We had a nice weekend away. It was good to just relax and talk, hang out in the hot tub (once we got it working-the breaker was off!). We had a good time in Pigeon Forge. Did some shopping, a lot of sleeping, some wandering around Gatlinburg, mainly the arts and crafts area. We had a couple nice meals out-the Mill in Pigeon Forge and a really nice restaurant in Gatlinburg-whose name I can't remember! It was built around an old trout farm and was just awesome. I had grilled trout which was to die for as was the house speciality-chocolate cheesecake! The rest of the meals we made ourselves. I brought some food I had made/frozen and some ready to heat stuff, hotdogs and then tubes of cinnamon rolls/turnovers, pancake mix. It was great.
I missed the kids a lot more than I thought I would. I worried a lot about Mary. But they did fine and so did Heather and Ryan and Roger and Peggy! It was just so refreshing to wake up to nothing to do. No breakfast to make for little ones, no poopy diapers, just us.
Today I decided to get my but back in gear and get more serious about working out, loosing the lbs that have been creeping on since Mary's accident. So we hit the gym and I had a great workout. I think I have finally come to the realization that staying at my goal weight is going to be a struggle forever. And that's just the way it is.
On a happier note I was able to go and see Jacob and Jodi and their new baby this evening. They were still up when I was rounding down there and it was so precious to see them! I am so happy for them!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Make a wish...
I think Wesley and I are thoroughly D.O.N.E with kid b-day parties! We had the final one tonight (Mary's b-day) and after we had finished singing and she had blown out her candle she made us sing again! We got her some necklaces/bracelets as well as a snap n style baby (that I've had since Nov!). We had pizza and pink cake with the valentine's day sprinkles. She had a great time. Robert got a magnifying bug catcher complete with a fake spider from Roger and Peggy ("fider, fider" to quote Mary). It's gruesome, really and Robert LOVES it. The kids had been at Denee's all day and they spent most of it outside and by bedtime they were exhausted.
Speaking of Robert and bugs, he found a worm ("snake") in the sandbox this week and carried it around for a long time. He wanted to take it inside "to live" which I vetoed. So he talked to it and crooned "nice wormy, aren't you such a nice wormy, such a cute wormy" and passed it to Mary and then to me... oh my. Life with a boy!
Granny died this week and it's been sad. The family night is Sat and the funeral Monday. And Snoopy threw up 5 times in 3 days which has been hard. But things are looking a little better. We're going out of town next weekend which will be good-I think after everything that has happened the last few months we really need a chance to reconnect and rejuvenate.
Then the kids start at Kidzone daycare in April (6th). Robert really needs preschool and this is the only solution that I could come up with that works my schedule!
Speaking of Robert and bugs, he found a worm ("snake") in the sandbox this week and carried it around for a long time. He wanted to take it inside "to live" which I vetoed. So he talked to it and crooned "nice wormy, aren't you such a nice wormy, such a cute wormy" and passed it to Mary and then to me... oh my. Life with a boy!
Granny died this week and it's been sad. The family night is Sat and the funeral Monday. And Snoopy threw up 5 times in 3 days which has been hard. But things are looking a little better. We're going out of town next weekend which will be good-I think after everything that has happened the last few months we really need a chance to reconnect and rejuvenate.
Then the kids start at Kidzone daycare in April (6th). Robert really needs preschool and this is the only solution that I could come up with that works my schedule!
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Long time
I know, it's been a long time since I posted. I was thrown for a loop last Tues with the news that our beloved beagle mutt Snoopy has bladder cancer and has, at best, months to live. Since then we've been cleaning up dog messes (traumatic catheterization=lots of messes afterwards!), a b-day party for the kids (and all the cleaning, baking, planning that goes with that) plus kid care, work, etc, etc, etc.
Well and I just couldn't post without crying and darn it I've cried enough! Between crying during Mary's hospitalization and now... I think I've cried more recently than I had in years. Today things feel a little more manageable. We're holding on to God and to family and we're going to be fine.
We had a party for the kids Sat and it was such a great time. It was so nice to celebrate them and to have the people we love there to celebrate with us. The kids are such a blessing it was nice to just enjoy that for a day! The house was full, it was noisy, it was busy and it was a blast! I love that we can combine their parties. I hope it will work at least one more year. I guess once Robert hits kindergarten things might change. But we'll see.
Sunday Mary decided that she was going to toddler church (you are supposed to be 3!). The teacher said it was fine and I was going to stay with her but she marched into the room, sat down and folded her hands so I decided she didn't need me! They did end up getting her a baby doll at some point but that seemed to be all she needed. She even colored her picture! Sunday afternoon was just a nice quiet time. We stayed for a covered dish meal and then Wesley took the kids home and I stayed for a baby shower. Then a friend (Aaron) came by to visit and then after nap we went for a walk. It took us an hour to walk 1.5 miles, lol. I was carrying Mary in the ring sling and Robert walked. Mary walked the last 1/4 mile or so for which my back was thankful! Snoopy seemed to have a good time. It's been so nice to have warmer weather!
Snoopy has been having trouble adjusting to the NSAID (asprin type medicine) that she is on to slow the growth of her tumor. So we've been working to tweak her regimine. I called the vet again yesterday and he OK'd me to give the acid blocker a couple hours before the NSAID (instead the acid blocker in the morning and the NSAID at night). Doing that seems to be helping a lot. We are also having to break capsules and pour 1/2 powder per day and he suggested adding it to cubes of butter so I did a few days worth today. I have special ice cube trays that I used when making baby food (they have silicone bottoms so the cubes pop out easier). So I melted butter, poured about a tsp into each cube and then sprinkled 1/2 a capsule into each. Much better. And Snoopy ate it without complaint. We've also been more vigilant about making sure she eats a full meal with her NSAID. We actually bought canned dog food today to add to her regular food to make her eat it. We've been adding all sorts of stuff to her dog food trying to get her to eat it so we finally decided that canned dog food would be easier! I actually made her gravy yesterday!
Wesley's grandma (Furr) continues to fail. It's just a matter of time at this point. She is on hospice. She has dementia and fell and broke her hip a couple months ago and just hasn't done well since. She had lived at home until mid summer which is amazing. She is 92. Mary is named for her. I really feel bad for Wesley-all this going on at once!
