Thur Aug 27, 2009

First, I want to say THANK YOU for coming to the benefit dinner and support from those who couldn't make it. Another BIG thank you to everyone who helped with the dinner. And of course a BIG thanks to Alyssa-it was a big success!! We had SO much fun seeing everyone. I really loved the social aspect of it. :) It was so good to see everyone. Blake had so much fun that we ended up having a lazy sunday to recover-lots of naps. ;) I cant tell you how grateful we are for all of the support from everyone!
Blake's therapy is going well. Its in full swing. We have outpatient therapy 3x a week from 9-2 and now first steps-in home therapy 3x a week. Blake is working hard. We are scheduled for Botox on Wed Sept 9. I am excited to see the results. Everyone I have talked to say the results are amazing.
I am so excited for this weekend, Phil's birthday was the 25th-so we are going down to the lake to see his family. Blake is excited to ride on the boat! Phil really wants to water ski, and I am looking forward to getting out of the house for a few days. I think it will be good for all of us! I guess thats all the news for now.
P.S. I finally have an internet card that I can use, so look forward to more frequent updates!! :) Thank you Liz!!!

Sun Aug 16, 2009

Hi everyone!! This was a pretty productive week! We met with Dr. Hornig-our neurosurgeon. It was just a follow up appointment. We didn't really find out any new information. Our MRI is scheduled for Oct.14 and hopefully we will know more then. There is a chance that we will have to wait till the next MRI after this one to know anything. Waiting, waiting, waiting-ugh! I hope we know more at THIS coming appointment. lol. Blake is still doing really well. The therapists put us on the schedule for Botox, but there is a long wait for that too. Like a couple months. So once its closer to his appointment they will re-evaluate him, to see if he still needs it. We had our scheduling meeting with First Steps on Thursday. Starting this coming Thursday, we have a PT-Stacee coming to our house to work with Blake. I am still waiting for calls from the OT, Speech, and the Special Instructor to schedule them as well. We are going to have PT, OT and Speech once a week and then the Special Instructor once a month. Basically the Special Instructor is a teacher who comes and evaluates Blake to make sure he is meeting all the developmental marks for school/preschool. Blakes scar is healing GREAT!! A lot of people tell us they barely notice it. Dr. Hornig did an amazing job! We are excited for the dinner on Sat. I am looking forward to seeing everyone. It will be nice to talk face to face and see everyone!! :) I am sorta missing all the socialization. Blake is getting really good at talking. lol. Its still not the same as 'grown up' conversation. :) Well I guess thats it for now. I will talk to you all later!!

Thurs Aug 6, 2009

Hi everyone! We are all doing well. We found out on Wed. that there is a possibility that Blake will need Botox injections in his leg and arm. He is having difficulty when it comes to putting his foot flat on the ground, he looks like he is on his tiptoes but the tone in his leg is what’s causing it. He is also struggling with opening and closing his hand, they are trying to get him to pick up weightless objects and he is doing really well, except he has a hard time releasing things. Botox will help relax the muscles so the therapists can help Blake work on those areas. I hate the idea of injections-it sounds painful, but I can see him struggling and I know its all for the best. The therapists are also looking at extending his time at therapy an extra hour. In reality that means 9-12 therapy, 12-1 lunch, and depending on Blake’s moon 1-2 nap or therapy. If he naps from 1-2 then therapy would be 2-3. This makes a LONG day for both of us. I know we can do it, and I am very excited about getting more therapy in. However, I have to stay at the institute while he is getting therapy, and honestly it’s getting to be pretty boring for me. :) There is no wireless network-and I am having a hard time keeping busy while I’m there. I have read a book, started into another one, read countless magazines, and worked on my lesson plans. So what’s a girl to do? Lol. I know my creative little mind will come up with something. If anyone has any ideas-please let me know. I am definitely up for suggestions. Let’s see what else. Oh there is also a chance that we will have to get his leg brace (AFO) modified. Our PT Lynn said she is going to look at it on Friday and let us know. We are looking forward to the ‘Park Party’ on Friday. Blake really enjoys seeing all the kids. He is having a blast!! Please feel free to join us, even if it’s just for a short time. I love seeing all the kids too! I am really missing them! Right now the plan for Blake is that we will continue 3 days a week till November. There is no set in stone date, it all depends on Blake recovery. This means I could be back to work sooner, or later. This is hard for me because I miss work and my class and there is no set date to plan on. I do really well when there is a plan. I am trying to get used to all this ‘unknown’ information (i.e. brain tumor, therapy, everything we have to be patient with) . A new life lesson I guess. ;) I just keep praying that we will be back at school soon. Blake is amazing and I am going to do all that I can to help get him back to where he needs to be. I guess I will talk to you all later! I miss you all and am so grateful for everything you have done for us!!

Benefit Dinner!

My cousin Alyssa has put together a benefit dinner to help raise money for Blake. If you would like to attend here is the information:
Tacos/Burritos-Ice Cream-Face Painting-Bean Bag Throw-Door Prizes
Meal tickets $10 plate for 6yrs and up, $5 plate for 5yrs and younger
Location: New Life Family Church 4835 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, KS
Date: August 22, 2009
Time: 5-8pm
RSVP: Alyssa Blake 913-832-5228
All money raised/donated will be put in the account that has been set up for Blake at:
Enterprise Bank & Trust on the Plaza
Attn: Jackie Blake
4717 Grand Ave Ste 100
Kansas City MO 64112
Hope you can make it out-we would love to see everyone! And show off how great Blake is recovering! :)