First things first, above is Izzy's school picture from this year. If you look to your right (if you are on a computer), you will see the photo gallery. This year's school picture is right next to last year's school picture. While McKenzie may not have grown very much this year in size, she has most definitely matured! Don't see it with those photos, look at this:
That is Izzy wearing the same costume on Halloween 2009, December 2011, and a couple of weeks ago. Don't let the first picture fool you, the dress was taken up about 8-10 inches after Izzy tried it on that day in 2009. Not very different in size over the last 4 years, but so much more mature! Of course, Izzy didn't wear that princess outfit for Halloween. She just had it on to do errands one Saturday. For Halloween, she was Fix It Felix, Jr. from her favorite movie, "Wreck It Ralph".
The night was rainy and cold and Izzy didn't make it far, but she did have fun handing out candy after she finished trick or treating herself!
I am also so very, very happy to report that we have our girl back! No, she wasn't physically missing or absent, but the smile that used to live non-stop on her face has finally returned. Our girl who took everything in stride and smiled despite whatever horrible circumstance she was placed, is back. She is back! Izzy is happy. Just happy.
I have no idea how long that happy face has been absent, but it seems like it left in January, but it could have been when we moved last fall or even earlier. No matter, she is back!
I was so afraid for so long that our sweet, happy girl was permanently replaced by a grumpy, grouch who screamed all of the time and was just not happy. I wouldn't blame her. With everything she faces, I'd probably be angry too. She is in pain most, if not all, the time. She takes 14 meds regularly, but add in the antibiotics, steroids, and assorted "other" meds which are routinely put into rotation and she really takes between 15 and 19 most weeks. And she hates most of them, but takes them without complaint (she does down a lot of water right after!) It almost felt proper to have to tiptoe around Izzy with all of that, but not quite right because that has never been her.
And now she is back! I don't know what has changed. It could be that she has friends in school. A lot of friends. It could be that she is sleeping a ton better now that she takes valium at bedtime. Her nightmares are almost completely eradicated! It could be the addition of an aid dedicated to her at school (Izzy does love an audience). It could be all of the above. She is happy though and that is all that matters.
On the medical front, Izzy is back on antibiotics again. She was on the cusp of pneumonia a week ago. Thankfully, we caught it quick and she is doing better. Below is a pic of her at the doctor's office last weekend:
Unfortunately though, Izzy has been having constant, very bad stomach aches. Her stomach remains swollen more frequently. And she's been having a lot of neck and head pain. Right now, we are simply watching it, but are not happy with her constant pain.
The really unfortunate part is that the ear drum patch that was
placed in the late spring/early summer is working its way out of
Izzy's ear. She has had a couple nasty infections behind the patch
and it is simply not in place any longer. The surgeon expects it
will fall out fairly soon and she will be back to borderline
hearing loss. I'm highly disappointed. Yet another "fix" that
lasted 6 months in the left ear. I'm ready to get Izzy hearing aids
at this point. I'm not putting her under anesthesia for more
temporary fixes that just seem to cause more damage than good.
We had parent-teacher conferences at school last week and Izzy is doing very well there as well. She is well on her way to learning to read, recognizing a ton of her sight words without a lot of work. And I'm very happy to report that with the return of happy Izzy, we are no longer having behavior issues at school. We are just proud of her (and Phinney too!)
I'm going to end with this picture because I think it just sums up our Izzy: she is the pink and turquoise in a world of brown!
(And yes, she always lights up like that when she is around that little boy--one of her boyfriends. He protects her and takes care of her and brings smiles so big to her face.)
As always, thanks for checking in on our girl,
Mel
* * * * *
We had parent-teacher conferences at school last week and Izzy is doing very well there as well. She is well on her way to learning to read, recognizing a ton of her sight words without a lot of work. And I'm very happy to report that with the return of happy Izzy, we are no longer having behavior issues at school. We are just proud of her (and Phinney too!)
I'm going to end with this picture because I think it just sums up our Izzy: she is the pink and turquoise in a world of brown!
(And yes, she always lights up like that when she is around that little boy--one of her boyfriends. He protects her and takes care of her and brings smiles so big to her face.)
As always, thanks for checking in on our girl,
Mel
* * * * *
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