Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Home again

We're home. It took almost 7 hours to drive back but we made in one piece. Overall we had a good trip. On Friday we drove from our home in Fort Worth to Houston. We had a great trip down, we sang and ate ring pops and overall Emily did pretty well. We visited friends and ate at Ihop and at Auntie Chang's dumpling house. I opted not to take the wheelchair partly because I wanted Emily to feel like her old self and partly because my car is so small. Now the brace has been altered she can wear it for up to an hour without it rubbing so we took advantage of that. We bought a queen sized air bed and "slept" on that together on Friday night. What with Emily's uncomfortable foot on one side and a hot and sticky son on the other not much sleep was had by me!

Saturday it poured with rain so we stayed in Houston until early evening then drove the 3 hours to Rockport. Rockport is a little town on the gulf, it has fish and pelicans, old people and a new Starbucks!!! The air was fresh and salty and dare I say it ... relaxing! You couldn't keep Emily off the pier. It was 1000 feet long and jutted out into the ocean. Ms Emily fished from it everyday and even managed to catch 10 fish!

We hung out with family, ate fresh shrimp, played games, looked at the shell shops but most of all enjoyed a small amount of normality. I taught Emily to swim with her brace on and she managed to swim a length without drowning or putting her foot down, we were elated!

On day 1 Emily's pain wasn't to bad by her standards (a 7/10) but on day 2 her pain level went up and she started getting shooting pains in her other foot. 3 toes from the big one down now can't be touched due to shooting pain. Despite our best efforts to keep the pain away it was always in the background. I guess I'm still in denial, I didn't think I was because I actually thought that with something else to focus on Emily would be virtually pain free. Day 4 and it hit Emily like a brick wall, she could hardly get out of bed. Her pain never really came down from a 9/10 for the whole day and she was withdrawn. Last night her pain was intense and made worse because even though I don't want to say it out loud it looks like the RSD may have spread to Emily's other foot. Emily is scared and feels very anxious about this obviously! Panic fills me when I think about it so I can only imagine how Emily feels. No amount of reassurance helps because we all know it's the silent Elephant in the room waiting to trumpet.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds as though the trip went good and bad. I am so sorry for Emily I know how it hurts and no one seems to know how the pain feels unless you have it. She is such a strong little girl. We have just fallen in love with her. She is just a one of a kind. And you Helen I know it takes a toll on you. I know it is hard trying to make us feel better all of the time. We truly appreciate it. Renee

Hellen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hellen said...

Yes! She's one of a kind as are you Ms Renee. It takes such courage to get up everyday and face this horrible condition. I have never, ever heard you complain not even once. Emily sees this you know. She see's you looking great with your cute flippy hair and friendly smile, she learns from you every time we meet. I'm really grateful to both you and Hillary for your kindness and compassion. Both Emily and I really appresicate your friendship.

Unknown said...

Were sorry to hear this. we were really happy that yall were going on vacation. We know that she is very strong and really you both try very hard to make the best of everything. We are prying for your family. Please give Emily a big hug from us and let her know that we are very proud of her.

Stay Strong,
The Wright's