5-16-10 Ally’s better and Family Update

Just wanted to post that Ally is much better.  This week she started coming off her bi-pap breathing machine.  We went slowly day by day increasing the time off of bi-pap and continuing with treatments.  She has been doing school at home with Ms. Clare, her homebound teacher and also had music this week.  By Friday, we were able to take her to see Kristyn act in the school play without bi-pap.  These family outings are very important to us and Ally got to be very close to the front to see all the junior high actors and hear the music.  A special thanks to Mrs. Green for making this happen and for all her hard work with the kids.  Kristyn did a nice job as one of the mom’s in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. 

Speaking of Kristyn, she made the varsity cheerleading team for Lane Tech High School 2010-2011.  She will be an incoming freshman, so this is wonderful.  She has been a cheerleader at the park district for 5 years. It’s a little scary having her as a flyer at the top of pyramids, but she absolutely loves cheerleading.  I’m hoping it will also be a nice way to adjust to her huge high school that has about 3000 students.  Lane is a magnet school and you have to test academically to get in, so I am very proud of Kristyn. 

Melissa is doing well and will also be graduating this year, but from Kindergarten.  She is very smart and can also have a smart mouth.  She picks up things from Kristyn, but doesn’t know when to stop since she is only 6 years old.  She can also be very caring and cuddly when she wants to.  I love when she hangs out with Ally and even reads her books.  It’d be boring if they were always good, I guess.

Today was nice outside and so Ally got to swing on her bench swing on the deck.  I am soooo happy that she is better and able to spend time off bi-pap and out of her room.  We will not be returning to school right away, if at all.  This is a very tough decision, but even a cold often results in a hospital stay and life or death situations for her.  I will have to talk to the school and figure out the best plan for her.  There’s so much involved with school and all the efforts that go into making it work for Ally.  I greatly appreciate everything that has been done, but the most important thing is Ally’s health and safety.

This week will be  busy with appointments and meetings.  Life has been pretty stressful dealing with illness and some depression, so I am hoping my spirits will continue to lift.  A special thanks to friends and family who continue to support us and pray for Ally and our family.

Thanks for reading and hope you have a nice start to your week!

Tina and Family

PS – I’ll try to post new pics soon

PSS — I did upload some pictures from our SMA Family Weekend in KY, Ally using her computer, an MDA Bowling Event, and Ally in her hot tub for the first time. These are all from April, but are some amazing times for our family.  Click on the album covers below to see them all and short videos at the end of each….

2010-04-18 Center for Courageous Kids- KY

2010-04-13 Dynavox reading a book

2010-04-11 MDA and Hanover Park FD Bowling Fundraiser

2010-04-10 Ally hot tub 1st time ever