Wednesday, June 22, 2011
It's All Good
Lilly's doctor visit went well this afternoon. Dr. Selden viewed Lil's recent x-ray, and said it looked the way it should. We won't see signs of fusion for a few more weeks, but the screw is still in place and holding everything together firmly. As well, the pin sites should clear up with an oral antibiotic (taken every six hours: hello, 2am tomorrow morning). We were also given a skin cleanser that can be applied directly to the sites. We see Selden in four more weeks. Time will continue to go quickly, and Lilly will continue to heal. Amen! Good night, ya'll!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Home and Healing
First Week Back Home:
Matt and I loaded our no-napping, only on Tylenol little love into our car on Monday evening last week and headed home. We weren't sure if it was the juice Lilly was drinking (we needed her to intake fluid and get her to pee) . . . but, Lilly did not nap during her final day in the hospital. We arrived home to my dad, Barrett, and a turkey dinner from an awesome family at Sacred Heart.
It was clear that Barrett was unsure about Lilly and her halo and the sudden arrival of both mom and dad. The chair we designated for Lilly was all Barrett wanted that evening, and whatever naughtiness he held back from his grandparents, who had watched him all weekend, began to surface. The awesome thing about Barrett is that he quickly adapts to change; he has now welcomed the halo and Lilly's "scratch" on the back of her neck. In fact, today Barrett attempted to adjust Lilly's halo with several gadgets from his tool box. I quickly redirected him to a more appropriate project, but it was a sign that the carbon fiber contraption on his sister isn't that "scary" after all.
We've gotten the hang of lifting and carrying Lilly. And the girl was even on her walker two days after she arrived home. As well, we are quickening our "getting Lilly in her modified car seat" pace as each day passes. Matt stayed home all week with us. I am reminded, in times like these, how thankful I am to have met and married Matt. When I get overwhelmed or have irrational thoughts, Matt focuses and calmly carries out what he knows is best for us all. If it were up to me, I may have gotten Lilly on her feet by now but certainly would not have her chasing her brother around the living room or soaring over downed logs on a quarter mile hike to the Lewis River. Note: Lilly was in her jogger when the soaring action took place; even Matt wouldn't encourage her to do that on her own a week post surgery.
Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to since arriving home with Lilly:
Logging it for Lilly
Thank you to those of you who dedicated your miles to Lilly in the last few weeks. In two weeks' time, you have accumulated 160 miles with Lilly on your mind. When you think about how free we all are to go on a run or a walk, and do it with relative ease, it seems only right to celebrate that ability by getting out and moving. I still encourage you all to keep making tracks, with Lilly in your thoughts, and to appreciate the gift that walking strongly and running powerfully truly is.
Kate L. 25
Michelle A. 50
Kelle H. 18
Jinny 12
Kate 25
Rachel 20
Colleen 10
Tomorrow, Lilly and I head to OHSU for Lil's two week check-up. Can you believe this Thursday marks two weeks since surgery? We are concerned about three pin sites - one in particular. Matt and I hope they can give us a stronger topical ointment or an oral antibiotic. If not, they may need to pull the infected pins out and place in new pins. Or, another option would be to remove the entire halo and place her in a hard collar (like the one she wore the last six months). Never thought I would WANT Lilly in a halo, but she does need to be in it for as long as possible. I'll write an update tomorrow, after the appointment, to let you know what the doctors decide. Prayers, thoughts, oms, tribal dances - whatever you do to make things go well - would be appreciated!
Matt and I loaded our no-napping, only on Tylenol little love into our car on Monday evening last week and headed home. We weren't sure if it was the juice Lilly was drinking (we needed her to intake fluid and get her to pee) . . . but, Lilly did not nap during her final day in the hospital. We arrived home to my dad, Barrett, and a turkey dinner from an awesome family at Sacred Heart.
It was clear that Barrett was unsure about Lilly and her halo and the sudden arrival of both mom and dad. The chair we designated for Lilly was all Barrett wanted that evening, and whatever naughtiness he held back from his grandparents, who had watched him all weekend, began to surface. The awesome thing about Barrett is that he quickly adapts to change; he has now welcomed the halo and Lilly's "scratch" on the back of her neck. In fact, today Barrett attempted to adjust Lilly's halo with several gadgets from his tool box. I quickly redirected him to a more appropriate project, but it was a sign that the carbon fiber contraption on his sister isn't that "scary" after all.
