Brushing Part II

Just when Alex and I are congratulating each other on brushing Adeline five times a day for two weeks, we are hit with another two weeks. Let me clarify, I was hit. I guess we are supposed to re-evaluate in two weeks, not stop the program. During Adeline's OT session today, it was made clear we should continue the program. Since Adeline's defensiveness has lessened in her feet, we can assume the program is helping. I don't see huge changes but it is nice to be able to touch her feet without her jerking away.

My concerns are the following.

How am I going to brush her on my own for another two weeks? There really isn't much free time in our mornings. I need to brush before we leave in the morning and also during mid-morning. Both of which are close to impossible.

My second concern is that Adeline has been a bit out of sorts over the past few weeks. She isn't miserable and cranky but certainly on edge. She can't share her space with her sisters and wants nothing to with unsolicited loves from Savannah. I hope we don't have her neurological system out of whack from all of this brushing. Typically she is much more laid back and accepting of her environment when compared to her current disposition.

So Long O's. . . we hope

Today was the day. After two years of staring at an ugly oxygen tank sitting on an even uglier purple bathmat, we called it quits. I called Praxair and requested a removal of the tank, the exchange of our oxygen concentrator (ours wasn't functioning properly) and a delivery of four E tanks (the size adults pull around in cages/carts.

Adeline has been off the O's for the better part of a year now. At this point, she is rarely on oxygen for illness and if she is, it is only for night time hours. I feel confident our E tanks would get us through an emergency and a car ride to the ER. As an alternative, there is always the option of the concentrator if I want to run up my energy bill and not be able hear anything over the hissing.

As our oxygen guy loaded up the H tank he looked at me and asked, "What is your back up?" Clearly that have seen premature removals in the past and don't want Adeline to find herself in a dangerous situation. I know we don't run this risk but hope that the removal doesn't jinx the long stretch of clear lungs we are experiencing. I would be happy to never have to tape another cannula to her face ever again. It maybe wishful thinking but certainly not out of the question.

Only time will tell.