It's That Time Of Year

It's that time of year again....for doctor visits that is. I've been busy going to see all my doctors that keep tabs on me.

I got some good news from Dr. Clegg, my new Orthopedic doctor. He said my scoliosis has just stayed the same and it probably will not get any worse. He showed us on the X-ray that my growth plates have closed and said because of that, my scoliosis won't get any worse. He also said there is no reason for me to get X-rays every 6 months any longer. Only if Mom sees something has really changed do I have to go back. He did ask Mom if anyone had ever mentioned that one of my legs was a lot shorter than the other. We had never heard that before, so he gave Mom an insert to put in my left shoe. He thinks that will help, especially with my balance. He also said the lower lumbar curve that I have could be caused by that. WOW. So, I'm wearing my insert and so far I'm being good and leaving it alone and not trying to take it apart. Mom says she hopes it lasts.

I didn't get very good news from my eye doctor, Dr. Cromwell tho. My cataract on my good eye has grown. It is now big enough that surgery should be done. He suggested that since I'm not a candidate for the normal kind of cataract surgery, and since I'd have to have general anesthesia, he recommended waiting, until Mom sees that it is really affecting my vision. Mom and Dad didn't look like they were happy to hear that the cataract had grown. The good news was that my retinas look good and haven't become detached. Mom seemed pretty happy about that. Other than the cataract getting worse, my vision stayed pretty much the same. I have some cool looking glasses, but I hate wearing them, in fact, most of the time I REFUSE to wear them. If Mom makes me, I let it be known that I don't want them on by trying to break them. But, Mom keeps trying - she can be so persistent sometimes. HoHo, so can I! When I put my glasses on, I can actually see things farther away. It's pretty cool at first, then I want back in my own little world where I feel secure and most comfortable.

I also get blood tests every 6 months, to keep a eye on a lot of different things in my blood. Everything looked great, which means no medication changes. My doctor, Dr. Beckstead, said I'm a pretty healthy guy. Yea, Me!

Well, that's it for now. Mom is still working on appointments with my Endocrinologist, Neurologist, Podiatrist, and Chiropractor.

Here's pictures of me with and without my glasses. Mom tells me I'm pretty handsome and cool looking with or without glasses. What can I say, she loves me.


Here's a picture of my crooked back with some of my battle scars. Mom thinks I'm one tough and amazing guy.

More January Fun

Yesterday I went Snowshoeing with my Mom and Common Ground. Kalin was in school all day, and Mario (a new guy we are training) was in Salt Lake. So since Mom knows how much fun I had last time, she agreed to take me. Whoopee!!

We went to Common Ground headquarters in Logan where we were to meet the bus that was going to take us to Mantua, Utah, in Sardine Canyon. While mom was filling out lots of paperwork, I was busy checking out the place. I tested every light switch, knob and lever in the place. I found the switch that operates the ceiling fans and was overjoyed to see them turn. For some reason, someone kept turning them off when I wasn't looking. Then I'd have to go turn them on again!! Don't people know that when I'm in a room with a ceiling fan, it HAS to be ON!!!

Next we got on the bus that was going to take us Snowshoeing. I was so busy trying to open the windows, turning any knob that would turn, or flipping any lever I could flip, that Mom didn't enjoy the bus ride very much. I was just so excited that I just couldn't sit still or keep my hands to myself.

We finally got to the camp ground in Mantua and it was really a nice place. There was LOTS of beautiful white snow everywhere. It took a while for everyone to get their snowshoes on, but then we were off. As soon as we stepped off the road, and onto un-level ground, I put a death grip around mom's neck. She was a nice shade of blue before she succeeded in prying my hands loose from her neck, then she held my arm and we were off. I really like snowshoeing, but not the un-level ground, so I made sure to hold tight to Mom's arm. I think I did good. Mom however, didn't do very good. She'd do good for a ways, then she'd get all off balance, almost falling. She said it was because I'd pull on her and knock her off balance. (Yeah, blame it on the kid that can't speak for himself.) I thought she was so funny....she kept taking off all the warm clothes she was wearing. She said she was hot. 13 degrees and she was hot! Go figure that one. Next she was turning red in the face and breathing really hard. She said it was because she was having to drag me through the snow. I thought it was really funny to kick her in the ankle with my snowshoe every time my left foot would take a step. She didn't like my sense of humor at all. Yes, here we are having a great time, and Mom acts like she is dying. About the last 1/4 mile of the hike, one of the volunteers from Common Ground must have thought she was also, because they brought me a walker with skis attached. It was GREAT! I caught on right away and it made it so much easier for me to keep my balance. Obviously Mom doesn't keep me balanced very well. She tried her best, but after all, I'm as big as she is. Poor, funny Mom, was so tired and sore when we finished. She hardly moved on the bus ride home. When we got home at 4:30 all she wanted to do was go to bed. But I had lots of work for her to do, so she managed to stay up until 7:45 and then went to bed. For some reason I don't think she is going to take me snowshoeing ever again.

Here's a few pictures of our adventure. Taken of course before Mom thought she was dying, so she could still smile.

January's Not So Bad

I was beginning to think January was the pits. It seems like I've been cooped up in the house like FOREVER. I did go to the movies one day last week and I did go to church this past Sunday and I was very, very good. I really appreciated being out of the house. Right after Christmas, Mom & Dad ended up getting the stomach flu, so I didn't get to get out. Kalin was busy with his family and it snowed a few days and no one wanted to get out in it. So I was really thinking that January isn't such a good month.

However, it turns out that January's not so bad after all! Today was a great day! Kalin and I went Snowshoeing with Common Ground. Common Ground is an outdoor adventure group for people with disabilities. They make it so great people like me, can do regular fun things, by supplying adaptive equipment and helpers. I discovered show shoeing is really fun! I got the hang of it right away but still used Kalin to steady me occasionally as I don't have very good balance. Mom sent her camera with Kalin to take some pictures but something was wrong with it and it wouldn't work. Darn, cause I really wanted everyone to see how great I did and how much fun I was having. I plan to go again soon, so hopefully we'll get some pictures then. Tomorrow, Kalin and I are going to Logan to hang out and do some fun things. Maybe a movie, maybe bowling, maybe the fun center, maybe the mall, who knows, but I plan on having some more fun. Kalin is fun to be with and he likes helping me do fun things. So whatever we decide to do, I know I'm going to have a good time.