We've gotten the hang of lifting and carrying Lilly. And the girl was even on her walker two days after she arrived home. As well, we are quickening our "getting Lilly in her modified car seat" pace as each day passes. Matt stayed home all week with us. I am reminded, in times like these, how thankful I am to have met and married Matt. When I get overwhelmed or have irrational thoughts, Matt focuses and calmly carries out what he knows is best for us all. If it were up to me, I may have gotten Lilly on her feet by now but certainly would not have her chasing her brother around the living room or soaring over downed logs on a quarter mile hike to the Lewis River. Note: Lilly was in her jogger when the soaring action took place; even Matt wouldn't encourage her to do that on her own a week post surgery.
Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to since arriving home with Lilly:
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| Matt and Uncle John carrying a wild tiger through the jungle. Lilly roared furiously during most of the walk shouting, "Look, a mean tiger . . . rrrrrooooaarrrr." |
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| Looks like a friendly tiger to me! |
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| Making her way over the rocks |
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| So happy to be frolicking outside with her cousins |
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| Subway sandwiches and a river view . . . what could be better? |
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| South fork of the Lewis River |
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| Swinging with her daddy in our backyard |
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| Painting with mama |
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| Playing with her dollies on a sunny Friday morning. |
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| Art time on our front stoop |
Thank you to those of you who dedicated your miles to Lilly in the last few weeks. In two weeks' time, you have accumulated 160 miles with Lilly on your mind. When you think about how free we all are to go on a run or a walk, and do it with relative ease, it seems only right to celebrate that ability by getting out and moving. I still encourage you all to keep making tracks, with Lilly in your thoughts, and to appreciate the gift that walking strongly and running powerfully truly is.
Kate L. 25
Michelle A. 50
Kelle H. 18
Jinny 12
Kate 25
Rachel 20
Colleen 10
Tomorrow, Lilly and I head to OHSU for Lil's two week check-up. Can you believe this Thursday marks two weeks since surgery? We are concerned about three pin sites - one in particular. Matt and I hope they can give us a stronger topical ointment or an oral antibiotic. If not, they may need to pull the infected pins out and place in new pins. Or, another option would be to remove the entire halo and place her in a hard collar (like the one she wore the last six months). Never thought I would WANT Lilly in a halo, but she does need to be in it for as long as possible. I'll write an update tomorrow, after the appointment, to let you know what the doctors decide. Prayers, thoughts, oms, tribal dances - whatever you do to make things go well - would be appreciated!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Have at it Lilly!!!
Intermediate Pediatric Recovery Floor (Saturday, June 11-Sunday, June 12)
Well, it's been a bit busy since moving from the PICU to the general recovery floor. Matt and I traded places yesterday afternoon so that I could be with Barrett. I drove back to the hospital this morning and spent most of the day with Lilly and Matt. The three of us rested the majority of the afternoon. The "fishbowl", as the PICU is called, was sterile and loud and uncomfortable. Its name comes from the glass doors that open from the main nurses' station into each room. The 15 foot wide glass doors and three quarter length curtains are all that divide you from the bustle of the floor. Since Saturday late afternoon, we've settled into the comfort of our own quiet space.
I was deliriously tired Saturday afternoon, so I headed home with Barrett to meet up with my dad. Before I left, we took pictures of Barrett visiting with Lil'. As well, I got a few shots of Lilly this afternoon. I can clearly see a positive change in her face from Saturday to Sunday's pictures. This evening, when talking with Matt by phone, he said Lilly seemed almost normal. He wasn't sure if it was all the juice we are letting her drink, but she stayed up from the time I left the hospital to the time I called this evening (four hours). Lilly spent most of her awake time playing with her Doctor Maria von Trapp Barbie doll, telling stories, and belly laughing. And . . . the girl is only on Tylenol! They stopped the oxycodone this morning because it was making her nauseated. Tylenol? That's it? What a rockstar!
Lilly seems to be making a quicker recovery compared to her first surgery. Matt and I both, though we still find it hard to stomach the sight of the halo, have decided that it is so much better to not have her face fully enclosed as it was with the noninvasive halo. There is less swelling around her face, and Lilly is able to eat and drink with ease.
