Recent Trip to Oregon

Provision!

Over the past few weeks we have experienced the incredible unfailing love, provision, faithfulness, and peace of our Heavenly Father. I don't want to forget........

First, our washing machine started to leak. After a little investigation it was determined it needed to be replaced, very soon. We began the search checking refurbished models, used models, discounted models, and new models. I could not believe how much a new machine would cost. However, after researching our options, we decided we should invest in a new model. We tend to keep our washing machine fairly busy and the used models prices were not "used prices". As we narrowed down our decision, someone contacted us and paid for our new washing machine!!!!

Second, Joshua celebrated his 10th birthday! He had been saving his money (for over 1 1/2 years) to purchase a specific new bicycle. He sold his old bike last summer as he had outgrown it and was eagerly awaiting his new bike so he could ride again. He knew he would have to save for at least another 2 years as the bicycle was several hundred dollars. His saving commitment was commendable as he would not purchase anything, even when siblings spent their earned money. He would faithfully tithe and save. He would occasionally update me on his progress saying "only 2 more years to go".....well, Joshua has an uncle who is an avid bicycle rider. He heard which bike Josh was saving for and just happened to find a very similar model at a very discounted price. This uncle even drove 300miles to deliver this special gift. Joshua is thrilled!!

Next, I received an unexpected piece of mail! I had been praying about a specific need for about 7 months. I did not see how the need would ever be met and even began to feel a bit weary/sorry for myself. Then the car needed repairs again, making the answer to my prayer seem even farther out of reach. As I opened the mail one day an unexpected card had arrived, a check was inside for more than the amount I needed! I thought, O me of little faith, why did I doubt? I can't even begin to describe how I felt. Here I was worrying about my need-there was nothing I could do to provide for my need-yet God provided through distant acquaintances who had no idea of my prayers. Only God!

Thankful, SO thankful....but don't read if you get queasy

Sarah underwent nasoplasty, lip and palate revision surgery on February 4th. Her expected 3.5 hr surgery quickly stretched into a 5+hr event. Each time her surgeon attempts to repair her cleft palate he encounters challenges along the way. However, we only spent one night in the hospital and we even landed in a private room (thank you Lord!). We came home as soon as Sarah was drinking fluids, controlling her pain with oral meds, and I learned how to care for her nasal stent and stitches. We had a few restless nights and then everything seemed to settle. Sarah is on a soft, no-chew diet for at least a month and I have to feed her as she is not allowed to put a spoon or fork into her mouth until the palate heals completely. Oh, how I have forgotten how long it takes to feed a child every meal and snack. Sarah is a trooper though and is very patient as I take care of everyone's needs and try to feed myself too. I often take a bite and then reach over to give her one and she is just looking at me with her mouth open like a cute little bird waiting for a meal from its mama.

Recovery Day #3....2/7/11-swelling, let the bruising begin

Recovery Day #4....2/8/11
Recovery Day #5....2/9/11...more bruising
Recovery Day #6....2/10/11....feeling better!

On February 11th, Sarah had a post-op check and we were told everything looked great. I finally crawled into bed that night around midnight and was soon awakened at 1 am by a little girl tugging on my arm. She was bleeding from her mouth and nose! I took her to the bathroom and grabbed a washcloth to clean up the blood. Something was hanging from the roof of her mouth and blood was pouring out. I needed help and woke Greg. He took one look at the situation and called 911. We could not tell exactly where she was bleeding from. I asked Greg to check her bedroom and he found a blood soaked pillow and hand towel. The paramedics arrived and transported Sarah and I to the ER. Upon arrival, an IV was started and an attempt to suction her mouth soon began. As the doctor worked to suction the draining blood out of her mouth and nose he said that the large piece hanging down was possibly just a blood clot, eventually it dislodged and fell out of her mouth bouncing off her leg and landing with a splat on the floor.....I looked up at the doctor and asked "was that her palate or just a large blood clot?" he indicated that it appeared to be a very large blood clot. I slowly leaned to where I would be able to see it and saw a huge gelatinous mass on the floor....about the size of a racquetball! I don't even know how Sarah could breathe past the huge mass while it was in her mouth. Meanwhile her mouth continued to bleed soaking many towels and trickling down her throat. She began to complain of stomach pain as her little belly filled with blood. Soon it was determined that she needed to be taken to the OR to remedy the situation. As we waited for the team to assemble, blood was ordered as it began to look as if she would need a transfusion. Soon the anesthesiologist went through the "risks" with me indicating that this would be the most risky procedure Sarah has had due to the unknown source of bleeding, inserting her breathing tube, her cleft palate anatomy, and her significant amount of blood loss. Then she was whisked away for what turned out to be a nearly 2hr surgery(after 3hrs in the ER). The blood flow was stopped and another attempt to repair her palate was performed (by a surgeon I had never seen before). Upon arrival at the ER her hematocrit was 28-(normal is mid 30's). After surgery, they checked again and it had fallen to 21-the number where tranfusions commonly occur. Her doctor decided to wait and see if her body would recover on its own since she is otherwise healthy. Several hours later it was rechecked and it had climbed back to 26.8!! The hospital was filled to overflowing with sick kids and since our surgery was not planned (it happened at 5:30am on a Saturday morning) we set up camp in an overflow room-which meant no bathroom and no parent bed. Exhausted from a night without sleep, Sarah and I slept off and on throughout the day (mom in a chair). We stayed overnight and were discharged the next day around noon. Sarah continues to recover and is doing amazingly well! This is definitely one of those times I know prayers were carrying me through-thank you to everyone who was praying for us even if you did not know why!! I am so thankful for God's grace, provision, and help in time of need!


Mama zoning...... no sleep....2/12


Moments before discharge-- 2/13!

2/4/11 Can it be....5 years already!

How can it be 5 years since "Gotcha Day"?!


Five years since, we saw you for the first time....
Five years since, you said goodbye to the orphanage and staff....
Five years since, you said goodbye to your loving foster parents (notice her eyes).....
Five years since, you showed mommy how you could climb stairs and that you did not need any help (notice the available hand in pocket!)......


Five years since, I first saw you laugh with reckless abandon after three days of extreme grieving (this is my favorite picture of Hannah during our trip to bring her home)!



Home one year....2007



Home two years....2008


Home three years....2009



Home four years....2010

Home five years....2011!! We love you Hannah!

Surgery #7

Sarah is scheduled for surgery on Friday February 4th. Her surgeon is going to perform nasal reconstruction, a palate revision (to fix a large fistula) and a lip revision. This should help with her sleep apnea and speech challenges as well as prepare her for upcoming bone graft/hard palate repair in 1 1/2 to 2yrs. She is so excited because she will not have to wear her palatal obturator anymore (a retainer like device she wears to cover her fistula(hole) in the roof of her mouth) and she will FINALLY be allowed to chew gum. Oh the excitement, as she contemplates the joy of gum chewing with her siblings! Now if I can just keep her excited and thinking of gum as she recovers and begins her month long liquid/soft food diet.....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I can't believe it has been so very long since I have posted to my blog. All I can say is that I am still learning how to balance our schedule of homeschool, medical appointments, sports, medical appointments, church and a few more medical appointments (in the midst of all the regular daily "stuff"). However in preparing gift photo books for Christmas it has inspired me to update our blog too!

I have decided the best way to get everyone to look at the camera with eyes open and pleasant looks is to have them do something silly...







and to hope for the best for the rest!