what happened)

Leonard:  P-Nut (his wife) what happened to me?

she answers.... Brain aneurism back in February.. I think the 13th if I;m not mistaken

Alex:  Oh... well you look good.  Do you want to hear my story?

Leonard:  Yes

Alex:  I was shot in the head in January and they gave me 3 hours to live

Leonard:  They shooted you in the head?

Alex: yes

Leonard:  PRICELESS.... "with a buuuuulllleeeeeetttt"?

Alex: SMILING.... yes

Leonard:  Whoooaaaaaaah

they talk for about 5 minutes ... Alex asking him about stuff.... then Alex looks at him again and says

Alex:  Leonard... do you remember what happened to me

Leonard: No

Alex:  I was shot in the head

Leonard:  AGAIN ... PRICELESS...  "They blowed your brains out?"... "whooooooahhhhhh"

Alex:  HUGE SMILE.... yep

Alex could have played that game all day with him.... his wife and I were laughing... it's not funny but it is... the no filter thing like Alex... crazy....  and Alex was getting a kick out of hearing his reaction every time... every time was like the first lol.  YOU HAD TO BE THERE... it was hilarious.

So we go to therapy and an hour later we come out... Leonard still there... Alex goes right up to him and says:

Alex:  Leonard... do you remember what happened to me.

Leonard:.. with the most serious face .... " BANG" and he makes the gun with his fingers... Alex laughs and smiles and said something like he couldn't believe he remembered.

His wife looks at me, eyes wide, mouth open.... first time he had remembered something especially an hour later.  CHILL BUMPS.... all down my arms... tears swelling in my eyes... it's one of those miracle moments .... and we were a part of it!  I am still very touched by Leonard and his remarkable recovery.  I have known three people in my life that have had brain aneurisms... all have passed away..... and at very young ages.  I told Leonard I was honored to meet him and that he was doing great.  He responded with a "thank you" .....in conversation, He couldn't remember how old he was or how old his children were.... he struggles with remembering the slightest things from one minute to another.... but I am honored to have met him and even more so to witness the small miracle of him remembering Alex's story.  Alex's has touched so many lives... and probably a lot more so than I know of!  Leonard lives in Daytona and won't be going back to Brooks Rehab but I have his wife's email and phone number and I intend to stay in touch and follow HIS story :0)  I also told her I would like Leonard as a play date for Alex, lol... can  you imagine how entertained Alex would be... he could get the reaction he wants every time lol!!

Tomorrow we are visiting Jocelyn's parents and Jocelyn hopefully with her parents consent.  Alex has been wanting to go ever since it happened... wanting to give her parents some hope and inspiration.... never give up... keep on praying....give it to God... HE IS CAPABLE OF MIRACLES.  I think this will be good for him... plus he gets to share his story again :0)  I was lucky to have a couple families visit me within those first two weeks and I couldn't have gotten thru it without them!  THE LLOYD FAMILY.... and LISA LEON... thank you!  You gave ME hope and inspiration that he could survive something traumatic.  Your stories are what kept me hanging in there when I was living second to second and minute by minute.  I can still feel those feelings sitting here typing... HOW DID I EVER GET THRU THAT?  My heart is jumping just thinking about it now.  Well that's what I am hoping to do for this family tomorrow!  I have been in their shoes and I needed someone like ME, ha!  If I can help someone get thru one of the most trying times in their lives... I AM THERE!  Inspiration, guidance, input, prayer... I'M THERE!  I hope that I can bring peace of mind and the presence of God with me so please put us in your prayers that we can deliver the goods!!!

Signing off for now... will post tomorrow of my journey with Alex!

PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP~

Lisa

STILL BASKING IN THE GLORY OF MY AWESOME GOD!

Tonight's blog won't be long... I just wanted to share a quick email and pass it on.... maybe it will brighten your day as it did mine.  Last night we didn't get much sleep... I think I slept 4 hours... Alex tossed and turned all night... he was hot, he was cold... you name it I was in and out of bed serving Mr. Alex so I am totally exhausted tonight and ready to hit the hay.  I am still in awe of Alex and his accomplishments thus far... it hasn't even been a whole year.... 8 mos... superman speed and it will only go uphill from here.  I did take him to the ENT yesterday.. forgot all about that as we had so much excitement with his walking lol.  He had some bleeding so I called Miss Amy at Dr. Beck's office... she is now part of our family as you can all imagine... we are her regulars, lol.  The trach he had in was fenestrated which means it had a hole in the trach tube and he had some granular tissue apparently that had been growing thru the hole and when we would change the inner cannula part it would basically scratch it and make it bleed.  Freaking me out a little... here are the pics below:

this is the trach Alex had in.... the new one does not have the hole in the tube for tissue to grow thru and cause infection or discomfort.

