ChloeWatts.com

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Here’s a bit of exciting news. Someone from the Children’s Cancer Society called today to tell Dana that Chloe had been chosen to receive the “Hero’s Award.” She will also be part of “The Wall of Courage” that will travel to various locations. There are only 25 kids from Oregon chosen, based on recommendations from the nurses and caregivers around the state.

Chloe received MULTIPLE recommendations. When being interviewed, one nurse at Emmanuel Hospital looked at the list and stopped at Chloe’s name. “As long as Chloe is on the list that’s all I need to see.”

What else would you expect about a little Old person, one who, just before Thanksgiving said “I’m grateful for my surgery.” Maybe she didn’t know what she was in for but she knew she was grateful for all it would bring to her and those around her.

Here’s another piece of exciting news. Another fundraiser has popped up out of the blue. Celebration Church heard from author and filmmaker Dan Millman. He will be in town on April 29th and wants to do a fundraiser for Chloe at the church. There will be opening music and a book signing after the hour and a half talk. This should be a great event. He is well known for his fifteen best selling books and the movie, “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior.” More information will be coming out in a day or two. You can check out www.CelebrationChurch-Portland.com for more updates.

Dana pulled the overnight nurse shift last night so when I arrived to bring them to the speech appointment she was about on empty. We made it to the Starbucks kiosk just in time and she got her “free” coffee. Upstairs Chloe’s therapist lowered her trach cuff on a trial run. She sat for an hour with the cuff deflated without any major problems. This is a good start. Next came the voice check. There is a device that lets her breathe in through her trach and out through her mouth. So, let’s try saying ahhh. Well, it didn’t sound a lot like ahhh but it was a noise in any case. Then it was to try “Hi.” That was a little better. Keep in mind it is barely audible and very whispery but it did come out. The best was 1,2,3,4,5. We actually could make out 3,4,5… twice! Very exciting.

Dana has decided to take on two night shifts to help Chloe get some better rest. She is just fighting, so much, having others in the house that it is taking from her sleep time. It happened that the two nights that worked for Dana to take depleted Joanna’s shift by both nights. It’s always hard to try making decisions that won’t affect anyone, but it’s impossible and something that Dana really needs to not concern herself with.

Tomorrow we have a meeting at school. It’s a planning meeting of sorts. Probably will be talking about the remainder of the year. Chloe is really fighting to get the work caught up in time to graduate to middle school.

Thursday is a meeting with the nursing counselor. Not sure what all will go on at this meeting but I’m sure it will be interesting. There are so many differences in this case that everyone is trying to figure it out as they go.

Friday there is a meeting with Dr. Steve. It will be good to see him again after all this time and hear what he has to say about progress and plans.

We hope there are some times we will be able to get Chloe and Colin out of the house this weekend. It would be nice to do some normal things again. The ducks are looking hungry. By then, however, Dana might just be ready for some real sleep. BTW… please don’t call early anymore. She may be trying to sleep. Email is best.

Be well,
Ron