Happy New Year

Hard to believe another year has gone by.  It has been quite a year with lots of changes some challenges and many blessings. 

We have seen some truly amazing blessings this past year.  Topping that list would have to be that Junior is currently headed into 2018 without having a seizure for over 7 months.  Today the last day of 2017 he has reached 218 days without a visit from the dreaded monster.  We continue to wean his seizure medications and are so thankful for this miracle.  Without the seizures Junior's health has improved in so many ways, less oxygen need, fewer illnesses, and when he is sick he has more ability to fight it off.  Watching him be silly, tease, get a little "sassy"(as Abby says),  his perfection of the art of wordless sarcasm, share his joy, and show everyone how smart he really is has been a wonderful thing.  I did not realize how much the seizures were impacting every area of life until they were gone and I could see the changes.  His energy level is greatly improved and it is great to see him ready to roll each morning and wanting to do things throughout the day. 

 200 days seizure free

  

And today 218 days seizure free

A very close second on that list would be this guy joining our family.  Yonder is a trained assistance/skilled companion dog who has been with us since late November.  He has done more for Junior then we could have imagined.  Instead of trying to share all that here I will link to a blog post I did about a week after we got Yonder which shares many of the things he helps Junior with and the impact he has had: Blog Post.  Of course we are now several weeks into this journey and the two have a solid bond and want to do everything together.  If I happen to need to take Yonder for a quick walk without Junior he acts totally lost and once we get home he will go into Junior's room then go to the door repeatedly, his way of saying his boy needs to go on a walk to.  It goes the other way to, if I need to take Junior somewhere without Yonder Junior gets very upset.   Yonder now goes pretty much everywhere with us and Junior considers him his "hands".  Recently we walked to the store and Junior had picked out something he wanted to buy with his own money.  Yonder got the item, put it in Junior's lap, got it from his lap, gave it to the cashier, then got the bagged item and gave it back to Junior.  Junior was grinning the entire time and his face showed how proud he was to have his dog help him have just a little independence.  It has been an adjustment but absolutely worth it.  

 

 

 

 

 

 
 On the health front, I kind of covered most of it above when talking about his seizures.  Junior is ventilator dependent now and needs to be on his vent about 22 hours a day.  Making this transition was difficult at first as we looked at it as a failure but we can now see that it has actually been a blessing in disguise.  No longer struggling to breath all the time means he has more energy, we are sure it has had an impact on his seizures, he has less oxygen need, is much more comfortable, and most importantly it allows him to live life to the fullest.
Junior loves life and each day he reminds me to never take one moment for granted.  His excitement over even the little things is contagious and I am blessed to have the privilege of seeing life through his eyes.  
Happy New Year everyone!!!

Here are some pictures from Christmas, Junior had a bug but still enjoyed the day.

Two goofy guys saying Happy New Years Eve today after our walk and some silliness with our 2018 glasses yesterday with Abby(Junior was snoozing).

 

Then Junior coloring this afternoon.

 

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
We pray that it is full of love and blessings.

Life continues to be busy and we are so thankful that Junior has been fairly healthy(not feeling well at this moment).  Our hope to continue going to church until the new year has not happened.  As I started hearing so many people were sick(including my sis and other family members) I realized I just couldn't risk taking Junior into such a crowded place where he may be exposed to the flu or other illness.  So as flu and cold season hits we are now on our winter protocols of avoiding all crowds and high risk places.  We will continue with lots of walks when the weather is okay and some morning walks to the local stores when people are minimal.  Junior understands that being around people and getting sick could mean a visit to the dreaded hospital so he is okay with not going out.  Not happy about it but he does understand why and doesn't get upset.  This is the time of year we ask friends/family/and all those coming to our home to please come another time if you have any symptoms of an illness or have been around someone who is sick.  What is a simple cold to others could be life threatening for Junior.  Thank you for understanding and helping us keep Junior healthy. 

This past week Abby came by with her boyfriend and watched a movie.
Junior is still not sure how he feels about Abby having a boyfriend and at one point during the movie I looked over to see him laughing but also sticking his tongue out at the two love birds.  They returned the favor which Junior thought was hysterical.

 

   They then went out to the big field/park behind our apartments with us so her boyfriend could fly his drone for Junior.
Junior loved it though Yonder was a bit freaked out by it.

Here are a couple cool videos taken by the drone.

Last week Junior got an awesome package from Santa's Little Hackers.  They are a non profit organization who adapt toys for those who can't play with toys the typical way.  They then provide an adapted toy free of charge to children and adults who need them at Christmas.
Junior was soooooo excited to open his package and see what toy he had received. When he saw the adapted Yoda his face lit up and he couldn't wait to play with it.  I couldn't resist and let him go ahead and have it even though Christmas was not here yet.
He started with his hand switch and when he got too tired to use that he was not done playing so wanted his head switch.  Though Junior loves the toy Yonder on the other hand found the talking, moving Yoda to be a bit scary and kept scooting away until he had slid right off the couch.

 

 

We have been enjoying lots of walks while the weather continues to be so  nice.  It is cold but still beautiful out.

