Shelby's JDMS Journal of Events
March 2000 to present
Week 37 - Ending November 18
Saturday 12/18/00 : We went to see Dr. Jung and Dr. Troia (eye specialist) on the 14th, which also happened to be Hutch's birthday!! Happy 38th Dad! We had a good time in Omaha and went out to eat after the appointments.
We saw Dr. Troia first. Shelby's eyeglass prescription was made slightly stronger. She failed her last school eye test so we knew she was going to need a change. Her eye health is excellent so we've got no reason to worry that the Plaquenil has affected her in any way. Whew!
Dr. J is very impressed with Shelby's physical strength and stamina. The areas we've worked on since the last check up were hip flexors and triceps. Hip flexor strength is greatly improved but her right arm is still fairly weak. We thought this was unusual, since she's right handed. We'll continue with her therapy both at home and at the PT at the hospital. We've recently started doing Tae-Bo at home, and this is something Shelby loves to do! It's very challenging (for both of us) but we really enjoy it. Sheridan and Hutch make fun of us but we don't care. :-) Shelby has been noticing that her stomach is a little bit bigger than she would like it to be. She's been more conscious of the food she eats and is very regimented with her exercise. Way to go Shelby! If only I had the same willpower....
We finally got the insurance company to raise the number of visits Shelby can have per year. It was at 20, now it's at 40. We've also applied for the school to help with the cost of Shelby's physical therapy. We've not heard back from them yet but we received favorable recommendations from Dr. J and also from the school nurse stating that the PT is imperative for Shelby's academic progress. We have every reason to believe that soon her PT will be fully paid for. Yipee!
Dr. J raised the Methotrexate dosage to 10 pills once per week. He also raised the Plaquenil to 300 mg. per day from 200 mg. per day. We've noted that the vasculitis in her hands, elbows and knees has started to get worse. Dr. J. thinks she may be building up some immunity to the drug that is supposed to control this, so he raised the dosage in hopes that it would keep it under control. We still apply a topical steroid to the affected areas. Shelby is especially prone to dry skin this time of year.
Shelby is doing very well in school. Her strongest subject is English but she also loves Science. She is an excellent speller and her penmanship is superb! She struggles with Math but is stubborn about getting it right...she won't give up on it.
It's been a cold few weeks here, in the single digits! Last time I had a journal entry it was in the 100's. Only in Nebraska! We will be back in Omaha on January 9th for her next checkup. We'll hope for good weather, since it's been pretty nasty here for the past few weeks. Lots of snow and wind. :-( Boo hoo!
The kids have both been very helpful around the house and yard. They have their chores and are very efficient with their duties. We pay them a small allowance and of course that's their favorite part of the work...pay day!
Christmas is just around the corner. The kids are looking forward to going to G & G Hutchison's over the holidays. They enjoy spending time with them and all the cousins.
We are so thankful to have our family happy and healthy. Have a Happy Holiday season!
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Page created 04/06/2000 last updated 06/19/2001.