~ Violet ~
8 years ago
Saturday, March 27, 2010
It's been so long since I've updated Isla's blog.
She's doing so well at school. I have a parent-teacher interview on Tuesday to get the low down on how her days go at school, but all reports thus far have been really positive. Thursday we have our first Easter Hat parade, she is super excited, although keeps on shooting down my ideas on hat designs *sigh*. She's able to sit on the floor with her legs crossed after I found her some pretty awesome cushions a few weeks back. She was terribly upset that people didn't want to play with her at school because she got to sit on a chair during group time. Now, the other kids are allowed to take it in turns of sitting on a cushion with her, and it's made a heap of difference.
She's had a few OT appointments lately, all going really well. Mel the OT seems to be quite happy with her progress, and hopefully she'll be picked up through the local hospital's OT intake sometime very soon. We've been given some finger stretching exercises for her to complete, as she's having a bit of trouble holding pencils, but otherwise, it's all hunky dory.
Physio's been going really well. Still not in Orthotics, and couldn't get an appointment until May to be casted {add another 6+ weeks to that to have the AFO's made}. We saw Dr L this week who wants her in AFO's right away, so we were going to have to have them made privately, which would have cost $1500 {ouch!}, but the Orthotics Gods were smiling on me, because 2 days later the Children's Hospital called with an appointment in 2 weeks time due to cancellations. Hooray!
Spoke to Dr L about the future surgeries Isla's looking at, he described them as multi-level surgeries {what that means I don't quite know and I'm too scared to ask Dr Google!} she'll require them to her feet, her knees and her hips. I asked when this will take place, he said when she's 11 :(
We need to organise a kidney ultrasound for her to make sure her kidneys are draining properly. This needs to be done before the next round of Botox in June, just to find out what caused the bladder & bowel issues that Isla's had since November's Botox treatment. So, we're going to see our Paediatrician, Dr F to get it all sorted and to get our yearly checkup.
I'm sure I have more to update on, but my mind is a bit of a blur right now!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Isla was so excited to have 2 "days off" school. Bless her little socks.
Even better though, she was excited to go back to school this morning. I thought it was going to be hard given the weekend, but she was busting to get back.
I can't believe that of the 4 days I've taken Isla to school and picked her up, it's been raining. Seriously. It's summer!!! {I know, I know, I complain about the heat constantly, now I'm complaining about the rain!}.
She's been put into her proper class as of today, called the Wallaroo's. How cute. I was secretly hoping she'd be a sea lion or a panda, but wallaroo it is. She's not in the same class as her little friend Emily, but has a friend from pre-school, Maddison, in the class with her, so she'll be happy {I hope!}.
I'm still adjusting to her not being here of a day time. It's such a different feeling to her being at pre-school, but she hadn't been since December, so I had grown accustomed to having her by my side all day, every day. I miss her!
Poor Harper was upset when Isla went into class. She's missing her too - although not so much right now, as she's playing with Isla's beloved Dora Schoolhouse. Isla would be mortified if she knew!
I'm trying desperately to learn how to braid, Isla has requested braids and I have no idea how to do them, so I've spent hours trawling the internet for tutorials! The things we do!
I go back to Tafe tonight. I don't particularly want to go. I told Ian last night that I'd post-pone it for 6 months while Isla settles in to school. I feel like I'm going to miss out on seeing her all day. I only get an hour or so in the morning before school, then the same after school. Tafe starts at 5pm and by the time I get home at 9 she'll be asleep. Sigh. Shall try it for a week and see how we go.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Isla started school on Wednesday.
She'd been up since 6am...made me put her hair in long plaits last night so it's ready for the big day.
It was pouring! Absolutely bucketing down with rain. We had grand plans of walking to school and cutting through the park, but it was far too wet!
She was super excited, mainly at the prospect of TWO lunches {recess and lunch!} and playing in the playground was top of her list of priorities, but with the heavens opening the way they did, they were relegated to the benches under cover. To think how damn hot it has been in Sydney these past few weeks, and since Isla started school it's done nothing but rain, rain, rain.
Uniforms were hemmed and ironed with love, I slipped $2 in her pocket for a treat from the canteen. Her lunch box was full of goodies, we'd been practicing opening and eating from it for a few days before. Everything is labelled with her name.
She's was so excited.
When it came time for her to leave me and Harper and join her class she didn't cry at all.
We were sitting in the hall and she was saying "I'm so excited!". I told her about the money in her pocket and she almost wet her pants with glee! She's in group "Green" this week for the testing and we find out who her teacher is and what class she goes into on Monday morning.
They asked all the children to line up to walk to class and she ran off without saying goodbye and forgot her school bag, she was in so much of a hurry. I walked her to the end of the line and then she was gone!
