Weight...among other things!

Happy New Year!! This is the time of the year when we start seeing all the commercials promoting diet plans, exercise equipment,  quick weight loss pills, shakes, sprinkles, etc...  We've all seen them, and most of us adults are tempted to try them because we need to or just from the mere popularity of them.  Some of our children could even benefit from a form of weight loss that is healthy and for life not fad.

My little one is the complete opposite, and on a mostly liquid, soft or puree diet; we've been on a battle with weight for some time now! God knows I'm doing my best and will continue to do so.  It just seems so frustrating when it seems as if my best isn't close to being enough.  In my eyes and mind!  In all of this, I can say that she has gained 1 pound from her December check to the January weight check.  I am so thankful to God for that, it just doesn't seem like it's enough for me though.

 It seems that way because we've had to deal with the development of a pressure area on her rear.  Due in part to the weight loss and a bony prominence! You don't know the tears I've shed in light of this. We've had to go get the cushion in her wheelchair "feathered" and cut to have a softer spot.  Her position is changed every so often, she's kept dry...things I was doing and it still happened.  OT doesn't want her seated on a "doughnut cushion" because of the risk of pulling and causing even more irritation.

Through all of this, we're still prayerful and very trusting that tings will continue to work in our favor.  Kerstin WILL continue to gain weight, the pressure area will clear!  I am so proud of my daughter and love her dearly!  She is making great strides at work on her Dynavox...had to treat her to something from her fave store, Target!

A message from Kerstin! ;))

Hello,

I’m a member of the Junior Leadership Team at my school and in a few months we will be embarking on a trip to our nation’s capitol.  This 5 day 4 night trip will include tours of the MLK, Jefferson and FDR memorials, the U.S. Capitol Building to meet some of our representatives, an outside tour of the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington National Mall and other sites.

This trip will give us the opportunity to see firsthand monuments of people that have done extraordinary things to get our country to where it is today, and to also see the places where our lawmakers work on our behalf.

This trip takes place at the end of April and the cost is $550.00; it covers the cost of my travel, room and other expenses.  I am asking for your support in making this trip possible for me. Your generous sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.  Whatever amount you are able to provide would tremendously benefit my educational experience.

You can contact my mom, Mattisa at kwsmom@gmail.com  to let her know of your generosity! You can also make a donation via PayPal, at the "Trip to D.C. Donate" button to the left.

Sincerely yours,

Kerstin &

Just sharing...Someday At Christmas!

My little princess loves this time of the year!  I still can NOT believe that my daughter turned 10 this past Saturday!  Mommy is still in shock and awe!  She has been enjoying herself with all the Christmas cheer; the cartoons, the movies, the decoration and most definitely the music...one of her fave albums is The Jackson 5 Christmas, especially "Someday at Christmas"!


To you from Kerstin!  Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let's give THANKS, not just because the calendar says so...give thanks every day!!!

Wordless Wednesday =)

Another day...another weight check...

Wow, it's really been a month?!?! Sorry, it's been so long!  I have bee working and praying, seeking ways to get my daughter's weight back up.  I am convinced now that it has to be the medicine she is on for seizures.

She had yet another weight check today and is down a few more ounces from September 9 =(   This is heartbreaking, especially when the nutritionist keeps bringing up "feeding tube"..surprisingly I had the strength to tell her out right today, " No feeding tube"!!!

I'm on a mission now, (1) to get my daughter on another seizure, one that will not cause weight loss and loss of appetite (2) find all sorts of pureed meals and recipes that are high in calories  and (3) GET MY DAUGHTER'S WEIGHT BACK UP!!!

More to come...

The week did not end on a good note...

So, we've decided to keep therapy days on Friday's, that will give the princess a chance to rest and regroup.  Not going back to school the next morning sleepy and groggy from the exhaustion of school and therapy the day before.

This past Friday, she also had a weight check before therapy...get there and she has LOST about 10 ounces :(  So not what I wanted to or needed to hear!!  I was distraught and thinking what can I do ( suggestion are greatly appreciated ) to get my daughter to gain weight and maintain it!  I was told by one of therapists that added coconut oil to her foods ( pediasure ) would help to add extra calories.  I've got to get a food processor and make her purees myself!  I just feel so helpless and not sure where to start and what to do...giving up is NOT an option though!!

We're going to make it happen and get through this too.

More to come...