This is Alex's hole in his throat without the trach..... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh freaky freaky!!!

These are the pictures that Miss Amy took showing the granulation tissue growing thru the hole which was causing irritation and bleeding when we would change out the inner cannula which is another tube that fits inside the tube that you see lol..  It gets clogged with mucus and such kinda like our noses... he gets it in the inner cannula and therefore it has to be cleaned out every hour.  CAN'T WAIT TILL THIS COMES OUT. 

All in GOD'S TIME... RIGHT?  WE GOT THIS!

Here is the email I wanted to share... kinda puts things into perspective ... LOVE IT!

God's Cake... 

This is about the best thing I've ever read as an explanation. 

  Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. 
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.' 
'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 
'Yuck' says her daughter. 
'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!' 
'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?' 
'Mom, those are all yucky!' 
To which the mother replies: 'Yes , all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! ' 
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful! 
  God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

 

PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP!

LISA

WE HAVE THERAPY TOMORROW SO STAY TUNED FOR SOME GREAT UPDATES!!  :0)

DAY 245 ... 8 MOS AND 2 DAYS LATER.. ALEX WALKS!!!

OMG... THANK YOU SWEET JESUS!!!  TODAY IS TRULY A MIRACLE AND WE ARE JUMPING WITH JOY!!!

I called it this morning when I posted to my facebook that I couldn't wait to see what great things Alex was going to show out today!  It started off with him doing great in occupational therapy and lifting that left arm and trying to keep it up on his own.... something you and I take for granted every day.... not so easy for my Alley Pooh!  See Below:

You can see how hard he is trying to keep it up with it shaking.  SO PROUD!  That arm will be doing it's own thing in no time!




Then we moved onto physical therapy and he was showing out with showing me how he can transfer to and from wheelchair by himself:  I WAS TOTALLY IMPRESSED!



THEN HE GETS UP FROM THE CHAIR BY HIMSELF... NO CANE.  OK WOW ME MUCH?




NEXT HE GETS UP FROM MAT WITH THE CANE... WALKS TO TREADMILL AND GETS UP ON THE TREADMILL.... READY FOR HIS DAILY WALK.  PROUD LIKE A PEACOCK!



AND NOW THE GRAND FINALE..... THE MOMENT WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.... DRUMROLL PLEASEEEEEEEE.........

ALEX WALKS INTO THE HOUSE WITH CANE.... BY HIMSELF!!!  THANK YOU GOD... I THOUGHT TODAY WOULD NEVER GET HERE!!  DAY 245.... I SERVE AN AWESOME GOD!!!



I feel like you are all experiencing the same inexplainable emotions right now as we watch in awe of what God has done with my boy!  HOW INCREDIBLE IS THIS!!!  OMG!  I still can't believe it!  I always knew he had it in him.... he just had to believe in HIMSELF!  He is sooo excited and has posted on facebook how he can walk... called everybody he can think of.... SO SO SO PROUD!!!!  I wanted to get online real quick and post this because we are sooo excited and wanted to share all that he has accomplished today.  I may have more to write tonight but had to get on and post this!!!!  YOUR PRAYERS ARE WORKING... KEEP THEM COMING!!!

DAY 245... ALEX YOU ARE AWESOME AND I AM SO SO SO PROUD OF YOU!  KEEP UP THE HARD WORK... IT'S PAYING OFF!  MOMMA LOVES YOU!

PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP!!

LISA
(ONE HAPPY MOMMA!)

Back from Vacation... Back to Reality :0(

First of all I have TWO prayer requests

First:  Please pray for Jocelyn Battisti, she is the 17 year old girl that was shot in the head on sunday and in stable condition.  I can only imagine first hand how her parents and family are feeling at this point.  LORD PLEASE PLEASE wrap your arms around this beautiful girl and heal her from head to toe as I do not know what is in store for this young lady.  You are in control and we all know you have a plan.  Please bring a peace over this entire family and let them trust you and lean on you in this time of doubt.  If anyone of you are in contact with this family, please let them know that we are and will be continuously praying for them.  Alex is very concerned and wants to visit her and the family for some encouragement and optimism. 

