To say that it has been a year is an understatement. With there still being a couple days left in the year, I hesitate to proclaim this, but this is the FIRST year that Conner has not had a hospital stay…not ONE! I am shocked we made it an entire year, but he sure has a lot to show for less doctors and hospitals and more therapy and adventures!
2018 FIRSTS
Trip to the Beach
International Trip (Oh, Canada!)
Niagara Falls (first for me and Conner!)
Red Sox game at Fenway Park
March of Dimes Ambassador
MEDEK Therapy
NAPA Center Intensive
Assisted Steps
Dentist visit
Tricycle
Horse back riding
Our Year in Numbers
26,910 minutes in the stander
4,745 tube feedings
2,790 minutes in the corner chair
1,825 medications administered
730 caffeinated beverages for me
303 days without a pules ox probe
238 blends made
150 physical therapy appointments
110 speech and feeding appointments
90 occupational therapy appointments
60 MEDEK appointments
57 nights in a hotel/AirBNB
47 doctors appointments
24 airline flights
19 pieces of equipment trialed
17 different therapists worked with Conner
15 hippotherapy sessions
14 different medications
12 medical supply deliveries
10 major holidays spent at home with family for the first time ever!
9 cities visited
8 appointments with a teacher of the visual impaired
7 Mic Key button changes
6 intensive therapies
5 nights away from Conner
4 aquarium trips (Tulsa, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Boston)
3 zoo trips (Tulsa, Fort Worth and Pittsburgh)
3 research/project interviews about Conner
2 double ear infections
1 EEG
0 Hospital Stays!
=2018 in Numbers!
The last few weeks, it became more apparent that while I did a lot with Conner this year, I did a good job of neglecting myself as well. I don’t take care of myself as much as I should - both physically and mentally. My goal for this year is to put myself first at times. I am the first to say that these goals are so cliche and boring, but I’ve never truly understood to value of feeling good both mentally and physically until this year. This sounds obvious and at times , selfish, but I have learned that I can’t take care of Conner to the best of my abilities unless I am well. I used to work out almost daily, I use to eat relatively healthy and get more sleep (not sure I can fix this part). The last 6 months or so, I haven’t worked out, I don’t eat as well as I’d like and I definitely am not sleeping well or very much. For me, these things are in direct correlation with what I can give to Conner. If you have followed Conner’s story for any given period of time, you know that he requires a lot - attention to detail, therapy, travel for therapy, etc. I want 2019 to be the year of change and improvement for both me and Conner. So, I am going to take the next couple days to relax, reflect and plan, so that we can take 2019 by storm!