I feel like we have so many issues up in the air right now. We really could use prayers for clarity right now.
1) The scar on Mary's neck is really thickening and we're going to need to decide if we want to do a neck/head strap compression thing for it. I hate to do it and I hate not to do it. So I guess we'll go back in a month or so and discuss it. The OT that we've been working with is great and is willing to really work with us on all these issues. Mary got her compression shirt bear this week-I was hoping it would be wearing a real compression shirt but it just has a t-shirt with the logo-but it was still a nice gesture! I might make it or her doll a compression shirt out of one of her old temp compression shirts. Maybe I'll make it for the doll.
2) We need to decide when to get a new dog. We've gone around and around and around on the issue and we're nowhere close yet. I know we'll want another dog but we're just not sure when the right time is. I think we still have some time with Snoopy but I don't know how long.
3) We need to decide on preschool for Robert next year.
And the other thing we are really praying about is that nothing comes to a head right when we are scheduled to go away for the weekend (3/26-29). Please God, please, please, please!
Last night about 11 Robert woke up complaining of left ear pain. Wes gave him motrin and then I settled him on the love seat with a DVD. I fell asleep on the couch (love our new couch!) and woke up about 1 am to find him still wide awake so I packed him off to bed where he stayed until 7 when he woke up complaining of left ear pain. So I packed him up and took him to the Dr this morning. Taking 2 kids to walk ins is sooooooo much fun (NOT!!!!). Especially now that Mary is so Dr adverse (and the Dr we saw was the one that was on call the weekend of her burn). Sure enough he had a left ear infection. Which is so strange since he really hasn't had a cold. So he's on twice a day medication too! These kids. What was really funny was that about 15 min into our wait he told me that his ear was "all better" and that he needed to go home now. Lol. I guess the motrin had kicked in and he was tired of sitting in the waiting room. I was wishing for my kindle so I know they had to be tired of it. I did have a few toys but evidently not the ones they wanted!
Well that's all I can think of right now. It's enough isn't it! Well, off to get some stuff done and then work on some procedures inbetween admissions.
Well and I just couldn't post without crying and darn it I've cried enough! Between crying during Mary's hospitalization and now... I think I've cried more recently than I had in years. Today things feel a little more manageable. We're holding on to God and to family and we're going to be fine.
We had a party for the kids Sat and it was such a great time. It was so nice to celebrate them and to have the people we love there to celebrate with us. The kids are such a blessing it was nice to just enjoy that for a day! The house was full, it was noisy, it was busy and it was a blast! I love that we can combine their parties. I hope it will work at least one more year. I guess once Robert hits kindergarten things might change. But we'll see.
Sunday Mary decided that she was going to toddler church (you are supposed to be 3!). The teacher said it was fine and I was going to stay with her but she marched into the room, sat down and folded her hands so I decided she didn't need me! They did end up getting her a baby doll at some point but that seemed to be all she needed. She even colored her picture! Sunday afternoon was just a nice quiet time. We stayed for a covered dish meal and then Wesley took the kids home and I stayed for a baby shower. Then a friend (Aaron) came by to visit and then after nap we went for a walk. It took us an hour to walk 1.5 miles, lol. I was carrying Mary in the ring sling and Robert walked. Mary walked the last 1/4 mile or so for which my back was thankful! Snoopy seemed to have a good time. It's been so nice to have warmer weather!
Snoopy has been having trouble adjusting to the NSAID (asprin type medicine) that she is on to slow the growth of her tumor. So we've been working to tweak her regimine. I called the vet again yesterday and he OK'd me to give the acid blocker a couple hours before the NSAID (instead the acid blocker in the morning and the NSAID at night). Doing that seems to be helping a lot. We are also having to break capsules and pour 1/2 powder per day and he suggested adding it to cubes of butter so I did a few days worth today. I have special ice cube trays that I used when making baby food (they have silicone bottoms so the cubes pop out easier). So I melted butter, poured about a tsp into each cube and then sprinkled 1/2 a capsule into each. Much better. And Snoopy ate it without complaint. We've also been more vigilant about making sure she eats a full meal with her NSAID. We actually bought canned dog food today to add to her regular food to make her eat it. We've been adding all sorts of stuff to her dog food trying to get her to eat it so we finally decided that canned dog food would be easier! I actually made her gravy yesterday!
Wesley's grandma (Furr) continues to fail. It's just a matter of time at this point. She is on hospice. She has dementia and fell and broke her hip a couple months ago and just hasn't done well since. She had lived at home until mid summer which is amazing. She is 92. Mary is named for her. I really feel bad for Wesley-all this going on at once!
I feel like we have so many issues up in the air right now. We really could use prayers for clarity right now.
1) The scar on Mary's neck is really thickening and we're going to need to decide if we want to do a neck/head strap compression thing for it. I hate to do it and I hate not to do it. So I guess we'll go back in a month or so and discuss it. The OT that we've been working with is great and is willing to really work with us on all these issues. Mary got her compression shirt bear this week-I was hoping it would be wearing a real compression shirt but it just has a t-shirt with the logo-but it was still a nice gesture! I might make it or her doll a compression shirt out of one of her old temp compression shirts. Maybe I'll make it for the doll.
2) We need to decide when to get a new dog. We've gone around and around and around on the issue and we're nowhere close yet. I know we'll want another dog but we're just not sure when the right time is. I think we still have some time with Snoopy but I don't know how long.
3) We need to decide on preschool for Robert next year.
And the other thing we are really praying about is that nothing comes to a head right when we are scheduled to go away for the weekend (3/26-29). Please God, please, please, please!