Tomorrow, we plan to bring Lil' home from the hospital. Prior to us leaving, Lilly must be refit with a proper-fitting vest. There was a screw-up with the orthotist who was responsible for putting the correct vest on her the day of the surgery. The fellow that has worked with Lilly in the past, and who fit Lilly for the halo four weeks ago, was not able to attend surgery in the OR Thursday morning. I voiced my concern about him not being there, but he insisted that the orthotist on-call would do a fine job.
Well, after realizing the vest was way too big for Lilly (so long, in fact, that she can't sit at a 90 degree angle), we urged them to find a smaller size. Another orthotist, who was on-call this weekend, said he located a box with the name "Lilly Roscoe" labeled on its side. Inside the box was a smaller vest (it was the vest intended for Lilly's surgery). Let's just say that the bitch-slapping, hand-waving, oh-no-you-didn't side of me flared up after that discovery was announced. Once I got a grip, I reminded myself that at least there is another vest and she CAN be refit.
I'm just going to post pictures now . . . I'm starting to fade. Thank you, again, for all your love and support! Tomorrow brings a new day and a new vest. And, hopefully a bit of rest.
PICU: First Day of Recovery (Friday, June 10th)
Our morning began at 5:30am after a restless night. Lilly stirred every one to two hours; sweet Matt got up, from where he attempted to sleep on a blue pleather rocking chair, with Lilly every single time. Talk about a daddy in love with his little girl.
Lilly hadn't peed since surgery, so her nurse (also named Matt) recommended we put her on the pot early this morn. Rather than introducing possible bacteria into her bladder with the use of a catheter, we lifted Lilly's bionic body onto a commode and enticed her with a popsicle to do her thing. After 15 minutes of a rather humorous scene of three adults sweetly suggesting she let it loose, I thought we should either put her hand in a warm cup of water (using my training from 7th grade slumber parties) or pour water back and forth into cups. We went with the waterfall option and it worked! Lilly peed within a minute! Popsicle secured.
After twenty minutes of eating only a quarter of the cherry ice stick, Lilly threw it up. The same deal happended after four bites of egg several hours later. Lil' rested for an almost four hour nap after her popsicle run-in and is now resting well in a Radio Flyer wagon. We pulled her in the wagon to get x-rays this afternoon, and she fell asleep in it on her way back to our room.
There was talk about a bed opening up on the general recovery floor at 3:00pm, but we still have not been cleared by the neurosugery team to leave the PICU. Matt plans to head home tonight to be with Barrett, so I am hoping we get settled in our new room before too long.
PICU: First Night of Recovery (Thursday, June 9th)
Lilly is sleeping soundly to the rhythmic beeping of her monitored pulse and occasional sharp chirp of a collection of medical devices. We are in the pediatric intensive care unit this evening; a familiar place with familiar faces, sounds, and routines. We are getting comfortable in our new space for the night and are pleased with how well Lilly is doing.
Around 5:00pm, we spoke with the lead neurosurgeon and he said the surgery went fantastically. In fact, he joked that he should, "... just retire right now and end my career on a high note." He was rather pleased, which translated into Matt and me being relieved and thankful and hopeful that this surgery will be the one to work! After speaking with the surgeon, we waited an additional hour in the waiting room before we got to see Lilly.
It was like waiting behind the starting line at a race; knowing that when the gun sounded, all of your preparation for the big event would be tested. I trained my brain over the last four months for this race. I put it through some major mental challenges: one of the biggest was dealing with the sight of Lilly in the halo. I pictured it, I studied it, I cursed it. The training was helpful, but the sight of Lilly was just as difficult as I had imagained. But, her face is free (except for the ring fit with bolts just above her brow) and it still lets Lilly look like Lilly. If I stand above Lil' at a slight angle, it looks like she's wearing a black tennis visor. Needless to say, I've been standing at that angle most of the evening. The pin sites are wider in diameter than I thought they would be, and the metal bars and lamb wool vest is larger as well. We'll get used to it, just as we did with the noninvasive halo.
Within the last three hours, Lilly's asked for water, told me not to hold her hand, waved goodbye to her nurses, called for her "Matt", and described her halo as "a crib". She's still sleeping soundly right now and is just on Tylenol for pain. The nurse's goal for Lilly is to rest and be disturbed as little as possible tonight. Sounds good to us.
Keep sending healing thoughts and prayers Lilly's way. I will post pictures of Lilly tomorrow. Love to you all!
