Therapy and Equipment

Once again the week has gotten away from me. Thankfully we had a little calmer week with appointments partially because we are winding down with therapy at Holland Rehab. We have decided to move Ruby to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for physical, occupational and speech therapy. Here they have a lot of experience working with brain injured kids and we were ready for a change for Ruby. I want her to get the best care she can possibly get. Next Thursday we have a 2 hour appointment there where they are going to evaluate her to see what she needs for PT and OT. The week after that we have another appointment made where they will evaluate her for speech. I am excited to have a fresh set of eyes take a look at her and make a plan to help her develop.

Another new development in Ruby's world is that we have ordered a bath chair and a stander for Ruby. The bath chair will allow me to get her in and out of the bath tub easier. Right now she is still bathing in a infant bath seat, but she is way to big for it. She can't hold her head up or sit up, so I can't just plop her in the tub. This chair will allow her to sit up in the bath and be safe. The stander somehow helps her be in a complete upright position for small periods throughout the day. This will be great for her bone growth, circulation, balance and strength. Mary Free Bed is going to have a rep from the medical company that makes the standers come to our appointment next week. He will try Ruby in several standers and make sure that she gets one that works for us. I am excited to get more equipment that will help her get strong, although my living room is starting to look like a therapy room :)

I am excited about the change to Mary Free Bed and I think it will be good for Ruby to get some more intense therapy, but I am a little overwhelmed by it all too. This means that we will be getting therapy probably 3 times a week in Grand Rapids (I think we will get OT, PT and Cranial all once a week-- at least for now-- we also have to fit speech in there somewhere). Then Early On will come to our house 2 times a week. This means 5 days of therapy for Ruby. This is what she needs to get stronger, but I am little worried that we won't have a life outside of therapy and medical appointments. I am also not exactly sure what I will do with Charlie all those times. It makes me nervous thinking about it all, but I am trying to stay positive and just take once day at a time. I read Ps. 62 this morning-- "My soul finds rest in God alone"... I am clinging to that this morning.

I would really appreciate your prayers for these changes for Ruby. Pray that new therapy brings incredible progress. Also pray that the seizures continue to stay away; her EEGs are still chaotic and I am always panicky that they will come back. I would love prayers of peace for Mark and I. We appreciate all of you!

I will post pictures of the equipment when we get it. I also have cute pictures of the kids in the pool that I will have to download soon.