Happy Halloween!!

Just wanted to say...Happy Halloween!!! We are leaving tomorrow to take Luke to two weeks of therapy at the Napa Center! I will post updates while there and also an update coming soon about the great family conference we had yesterday with his therapists at the Neuro Institute. It is always great to hear, "amazing progress," and "bright kid," when they are referring to Luke!!! Have a great time trick or treating tonight!

Luke as Optimus Prime!

Our Super Hero for sure!

Busy Boy!!

Luke has been one busy boy lately. We are finally getting him into a set therapy schedule, just in time to leave for Napa for two weeks, but we will resume therapy here once we get back. So here is what he does each week:
Monday-3 hours at neuro institute
Tuesday-PT, OT, and starting when we get back ST at home each week with home bound therapists
Wed-3 hours at neuro institute
Thursday-horse therapy, OT, and ST
Friday-3 hours at neuro institute

So...he will be getting 3 hours of therapy each and every day...Go Luke!!

Here is the cute story of the week: On Monday Luke had a new speech therapist come out and do an evaluation on him. I am showing her different ways we communicate with him. So I say, "Luke show Ms. Erica how you tell us no." (I expect him to put up his hand in a stop sign.) Instead the little stinker says, "No," plain as day with his mouth 4 times. I think she was as shocked as I was. He has not been wanting to talk at all lately. I am excited for Ms. Erica to work with Luke. She seems like she is going to be great.

Now for the heart warming story of the week: I was ordering lunch at Paradise Bakery earlier this week when the couple in front of me asks how Luke is doing. Now, I did not have Luke with me, so I was sort of shocked. I said he is doing good, and they asked about our trip to Disneyland. Then the guy proceeds to tell me he was there the night Luke was hurt (on the second truck that arrived.) He told me he was certainly surprised by the progress Luke is making. Just another reminder that God is good and answering our prayers everyday! Now, I did not get his name, but it certainly touched me that he is still following Luke to this day. I know him and his wife read this so thanks again for continuing to follow Luke's progress and for the part you played in saving his life that night.

Disneyland!

Well we had a great trip to Disneyland. Luke's favorite ride was the new Toy Story Midway Mania ride and of course Buzz Astro Blasters...he loves anything you can shoot! He also won a large prize at the fishing game...another highlight for him. Here are some pics from our trip:

Our group at the entrance.

Luke gets to hold his little sis for a bit.

This little boy made Luke's day! He indulged in Luke's many knuckle givings throughout the parade. It warmed my heart to see another kid actually interact with him instead of just stare at or ignore him. We ran into his family the next day at CA Adventure. His dad told me he was glad he ran into us again because he wanted to let me know they were praying for Luke. I made sure to tell him how happy his son made Luke and I. The world needs more folks like that:)

Standing time with mom.

Dressed in our costumes for trick or treating at the park. Luke is Optimus Prime Transformer this year.

When we got back Friday night, I sat Luke down for dinner and he did the most amazing thing....started eating his food with his LEFT hand. Good old lefty has been very SLOW to wake up. The amazing thing about this is, I never told him to do it (not that he would listen anyway:) I just looked over and he using lefty. Not sure what made him do it...but we will take it! Go Luke, way to persevere through once again!

Therapy...

Luke continues to work super hard in therapy...have I mentioned lately how much this kid amazes me!! He did great everyday this week at therapy at the Neuro-Institute. They have been working on walking with a walker, walking up stairs, drawing, using lefty, riding a bike and a scooter, and many other things! Next week Luke will be rewarded with a trip to Disneyland! I think he is excited about that. Then therapy here for 2 weeks...then onto the Napa Center in California for two weeks. Then, when we get back the therapists at the Neuro Institute wants to try constraint therapy with Luke to get him using his left hand more. I can't believe this year is almost over...where has time gone? Anyway here are a few pics of Luke in action this week...thanks for continuing to follow him on this journey....

Practicing his crawling while pushing a dump truck.

At home playing his Sponge Bob Video game.

Let them do their job....

We made it home safe and sound...now let those stem cells do their job and make their way into the damaged areas in Luke's brain. All went well with the IV infusion of the cells. Luke is such a trooper and did not even make a peep when they stuck him with the needle various times to get the IV started. He was very curious as to what the nurse was doing and did not take his eyes off her while she was sticking him. So, now we wait and see what those cells will do. Pray we see AMAZING things.

Dr. Ramirez injecting Luke with the stem cells.