Good night,
Colleen
Surgery (Thursday, June 9th)
It's almost three o'clock in the afternoon, and Lilly left our arms almost four hours ago. We got a call from the nurse (around 1:00pm) who said Lilly is breathing well and that the first incision has been made. I imagine the doctors took her rib first, which will be used in the fusion of her spine. Once the rib is harvested, the docs will begin the fusion process. In order to keep her little head still and for an easier application of the vest after surgery, the halo has already been fitted.
There is a sense of peace right now knowing that Lilly is braving this and thriving. She's breathing, and our update via the phone was the first confirmation that it will be okay. In this very moment, Lilly is moving through this process, and each tick of time's hand leads her closer to being better.
We've met several people in the waiting room this morning and afternoon that have asked what we're here for. Each family has a story - most of our connection comes from the unspoken understanding that our kids are going through something big. When we tell the families that she is having her spine fused, they wonder why. Many of you may be wondering, too.
Since a very early age, Lilly had strong muscle tone and lacked the ever-common low tone that is typical in people with Down syndrome. At the age of two, when Lilly began using a walker, she (within a two month period of time) began raising up on her toes when walking. At first, we were encouraged to let her continue toe walking because it could potentially develop arch strength. After almost of year of toe walking with her walker and an increase in tone, we knew something needed to be done. We went to the Down syndrome Clinic in Portland and they recommended we have an MRI. The neurologist and all the therapists who evaluated her at the Clinic had never seen a child with DS with such high tone: Lilly was a mystery to them all. After the MRI, it was clear that Lilly had a compressed spinal cord at the C1/C2 region of the spine. Lilly was diagnosed at that time with symptomatic atlantoaxial instability.
So, today is the last day Lilly’s spine will be unstable. In fact, this is the day (as a good friend and my sister-in-law both like to say) that Lilly is kickin' that instability's ass. Have at it Lil'. We love you!
Well, it's been a bit busy since moving from the PICU to the general recovery floor. Matt and I traded places yesterday afternoon so that I could be with Barrett. I drove back to the hospital this morning and spent most of the day with Lilly and Matt. The three of us rested the majority of the afternoon. The "fishbowl", as the PICU is called, was sterile and loud and uncomfortable. Its name comes from the glass doors that open from the main nurses' station into each room. The 15 foot wide glass doors and three quarter length curtains are all that divide you from the bustle of the floor. Since Saturday late afternoon, we've settled into the comfort of our own quiet space.
I was deliriously tired Saturday afternoon, so I headed home with Barrett to meet up with my dad. Before I left, we took pictures of Barrett visiting with Lil'. As well, I got a few shots of Lilly this afternoon. I can clearly see a positive change in her face from Saturday to Sunday's pictures. This evening, when talking with Matt by phone, he said Lilly seemed almost normal. He wasn't sure if it was all the juice we are letting her drink, but she stayed up from the time I left the hospital to the time I called this evening (four hours). Lilly spent most of her awake time playing with her Doctor Maria von Trapp Barbie doll, telling stories, and belly laughing. And . . . the girl is only on Tylenol! They stopped the oxycodone this morning because it was making her nauseated. Tylenol? That's it? What a rockstar!
Lilly seems to be making a quicker recovery compared to her first surgery. Matt and I both, though we still find it hard to stomach the sight of the halo, have decided that it is so much better to not have her face fully enclosed as it was with the noninvasive halo. There is less swelling around her face, and Lilly is able to eat and drink with ease.
Tomorrow, we plan to bring Lil' home from the hospital. Prior to us leaving, Lilly must be refit with a proper-fitting vest. There was a screw-up with the orthotist who was responsible for putting the correct vest on her the day of the surgery. The fellow that has worked with Lilly in the past, and who fit Lilly for the halo four weeks ago, was not able to attend surgery in the OR Thursday morning. I voiced my concern about him not being there, but he insisted that the orthotist on-call would do a fine job.
Well, after realizing the vest was way too big for Lilly (so long, in fact, that she can't sit at a 90 degree angle), we urged them to find a smaller size. Another orthotist, who was on-call this weekend, said he located a box with the name "Lilly Roscoe" labeled on its side. Inside the box was a smaller vest (it was the vest intended for Lilly's surgery). Let's just say that the bitch-slapping, hand-waving, oh-no-you-didn't side of me flared up after that discovery was announced. Once I got a grip, I reminded myself that at least there is another vest and she CAN be refit.
