Miss Zoey ...

I received a comment the other day and the last part of it asked ... "And,how is Zoey doing?"It got me to thinking that it has been awhile since I have given an update on her and where she is at and an over all run down of the girl wonder.And what a wonder she is.

Today finds the little love with another cold.Hard to say at this point, if it will be a mild one or go south like the last.All I know, is that when I look back at the last year,through treatment,that Zoey seemed to remain amazingly healthy.I think that guardian angel was watching extra vigilantly over her and this year,well,I have a feeling it may be a rough one.The difference though,is I have the confidence now in Zoey's ability to fight things and actually fighting things might not be such a bad thing.Build back her immunity system now that she is more able.As for her clinic schedule:December the 14th we return for our first labs in two months.The longest we have gone,almost ever, since Zoey's birth.We are back to regular draws now that her port is gone.Something she hated before and I am certain she will hate once again.Checking Zoey's blood has been second nature to us since she has been born.We have never known not checking numbers.Someday,I hope to put that routine to rest.For good.There is always major trepidation attached to lab draws.Before she was diagnosed it was waiting to see if she'd dodge the dreaded "L" word.Then she was diagnosed and now, it is anxiety,praying she remains in remission and can find herself in the clear with each passing month and with each passing year.Will I ever stop worrying?Probably not.Today she has a bruise on her knee and took a long nap.Logically,she banged her knee rolling around and she napped longer because she has a cold.A mother, of a child who has had cancer,her mind goes to the absolute illogical because a mother,of a child who has had cancer, has a much different reality than most.So we pray and we move on.

As for other areas in Miss Zoey's life.We are still battling food or lack there of.One day I so hope this child just begins eating again.I have to believe she will.We have the absolute best OT/feeding specialist so I feel we are doing all we can.The rest,like most everything else,is up to Zoey.Her other therapies are moving right along.Vision is consistently good but Zoey does have her therapist wrapped nicely around her finger and my stubborn girl has Christi busy keeping her motivated and interested.We have a new fabulous PT and today Zoey was fitted for a Rifton Walker.Can I tell you how excited I am for Zoey?To bring her up and into the world around her and take one major move forward, to one day hopefully walking, is truly exciting.The walker is super cute.I know that sounds weird but it really is.We picked a raspberry color and with any luck will have it by the first of the year.And finally speech.This continues to be Zoey's strongest area and quite frankly,I never dreamed it would be.As far as actual verbal speech,she has none.Hard to say if she ever will.She could possibly fall into the grouping of children with Down syndrome who have severe Apraxia.Who knows.But her signing and her receptive language,what she understands,is so encouraging.Because of Zoey's stroke she is classified as having Cerebral Palsy.With that diagnosis,we see in her, huge issues with motor planning.Not that she doesn't understand certain things but that her little body fails her from her brain to actually implementing the action.Sad sometimes,yes but I don't stay there long.I rejoice in what she can do and here is the run down of Zoey and her signs.Some are spontaneously and others are prompted and then she does them:daddy,wash,more,shh,water,phone,eat,bed/sleep,milk,hat,up,no,baby,by-bye,yes(with head nod),gives high fives.Emerging:mom,all done and hurt.Body parts she knows:hair,teeth,tongue,mouth,eyes,nose,tummy,ears and feet.She can point to pictures of most all family members when placed on her board.Zoey can:stomp her feet(of course while sitting!),she points up when she hears a plane.She will plug your nose when you say "P-U",she fake coughs and fake laughs,she gives hugs, blows kisses, waves her little hand in the air with a few fingers up for "I love you",claps, stretches and turns pages in books.Whew ... I think that is about all.We are so proud of Zoey and we cannot wait to see what lies ahead.It's sure to be magical ... just like her.