Cora gains momentum

Traveled to Charlevoix, Mi. yesterday morning with Cora.  It was time to visit Dr. Statler again and see how the little button is doing.  Cora arrived with smiles for everyone and was so full of energy.  She was ripping the paper on the exam table, flipping back and forth, turning this way and that, rotating with leg and tummy pushes and even got up on her knees one time to show off.

Cora is always so full of happiness when she sees Dr. Statler and today was no different.  What Cora and I didn't know was that the day would end with Cora getting 4 vaccines to try and get her caught up on her immunizations. 

Before arriving Dr. Statler has talked with Dr. Webb and they both agreed that there was another adjustment needed to Cora's medication.  With that knowledge in hand the exam started.  Cora passed her well baby check with "well baby" status.  First time ever I think!

Are you ready for the weight news?  Cora weighs 13 lbs. and 10 ounces!!  Yep, you read it right...that is the heaviest Cora has been since her birth.  She is not only maintaining the weight gains, she is increasing in weight.  "Praise Creator" were the words of choice because I was filled with so much blessing and gratitude at that moment that it was all I could think to say.

I didn't hold Cora for her shots as I have become the safety net for anything "ouchy".  She cried and wiggled, but once the nurse stepped away and she was back in my arms she settled right down.  Then she deliberately looked at the nurses and babbled a few words, said "mama" and buried her head in my shoulder.  Wendy and Sue (the nurses) both agreed that they had just been told off in Cora language.  I have to admit, I thought so too.  (haha).

I am a firm believer in all things for a reason.  I believe that the energy work, the biofeedback work, the medicine adjustments, the doctor visits and everyone working for Cora's survival is being rewarded tenfold. 

So this day brings Cora with a mild fever from the shots and some very "touchy" thighs....but it finds her totally engrossed in her toys and thriving in the love that surrounds her.  Not only the love from me and her siblings, or the love from exteneded family, but also the love from you!

Cora's Feedback Therapy

Today was Cora's appointment for her energy work.  This work helps her to release any negative experience her body might be holding onto....it also gives the girl an amazing massage.  When Diane arrived to work with Cora I was introduced to the idea of allowing Diane's son, Darrel, to work with Cora's energy through a biofeedback program.  He was visitng from Colorado and is trained in this area and brought his machine with him to help Cora.

I have known Darrel since we were kids and I also know, without a doubt, that he would never do anything that would cause Cora harm.  Once the process was explained and tried on me, I agreed to allow him to do the energy work on Cora.

If any of you have doubts that this kind of work doesn't work let me just say this, Cora did not start gaining weight until after her first energy work session with Diane.

Cora was very cooperative in holding the two brass cylinders in her hands and was fascinated with the whole process.  Here is a short hand version of what the computer read from the biofeedback of Cora's energy.  Keep in mind that the only information the biofeedback program had was Cora's name and birthdate....no medical history was inputed for her file.

She was low in healing energy (out of frequency) in these areas:
lungs, lymphatic system, gallbladder, central nervous system and parathyroid.

All of these have been affected by her health problems since her birth.  She has retained water in her lungs and body.  Her gallbladder is directly related to the liver (which was enlarged until recently) and her thyroid helps regulate metabolism ( too much and there is lack of weight gain).

The program also pointed out that Cora is allergic to tuna, cheese and wheat.  Not to the point of having a severe reaction but her body is sensitive to these foods and it might aggravate how she processes her digestion.

If I doubted what the biofeedback would do for Cora, I no longer have those doubts.  After the session Cora took a quick ten minute nap and since than has been playful and "full of it". She has been displaying the most energy we have seen from her in about two weeks.

Hoopla?  Impossible?  I don't know.  I am not here to argue the good and bad of biofeedback energy therapy.  I just go by what I see.  Cora is an open book for this kind of therapy.  She does not have the prejudging idea of whether or not it will work for her.  She sits and embraces it with trust as she knows I would not hurt her.  She knows that Diane won't hurt her.  And with that trust comes a kind of healing that her body seems to be thriving with...and for me, that's the right kind of feedback this mama wants to hear and see!

**Quantum Biofeedback Therapy and How it Works

Quantum Biofeedback stimulates the body’s immune and energy systems in order to promote energy flow, while releasing stress previously caused by imbalanced frequencies.

How does it work?
Quantum Biofeedback is an advanced therapeutic technology based on Quantum physics. It scans for and detects over 10,000 common health factors - from everyday allergies to chronic illness.