Last night about 11 Robert woke up complaining of left ear pain. Wes gave him motrin and then I settled him on the love seat with a DVD. I fell asleep on the couch (love our new couch!) and woke up about 1 am to find him still wide awake so I packed him off to bed where he stayed until 7 when he woke up complaining of left ear pain. So I packed him up and took him to the Dr this morning. Taking 2 kids to walk ins is sooooooo much fun (NOT!!!!). Especially now that Mary is so Dr adverse (and the Dr we saw was the one that was on call the weekend of her burn). Sure enough he had a left ear infection. Which is so strange since he really hasn't had a cold. So he's on twice a day medication too! These kids. What was really funny was that about 15 min into our wait he told me that his ear was "all better" and that he needed to go home now. Lol. I guess the motrin had kicked in and he was tired of sitting in the waiting room. I was wishing for my kindle so I know they had to be tired of it. I did have a few toys but evidently not the ones they wanted!
Well that's all I can think of right now. It's enough isn't it! Well, off to get some stuff done and then work on some procedures inbetween admissions.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Hanging out
That's pretty much been us this week. The kids have had coughs so we've just chilled out at home between work, and haircuts, lol. Well and I've been pretty attached to my new kindle. Oooh how I looooove the kindle. I had applied for and gotten level 3 of the clinical ladder at work (a nursing retention plan that moves you through these ladders based on committee work, procedures, teaching etc-you get points for various activities and then you do a portfolio showcasing your work and then you are rewarded accordingly) so I used some of the money to splurge on a kindle with a hot pink case :) I'm going through withdrawl today without it!
Mary was doing pretty well until last eve when she turned bright red and fell asleep at 6 in Wesley's lap. Her temp was 101.2. But she slept all night again and Wesley said she was acting OK this morning so we didn't end up taking her to the Dr. We had planned on Wesley taking her to the dr and then here for sick day care but we're going to see how she does at the babysitter's.
The one thing I have started this week is having a quick pick up of toys around 5:30/5:45. Wesley get home shortly after that and then it's supper and bath and books and bed. The house looks soooo much better this week! We had every toy box dumped yesterday and after the pick up it looked pretty good. I also managed to get the housework done Thurs before work (while the kids were at the babysitter). Still trying to decide about preschool for next year. I need to look into one more option before I make a decision. Sigh. So hard!
Mary was doing pretty well until last eve when she turned bright red and fell asleep at 6 in Wesley's lap. Her temp was 101.2. But she slept all night again and Wesley said she was acting OK this morning so we didn't end up taking her to the Dr. We had planned on Wesley taking her to the dr and then here for sick day care but we're going to see how she does at the babysitter's.
The one thing I have started this week is having a quick pick up of toys around 5:30/5:45. Wesley get home shortly after that and then it's supper and bath and books and bed. The house looks soooo much better this week! We had every toy box dumped yesterday and after the pick up it looked pretty good. I also managed to get the housework done Thurs before work (while the kids were at the babysitter). Still trying to decide about preschool for next year. I need to look into one more option before I make a decision. Sigh. So hard!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Mary update pics
2 months after the accident
new compression shirt
Mary's First Haircut
She did so well at her first haircut! Mom and I have trimmed her bangs some but this was her first official haircut at Tangles Day Spa with our favorite Krista! She held onto Krista's pic of her kids (including her daughter who is Mary's age!). She looked down into the mirror while she cut the back and basically did great! I'm so proud of my baby girl!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Another night shift...
Well I attempted something new today. Taking the kids to Denee's so I could nap before night shift. I never did fall asleep. I did rest some and feel pretty good. I'm not sure it was worth driving there and back for 2 1/2 hours of quiet and getting a trooper stuck in the snow on the way out (oops!). I did go to the gym today but my back was hurting and running made it worse so I just walked, and then I went home and fed the kids lunch. My back feels fine now. I did some good stretching at the end and I think that helped. I need to get back into weights but I haven't done that yet. Other than that I finished laundry and washed all the sheets and remade all the beds but ours. Mary still naps in the pack n play so when I do sheets I do 4 sets. I don't wash sheets nearly as often as I should!
I'm almost done getting the pictures together for the kids albums (my "rule" is their albums have to be ready for their b-day party-so they are never more than a year old!) I submited over 350 pictures to be printed today. The last pics we had printed were last year this time (except the mother's day pics and the Christmas cards and what Wesley did for the fair). So I was a little behind but a year felt manageable. It only took me 3 hours or so to go through all our pics from this year. I think I printed maybe 1/15th of the pics-if that. I think I went through 4,000 pics! It was so neat to see all the fun things we've done this year. Not just how the kids have changed but all the trips we took: Philly, beach, camping etc. I can't wait to see all the cool stuff that we'll do this summer! Well, once the hospital moves and we can ta
Lets see, what's new with Mary? Her compression shirt is here so I'll take her Friday to get fitted for that. Otherwise she's basically crazy :) She's doing great with the potty-even tried to go poop on the potty yesterday but couldn't quite get it out while sitting. She knew she had to go and told me that she had to which was great! She doesn't seem to be in any pain at this point, doesn't even seem to mind the creams or massage. You can tell when the moisturizers are "wearing off" at the end of the 12 hours-she gets a little itchy. Otherwise she's great! Her face looks fantastic. I meant to take pics last wed and didn't get to them and now I think I'll wait for Friday which will be 2 months since the accident. It seems like an eternity ago and yet like yesterday. I'm so thankful that the worst of it is over and hope this year goes well and that the scaring will be minimal in the long run. I really think it will be. It looks better every day.
Well I guess I'd better print the unit census papers before downtime. I've been writing a paragraph, placing an admission, writing another one, starting an IV.... lol. So if this is disjointed you know why!
I'm almost done getting the pictures together for the kids albums (my "rule" is their albums have to be ready for their b-day party-so they are never more than a year old!) I submited over 350 pictures to be printed today. The last pics we had printed were last year this time (except the mother's day pics and the Christmas cards and what Wesley did for the fair). So I was a little behind but a year felt manageable. It only took me 3 hours or so to go through all our pics from this year. I think I printed maybe 1/15th of the pics-if that. I think I went through 4,000 pics! It was so neat to see all the fun things we've done this year. Not just how the kids have changed but all the trips we took: Philly, beach, camping etc. I can't wait to see all the cool stuff that we'll do this summer! Well, once the hospital moves and we can ta
Lets see, what's new with Mary? Her compression shirt is here so I'll take her Friday to get fitted for that. Otherwise she's basically crazy :) She's doing great with the potty-even tried to go poop on the potty yesterday but couldn't quite get it out while sitting. She knew she had to go and told me that she had to which was great! She doesn't seem to be in any pain at this point, doesn't even seem to mind the creams or massage. You can tell when the moisturizers are "wearing off" at the end of the 12 hours-she gets a little itchy. Otherwise she's great! Her face looks fantastic. I meant to take pics last wed and didn't get to them and now I think I'll wait for Friday which will be 2 months since the accident. It seems like an eternity ago and yet like yesterday. I'm so thankful that the worst of it is over and hope this year goes well and that the scaring will be minimal in the long run. I really think it will be. It looks better every day.
