I will not be updating on Blogger as much

It takes so much time to simply log into the blogger and try and update on a consistant basis.

Therefore, I have created a FaceBook page for Dallas where you will be able to comment to him, as well as see his progressing.

The website is:  https://www.facebook.com/dallas.ridings.1?hc_location=stream

Please follow here from now on.  And feel free to send a friend request.  :)

Thanks for all of your support during these much needed times!

More to follow on Facebook.

Denielle Ridings

Progression

Dallas has been getting along pretty well over the last couple of weeks.  

School is going well.  He continues to make more and more friends and everyone is so very helpful.  I have met some of the parents are volunteers around the school, as well as most of the staff, and continue to be surprised by their supportiveness.  

Dallas has went to Chuck E. Cheese a few times over the last couple of weeks.  Once, just to go as a family and have fun.  Another time was for a school fundraiser.  At the fundraiser, he saw a bunch of friends from school and played with them for hours!  He had such a great time.  

He has also had friends over to play on a couple of occasions.  So he continues to build his social status within the community as well as his mental state improving.  

Therapy is going pretty good as well.  This coming Tuesday, he will be going into the pool for his therapy session.  They will be focusing on stretching and strength training from now until surgery.  

Speaking of surgery, Dallas has quite a few reservations about this.  He is very scared and doesn't want to go back through surgery.  There are numerous occasions on which he has cried about this, and we have to console him, and explain to him that it is needed so that he can continue to get better.  

We don't have a surgery date as of yet, but should know at our next visit to Dr. Molnar in April.

Dallas has been signed up for Victory Junction Summer Camp as well.  There is a week dedicated to children who are burn survivors, have skin disorders, as well as facial disorders and disabilities.

Unfortunately, I have found out that the camp week is around the end of June.  So depending on his surgery date, he may not be able to attend.  

I know Dallas is very excited about Spring!  We are already planning trips to the playground, the national forest, looking into going camping, going swimming, and so much more.  Hopefully Dallas will be able to enjoy a few months of fun before having to go through surgery and having a 15+ week recovery period.  

I will take more pictures soon to update the site with.  

Monster Jam!

A couple of weeks ago we received tickets to go to Monster Jam.

Dallas was thrilled!  He couldn't wait to go.

It has been a long time since we have went to Monster Jam, and the last time we went, the kids LOVED it!

Well, this time was no exception.  Dallas and Mac both had a blast!

Thank you for the wonderful gift for Dallas!  He enjoyed every moment!!!

Hey!

Dallas is doing well.  He keeps improving each and every day.
And although he is getting stronger, he still has a long journey ahead of him.

In April we will find out when they will schedule his release surgery.  We have found out that the estimated recovery time for this surgery will be about 15 weeks.  During this recovery, he will be splinted so that he is unable to move his arm.  This is supposed to help ensure that he will have proper skin growth and try and prevent the hypotrophic scarring that he currently has.

This means he will likely miss out on the first few weeks/months of school his first grade year.  Thankfully, the staff at his school is wonderful and accommodating his needs.  We are already discussing getting a homebound teacher in place for next year until he will be able to return.

Speaking of school, it is going great!  He is having a wonderful time and has made so many friends.  Dallas is now spelling, reading, adding, and subtracting, and he is able to write much more legibly (because as you know, he had to relearn how to use his right arm).

So all in all, things are going good.  We are so blessed to still have him with us, and we cherish every day with our kids.

Thank you all for the continued support, prayers, and well wishes!

Until next time.

This update is long overdue.
Sorry that I haven't been around much to keep you all informed of Dallas' progress.

However, here's the latest news.

Dallas had a wonderful Christmas.  He had a blast in Gatlinburg.
He got to spend time with his Nanna and Poppa, his Grandma and Grandpa, his bubba (Tyler), Kiana, Mac, and of course, Travis and me.  It was wonderful spending time with everyone.
Dallas played a lot of mini-golf while we were there.  GREAT exercise for his right arm!  And he did quite well.

He also went to the indoor waterpark!  I think he was a little intimidated at first, but he came around.  Once he got into the swing of things there, he didn't want to leave!  He ran around like a little six year old boy should.  :)

When we returned home, there was a package our neighbors held for us.  Addressed to Dallas.  He was so excited!  Upon opening it, he discovered a welding helmet with the signatures from all kinds of people!  He was thrilled!!  We now have it hanging on his wall, in his room.  And any time anyone sees it, he explains what it is.  :)


Recently, he underwent another round of steroid injections.  He did really well, and didn't show the least bit of fear.  In fact, we asked him if he was nervous.  His response?  "What is there to be nervous about?"  Words far to wise for a six year old.  Sigh.
The procedure lasted about an hour, and he came out of it well.  He was also excited about seeing his PawPaw and Uncle John; as well as his Grandma and Grandpa.  Afterwards, we all went out for breakfast (since he hadn't been able to eat for hours upon hours).

He has to go back for a check up in April.  At this appointment, they will be setting a date for his release surgery.
The doctor seemed to be unhappy about his arm, and some areas of the chest that were causing problems.  So it is our understanding that they will be cutting out all the tight scarring, and regrafting those areas.  :(
He will have to be splinted after this surgery, which is REALLY going to bother him.  I'm not too worried about his pain level from the surgery, as he has developed an extremely high pain tolerance.  I'm more worried about his mental and emotional state.  He will need 15 weeks recovery time from this!  That means he'll be starting the first grade late, he'll be splinted for months, and have very limited mobility.  He will practically be bedridden for the entire summer.  Hopefully we can figure out some things to do that will keep his mind occupied so he doesn't fall into too deep of a depression.

As for school... things are going great.  He is a little behind (mostly his sight words that deal with color) but other than that, he's become very accustomed to the routine.  He does get tired during school, and becomes irritated at his itching, which is becoming progressively worse, but overall, the teachers tell us that he's adapting quite well.

Therapy is also going well.  He is getting more areas of sensitivity in his skin, which are becoming overly sensitive.  This interferes with therapy, as it is becoming more and more painful for him.  But, we try to explain to him that this is a good thing, it means he is healing even better.

Pictures from the holidays and general activities will be soon to follow.

Thanks for keeping up with his progress!!!