For those of you who have been following… I wonder what you think.

 What do you think when you put snippets of our life together?  I’ve been wondering this … because – I use my home Facebook page to keep people updated on our life.  The blog is more of an outlet, so sometimes I forget to update it when we are home or doing things.  I try not to exploit … but yet sometimes to explain.


I’ve also been thinking about other things… to do with the blog – but more on that next week.  For now, I would like to really tell you about the last few days.  In sequence, not by these random snippets as my emotions brim until they spill over the edge and onto the page.


Alexander had a seizure. Hmmmm… how many posts have started this way?





Anyway… Have you ever had one of those “perfect” days?  In class, I was completely fulfilled.  It was a day where my students and I connected.  Where I could see them excited to learn … and they didn’t even realize how many cool things they were learning.  And AMAZING teaching day.






Then I came home and ran my THIRD run!  WooHoo!  I actually remember enjoying the run.  I daydreamed.  I mentally blogged about the ideas that floated around in my head.  Step. Work Harder. Step. Give More than we Take. Step. Love my Family. Step. Enjoy the Quiet. Step. Embrace the Noise. Step. Slow Down. Step. Baby Boy. Step. Respect my Husband. Step. Kiss my kids… and on and on.

With each pounding of the pavement I could feel the stress release from my shoulders as I pushed aside the needs of everyone else and enjoyed the desires of my heart.


When I finally made it back for dinner, it was to smiling kids as we planned for our evening’s adventures.  My Grandma turned 83 and we were headed to an impromptu cake and ice cream party.  The kids were so excited.  I was excited too because Ray said I should get some real shoes before I gave myself shin splints.  Seriously… the shoe situation was pretty bad.




I ran into the shoe store.  Quick and simple.  … Quick and simple.  It should have been quick and simple.  Honestly – it is when everyone has their guard down that things seem to go awry. 

I came out and I could tell something was wrong.  Ray had Alexander out of his car seat.  When I looked in I could see.  Questions on the twins face.  Fake smiles on Ray’s lips.  He said, “I think he’s having a seizure. But it doesn’t look right.”  He was right.  Instead of the normal seizure – this one was only on Alexander’s left side.  His right side was completely responsive and alert.  We weren’t able to do anything in a parking lot – so we administered relief Diastat and loaded up to try to get to the house as fast as possible.  I sat timing Alexander’s seizure while we rode.  I called the Neurologist and we discussed our options once we got home.  Alexander’s seizure did break for a few minutes – but a new problem immerged.  He didn’t seem to have use of his left side.  His arm hung limp and his leg was in an odd position.  Everyone was thinking the same thing… stroke.

What a horrible thing to happen to someone so small.  We are making such progress! A stroke would just place more obstacles… not take them away. 

The ambulance was en-route – as was the helicopter – to take some of us to Hershey.  When the helicopter arrived we were greeted by 2 people.  One…inspired THIS POST about his behavior.    It was the closest I’ve ever been to calling someone “out” on the internet.  I was so angry as I drove to Hershey… so worried.  About my baby.

A CAT scan showed no stroke occurred.  Blood work was drawn.  Because Alexander has small veins, an arterial stick was used.  Not only is it incredibly dangerous, but it is also incredibly painful.  Alexander screamed as they drew this blood. 



Finally, with his seizures seemingly broken, we were admitted for observation because this last one was so different.  I once again – I convinced the doctors to allow me to watch him all night in order for us to have a private room.  Facebook became my friend.  My blog became my outlet.  The minute I released my anger over that insensitive EMT… my heart was open for the prayers that were offered up. 

I then posted the 3am reflection.  The smile of peace on a night changed in the blink of an eye.  Because isn’t life just a series of turns?  That happen in the blink of an eye? 

This morning, life returned to normal.  We were given an increase in medicine and discharge orders. 

So now what?   What do you do when you return home?  Your emotions so raw from the night’s activities and lack of sleep…

I called the EMT service.  I filed a formal complaint.  I told the director that it was irresponsible for that EMT to leave with my child and not all his medical history.  For my child to be unaccompanied for almost 2 hours without medical instructions.  I told the director that it was immoral for that EMT to take my child without even a hug or kiss goodbye.  Nothing. 

As I made this call… there was another realization that sat in just as deep.  That EMT may once again be in charge of my son’s life.  Am I making a mistake? 


I must push those fears aside for what is RIGHT.  I must help us return to normal. 
Twins and I play outside.
I try on my running shoes.
I Love my children.  All of them. 

So…. last night, when I returned home – I made the choice to continue with our IPad competition.  And trust me… competition is fierce.   I wondered if it was too much … to ask for prayers and then ask for votes.  And, I decided that we would either: say we were returning to life as normal and then do it… or we wouldn’t. 

I choose to do it.  However…. we have been very blessed by your prayers – which were necessary – those are what are important.  Above all else – the value of those relationships.  I wrote about that HERE.  I am writing this here in case you were following on Facebook or somewhere else and wonder, “how do they just go back? and pick up life like nothing happened?"  Because we have to.


We are still competing for the IPad.  - If you feel like voting for Alexander… he’s at the bottom… the cowboy. If you want to vote for another kid – that is cool too:  All the kids would benefit. We are personal friends with the Little Engine that Could and Super Girl.  We are internet friends with all of them.  And… the prisoner has been locked up for 24 years.  VOTE HERE


If you feel like sharing the link – share away. 
Down’s Syndrome is 1:600.  Alexander’s Syndrome is 1:50,000.  Spreading a little awareness goes a long way.



And now… I can feel relief.  We’ve helped raise awareness for Alexander’s syndrome, thanked everyone for their prayers and support, and explained all those “snippets” of life through my blog outlet. 



Thanks Shell.  You always deliver.