Out of Surgery

She's out and everything appeared to go well. The surgeon noticed that the screw holding the spine rod seemed to be moving around a bit and will be requesting a CT Scan before we go to see the neurosurgeon. It may require taking it out and putting it a different location.

On a side note, I'm just learning of some friends who's unborn baby is showing signs of spina bifida and will require surgery right after birth. Please pray that the condition is not serious for this little unborn child.

Surgery Today

We're told the surgery is going to take about 2 hours. But come to think of it, I believe that's what they tell us each time.

All in all, it should be routine in the sense of lengthening the rods, but as we all know, surgery can hardly be summed up as routine.

Thank you for the prayers.

Spirit of Adoption

6 years old today!

Emily has turned 6 today. Hard to believe that she's been with us almost 4 years. She's growing up!

Next Surgery Scheduled

I'm sorry to all that I have not kept up with this blog. I received a nudge the other day to post more info and keep everything current. Thank you Ellie. :)

Anyway, Emily is set to go in for a "routine" lengthening of her titanium rods on February 3rd. We hope it is just that...routine.

One thing we're concerned about right now is that we recently heard from the neurologist who wants to see her again. What this means is the possibility and concern of her spinal cord fusing back to the vertebra.

We're going in March, I believe to get the MRI/x-rays and such to determine the situation there. Your prayers are much appreciated that this is not happening because another surgery in that area could have serious long term repercussions.

Post Surgery - 5/24/2011

We're happy to report that all went well today and they were able to replace one of the sections of the rods that had reached its limit. Emily experienced some tummy discomfort, but she appears to be pulling through pretty well. Certainly some sensitivity in our back and soreness.

We have a lot of visitors since the staff here is very accommodating. Also a volunteer named Jay Mack stopped by with a guitar and serinaded Emily with "Wheels on the Bus" and then they sang a duet of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."

She's working with some crafts now and we're getting ready to order dinner. Hopefully only one more night, but not saying it's a bad place here, just there's no place like home.

I'm attaching a pic of the piece of titanium rod that was removed from her for show and tell.

Surgery #5 - Monday, May 23, 2011

It's been a while since our last post and it seems as though Emily's surgeries have dictated the timing of our updates to the blog. We really should change that. But it just goes to show you when our awareness is heightened to our vulnerabilities. Thus the need to reach out to our families and friends and appeal to you for your prayers that all goes just the way our Creator would have it.

We're giving mommy a break this go around and daddy has checked in with Emily to the Dallas Scottish Rite for a scheduled surgery to replace one of the two titanium rods that has reached its maximum length. The other rod on the spine is still long enough to just simply be lengthened. I have requested of the doctor to give us the piece of the rod to take home and show to those interested in exactly what Emily has inside of her. We'll see if they actually end up giving it to us.

Anyway, we checked in this morning with first getting the routine of x-rays, weight checks, photography and observation by the staff. We're now in our room for the night and Emily's dinner was just delivered in which she chose fish sticks, apple sauce, tomato soup, chocolate milk and strawberry ice cream.

In the meantime, we're watching news reports of the terrible storms that went through Joplin, Missouri in which winds were measured around 200 mph, which is just unheard of. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those. The devastation is unreal.

We'll keep the blog updated with the results of her surgery tomorrow.