Picu6

Wow, another marathon surgery-9.5 hours. She came out on the vent again, best for her as she was so swollen! Where do I begin? He drilled into the bone next to her "bad" eye and wired the lower lid into place, it should not droop anymore. He shortened the muscle in the upper lid-she looks symmetrical -he debulked her nose and lips - I took Lina to the ortho a few weeks ago and Dr. Kochenour needs more room, especially on the bottom, I had hoped Dr. Rose and Dr. K would have been able to talk before surgery that didn't happen, hopefully there is enough room now. He released the scare on her left jaw with wplasty, did zplasty on her neck and worked on her lips. She was extubated yesterday and is doing well. Her back, where they did microdermabrasion and the spot on her leg where he took a graft are hurting her most. He also released the scar under her bottom lip. We should leave the hospital on Friday, yeah.
I had the stomach flu and now I'm feeling so much better. (Must have caught it on the plane) Thanks for the prayers! Also, Peggy thank you for always being a phone call away, for being ready to do anything and everything to help, and for the simple act of posting a comment, it really means the world to me. Love you!!!

I almost forgot....

For the first time in 3 years the pilot of the plane let Lina come into the cockpit. Mr. Bob Jones, don't know his title, let Lina sit in the pilots chair and wear his hat. I have an awesome picture! As we were leaving the cockpit Lina and I prayed for God's protection and he placed his hands on mine. When he did the announcements he said how happy he was to have his new friend Lina join him today! Nice man! People don't realize that sometimes it is the smallest things that make a difference in our lives. I will use that experience to make Lina smile !

Everyone that knows me, is well aware of the fact that I wear my emotions on my sleeve. There is however something I have been ignoring, I don't know maybe unable to realize the truth. My friend Hope will not be here this time. Her daughter Alana went home to be with the Lord. I am sitting here in tears realizing that I was not a good friend to her when she probably needed one the most. I am so sorry Hope. I do pray for you and your family, but for some reason, I have not wanted to realize your pain-I ran from it. I pray for your forgiveness, maybe I will have to courage to call you and cry with you!

February 9, 2010

Wow it has been a really long time... In December the charity had its annual fundraising banquet and we were invited to attend. I told my sister, Lisa, that Rob, Lina and I would be going and she generously offered to pay for Hannah, Mary, and John to fly out also. We had a great time! Lina was honored with an award, for of all things, her courage. Bill told our story and the whole room was in tears, and on their feet for our family. It was truly uplifting.
And now here we are, back in NY for surgery #10. The week leading up to surgery was difficult, to say the least, I was in the most incredible pain I have EVER had and remember, I did give birth! (posted this just to remember) We did all the usual things, went to the pediatrician, then to Dr. Rose's office, we had lunch at the Comfort Diner (no friendly faces and the food was not as good as in the past). Lina wanted a Wendy's burger, FF's, and an M&M frosty for dinner, we picked it up and watched the Princess and the Frog. Lina fell asleep. Mary, I have no idea
how you get any sleep, Lina sure does SNORE. (haha) Rob left for SC today, so Hannah is stepping up and taking care of John and Mary for a few days. Susan, thanks for picking the kids up for school and for all your help last week-I really appreciate you! To my carpool friends, you girls rock--thanks for all you do to make this do-able for our family.
Lina is having a new graft put on a stint for her nose as one nostril closed up. Dr. Rose is also going to work on her mouth, eye, nose, and dermabrasion all over, to include her back. The show the Doctor's is interested in our story again, and some local NY programs want to see us in a few weeks to do a story on her. I would love for something to come through so that maybe the charity will get some recognition and donations.
I truly covet prayers-especially right now. I know the Lord is so good and I'm literally holding onto his promises. Lina is surrounded by angels and I am truly amazed at how she handles going into surgery each time. I'll update when I hear something.

And the hits just keep on coming...

So we all know that I love babies, but they put a crying baby in our room, and didn't seem to think that was a problem. I am so happy to say Dr. Rose agreed and okay'd us being discharged, so I am getting us ready to go to the hotel. Lina is doing great! Still very tired, not hungry yet but it will come. This has been a challenging trip, one thing after another, please pray that I will write a constructive letter. My friend Larry's daughter is going home, please pray that her recovery will be fast so that we can all watch her play next season.
Praise be to God for all things.

Where is she????

So I spoke with Dr. Rose last night after surgery and he said, " We hit a homerun." Then I went to recovery and she wasn't there. The woman in recovery couldn't find her....finally she was in Picu 3rd floor. She was extubated and did pretty well through the night. She got a bath, sat in a chair, but the magic moment hasn't come yet, she still isn't hungry. On a side note, I left one of our bags at the hotel and accidentally left my scripts, well no effexor makes for a BIG headache, so I left to get the meds and had the WORST taxi ride of my life, I thought for sure I was going to lose it....I didn't. On the way back to the hospital I begged the driver to go slow, he did and all is well. So, Lina had major work done to her eye-cartilage from her ear put in the bottom lid, the upper lid shortened. Major work to the nose and lips. She is not nearly as swollen as previous and I think we will be out of here by Friday. I have been doing the Beth Moore Believing God study and today was about miracles of the New Testament. I guess many don't believe that God is still performing miracles, I know he is. Please continue to pray for Lina and I. Also, woohoo, Hope is here, sadly her daughter Alana had been here for a month. Please keep her and the family in your prayers.

How many more???

I have meet some wonderful people this trip, please pray for Mary, having surgery on her shoulder due to cancer, they can't find the primary source of the cancer. Also, Kherisa, goalie for the Rochester field hockey team, having back surgery. We arrived in NY yesterday and went to Laura Gellers makeup studio. Lina enjoyed having makeup put on and felt like a princess. Then to Dr. Rose's office. We took pictures and then did a side-by-side comparison, WOW. She really has come a long way. For those of us that see her everyday...wait until you see the pictures. Then to the pediatrician. Lina didn't even bat an eye when they did the finger prick for a CBC, usually she wails. What an amazing little girl. We ate a cheeseburger and shake and headed to bed early, she fell asleep watching Night in the Museum, II. This morning she cried very little and went to sleep peacefully. I haven't heard ANYTHING. To all those praying, thank you! Prior to this trip I threw a few temper tantrums, The Lord is ever faithful though and loves me despite my shortcomings. I was on my face a lot last week and it has prepared me for this week. He is so good!

October 12

Quick update...we are going to NY on the 12th, surgery on the 13. Depending on the Lord, COMPLETELY!