and
A Bengal Tiger!
And they are wishing you a Happy Halloween!
And..... you, yeah you! Don't tell the zoo where we are!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Stowaways
It appears that we had some stowaways from the Cincinnati Zoo ....
A Giraffe
and
A Bengal Tiger!
And they are wishing you a Happy Halloween!
And..... you, yeah you! Don't tell the zoo where we are!
and
A Bengal Tiger!
And they are wishing you a Happy Halloween!
And..... you, yeah you! Don't tell the zoo where we are!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Home
Great news! On Friday Isaac was discharged from the hospital! We stayed at Dan's parents house over the weekend (Grammy and Papa's) just in case we needed to go back to the hospital the first couple of days. It was nice to have a relaxing weekend and have Isaac with us!
Sunday we headed home in the car bed. Isaac has an external fixator which is a metal bar contraption with three pins from the fixator in each hip/pelvis. This doesn't fit in a car seat so he lays in a car bed to travel. It is a little challenging to get him in and out, so he will stay at home most of the time until his fixators come off which will be Nov. 27th.
When we got home, right away Isaac was pointing to all his toys wanted to see them all!
Isaac is allowed to be held and sit up but his activities are limited. He is still healing from surgery. He has his fixator on still as mentioned above and also a drain in his bladder while it heals. We have to be careful lifting and carrying him and he has limited places he can be. We found two little seats that work pretty well.
He likes to play on his little kid sofa chair. He is currently propped in front of the TV watching Baby Signing Time, drinking milk, eating goldfish and playing with his little kitchen toy. I'd say the fixator isn't stopping him!
(Isaac with his Zoolander face)
We also found a little doggy chair that Dan put a belt through to sit at the table at since he doesn't fit in a high chair. We realized he was so low to the table so we pulled up Gabe's little card table. The boys have been feeling pretty big sitting solo together! I have a feeling when the fixators come off it might be hard to have them come back to our kitchen table.
Gabe has been such a sport. He was excited when he got home to find a new bed in his room! He graduated from his toddler bed to a big boy single bed! I guess that happens when you are "three, almost four!" He was excited to go back to preschool today. He has been playing trains and basketball and has been asking already about seeing his friends that he's missed.
It's nice to see my boys playing together again!
Sunday we headed home in the car bed. Isaac has an external fixator which is a metal bar contraption with three pins from the fixator in each hip/pelvis. This doesn't fit in a car seat so he lays in a car bed to travel. It is a little challenging to get him in and out, so he will stay at home most of the time until his fixators come off which will be Nov. 27th.
When we got home, right away Isaac was pointing to all his toys wanted to see them all!
Isaac is allowed to be held and sit up but his activities are limited. He is still healing from surgery. He has his fixator on still as mentioned above and also a drain in his bladder while it heals. We have to be careful lifting and carrying him and he has limited places he can be. We found two little seats that work pretty well.
He likes to play on his little kid sofa chair. He is currently propped in front of the TV watching Baby Signing Time, drinking milk, eating goldfish and playing with his little kitchen toy. I'd say the fixator isn't stopping him!
(Isaac with his Zoolander face)
We also found a little doggy chair that Dan put a belt through to sit at the table at since he doesn't fit in a high chair. We realized he was so low to the table so we pulled up Gabe's little card table. The boys have been feeling pretty big sitting solo together! I have a feeling when the fixators come off it might be hard to have them come back to our kitchen table.
Gabe has been such a sport. He was excited when he got home to find a new bed in his room! He graduated from his toddler bed to a big boy single bed! I guess that happens when you are "three, almost four!" He was excited to go back to preschool today. He has been playing trains and basketball and has been asking already about seeing his friends that he's missed.
It's nice to see my boys playing together again!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Hopes and Dreams
Matthew 17:20, He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
As a parent, I believe we are always striving for the "best" for our children. The best looks different for different people and different families. The best even looks different for each child within a family. We all want "the best".
So ever since I heard of Isaac's spinal problem and learned that he would most likely not walk, I continued to dream of the best. What would be the best solution? A wheelchair wouldn't cut it. He would walk.
Well, knowing that Isaac's legs don't move and he doesn't cry when he gets shots in them, I am pretty sure I could confidently say, he won't walk. Medically, it would be a very unlikely happening. Some may say impossible.
But, as impossible as it appears, and as crazy as it seems, I believe that one day, yes, one day, he will walk.
