Here we are in the chamber. I think this was our last day. That's Don beside us. Christian held his hand on this last dive. It was sweet.
The other picture is with Dave (owner) and Megan (works at HHI). Thanks for everything guys!

Hello... so about the walk of shame.. bottom line.. it's not pretty !!

THANK YOU

Our time in KC is over. I'm ready to go home but sad to leave my friends that I've made here. It feels kind of like when you were a kid and went to camp and made friends and then had to leave them. Although back then I wasn't responsible for another human being. Remember that song "make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold"??? please tell me some of you have heard that song. Anyways I'm also excited to get back to my family and friends in Ozark. I still like hotel life. The staff has been wonderful and very accommodating. I will miss my TLC channel and the Internet. We will continue the blog site so keep checking it.

Thank You
Those 2 words do not seem adequate enough to express what many people have done to get us here for this therapy. You have played a part in improving Christian's life and we are forever grateful! We can't wait to see what God has in store for the rest of 09! We hope to come back to KC sometime this summer for a second round of treatment. Also be ready for the 2nd annual "Dodging to Make a Difference" Dodgeball Tournament in September or October. If you didn't make it last year, you don't want to miss it in O9.

Hyperbaric Healing Institute
Thank you for all that you've done for Christian while we've been here. Tiffany-thank you for your patience and willingness to push Christian to do new things. I will miss pushing you on the swing and laughing about everything and nothing at all. Megan-i will miss you and the 3 hours a day we spent together.(sometimes only 1 and half depending on my ears:)) You know more about me than you probably ever wanted to know. I may have gone crazy without you there to laugh with. Dave-as Garret would say -your a great pilot Mr.Dave! Maybe one day I could be a diving attendant or perhaps wand the divers for contraband such as quarters, ronald mcdonald tags,hotel keys, shoes, handwarmers, make up, lotion, ohhhh and lighters:)

My friends

This is the family from memphis. Garrett and his mom Carrie. We will miss them and be praying for them. Good Luck Garrett!
Also Tiffany posed with Christian. You've probably seen her in the background of the other pics and videos.
Thank you Tiffany for all of your hard work that you put in to helping Christian make the gains that he has! You are a blessing!

last day of physical therapy

Christian's look of concentration

Well today was our last day of pt. We will do a dive saturday and 2 on monday and then head on home. The pictures and video are from the thursday and fridays work. Christian had a good day on hands and knees and walking. I forget the numbers of how long he props and how many steps he takes. It's more than the day before so he's doing more=that should be enough information:)

Since coming here these are the gains that Christian has made:

1. Sitting- He is able to sit longer and with less assistance because of the gain in trunk strength and head control. It seems like now he just wants to sit up. He use to want to lay down all the time and be happy but now that he knows he can sit up he wants to do that more and that's great. His sitting better makes feeding a lot easier (we don't have to hold his head up) and he sits better in his stroller and car seat.

2. Propping-he's using his arms more to prop when he sits. He didn't even realize he can put his hands down to help sit up and now he's doing that especially with his right. THe left needs extra work.

3. Walking-taking more steps and lasting longer during walking.

4. Vocal-a little more vocal than before.

5. Head control-much better. He doesn't let it sag. He holds it up and looks around.

.

Walk of Shame

So let me explain the title-As you "dive down" to the depth usually 16 ft in the hyperbaric chamber you have to pop your ears. I usually just chew gum and swallow and it's fine. Although there have been a couple of times, one being this morning that I could not clear them and had to get out. I like to call this event of having to come out of the chamber "the walk of shame".

On a whole different note-Christian had one of those ok days. He had 6 seizures but did some great work in physical therapy.

I included videos of him on hands and knees and the way he is bringing his head up is great! Lots of neck muscles being used.

The other vidoes are more walking and sitting.

We've gained a new boy and his grandma this week. They will start PT next week because we are leaving. They are very sweet and remind of my bootheel family and friends because of their accent. They are from memphis, TN.

I miss you all and keep up the prayers. Everyday is a new day and I believe that God still has more to come for Christian!

last week in kc

I'm including videos from yesterday and today. I did more recording with our camcorder so there's not a lot to post as far as pics go.

Christian did some great walking today. I can't remember how many consecutive steps??

The videos are of him sitting up in his stroller-he used to let his head drop forward and not be able to hold his body up. I was very impressed with the way he was sitting up.

