Allison went to Homecoming this year with a boy she didn't know previously. One of her friends, Carson, called one night and explained that this other boy was asking her and that they would be in a group together, so Allison would at least know Carson. The boy that would be asking her has stage four bone cancer and Carson wanted him to go on a fun date, since so much of his time was spent at the hospital. Allison's date returned home from the hospital the day before the dance so they started out the date at his home for dinner. They went to the school to get pictures taken and went into the dance for a few minutes until her date was too tired. After taking her date home, Allison went back to the dance with her friend and his date. She had worried it would be awkward, but it wasn't. After the dance, they joined back up with the original, bigger group and played games at one of the boy's house afterward. Allison had a great time, despite the fact that she had either a date who couldn't do much or no date at all.
On September 24, Allison had her new shoes on for Social Dance class and was jogging across the room, getting to her spot for her Waltz test. As she was moving, she stepped wrong and rolled her ankle, causing intense pain. Her dance teacher called me and I hurried to the school. By the time I arrived, she was in the athletic trainer's office. He had looked at her foot and was putting it in a temporary splint. He recommended seeing the orthopedist and made an appointment for us. They were unsure if there really was a break, but put a cast on because of the strong pain she was experiencing. It was a green half-leg cast. She was given crutches and a prescription for a knee scooter (that she said she did not need). That evening we went to her work party without her, enjoying the Red Barn's corn maze, hay stack, slides, and cars, along with treats, while she stayed home elevating her foot and writing an essay.
The next day Allison sent a text saying she may want the knee scooter after all. By the time she got home she was in tears, mostly due to the exhaustion of moving about on crutches all day. Charles brought a rented knee scooter home and she used that (and occassionally crutches) to get around for the next two weeks. She drove the van to school nearly every day. (Getting the knee scooter on the bus would not work and she couldn't drive the Kia Soul, her preferred car, because she couldn't push the clutch.
After the two weeks was up, the x-rays showed clearly that her foot had broken. It was small, but there was an avulsion, a piece broken off, and a small fracture. Since it was starting to heal well, she was allowed to be in a walking boot. This was nice because it could be taken off. She kept the crutches for a day because walking was different and a little painful at first.
Allison, during this time, participated in all-state choir. She enjoyed the training from a renowned conductor and the association with other singers throughout the state. We all went to the Salt Lake Tabernacle to hear her perform.
Two days before Allison's birthday, she got the cast off. She went around telling people she had two shoes on! That was what she liked the most. It is interesting what you miss when you are without something for a month. She stretches and strengthens her ankle regularly and is limping less each day.
Erica now has contacts. She does not like the feel of them, but they help her see a little better. They are also almost no-cost because she has nystagmus -- a condition where her eyes move constantly.
Ethan went to BYU Merit Badge PowWow and is working on three merit badges. He has a long list of homework to do in the next two weeks.
Eli had another, though minor, concussion. At school he was running in from recess and ran into another girl also running to class. They smacked heads then Eli fell back and hit his head on the asphalt. He was quite the gentleman, blocking the girl's fall with his own body. :) He had a bad headache and sore elbows for awhile. I watched him closely for the first couple hours. He threw up a few times, but felt better after watching Star Wars.
Joshua has been entertaining himself for weeks by kicking balls in the backyard. After several went over the fence into the field behind our house, he began attempting to get them over the house. He would often hit the house, but kept trying. In the past week or so he has been playing football more than kicking the ball. This may be due to the fact that his best friend and neighbor is playing football on a city team now.