Well I guess I'd better print the unit census papers before downtime. I've been writing a paragraph, placing an admission, writing another one, starting an IV.... lol. So if this is disjointed you know why!
Friday, February 12, 2010
They are growing up!
There's something about birthdays rapidly approaching that make me step back and look at how fast these kids are growing up. It WAS just yesterday right that Robert was a tiny baby. And Wesley stepped up to the plate and held him as I layed in recovery from a c-section and thought "how in the world am I ever going to take care of him". Wesley scooped him up and held him, his eyes shiny and his face full of awe and love. And I was blown away. Yes Wesley who had never really held a baby!
Today I have declared THAT very same tiny baby-well not so tiny baby anymore-completely potty trained. He has been night time dry for 2 weeks straight! So today we ceremonially threw away his pull up and did a big boy dance. We haven't had a day time accident since Aug I think. I think I'll take him to the farmer's market tomorrow to pick out a toy (the LAST of the potty training bribes!).
Mary has been working on potty training (she does better for Denee than she does for me-I think Denee is better at motivating and getting her on the potty every hour than I am!). She knows how to let pee out but not how to hold it in so I'm not pushing it for now. I think it will still be a while! She has also learned how to sing "happy b-day" (along with all the other songs she knows-she pretty much has twinkle twinkle down), talks a blue streak-most of it is hilarious. Some gems: "Snoosy barkit mommy-go get snoosy" (snoopy's barking). In addition to snoosy we also have wankies (blankies) ! So cute. She mimics everything Robert says from the "Robert was awake this morning" to I don't want to x. She also mimics everything he does which makes mealtimes um interesting if Robert doesn't like something.
But over all these kids are so cute and it is so neat to see them together! You can hear them talking in the mornings and today Robert and all his sleeps and the big helicopter were in Mary's crib playing! Mary is back to sleeping through the night :) and I'm back to the gym (went 3 times this week and today managed a 30 min straight run at 6 mph (=5k!)-the first since the accident. I then went to lunch with Wesley and gorged on Chinese so I don't think there is any benefit to today's run, lol. I have a meeting here in a few min (actually the clinical ladder reception) and then work 3-7 so I took the kids to Denee's after we went to the gym. I'm off Sat but volunteered for 3p-7p Sun for double pay. Wesley and I are headed to Pigeon Forge the end of March for a long weekend, we decided we're going to call that Valentine's day! Trying to go out on V-day in a college town is a lesson in aggravation if not futility, lol!
Today I have declared THAT very same tiny baby-well not so tiny baby anymore-completely potty trained. He has been night time dry for 2 weeks straight! So today we ceremonially threw away his pull up and did a big boy dance. We haven't had a day time accident since Aug I think. I think I'll take him to the farmer's market tomorrow to pick out a toy (the LAST of the potty training bribes!).
Mary has been working on potty training (she does better for Denee than she does for me-I think Denee is better at motivating and getting her on the potty every hour than I am!). She knows how to let pee out but not how to hold it in so I'm not pushing it for now. I think it will still be a while! She has also learned how to sing "happy b-day" (along with all the other songs she knows-she pretty much has twinkle twinkle down), talks a blue streak-most of it is hilarious. Some gems: "Snoosy barkit mommy-go get snoosy" (snoopy's barking). In addition to snoosy we also have wankies (blankies) ! So cute. She mimics everything Robert says from the "Robert was awake this morning" to I don't want to x. She also mimics everything he does which makes mealtimes um interesting if Robert doesn't like something.
But over all these kids are so cute and it is so neat to see them together! You can hear them talking in the mornings and today Robert and all his sleeps and the big helicopter were in Mary's crib playing! Mary is back to sleeping through the night :) and I'm back to the gym (went 3 times this week and today managed a 30 min straight run at 6 mph (=5k!)-the first since the accident. I then went to lunch with Wesley and gorged on Chinese so I don't think there is any benefit to today's run, lol. I have a meeting here in a few min (actually the clinical ladder reception) and then work 3-7 so I took the kids to Denee's after we went to the gym. I'm off Sat but volunteered for 3p-7p Sun for double pay. Wesley and I are headed to Pigeon Forge the end of March for a long weekend, we decided we're going to call that Valentine's day! Trying to go out on V-day in a college town is a lesson in aggravation if not futility, lol!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Snow, Siblings, and ramblings
So here it is snowing AGAIN! And of course I have to be at work at 7 am. But oh well. Only looking at a couple inches tonight and today was pretty nice so I was able to get to walmart, run an errand and made it to the gym. And finished all the laundry/got it put away. But I hadn't worked on supper ahead of time so we went through the BK drive through! The kids really enjoyed their nuggets (I got an 8 piece and gave each 4 and they finished them all!). Robert got a haircut and then the kids got a bath (3 days in a row! this has got to be a record!).
So I spent most of the weekend at work-and was so ready to be DONE with that place til I got home. It was busier than I expected for SO much snow (20+ inches). And no supply cart exchange Saturday so I spent a fair amount of time getting supplies. The kids made it through the weekend fine. Wesley made Robert an igloo which he like and there are paths through the yard that Roger snow blowed which the kids love running through!