I have done lots of research as I am sure most parents do when they are searching for the best. I have read about stem cell research and awesome new devices like the exobionics exoskeleton. http://eksobionics.com/ or the rewalk http://rewalk.com/
Recent Noble Peace Prize winners have amazing research in adult stem cell advances http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/08/world/europe/sweden-nobel-prize-medicine/index.html Good things are happening. There are very smart people out there doing really smart things.
We are very fortunate to have some of the best doctors in the world for our son. We are blessed that not only are they pretty darn smart and good at what they do, but they are also very understanding and hopeful. It's not everyday you find that. I remember even before Isaac was born we spoke with one of his doctors. After telling us about Isaac's challenges, he reminded us that this is now. In 10, 15, 20 years, technology will change. We can't predict what his options will be then.
Tonight, I was talking with Isaac's neurosurgeon and I asked him what he could tell me about non-embryonic stem cell treatment for kids with spina bifida. While there are stem cell treatments available for children with spina bifida in other countries, there is not a lot of regulation and the results are minimal. But, that is today. He shared information about how doctors and researchers are finding our more about how our own stem cells can work to rebuild organs and tissue. Despite the severity of Isaac's defect, he gave hope that Isaac could reap benefits from these advances in his lifetime.
Tonight, I know that I am at peace with Isaac's wheelchair. He will get around just fine with it and he will be awesome. Whether he uses a chair or his legs or a robotic leg mover, the world is at his fingertips. But I also know that the world is changing so rapidly and many people are working hard to find ways to help everyone live a full life and achieve dreams they never thought possible.
Tonight, I am reminded of the mustard seed and filled with hope.
There is no dream too big and no dreamer too small.
As a parent, I believe we are always striving for the "best" for our children. The best looks different for different people and different families. The best even looks different for each child within a family. We all want "the best".
So ever since I heard of Isaac's spinal problem and learned that he would most likely not walk, I continued to dream of the best. What would be the best solution? A wheelchair wouldn't cut it. He would walk.
Well, knowing that Isaac's legs don't move and he doesn't cry when he gets shots in them, I am pretty sure I could confidently say, he won't walk. Medically, it would be a very unlikely happening. Some may say impossible.
But, as impossible as it appears, and as crazy as it seems, I believe that one day, yes, one day, he will walk.
I have done lots of research as I am sure most parents do when they are searching for the best. I have read about stem cell research and awesome new devices like the exobionics exoskeleton. http://eksobionics.com/ or the rewalk http://rewalk.com/
Recent Noble Peace Prize winners have amazing research in adult stem cell advances http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/08/world/europe/sweden-nobel-prize-medicine/index.html Good things are happening. There are very smart people out there doing really smart things.
We are very fortunate to have some of the best doctors in the world for our son. We are blessed that not only are they pretty darn smart and good at what they do, but they are also very understanding and hopeful. It's not everyday you find that. I remember even before Isaac was born we spoke with one of his doctors. After telling us about Isaac's challenges, he reminded us that this is now. In 10, 15, 20 years, technology will change. We can't predict what his options will be then.
Tonight, I was talking with Isaac's neurosurgeon and I asked him what he could tell me about non-embryonic stem cell treatment for kids with spina bifida. While there are stem cell treatments available for children with spina bifida in other countries, there is not a lot of regulation and the results are minimal. But, that is today. He shared information about how doctors and researchers are finding our more about how our own stem cells can work to rebuild organs and tissue. Despite the severity of Isaac's defect, he gave hope that Isaac could reap benefits from these advances in his lifetime.
Tonight, I know that I am at peace with Isaac's wheelchair. He will get around just fine with it and he will be awesome. Whether he uses a chair or his legs or a robotic leg mover, the world is at his fingertips. But I also know that the world is changing so rapidly and many people are working hard to find ways to help everyone live a full life and achieve dreams they never thought possible.
Tonight, I am reminded of the mustard seed and filled with hope.
There is no dream too big and no dreamer too small.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
He Will Laugh
Isaac Michael
Isaac: meaning, He will laugh
Isaac's laugh (click this link or video below)
That's what it's all about....
Isaac: meaning, He will laugh
Isaac's laugh (click this link or video below)
That's what it's all about....
Monday, October 22, 2012
Peek-a-boo, wagon rides and healing
Isaac has made many great strides in the past 5 days. Each day his little personality comes back more and more. He has been such a flirt with his nurses giving them little half, pierced lipped grins, with little twinkling eyes that have ornery written all over them. A week ago he looked at everyone that walked into his room with two darting eyes and cried when anyone even came close to touching him. This week, he points to the TV so his guests can see what he's watching.
He has been playing with his toys in bed and his new favorite game he initiates is peek-a-boo!
