http://scan0001[1].jpg NewhouseNewz: 03.06

Friday, March 31, 2006

Good Morning - I'm Free

Can you believe it?

I have a whole 4 hours to do laundry and clean house. Whoooppieeee!! What freedom. No, just kidding. Shelby went to school yesterday for 2 hours to kinda get things set up on transfers and stuff, and today is the first day to ride the bus. She was picked up at 8:30 and will be at school from 9 to 1. She will be home at 1:30. She actually has a sore throat today. I guess all the hugging yesterday got to her. I hope she will feel better by Monday.

I can hardly believe that she is back. When the surgeon signed the form that said she would be out for 6-8 weeks, I thought he was nuts. There would be no possible way that she could possibly be back after such a big surgery. How could she handle being upright for so many hours and be comfortable with those rods in her back and 30 screws holding her together? Well, Monday will be 10 weeks since the surgery and almost 12 weeks since she was in school, and I think she is absolutely AWESOME!!! She was very happy this morning. She made brownies for her class and wanted to celebrate.

Taylor has been so very busy. She is competing in track, she is doing UIL Social Studies (Tuesday is the Test) and she has had UIL Choir (Concert and Sightreading) The girls' choir received II's on stage and all I's in sightreading. They were happy with that because they said the judges were really hard on the stage performance. She is really happy that today is Friday. Tomorrow night at church, we are having a family night with a comedian, illusionist, and our youth minister will be singing. Taylor will be spending the night with 3 other girls, so as you can see, she has no time to rest. (Not to mention Saturday we 'Spring Forward') Oh what energy these young'ens have!! She is such a beautiful young lady inside and out and we are EXTREMELY proud of her.

Kendall has been invited to spend the weekend at her best friend's grandparents home in the country. She is very excited. She has been teaching 2 year olds in bible class and absolutely loves it. She has asked me everyday to call the coordinator to see if she can continue with the class even though her LTC commitment is over. We are very proud of her and her commitment to 'Bible Bowl' this year. They have covered Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. (All the kids have been studying for many, many months)

Thanks for reading as I have rambled on about my kids. I'm sure you all understand. Thanks again for all the prayers and love that have been shown to our family these past 6 months.We have trully felt and been 'lifted up'.

All our love,

Kim and crew

posted by Kim Newhouse @ 9:23 AM   2 comments

Friday, March 24, 2006

Hello Everybody - It's me, Shelby

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to thank each one of you for praying for me during these last 8 weeks and before the surgery. I knew that you had been praying because everything came out fine. It was a little rough for awhile, and I hate to 'throw up', but it was worth it because I am 3 inches taller and I have a new 'cool' bed. I still get really tired after sitting in my wheelchir for a long time but I think that I can do school for at least 4 hours. I'll keep you posted.

I really hope it is not 'Too' cold to go to the Fair Grounds, everyone says that these new rods in my back will get really cold, and I hate to be too cold. But I really neeeeed to get some 'Kettle Corn'. Mom said that all the rides are out for this year. That's ok, I can always ride next year.

Thank you again and keep ckecking back, I will let you know about school,

See ya,

Love ya,

Bye ya,

Shelby

posted by Kim Newhouse @ 9:22 AM   3 comments

Today is County Fair Day

Howdy Everybody,

We have lived a lifetime since we last updated you. We found out from Shelby's surgeon at the last visit that the episodes of throwing up (for 2 weeks) was actually a problem caused when your spine is straightened. Between 2 to 3 weeks after surgery you can create new pressure points on your small intestine and your small intestine does not like to be touched, changed, or messed with in any way. On the start of the 3rd week to the day after surgery, 'Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome' took over our home. The only thing that made us feel better was that there is nothing to do about it but let it work itself out. You treat the symptoms and keep her comfortable.

Today is 'County Fair Day' here in Montgomery County and it is freezing outside. We talked to Shelby's teacher and we are planning on joining them for a few hours. Shelby is eager to see her friends and see her teachers. We will have a meeting next week about her school schedule and she plans to go back to class for half days starting next Thursday. I can not believe that she thinks she feels well enough to go back. Yesterday was the 8 week mark of our surgery. When our surgeon told us that she would be out for 6-8 weeks, I thought he was nuts and there was no way she would be back so soon after such a significant surgery, well, we will try this. I hope that this will not be a relapse in her recovery. She has surprised us all so far! Her spirit is so wonderful and she always seems to think of others first. I am most worried about her bus ride to and from. I would drive her but she needs her power chair at school and her power chair will not fit in my truck. Tomorrow, Shelby has been invited to her girlfriend's bithday party, so we are going to go there for a few hours. She should have a great time.

Stay safe and check back for Shelby's update,

Love to all,

Kim

posted by Kim Newhouse @ 8:37 AM   0 comments

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Today is March 5

Hello Everyone,

It has been almost one week since I have updated you. So Sorrrrrry!! I went to Ft Worth for a conference on Friday and Saturday and the girls were here with Mike. They all seemed really happy to have me home. It was definitely not a vacation. My brain was on 'overload' the entire time. We have an appointment with Shelby's surgeon on Tuesday. We are expecting nothing but good news. Shelby finally stopped throwing up last Monday night really late. We were all very happy about that. We have been back and forth so much with that and we really do not want to go back, not even one step. haha She has had a pretty good week. She started school, but she will not tell her teacher that 2 hours is too much at one time. She is beginning to be able to tolerate a little more each day, though. She was even outside for some beautiful sunshine.

Kendall and Taylor went to church for bible class with our neighbors that worship with us and Mike and Shelby joined them one hour later for worship. Taylor is teaching beginning sign language for LTC and Kendall is trying to work in her bible class teaching before convention, Easter weekend.Taylor has been trying to work in teaching the song to Kendall at home because they are both so busy they can not get together at church to do it.

I will update everyone after we have our appointment on Tuesday.

Have a Great Monday!!

God Bless,

Kim

posted by Kim Newhouse @ 11:11 PM   9 comments