Mary has been talking and well opinionated recently (picking up stuff from her big brother) and Robert has started tantruming. Not physically but he will cry and cry and cry. Sigh. He screamed all the way to the gym today because he had left a little firetruck that he had meant to take with him and I wouldn't go back for it. He was still screaming over it when I dropped him off! Sigh. Mary is just repeating stuff like "I don't take naps anymore, I don't like that anymore". And it's to the point that if Robert is upset at meal time and I don't think he'll eat I don't make him sit down to the table because then Mary will follow along and not eat either and then they're both starving! But the bond between them is cute too-they hold hands on the way into the gym, you can hear them talking in the mornings, Mary is peeing in the potty just like Robert (with accidents of course but she has figured out how to let pee out-and for Denee was dry all day yesterday except nap!). Ahh siblings!
I just realized I never posted after our appointment last monday. It went fine. They feel she is healing well. I got the authorization letter yesterday from the insurance co authorizing her compression shirt so that's a go. We go back in a couple weeks to try the completed shirt on (they measure 7 places around on each arm alone-they are so precisely fitted!) and then we'll order 1-2 more. They have to be worn 23.5 hours/day so we'll need at least 2, probably 3. and they have to be handwashed, lol. They do come in a few colors. We ordered the first one in beige. And I'm thinking pink and white for the others. We'll have to get new ones every 3-6 months so I guess we'll see how the colors go! They are basically heavy stocking weight. We got 2 temporary ones-just stretchy tubing like her dressings were held on with but more elastic material like an ace wrap. Anyways they seem to be helping some already. And I'm already in the groove of washing them.
So I spent most of the weekend at work-and was so ready to be DONE with that place til I got home. It was busier than I expected for SO much snow (20+ inches). And no supply cart exchange Saturday so I spent a fair amount of time getting supplies. The kids made it through the weekend fine. Wesley made Robert an igloo which he like and there are paths through the yard that Roger snow blowed which the kids love running through!
Mary has been talking and well opinionated recently (picking up stuff from her big brother) and Robert has started tantruming. Not physically but he will cry and cry and cry. Sigh. He screamed all the way to the gym today because he had left a little firetruck that he had meant to take with him and I wouldn't go back for it. He was still screaming over it when I dropped him off! Sigh. Mary is just repeating stuff like "I don't take naps anymore, I don't like that anymore". And it's to the point that if Robert is upset at meal time and I don't think he'll eat I don't make him sit down to the table because then Mary will follow along and not eat either and then they're both starving! But the bond between them is cute too-they hold hands on the way into the gym, you can hear them talking in the mornings, Mary is peeing in the potty just like Robert (with accidents of course but she has figured out how to let pee out-and for Denee was dry all day yesterday except nap!). Ahh siblings!
I just realized I never posted after our appointment last monday. It went fine. They feel she is healing well. I got the authorization letter yesterday from the insurance co authorizing her compression shirt so that's a go. We go back in a couple weeks to try the completed shirt on (they measure 7 places around on each arm alone-they are so precisely fitted!) and then we'll order 1-2 more. They have to be worn 23.5 hours/day so we'll need at least 2, probably 3. and they have to be handwashed, lol. They do come in a few colors. We ordered the first one in beige. And I'm thinking pink and white for the others. We'll have to get new ones every 3-6 months so I guess we'll see how the colors go! They are basically heavy stocking weight. We got 2 temporary ones-just stretchy tubing like her dressings were held on with but more elastic material like an ace wrap. Anyways they seem to be helping some already. And I'm already in the groove of washing them.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Settling In
We've been home for what almost a month I guess. We came home 1/1 and here it is 1/30. Wow. I'm just now feeling like I'm back in a groove. And we were "only" gone 2 weeks!
The first week I was off of work and trying to stay sane. Mary still needed a lot of care and so did Robert. Emotionally he was really struggling.
The next 2 weeks I worked 32 hours each week. Mary still was up a lot at night. Still exhausted, still emotional, Robert still having issues and then Mary and I had infections.
This week I "only" worked 27-28 hours (25 or so as coordinator and then 1.5 hours of meetings). And I sent the kids to the babysitter for a few hours Thursday and CLEANED. And organized the cupboards and sorted stuff out. And generally I just feel better! But I've also had more time at home. And I've taken a bunch of pics. So here are some highlights of the week!
www.kneebouncers.com. Their new best friend. They fight me for my computer. At least I think it's my computer. Robert is pretty sure it's his!
Mary feeding her baby doll. I couldn't resist the doll high chair, lol it was on clearance and she kept putting her babies in her high chair and then they fall out cause they're so small.
Fishing for snack-pretzel sticks, goldfish and PB
Wesley thinks that Mary is trying to be the tooth fairy?
So does that make Robert the geotrax fairy?
6 weeks ago today we had a massive snow (and here we are today back with snow) and Mary was burned. Today:
We snuggled and read stories
We went shopping (Target and Walmart!) with Roger and Peggy and to McDonald's for lunch
The kids napped/rested and I made cupcakes WHILE SHE WAS ASLEEP (check out thepioneerwoman.com for the recipe). Which I think have finished snapping me out of the doldrums left over from not sleeping/stress and well everything.
We had snack and playtime and then they went to Roger and Peggy's house and Wesley and I went out for supper! We had a great time at outback and then wandered around a little.
Monday we go back to the plastic surgeon. And see the occupational therapist to get fitted for a compression shirt. I'm nervous!
The first week I was off of work and trying to stay sane. Mary still needed a lot of care and so did Robert. Emotionally he was really struggling.
The next 2 weeks I worked 32 hours each week. Mary still was up a lot at night. Still exhausted, still emotional, Robert still having issues and then Mary and I had infections.
This week I "only" worked 27-28 hours (25 or so as coordinator and then 1.5 hours of meetings). And I sent the kids to the babysitter for a few hours Thursday and CLEANED. And organized the cupboards and sorted stuff out. And generally I just feel better! But I've also had more time at home. And I've taken a bunch of pics. So here are some highlights of the week!
www.kneebouncers.com. Their new best friend. They fight me for my computer. At least I think it's my computer. Robert is pretty sure it's his!
Mary feeding her baby doll. I couldn't resist the doll high chair, lol it was on clearance and she kept putting her babies in her high chair and then they fall out cause they're so small.
Fishing for snack-pretzel sticks, goldfish and PB
Wesley thinks that Mary is trying to be the tooth fairy?
So does that make Robert the geotrax fairy?
