Everyone in the house had a red face. Energy levels were down and the heat was becoming unbearable. Our air conditioner stopped working days ago and the house was easily 85-90 degrees. We called the heating and cooling company recommended by our neighbor and they assessed the situation. As it turns out, we need a new central air conditioner and a furnace. They were kind enough to supply us with two portable air conditioners to help keep us cool. The first one is in the kitchen eating area and the second one is in the master bedroom. Ella sleeps in the master bedroom and Ava and Henry sleep on the first floor. We purchased the new equipment and will be paying for it in monthly installments over the next ten years. Installation is set for Saturday, July 6th.
Lindsay's second surgery of the summer (second out of three) is scheduled for Monday, July 8th. The kids will be at their respective camps that week so she'll have some quiet time as she recovers. Lindsay will have the cancerous tumor (on her kidney) and 5% of her kidney removed. In August, she will have a third surgery to remove abnormal cells in her uterus and a growth that was found there as well.
We have run into some insurance problems with regards to approving the microprocessor foot for Lindsay. This piece of equipment is considered to be experimental and the insurance company denied it automatically. We are fighting this decision based on the following needs:
The kids have been acting out in response to all the stress in the house. They are fighting, bickering, and annoying each other above and beyond the normal sibling rivalry. The added heat in the house fuels the short tempers and they have been lashing out. We sat with them and had a family meeting. We had them list the positives and negatives about their life, right now, on sticky notes. We reviewed the negatives first and made a master list of repeated ideas. We talked about how each of us could help the others with the negatives to quell them. This is what they came up with:
Ella woke up at her usual time yesterday morning and was eager to get ready for the day. I rolled out of bed and took a shower while she played with the dogs on the bed. I took her into her room and dressed her and brought her downstairs. While administering her morning meds via her g-tube she looked at me and asked, "Where's your funny spirit?" I turned my head a bit as a dog does when they are curious and gave a little laugh. She smiled at me and I tickled her on her stomach.
Sometimes it takes the thoughts of a child to realize the complexities of life and how to deal with them. There's so much going on at our house and much of it causes stress and anxiety. Each one of us is dealing with the heat, the messes around the house, the needs and wants of others, as well as trying to make oneself happy. We're trying to get ready for surgeries, camps, birthdays (Ella's was June 10th and Ava's is July 5th), play dates, sleepovers, etc.
I thought about what Ella had asked me and realized that a "funny spirit" can make all the difference in the world when dealing with so many obstacles. I think I'll add to my sticky note on the mantle..."have a funny spirit".
Lindsay's second surgery of the summer (second out of three) is scheduled for Monday, July 8th. The kids will be at their respective camps that week so she'll have some quiet time as she recovers. Lindsay will have the cancerous tumor (on her kidney) and 5% of her kidney removed. In August, she will have a third surgery to remove abnormal cells in her uterus and a growth that was found there as well.
We have run into some insurance problems with regards to approving the microprocessor foot for Lindsay. This piece of equipment is considered to be experimental and the insurance company denied it automatically. We are fighting this decision based on the following needs:
- Lindsay is young (38 years old); she has a lifetime ahead of her without a lower right leg.
- She has three active children under the age of 12.
- She has a daughter with SMA. This requires Lindsay to carry her, lift her, etc--and without the microprocessor foot, it will be very dangerous to do so, leaving complete care of Ella to Michael.
- She has a degenerating disc in her lower back. She has to use her legs to lift anything, including Ella, so as not to aggravate that disc; the microprocessor foot would be ideal for these motions.
- She's had four meniscus tears in the other leg's knee due to compensation for pain. She needs the microprocessor foot which will learn her gait, and in turn, will get her back to walking as she naturally would.
- She has a very active job directing the children's ministry programs at church.
The kids have been acting out in response to all the stress in the house. They are fighting, bickering, and annoying each other above and beyond the normal sibling rivalry. The added heat in the house fuels the short tempers and they have been lashing out. We sat with them and had a family meeting. We had them list the positives and negatives about their life, right now, on sticky notes. We reviewed the negatives first and made a master list of repeated ideas. We talked about how each of us could help the others with the negatives to quell them. This is what they came up with:
- More parent one-on-one time with each of them.
- Respecting each other.
- Asking if behaviors and actions are "helpful" or "hurtful" right at the time of occurrence.
- Communicating positively (responding, not reacting).
Ella woke up at her usual time yesterday morning and was eager to get ready for the day. I rolled out of bed and took a shower while she played with the dogs on the bed. I took her into her room and dressed her and brought her downstairs. While administering her morning meds via her g-tube she looked at me and asked, "Where's your funny spirit?" I turned my head a bit as a dog does when they are curious and gave a little laugh. She smiled at me and I tickled her on her stomach.
Sometimes it takes the thoughts of a child to realize the complexities of life and how to deal with them. There's so much going on at our house and much of it causes stress and anxiety. Each one of us is dealing with the heat, the messes around the house, the needs and wants of others, as well as trying to make oneself happy. We're trying to get ready for surgeries, camps, birthdays (Ella's was June 10th and Ava's is July 5th), play dates, sleepovers, etc.
I thought about what Ella had asked me and realized that a "funny spirit" can make all the difference in the world when dealing with so many obstacles. I think I'll add to my sticky note on the mantle..."have a funny spirit".
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| "Where's your funny spirit?" (July, 2019) |