I'm just going to post pictures now . . . I'm starting to fade. Thank you, again, for all your love and support! Tomorrow brings a new day and a new vest. And, hopefully a bit of rest.
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| Lilly being visited by an OT and PT. Thank you Auntie Denny for the doctor Barbie - oh, Doctor Maria that is. |
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| Barrett saying goodbye to Lilly. |
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| Bear was unsure of Lilly's halo. I'm sure he'll get used to it soon. |
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| Still unsure |
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| Happy fingers |
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| Afternoon wagon ride |
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| Smiling in the courtyard |
PICU: First Day of Recovery (Friday, June 10th)
Our morning began at 5:30am after a restless night. Lilly stirred every one to two hours; sweet Matt got up, from where he attempted to sleep on a blue pleather rocking chair, with Lilly every single time. Talk about a daddy in love with his little girl.
Lilly hadn't peed since surgery, so her nurse (also named Matt) recommended we put her on the pot early this morn. Rather than introducing possible bacteria into her bladder with the use of a catheter, we lifted Lilly's bionic body onto a commode and enticed her with a popsicle to do her thing. After 15 minutes of a rather humorous scene of three adults sweetly suggesting she let it loose, I thought we should either put her hand in a warm cup of water (using my training from 7th grade slumber parties) or pour water back and forth into cups. We went with the waterfall option and it worked! Lilly peed within a minute! Popsicle secured.
After twenty minutes of eating only a quarter of the cherry ice stick, Lilly threw it up. The same deal happended after four bites of egg several hours later. Lil' rested for an almost four hour nap after her popsicle run-in and is now resting well in a Radio Flyer wagon. We pulled her in the wagon to get x-rays this afternoon, and she fell asleep in it on her way back to our room.
There was talk about a bed opening up on the general recovery floor at 3:00pm, but we still have not been cleared by the neurosugery team to leave the PICU. Matt plans to head home tonight to be with Barrett, so I am hoping we get settled in our new room before too long.
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| Still sleeping away. Her lambswool vest keeps her warm; just in time for summer! |
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| This was during Lil's four hour nap. |
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| Lilly's afternoon wagon ride. Keep on rolling Lil'! |
PICU: First Night of Recovery (Thursday, June 9th)
Lilly is sleeping soundly to the rhythmic beeping of her monitored pulse and occasional sharp chirp of a collection of medical devices. We are in the pediatric intensive care unit this evening; a familiar place with familiar faces, sounds, and routines. We are getting comfortable in our new space for the night and are pleased with how well Lilly is doing.
Around 5:00pm, we spoke with the lead neurosurgeon and he said the surgery went fantastically. In fact, he joked that he should, "... just retire right now and end my career on a high note." He was rather pleased, which translated into Matt and me being relieved and thankful and hopeful that this surgery will be the one to work! After speaking with the surgeon, we waited an additional hour in the waiting room before we got to see Lilly.
It was like waiting behind the starting line at a race; knowing that when the gun sounded, all of your preparation for the big event would be tested. I trained my brain over the last four months for this race. I put it through some major mental challenges: one of the biggest was dealing with the sight of Lilly in the halo. I pictured it, I studied it, I cursed it. The training was helpful, but the sight of Lilly was just as difficult as I had imagained. But, her face is free (except for the ring fit with bolts just above her brow) and it still lets Lilly look like Lilly. If I stand above Lil' at a slight angle, it looks like she's wearing a black tennis visor. Needless to say, I've been standing at that angle most of the evening. The pin sites are wider in diameter than I thought they would be, and the metal bars and lamb wool vest is larger as well. We'll get used to it, just as we did with the noninvasive halo.
Within the last three hours, Lilly's asked for water, told me not to hold her hand, waved goodbye to her nurses, called for her "Matt", and described her halo as "a crib". She's still sleeping soundly right now and is just on Tylenol for pain. The nurse's goal for Lilly is to rest and be disturbed as little as possible tonight. Sounds good to us.
Keep sending healing thoughts and prayers Lilly's way. I will post pictures of Lilly tomorrow. Love to you all!
