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Noah Update April 08 | |
| March 08 l February 08 l January 08 l December 07 l November 07 l October 07 l September 07 l August 07 l July 07 l June 07 l May 07 l April 07 | ||
| At times spring is simply stunning in this land called Virginia. I revel in our weeks of moderate eighty-degree days before the summer days of high nineties abound. Today is one of them. During Noah’s rehab this morning the windows were open as the curtains would bristle through Noah’s room while I sat there watching him groan with determination to directives of his therapist’s procedures. This week we were once again blessed with a visit from Lisa’s sister Rebecca. What a joy she is to our family. I was delighted in her labor of love in our home even as it relates to Noah. I overheard her teaching Noah how to annunciate the word “hello.” Things like that are priceless. Noah’s therapists had these notes from their chart today: “Noah stood today (with their assistance) using his abdominal muscles (to a greater measure) which allowed him improved posture (stood more erect).”
“Noah was able to keep his hand open with an item touching his palm. This means that he is (better) able to resist his grasp reflex.” Noah’s dystonia had produced what is known as “clawed hands. The inability to have an unclenched fist. This continues to improve. Lisa noted for me today a couple of observations she has made. Though Noah has been eating intermittently for some time now, Wednesday, he ate a considerable amount of fettuccini with broccoli and strawberries as desert. Her words to me were, “He is eating more than ever.” With the pollen count climbing because of spring, Noah too has moments of sneezing that are spontaneous. Because his pulmonary functions are excellent, when he sneezes it can create “soft projectiles” flying through the air at supersonic speeds. Lisa happened to be in the path of one of those moments and turned her head to say something to him when his nasal cannon “fired.” When Noah recovered he realized that he had just unleashed a barrage upon his mom. Lisa said he laughed (belly-shaking) after the event, and a few minutes later when she playfully reminded him of his assault… he laughed again. Monday night Noah woke Lisa up with, “Mom….momm…momm.” She walked over to him and he was a bit sweaty and apparently had a lot of stomach gas. She uncovered him to cool him off, vented his G-tube to let out the gas and he went right back to sleep. This is a milestone for us. The fact that he is now trying to verbally communicate his discomfort brings great joy to his mom’s heart… and mine as well. It’s amazing what really matters in life when you are traveling the road the Addesas are. Psalm 46:4 “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” I am so thankful that one of those streams flows though 1203 Brookside Landing. Ask Him and He will release one though your house. Thanks for keeping up with us. Love…david _______________________________ Last
Updated: April, 11 2008 at 4:00pm
Wouldn’t your know it; I finally get to be present when Noah does something neat. I mentioned last week that he said Hannah’s name though I was upstairs in my office. Well, Wednesday I was next to his bed talking about Hannah and out of nowhere he simply decided to say, “Hannah.” WOW! Dad needs a few thrills as well. We are surmising that Noah continues to try and speak and when it all comes together in a moment he himself is surprised by the success he just had. He has that look like… “How did I just do that?” I remember well when I was a boy trying to learn how to whistle. I finally figured it our after many moments of “how did I do that.” Notes from Therapists Lisa & Emily: “Noah has increased his standing time in his stander up to ten minutes.” Before this week he would become fatigued after five or six minutes. He kept his head up the whole time and we didn’t need to help him.”
“While Noah was on his back on the floor we were asking him to take his arm and extend it upward in a “punching motion.” (Sort of like a boxer.) “Three times we could feel his muscles contracting and his arm moved slightly.” (They are pleased to actually feel his muscle making the attempt.) Lisa noted for me the other day that her normal morning routine with Noah includes having to more or less “pry” his fingers away from the sheet or blanket he is sleeping with. That morning she paused and said, “Noah… you could really help me out if you just try on your own to release this blanket.” A second or two went by and she watched as his hands slowly released the blanket. Nothing like “yahoo’s” emanating from his room first thing in the morning! But then there are those tender moments when he does something for his mom he never did before. I was in on that as well. I came downstairs Thursday morning after I heard them stirring and after my customary greeting walked next to Lisa only to see tears streaming down her cheeks. I said softy, “What’s the matter?” In between sobs she said, “Look David… he straightens his wrist out when I ask him to. He’s never done that.” I could see Noah looking into Lisa’s eyes with glee in his heart knowing that he just gave her a monumental blessing to start her day. Both of these occurrences indicate that Noah’s dystonia is decreasing. And with every new motion he does, we have one more moment to thank the One who designed and destined Noah for great things in his life. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” We stand on this promise for Noah… and for you as well. Love… david _______________________________ Last
Updated: April, 18 2008 at 5:10pm
This Sunday April 27th will mark the one-year anniversary of an event that changed the Addesa family forever. Below is the actual blog started by the staff at Harvest in my absence… The bolded text is from previous updates.
Addesa Family Update, April 2007As many of you know, Noah Addesa was hit by lightning yesterday afternoon as he was coming out of the shed in the backyard. He stopped breathing and his heart stopped beating. Lisa came out right away with Emma and began trying to resuscitate him. Hannah called 911 and the fireman and ambulance arrived within 4 minutes. Praise God! The emergency crew was able to resuscitate him and took him to Chesapeake General Hospital. From Chesapeake General Hospital they transferred Noah to Norfolk General Hospital where they were able to stabilize his heart rate and blood pressure. Noah is currently at CHKD in the PICU. |
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