Next week, Denver's Children's Hospital will be blessed with the presence of two great gals from Durango, CO! On April 30th, Ashley will be having the screws removed from the growth plate of her right knee and our friends daughter will be having surgery as well - the same day! Okay, we are actually neighbors and I would much rather hang with them at our house or theirs, but we're going to Denver. And no, it wasn't planned.
You can read about our friends and their daughter at: http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/
Please keep these gals in your prayers. And their families!
Ashley doesn't always come out of anesthesia well. Actually never. She screams and cries for Chris, pushes people away and sometimes they must give her lots of meds for pain control. Then, we get to travel home with her.
On Thursday, she is attending two clinics - neurology and orthopaedic. They evaluate her progress and she how they might be able to help her further. We have some friends living in Denver now (boo-hoo!) and we will be staying with them. And, going to the American Girl store! Oh, yeah. And Kohl's. And maybe a real mall! And eating out! Just hanging with friends will be great.
When we get home, Ashley wants her screws welded into the shape of a cross for a necklace.
A cross. At the cross. That's where we live. Beneath the shadow of the cross, covered in love and forgiveness. Showered with grace and fed on mercy from the Father.
Hmmm. What a nice place.
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Pray for Chris
Four weeks of illness is waaay too much for this kid! As time has gone on, he hasn't been able to eat without extreme pain, can't run without pain, can't drink without pain. Monday, he missed school again; went on Tuesday; had to come home on Wednesday with extreme pain. We saw Dr. Z and had to make some tough decisions.
On Wednesday night, after Chris being sick again all week, loosing more weight and still not being able to eat, we drove to Denver with an appointment to see a Pediatric GI and a Pediatric Surgeon today, Thursday.
The drive was uneventful and David was able to go with us. It took exactly 7 hours from home to hotel with no "bumps" in the road (i.e. the passes were clear, the wind was down, gas mileage was great, and the kids slept!)
Today, we saw both doctors - the GI guy was so nice and like, "hmm, could be gall bladder; need to continue h.pylori treament; let's talk to the surgeon." The surgeon was like, "yeah, what's the question, he needs his gall bladder out." We were told that although the tests were not 100%conclusive, his symptoms, persistent pain, progressing illness and abdominal tenderness pointed him in the direction of needing to remove his gall bladder.
I do feel better having him here at Children's. Everyone in Durango has been great. Yet kids need Kid Doctors. The surgeons was straight forward with Chris and I about the risks and possible complications and the fact that this may not be the cure - though he felt like it was a small chance that it was not his gall bladder. Chris listened and then the Dr. sent his schedule-lady in to see us.
SIDE NOTE: David had taken Ashley upstairs to see her surgeon and have her legs x-rayed - they are 3mm closer in length! In 4 months we'll have more x-rays. At this rate, may get to remove her pins in the fall! Their office was so great - I talked them and told them we were in the Hospital Clinic for our son, and asked if we could get an appointment and we did. Everyone looks so good on her legs and she got to keep a photocopy of her x-rays. Cool.
BACK TO THE STORY -
God worked it well! He had one slot open for Friday! So, no driving home and back to Denver! Wow, God!
We will spend the night in Children's Friday night and then come home on Saturday.
Thanks to everyone who is feeding dogs, watching the house, hauling supplies and mostly for PRAYING for us!
"The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord." I would much rather God have ordered our steps to stay in Durango. For God to heal Chris. For the h.pylori meds to have done the trick. For doctors there to be His hands for healing. But God brought us here. Our steps have been prepared. The angel of the Lord has prepared our way.
We just walk.
On Wednesday night, after Chris being sick again all week, loosing more weight and still not being able to eat, we drove to Denver with an appointment to see a Pediatric GI and a Pediatric Surgeon today, Thursday.
The drive was uneventful and David was able to go with us. It took exactly 7 hours from home to hotel with no "bumps" in the road (i.e. the passes were clear, the wind was down, gas mileage was great, and the kids slept!)
Today, we saw both doctors - the GI guy was so nice and like, "hmm, could be gall bladder; need to continue h.pylori treament; let's talk to the surgeon." The surgeon was like, "yeah, what's the question, he needs his gall bladder out." We were told that although the tests were not 100%conclusive, his symptoms, persistent pain, progressing illness and abdominal tenderness pointed him in the direction of needing to remove his gall bladder.
I do feel better having him here at Children's. Everyone in Durango has been great. Yet kids need Kid Doctors. The surgeons was straight forward with Chris and I about the risks and possible complications and the fact that this may not be the cure - though he felt like it was a small chance that it was not his gall bladder. Chris listened and then the Dr. sent his schedule-lady in to see us.
SIDE NOTE: David had taken Ashley upstairs to see her surgeon and have her legs x-rayed - they are 3mm closer in length! In 4 months we'll have more x-rays. At this rate, may get to remove her pins in the fall! Their office was so great - I talked them and told them we were in the Hospital Clinic for our son, and asked if we could get an appointment and we did. Everyone looks so good on her legs and she got to keep a photocopy of her x-rays. Cool.