Good night,
Colleen
Surgery (Thursday, June 9th)
It's almost three o'clock in the afternoon, and Lilly left our arms almost four hours ago. We got a call from the nurse (around 1:00pm) who said Lilly is breathing well and that the first incision has been made. I imagine the doctors took her rib first, which will be used in the fusion of her spine. Once the rib is harvested, the docs will begin the fusion process. In order to keep her little head still and for an easier application of the vest after surgery, the halo has already been fitted.
There is a sense of peace right now knowing that Lilly is braving this and thriving. She's breathing, and our update via the phone was the first confirmation that it will be okay. In this very moment, Lilly is moving through this process, and each tick of time's hand leads her closer to being better.
Since a very early age, Lilly had strong muscle tone and lacked the ever-common low tone that is typical in people with Down syndrome. At the age of two, when Lilly began using a walker, she (within a two month period of time) began raising up on her toes when walking. At first, we were encouraged to let her continue toe walking because it could potentially develop arch strength. After almost of year of toe walking with her walker and an increase in tone, we knew something needed to be done. We went to the Down syndrome Clinic in Portland and they recommended we have an MRI. The neurologist and all the therapists who evaluated her at the Clinic had never seen a child with DS with such high tone: Lilly was a mystery to them all. After the MRI, it was clear that Lilly had a compressed spinal cord at the C1/C2 region of the spine. Lilly was diagnosed at that time with symptomatic atlantoaxial instability.
So, today is the last day Lilly’s spine will be unstable. In fact, this is the day (as a good friend and my sister-in-law both like to say) that Lilly is kickin' that instability's ass. Have at it Lil'. We love you!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Dress Rehearsal
As many of you know, and I am sure an equal amount of you don't know, that Lilly's surgery was postponed three weeks ago due to a sinus infection (Thursday, June 9th is the new surgery date). Matt and I figured that the docs would call it, but we had to go through the process: all the way up to shaking the hands of the seafoam green-gowned neurosurgeons who were prepared that day to make our sweet loving baby girl into a bionic four year old. Imagine the super powers Lilly will soon possess! As if she didn't have a batmobile-sized amount of magical strength already!
So, after the entire weekend leading up to surgery running errands (including getting Lilly's second pixie cut, or as we like to call it "The Emma Watson"), attempting to clean our creatively-cluttered house, packing for four days in the hospital, making arrangements for Barrett, and throwing in a few emotional tantrums (yes, I am talking about me), we were ready to roll. So, to get the news that we needed to hold off on the surgery was a bit disappointing. Though, it mostly came as a relief: we would get more time with Lilly, and we could all go home and nap. That "dress rehearsal" inspired me to have our big-to-dos done by Tuesday this week, so we have a peacefully pleasant transition into surgery and recovery land this time around. If you know me well, there will still be a mad dash out the door - but a mini mad dash is better than a full-blown one, right?
The afternoon of Lilly's postponed surgery looked more like this...
Barrett was so grateful to be reunited with his sista and his tractor. Though, I am pretty sure his time with Grandma would have been just as awesome!
The following weekend, my dad, "Boppa", met us at Dozer Days: an annual event held in a massive rock quarry in the town of Camas, WA. In our master plan leading up to Lilly's surgery, I had written that Matt and I would take Barrett to Dozer Days while Lilly recovered at home with Grandma. We stuffed that plan, obviously, and took both Lilly and Bear to the land of yellow plastic hardhats, bug-eyed boys, dirt digging/dumping scoopy thingies, and mothers who were mostly WAY out of place but loving seeing their kids in amazement. Just kidding, I totally know the difference between a skid-steer and a front end loader, I think. Uh, Matt . . . .
So, according to the new plan . . . laundry must be completed, house tidied up, bags repacked (mostly still packed from the last time), master schedule typed and sent to family, and lots of lovin' on each other. We can do that! Heck, we've done it before. We've done most of this before . . . including a spine fusion. Thank goodness for life's dress rehearsals!
Keep checking back this week for surgery details. I will be posting updates on FB and the blog. Thank you all for thinking about, praying for, running with, loving on our Lillian Elise.
My wonder twin extrodinaire, Kate, has motivated and inspired our family and friends to move for Lilly. Hundreds of miles have been logged since we first found out a second surgery was necessary. Loggin' it for Lilly is coming to a close now that surgery is just days away. The goal was to log 1,000 miles in honor of Lillian, and we're closing in our milage goal. Our grand total now sits at 950.06!!! Yippee!!!
