Donations & General Update

I love it when I can come in here, and give an update that we've received donations. Today we've increased the thermometer by another $99.90, which includes the check from Baja Fresh!


I am also aware of another two donations that I don't have final confirmation for, so won't include them until I do.


We have some wonderful friends who have been brainstorming with us on ways to increase funds, and Rachel has been coming up with a few ideas, too. I am a very amateur knitter, and she's wanting me to do a couple of simple projects that we could maybe sell on my Bonanza.com page, so we'll see what comes of that.


I haven't located our copy of our original application with Paws, but I'm pretty sure that it's been about 2 years now since the initial application. It feels like we've been doing this forever, even though we've only been in fundraising mode since late July. We have a long road yet, and I'm trying to have patience with the process.


We made a small medication increase this month, and Rachel has had fewer seizures than she did last month, which is fantastic. September saw 11, and so far October has seen 3, but there are still several days left, and who knows what will happen next.


She's plugging along in school, and is more independent in her study, but still struggles with impulsivity, and then feels terrible when she doesn't do well. We're working hard on learning to take good notes, something she never seems to have been taught in her regular schools. Along with writing in cursive, note-taking seems to be a lost art.:/


Thanks for checking in with us. I look forward to updating again soon, and sending that thermometer up some more.


-Kelly

School and Blogs

We don't have any exciting news to share right now, as our days are taken up with school. High school is a lot harder now than it was in the early 80's, and Rachel is spending about 7 hours a day at her studies, and sort of struggling to stay caught up.


On the upside, her grades are good, and she's still engaged in the process, though there is some occasional whining when it comes to test-taking. There's a definite anxiety there.


Also, Rachel has decided that she'd like to start her own blog, and talk about what it's like to be her, while sharing random bits of her life. When she gets around to getting it published, I'll be sure and link from here, so you can all get to know her a bit better. I think you'll like her.:)


-Kelly
ETA: After posting this, we received two more donation notifications in the mail, so I increased the thermometer by another $100 today! Thanks so much, everyone.:)

First Day of School

It's the first day of school for Rachel, a full week before her friends, but that's okay, we're ready. Well, I think we're ready. I'm ready. I'm pretty sure she'd be just as happy to stay in bed.


Rachel and I finally made it to the coast yesterday. We usually make it to the beach more than once during the summer, but we kept waiting for the weather to cooperate, and then when we finally had a plan to go, the big seizures happened.


So, yesterday we decided we were going, regardless of weather, and it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Okay, not the best pic of Rach ever taken, but she was getting tired. I mainly wanted to show the blue sky and the gorgeous topography of Neskowin Beach. It's only a little over an hour drive from us, and away from the serious bustle of Lincoln City.


Also, I've updated the thermometer today, to include another $235 in donations to Rachel's dog account! Thanks so much, everyone. I'm supposed to go back to one of the businesses I approached about letting us put out a donation canister today, but have to wait for Rach to be done with school for the day. I will be sure and update on that later.


-Kelly

Back To School!

I feel like we're off to a good start with the blog, and I hope to not lose that momentum, but Rachel's school year begins on Tuesday, and since it's a new experience for both of us, there will be a period of adjustment, and a lot to learn.


Rachel will be attending Connections Academy online, and as her Learning Coach, I have certain responsibilities to take care of each day she is studying. I'm hoping that once she gets settled into her new routine, I'll have more time to concentrate on other things.


I also wanted to let you know that, since the seizures of Tuesday/Wednesday, there have been no more. We have every hope that the tonic/clonics are now managed once again, though we do expect to continue seeing the partials from time to time. I will be taking Rach in to get a blood draw on Monday evening, so that we have a better idea of what her medication levels are. This can help her doctor make a more informed decision about dosages.


I will continue to update each time we get donation notifications from PAWS, and whenever we have a new fundraiser or outreach opportunity. Thanks for keeping up with us, and feel free to offer fundraising advice and ideas.


-Kelly