My "PLAN"

After last week's appointment I figured it was about time for me to put my "PLAN" into action on how I lift Andrew as my pregnancy progresses. Up to this point when Dave isn't home I have been lifting Andrew (all 75lbs) of him out of bed in the mornings, then on to the chair glide, then carrying him into the family room for breakfast and getting him ready for school. None of that can be good for my pregnancy. I haven't been able to even bring myself to ask my doctor about lifting Andrew - I know it can't be good.

Several weeks ago I had ordered a patient lift system for Andrew. The lift allows for me to put Andrew in a sling on the floor or anywhere and I can pull a lever and up Andrew goes to wherever he needs to be. Also as part of the "PLAN", several weeks ago, Dave worked out a schedule with his boss that he could be home by 4pm ish to help me get Andrew out of his wheelchair after school.

Last week I got the call that the lift we ordered for Andrew had come in, so my mom, the kids and I drove to Cumberland this past Friday to pick it up. Dave and I practiced lifting all the kids and even I lifted Dave. We somewhat got the hang of it, but I need to practice more. The lifting just doesn't look right, but actually Andrew is very happy with it. His teachers at school have been lifting him in a device like this all school year, so he could care less - he's used to it. He probably prefers this kind of lift over Dave and I struggling to get a hold of him and carry him from place to place.

The biggest part of my "PLAN" was to clear out the dining room on the main level and buy a mattress for Andrew to sleep on. So we cleared everything out and set up a downstairs bedroom. This would eliminate all of the lifting for me, because Andrew would be on the main level. The lift will help me on the main level. We have a mattress for me to sleep on next to Andrew. I just don't like the idea of moving him downstairs, while we are all upstairs. I want to be near him.

Last night was our first night sleeping in our new arrangement. It went well, other than Andrew decided to "talk" to me and peak his head all around the place for about 3 hours from 10pm-1am. I'm a bit tired today, but relieved that I don't have to worry about how I'm going to get Andrew here or there. This whole thing has been worrying me for months, so I am happy to finally have everything into place..... Just have to keep thinking we can hopefully have our five months of this and get back to our normal again in April.