Junior has been quiet this evening and not his silly, spunky self so I am really hoping it is from the weather change and he isn't getting sick.  He had a low grade fever at bedtime and is getting an extra set of treatments to hopefully help with anything he may be fighting.  My biggest concern is that he had his tube changed a few days ago in radiology so it is quite possible he was exposed to one of the bugs going around.  Please keep him in your prayers.
Even not feeling great he did enjoy a little craft/music time before bed on Christmas even.

200 Days Seizure Free and a Quick Update

Yesterday Junior hit another huge milestone we never could have imagine him hitting.  200 days without a visit from the seizure monster.  Wow, the boy who used to have 15-30 seizures a day and when we got them to 1 a month we were thrilled to have gotten "control", has now gone 200 days.
We are so thankful for this amazing blessing and are celebrating each seizure free day.

Now for a quick update on life this month.  We have been so busy that I have neglected to update Junior's blog lately.  Yonder has been home with us for nearly a month and continues to be life changing for Junior.  We are all finding our routine and work to find regular ways for Yonder to help Junior.  Yonder has definitely mastered pulling off Junior's socks, sleeves, and helping take his jacket off.  He also knows when it should happen. Last night when we got home from our walk and Junior wanted to finish a show before we started the bed time routine Yonder was quite confused.  He kept coming to me then going to Junior's feet and sitting down.  I finally realized he knew what should be happening and wanted to take off Junior's socks.
Junior has been doing so well, he loves going on a couple walks each day and also going to the field behind our apartment complex to play with his buddy.  We were getting a bit bored with the same walking routes so have done a bit of wandering and found some new areas to walk.  The weather has been gorgeous so we are also doing things like walking to the store and even making it to church.
Church 2 weeks in a row, I can't remember the last time that happened.  With Yonder  there  and special head phones Junior is much more able to handle all the noise and actually able to not just cope with service but enjoy it.
 This week has been another busy one.  Monday it was off to Target because Junior's dvd player decided to stop working.  Then time for making ornaments, watching Christmas movies, and out to walk around and see Christmas lights.  Junior was sure Yonder needed this Santa, not sure how Yonder feels about it though.

 
Matching Christmas bandanas are a must have. 

 Tuesday we visited Kim and her family and sure missed sweet Bella who is now in heaven.

 Yonder enjoyed a play date with a new friend.  They weren't sure about each other at first but it didn't take long before they were playing ball together and running around the yard.  Yonder loved having a chance to be off leash and really run and play.  Junior had a blast watching them. 

One very wiped out pup.

  Wednesday Junior hit the wall and needed a down day.  So Christmas movies and naps were on the schedule.  I was worried he might be getting sick but he is back to his smiley self today.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.  Junior loves Christmas and gets so excited to see the lights, and other decorations.

Shopping and Christmas Fun

It has been a busy few days and Junior is doing well.  The rash on his arm from the vaccination reaction was much better after a couple doses of antibiotics and is now nearly gone.
Abby went along to the appointment and for a walk after we got home so we had our own paparazzi.
Yonder waiting patiently for us to unload Junior and all his gear. 

 Not a good picture but it shows Junior's new chair.  So far we are loving it, so much safer and more comfortable for him to be able to recline.  It folds up to fit in the trunk and I am learning how best to load and unload it all.

 Out on our walk.

 

 

   Sunday we made it to church for the first time in many, months.  They were having a special Christmas service to start the Christmas season and Junior really enjoyed all the music and watching the kids program(even with all the noise and people having his buddy there helped him be able to enjoy the service and not get stressed out).  Yonder sat quietly under the pew and no one even knew he was there. Made me smile to see the surprised looks on the faces of those sitting in the pew in front of us, when we were leaving, and they realized there had been a dog under the pew. 
The boys in their ties.  Junior was giving me his "I am ignoring you face" because he was not very happy that I was wanting yet another picture and he wanted to watch his Christmas movie. 

  

Then a little craft fun on Sunday evening.  

Yonder got in on the action by using Junior's switch to say Merry Christmas. 

Monday we walked to Target just to get out.  We wandered the isles for awhile and then Junior found a movie he wanted to get with his own money.  Yonder picked it up for him and gave it to him then at the cash register I helped him give the movie to Yonder and then he put his paws up on the counter and gave the movie to the cashier.  I had one proud boy who got to feel a little independence.
 Today we headed to Kohls for a little Christmas shopping.  Junior received a gift card for Christmas from his family and was soooo excited to do his shopping. He had a blast and loved picking out what he wanted.  Abby was showing him Star Wars sweat shirts and he kept telling her no and looking over at some mannequins, we finally asked if he wanted the shirt it had on and got a big yaaaaa.  He wanted a big guy shirt and was so pleased when we finally figured it out.   After Kohls we weren't ready to head home yet so went to Mickey's Grove Park to walk around the gardens. 

This evening Abigail hung out with Junior so I could get some groceries.  I came home to find then enjoying Christmas movies.

Someone caught me sneaking a picture.