Saturday we took a wagon ride around the main hall of the hospital. He looked around at everything and really enjoyed it. Who wouldn't enjoy cozy ride like that?
On Thursday he was allowed to begin eating. He needs lots of nourishment to heal from surgery. He has slowly been eating more. He has recently become a more picky eater so our biggest challenge and goal the past few days has been making sure he is getting enough calories.
(He does seem to enjoy the unlimited supply of chocolate pudding. )
He has been healing well and his incision is looking better every day. His pain is almost non-existent. He is no longer on continuous pain meds and today he went off IV fluids. We are so happy that each day we see improvements in him.
I have great confidence that God is hearing all of your amazing prayers and we certainly feel the love surrounding our little tough guy.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Five Fabulous Facts (about why today was great!)
Today was such a great day on so many levels! Here's why...
1. Isaac smiled!
2. Isaac giggled!
3. I got to hold Isaac!
4. Isaac got to drink milk!
5. Isaac turned 16 months old yesterday!
Today was really awesome. We started the day by decorating his room with lovely Halloween decorations that Grammie and Gabe made. Isaac loved reading books and lifting the flaps in his book. He even giggled when we played peek-a-boo! My day was complete within the first hour of seeing him with all these exciting things.
Just then, his urologist came in a cleared him to drink clear liquids today and told me I could hold him! I have not held him or nursed in over a week. This is the longest time I've not been able to hold or feed him. I felt patient as I really didn't know what to expect so I set my bar high thinking it could be weeks. When I heard this news today, I was over the moon! It was definitely a little challenging to hold him and breastfeeding him was creative, but so worth it. He even fell asleep in my arms (well actually arm, since he was technically mainly on a pile of pillows and one arm.... but hey, I'll take it!) for a nice little morning nap.
He played with Gabe and Pap-Pap and let Papa get him to sleep tonight. He was not as leery of everyone coming in and he even smiled at his surgeon.
Your prayers and thoughts are helping. Thank you :)
1. Isaac smiled!
2. Isaac giggled!
3. I got to hold Isaac!
4. Isaac got to drink milk!
5. Isaac turned 16 months old yesterday!
Today was really awesome. We started the day by decorating his room with lovely Halloween decorations that Grammie and Gabe made. Isaac loved reading books and lifting the flaps in his book. He even giggled when we played peek-a-boo! My day was complete within the first hour of seeing him with all these exciting things.
Just then, his urologist came in a cleared him to drink clear liquids today and told me I could hold him! I have not held him or nursed in over a week. This is the longest time I've not been able to hold or feed him. I felt patient as I really didn't know what to expect so I set my bar high thinking it could be weeks. When I heard this news today, I was over the moon! It was definitely a little challenging to hold him and breastfeeding him was creative, but so worth it. He even fell asleep in my arms (well actually arm, since he was technically mainly on a pile of pillows and one arm.... but hey, I'll take it!) for a nice little morning nap.
He played with Gabe and Pap-Pap and let Papa get him to sleep tonight. He was not as leery of everyone coming in and he even smiled at his surgeon.
Your prayers and thoughts are helping. Thank you :)
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Helping Hearts
For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Each day brings new joys and new challenges.
Today, I rejoiced in seeing Isaac's big brown eyes awake and aware. I rejoiced when he reached his arms up to me and said, "mama." I loved seeing his little hand point to the tv. I loved how he wanted to smile, but he just wasn't quite ready. It was as if he was saying, "mom, I've been through hell and back. I am not ready to smile yet, but maybe, just maybe in a few days I will be ready to smile." Take your time buddy, but when you do, we will celebrate!
Today, my heart worked hard. It was hard knowing that every time my little man closed his eyes to sleep and started to get comfortable he would wake up crying from some bladder spasm or pain. Though I loved him reaching for my hand, I could see in his eyes the fear of "don't let them do anything else to me." It was challenging not being able to leave his side, not because I didn't want to be with him all day, but because sometimes I have to go to the bathroom, get a drink or much worse, go home for the night. Leaving him today was the biggest challenge. It is at those moments I have to have faith that the angels and his nurses will keep him comfortable.
Today, I rejoiced for friends. Today, I received a package with a pile of cards in it. I opened up each card as my eyes filled with tears. I was overwhelmed. My friend Crystal from high school who did our family photo shoot a few weeks ago orchestrated friends from my high school to send cards and gifts for our family. They sent us hundreds of dollars, many prayers, and encouraging words. Your generosity and love is truly a blessing to our family. Your gifts will help make our days in the hospital much easier. Thank you all for your helping hearts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)