One of Kristen's first assignments from her physical/occupational therapists was to write down the top ten goals she hopes this treatment helps her accomplish. Here they are:
1. Ability to meet the demands of my modified school schedule.
2. Ability to sit through church and my classes without experiencing throbbing hip pain and stiff joints.
3. Ability to fully participate in my upcoming P.E. class next semester.
4. Ability to walk normal again without limping and my feet turning in.
5. Ability to write without my hands becoming stiff, painful, red, and shaky.
6. Ability to enjoy a shopping trip lasting longer than 30 minutes.
7. Ability to make plans ahead of time, confidently.
8. Ability to throw softballs with dad in the front yard several times a week.
9. Ability to run the bases myself at every game during CBFO Spring Softball League.
10. Ability to trust that I have control enough of my body/joints to safely drive my car and not be a threat to others on the road.
Hmm...sure doesn't seem to me that she is asking for too much. Huh? At least nothing that the average teenage girl doesn't certainly deserve. Kinda puts things in perspective, wouldn't you say?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
It's already December?
Well, it has been an eventful week. Kristen experienced a small setback(her first one) late in the week and she was fitted for leg splints on Friday so...she was a bit discouraged. Since beginning the therapy treatment Kristen has felt positive about the direction she was going, sensing slight improvements each day as far as increasing the mobility in her joints and even experiencing decreasing levels of pain.
However, on Thursday she experienced a marked increase in her joint pain(especially in her hips, wrists, and ankles), was awoken by the pain, and feared she was heading for a flare-up. On Friday, her occupational therapist detected an increase of inflammation/swelling in her wrists and fingers so it was decided to only heat and massage Kristen rather than complete the therapy program that day. Kristen sees this as a day wasted. Then Friday night we noticed the swelling in her ankles, as well.
She has focused more on just stretching and heat over the weekend and it seems to have helped, so maybe it is not actually a flare-up. That is what we hope, as a full blown flare-up right now would certainly slow down any progress made in her joint mobility therapy. We see Dr. Graham again in a few days on Tuesday so maybe he will have an explanation for us, or better yet, tell us this is expected.
Dave and Paige came in town late yesterday for a short overnight visit, but prior to that Kristen and I made our way to downtown Franklin(cutest little downtown area ever!) for the local Arthritis Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Her doctor and several of her physical therapists were participating. It was fun for Kristen to spend time with them outside of a medical setting, and we were also able to meet Hope Owens, the Tennessee Director for the National Arthritis Foundation. She, through the Foundation was responsible for getting us the initial appointment with Dr. Graham at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
The funds that you guys have helped us raise by joining/donating to Kmac's Crew directly assist the National Arthritis Foundation make people like Hope Owens available to assist families like ours in finding the best medical treatment available for our kids, or other loved ones. We only regret not taking advantage of the resources offered by the Foundation sooner.
Speaking of Kmac's Crew...we are absoblutely humbled, shocked, uplifted, inspired, and feeling so blessed by the continued response. As of tonite we have 98 team members and all together the team has raised $5565! That money will help increase the quality of life for many and also fund research to find a much needed cure for arthritis. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Kristen and I are so excited for next Saturday to just get here! We have several out of state family members coming in town for the Jingle Bell Walk, as well as a few Lipscomb friends of Lauren's, and a sweet young lady named Mallory from Lexington, Kentucky. Mallory is a first year special education teacher and a camp counselor at Center for Courageous Kids(CCK). She was Kristen's camp counselor this past summer and has been a great support to her. There will a total of 16 people staying in the McAllister home. Cozy!
Back to the grind tomorrow. Kristen's first therapy appointment begins at 9:00am. Just wondering, have you guys done much Christmas shopping yet? I can't believe it is already December 4th and I haven't really thought about it until now. Yikes!
However, on Thursday she experienced a marked increase in her joint pain(especially in her hips, wrists, and ankles), was awoken by the pain, and feared she was heading for a flare-up. On Friday, her occupational therapist detected an increase of inflammation/swelling in her wrists and fingers so it was decided to only heat and massage Kristen rather than complete the therapy program that day. Kristen sees this as a day wasted. Then Friday night we noticed the swelling in her ankles, as well.
She has focused more on just stretching and heat over the weekend and it seems to have helped, so maybe it is not actually a flare-up. That is what we hope, as a full blown flare-up right now would certainly slow down any progress made in her joint mobility therapy. We see Dr. Graham again in a few days on Tuesday so maybe he will have an explanation for us, or better yet, tell us this is expected.
Dave and Paige came in town late yesterday for a short overnight visit, but prior to that Kristen and I made our way to downtown Franklin(cutest little downtown area ever!) for the local Arthritis Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Her doctor and several of her physical therapists were participating. It was fun for Kristen to spend time with them outside of a medical setting, and we were also able to meet Hope Owens, the Tennessee Director for the National Arthritis Foundation. She, through the Foundation was responsible for getting us the initial appointment with Dr. Graham at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
The funds that you guys have helped us raise by joining/donating to Kmac's Crew directly assist the National Arthritis Foundation make people like Hope Owens available to assist families like ours in finding the best medical treatment available for our kids, or other loved ones. We only regret not taking advantage of the resources offered by the Foundation sooner.
Speaking of Kmac's Crew...we are absoblutely humbled, shocked, uplifted, inspired, and feeling so blessed by the continued response. As of tonite we have 98 team members and all together the team has raised $5565! That money will help increase the quality of life for many and also fund research to find a much needed cure for arthritis. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Kristen and I are so excited for next Saturday to just get here! We have several out of state family members coming in town for the Jingle Bell Walk, as well as a few Lipscomb friends of Lauren's, and a sweet young lady named Mallory from Lexington, Kentucky. Mallory is a first year special education teacher and a camp counselor at Center for Courageous Kids(CCK). She was Kristen's camp counselor this past summer and has been a great support to her. There will a total of 16 people staying in the McAllister home. Cozy!
Back to the grind tomorrow. Kristen's first therapy appointment begins at 9:00am. Just wondering, have you guys done much Christmas shopping yet? I can't believe it is already December 4th and I haven't really thought about it until now. Yikes!
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