Tuesday, July 1, 2008

7/1/08 - 143 pounds????!!!

More than one of you have mentioned to me that I have not updated this blog in quite a while. In this case, no news is good news. Thanks to your prayers, James has come a long way back from his nadir in August. Many things are back to normal: he is living at his own place with caregivers, he's about to start a day program again; and he is eating like there is no tomorrow! In connection with his new "school" application, Mary took James to the doctor, and he topped the scale with an all-time record: 143 pounds. We knew that his arms and legs and face were fuller, that he was eating well, that he was quite a bit stronger, that he even had a little tiny bit of tummy; but 143 pounds? Before all this began, his maximum was 125. In fact, the doctor is doing some tests to determine whether he is retaining fluid for some reason. His ankles look a little puffy from time to time.

Another change: on Monday, James and Mom went to Taco Bell, and James asked for one order of regular nachos, not four bean burritos with no onions. One of his new favorites (enjoyed before, but eaten much more often now) is a "breakfast sandwich" from Jack-in-the-Box. In case you need a recommendation, it is whichever one has the most meat on it. Also, I have now been to Chili's twice with James when he did not order "beef and chicken fuh-heetas with no sour cream, double glockamoly". He likes the little cheeseburgers (and so do I).

Physically, James is much stronger, but he is not walking like he used to. When he gets up, he can walk under his own steam with just a steadying hand/safety net. We are hoping and praying that this gets better; I think it will. James has big plans for his birthday on July 7 (23).

James's parents are much better. We got to go to Cabo San Lucas for a week, and James did not have a single seizure while we were gone. (He did call us from his cell phone a few times; can't wait to see the roaming bill.) Again, thank you for prayers, and I will try to update again soon. B