Second:  Pray for Nicholas' fraternity brother, Doug Young's dad.  He has been in ICU for 2.5 weeks from a heart attack.  Nick asks that we pray that everything stays well and that he gets out of ICU soon.  Lord, you are capable of many things and we ask that you bless this man with your saving grace and continue to heal his heart and give him the strength to pull thru this.  Thank you Lord for your many many blessings... in Jesus name we pray... AMEN!

I feel like I haven't been on here in forever... my apologies!  I started this whole blog thing out to keep people informed with the TRUTH of his progress as many rumors were flying around school that he had passed or he was brain dead... paralyzed... you name it... it was being said.  So then it was more of an outlet for me... therapy if you will... to be able to talk about it and let all of his followers know how he was doing.  I have handled myself with class, or so I am told anyways, lol..... but sometimes you hear things or see things and it just wants to send me over the deep end and break my chain of class.  I refuse once again, to get off track and stoop to their level and respond..... so sometimes it is best for me to step away from the computer before I say things that may have me in a tailspin.  We decided to get away for the weekend with the boys and use our Seaworld vacation package that was given to us and what a GREAT weekend it was!  JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!


We got there Saturday evening and hung around the hotel and watched some LSU football :0)
For those that don't know me, I am a huge LSU fan so it was nice to have a W... even if it was only by one touchdown, lol.  A win is a win!


Sunday we got up early, had our breakfast at the hotel and headed to Seaworld!  Alex was great... he enjoyed the day as did we!  We saw the Shamu and Dolphins shows... sat in the splash zone and didn't even get a drop of water on us, lol.  Chad and I rode the rollercoasters... Krakeen and The Manta.... OMG.  The Manta is NO JOKE and the G-Force was incredible!  I have never been scared on a coaster.... but that had me freaking out!  Of course, Alex told every single person he came in contact with his story.... from workers at the park to visitors from other countries that didn't even speak english, lol.  THOSE WERE THE BEST and there was A LOT OF THEM.... HA HA!  


I had taken Alex for his checkup with his Neurosurgeon, Dr. Vitarbo and got clearance to fly on airplanes but no clearance for roller coasters! Sooooooo let me tell you what happened at Seaworld, lol.  We see the "Journey to Atlantis" ride... I'm thinking ok this is cool... this is something that Alex can ride... It's a water ride... not really a roller coaster, sooooo let's do this!!!  We get rock star treatment with the wheelchair... fast pass if you will.... roll up, Chad lifts him up over and in the back seat with me.  Lap bar down and we are off!  Nice sweet little ride on the water in the tunnels... here comes the ramp to take us up for the drop.  Alex's face was priceless and he was excited that he was actually on this ride and the infamous drop was about to go down.  Hold on tight with your one hand... here we gooooooo.... down the drop, splash... we didn't get wet until we came around the bend where people can pay money to squirt you!  YES... Alex got the brunt of it and was cussing them out.... (not funny, but kinda, lol)  they don't know him... I can only imagine what they were thinking lol!   So the ride is over... NOT... I thought it was, but I was wrong.  Next thing I know the water is gone and we are on a track... A ROLLER COASTER TRACK... OMG!  I immediately start to freak, said a few choice words and kinda try to brace Alex's head from being jilted or thrown around.... Alex is laughing at me... hand in the air, doing his little "woot woot"... "Hell Yeah" dance... EXCITED it was now a roller coaster... I on the other hand.. WAS NOT!  So it brings us up into this dark tunnel and shoots us out and round about.... just a smidgen of a roller coaster so it wasn't anything what I thought it would be, lol.  I thought I was going to have a heart attack on the ride... stressing about Alex, lol.  Alex talks me and Chad into letting him ride again... hahahhaha.  We pull up to get off and Alex begs the guy to let us stay on and go one more time... HE DID!  Rock star treatment baby!  I wish I could have captured his face for all of you to see.... THE JOY... the excitement.... He was normal for 10 minutes on that ride... AMAZING FEELING for all of us!  I was glad I could give him that ONE THING that day that made him feel like he was his old self with no deficiencies or worries.  THANK YOU GOD FOR THAT!  We had an amazing day and we owe it all to Michael Munz from the Dalton Agency for giving us this incredible weekend!  THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH for giving us one of the most precious gifts we could ever ask for... TIME AWAY FROM REALITY!  MUCH MUCH NEEDED!


