when east meets south
I don’t talk a whole lot about Vivienne’s special need because, well, most days it just doesn’t come up. She’s an amazing kid – bright, silly, happy. With the sassiest comebacks ever. And physically, despite her skeletal dysplasia and bilateral arm deformity, she’s quite capable. She does pretty much whatever she wants, in her own special way. But recently her… Read More
A few weeks ago, Jude came to me and told me there was something he really wanted. So we looked online, and found the ones. Because there was no way I could say no to a boy in a wheelchair with casts up to his thighs, I ordered them. And yesterday, they arrived. Jude’s casts came off one week ago…. Read More
Yesssss. Jude’s casts came off yesterday. And he wanted to celebrate with a long-anticipated soak in the tub. Not surprisingly, a few of his younger siblings wanted to witness the event. Thank goodness for bubbles. I can only imagine how good it felt to soak the legs that have been stuck in casts for six weeks. But that sweet smile… Read More
casts off today. And he can not wait. Six weeks is a long time to not be able to scratch your toes.
This time last week Jude was still sleeping off the anesthesia from his surgery. Oy. So glad to be on this side of his surgery. He’s struggled so much with his Rx meds that he requested – and the doc agreed – to forgo both of them. Which means no muscle relaxer (for the constant charlie horses). And no painkiller…. Read More
Oh my, y’all. Yesterday, when Jude woke up? Oh my. His caudal block had worn off completely and, let’s just say, he was in more pain than he’s ever experienced. And he had no idea what to do with himself. Evidently, this surgery causes uncontrollable leg cramps. And he was convinced his casts were too tight. It was heartbreaking. After… Read More
He’s out of surgery and in his own room now. All cozy under a bunch of blankets, he woke up long enough to ask if his surgery was over, request some apple juice and tell me he loved me. *sniff* Next up, we’ll need to manage his pain and then get him back home. But for now, I am rejoicing… Read More
He in surgery. All has gone well, so far. They gave him the “goofy juice” and he proceeded to get very, very goofy. Then they wheeled him back to surgery. And I held his hand until he fell asleep. Then I walked out, down the hallway, and proceeded to bawl like a baby. Many here enduring surgeries for reasons so… Read More
Tomorrow we head out. Jude, Victoria, Zach, Poppy and I will leave in the morning, to arrive in Iowa on Wednesday. Which means that, right now, I’m running around like a crazy person. Trying to remember what to bring, and what to leave. Thinking about how terribly I’m going to miss my kiddos. And, most of all, praying that all… Read More
Today marks the beginning of Jude’s treatment to correct his relapsing clubfoot. He’ll get his first of two casts to prepare his foot for surgery. He is, in fact, at his appointment right now with his dad and a few of his siblings. But I am here. At home. Holding down the fort with the other kiddos. Wishing I could… Read More