Everything Will Be Alright

Sorry it took so long to update this time. Rie’s lengthy daily scalp care has dominated our time and energy since the last update. The extensive scalp dermatitis (scar dandruff) is almost completely resolved. Praise God. The dermatologist was very pleased and has reduced the treatment frequency to every other day for a while then once to twice a week forever for prevention.  Walker-walking and stair-climbing  are going well. She’s enjoying 30 to 60 minutes a day on the stationary bike which also has concurrent upper body tension straps for increasing flexibility and strength.  Voice volume is improving. Per speech therapist, we’re trying to sing often (whenever others are at a safe distance)! We saw Rie’s rehab doctor yesterday for the second round of Botox injections to the spastic right leg muscles so we can work on strengthening the opposite muscles for better range and function. Probably will need Botox every few months for a while. Rie is tolerating outings for sever...

 Rie’s scalp scar dermatitis is definitely responding to the daily medicated shampoo. Takes about three hours per session so we’re falling behind on the home rehab program but Rie still doing her 45 minutes on the stationary bike everyday and up and down our back deck stairs. Mia is excited about her costume for tonight with her school friends. She got influenza A last week but wouldn’t slow down. I used to milk three weeks out of my colds but not Mia! Praise the Lord for the strength of the women in this house to counterbalance my weakness.❤️🙏 

Rie did 45 minutes on the stationary bike, shoulder and calf stretches, walked 90 feet with the hiking sticks with minimal assistance. The seizure specialist was very nice. He agreed to keep Rie’s anti-seizure medication at the current dosage which is the lowest possible dosage. He reduced the dosage of her stimulant medication because it can increase the risk of seizures. The plan is to do a 24 hour EEG in three months to look for any occult seizure activities especially during sleep. Mia’s dental brace came loose in a corner after brushing so Mia and Rie were very upset all afternoon, crying till we heard back from the orthodontist’s office that it was not an emergency. The orthodontist’s only available appointment was on Monday, at the “perfect time” between Mia’s morning and afternoon classes. We felt blessed by that “perfect timing” and everyone calmed down! Praise the Lord for His “perfect timing”. ❤️🙏

 The scalp plastic surgeon visit went well. No need for fat injections to protect the scars at this time, maybe in six months. He agreed with the dermatologist that the scalp flaking is a form of dandruff common in a weakened scalp that has gone through six major operations in a short time. The Ketoconazole shampoo and the steroid lotion should help. The oral surgeon said the jaw bone that was injured by the complicated upper molar extraction four months ago has healed well per x-rays done yesterday but still too thin for a straightforward implant procedure. No rush on the implant since it is neither a cosmetic nor a functional issue.  Rie’s home therapy program is going very well. She has worked up to 45 minutes on the stationary bike. She now routinely goes up and down the back deck stairs for car rides instead of using the wheelchair on the front door catwalk with me by her side just in case. Walker-walking posture is improving, more upright, better balanced, at times almos...

 Yesterday was full of good news! Rie enjoyed 20 minutes on her new stationary bike. We went to her dermatologist again, this time for concerns about scalp scar flaking. He said it is a very common condition and easily treatable with a prescription shampoo. The scar looked good to him. We’ll see Rie’s craniofacial plastic surgeon next week to see if it’s time to inject some fat under the thinner parts of the scar (fat transfer). My nephew’s surgery went well. Mia’s orthodontist said her braces are working well and she’s doing a good job with them at home. Mia was also very happy with her math and science grades. I keep reassuring her that we don’t really care about her grades or what she does in life as long as she becomes a doctor! So far, Rie is having her best night of sleep since forever. Blessings abound. Praise the Lord.❤️🙏

 No more therapy clinic trips for a few months. We’ll have more time for home therapy, delinquent paperwork, and ❤️🙏Mia🙏❤️.

 The skin biopsy of a lesion that the dermatologist thought was cancer finally got resulted: BENIGN! Praise the Lord.❤️🙏