Jill 39
Allison 10.5
Kate 28
Darin 42
Julie 46
Aubree 46
Colleen 18
Total for May-June 6th = 229.5
Let's not stop at 1,000 miles, y'all!!! Keep walking, running, skipping, and hopping in honor of Lilly!
Please be sure to write my sister an email if you'd like to dedicate your movement/miles to our Lilly Girl.
kdhvaughan@gmail.com
Or find us on Facebook:
Colleen Barrett Roscoe
Kate Barrett Vaughan
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| Lilly in her hospital gown - loving the cartoons. Mama holding it together - barely! |
The afternoon of Lilly's postponed surgery looked more like this...
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| Lilly admiring her "Matt" and the tilling work he did in the garden. |
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| Giving directions and scoping out where she'll plant the carrots. |
Barrett was so grateful to be reunited with his sista and his tractor. Though, I am pretty sure his time with Grandma would have been just as awesome!
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| Reunited and it feels so good . . . |
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| Lilly smiling for the camera while cooking up a mean soap soup! |
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| Serious business . . . Lil' has her cook face on! |
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| Didn't think these two would have a bath together for three months. We did it up with bubbles that afternoon!!! |
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| Move over cement truck, here comes something stronger. |
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| Double trouble! |
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| And . . . pretty cute, too! |
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| Boppa and the worker boy. Look at Bear's hand - is that a built-in-guy-thing? |
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| In complete awe! |
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| Yup, this shot sums it up well. |
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| Nothing like a break of goldfish crackers and fruit leather. |
Keep checking back this week for surgery details. I will be posting updates on FB and the blog. Thank you all for thinking about, praying for, running with, loving on our Lillian Elise.
My wonder twin extrodinaire, Kate, has motivated and inspired our family and friends to move for Lilly. Hundreds of miles have been logged since we first found out a second surgery was necessary. Loggin' it for Lilly is coming to a close now that surgery is just days away. The goal was to log 1,000 miles in honor of Lillian, and we're closing in our milage goal. Our grand total now sits at 950.06!!! Yippee!!!
Jill 39
Allison 10.5
Kate 28
Darin 42
Julie 46
Aubree 46
Colleen 18
Total for May-June 6th = 229.5
Let's not stop at 1,000 miles, y'all!!! Keep walking, running, skipping, and hopping in honor of Lilly!
Please be sure to write my sister an email if you'd like to dedicate your movement/miles to our Lilly Girl.
kdhvaughan@gmail.com
Or find us on Facebook:
Colleen Barrett Roscoe
Kate Barrett Vaughan
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Bloom and Grow
Although it hasn't felt much like spring in our neck of the woods, it's nice to know that change and growth is on its way. I've been peaking out at my flower beds the last few weeks; my tulips are a bit confused and are waiting patiently for mother-nature to give them the green light to "grow" . . . grow girls, grow! They're begging to feel the warmth of the sun so that they may stretch their rising tips and bud out into their multicolored brilliance.
What I love about these perennials is that, despite frigid forecasted temperatures, these hardy little things rise from frozen ground and continue to grow and bloom, year after year. They're always the first bit of color that signals a burst of life and new energy after a long stretch of winter cold; or in our case, a long stretch of spring cold. I can always count on my tulips to bring color into our lives and remind me that things in life don't always have to be sunny in order to bloom.
Colleen and I are done with our blogging hibernation and have decided to continue documenting and sharing. It seems, much like the tulips, that we've hunkered down and are a bit slow to rise after the news of Lilly's forecasted second round of surgery. We are all building up the strength and nourishment to push forward and be ready to power through the tough stuff, knowing full well that there are sunnier days ahead. Since February, Colleen and Matt have been frozen in the "Waiting Place", after being told that Lilly's original fusion failed. Waiting on doctors' renderings, waiting on call-backs, waiting on schedules, waiting on the "phone to ring or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No." Just a lot of waiting. Seems hard to believe that Lilly is going to have to undergo another fusion; a more involved and intensive surgery that will include screws, wire, bone, and the presence of a rigid halo for at least three months. For more information about Lilly's symptomatic atlantoaxial instability, go to: http://downsyndrome.about.com/od/medicalissuesinds/a/AAI_ro.htm
And although the forecast has been a bit cloudy and unsteady the last few months, Lilly continues to sprout, bloom, and stretch herself in other ways. And just like Dr. Seuss, Colleen feels like the Waiting Place is "a most useless place" and has been moving forward and enjoying Lilly as she is in this very moment.
