intentions

It has been my intention to get on here sooner, rather than later, but now that things have started to come closer to our old normal, I find myself focusing on other things.  That is good, right?  No news, is good news...We've been turning part of our focus to Tom, who is graduating this year.  We have a lot to do!  We will be spending part of spring break in Nebraska to check out the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.  I also need to start all the other things that come along with graduation!  Busy, busy...

Aly continues to make progress on getting back to her old self, as much as possible.  The jaw locks and facial muscle spasms continue to become fewer and farther between.  YEAH!  She is also gaining weight for the first time since this whole journey started.  She is up to 64 pounds.  She has NEVER been 64 pounds.  That, alone, makes me so happy.  She is eating great, some days I can't believe how quickly she eats!  Close friends and family know that at some points during this illness Aly used to take about an hour to eat a very small meal.  She used to chew each bite for what seemed like minutes.  She is not doing that anymore!  Last night, we had mac & cheese and mini corn dogs.  One of Aly's favorite meals.  She had seconds!  and she's been having seconds at many meals.  This was unheard of just months ago and pretty much for the past 2 years.  It makes me giddy!  :)

There are things I am hoping she will still make more progress on.  Her energy level is very slowly increasing.  She still seems to tire during activities and I'm not sure if that is due to her body chemistry or if it has to do with her eye sight.  I have so many questions for the Endocrin doctor.  I can't wait until the April 2nd appointment.  I think we will also be discussing growth hormones.  Aly is anxious to start growing.  She is not anxious to start the medications needed, but she is quickly falling behind her peers in the growth department.  We cleaned out some closets this weekend and I kept asking her, "Do these shoes still fit?"  Her reply was, "Mom I haven't grown for the past year."  She is also frustrated with the time it has been taking to get her hair back.  It is slowly coming in but there is still a circular patch on the top of her head that is taking its sweet time to fill in.  She mentioned, the other day, how she has been called a boy quite a few times.  Because she wears the hats, and any time she is dressed casually in sweats, it creates that confusion.

Progress, is progress no matter how slow it is...