6 weeks ago today we had a massive snow (and here we are today back with snow) and Mary was burned. Today:
We snuggled and read stories
We went shopping (Target and Walmart!) with Roger and Peggy and to McDonald's for lunch
The kids napped/rested and I made cupcakes WHILE SHE WAS ASLEEP (check out thepioneerwoman.com for the recipe). Which I think have finished snapping me out of the doldrums left over from not sleeping/stress and well everything.
We had snack and playtime and then they went to Roger and Peggy's house and Wesley and I went out for supper! We had a great time at outback and then wandered around a little.
Monday we go back to the plastic surgeon. And see the occupational therapist to get fitted for a compression shirt. I'm nervous!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Big Boy Robert!
Poor Robert has been left out of the blog recently! Poor guy. Wesley and I keep looking at him and wondering when our toddler turned into a preschooler. All of a sudden he just seems so much older. We've given up on nap time and now he plays games on kneebouncers.com and navigates the mute button, the back button and the x to close the pop up boxes he somehow manages to open by clicking on random keys. And the mouse of course!
We've been doing more crafts and he is getting better with scissors and glue sticks and actually has an attention span! He loves playdough.
He invites Mary to play stuff (come on Mary lets play doll house, come on Mary lets play trains). He talks on the phone (and carries on pretend conversations with Caleb and Logan!). He plays with the geotrax a TON. And the layouts stay up until he and daddy get tired of them They did change it yesterday evening but the previous one had been up a week!
He goes to the bathroom independently (just needs help wiping!) and will go first thing in the morning without prompting. He's dry some mornings (and wants to believe he's dry EVERY morning so he can get a treat!).
And today he wanted to stay with me during worship and did a great job. He doodled some in a notebook I gave him (I wasn't thinking that he would be in worship with me so didn't have quiet toys packed). He plays simon says, red light/green light, duck duck goose. He got a large piece traditional puzzle today and did really well with it! It's like 12 pieces and George so that helps!
Not to say we don't have our moments. He's exploring his power I think. Mom don't talk like that, mom I can't do ______anymore. And at times generally will do exactly what you don't want to him to do. He is unreliable about dressing himself. He can do it but at times chooses not to. And if I sit down to the computer he wants to play his game. But overall-wow. When things are good they are SPLENDID. He absorbs so much information from everything he sees and hears. I forget what word they were showcasing on "Martha Speaks" (a PBS show about a talking dog which is basically a very interesting vocab lesson!) but he was using it correctly this morning! Conspirator or something like that! Hilarious!
We've been doing more crafts and he is getting better with scissors and glue sticks and actually has an attention span! He loves playdough.
He invites Mary to play stuff (come on Mary lets play doll house, come on Mary lets play trains). He talks on the phone (and carries on pretend conversations with Caleb and Logan!). He plays with the geotrax a TON. And the layouts stay up until he and daddy get tired of them They did change it yesterday evening but the previous one had been up a week!
He goes to the bathroom independently (just needs help wiping!) and will go first thing in the morning without prompting. He's dry some mornings (and wants to believe he's dry EVERY morning so he can get a treat!).
And today he wanted to stay with me during worship and did a great job. He doodled some in a notebook I gave him (I wasn't thinking that he would be in worship with me so didn't have quiet toys packed). He plays simon says, red light/green light, duck duck goose. He got a large piece traditional puzzle today and did really well with it! It's like 12 pieces and George so that helps!
Not to say we don't have our moments. He's exploring his power I think. Mom don't talk like that, mom I can't do ______anymore. And at times generally will do exactly what you don't want to him to do. He is unreliable about dressing himself. He can do it but at times chooses not to. And if I sit down to the computer he wants to play his game. But overall-wow. When things are good they are SPLENDID. He absorbs so much information from everything he sees and hears. I forget what word they were showcasing on "Martha Speaks" (a PBS show about a talking dog which is basically a very interesting vocab lesson!) but he was using it correctly this morning! Conspirator or something like that! Hilarious!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Today in pictures
Doll house fun. Robert plays with it as much as Mary!
Mary 4 weeks post skin graft
the white spots are ointment but the spot on her leg is/was an abscess that we had to have drained/cultured monday. Sigh. Still waiting for the culture reports and she's on antibiotics. (no idea why this text is underlining!)
Geotrax madness
And I put most of it together! Wesley made the fancy looping work but this is the most complicated layout I've ever done. It has grand central station, the Cars bridge/waterfall, the light up bridge, the covered bridge, the construction set, the crane and the train crossing! With 2 separate sets of elevation!
Mary 4 weeks post skin graft
the white spots are ointment but the spot on her leg is/was an abscess that we had to have drained/cultured monday. Sigh. Still waiting for the culture reports and she's on antibiotics. (no idea why this text is underlining!)
Geotrax madness
And I put most of it together! Wesley made the fancy looping work but this is the most complicated layout I've ever done. It has grand central station, the Cars bridge/waterfall, the light up bridge, the covered bridge, the construction set, the crane and the train crossing! With 2 separate sets of elevation!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Prosper you and not to harm you
I've always loved that passage from Jeremiah...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
It always takes a little distance to see the good in a situation. Although I've been looking for it since about 2 weeks post the accident. The first 2 weeks were just blunt survival. And sometimes barely that!
So here's my beginnings of a list:
1) I value my time with the kids more-we craft more, we read more, I am more present. Because I know that every day is a blessing. Now that doesn't mean I don't wish they would just play on their own for 5 min while I relax it just means that I wish it a tiny bit less! I am also more vigilant, more careful...
2) I understand more what my patients and their families are going through. Prior to this my only hospitalizations since I was 3 (which I really don't remember much about) have been to have the kids. Which were both c-sections and fairly intense but still happy occasions and expected.
