Staples Are Out!

 AC and her 25 Webkinz!!!

We made the trip to see Dr. Boydston on Thursday.  AC got her staples taken out.  She did great and didn't cry at all!  What a trooper!  It is hard to believe that the surgery was 2 weeks ago.  Anna Cate had a list of questions for Dr. B.  She's been cleared to ride her bike in 3-4 days but cannot jump on the trampoline at all.  He said he'd check her out in six weeks and go from there. We go back on November 19th.

We started homebound school on Friday.  Dr. B. said that she had to stay out until she was caught up and was able to stay awake at school all day.  Her teacher will come to the house 3 hours a week to work with her one on one.   Her teacher said she was pretty much on track and just needed to catch up on a few things.  We are looking at going back to school on October 26th.  She might need to only stay 1/2 a day at first but we can work our way up to a full day.  We are both going to have some separation anxiety when she goes back to school.  It will be like Pre-K all over again!

AC is pain-free, and more importantly, pain medicine free.  I asked her on a scale of 1-10 what her pain was before the surgery and she said it was a 10 all the time.  I asked her what she was now...she said a zero!   She also said that she can see without her glasses now.  I am still skeptical about that....we'll be making a trip to the eye doctor after our November follow-up appointment.

We are so thankful that the worst part is behind us and can't wait for AC to recover and get back to a normal life.

Home Sweet Home

We still cannot believe we got to bring AC home just 48 hours after having brain surgery.  The doctor told me that she would only stay there a day or two after surgery but I didn't believe him.

We can't believe how mobile and active she is for what she's gone through this week.  She is very stiff in the neck and shoulders.  She looks likes she's wearing a brace to keep everything straight but she's not.  Today she was able to lift her shoulders up and down.  Big step.

Incision Picture...Ewww.

Our whirlwind of a day is finally winding down.  AC just drifted off to sleep watching the Wizards of Waverly Place.

Around 3:30 this afternoon  AC finally decided that she could try to get out of bed.  We were hoping that she would be able to stand for a few minutes and then get back in bed.  I learned today that my sweet baby girl is an over-achiever.  She stood up, walked to the bathroom, then decided it was time to take a shower.

My happy moment of the day was when I was able to rub her back for the first time today in  3 months without her screaming in pain. She was the one that pointed that out and said that the surgery was definitely worth it.

We were able to get our first good look at her incision today.  Wanna see it?  Of course you do.

AC's scar and her 20 staples...

AC sat up, colored, wrote some notes, and played on the computer registering her new collection of Webkinz for about an hour.  She got valium at 5:00 and Lortab at 6:00. Thinking that AC had enough drugs in her to let her sleep for a couple of hours, Grammy and I headed down to the cafeteria to grab some supper.

We returned to the room about 30 minutes later to find Staci with a frantic look on her face and the nurse on the way to the room.  AC had woken up from the drugs with a severe headache.  Alvanetta, her wonderful nurse, soon came to the rescue with a dose of  Morphine.   They called the doctor and he said that he had thought she might have a headache and to let him know if it continues.  AC slept for an hour and then woke up and asked for Morphine at 9:30.

AC asked to go walk in the hallway about 10:00 tonight.  We walked down to the playroom and then down another hall.  I think she surprised her nurse a little.  That wore her out...she got right in the bed when we got back and zonked out.

Dr. Brad (real name, Dr. Jason Taub) will be by to check on AC bright and early in the morning.   I'm concerned about going home with her still taking the morphine on a pretty regular basis. I think he'll come by and check on her around 6 a.m. and then come back after lunch to decide if she gets to fly the coop or not.

I'm ready to be home...I'm ready to see Cole...and I'm ready to sleep in my own bed.  Sleeping double on a single futon is challenging and not quite comfortable.

It's midnight and AC is due for a dose of Lortab.  She's got an hour until  she can have some Valium.  I wonder how long she will sleep????

The Animals are Taking Over...

Anna Cate's WebKinz family grew yesterday!

(Note the smile on that beautiful face!!)

... and it continues to grow today!

The Animals are taking over... but AC LOVES it! Her face lights up every time a new fury friend walks into the room! This photo was taken a few minutes ago and PRAISE THE LORD she is resting peacefully... finally. We pray that this will become the new trend. Dr. B has ordered some Lortab to add to the pain med mix!

