MERRY CHRISTMAS! THE END OF THE YEAR IS HERE!!!

Hello again! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! I went to church for the first time since my surgery on Christmas Eve and was happy to be able to take communion. I love celebrating Christmas because it is such a wonderful time of year, and we get to spend time together with our family and friends. We also celebrated my little brother Nicholas’ 9th birthday on the 21st, and it was an exciting day. He had a blast and was very happy to get new toys.

It is hard to believe it has been over a month since my surgery. I am so happy that it is behind me now. My walking is getting better but I still have a hard time standing up straight. I can walk short distances on my own now. My left leg still has numb feelings and I hope Dr. Campion can help this improve. I get stronger every week. I cannot wait to go to school soon next year. I have been home schooled for my 8th grade year up to now, and I miss my friends and the teachers at Jay M. Robinson. I thank my parents so much for how much help they have been, they are very supportive and they encourage me each day. I am blessed because they are the greatest parents I could ever ask for. I love them very much.

Julia

STAYING BUSY, December 9 (Sunday)

Hello again!  Sorry I haven’t written for a few days, it has been a busy busy week.  Each day I have my routine schedule. I get to sleep later in the mornings.  I spend a lot of time with my mom and dad and of course my dog Buddy.  I try to eat several small meals to keep my weight on.  I keep practicing walking with my walker.  I still have a bad pain in my hip area that won’t go away and my pain medication helps with that.  Let me tell you what I’ve done the last couple of days.  On Friday, my dad and brother John went to Greensboro for John’s soccer game that night with his academy team.  I stayed home with my mom and Nicholas and we had movie night.   We ordered pizza from Wolfman and watched a great movie, “Surf’s Up”.  Saturday, we were at home and in the afternoon my cousins, Brandon and Kenny, and Uncle Dewitt came to visit me.  After they left, my dad, Nicholas and I went to the Bobcats game against the Cleveland Cavaliers which turned out to be a great game even though LeBron James did not play.  The Bobcats won.  When we left the game we visited my Uncle Jeff who is a manager of the Downtown Holiday Inn.  Today my mom and dad were busy doing work in the yard and adding more Christmas decorations.  In the afternoon we went to Nicholas’ basketball game.  It was a close game but they lost 32 to 26.  On our way home, Nicholas wanted to stop and eat at Five Guys.  I did not complain because I love their hot dogs.  Tonight Nicholas and I watched “The Grinch that Stole Christmas”, and I ate a delicious pita pizza. That is it for now.

JULIA

NICE WEEKEND & GOT SIGNED PICTURE FROM TARHEELS COACH ROY WILLIAMS, December 3

Hello.  I am sorry that I have not written on my blog for a few days but it has been busy at my home.  When I have time to write on the blog I am usually too tired.  I have been trying to walk more with my walker.  I still get tired when I do simple things.  I also do not write much yet because my hands feel weak and my handwriting looks sloppy.  I have been trying to walk more with my walker.  My left leg still has some numbness around my knee and thigh and it feels funny when I walk.

Over the weekend I did get out of the house to go to Nicholas’ basketball game and out to eat with my family.  We also went to Target to shop some for Christmas.  It was nice to get out and around.  I get around with my wheelchair and that isn’t all bad.

On Saturday I had a big surprise.  A large envelope came addressed to me from UNC Chapel Hill.  I was nervous when I opened it with my parents.  Inside was a letter from UNC and a picture from Tarheels Coach Roy Williams that he signed for me.  Coach Williams wrote “Julia, Please get well soon.”  I was shocked.  I am a big Tarheels fan so this was a big excitement.

Today I had a doctor appointment with one of my specialist doctors.  This doctor is the one who helped me gain the extra 10 pounds before my surgery.  He told me that I could have my TPN pik line taken out of my left arm.  This is where I get some special fluids fed into my blood for twelve hours every day.  My parents took me to Presbyterian Hospital and they removed the pik line.  This pik line was about one foot long and it was hard to believe it came out of my body.  Now I do not have to worry about the line being pulled out or leaking, and I can finally wear long sleeve shirts.

I promise I will write again tomorrow.  My dad is going to help me post some pictures also.  Thank you again for ALL your prayers.  Luv ya.

Julia