Since turning four, Lilly has tucked a few more memorable experiences under her ever-growing adventure-making belt. Three beach trips, a star sighting, a sista/auntie visit, and quick hop up to Seattle Children's Hospital. And . . . I'm fairly certain that Lilly and Colleen have logged enough time with doctors to bring both girls pretty damn close to receiving their honorary doctorates. I know they're looking forward to graduating soon!!! Whew!
Lilly and her family have been enjoying their beloved Gearheart. Gobblin' up the goodness during spring on the Oregon coast.
Nothin' says lovin' like these two. Cookies at 10:00am too early? Not with Colleen as their mama!
Barrett has the same twinkle in his eye as his big sis.
Roscoe clan . . . Matt, Colleen, Lilly and Barrett: true love!
Lilly was a bit star-struck when her favorite TV personality came to town. Yes, THE Rachel Coleman from Signing Time came to town for a live performance. Lilly saw her at a local high school on a Friday night and . . .
visited again with her in Portland on Saturday afternoon. We LOVE Rachel!
Colleen's been packin' up the kiddos and enjoying a few sunny days the westside has recently offered. Lilly was born in the beautiful town of Hood River, Oregon and it feels like home each time she returns. This is the very same park that Colleen and Matt brought Lilly to for her first picnic at 7 days old.
Colleen and I are done with our blogging hibernation and have decided to continue documenting and sharing. It seems, much like the tulips, that we've hunkered down and are a bit slow to rise after the news of Lilly's forecasted second round of surgery. We are all building up the strength and nourishment to push forward and be ready to power through the tough stuff, knowing full well that there are sunnier days ahead. Since February, Colleen and Matt have been frozen in the "Waiting Place", after being told that Lilly's original fusion failed. Waiting on doctors' renderings, waiting on call-backs, waiting on schedules, waiting on the "phone to ring or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No." Just a lot of waiting. Seems hard to believe that Lilly is going to have to undergo another fusion; a more involved and intensive surgery that will include screws, wire, bone, and the presence of a rigid halo for at least three months. For more information about Lilly's symptomatic atlantoaxial instability, go to: http://downsyndrome.about.com/od/medicalissuesinds/a/AAI_ro.htm
And although the forecast has been a bit cloudy and unsteady the last few months, Lilly continues to sprout, bloom, and stretch herself in other ways. And just like Dr. Seuss, Colleen feels like the Waiting Place is "a most useless place" and has been moving forward and enjoying Lilly as she is in this very moment.
Lilly and her family have been enjoying their beloved Gearheart. Gobblin' up the goodness during spring on the Oregon coast.
Colleen snapped this shot of Bear patting his sister's back. What a little lover boy!
Lilly was a bit star-struck when her favorite TV personality came to town. Yes, THE Rachel Coleman from Signing Time came to town for a live performance. Lilly saw her at a local high school on a Friday night and . . .
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| Lilly and her dear friend Jill. |
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| Feelin' the breeze. |
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| Lilly, Barrett, Lance and Courtney (Jill's children) |
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| Big boy, boot-wearing Barrett |
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| 1, 2, 3 . . . go!!! Lilly on her slide. |
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| Cousin time |
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| She's getting so big. |
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| Trip to Seattle for a second opinion. |
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| Lovin' the bustle of the big city. |
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| View from Auntie Tricia and Uncle Rett's Seattle condo. Nice way to spend an evening with Lilly. |
On May 17th, a team of specialists at Doernbecher Children's Hospital will be doing all that they can in order push Lilly through this rough patch o' stuff so that she may heal and grow. In order to support my sister and show Lilly how inspirational she is, my dream was to have 1,000 miles logged in honor of Lilly before her second surgery. Our total now sits at 720.56 miles. . . we've got a few miles to go, but we're closer than we've ever been! With your help, I know we can push forward this next week and LOG IT FOR LIL'! Please show your support for Lilly and move in honor of this little girl that wants nothing more than to run and jump and play like the rest of us.
We love you Lilly. May you bloom and grow.
Thank you for your mileage!
Allison 43.81
Jill P. 65
Jill C. 32
Kate 10
Darin 20
If you'd like to log miles for Lilly this week, please email me: kdhvaughan@gmail.com
1,000 miles, here we come!!!
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