Allie and Rusty stayed with Anna Cate last night... from 11 pm until about 2 am, Al was up about every 20 minutes getting popsicles, ice chips, pain meds, etc. Everyone slept soundly from 2 am - 4 am... and then the pain took over... so did Rusty, while Al got some sleep.

Anna Cate did eat some waffles for breakfast this morning... but they did not sit well AT ALL. Al and Amanda made the play of the day and grabbed the barf bowl in the nick of time!! Needless to say, they are scaling back to softer foods (milkshakes, ice cream, etc).

I think that is about all for now... she is still sleeping... which is such a huge praise. Sleep has come in about 20 minute increments. This is some of the best sleep she's gotten.

Thank you all for your continued loving support and prayers. We truly are so blessed by such AH-MAZING friends and family. This is Allison's sister, Staci, writing and I just want to thank you for how you have loved on Anna Cate, Allie, Rusty, Cole and our entire family. May each of you be truly blessed!

Room 5250, Egleston

High points of our day post-surgery:

*Moved to room around 2:30
*AC came out of surgery like a champ.
*Ate a cherry popsicle as soon as she got in the room.
*Took a 2 hour nap.  I slept for 1/2 an hour.
*AC woke up and asked for Jello and Morphine.  In that order.
*Valium is coming in a few minutes to help her relax.
*The Webkinz fairy has already visited 4 times today.  She loves all her new friends!
*Has no problem keeping down clear liquids...hoping to move onto more appetizing selections soon.
*AC is on bedrest now.  Physical Therapy will come at some point tomorrow to help her stand for the first time.  
*Make that 5 Webkinz now....and she just took the Valium.  Should be feeling good here in a few minutes!

Surgery...

UPDATE #3:  Just heard from the recovery room.  They said Anna Cate is hurting and they are trying to manage her pain.  Her eyes are open but she's not really awake yet.   She will stay in recovery until they get a room ready for her.  Can't wait to put my hands on her.




UPDATE #2:  SURGERY IS DONE!!!!  Dr. B. just came out and said everything went great.  She only lost a thimble full of blood and she does not have to go to ICU!  Big praise!!


She is in recovery now and will be there for a little while.  I'll update again after I see her.




UPDATE #1:     I just got off the phone with someone from the OR.  AC went to sleep with no problem, her vital signs are stable, and her surgery is progressing.

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The power of prayer is AH-mazing.  Rusty and I both are completely calm this morning.  We feel your prayers and we are so thankful for them.  I read AC every message that we got this morning as they came in and she was full of smiles as she heard the love and well wishes that everyone sent.

Surgery has started.  Dr. Boydston came out a few minutes ago while they were getting her to sleep to go over everything with us again.  He promised to treat her like one of his own.  That man is awesome!!

We had a rainy ride to the hospital this morning.  AC only ended up sleeping about 4 hours last night so she dozed on and off during our ride.  We got to the hospital right at 7 and were taken back to our pre-op room.  AC changed into her cute little hospital gown that was covered with puppies and climbed into the bed to watch TV.

Mike the technician came by to check her vitals.  Then Dr. Taub came by to answer our questions about the surgery.  He works with Dr. Boydston and we will be seeing him every morning.  Dr. Taub looks just like our friend Brad Giddens so I am referring to him as Dr. Brad.

At 9:05 AC got her versed.  She was not a fan of the taste.  The nurse said that it would be 10-15 minutes before they came to get her....it was more like 3.  We quickly said our good-byes and then headed out to the waiting room.

I am about to hunt down some caffeine.  I am functioning on an hour of sleep so I need a little help.

More to come....

Pack it up, Pack it in!

We are finally packed.  I have this feeling like I need to be doing something else...oh yeah...SLEEPING!  Like that is going to happen.

AC is still up....eating...I think she's taking the midnight cut-off as a personal challenge.  She just asked for a Kit Kat, "before I have to stop eating for my surgery."  She knows how to work me. 

I already miss Cole and he's been gone for 2 hours.  I know he is in safe, capable hands and is going to have a blast this week.  He was very sweet hugging AC good-bye tonight. She didn't want to let go...so he just stood there til she was ready.  He's an amazing brother.  Thank you Lord for such beautiful, sweet spirited children!