Adam gets a new suit

Adam continues to do well. He got a new suit this week. He is
definitely in his terrible 2s but still is a happy and cheerful boy.

Great Day - Walking

Today Adam took his first steps by himself in over 6 months. He walked from person to person several times and was very excited and playful during all of it. Here is a video of Adam walking to his mother. It truly is a great day.

Adam continues to progress and heal. He had a great visit to Shriners a few weeks ago and they thought he looked great. Adam has outgrown his first set of compression clothing and has now received his second set--he is looking good in his new duds. He can say about 8-10 words including "Dadda," "Momma," "all done," "ball," "this," "more," and "Elmo." We hear "all done" a lot when we are doing his stretching and care. Adam loves watching Elmo on Sesame Street while he is receiving his morning and evening care. Elmo has been integrated into the routine.

Thanks to all for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Adam is one happy boy

We sure love this little boy. The pins in his big toes have come out
by themselves at Adam's grandparents house. We were warned it could
happen and he is doing fine. He has been so happy the last week or so
we had to post a picture.

We are still working on walking. He is crawling all over the place and
pulling up. We can walk him around and he doesn't cry. We think Santa
is going to grant our wish and Adam is going to walk by himself soon.

Post Surgery 12/1

Here we are back at Shriners Hospital. I knew all along we would have more surgeries I just never imagined it would be so quickly. The surgery today was long today but Adam is now back resting in his room and I feel hugely relieved he came through this so well and that I can be next to him again. He had pins put in each of his big toes. It looks like he has a couple of those sewing pins with the color balls at the tip coming out of his toes (only it's some much more clinical name). This is to help the toes straighten out (they were really pulling down). He then had a release on the back of his right knee. Grafted skin doesn't always stretch at the joints as it should so as Adam grows, he will have "contracture" surgeries helping with his range of motion at the joints (knees, elbows, fingers, toes, etc.). He had his first one of these today and the hope is that all of this will help him to start walking. He will wear splints on his feet to keep his legs and feet in the proper position. They will come off in one week. At that point we have to "rigorously" (DRs word) work on getting Adam to walk in order for him to keep the toes from curling back up or incur further foot/leg problems. So....when we go see Santa this year, I'll think I'll ask for my baby to re-learn to walk. I couldn't ask for anything more.

12/1 12pm update

Adam is still in surgery to put pins in his big toes on both feet and releasing the skin that is contracting behind his left knee. The pins will remain in his toes for a couple of weeks to straighten the toes out. The release behind the knee will help Adam straighten out his leg. Adam is scheduled to be in Boston recovering for the rest of the week. We will give updates when we hear.

Thanksgiving

Like everyone else today, we have much to be thankful for. We have spent the day with many family members; just being together, chatting, eating entirely too much, and feeling grateful. I love all my children, I love my husband, I love my parents, and I love his parents. By the grace of God, I was able to spend this day with everyone of the aforementioned family members (plus a lot of other really wonderful ones as well).

Our road to recovery is long. I had no idea in fact how long, but I am starting to learn. For today, I am so grateful. I have been given one of life's greatest gifts. That of raising Adam James. He remains on the earth to be part of our HUGE family. Life just doesn't get any better.

11/18/09 Update

Adam paid his first visit to Shriners in Boston yesterday since returning home. It was only a day trip so he made it home last evening. Adam was met by many of the wonderful people that take such good care of him. He got picked up and dropped off at the airport by the Shrine Van; was evaluated by the surgeons, nurses, therapists etc.; ate chicken nuggets at the cafeteria; spent some time visiting certain people; and ended his visit with his physical/occupational therapists. Adam walked out the door with the following:

1) New hand splints
2) New leg/feet splints (no more wearing his shoes and knee splint)
3) New bandages, cica gels, 2 x 2s, co-wrap, co-band, etc...
4) A reminder of Adam's return visit on November 30
5) A reminder of Adam's probably reconstructive surgery on December 1
6) And a smile to have left Shriners (he really didn't like everyone messing with him again)

Adam's toes continue to be a problem and he is scheduled to have reconstructive surgery for his toes on December 1. The surgeons will place a rod in Adam's right big toe to straighten it out. This toe is the one that has been curling under the most of all of his toes. Adam has another visit scheduled with Shriners on November 30 to determine whether surgery is needed (which they will do the next day). We think the toe will remain curled the next couple weeks so surgery will be needed. Adam will need to remain at Shriners for a few days after surgery for recovery. Two weeks after the surgery, Adam will need to return to Shriners to remove the rod from his toe. The dates of the surgery may change from Nov. 30/Dec. 1 to Dec. 7/Dec. 8 based on some scheduling issues. We will find out later this week what days Adam will head back to Shriners.

These reconstructive surgeries are all part of the healing process and are expected. It is the next phase of Adam's recovery and should continue throughout his life as he grows. We are grateful that the excellent medical professionals at Shriners are continuing Adam aggressive recovery plan and for JetBlue for giving us these free travel passes. Thank you as they have really assisted Adam with his great recovery and assisted us with our travel to and from Boston.

Since we have been home, we have received lots of questions from people. If anyone has any questions, feel free to post questions in the comments and we will try to answer them.

Progress

Adam has been doing well since arriving home. He has made great
progress. The last couple days he has been able to feed himself most
of his meals. Here he is eating oranges.

11/3/09 Update

We have been home now for a few days and Adam seems to have fallen right back into place where he was at home 3 months ago. He enjoys playing with his toys, playing with his siblings, and sleeping in his own crib. We are still adjusting to the new circumstances at home and have created a "caring corner" in Adam's room for all of his new supplies (bandages, wrap, tape, etc...).

Today starts Adam's first physical/occupational therapy sessions (he will go twice a week for PT and OT sessions back to back). Adam visits his pediatrician tomorrow for the first time since the accident. He seems to be doing really well with these new adjustments. He is a such a happy and strong child.

Adam was very excited to see his siblings in Boston and has enjoyed playing with them at home. This week, Adam is missing his siblings as they are having fun at Disney with their grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins (school holiday this week). We didn't know if Adam would be home for this trip so only the other children went (special thanks to all of you at Disney taking care of our children). We ended up arriving home prior to the trip but decided to stay home as it has been a busy week for him as he is visiting his new therapists and doctors.

Breakfast

As you can see, Adam hasn't missed a beat--he got right back in his
highchair for breakfast this morning (he got up early and doesn't
understand daylight savings time).

Out to trick or treat

Greeted by balloons and yellow ribbons on trees

We are home

He is ready to come home

On plane

This day is finally here - we are jetting home

Big sister helping

Horsing around at airport

On the Charles River

On the duck