Incision Issues

Well, we had a slight bump in the road (which is expected, I guess). The last of Caed's steri strips came off on Friday. We had quite the celebration! It meant that he could FINALLY swim again. Been a long *HOT* summer not being able to do that. He was absolutely giddy on Monday when we told him 'today was the day' he had been waiting for!

One more item on Caed's summer to-do list was of course go to JoyLand. (Lubbock's amusement park) We had canceled several weeks prior because we knew the rides that Caed would want to go on....might be too rough. I felt it would be cruel and unusual punishment taking him there, and him having to watch everyone else ride the rides he loved so much. And making him settle for the carousel and train! So, we canceled only a few hours prior. This week, more cousins were in town, so we thought JoyLand would be perfect timing (since all steri strips were gone).

However, looking at his incision, we could see one section that just didn't look right. We began putting Neosporin on it a couple of times daily and watching it carefully. Yesterday he came to me lifting up his shirt. He knew something wasn't right. Sure enough....that troubled section had opened up a little bit. We tried to reassure Caed all was fine, but secretly talked about the need to get it checked out. Simply heading BACK to a doctor (any doctor) would sky rocket his blood pressure. Even more so, we knew his heart would be broken having to cancel JoyLand again!!

We wanted to avoid the ER simply because we didn't want to pay $100 for a couple of steri strips. The plan was to head to a clinic instead. My sweet neighbor did some leg work for me calling around and they told her they wouldn't see him (due to it being a recent surgery and an open wound.) I wanted to cry at that point. Going to a clinic is one thing. Going to a hospital is entirely another. I secretly packed a small bag full of things we might need if they decided to keep him overnight. Just something you always prepare for when you take 'these kids' to a hospital. You never ever know! Even though deep down...I knew it just had to be an easy fix.

When we pulled up at the ER, Caed looked around...saw the sign and began crying. It took me forever to pry him out of the car. He was absolutely scared to death. He kept saying over and over...."I don't want to have surgery again!!!.....I don't want them to hurt me!" I tried to talk to him. Told him they were simply going to put another "band aid" on his incision. (and prayed like crazy for that to PLEASE be the case). Finally, Caed got out of the car, but then he wanted to wait for his eyes to "dry up." He did NOT want anyone knowing he had been crying. The entire 2 hours we were there, enormous goose bumps covered his arms and his eyes were full of tears (ready to fall at any time). Once again, he put on his brave face (even though I knew he was dying inside).

The ER doc was one we had seen many times before which was very comforting. He said that particular section was where Caed had been cut on 3x prior. It made sense. The top section was new. It healed beautifully! They weren't able to push it back together before putting on new steri strips. The skin has simply lost all elasticity. So, our prayer is that it will heal up on its own and for zero infection! ER doc was insistent that we come back immediately if we saw more 'oozing or redness.' Our plan is to go see his Lubbock surgeon next week for a follow-up. I feel good having not only a surgeon look at the site, but one that has had experience with Caed. Hopefully, it will be closed up and healing nicely. Telling Caed about this appointment with Dr. G will be another story...... Pray for that!!!

I sat Caed down this morning and together we brainstormed things he probably should avoid for 7 days, and then a list of things he was free to do. I told him breathing and walking were probably fine. ANYTHING else is not allowed!! (haha just kidding....kinda) He has asked me many many times today "What if...." questions. At one point he even asked "If my incision doesn't close up, will I die....?" I just wanted to cry for him. He has been through so much (unexpected) this summer. And now this. Even though this is simple. We are home. Nothing life-threatening. But, sometimes the emotional issues are just as tough (or tougher) as the physical ones.

We have 3 weeks left of summer. Our swimming days are out....again. At least for a week. JoyLand days are out...again. At least for a week. Praying this new bump in the road is resolved quickly and Caed can salvage what little of summer fun is left. His baseball team is having a swim party soon, and Caed was also wanting to swim for his birthday (also coming up). As my cousin said today...."HEAL BABY HEAL!!!!!!!!!!"

That is our prayer....

Doing GREAT!!

Caed is doing wonderful! His emotional "issues" are getting fewer and farther between. Typically they happen during bath-time. He is terrified that something is going to happen if he gets even ONE drop of water on his incision. We have tried and tried to explain this to him. He doesn't hear us. Caed has not been allowed to swim for almost 4 weeks. 2 of his steri-strips are almost off. The other 4 are still stuck on pretty good. Ugh! Partly due from his EXTREME fear of it getting wet.