BACK TO THE STORY -
God worked it well! He had one slot open for Friday! So, no driving home and back to Denver! Wow, God!
We will spend the night in Children's Friday night and then come home on Saturday.
Thanks to everyone who is feeding dogs, watching the house, hauling supplies and mostly for PRAYING for us!
"The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord." I would much rather God have ordered our steps to stay in Durango. For God to heal Chris. For the h.pylori meds to have done the trick. For doctors there to be His hands for healing. But God brought us here. Our steps have been prepared. The angel of the Lord has prepared our way.
We just walk.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Glad to be Home
We returned home from Denver today. The trip took about 7 1/2 hours which was pretty good with a bandged, medicated child. We only stopped once for nausea and left a gift in Pueblo. Using the bathroom in Walsenburg was interesting. My back is going to be pretty strong after hefting my daughter in and out of the jeep!
Ashley's surgeon, Dr. Chang, is known for his creative casts. It's green with stars and moons - that glow in the dark! The cast is also covered in glitter and little blue stars.
I am amazed at God's grace. We ate well and slept well - in a hospital! The people were so nice and kind.
And when leaving the hospital, we met Will Smith and a picture made with him. He gave Ashley a stuffed rabbit and a copy of a movie that he signed for her. Plus, he signed her Memory Book "To Ashley, Love Will" with a big heart. She loves Independence Day and Men in Black, so it was pretty cool for her. He's a nice guy.
I'm glad to be home. Two hours after being home, the fatigue and tears came. I had sent David for dinner and was so glad to have Del Taco and not have to cook and as I retrieved a cookbook to look for a recipe for Thanksgiving dinner, the relief came. We're home and safe.
Ashley's settled on a mattress on our living room floor. Her pink and turquoise Christmas tree is lit and setting where she can see it (thanks Kayle and Cookie for doing this - she loved the movie, too!). In the rocking chair are balloons and a bear from her Gran, Nana and Papa Joe; a new Webkins from Miss Kris and Ben and her Build-a-Bear Rabbit. Chris is laying on the couch near her - he's helped move her around and stretch her leg, holding her cheek while she breathed through the discomfort. David and I are in our seats, the dogs in their bed.
And things are okay.
Father - thank you. Just, thank you.
Ashley's surgeon, Dr. Chang, is known for his creative casts. It's green with stars and moons - that glow in the dark! The cast is also covered in glitter and little blue stars.
I am amazed at God's grace. We ate well and slept well - in a hospital! The people were so nice and kind.
And when leaving the hospital, we met Will Smith and a picture made with him. He gave Ashley a stuffed rabbit and a copy of a movie that he signed for her. Plus, he signed her Memory Book "To Ashley, Love Will" with a big heart. She loves Independence Day and Men in Black, so it was pretty cool for her. He's a nice guy.
I'm glad to be home. Two hours after being home, the fatigue and tears came. I had sent David for dinner and was so glad to have Del Taco and not have to cook and as I retrieved a cookbook to look for a recipe for Thanksgiving dinner, the relief came. We're home and safe.
Ashley's settled on a mattress on our living room floor. Her pink and turquoise Christmas tree is lit and setting where she can see it (thanks Kayle and Cookie for doing this - she loved the movie, too!). In the rocking chair are balloons and a bear from her Gran, Nana and Papa Joe; a new Webkins from Miss Kris and Ben and her Build-a-Bear Rabbit. Chris is laying on the couch near her - he's helped move her around and stretch her leg, holding her cheek while she breathed through the discomfort. David and I are in our seats, the dogs in their bed.
And things are okay.
Father - thank you. Just, thank you.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Surgery Date
Miss Periwinkle.
Puddin'.
Pink and Precious.
Sister.
Sister Ruth.
All the many names given to our beautiful daughter.
She was born on July 24, 1998. She was so tiny. And very blue. She did not breathe on her own right away. Her Mom got her to take her first breath. We named her Ashley Ruth Wilson Beach.
Ashley - the name her daddy gave her when he first learned I was pregnant.
Ruth - after my dear Mimi, Ester Ruth Farris.
Wilson - my maiden name.
Beach - our family name.
Ashley Ruth, as her brother Chris called her, was a great baby! She slept! She ate well! She was rarely fussy. We dressed up like a doll - somethings in 4 or 5 outfits a day just to take her pictures! She wore preemie clothes for 2 months and slept in a baydoll basket my grandmother had made for my babies.
All was quiet and peaceful until she was 6 months old. Then a roll from a bed, combined with medication she was taking, caused a tear in her carotid artery to clot and 24 hours later cause a massive ischemic infarct.