You know Alex thinks he is BFF's with Tim and Robbie Tebow... funny story I must share.  Alex was talking on his phone today and I walk up to see who he is talking too and I notice it's Robbie Tebow's name on his phone... OMG... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  He called Robbie to ask him if he could hang out with Tim when Tim came home this weekend for the game. HAHAHAHAHA.... LOVE IT!  I love the fact that he has that confidence that he can just pick up the phone and call Robbie Tebow, lol!  LOVE THAT KID!!  Thank you Robbie for giving him the time of day and asking him how he was doing and engaging in conversation that shows you care and what an awesome person you are!  


We began some schooling today.... wowewowwowowowow.... PRAY FOR ME. PRAY FOR HIS HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND TEACHER MISS ZEMBER.... we are getting way more than we bargained for.  Overwhelmed is not even the word to describe what we are about to endure.  In 2.5 hours they were able to get thru questions 9-30 and STILL have to go to 53!  Kinlin, bless her heart, she spent 2 hours and 15 minutes with him and got thru 101 questions.... however.. Alex didn't do so hot on the pre-test so he has A LOT of assignments ahead of him in History.  I can only imagine what is in store with the algebra and Geometry pre tests... LORD HAVE MERCY!  PLEASE!!


Tomorrow we have therapy, with so much school to do, I have to incorporate school on therapy days now.....Not going to be a fun filled day.  I give him options as to what subject he wants to do and we banter back and forth with the amount of time we will be spending on  the assignments .... I try to give him some control and say in the matter ... makes it easier on me in the long run :0)




Hoping that the days off that we have had haven't put a damper on his progress.  Stay tuned for more video coverage... you know how I like visuals, lol.




PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP!


Lisa

ALEX BEGINS CHEMISTRY 8:30AM..... HE AIN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT, HA!

GOOD MORNING MY PEEPS!

It's 5:30 am and I can't go back to sleep!  Aren't I all chipper this awesome Thursday morning, lol!  I put Alex to bed about 9:30 last night, laid down with him hoping he would doze off early as we have the hospital homebound Chemistry teacher coming bright  and early this morning only Alex couldn't fall asleep!  I guess it was about 11:30 before he finally conked out.... I think I fell asleep before he did, lol.  This was his normal routine BEFORE this happened.  Being that he is ADHD, he has always had to take some form of sleeping aid to be able to go to sleep and calm his brain...this traumatic brain injury.... well it has only intensified it by like 100!  He does take Tylenol PM before bed every night..... maybe he is becoming immune to it?  It usually works within the hour, but you know how our life is... the scenic route always comes into play and nothing ever goes as planned when it comes to Alex.  I wanted him to get shuteye early last night so he could be up and AWAKE this morning when the teacher comes.  We get her for one hour a week and she will do the Chemistry class with him... thank GOD that is one less class I have to worry with, lol.  I'll let you know how this is going to work out with him and his non attention focus span, haha.  CROSS YOUR FINGERS AND SAY A PRAYER... Lord knows I don't want to have to teach him the Chemistry!

I am putting out an all points bulletin for any students out there that need community service hours for the FL bright futures scholarship, retired teachers that are bored and looking for something to do or college kids that need some hands on experience if you are graduating in education..... I AM GOING TO NEED HELP with this school stuff and can sure use a hand!  I need some separation with all the other things that I do with Alex... I am stretching myself thin and I just do NOT want to overwhelm myself nor have a nervous breakdown, lol.  They put his full schedule out there and if I have to be Alex's teacher with all these subjects on top of everything else I do on a daily basis.... I will go coo coo for coco puffs... NO DOUBT!  Just sitting with him for those 5.5 hours the other day... OMG... for real...... I NEED SEPARATION.  If I wanted to be a teacher... I would have gone to school for that, lol.  Therapists and teachers have the patience of a saint.... I DO NOT when it comes to this, lol.  I have A LOT... don't get me wrong.... but I think I am just pushing myself over the top with this and at some point... I need to be able to step away and let someone else do a little bit for me. Sooooooooo, if anyone has some free time and can help out with ENGLISH IV, GEOMETRY, ALGEBRA II, ECOLOGY.... that would be awesome!  Kinlin is taking over the American History and we have the teacher coming once a week to do the Chemistry.  I may have help with the Algebra and Geometry... my friend Bachir is just tight with time at the moment so he may not be able to give Alex much time with his math courses as previously planned.  This is definitely going to be a challenge for all of us! 