A school girl.
I met up with her outside the classroom where the Kindy teacher said we could give them a final kiss and cuddle. She was standing in line waiting to go into class, she had already forgotten about us and was ready for school. She gave me a big kiss and cuddle then walked in proudly to her classroom.
My MIL and I watched through the window until the Principal told us to leave {the nerve!} but Isla didn't look back once. When we they were sitting on the floor reading a story, Isla was sitting on a chair, just smiling.
I'm so proud of her. I miss her so much during the day. The house seems so empty. Harper searches for her constantly.
I think this is my favourite photo so far. You can see her in the doorway. She's just spotted us. Look at that beautiful expression, mouth wide open with excitement. Bless.
Thursday was a bit of a crapper of a day though. I called the Principal to see whether Isla qualified for funding {which we were told she would} and I was told she'd receive 3 hours a week. That's it. 3 crummy hours a week.
When I picked her up that afternoon she said nobody wanted to play with her at recess and lunch. She said that she ate her lunch by herself. She said that the other kids didn't want to play with her because she got to sit on a chair during group time.
My poor little girl.
So, I spent the remainder of Thursday in tears. So did Ian.
We took her to school this morning and she was a bit clingy. She was a bit upset, but I couldn't really blame her. I told her to go sit on the floor with the other kids instead of the chair. She smiled a smile like a cheshire cat, and ran off to sit with the kids. I watched her try desperately to sit cross-legged, but couldn't.quite.get.there.
Ian called the Principal and told her we didn't care if she W sits on the carpet, we're more interested in her being included. She agreed that was a good idea. He told her we're unhappy with the funding. She agreed that they'd try to push for more and will sort out the paperwork for us. We asked if her new little friend would be in her class as of Monday, she's going to see what she can do.
When we picked her up today, she was brought out by her aide {who's name I've already forgotten, but I want to say it's Gail, so that's what I'm going to call her}. We had a quick chat with her. She said Isla played on her own for a while at lunch while Gail observed, then Gail went over and talked to her and children followed. There were several kids playing with her by the end of lunch. Same thing for recess {recess comes after lunch at this school!}. We talked about inclusion, we talked about extra funding. She listened, she offered advice, she understands. She said she's already fallen in love with Isla and that she's a wonderful little girl.
I couldn't agree more
.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
My little possum went for her Botox follow up appointment with Dr L today.
I was very glad that this appointment was coming up because Isla has started to have issues with her bladder and bowel, which have been becoming a bit of a problem.
He seems to think it *could* be the result of the botox, given that she was injected higher than last time {this time in the hamstrings rather than the calves} so it's entirely possible that it could be the effect of the botox on her bladder/bowel.
So, we have to go to a GP and organise a urine sample for Isla, to rule out a UTI {which, Dr L said doesn't account for the loss of sensation with the bowel}. Apparently children commonly don't have any of the associated discomfort of a UTI that an adult would experience, and sometimes the only symptom can be incontinence. So, should a urine test rule that out, then we need to wait and see whether it continues once the botox wears off {in a few weeks time}.
If it doesn't, she'll need an MRI on her spine, as apparently there's some research that shows that some children with Cerebral Palsy develop cysts on the spinal column which can lead to lack of sensation in the bowel/bladder.
I hope it's just the botox.
Dr L has NEVER had a patient with this problem following botox, despite it being listed as a side effect from the injections on the information sheet given out before deciding to undertake treatment with the Botox. He said we should feel privileged {TIC!}.
He's keen to avoid the GRAFO's {I cant remember what the GR stands for} as he thinks they'll be too cumbersome for Isla. So, in the meantime we need to have wedges fitted to the orthotics and see how they go, before having a new set made up by the wonderful Rob. I was hoping to organise AFO's before she starts school, but it doesn't look like that will happen until at least March.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Happy 5th Birthday Isla.
I cannot believe you're five. I just can't. It only seems like yesterday I bought you home from the hospital, yet here you are, already hitting me up for a $1 raise in your pocket money because "I'm FIVE now Mum".
I am so proud of the little girl you've grown into, so polite and thoughtful. So smart and beautiful. I love you so.
5 years ago...
Now...
Sunday is your much longed for McDonalds party. You have been counting down for this for weeks.
The world is yours for the taking, my little duck. I know you're destined for great things. You amaze me every single day.
We took Isla to the Botanic Gardens and met up with Bron from Big Brother & Little Sister, and Di from N0thing but Everything. Two beautiful ladies, with their gorgeous children. Such a great way for Isla to celebrate the big 5.
She was spoilt rotten, with more spoiling to come on Sunday.
Five years goes by in the blink of an eye.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
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