-I might be able to explain the PICU/UVA to families awaiting transfer better
-I know what it is like to be waiting for a doctor to come in
-I know what it is like to watch your child suffer
-I know what it is like to not know what is going to happen next and it SUCKS. The almost 24 hours we were at RMH before being transferred to UVA were so hard because the doctors here didn't know what the plastic surgeons would think of the burns. (we were stuck because of weather)
-I know that sleeping in street clothes is not comfortable
-I know that living on cafeteria food gets old
3) I have been overwhelmed by the compassion and generosity of friends, church, coworkers and strangers. I am completely astounded and humbled. I am surrounded by a community that cares for people and they care for my daughter. I had NO IDEA that people I didn't know would send cards, pray, and wish us well. We have been so blessed. I have not made a meal since I've been home. I have not had an hour go by at work without someone asking about Mary. I don't think a day has gone by without some sort of phone call, card or package... Tonight a random person called us (a shriner). He had just heard about us and wanted to make sure that we knew about the shriner hospitals and said he would be happy to write a referal for us. (They are a free charity of the shriners). The closest one is Cincinatti though so I think we'll defer for now since the main stuff is done!). They had said in the PICU that the really bad burns go there and they pick the patients up and everything).
4) Wesley and I are even more of a team than before. We have cried together, prayed together, waited together. During that first week it was just the 3 of us. Day by day, hour by hour, just us together.
5) Mary and I had the snuggle time that we never really had when she was born. When Robert was born we spent the first 12 weeks mainly just snuggling on the couch watching movies. When Mary was born Robert went to the babysitter some but it was never the same. More to do: more laundry, more picking up, and then keeping up with Robert. I spent 2 solid weeks with Mary and it was sweet in a way. Of course the first week home when Robert hadn't seen me for 2 weeks and Mary was used to everyone being all about her wasn't sweet at all....
6) I have had the peace that passes understanding the whole time. And it really does pass all understanding.
It always takes a little distance to see the good in a situation. Although I've been looking for it since about 2 weeks post the accident. The first 2 weeks were just blunt survival. And sometimes barely that!
So here's my beginnings of a list:
1) I value my time with the kids more-we craft more, we read more, I am more present. Because I know that every day is a blessing. Now that doesn't mean I don't wish they would just play on their own for 5 min while I relax it just means that I wish it a tiny bit less! I am also more vigilant, more careful...
2) I understand more what my patients and their families are going through. Prior to this my only hospitalizations since I was 3 (which I really don't remember much about) have been to have the kids. Which were both c-sections and fairly intense but still happy occasions and expected.
-I might be able to explain the PICU/UVA to families awaiting transfer better
-I know what it is like to be waiting for a doctor to come in
-I know what it is like to watch your child suffer
-I know what it is like to not know what is going to happen next and it SUCKS. The almost 24 hours we were at RMH before being transferred to UVA were so hard because the doctors here didn't know what the plastic surgeons would think of the burns. (we were stuck because of weather)
-I know that sleeping in street clothes is not comfortable
-I know that living on cafeteria food gets old
3) I have been overwhelmed by the compassion and generosity of friends, church, coworkers and strangers. I am completely astounded and humbled. I am surrounded by a community that cares for people and they care for my daughter. I had NO IDEA that people I didn't know would send cards, pray, and wish us well. We have been so blessed. I have not made a meal since I've been home. I have not had an hour go by at work without someone asking about Mary. I don't think a day has gone by without some sort of phone call, card or package... Tonight a random person called us (a shriner). He had just heard about us and wanted to make sure that we knew about the shriner hospitals and said he would be happy to write a referal for us. (They are a free charity of the shriners). The closest one is Cincinatti though so I think we'll defer for now since the main stuff is done!). They had said in the PICU that the really bad burns go there and they pick the patients up and everything).
4) Wesley and I are even more of a team than before. We have cried together, prayed together, waited together. During that first week it was just the 3 of us. Day by day, hour by hour, just us together.
5) Mary and I had the snuggle time that we never really had when she was born. When Robert was born we spent the first 12 weeks mainly just snuggling on the couch watching movies. When Mary was born Robert went to the babysitter some but it was never the same. More to do: more laundry, more picking up, and then keeping up with Robert. I spent 2 solid weeks with Mary and it was sweet in a way. Of course the first week home when Robert hadn't seen me for 2 weeks and Mary was used to everyone being all about her wasn't sweet at all....
6) I have had the peace that passes understanding the whole time. And it really does pass all understanding.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
photos
I finally uploaded all the pics from the hospital and since then. They are pretty graphic. She doesn't look good in very many of them. But if anyone is curious here is the link. OVerall they are of just her face since up until last Wed she had a shirt on (that was created for her every day during the dressing changes).
http://www.megley.com/photos/Maryhospitalizationrecovery/album/
http://www.megley.com/photos/Maryhospitalizationrecovery/album/
Mary today
Today is 3 weeks since her skin grafts. 3 weeks ago now I was sitting crying in the OR waiting area (I'm sure everone thought my baby was having open heart surgery!). I just hated the thought of hurting her worse! And then we landed back in PICU when her oxygen levels wouldn't come up in recovery and she had junk in the breathing tube when they took it out after surgery. Today she has played computer games, made a sticker collage, played with her baby dolls, cut playdough and now is scavaging the kitchen drawers and pulling out old cups! This picture was taken after her daily sliming with elta cream (a 90% moisture retaining cream-it's awesome!)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Back to normal?
So here I am listening to my co-teacher teach (I taught the morning part). Mary is hopefully doing well at Denee's. Christmas cards are mailed. Could it be that life is eeking ever so slowly back to normal? Oh I certainly hope so. But I will say that everyone I have seen today has asked about Mary. I feel like the whole hospital has held us through this experience and has been so great. I feel so loved.
We are still working on getting Mary to sleep through the night. I think she is still waking up hurting some so I'm sure it will get better as she heals more. She did sleep from 8p-3a last night but we (note we is Mary and I not Mary, Wesley and I!) were up fron 3-4. Ugh. Wonderful way to start my first day back to work! But I actually feel pretty good. Tomorrow the house cleaner is comming so I've got to get the house cleared out so she can clean and then life will really feel more normal!
We are still working on getting Mary to sleep through the night. I think she is still waking up hurting some so I'm sure it will get better as she heals more. She did sleep from 8p-3a last night but we (note we is Mary and I not Mary, Wesley and I!) were up fron 3-4. Ugh. Wonderful way to start my first day back to work! But I actually feel pretty good. Tomorrow the house cleaner is comming so I've got to get the house cleared out so she can clean and then life will really feel more normal!