The other video is of him practicing standing at the red table. He's been playing with the tambourine instead of just eating it like he tries to do with most toys.

Today has been a great day. He's only had 2 seizures. He also seemed to be more vocal and aware of me and his surroundings today.

let's do something "normal"

Family Pic->

Christian is drawing his 1st Pic at Crayola store.

Ta-Da I drew a picture of my family!

Family Outing!

Today we decided to do what anyone with a 2 yr old would do. We went to Crown Center and Union Station. Basically we wanted out of the room, new scenery, and not to spend money. We were told about this place and thought it fit the bill.

Let me explain the title of this post. As a family of a child with special needs we often don't do the "normal" things because sometimes seizures get in the way or we figure why spend the money if Christian can't enjoy it. We have to remind ourselves that he enjoys it in different ways and -heck sometimes we just need to feel like we are parents doing normal parent stuff even if we have a special stroller and explain what Christian is hearing and not seeing and get stared at a little.

I'm drawn to the special toy stores to see if they have tactile toys that i've never seen and I perk up at the different noises(water fall, train whistle, bell ringing on old firetruck) to tell Christian.

At the crayola store I had my eyes peeled for something Christian could do. Well today he drew his first picture. We worked on taking him out of the stroller (which is a bit of a task with the tray on)and I looked at Eric and said "we are doing something normal I don't care if he hates it or doesn't know what we are doing or if it takes all day-he will draw a picture today! Right now we are going to be a normal family." Eric just smiled and went along lwith it ike the outstanding dad/husband he is. Thanks Eric!

you can do it!

I don't think I've cheered so passionately for one thing in my life (no not even as a Red Pepper:) only the sikeston people will get that). That one thing being Christian.
Push. . .Pick your leg up... . up up up.. . . be a big boy. . . where's your eyes. . . come on, come towards ma ma --that's what I repeat for 2 and half hours. But I know that it helps him. We joke that Christian is probably thinking "oh shut up don't you think i would pick my foot up if i could!" I never considered myself 'cheerleading material' but I'm officially a mom cheerleader just minus the short skirt.hahaha

WEll i had some pics and video from today's therapy but my memory card has malfunctioned and i can't get the pics off. Christian worked hard on standing, sitting, walking, and all fours (hands and knees) and seems to be more vocal today. He's also rolling a lot more on the floor.

As far as the seizure monitor-he's only had 2 today!!! Praise God! I say seizure monitor because we are constantly keeping track and writing them down. That seems to be the question of the day between eric and I. We know that Christian could do so much more if he didn't have these stinky seizures. He's just happier in general when he only has 2 compared to 7.

THANK YOU all so much for your prayers, emails, encouraging words, comments on blog--you don't know how much they all help on a day to day basis. You are all a big part of this therapy session even though you are not physically here. I'm overwhelmed with the generosity and thoughtfulness from all of you!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Eric did good and brought flowers yesterday when he came up!

uhh new title-don't have one

i'm running out of clever titles. Yesterday was a ruff day for Christian. He had 7 seizures so that obviously interfered with physical therapy and what he could do.

Today was better. He's only had 2 seizures which were this morning.
He worked on more of the same in PT. I love watching his progress! I'll put pics on later.
My friend Debbie and her son came up today to visit. It was nice to have company from down south . hahaha that meaning Springfield.

Another hard working day

--I'm going home after a hard days work.

Today Christian worked on a lot of sitting and propping himself up with his hands, walking further, and propping on his elbows while laying on his stomach. He is tolerating everything really well. We don't have to do all of our work on the swing. Although, when we take a break he swings and loves it.

Everyday I'm amazed at the gains he is making. Also today he only had 3 seizures and none during physical therapy. He's been going to bed earlier too! 9:30!

ps- the red thing he is chewing on a lot in the pics and video is his "chewy". Sometimes it's just to distract him and other times he just needs something to chew on.

I'm trying to use my hand to keep me sitting up.

Beautiful Monday

I'm going walking!

I walked for 15 minutes.

I have lots of video and pics. Christian did a great job at physical therapy. His sitting up and neck/head control has improved greatly. We are trying to get him to use his arms or even one to prop himself up. It's hard to get him to keep his head up since when can't motivate him by using his sight. We try to use noise and our voices of encouragement. A couple of the videos are short because I thought I was taking a picture-whoops!

