Post Op Grace!

Well, I suppose I should also talk about Chris surgery...

This has been over a 2 year process. To read about where Chris "has been" in the whole clef repair process (with pictures!), please feel free to click this link:

http://psalm-8410.blogspot.com/2012/05/our-assorted-upcoming-surgeries-no.html

Obviously we got our dates!

Yesterday could not have gone any better. Truly.  It was really great to see Chris' surgeon, Dr. Seldomridge in his element.  The respectful way he treats everyone, including his team at the hospital, as well as their respect for him was really wonderful to observe.  He was operated on at Lancaster General Hospital - it was SO easy to get in there, everyone went above and beyond to help us and make sure Chris and we were OK.

We arrived a half hour early, and were taken right back.  The check in lady walked us to the next stage and as she left called back "God bless you!" which really stood out to Chris - he has since begun to pray for the woman (whose name we don't know!).  The nurses were patient and gracious.  The IV process was the worst part (for Chris and the nurse who patiently worked with him).  They talked to him, and answered SO many questions from all three of us.  They allowed him to have his custom pillow case (something we picked up from CHOP and Katie - thanks Mrs. Landis!) and his bunny (whom he has had for the last 9 years!) when he went back for the procedure.  When we visited the gift shop I had brought with us the balloon that hung over his bed at his last surgery 9 years ago! They tried to fill it for us (at no charge and with other customers waiting!), then patiently explained to the crazy worried mom (I call myself sentimental. I think they maybe would drop the "senti" part) that helium balloons frequently don't hold air after nine years (see what I mean - ABOVE and BEYOND!).

He was a little longer than expected, but when we were finally called back it was to dress him and be escorted out. No calling for transport either - his nurse walked us down to the waiting car. Just an over all wonderful experience. Here are some pictures from the day...

MY bags packed and ready - both made by dear friends. Moral support (really! See... sentimental) - and that shiny blue in the front? Yup - that balloon...

Before anything - and dreading the IV...

After and waiting for us to get him out of there!

And - another stunner, but somewhat "normal" for Chris... He is on NO pain medications. He has had 3 teeth pulled, a lip fistula repaired, and a bone graft in his upper jaw, and the little man keeps stating that other than a bit sore, he is FINE. No meds needed (other than his antibiotics!).

We have to be careful that NOTHING (not even his crazy tongue!) bothers that graft site. He also has to be immaculate in his mouth until at least Sunday afternoon, so he is on a clear liquid (and liquid ONLY - no jello) until that time. That's been his biggest hurdle. He is pretty swollen up, but experiencing no bruising (which we were warned about and is pretty common after this type of event). After Sunday, he can have food again - all must be soft, and NO BITING. Very similar to the protocol for the palate repair. By Youth Camp and Wildwood he shouldn't have ANY restrictions. What a vacation that will be! 

We go back to Rothsville for a check up next Friday to have his sites checked, and again the week after (Wed.) to have his stitches removed. I can not believe this is over!!  SO grateful.

Lititz Trips for Chris surgery consultations and what we do for fun!

One perk of our visits to Lancaster for Chris' consulatations? The Rothsville office is right outside of the town of Lititz. We have grown to love Lititz. It is a great place to walk around to pass some time before a 2 hour ride home. Here are some pictures we took while we were there for our "final" surgery consultation...

On the way into the park...

These are some trained ducks - they can spot a tourist anywhere. Wondered why they were so friendly - then Mike spotted the food dispenser. So, being tourists and all, we caved...

Kate the Duck whisperer...

A picture of ALL SIX of us!!!  Note the REALLY short lady on the right... Not long now before I will need stilts. And btw - I am on raised flip flops and trying to stand as straight as possible. Note Kate's bent knees? I am telling you - everyone got Mike's tall genes.

Walking down the park's stream...

To the fountain head...

Where the springs really leave the cave... 

The "friend" Stephen found... We put him back - he was very patient!

The original "Lititz Lion" and the granite sculpture added after the original was defaced.

"In addition to its beautiful stream, its shaded walkways and its well-kept, natural environment, the Park was decorated in 1857 by a lion's head elegantly carved by J. Augustus Beck, a native of Lititz; and strategically placed to the right of the spring-head near the steps. Sometime later, Paul E. Beck, his father, Abraham; and his brother, Herbert, put a stone tablet into the wall at the Springs' head-end, upon which was engraved a German inscription, Gottes Brunnlein hat Wasser die Fulle ("God's Fount is never failing.")" 
( http://www.lititzspringspark.org/lsphistory.html )

AMEN!! Love this plaque!

They have a railroad car that has been turned into a museum as well. It was always closed when we went before. We caught it open!

And we NEVER leave Lititz without a visit to Wilbur chocolate museum!!!!!!

It's a fascinating place! And gives us something to munch on the way home...

Of course these next posts will be the size of a small novel!

It's been a while since I have posted. Life does that sometimes. Also, well, Facebook is back over here, and it is easier to simply do a sentence or two. But I am not a fan of writing small novels on Facebook as posts (I know - wouldn't know that from my small novels on Facebook...), plus there is SO much to say today I decided to do an update. Or a series of them. Or something.

This past week was a big week for us. As most of you know, Christopher, after 2 years of preparation, has finally had his jaw reconstructed. It is over. I will go into a whole lot more detail on that later, but suffice it to say that sometimes you have no idea how much something has become a part of your life until it is no longer a part of your life. I will give his "big day" its own post. Before we go there though (since I am unable to do things out of order...  : ) ), I have to do a "remember when" that really served to encourage me this week!

On June 12th of last year, Katie was in CHOP having a cath/ablation procedure. This is Katie the morning after the procedure.... It's SO Kate! Remember that law that states "An object in motion tends to stay in motion". That was written for my daughter and was why we went ahead with surgery over medication. The child NEVER stops!!!

Unless she has a book in her hands....

And this is her this year... Taller than me by 2 inches (at least!), sharing my shoes, and making our lives more exciting every day. How we LOVE this girl (young woman... )!!! 

 
As we visited the library for some books for the week and Mike and I were attempting to keep up with the kids walking home (hey - we were carrying the books - and they were HEAVY! ), I finally gave Kate the keys and sent her running full till down our street to unlock the door. It was then it occurred to me that she was in the hospital exactly one year ago that day. We have been SO blessed. That whole experience really did give us strength for that day and bright hope for tomorrow (in this case, Chris procedure - June 13th this year.). He has been good to us and our family!