Back in the saddle

Hello Friends,

It's been a while. Adjusting back home and having the energy to write have taken some time to get a rhythm going.  I'll start with my story first. I had one day to get rested and then headed back to my teaching post. The first steps out of my car and up those stairs to the main entrance were both exciting and nerve racking all bundled up inside me. Once I walked through the doors, it was like taking off a cloak from the past 5 months. There was a freshness to being back to work again. I was overwhelmed as I worked my way through the office saying hello to everyone again as the beginning of the school day was about to begin. It was so good to see my colleagues once again. The students began to focus their sleepy eyes on my face and realized that I was back in the building. There were a lot of hugs and smiles as I made my way down the hall to my classroom.

Unlock the door, take a deep breath, and there it was "The Routine" of getting the school day started. It was like I never left, engrained like a floorboard. Once the first period bell rang, I gave a brief back story of how Steele was doing and that I would be back to my regular schedule. There were smiles and my students shared their experiences with how the class was going and how it was good to be back together after a several weeks of uncertainty on both sides.

The day was pretty much a blur with all the story sharing and mental adjustments that I was trying to adapt back into teaching life. There was a lot of work to get my classes back on track and student behavior was a whole other animal. Take it one day at a time and begin piecing it all back together with what the students have learned.

Mr. Steele's transition is going fairly smooth. He is still using the NG tube for all his food and medications. He has monthly cardiology appointments at OHSU and Primary Care with Kaiser. We have expanded his care with Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy to work on his mobility and oral feeding goals. Steele is about 2-3 months behind some of the benchmark developmental markers with his feeding and gross mobility. Lots of homework and practice to do. He is beginning to take interest in blended foods and continues to work on those anterior muscle groups. Steele has weekly appointments with both sets of therapists, so he is a hard worker and exhausted after those sessions.

Rachel and Steele are traveling back to LPCH on Tuesday, March 8th and returning the next day. Stanford wants to have a routine check-in to see how his hear and overall heath are tracking since our return. Stressful trip with all the flying, testing and return trip home in about 24 hours. We are praying that all looks good. It will be especially hard on Rachel since she is going alone. Luckily, we have our guardian angel, Jessica Engelson, to help with transportation and support. Thanks Jess!!

Ryleigh is enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten at a very close and convenient location. Rachel and I are undergoing which options would be best for her enrollment.  She's so good at adapting to all the changes that we have put her through this year, including her 5th Birthday a week after coming home from California. I am amazed at her resilience and general outlook on life. Everything seems to roll off her back like water. We love you so much Ryleigh!

Rachel continues to be steadfast and strong with Steele's care and stay at home mom for the moment. She has recently applied for a full time position wit Portland Community College. She has made it through 2 rounds of interviews and has her third interview on March 11th. Please send her your best of luck, this position is hers, she owns it!

More to come after Rachel and Steele return from Stanford next week. As always, we thank you all so much for your continued support and love towards our family!