Peds Floor

T is on the Peds floor now and out of ICU. T has been making up for having not had anything to eat for nearly 30 hours…LOL! 

When T woke up his left eye was hurting really bad. He kept rubbing it and saying it burns. While he was lethargic he kept itching and rubbing his head where the wires had been for the EEG. They have to use a paste to stick them to your head with. Some of that paste got in his eye and gave him a chemical burn. So now we are dealing with that issue🙄🤦🏻‍♀️.  I’m just glad we have our boy back!!!  They have been the best for all they’ve had to deal with. 

Here’s a pic showing the chemical burn:

Update

T was just able to push the nurses hands away with both feet. He was able to squeeze her hand and mine with his hands. They’ve bumped the sedation meds down by .2 overnight. He’s starting to sound more like himself but just very groggy. He keeps asking where he’s at and we keep telling him. When he gets to be more with it and less groggy he’ll be able to understand where he is and won’t ask that question over and over each time he wakes. He’s making progress even though it’s baby steps but I’ll take any progress we can get right now. When he gets more with it and doesn’t require as much constant care they’ll move him from PICU to the Peds area. And as they feel he’s strong enough they’ll probably let him go home. You can’t believe the incredibly huge relief I’ve been having as the night has went on. We’ve slept as T has slept and I’ve been up each time the nurse has come in which has been every couple of hours. 

Scot got me this neck pillow yesterday so I could sleep in the recliner. Scot’s been sleeping on the couch bed to get his sleep. 

Upside Down Inside Out

For the past 25 hours life has been upside down inside out as we’ve had our son in an emergent state at Wake Med PICU. 25 hours ago I found him in his kid cave lethargic and unresponsive looking like he had a seizure. I called 911 immediately then called Scot because he was out in our big building working out back. Once to the hospital God brought the right doctors to handle T’s case. They went to work quick and fast while mom was a total basket case watching helplessly as her son was being worked on. 

Now I’m going to back peddle to give you details leading up to finding T in the state we did. T has been working out like crazy getting ready for an upcoming tournament. He was eating healthy and drinking tons of water. Water being the key word here. Well he began having a headache and feeling nauseous. We figured it was just how crazy intensively he’d been training. Didn’t think anything of it and thought it would pass. He began throwing up profusely. We were incredibly puzzled and thinking this would just pass. 

Now fast forward to where we are now. He’s in the PICU at Wake Med recovering from what they say was a dangerously low sodium level in his body. When they tested his sodium level upon arrival he was at 121. The normal is between 135-145. This caused his headaches and vomiting and subsequently the seizure he had at home. 

Where has he come from and where is he now in the healing process?  At 7pm yesterday the incident occurred. From that point until 25 hours later he has been incredibly lethargic and combative. His mental status has been extremely altered. He’s had so many tests I couldn’t repeat them all even if I wanted to. He’s had an EEG that showed his brain was slow and a little bit swollen. This was all supporting the sodium issues he was having. They did an MRI and that came back good. He’s been heavily sedated to help with how combative he’s been and to help him rest more easily. At 8pm tonight T woke up. Still very lethargic but he knew who I was and was able to tell me who he was. He even was like, “why you asking me what my name is?”  That’s the kind of response I’d expect from my son…LOL!  Scot and I helped him pee in a urinal and then proceeded to help the nurses change him and his bedding. And as soon as we got all that done he went right back asleep. 

We just found out that He’s now at a sodium level of 139. He’s done the last 8 points of the sodium level on his own without them having to give him a sodium supplement through IV. Praise the Lord! Thank you 🙏 Jesus!!! 

He’s still sedated and they are taking him out of sedation extremely slowly so we have less combative issues from him. We are just so thankful for the progress he has made in the past almost 27 hours now. 

Our prayer is that any swelling on his brain subsides completely. We are praying he is less and less combative and more cooperative with us and the medical staff moving forward and that he improves by leaps and bounds through the night. 

Keep praying prayer Warriors!  Your prayers are working and we are so relieved to see good progress even though it’s small. I’ll take any step forward we can get right now. 

This was in the ER. 

After getting him in a PICU room. He has a EEG cap on his head here. 

This is how lethargic he was. 

This is T resting easy just after doing what you’ll see in the next picture. 

So very thankful beyond belief for everyone who’s been praying and who has called and texted even if I haven’t been able to respond to everyone. 

Thank you Jesus for your great love for us and how you take such great care of us!!!  

Training Update

T has been training like crazy to get ready for the Texas tournament. He has gotten all kinds of limber again. 

Update on My Back and Hip

Chiropractor wants me using my crutches for the next couple of days🤦🏻‍♀️😞. Got to be extremely careful for 24 hours. L2 in my low back was way out and it was making the sciatica nerve cause major pain in my hip and leg. My leg was like a dead weight. I’m very thankful to have it all back in place. Praise the Lord! 