(we are making tremendous progress: I talked him in to running through the sprinklers yesterday. He questioned me 80x...making sure everything would be ok. I reassured him. Already today, the kids are back out running through "Rain Town." haha)




I'm not certain of how Caed got these "broken" 3D glasses. (I think Uncle Mark probably had a hand in it) But....the child hasn't taken them off. At first, we thought he was doing it to be funny. We soon realized nope, he truly thinks he looks cool! (someone made the mistake of telling him he looked like Joe Jonas) I looked down at him in church Sunday and saw THIS! I about died. I'm sure the preacher was a bit distracted seeing Caed staring back at him from row 3! haha




Uncle Mark and Hayden got Caed ready for a game of hide-n-go-seek IN THE DARK...outside!





Reagan had a fun weekend celebrating her 11th birthday. She had a sleepover with 7 other girls. They had SO much fun! Stayed up til 5am.....until "Mean Mama" made them turn the lights out and get a little bit of sleep.




Caleb has enjoyed finally having both Reagan and Caed home to play with each day. He is Caed's shadow...

101

That's the number of questions we are hearing each day from Caed concerning his recent hospital stay. Quite honestly, they completely catch me off guard because they occur at very random times during the day. While walking the aisles at Dollar General I was told...."Mommy, I want you to tell me the truth! " (talk about a statement that makes a parents' heart skip a beat) I thought I was about to be hit with the infamous Santa Claus inquisition. I was ready for that one. Been there-done that. Nope. He proceeded to ask a question about his surgery. Ugh. I reluctantly answered as truthfully as I could without scaring him. That was apparently good enough, and he was on to search out the toy section. There have been so many questions just like this that come at very odd times throughout the day. Some of them are things that I honestly didn't even remember happening.

Caed is definitely doing better though. He has been sleeping through the night the past several nights. I guess he is just processing it now through all his questions. It saddens my heart that he even has to go through this, but I know it's just part of the process. And unfortunately....it's life.

This too shall pass..............

"I'm scared....

....something else is going to happen."



These were the words Caed said to me last night before bedtime. He was crying as his entire body trembled with fear. I tried desperately to calm him, reassure him all was going to be ok; however, I realized at that moment, it was deeper.

Caed has had a rough several days. He has woken up many times during the night (or while napping on the couch) crying out for me. Our first response is to ask him WHERE he is hurting. Oh God! Can this really be happening again? He never responds to us. Just continues crying. A few times he looks at us with eyes that are completely glazed over. Then when questioned about it in the morning, he has zero recollection of what took place.

One of two things might be happening: Our first assumption is that his hernia is beginning to hurt. He is currently on medication for it, but the drug the IRP team wanted him on....was NOT what the insurance company agreed to (for now). If this indeed is hernia related, I know we can begin the process to get the "big gun" drug approved. However....this might be something entirely unrelated to any kind of physical pain. Caed experienced night terrors on and off after the '2008 Crisis' as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I in no way am comparing that to the last 2 months, but am wondering if some of his fears (from ALL that he has gone through this summer) may be the cause of the night waking. ??? I truly have NO idea. We are still on the fence.

I must admit however (even though the shingles kinda blew my 'everything's fine!' cover), Caed's words last night mirrored my own heart's cry. What if something else happens? What if the next shoe falls? I am scared.

This morning in church our pastor spoke on the sovereignty of God. There were many things I got out of the sermon, but one in particular was that.....my God is BIG, no HUGE! His thoughts, plans, and purposes are completely incomprehensible to us. But they are good. I don't know what's going to happen. To Caed. To me. To anyone. Worrying about it though accomplishes nothing. It doesn't change the outcome....only robs you of living life and ENJOYING all the blessings God has graciously given.

Thank you for praying for Caed (and our family). We have been absolutely overwhelmed at ALL the love and support shown to us once again! You have blessed us!! I guess I shared all this for you to know how to pray specifically. Either we have a painful hernia to get under control or a little boy who has some tough emotional issues to get through. Or BOTH!

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.....If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the LORD, who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:5, 9-11)

Happy 11th Birthday

...to our July 5th Firecracker!!

Reagan, it's hard to know where the years have gone. Seems like yesterday you were having to be lulled to sleep by the VACUUM CLEANER! (vacuum off = screaming / vacuum on = quiet) Needless to say, back in those days, my carpet was spotless! You were a very strong-willed (wild-haired) little baby/toddler with a princess-filled imagination. You have grown into a beautiful young lady with a caring, sensitive heart. Daddy and I pray that you continue to follow Jesus and grow more in love with Him everyday. HE has big plans for your life! It won't always be easy, fair, or the most fun......but TRUST HIM. His ways are always BEST...and HE will pour blessing upon blessing onto your life.

PROVERBS 3

^1-2 Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands.
They'll help you live a long, long time,
a long life lived full and well.

^3-4 Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.

^5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.