The system then delivers therapies from this advanced device, back to your body to correct these imbalances and suggest lifestyle changes to maintain your new state of health. It can be used with just about any health condition.**

Cora's weight check

Cora's appointment for her weekly weight check left me again with mixed emotions.  I was so pleased to learn that she isn't losing weight.  But she hasn't gained any weight either.  She still remains at the 13 pounds 4 ounces that she was at last week.

I could be that woman that concentrates at the " not having gained any weight " part.  Yet, like I have written before, I choose to concentrate on the fact that Cora hasn't lost any weight.  This is pretty good I feel because she has had that medicine change in the last week.

She continues to play and laugh.  She continues to interact with joy and fussiness.  She continues to grab for everything in sight and transfer that item from hand to hand.  Cora has even started to try and put things into her mouth once she grabs on to an item. She continues to have a growing appetite.  Cora is starting to sit unassisted in her boppy pillow for two minute intervals before she loses her balance.  All huge successes and growth.

Looking at the past week in this way - I continue to see Cora growing and gaining in so many categories...even if one those isn't in the "pounds" department this week.

Cora's therapy session

Today Cora was visited by Early on program for her physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.  These women are working wonders for Cora Jean and her development.

This past two weeks have been busy with appointments so we were unable to get in Cora's exercises everyday.  Despite this, Cora still worked hard.

A new game was introduced to Cora during the session and it was to develop Cora's cognitive skills.  It was used to assess her abilities.  Cora blew them away!!  (Yep, mama bragging here) A toy was placed underneath a burping cloth and Cora was asked to find the toy.  She was shown the toy, it was put under the cloth and then the women waited.  Without hesitation Cora reached out, pulled off the cloth and found the toy!  First try.  Must have been a fluke, right?   They did it again and without fail Cora again moved the cloth and found the toy.

They next worked on Cora getting her knees underneath herself to move forward.  Cora still has poor muscle tone in her hip area and this tends to make her legs flop to the side instead of underneath herself.  Although she has gotten better at balancing on one arm and reaching for a toy with the other hand, she still struggles to get the hips and legs where they need to be.

Before the therapies ended Cora was introduced to the signs "book", "open/turn", and "E" for Emily.

Cora  has been lacking a little in energy the last two days.  She seems to be again sleeping and napping more than she is playing, but she had lots of energy for the therapy today.  She worked hard and napped after.

While Cora continues to excel and grow in some areas, she still struggles in other areas.  This doesn't  concern me though, because even the typical child will excel in some areas and struggle in others at this tender age.   What a joy that knowledge is...to know that , for today, she is "typical".

Cora's secret video

For those interested in viewing the video of Cora please email me a private request and I will give you the link to view the video.  It is finally working.  Yeah!!  Thanks for hanging in there with us while Cora and I figured out how to share it with ya'll.

headsupconsult@yahoo.com

Cora using sign language

I shot this video of Cora while she was playing on her blanket.   It just so happens that she had played long enough that she had worked up a thirst.  If you watch the video you will see Cora sign "milk" against her chest (it is usually where she does the sign or with her hand against something) and then she lets me know she is "all done" playing to get her point across. 

I hope you are able to view this video, and if so, please enjoy the moment of realness with Cora.

Grandmother's Love

Cora is fortunate to live close to her grandparents.  My folks share the farm that we live on so they have their house about 300 yards from our house.  You would think that means we are at each other's houses quite often.  The truth is that we rarely see each other.

 My parent's lives are full and busy.  They both work, they are both pastors of a church and they have several meetings on the week nights at their church building.  The kids and I have school, appointments and everyday doings that fill our life.  In reality , Cora sees her grandparents about once a week....if schedules mesh well.  So when I get asked, "How in the heck can you live so close to your parents and not get aggravated with them?"  I politely explain the above scenario.

I believe that in today's world my kids are fortunate.  They can run across the front field and visit with their grandparents if they see my folks car in the driveway.  Most kids cannot do this.  We live in a time when our traditions and cultures are the last thought in most minds and where instant gratification is the forefront of any service.  My kids are learning to not take for granted the love and acceptance my parents share with them.  They are so lucky to be able to learn from the wisdom of an elder family member, to sit and listen to stories of their grandparent's childhood and their grandparent's parent's childhoods. 

In a time of my life when I see and hear of so many of my class mates losing their parent's, I am so very grateful that Cora is sharing this time with my parents.  On a cold winter day at naptime I can think of no greater place for Cora  than in her "GG Kramer's" arms.  It is here that she is given a lifetime of stories, is surrounded with total acceptance, complete love.....and shared snores.