Max Update! Jan 7, 2005

Wanted to let everyone know that earlier this week, (on recess) Max fell and broke his wrist. It’s not a serious break and we’re hopeful that he’ll have the brace off in 3 to 6 weeks. He was playing bump and fell backwards onto his right hand when trying to brace for the fall. He was pretty bumbed out about it. We were too. Even so, last night Max’s spirits seemed surprisingly bright and he helped us get past it. Together we worked on his homework, kicked a soccer ball around the kitchen and played some left handed foosball. It’s going to be hard though. He can’t play basketball, throw or catch a ball, write, paint… Many of the things Max loves to do and has been working to get better at. It’s also uncomfortable for him to have to have a cast on.

It is what it is.

Maybe this will give him some time to build up some more strength for playing sports. He’s playing basketball on a rec team but it’s been kind of frustrating for him. He wants to play so much - His dribbling skills are pretty good, but he just doesn’t have the strength yet – running, jumping and passing are tough for him. So maybe a little time away from it will turn out to be a good thing.

Anyway, we just wanted to let you all know about it and ask once again for prayers of love and healing for our dear Max.

We all had a very joyous Christmas! Sometimes it was almost indistinguishable from Christmas we’ve had in years before. I’ll see if I can get some pictures out soon. Here’s a few highlights –
Max had a Christmas tree in his honor at the Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Hotel benefiting Children’s Hospital! It was really a great event. Max’s tree had a western theme. We enjoyed seeing many of you at Mass on Christmas Eve and it was especially wonderful seeing and hearing the children’s chorus (Max sang in the choir again this year). After Christmas Max’s new twin cousins were born! We were all so excited to meet them. Mom and both twins are doing well. What a miracle.

Max’s hair is growing in! His eyebrows and eyelashes are almost back too. He’s pretty happy about it. He’s also getting more energy and keeps getting stronger. The other day he jumped up in the air a couple times in the kitchen and said– “Look I can jump higher now!”

Someday, not long from now, he’ll look like any other kid. It seemed so hard to imagine just a few months ago. It’s amazing, it’s glorious. I remember pushing Max around in a wheelchair at a basketball game and watching him struggle courageously to cross the infield to be first base coach. Many of you remember it too. Thanks for being here with us, for sharing this challenge with us. You didn’t have to. You’ll probably never be the same either.
If we want, we can see - Miracles.

Gonna keep it short this time, but we’ll try to get some pictures out soon.

Love, and Big ol’ Blessings!