better

Every day still feels different around here -I can't say we're really quite adjusted yet to our new routines and what Perthes brings to our lives. I can say that we gave it our very best this week - especially Oliver, who had to go to school and adjust to being in a wheelchair and/or walker all day. He did really well, and the kids and staff have been extremely kind and helpful. In this situation, it's great that they're at a big school with good services and resources. At home, things were harder - he'd go all day maintaining his composure, and kind of lose it at home with being sad or angry. I think that's pretty understandable and normal, and even that's gotten better. Noah is adjusting as well, I think - the two of them are finding new ways to spend time together harmoniously, and sometimes that's hard. That boy can be so reserved and introverted, and I've made a real effort to try and talk with him often. Sometimes he just wants me to leave him alone so he can read.

One thing that made me feel much better about everything was the transport chair arriving. It weighs about 15 pounds and handles a little easier than a sturdy umbrella stroller - a huge difference from that 45 pound beast we can now leave at school. Ollie needs the wheelchair at school - he can propel himself in it, which he can't do in the transport chair - but the transport chair will allow me to take him places. I'm supposed to be on a 20-lb.lifting restriction with no bending while lifting - I really couldn't manage that getting that chair in and out of the car much longer. He can also scoot himself along in it with his feet, so he's not totally stuck in it as I'd feared he'd be.


And look how small it folds!



Ivy seriously has her eye on those tennis balls.



I also spoke with his doctor briefly, and she did say that the MRI didn't look any worse than the x-ray. That's good news -it's possible that this means his femoral head was only partially affected, which would mean a likelihood of better healing with fewer complications.

Tomorrow, we go pick up a handicapped tag or plates (a 2-year one which I promise to only use with my son in the car), and then the 3 of us will volunteer at the Twin Cities MCC World Relief Sale in the children's area, and then on to cousin Lily's second birthday party. (How did that happen, by the way?) Much to celebrate and be grateful for.

I get a little sad when I think that it will be some time before we see this:



But it won't be forever, and if his daddy is any indication, he'll have many years of tree climbing ahead of him. Oliver got invited to a birthday party this week - bowling, which I think we can manage. People have been incredibly helpful and kind - your support and prayers are felt and appreciated.

school

Yesterday, we went to church, and made use of the new elevator. Oliver was really quiet, and kind of upset a couple of times, partly because my mom had left that day, and he was sad about that too, and just overwhelmed. We went to the school playground, and he got some wheelchair races with Auntie Meagan on the baseball diamond. He had a great time until I made him slow down on his crutches at one point, and then he got furious at me. A lot of his anger is pointed in my direction, which I know is because he feels safe being angry with me. he accused me of treating him like a baby, so I've been trying to figure out how to protect his hip and still not make him feel like a baby because he's in a chair and limited in what he can do. I can handle that - it's understandable, and he also need and gets lot of hugs from both his parents. He had a better afternoon, watching a movie with popcorn and his brother next to him, and playing some UNO with his grandparents.

It was hard to leave Oliver at school today, but it seemed to go OK. The kids asked such great questions when we shared about his condition. He's going to get some extra swinging time at recess, since that's all he can really do there for now. He's pretty up and down emotionally, but I think he's doing about as well as he could be. I think he's just old enough to understand it's not forever, but in some moments, that's just not enough. It is what it is. We're lucky to have such great support, and believe me, we appreciate it.