We had another great day at therapy yesterday.... Ali was proud of him and how hard he worked yesterday.  He seemed to have a little bit more hip control when walking on the treadmill because they weren't having to work as hard at holding his hips in place while he walked.  Usually when he walks if they let go, he looks like he is doing the samba and wobbling side to side :0)

Alex was his usual chatty kathy self when we got to therapy yesterday.... always looking for new faces to share his story with.  We reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally have to work on how he presents himself and tells his story... he has too much SHOCK value when he speaks to people, lol.  "Hi.. do you know who I am?"  " Have you seen me on the news?"  "I"m the teen that was shot in the head in January."... He takes off his hat and proceeds to show people his head and tells them where the bullet entered.  For those that don't know him....THE LOOK ON PEOPLES FACES IS PRICELESS....I should be filming like they are on candid camera or something, lol.  Most of the time their response is... "OMG... are you alright?".... His response... "Oh yeah, I'm fine"!  Then he talks about how he was given 3 hours to live and how he is one of God's Miracles.... I LOVE THAT PART... I just need to teach him how to introduce himself and break into his story a little more gently, lol.  He met the sweetest little old lady yesterday, Caroline.  They carried on and on yesterday like they were life long buddies!  I will say this... when people talk to him and tell them their story... he listens and if he sees them again, he will repeat all that they told him and they are amazed!  Like Caroline... they spoke before therapies and then about 3 hours later as she was leaving she came over to talk to Alex and tell him what an honor it was to meet him and to let me know how handsome and sweet he is... PROUD MOMENT, lol..... he looked at her as she walked up and said... "Caroline"... "Your real name is Sue but you don't like that so we call you Caroline".... she was so impressed that not only did he remember her name but he remembered her REAL name, lol.  My little rainman.... gotta love him!

Below are the videos I took yesterday and his therapist was very proud of him yesterday and praised him for how well he did on the treadmill!  YAY!  I'm telling you... it won't be long... I can feel it!!  I love how he is still a HAM while working hard and always has a great attitude.  I LOVE YOU ALEX MICHAEL ROSS!










PRAYER REQUEST FOR MY PRAYER WARRIORS
We all know what God is capable of.... Lord I know what your mighty powers are and if anyone can heal this young lady, I know that it is certainly you!  Please wrap this entire family up in your arms and heal Heather's young body so that she can take care of her babies and get to know her newborn baby girl.  Give her family and friends the strength needed to get thru this difficult time.  I pray Father that they lean on you and look to you for guidance and peace in their hearts until Heather is well again and functioning normally. In Jesus Name I pray... AMEN!

From

Mahryah White

Please pray for Heather Miller from Callahan. She has a 5 year old little boy and had a new baby girl named Casen on 8/25. Everything went perfectly with labor and delivery but when she got home she had a seizure which her 5 year old saw the whole thing. She went to Baptist hospital earlier that day complaining of a headache and high blood pressure and they sent her home. Later that same night is when she had the seizure. She has now been diagnosed as having Postpartum Vasculitis which is worse than a stroke. She is also high risk for having a brain hemorrage. Our family is having a hard time and it is harder knowing she has not even gotten to spend any time with her new baby. 


I am going to get off of here now... it's 7:00 am and Alex will be waking soon... I hope anyways, lol.  Later today we have an appt with Dr. Vitarbo, Alex's neurosurgeon, pray all goes well and we get a good report. I'm looking forward to Big Brother tonight, lol... yes our family is HUGE HUGE FANS.... hoping that Lane backdoor's Hayden, hahahahaha... but he probably won't but if he wants to win.... that will be his Big move in the game! 


A special THANK YOU to the ROUNTREE family for blessing us with some TREEMENDOUS BBQ last night... I love love love when I don't have to cook... especially on days when we have therapy and don't get home till late!  THANK YOU MUCHO MISS LISA!!!  Love ya'll!


HAVE AN AWESOME DAY... GOD BLESS..AND....... SMILE.... YOU HAVE ALOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

PEACE~LOVE~N~THUMBS UP!


Lisa