Our Day at the Cleveland Clinic

We started out our day leaving at 6:30am. Our first appt was at 9am. Noah had a swallow study done. Thanks to ABR Noah was able to get all the way to thin liquids. Now we need to work on a more organized swallow. That will come with lots of practice.

Our next appt was with his dietitian. Noah is 64lbs 6oz. and he is 4ft.2.5in. tall. She felt he looked very healthy.

His next appt. was with his gastrologist. Dr. K was very pleased with him. She did order some blood work to check his nutrition and white blood count levels. Noah only had to be poked once and he did so without any fussing. What a champ!!

The last appt was at 4pm with his new pulminologist Dr. R. He was very easy to understand and he took time to know Noah. Noah seemed at ease with him. The only thing that bothered me was he when lifted Noah's shirt to listen to his lungs, he made the comment that someone needs to lay off a few tube feeds. I was shocked because Noah is no where near fat. I really should have pointed out to him that he was a pulminologist and not a dietitian. I decided not to bother.

In between all his appts, Noah watched Despicable Me and different You-tube videos on his Ipad. What a great investment his Ipad has been. It sure helped him not to be stressed out while waiting. I told Noah if he was good boy I would take him to the mall afterwards and we would get a Browns outfit for his animal.

That is exactly what we did. Good job Noah, I'm so proud of you!!!!

You are a true blessing from God.

We also found the perfect shoes for Noah. The strap in the back is Velcro so, you can make them snug. They stayed on all the way home from Strongsvile and they were on clearance too. What a deal.

Until next time.............

Our Blue Rose

I found this on another blog I read.

A Blue Rose

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.

"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.

"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement, because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him.

I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"

Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion, but I sure love living in God's garden."

She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.

May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.

From an old dandelion! Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Our very own Blue Rose.

"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel!".

Old Photo Friday

Morgan, Emily and Noah their first day of Pre-school.