Early in the morning, we were awakened by her screams. We tumbled over each other as we rushed down the hall to see what was wrong. Hours later, the projectile vomiting began - 10 feet through the bed rails across the room and down the wall.
Most of the rest is a blur. Doctors visits. Coming home. My mom holding her as she began her first signs of seizures. My mom, her Gran, holding her when she had her first grand mal seizure. Emergency room, ct scans, admittance and the word "stroke."
Nine and a half years have passed and we are preparing for her 3rd surgery. In three months, she's gone from hiking in the woods to using a wheel chair. Her tendons have tightened. The dystonia is worse. (Dystonia is like a spasm or uncontrolled muslce movement. Think of a person with Parkinsons Disease.)
Two months ago, I was beginning papework for surgery with the Shriner's Hospital in Utah. Two weeks ago, it became apparent that she needed the procedure quicker than the Shriner's could accomodate. One weeks ago I was hoping we could have surgery within 3 weeks. Today, I have 6 days to prepare for a 3 day trip.
Trooper.
Super Trooper.
Great Trooper.
Those are the new titles she's been given. Every teacher who wrote me, called her a Trooper! What a great legacy! Nothing keeps her down!
So, one week from today,we will be in Denver, CO. On Wednesday, November 19 we will check into Denver Children's Hospital (www.thechildrenshopsital.org) and at 2:00 pm, Ashley will go into surgery with Dr. Frank Chang for a Strayer Procedure on her soleus tendon.
I'm giving you specifics so that you can pray with specifics. David and Chris will be here. It's important each child have a parent with them. Chris is the ultimate big brother, her first physical therapist and best advocate.
Our friend Marilyn Rogers will be traveling with Ashley and me. We will leave early Tuesday morning, stay in the hospital Wednesday night and return home Thursday.
And some time on Friday, I'll breathe!
But I will rejoice! I will rejoice that God redeems the pain of this world! I will rejoice for the joy that is my daughter!
Father - hold me tonight.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
We Will Remember
9/11/01 - We Will Remember
The day our lives changed. The day we learned we were vulnerable as a nation. The day we found solace in our neighbors. The day so many lives were taken and so many were destined to lay theirs down for our nation.
I Will Remember -
Watching cars line up for miles to get gas. Standing outside City Hall and wondering how this could be happening. Calling the school Superintendent and asking him to close the campus for security reasons.
Being sworn in as Mayor. Praying for God's Guidance and Wisdom.
Picking my children up from school and taking them straight to the Police Department where I could know what was going on and have my kids protected.
The horrible knot in my stomach.
Calling my dad who worked for an airlines and making sure he wasn't traveling. He was there; his boss was traveling. She missed her flight connections which saved her life.
Watching the towers fall and fall and fall. A horrible dream. When would we wake up?
Those four airplanes were our wake up calls. Our loudly ringing alarm clock that took over 2700 lives.
I Will Remember -
One year later, having surgery and everyone in the operating room laughing when I asked anyone with 9/11 post-traumatic disorder to leave. They assured me I would be fine. Two days later, an emergency surgery and I was barely clinging to life.
"I will live and not die, I will live and not die," the only scripture that I could formulate in my drug-laden mind. And I did live.
In our family history book 9/11 is not the best of days.
And yet, we can celebrate the lives we still have. The love of God. Our family. Our friends. Our family in Christ.
Lord, thank you for your ability to redeem this tragedy - and any other if we give it to you. The horrible you do not create, but you create beauty from the horror.
The day our lives changed. The day we learned we were vulnerable as a nation. The day we found solace in our neighbors. The day so many lives were taken and so many were destined to lay theirs down for our nation.
I Will Remember -
Watching cars line up for miles to get gas. Standing outside City Hall and wondering how this could be happening. Calling the school Superintendent and asking him to close the campus for security reasons.
Being sworn in as Mayor. Praying for God's Guidance and Wisdom.
Picking my children up from school and taking them straight to the Police Department where I could know what was going on and have my kids protected.
The horrible knot in my stomach.
Calling my dad who worked for an airlines and making sure he wasn't traveling. He was there; his boss was traveling. She missed her flight connections which saved her life.
Watching the towers fall and fall and fall. A horrible dream. When would we wake up?
Those four airplanes were our wake up calls. Our loudly ringing alarm clock that took over 2700 lives.
I Will Remember -
One year later, having surgery and everyone in the operating room laughing when I asked anyone with 9/11 post-traumatic disorder to leave. They assured me I would be fine. Two days later, an emergency surgery and I was barely clinging to life.
"I will live and not die, I will live and not die," the only scripture that I could formulate in my drug-laden mind. And I did live.
In our family history book 9/11 is not the best of days.
And yet, we can celebrate the lives we still have. The love of God. Our family. Our friends. Our family in Christ.
Lord, thank you for your ability to redeem this tragedy - and any other if we give it to you. The horrible you do not create, but you create beauty from the horror.
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