Christian did not have any seizures during therapy (but 2 earlier in the morning)which is great because he can work longer. Today he worked for 2 hours and 10 minutes! And not really any crying. He's such a big boy. He seems to be enjoying moving and doing activities. Proud Mama.

The video of him on his hands and knees needs a little explanation. The things on his arms help him to keep them straight. He really does not like this position but tolerated it today.

On the walking video she is following his foot with her hand to make sure it stays straight.

*His top and bottom don't match because of the leakage during hyperbarics. Daddy loved that seeing as he was holding him:)

I'm trying to lift my head and stay on hands and knees. This is very hard.

I believe

I believe . . .

that God has a purpose for everything.

that God will never leave us or forsake us.

that God has perfect timing.

that I'm doing everything I can and when I can't do anything that's when God takes over and we all know that it was all Him.

in a God who is bigger than I could ever imagine.

God is faithful.

in the power of fresh air and pretty flowers and laughter.

that no matter what happens in my life God sent his only son to die on the cross for all of our sins so that we may have eternal life.

prayer is powerful.

friends and family help carry us.

in asking for help.

a picture is worth a thousand words.

that people really do care.

in my son.

in miracles.

I've found in the past 2 years that it's helpful to say and to really stand on what you actually believe in. It even helps to say it out loud. It's easy to believe certain things when all is well in your life but when times are rough you have to stand on what you truly deep down believe. Ask yourself what you believe?!?

I don't have any new pictures. Christian's therapy went well but did a lot of the same so I didn't want to post same pictures. Have a great weekend!

Better Day at PT

**May want to turn the sound down on the videos?

Head up and elbows under you!

Yes, he's actually smiling during therapy!

Yesterday we took the day off due to Christian being sick but today we were back to work. He had a great day at physical therapy. He worked on the "horse", stomach time propped on elbows, sitting, standing, sit to stand, and walking! whew! what a workout. Christian did much better than he did monday and tuesday. Tiffany (his therapist) adjusted his routine to accomodate his vision problems and sensory overload. We discovered that he would do a lot and do it with a smile sometimes if he is on the big swing soooo he did everything but walking on the swing.

He did the best he's ever done in his walker--he took 12 STEPS in a row with no facilitation from the therapist! I was so proud of him. He didn't even cry. He was like whatever, let's go walking.

Afterwards he had 1 dive. PaPa came in with us and gave me a break and held Christian. Unfortunatly he's had 6 big seizures today so keep praying for those to go away!

Also I was able to take a break during Christian's nap and go to Target. O I love me some target browsing- every isle-lookin at everything! Can I get an Amen from all my ladies!

Keep up the prayers-God's doing great things!

Started physical therapy

This week marks the start of physical therapy. He's having a bit of a rough time with the hard work. During therapy he has had seizures which have made him sleepy which cuts PT short. I will post pics later, due to the fact I'm tired and going to bed. Although we've had a rough start he has done well with sitting and standing that he has worked on in PT.

Continued. . .

Well we didn't get to have any therapy on Weds because Christian is sickly. We've started antibiotics so hopefully we can try tomorrow. We will see these pictures and videos are from the first day of PT. The video of him sitting on the moving contraption simulates the movement of a horse. It's helpful for shifting their wait and making the child pull with opposing muscles. It's quite interesting. The other video is him on the swing. She was trying to calm him down with the swinging but he's still working on sitting. The yellow and white suit is just that-a suit the kids wear to put more input in to their joints. It's hard to explain. All I know is that it makes the work they are doing that much tougher!

Oh Happy Day

This weekend was a nice break from therapy. Saturday it was warm so we had an outing to an outdoor mall area. We just walked around mostly but it was great to get out of the hotel room and get some fresh air. The pictures areh[t too exciting but one is of Eric pushing the stroller on our "day out" and the other is us having church via computer. We listened to pastor Lindell's sermon from the sunday before since we miss them and we don't really want to expose Christian to a church full of germs right now.

We are also thrilled, elated, overjoyed, blessed-to say that Christian's Big seizures have decreased!!! Friday he had 3, sat-1, and so far today none! We know that God is doing something great and answering all of our prayers. Thank you all ! Keep it up. We can't wait to see what next week will hold.

Luv,

The Russells