Love For Ashley

My life has been absolutely crazy lately with the start of school, Ashley's after school dance practices and performances and now Brad's Fall baseball practice and games  I so apologize for not giving my readers an update on the goings on with Ashley.  For the most part Ashley is doing fantastically well despite her liver disease and in spite of her liver disease.  I can't remember if I posted about her last visit to Shands so I apologize in advance if this is a repeat. As you know Ashley's platelet count has been dropping, well then it will be no surprise to you to learn that her platelet count is still low and even lower than her last report.  What will be surprising is that her liver functions seem to be elevating evermore slightly with each lab draw.  We aren't sure why. Which is pretty funny.  Of course we know why...the kid has liver disease. Really.  Anyway. Ashley liver doctor was having knee surgery during our visit to Shands and w...

Now that Ashley is on the high school dance team she is required to get a minimum of $175 in sponsorship money. Below is the Sponsorship letter explaining more.   Our first $175 in Sponsorship money is due by May 30.  Please consider sponsoring Ashley.  DO NOT USE PAYPAL TO DONATE.  Please write the check out to SHS Dazzlers, and put Ashley Johansen in the memo section of the check. Make sure you include a return address so that we can send a "Giving Receipt." Thank you. If you have any questions, please email Laurie@cfl.rr.com . Dear Sponsor, As you know Ashley made the 2012/2013 Dazzler Dance Team of Seminole High School.  The Dazzlers are a five time UDA National High Kick Champion as well as a two time MA National Champions for both JV and Varsity.  And just this past season they won the FDTDA State Championships in both JV and Varsity in ALL dance divisions.  This is their ninth consecutive year winning ...

NO SURGERY.  Yes, you got it Brad does not need surgery on his elbow. The MRI results showed no tears, breaks, pulls....no injury at all.  We are so happy about this especially since this surgery would have cost us $6,000 out of pocket.  Brad needs rehab to build strength.  He is working on pitching exercises provided by a sports trainer.  Currently, Brad is not playing baseball although he been asked to play with several travel ball teams.  We are looking at the possibility of hiring a pitching coach.  I know Brad is happy that he now has a good chance to get on the varsity baseball team next spring since he has no injury. I have been sick off and on for the last few weeks which is the reason for the lack of updates.  We have plenty of reasons to update.  Like, Ashley quit dance.  Not really. But kind of.  Ashley finished her last year competing in dance a couple Sunday's ago.  As stated before, this year in dance ha...

Brad went to Jewet Orthopedic yesterday, the good news is he has no broken bones in his elbow. We are waiting for approval from our insurance company for an MRI. Once that is done we should have a better idea if  he has UCL tear in his elbow and if he will need "Tommy John" surgery.  Brad only has about three weeks free on his calendar for surgery.  If surgery is needed Brad wants to have it done ASAP.  However, with FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test), AP exams and End-of-Course exams, scheduling this surgery may be difficult.  Plus he is scheduled to take the ACT test just after the last day of school which is May 31. This should be fun...Not.

Pop Goes the Weasel Elbow.  When you are a dancer your most feared injury might be a broken or sprained ankle.  But when you are a baseball player especially a pitcher,  your most feared injury is that of the elbow.  We are experiencing that fear now.  Brad's elbow popped during baseball practice yesterday. He was accessed by the high school's athletic trainer and he suspects that Brad may have a torn UCL (Ulnar Colleteral Ligament). Right now he is at Jewet Orthopedic being evaluated. If the tear is severe he will need surgery, which means he will not be playing baseball for 9 months to a year.  And it also means he will be going through intense physical therapy. Oh boy, more medical bills (said with all the sarcasm I can muster). Brad is handling all of this well.  We are looking at the positive side of things.  We are blessed that this injury occured with only two games left in the baseball season....

First, I had no idea that Ashley hijacked her blog, sorry.  She is such a good little dancer, and good girl.  I guess she is paying way to close attention to her dad and I when we talk argue about the cost of dance.  Also, I do want to thank everyone who helped us, we didn't receive a lot of donations but every little bit helped.  Thank you so much.  With your donations plus our funds, all of her competitive dance is paid for, rehearsals, competition fees, etc.  This is a huge a relief for us.  Now we can focus on paying for her last two months of dance.  Ashley's last dance competition is in May in Mobile, Alabama.  Ashley will be independently competing both her solos in Mobile to allow our extended family a chance to see her dance.  The only person that has seen Ashley dance is my mom.  My in-laws, sisters, nieces and nephews have only seen Ashley dance on video and believe me it is not the same.  Since this is Ashley's la...

Hi all it me Ashley again hijacking the blog. I begging you to please help my mom and dad pay for my last two dance competitions. This is my last year competiting and I really want to finish the year. My mom is working two jobs to help, put it isn't enough. Especially with my doctor bills but this year it has been my dads drs bills that isn't helping. So if you can me stay in dance, please and thank you. :) Ashley