Progress vs. Progressive

When the Doctors talk about this disease that they say Georgia has (that she absolutely doesn't have) they keep using the word progressive. They feel even though she's developing normal now, besides the swallow, the disease will progressively spread and begin to affect other parts of her body. So all week the word progress has been on my mind.

Right now, I'm seeing some definite progress. Georgia rolled over twice this week. When you hold her in a sitting position she totally supports herself. She's talking. It's so cute to hear because you can tell she loves the sound of her own voice. Infants with this progressive disease can't vocalize by the way because their vocal cords are paralyzed as well,,,,hmmmm ;). The most amazing progress, and I think it speaks volumes is, Georgia couldn't handle secretions when she left the nicu. Even on a strong dosage of Robinol to dry out secretions she would constantly choke on her own spit. I was looking into vital stim shock therapy for her (electrons placed on her throat, would provide a shock to stimulate those paralyzed muscles). Anyway, they told me they won't do it unless she can handle her own secretions. I have noticed she's getting better lately. I never have to suction, so I decide to take her dosage down to every eight hours, so three times a day. She handled that perfectly. So with my home nurses pressuring I took her down to every 12 hours, twice a day. Also, the dosage shes on was formulated for her at 8lbs, now shes 10lbs, so its a lighter dose than what she should be getting.  She's having a little bit of secretions, but nothing like before. I'm going to leave her here for awhile and let her learn to deal with it. Basically, this tells me she's learning to SWALLOW!!!  She's not drooling them out. Progress, not progressive!!

The other major progress is spiritual in nature. I had a friend tell me that she missed those moments and the time she had with her sick daughter because she felt so close to the Lord during that time. She said time goes on and you forget and life starts going again and you get caught up again. I'm having a friend write on my family room wall again. It's from Thomas S. Monsons talk, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/to-learn-to-do-to-be?lang=eng. "May we, learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be who we should be.". It's so simple and during this trial I've had such a desire to do this, just learn and do and be what the Lord expects of me. I've been surrounded by people who serve and love how we are supposed to.  Dinners, phone calls, texts, help with leaky basements and roofs, and a home visit to get my hair done. Service that helps me feel Gods love for me and my family. 

I want the quote on my wall because long after Georgia has developed and outgrown her problems I want to always remember, I want to remember to continue to learn, to do, and to be who I should be!  Keep progressing and growing in this life. We are all here for a reason, there is a plan!  If we learn what we should learn, do what we should do, and be who we should be there are great rewards!