Andrew ER Visit

Andrew visited the ER at Children's on Friday....twice. 


During lunch he fell off the bar stool.  I didn't see it, but I was in the room.  He cried pretty bad, but then he started acting really lethargic and then he vomited.  Sean took him straight to the emergency room.  They did a comprehensive assessment and observed him for a few hours, but cleared him and sent him home. 


He seemed to be doing OK, but later in the evening he started vomiting again so Sean took him back to the ER.  This time they did a CT scan and it was decided that he has a mild concussion. 


Well, come to find out he also has a left ear infection and the beginnings of left mastoiditis.  AND HE HAS TUBES IN HIS EARS!!!  I know he can still get infections, but I have to say I was pretty surprised because he hasn't been exhibiting signs of an ear infection, although he rarely does. 


The Lord is good and knew what we needed because without the CT scan we would not have known about the mastoiditis because that can't be visualized with the otoscope.  The ER doc said he would have ended up hospitalized with that. 


He was given a shot of Rocephin in the hospital for the mastoiditis and then sent home with 15 days worth of antibiotics and Zofran for nausea and ear drops. 


He is also supposed to rest for 3 weeks and not watch TV.  We are not succeeding so well at that. 


He seems to be doing well.  He is rooming with us for a few days and I'm getting some nice cuddle time with our little koala. 


One of the ER nurses called back yesterday and said that his CT scan was read by a radiologist again and there is a slight possibility that Andrew has Chiari malformation.  I'm not really going to go into all of that since we don't even know at this point if he has it or not, but if you look it up, you can read more about it. 


Lunch is ready.........

Andrew Surgery Scheduled

Our little man Andrew is going in for surgery on July 30th.  We went to the ENT consult this morning.  He has had 8 ear infections in a year and criteria for tubes is 4 in one year so he has had double.  She said the tubes will also help with his language development and also his hearing, of course.  He has an ear infection currently, but they did a hearing test any way to get a baseline and he has hearing loss.  Hopefully not permanent.  The nurse practitioner said once the tubes are put in and the fluid drains he could have normal hearing again.  I'm nervous and teary, of course, mostly because of fears with the anesthesia and the fact that we can't be with him while he is in the OR. 


I feel like we have been getting hit from all directions lately.  Wondering what I am doing wrong and why God is disciplining me.  I'm discouraged.  It's been a difficult season of life with my uncle and my grandma's deaths, Andrew's upcoming surgery, and our household has been sick since the beginning of June and we are still not well.  Which means we haven't been able to go to church either.  And our house is for sale, which looms over us at all times.  And Ryan's behavior.  It's just a drag.  Sean says maybe I am not giving all my rights to God and I am still trying to control things on my own.  HA!  Me? Controlling?  Never.  Control may just be my middle name!  I'm sure I hold on oh so tightly to many things in my life.  Anyone know how to give EVERYTHING to God?  If so, tell me the secret! 


Any way, hopefully our Andrew will be feeling better after the tubes are in place and we will see a whole new little boy who talks and hears! 
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Birthday Celebration

It's me and I'm back and I'm a year older now!!!  :)  Saturday we went up to Clingman's Dome, which in the Smoky Mtns and is both in TN and NC.  It's the highest point in the Smokies.  It started pouring as soon as we got there and so we hung out in the car for awhile, but God is good!  He stopped the rain and cooled it off and brought out the sun and it was just gorgeous as we walked the steep half mile to the top where the dome is.  On the way home I got my free birthday Starbucks, of course!  :) 

Sunday, my actual birthday, we went to lunch at the Stardust Marina.  We didn't know the restaurant was literally on the lake so it was a little treacherous getting the kids out there safely!!  lol  

The hubby also made me petite blueberry cheesecakes.  So delicious!  

Today, we just got back from the pediatrician.  All 4 kiddos have been sick for a week or so.  All 4 have ear infections and have started on antibiotics today.  And some prayers would really be appreciated because Andrew has an appointment with ENT on Monday for possible tubes because of his chronic ear infections.  :( 

Finally, Ryan, who has officially started kindergarten, is doing great and really enjoying Abeka!  We told him today that he wasn't going to have school and that it would be counted as a sick day and he said "why, is my teacher sick?" lol  He thought maybe Mrs. Bere, his DVD Abeka teacher, was sick!!!

Here's the recipe for those scrumptious cheesecakes!  http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/petite-blueberry-cheesecakes-50400000136150/ 

Post spaghetti and cheesecake shot

Few Words

Just a few things to say today!  Quickly though because Ryan is standing here coughing all over me and snorting and dripping mucus and talking my ear off and waiting to get on the computer BECAUSE he officially started kindergarten!!!  He is on Day 6 I think!!!  We are doing Abeka DVDs and we are also waiting for the workbook kits that go along with the DVDs.  He is doing very well so far and enjoying it.  He is doing it while the others nap, close to four hours a day! 


Ryan, Hunter, Andrew, and Hailey all have colds, but good news is Andrew went to have his ears rechecked yesterday and they look great!  The doc asked if we wanted to take him to an ENT doctor, but Sean said no.  We are hoping and praying that his ears stay good because there's been talk about getting tubes put in his ears.  Yikes!!!!!


Hailey has started her first solid....hard boiled egg yolk with sea salt.  She is doing very well with it!  She has not been sleeping as good as she usually does and so me and Sean have been a little tired, but thankful to have the little girl!  I guess we can sleep when we retire!!!!  lol


Finally, I have a new work schedule that will start in August that I'm excited about!  I will work 2 Saturdays a month (7a-7p shifts) and then the other two weeks I will work 3-11 on Fridays and Sundays 7a-7p.  That will mean only 6 shifts a month instead of 8 and less commuting and more time at home, especially since Ryan is in school now.  I had asked for it, but wasn't sure I was gonna actually get it! 


OK, time for Ryan to do school.  I will be happy when our lap top gets fixed because we are giving it to Ryan and then I can have this computer back!  :)