As most of you know, 2011 wasn’t the greatest era of TheBrandNewDad household. Thankfully, we are some very loved people and had the support of hundreds, if not thousands with spiritual and moral support. We also had many, many selfless people who lent financial support as well, including our church family. For all the bad things that happened this year, one thing that was confirmed for us is that we are loved by a lot of people. I wanted to give a rundown of the year for all of us and an update as to where Ryne is now in his recovery.
Things that happened this year:
- After nearly two years of unemployment, I got a job.
- A week after I got my job, Ryne had a Stroke.
- Due to the stroke, Ryne got to spend a month in the Hospital split between Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
- Ryne had his first broken bone as he broke his arm while in physical therapy in Atlanta.
- Jamie had to take off work for about 5 months to take care of Ryne and take him to therapy appointments.
- Ryne developed an impressive collection of “ists.” He now has Neurologists, Geneticists, Gastroenterologists, Cardiologists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Therapists.
After the initial horribleness, things started progressing nicely. Ryne made wonderful progress in his healing due to a lot of prayer and his “ists.” He had 20 treatments in a hyperbaric chamber and went to several therapy appointments per week. We found out that he may possibly have a genetic condition called Primary Carnitine Deficiency, and he started taking a Carnitine supplement, much in the way a diabetic would take insulin. All this has led him to thrive tremendously. Before the stroke, he was having trouble growing and had fallen off the growth chart, but now is back on the growth chart and it seems like he’s growing taller everyday. Before the stroke he was in size 12-18 month clothes. Now he’s in 24 month/2T. Before the stroke he was wearing a size 3 1/2 shoe. Now he’s in a size 7. He has Gilbert feet, no doubt.
Everything with his growth and development seems to be progressing great, but there has been one glaring setback: Seizures. After the doctors stopped his seizures in the hospital after the stroke he was seizure free for months until October when his seizures returned. Since then, it’s been an average of about one per week. We’re keeping a journal so that maybe we can pinpoint anything that brings it on like food, stress, etc. that would help us to prevent them in the future.
We’re excited about all the progress he’s made, but there’s still a big uphill climb. We need your prayers as we continue with his healing process. While we still have a ways to go, I am sure glad to be through with 2011.