Friday, January 08, 2010
that giggle!
That giggle. Those giggles. Those kids together again. It makes me so happy! Mary really doesn't seem to be in much pain anymore :) which makes me so happy. She does tell me when the motrin wears off that she needs "ouchie medicine" but other than that she seems so happy. We were all in the car this morning picking Snoopy up from the vet (my girls are getting EXPENSIVE) and she and Robert were in the back seat cracking up about something. The cutest part was when Robert said "look Mary, those are your ouchies-don't worry I'm not going to hurt them". Aww! I wasn't sure what he would think of her when they were in the tub together yesterday but he didn't seem to think anything of her patchwork of scars on her chest/arm. They just played and pretended they were wales (spitting water) and did all the stuff they always do in the tub. This was the first bath Robert hasn't fussed about taking since the accident-maybe in this too he just missed Mary! I've bathed them together since Mary was 2 or 3 months-so for a long time. Mary does great with the cream (we call it tickle cream) and is getting better about getting clothes on and off. So we're getting there. Day by day.
Oh I meant to say something about Snoopy. She's been having urinary problems-has had 3 or 4 rounds of antibiotics for UTI's and within days of finishing her antibiotics she goes back to having to pee every 10 min. Let me tell you-that's getting annoying! So we took her today to have a urine culture (they go through the skin into the bladder for dogs!), an enema and then an x-ray (the enema so they could see the bladder). It does look like she has a tiny stone. So we're waiting for the culture results (they say next Wed or so) and then they'll prob repeat the x-ray and if it still shows the stone then they'll put her on this special dog food that changes the PH of her urine for 4-6 weeks and hope that it disolves it. My girls!
Oh I meant to say something about Snoopy. She's been having urinary problems-has had 3 or 4 rounds of antibiotics for UTI's and within days of finishing her antibiotics she goes back to having to pee every 10 min. Let me tell you-that's getting annoying! So we took her today to have a urine culture (they go through the skin into the bladder for dogs!), an enema and then an x-ray (the enema so they could see the bladder). It does look like she has a tiny stone. So we're waiting for the culture results (they say next Wed or so) and then they'll prob repeat the x-ray and if it still shows the stone then they'll put her on this special dog food that changes the PH of her urine for 4-6 weeks and hope that it disolves it. My girls!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
First Post Op Visit
Mary had a 9 am visit to the plastic surgeon this morning. They cut off her dressings and said we were DONE with dressing changes! From here on we do the elta cream (a swiss high moisturizing cream) with gentle massage to break up scar tissue twice a day. She can bathe and do whatever. She does have some areas of folliculitis from where her pores are healing (plugged ducts) she had a plugged eyelash duct over the last few days which is greatly improved today with just warm soaks. We go back in 2-3 weeks and see them and then the burn OT (occupational therapist) to be fitted for a compression shirt. Their only directions are the cream+massage/compression garments/NO SUN.
They were so pleased with the dressing changes we had done and how good everything looked. They said that most of it had to do with post op care, not the surgery so thanks to all who did dressing changes and thanks to all who prayed-all the glory to God! I am still saddened when I look at her chest/arms. She ran around without a shirt for 10 min at the office and it just breaks my heart. I know we are just 2 weeks (from today!) from skin grafts and it will get a lot better but I still miss that huge expanse of perfect baby skin! She was giggling at herself in a full length mirror so it evidently isn't phasing her at all. Bless her little heart.
Another milestone is that she slept in her crib all night last night. She woke up crying in the middle and I gave her pain meds and put her back down and she went back to sleep. It seemed like it was where we attached the shirt at the shoulder that it was hurting just because it was rubbing and so hopefully without the bandage shirt on it will be more comfortable. The doctors are also saying that the burns are at the itchy stage and by doing the cream twice a day it will really keep her more comfortable. I just did her whole procedure in about 2 min-which is less time than it takes to set up for the full dressing change before!
They were so pleased with the dressing changes we had done and how good everything looked. They said that most of it had to do with post op care, not the surgery so thanks to all who did dressing changes and thanks to all who prayed-all the glory to God! I am still saddened when I look at her chest/arms. She ran around without a shirt for 10 min at the office and it just breaks my heart. I know we are just 2 weeks (from today!) from skin grafts and it will get a lot better but I still miss that huge expanse of perfect baby skin! She was giggling at herself in a full length mirror so it evidently isn't phasing her at all. Bless her little heart.
Another milestone is that she slept in her crib all night last night. She woke up crying in the middle and I gave her pain meds and put her back down and she went back to sleep. It seemed like it was where we attached the shirt at the shoulder that it was hurting just because it was rubbing and so hopefully without the bandage shirt on it will be more comfortable. The doctors are also saying that the burns are at the itchy stage and by doing the cream twice a day it will really keep her more comfortable. I just did her whole procedure in about 2 min-which is less time than it takes to set up for the full dressing change before!
Monday, January 04, 2010
Not me Monday
-I certainly did not just finish off a whole espresso dark chocolate candy bar in a sitting. Nope, not me
-I did not just subject Mary to a scrubbing and then exclaim over and over how good she looks and then pull out the pics of when she was at her worst for my nurse friends to see. (yikes)
-I did not pull out the camera first thing when she came out from the dinning room wearing her footie PJ's with Robert's boots. Hilarious!
And yes I did read some books, snuggle and watch TV, feed, and put her down for a nap. It's good to be home!
-I did not just subject Mary to a scrubbing and then exclaim over and over how good she looks and then pull out the pics of when she was at her worst for my nurse friends to see. (yikes)
-I did not pull out the camera first thing when she came out from the dinning room wearing her footie PJ's with Robert's boots. Hilarious!
And yes I did read some books, snuggle and watch TV, feed, and put her down for a nap. It's good to be home!
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Life is sweet!
The bliss of being home, being back in a semi routine, together is almost indescribable. When I think of just last Sun and how sick Mary still was and then look at her today running around, back in church, eating deviled eggs and licking the jelly off the bread...it just takes my breath away. I want to hold on to each precious moment. Each "tank-do mama", each smile. I am so blessed.
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