One ☝️ Week Before Our Travel Date

We are one week out from when we travel to Texas for the USAT Fiesta Challenge. T still has to shed weight for weigh in on the 4th. Pray he loses the weight and is able to make weight. 

I’ve been down with a problem called Sciatica. Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.  It’s most commonly caused from a misalignment so I’ve been under chiropractic care for it in hopes that I’ll be able to travel for this tournament. Please pray for things to stabilize with this issue I’m having. 

We’ve had quite a go of it with stuff these past few months. I’m ready for things to stop happening at this point. Currently I’m sleeping sitting up on the couch because it’s the only position that gives some relief. I’m going to try and get some sleep now. Just wanted to check in with everyone because I haven’t posted in a minute. 

Ya know, at the end of the day I know God is in control and He’s got my back. Life’s been crazy these past few months but my faith and trust in the Lord always carries me through. I’m so thankful that He is always watching out for us even when we don’t realize it, He’s there. Jesus will still be there no matter what!  Thank you Lord!  I always wanna keep a grateful heart and life that always brings honor and glory to You!  

USAT FIESTA CHALLENGE San Antonio, TX August 4th & 5th, 2021

T is going to be attending the Fiesta Challenge event to take his foot out for a test run after being down for a little over a month with an injury.  We have a coach at home as well as his regular coach doing Zoom training sessions to get him ready for this event.  Three training sessions a day make for busy days.  T is loving it though.  He's glad to be getting back at it.  The goal with this event is for T to do his best and learn who the fighters are in his age and weight division and if he comes home with a medal then great but that is not the ultimate goal for this trip.  Learning and growing are what we are after right now.  It will be just added topping on the cake so to speak if he brings home a medal.  

I just wanted to update you all because I know it's been a minute since we've made a post but that's all I have for now.  Blessings on you all!  Here's one of T's TKD pics that I turned into art.  

Bonsai Tree Lego Build

T got the Bonsai Tree started before going to TKD class tonight and finished it after his class. He was excited about this build. He’s also excited about the Star Wars Lego Pilot build as well. He hasn’t done that one yet but when he does I’ll post about it. 

LEGO Builds

T got two new LEGO builds that he’s been wanting today. It’s double VIP points right now so he wanted to take advantage of that too. The boy knows how to work the system so he saves money. Smart kid. 

UFC Fight Night at Buffalo Wild Wings

We are having a fun night watching the UFC Fights with an electric crowd. 

T is Easing into Training Again

The team is at AAU Nationals this week and we are not. Because of injuries and some health problems in our family this has been an off year for us. It feels so weird to be home and not with the team. T has been beside himself because he’s not even been able to watch them on livestream. With the docotors release to ease back into training we’ve been doing a lot of regular family TKD training this week at his home dojang. It at least keeps him moving. It’s not as intense as training with his coach and team but that will come soon enough.  We are hoping to go to USAT Fiesta/National Tournament in Texas the first week or so in August. Praying and hoping to get T up to speed by then. We’ve talked with T and he’s is on the page of wanting to go and fight regardless of what weight division he falls into because even if he doesn’t win a medal he wants to gain experience. Every athlete wants to win but it shows maturity on his part to want to go regardless of the outcome because he wants to gain experience. He wants to learn and grow. Here’s a short video clip of him training at his home dojang and a picture. 

He was very sweaty afterwards. He goes back again tonight😁. 

New Crown

Today I had a new crown done on a lower back tooth. It’s still tender tonight but I’m praying that subsides in a few days and it’s just being a little touchy from the procedure that was done. 

T’s Kid Cave

Well we helped T rearrange his kid cave today since we were stuck inside because of Tropical Storm Elsa and there’s lots more room in there now. He seems much happier now that things have been put the way he’s wanted them. It’s also clean right now. We’ll see how long that lasts…LOL!  #lifewithateenager

T’s 3rd Dan Pics

The first one is a canvas we had done. The others are just pictures. 

My Guys and The Cars

My guys loved the cars. T especially loved the 1969 Camero. The Green Beauty.  T is ready to learn how to drive now and he now wants one of these beauties.  Here’s the pics of my guys. 

T with his Great Uncle Mike and Popsie. 

Checking out the engine of the Camero. 

The kids all in the Nova. 

Family Time Is So Precious!!!

We certainly enjoyed spending time with Uncle Mike today and getting to see his cars. T has chosen his favorite one and has asked for one…LOL!  The 1969 Camaro in his favorite color, green. I personally loved the 1928 one that was decked out and decorated with UK colors and emblems. Although I’m not a huge UK fan I certainly love the car model😊. We loved being able to get Pop and his brother Mike together. It was time we’ll spent.  #cherishedmoments