Our Return visit to Columbia, Missouri.....

We had such a beautiful day to travel back to beautiful Columbia, Missouri to see our super-hero Dr. Dan,  his wonderful assistant Holly and all of our awesome, caring friends at the University of Missouri Hospital.  We left Sapulpa promptly at 7am.  I was so glad to have some traveling companions along for the ride, my friend Kelly Hamilton and her son Joe who is one month younger than Jeremy.  They love J so much and Joe is the most compassionate, caring young boy and is very good with Jeremy.  It was truly a beautiful, pleasant trip.  When we arrived was surprised to see Lauren, social worker come out, she had an appointment that day.  We got to visit for a bit, she told us that our little friend Rylan was back in and they wanted to see J.  We were neighbors with Rylan for many days/weeks while we were both on the floor.  Rylan went home days before J had surgery but came back shortly after, but we were in the PICU so by the time J got to the floor they had already went home.  I have attached Rylan's caring bridge under the blogs I follow.

The University photographer, Jeff was there to take some pictures for the children's magazine article.  He got some great pictures of Jeremy with Dr. Dan.  Jeremy likes to get the doctors chair on wheels and then he hides under the table like if I'm under here you can't see me so I'm not here, he is so funny.  Dr. Dan came in and got under the table with him.  Jeff got a good picture and J was looking like this is fun.  This was the most interactive I've seen J with Dr. Dan.  Jeremy got to flirt with Ms. Holly who he just adores.  Holly has done so much for us.  Dr. Dan spent a long time going over recent issues we've had.  He is happy with J's progress but wants to continue to give more time, the scoliosis isn't progressing, he felt the urologist would had put J on something to relax his bladder so he recommended I talk to Cyrus about that, he seen no bone issues with the knee from the last x-rays so caused him no concerns.  He wrote me PT orders so we proceed and press forward.  He liked the idea of knee pads, getting J a knee mobilizer and the walker.  I trust that man because he has proven over and over he is not doing anything but what is in J's best interest.  I was glad that someone else from Oklahoma got to see how truly amazing, compassionate Dr. Dan and Holly are.   We go back to see him on July 28 for a visit in clinic. 

Jeremy with Dr. Dan under the table

Jeremy with Dr. Dan

We left there went to the Media Center so I could record a short video as a Thank you to all the nurses who provided care to J while he was there.  Jeff asked me if I would do when we talked about taking pictures and I told him it would be my honor and could never do enough to thank them for all the wonderful care they all provided to Jeremy.   

Then the trip to the hospital to visit friends.  Kelsey, PT who Jeremy just dearly loves, she got him his favorite purple four-square ball so he was happy, he loves playing with her.  Corrine, Child life came out and played with Jeremy and they sit on the floor to roll the ball to him.  Lauren came by but since she had recently had knee surgery she couldn't get down on the floor but she kicked the ball with him.  Then she went and got Rylan and his mom, Rylan sit on the floor and played for a little while but he was so tired, didn't feel good so he went to his room so I got to visit with mom for a bit.  Kelsey and Corrine took J into the playroom so he was literally in heaven, he played for a while.  I was sad that our nurse Shelly was off that day so we didn't get to see her.  Jeremy was being so much full of his ornery little, boy self and was in heaven with all the attention.  



J crawling with Kelsey, he loves her



J with Kelsy, Corrine walked up with a baby

  


J with Kelsey in the playroom, he loes her



J with Corrine, in playroom.  Child life specialist are AWESOME

Corrine took us to PICU to visit.  We got to visit with Liz, we had Liz back in August, she was so good with Jeremy and we dearly love her.  We never got her this time around, but she always would step in say hi and she is always so happy.  We got to visit with Dr. Wankum, PICU doctor we love her.  Dr. Burney wasn't there that day. 



J with Liz



J with Dr. Wankum, PICU doctor(she is awesome)

  We then went and checked in the motel.  Kelly and I was unloading the car and the wind caught J's beach ball and off it went.  I was chasing it across the parking lot in heels and I'm not the most graceful person so plan one was take off my shoes so I could run, plan 2 was throw the shoes at the ball to stop it.  The ball hit my sandals and flipped right over it and kept going.  I chased it into the next parking lot and luck have it a big rock stopped it or we would have said bye bye because there was a steep incline.  I'm sure the people at Burger King got a good show.  I was just proud that I didn't trip and fall since I'm also clumsy.  We decided to walk to Burger king and get something to eat, we then hit the pool and hot tub.  Jeremy loved that, he played in the hot tub and in the pool.  I'm sure it felt great on his stiff legs.  I think we were there for close to 2 hours.  We got up Friday morning and enjoyed a nice breakfast at the motel and said good-bye to Columbia.  It was such a beautiful day to drive.  We stopped at the Outlet Mall in Osage Beach.  I think we both got some really good deals at GAP outlet, I love their clothes but am too cheap to pay full price.  I got some good deals at bath and body.  We headed home and arrived home about 6:30pm.

We stopped in Joplin, took a break and grabbed some snacks.  I decided a fresh brewed cup of coffee sounded good.  I had Kelly to drive, it was nice to share that task with someone.  We were about 60 miles from home and don't ask me why I did this but J wanted my cup.  It had hot coffee in it so I put it in his cup, filled it up and there was a small amount that I mixed with some leftover ice tea. OK it sounds awful but he really wanted the cup with the lid and he did drink some.  He decided he didn't need the lid and I should have seen this coming.  If you remember the post about the snack/cup caddy I hear, "OH NO Jeremy" and yes he spilled that cup of coffee, it went in Joe's seat so the poor boy had to sit in coffee and we used blankets to help soak it up which seemed to work.  When we got home I put my stain remover on the seat and it seems not to be stained. 

J slept til 11 this morning.  I got up to finish laundry, drink my coffee in a nice/quiet peaceful house and waited for the nurse.  I then went to Tulsa to run some errands, go buy groceries and came home and enjoyed a nice nap.

J has about a month left of school and graduates 5th grade, so I'm going to make a big deal of that.  We are going to enjoy Mother's day, my niece graduating High school.  We are going to press forward, life life day by day, enjoy life and continue to allow Jeremy to progress.  I know GOD has a time and a plan for J so we are just rolling with life.



Joe with Truman Jr. Mizzou Mascot, bench as you enter the children's Hospital