Nathans

I started this a few days ago but didn't have time to finish so now I will and finally post it.

16 years ago on March 26, 1995 Ryan lost his best friend Nathan Bertram.  This is a picture of Nathan.  From that day forward Ryan and I became close friends.  When we were married and talked about  names for our children, we decided to name our boy after his friend Nathan Bertram that died.  So that is how we get to our Nathan.  We miss you Nathan and always think about you when we see eagles or hawks.

Who is visiting my page?

I put a Live Traffic Feed gadget on the blog and would like to know who in particular is visiting from places like Baxter, Iowa, Decatur, IL, Alabama and other exotic places likes that.  When you visit can you please post a comment and let me know who you are.  I know there are so many people I don't even know following the blog but I would like to know how you came to follow our familie's story.  Thanks so much for your cooperation!

Patches, patches, Ellie's eye patches

We headed to Iowa City Friday hoping to see more improvements in her eye sight.  We hoped we could do less days of atropine, dialating drops.  This wasn't the case however.  Her eyesight was the same or slightly worse.  20/20 in her left eye and 20/40 in her right eye.  Last time she had 20/35 in her right eye.  Anyway, they thought maybe atropine had done all it could do for Ellie so the next thing is patching.  The good eye will get the patch on it so the weak eye has to do all the work, all the time.  So Ellie is going to wear a patch on her left eye all the time for 4 weeks.  She will be checked in a month to see how the progress is going.  Patching 100% of the time is supposed to have quick results.  She is also a part of a study for patching now.  So during the month we are to do an eye test online to see how it's going partway through and if it varies from what they find in the clinic.  They had some way cute patches for Ellie to take home and wear.  This makes it easier for her to agree to wear them.  We are also doing an incentive calendar.  A sticker each day she wears it all day and doesn't take it off or mess with it.  She is rewarded at the end of each week.   

Here are pictures of her the first two days. She wanted to put a patch on the eye of her kitty stuffed animal so it could be like her.  At least she is taking it well right now and still smiling.  She wasn't embarassed to go out in public with it today.  She was embarassed and wouldn't go to the UNI Panther Sports camp with it though.  I really hope this isn't going to make her less social.  She says she won't be embarassed by it with people she knows.  We will see!

She told me this afternoon that sometimes she forgets she is wearing it.

March 25th Eye appnt.

Hi all! It's been a long time since I have updated, because not much has been going on other than living everyday life.  This Friday, March 25th, Ellie has an eye appointment in Iowa City.  We have seen much improvement in her face and eye movement since the May 2010 nerve graft surgery.  We are praying all these atropine, dialating, drops has continued to improve her vision strength.  We did see a nice improvement last time so we are hoping to see 20/20 in both eyes and possibly cut back on atropine drops a couple days a week.  I will update after the appointment.

Ellie is also improving in her reading skills.  She had fallen behind in reading so her teacher has been spending more time with her before and after school to get her caught up. Now a past English teacher both Ryan and I had in middle and high school is going to start helping Ellie one morning a week at school to help her teacher out.  Sooo Ellie's teacher reported to me a couple weeks ago that she is improving but has more to go still. I was happy to hear this!

God is good!!

I am happy to report Ellie had good reviews from her MRI yesterday. Both doctors today were very happy to see the MRI clear! Her oncologist said her brain/brain stem is starting to move back into the area that the tumor was in.  This is something that is normal. She passed all the physical exams they did with her to check her strength.  Not much else to report but that all is good! God is good, we are so thankful and happy!!

MRI Tuesday

Ellie has another update MRI tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 25th at 7:30 in the morning. We will be headed there bright and early in the morning.  Then once she wakes up she is good to go. We will then return Wednesday for the Dr.'s appointments to get the results of the MRI from her radiation oncologist and see the Otolaryngologist because he wants to see the MRI pics of the nerve graft surgery.

I am calm and confident about this because all others have been with good results.  We hope this will be the same good results.  Continueing to pray about it though.

I will update Wednesday after we get results.

Being Thankful!

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE

WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,

BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,

AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND

WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,

BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME

AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER

WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES

BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,

NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,

WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,

AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT

BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING

AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF

IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart