recovery

Isaac is out of surgery.  They finished surgery around 7 pm and he was we saw him in is room in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) around 8.  He is stable and sedated.  This was a very extensive surgery on his little body.  It was very complicated and there are many risks involved.  We continue to pray hard, especially in the next 48 hours as we learn how successful his surgery was.

We are so thankful for all of the prayers from everyone.  When people ask how they can help, prayer is truly what we need most.  Tonight we continue to ask all of our amazing prayer warriors to continue sending love for our little man as he still needs many prayers and positive thoughts.

                                     He is one tough little guy and we are very proud of him.

in surgery

Isaac is now in surgery.  Yesterday he did well getting his PICC line.  He did not enjoy being cooped up in his hospital room, not eating, and the bowel prep, but we made it through.

We headed to the OR prep room around 7 and went over things with his doctors.  He charmed the nurses and played with his little toy and he loved the ride in the bed down to the OR. In true Isaac style, he remarked and pointed to pictures on the walls as we rode down.  I think I even heard him woof a few times at Scooby Doo stickers that were on the wall.

                                                    yesterday before getting PICC line

Leaving him was probably the hardest part of the day for me.  I think in this case today, laughter was the best medicine for me.... Before they took Isaac from us they gave him a medicine to relax him so the separation would be easier on him.  I am so glad we had them give it to him.  He instantly started giggling and you could tell he was feeling pretty good from the medicine.  It was good medicine for Dan and I too, because we knew that he was in good spirits and unaware of what lie ahead of him.

        Having fun with brother Gabe yesterday.  Gabe's visit was the highlight of Isaac's day.


We got a call around 9:30 stating that the orthopedic doctor had begun the bone portion of the surgery.  It sounds like this part will take about an hour or two and then they will begin the urological and abdominal parts of the surgery.  He was stable and doing well when they began.

Our brave little man.  

Thank you to EVERYONE for the outpouring of love, prayers, support and well wishes for Isaac and our entire family.  We are amazed by the how many people are supporting us and lifting us up and we can feel it.  Thank you so much!  Knowing that so many people are lifting Isaac up in prayer gives us peace and comfort as we get get through today and the recovery road ahead.

allow the miracle

Dear Friends,

18 months ago we heard that most of our unborn child's body systems had something wrong with them.  Things would not be in the correct place or function how it should.  We prayed.  We begged for prayers. We believed.  We hoped for a miracle.

June 16th a miracle occurred.  Isaac was born alive and strong.

June 18th, he endured his first surgery.  He did well and again, we felt God's hands protecting our little boy.  Another miracle.

August 24th at 2 months old, Isaac had his second surgery.  He had a 2 pound fluid filled sac filling with spinal fluid from his cord was removed from his small 10 pound body.  He was eating within an hour after this major surgery and home after 9 days.  Another miracle.

Our little boy is now 15 months old.  We were told he may not develop like most children.  He has a vocabulary of 25 words, can toss the football, sits on his own, drinks from a straw, loves pizza, potato chips and American cheese.  He gives us kisses and claps in delight.....

God is working.  We are blessed.

Tomorrow we will leave for the hospital at 6 am.  Isaac will have a small procedure to have a PICC line placed.  This will provide him with nourishment, fluids and medicine while he is in surgery and recovering.

Tuesday he will have his big surgery at 7:30 am.  It is expected to be at least 12 hours long. Four surgeons will be involved; 2 urologists, 1 colorectal surgeon, and 1 orthopedic surgeon.  Simply put, they will be breaking his pelvic bones because they are currently splayed like a frog.  They need to break them in order to rotate his bladder and bowels into his body.  It is obviously much more complicated than I explained, but to be quite honest, I am not sure I can even explain it in a way that makes much sense.

Throughout our journey we have had so many people tell us that they are praying for our sweet little Isaac.  We are humbled to know that you all sending love to our special boy.  We truly could not have been strong for Isaac, without each of your support.  I have great comfort in knowing that when I am not tired and down, someone, somewhere is praying for Isaac and I am amazed.

I want Isaac to know that he is perfect and I love him exactly how he is.  He doesn't need to change one bit and in my eyes, he is beautiful and perfect.  I also want him to know, I believe in miracles.  I believe that God can heal his body and work through his surgeons to help make his earthly body more functional.  I believe that God can do anything.  I just need to allow the miracle.

So today, if you have a moment, would you join me in saying a prayer for healing for Isaac, wisdom and skill for his surgeons and belief.  Please believe with me that with God, anything is possible. Please visualize Isaac's body healthy, whole and functioning the best that it can.  I even like to picture his little legs moving, jumping and walking.

Please join us.

allow the miracle. 

Preparing

In one week we will be in the hospital preparing for Isaac's big surgery.  He has had two big surgeries already and this one could be even bigger, or should I say longer. It is expected to be at least 10-12 hours long.   His surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday, Oct. 9th.  This is something that I have not been looking forward to since birth, however I am looking forward to positive outcomes for Isaac as it will hopefully provide him more stability and be overall better for his body.  He will have a very long recovery, but I have Faith that God will comfort my little man in His loving arms when I can not.  

So many families travel all over the country or even world to find the hospital that can best help their baby.  While we do have to travel 2 hours to reach the hospital where his surgery and recovery will be, we are so fortunate we have family that so lovingly takes us in and lets us stay with them.  It really makes such a difference in our stay.  We are also so blessed that each one of our parents has volunteered a week of vacation from work to babysit for our oldest son, Gabe so that I can be with Isaac at the hospital each day.  I can tell you that Gabe already knows what weeks who will be watching him and he is excited to have special time with each grandparent.  This gives me more comfort than I can say just knowing that Gabe is in good hands and with people that love him.  

So, we have been preparing.  I have been cleaning our house (I hate to come home to a messy house!), packing, redoing closets (because when we return the weather will be cooler for sure!), and gathering toys, books, etc to help make Isaac's hospital stay as comfortable as possible. I am trying to not get too hyper and stay as relaxed as I can.  I am trying to enjoy these last weeks before surgery with boys doing fun fall things!

Here are some of our highlights from the last couple weeks....

Football Saturdays and watching The Ohio State Buckeyes play!

Going apple picking

Fun at the farm

And having cozy family time each night.

This is how we roll

Even though I was a child development major, I sometimes forget that you can't force a child into developing and doing things faster than they are ready.  I also forget that Isaac was born 5 1/2 weeks premature.  So really, when he turned 1, he was really only like that of a 10 1/2 month old.

We got Isaac his first wheelchair when he was pretty little because we want him to have the opportunity to grow and get around the best that he can.  We wanted him to have the ability to be mobile when he was ready.  We knew it would take time for him to catch on to his wheels but for some reason I felt like when he turned 1 he would suddenly start rolling around.  Well, he did start catching on, but he didn't magically start wheeling all over the house.  Every day we work on it.  Some days he improves, other days he just whines and would rather be carried.  Little by little he moves more and more and I am sure before I know it, he will be moving more than whining.

Isaac wants to show you how he rolls!

He first started by putting his hands on his wheels and pulling them backwards, hence moving himself backwards.  I think it was a little bit frustrating for him because he didn't understand why he didn't go forward.  

Then one day, when he was about 13 months old, he accidentally pushed his wheels and.... moved forward!  He started to learn what "push" meant.  We kept encouraging him to push his wheels!  A couple of things.... he knows what his wheels are AND, he is pretty stubborn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUzW6v0scFY&feature=g-upl  Isaac is learning his wheels.

Daddy and his big brother Gabe are really good at encouraging Isaac to move in his wheels.  Daddy has even made up a pretty catchy tune to help motivate the little man and Gabe loves singing it to Isaac.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pc-iQS6SBQ&feature=context-gau
Big brother motivates Isaac

 Last night I was working on getting dinner made and was at the kitchen sink.  Isaac was at the fridge playing with fridge letters in his chair.  All of a sudden I felt a bump on my leg and I hear a sweet, little "mama!"  I look down and see my littlest man with a big grin grabbing onto my leg!  He had the most proud grin on and I was shocked!  He had rolled over to me on his own without any encouragement or help!  

It was just what I had been waiting for!

I still would have chosen you. By Terri Banish

Dear Isaac,
Today I read this poem and it touched my heart.  I couldn't have said the words better myself.  I hope that one day, when you are old enough to understand, you read this and know just how much I love you.
Love, 
Mommy

I STILL WOULD HAVE CHOSEN YOU- By Terri Banish

If before you were born, I could have gone to heaven and saw all the beautiful souls, I still would have chosen you.

If God had told me, "This soul would one day need extra care and needs", I still would have chosen you.

If He had told me, "This soul may make your heart bleed", I still would have chosen you.

If He had told me, "This soul would make you question the depth of your faith", I still would have chosen you.

If He had told me, "This soul would make tears flow from your eyes that could fill a river", I still would have chosen you.

If He had told me, "This soul may one day make you witness overbearing suffering", I still would have chosen you.

If He had told me, "All that you know to be normal would drastically change", I still would have chosen you.

Of course, even though I would have chosen you, I know it was God who chose me for you

Go Away Germs!

Well, Isaac was on the upswing, then caught a fever again this weekend.  He seems to have more viral symptoms; congestion, fever, crankiness, etc.  I think the poor guy's immune system is down a little so any lack of sleep or little germ he comes in contact with seem to be attacking him.

Here's what I have to say about that; Go Away Germs!  You are not welcome in our household anymore!  Stay clear of Isaac, his brother and all of us for that matter!

I feel much better after declaring that to the world.  I have decided September is our month to get healthy and enjoy fall.  As I mentioned before, Isaac will be going in for his big surgery Oct. 9th.  This is his surgery when his bladder will be placed inside, his abdominal wall defect will be repaired and his pelvic cut in order for everything to rotate into the correct places.  It is a very long surgery, most likely 8-12 hours long and a very long recovery... probably 6 weeks.  He must be healthy for this big surgery.  I hope and pray that he gets healthy and all of these germs stay away from all of us so that Isaac can go into his surgery as healthy as possible.  If you have a moment, would send a positive healthy vibe his way?  He could use a some.  Thanks!

PS.  The little man got his first hair cut a few weeks ago!  I was sad to see his little baby curls go, but when 4 out of the last 5 people adored Isaac and explained "how cute she is", I decided it was time.

Before haircut:

After haircut: