We arrived back from Guatemala City around lunch time today, a half day later than planned, but we are home safely. Alicia didn't like the car seat too much on the way there. She has probably only ridden in a car about 3 times before this and the last time was 4 months ago, so she is not used to being confined. She did finally settle down and was fascinated by the things flying by outside her window. She disliked the doctor checking her out even more. But after we got done there, we went out for spaghetti dinner and boy did she enjoy that. We then went and checked into the Bed and Breakfast where we stayed and she went to bed at 7:30 pm and didn't wake up until 6 am. What an angel! :-) She knows we need our sleep!
The view from our balcony at the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at.
The doctor diagnosed Alicia with Cerebral Palsy, the type that affects one side of the body. He said that she will be able to walk but it may take her until 4 years old to do so. Alicia is also speech delayed but the doctor doesn't think that is related to the Cerebral Palsy in any way. We are going to wait a few more months before we start to look into causes for that. In the meantime, we will be praying hard for her to start walking and talking! Our hope is that some day we will wonder why we were ever worried about her walking and talking because we would love for her to slow down and to stop talking from time to time. :-)
The Doctor also requested that an MRI be done just to check things out. We had that done at 1:00 pm on Friday. Alicia had to be sedated because there is no way a 16 month old is going to lay still for an MRI. Boy, did that bring back memories of when Ryan was 5 years old and needed an MRI done. You'd think it is no big deal since they are put out, but it is the "putting out" that isn't fun. And don't forget the fasting before. She had to eat breakfast by 7am and couldn't have anything to eat until afterwards. And I forgot what it is like to be in an exam room trying to entertain a 1 year old while waiting for the Doctor to come and put the IV in. It was exhausting and Alicia isn't even as mobile as most 1 year olds! But we got the test accomplished and left there around 2:30.
I stayed with Alicia for the exam while Norman went and did our errands so that we could leave town as soon as we were done and get back to the Home at a decent time. Well, the "plan" was to make one "quick" stop at a hardware store to pick up cabinet and drawer handles that I needed to be involved in picking out and then head out of town. Well, that "quick" stop ended up in two stops and lots of traffic, taking 2 hours! Plus we had a little girl with wild hair (they took out her pony tail holder during the MRI and didn't give it back and I didn't have another one), who was still a little loopy from the anesthesia, so looked like she was drunk. And with her hair sticking up like a fountain without a pony tail holder, it really helped the part. :-) I am sure people were wondering what this old gringo couple was doing with a loopy, wild hair little girl. :-)
So at 4:30 pm we FINALLY left Guatemala City. This is when we decided to look at our options. Our biggest concern is the last 22 miles on the windy dirt road through the mountains that takes about a little over an hour right now during dry season. We would be on that road in the dark around 9:00 at night and there is no cell phone reception in the mountains. If anything went wrong mechanically or otherwise, we would be stuck for the night and feel like sitting ducks. Not an inviting scenario. We recently met a missionary who lives in Chichicastenango, an hour and 45 min from San Andres, who had told us that if we ever needed a place to stay we were welcome to stay at their house. So we were at that point where we are thinking, "Did he mean it? We haven't met his wife, will she be in agreement? If it is incredibly inconvenient, will they tell us?" Well, we decided to take the risk and call. They were very gracious and welcomed us with open arms. They are a young couple who have a 9 month old little boy of their own. So Norman and I and our "baby" went to their house to stay. They showed us great hospitality and a good night sleep after a couple of long days. We now have wonderful new friends and are greatly blessed.
This morning we got up and took a tour of the ministry where they serve and then headed back to San Andres and arrived just in time for lunch. Alicia was quickly scooped out of my arms by one of the 12 year olds and given her lunch, and I got to give my lunch my undivided attention for the first time in a couple days. One thing that I learned on this trip is that I am NOT good mom material anymore, assuming I ever was. I am ready for the Grandma stage. Whenever Alicia cried or wanted something, my reaction was oh just give it to her. Let's just go for peace. :-) Definitely not good mom material. :-) But I sure did enjoy loving on Alicia and she did so good! She did much better in the car seat on the way back and slept most of the way! Thanks for the prayers!
We would appreciate your continued prayers for Alicia. Please pray that she will keep developing and be able to walk and use her right arm without any physical problems. Also that she will start talking soon. Thanks so much!
The Doctor also requested that an MRI be done just to check things out. We had that done at 1:00 pm on Friday. Alicia had to be sedated because there is no way a 16 month old is going to lay still for an MRI. Boy, did that bring back memories of when Ryan was 5 years old and needed an MRI done. You'd think it is no big deal since they are put out, but it is the "putting out" that isn't fun. And don't forget the fasting before. She had to eat breakfast by 7am and couldn't have anything to eat until afterwards. And I forgot what it is like to be in an exam room trying to entertain a 1 year old while waiting for the Doctor to come and put the IV in. It was exhausting and Alicia isn't even as mobile as most 1 year olds! But we got the test accomplished and left there around 2:30.
I stayed with Alicia for the exam while Norman went and did our errands so that we could leave town as soon as we were done and get back to the Home at a decent time. Well, the "plan" was to make one "quick" stop at a hardware store to pick up cabinet and drawer handles that I needed to be involved in picking out and then head out of town. Well, that "quick" stop ended up in two stops and lots of traffic, taking 2 hours! Plus we had a little girl with wild hair (they took out her pony tail holder during the MRI and didn't give it back and I didn't have another one), who was still a little loopy from the anesthesia, so looked like she was drunk. And with her hair sticking up like a fountain without a pony tail holder, it really helped the part. :-) I am sure people were wondering what this old gringo couple was doing with a loopy, wild hair little girl. :-)
Alicia waking up from anesthesia.
So at 4:30 pm we FINALLY left Guatemala City. This is when we decided to look at our options. Our biggest concern is the last 22 miles on the windy dirt road through the mountains that takes about a little over an hour right now during dry season. We would be on that road in the dark around 9:00 at night and there is no cell phone reception in the mountains. If anything went wrong mechanically or otherwise, we would be stuck for the night and feel like sitting ducks. Not an inviting scenario. We recently met a missionary who lives in Chichicastenango, an hour and 45 min from San Andres, who had told us that if we ever needed a place to stay we were welcome to stay at their house. So we were at that point where we are thinking, "Did he mean it? We haven't met his wife, will she be in agreement? If it is incredibly inconvenient, will they tell us?" Well, we decided to take the risk and call. They were very gracious and welcomed us with open arms. They are a young couple who have a 9 month old little boy of their own. So Norman and I and our "baby" went to their house to stay. They showed us great hospitality and a good night sleep after a couple of long days. We now have wonderful new friends and are greatly blessed.
This morning we got up and took a tour of the ministry where they serve and then headed back to San Andres and arrived just in time for lunch. Alicia was quickly scooped out of my arms by one of the 12 year olds and given her lunch, and I got to give my lunch my undivided attention for the first time in a couple days. One thing that I learned on this trip is that I am NOT good mom material anymore, assuming I ever was. I am ready for the Grandma stage. Whenever Alicia cried or wanted something, my reaction was oh just give it to her. Let's just go for peace. :-) Definitely not good mom material. :-) But I sure did enjoy loving on Alicia and she did so good! She did much better in the car seat on the way back and slept most of the way! Thanks for the prayers!
Alicia lounging in her car seat.
We would appreciate your continued prayers for Alicia. Please pray that she will keep developing and be able to walk and use her right arm without any physical problems. Also that she will start talking soon. Thanks so much!
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