Way to go LINA

At Wellington School each month has a character trait that they talk about in morning assembly and the students work on make them a part of their lives. For example, having an "I can" attitude, perserverance, poise and confidence...you get the picture. When a teacher sees the student exhibit the characteristic she can choose to award them with a key of excellence. Today Lina got a key!! In addition, she went to the front and read a beautiful paper on "Why her parents are the best" Needless to say, I was boo-hooing and so proud of her. The paper was submitted to Families on the go and she was an honorable mention--I think if the magazine knew her story, she would have won! I will post the story when I receive it! It is beautiful! She gets it--she gets what is really important in life. LOVE.
My angel Bill is coming through again, and I know the charity isn't "raking in the cash" ! He is so AMAZING and generous-thank God for his kindness. I do hope to raise funds to "pay forward" all the $$$$ the charity has put into Lina. In God's time.....

Next surgery is June 3

I stink at this updating stuff...so much going on. For the record, I had surgery on Tuesday, May 12 to remove a tumor from my left breast. Pathology came back fast and I am cancer-free, all praise and glory to God. So on to Lina, we will leave the 2nd, surgery on the 3rd, and God-willing we will be coming home on the 10th. He is going to work on the whole face,re-fining and the likes. With the economy being as it is, the charity helping us is not doing well, so we got Dr. Rose approved as an in-network provider, I know the Lord will provide. The school year is almost over, Hannah is driving, and this promises to be an awesome summer.

Truly Amazing

It has been such a long time since I've updated...Susan you put me to shame girl! Lina is doing amazing. She has recently made it into book club, continues to make 100% on spelling tests, and understands the current math chapter. Most importantly she is developing into a loving, kind, and helpful young lady. I have had so many mixed emotions with Lina, frustration, compassion, a desire to wring her neck , to hugging her for hours on end. I can truly say that the love I have for her is special, unique, and unending. The Lord has taught ( and is still teaching) me wonderful life lessons, but the most important is that love can fix anything.

Going back to school

Wow, it has been a LONG two weeks. Lina got on a new antibiotic after we got home, but I did not send her to school the week after surgery. The thought of her getting another bug, just did
not sit well with me! Then, all the kids were off for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful meal with my Mom, Dad, sister Lisa and her husband Ron. Today John was baptized as he asked Jesus into his heart over a year ago, and today Lina went forward telling our pastor she wanted to be baptized. She, too, is saved and I am so excited that she made the decision to be baptized.
God has big plans for this little girl and it is wonderful to watch her follow after him.

Home sweet home

Wow, just when I think its going to be a little easier... We arrived at Dr. Rose's office at 9:00 and Lina fell apart at 9:01. For all of you that know how goofy I can be, I set a world record, dancing around his office singing and being silly, it worked though and she laughed. I helped them settle her into surgery and then waited. On Saturday, prior to surgery I filled some scripts for Lina and the insurance didn't go through. Thinking it was just the cobra nonsense I begged the for the antibiotics and such and the pharmacist gave them to me. While she was in surgery I called Anthem and they stated that the company I was Cal-cobraing through cancelled our insurance and I wasn't covered. I asked why they didn't notify me and they said they sent a letter on the 7th cancelling Lina's insurance on the 1st. I asked if she saw a problem with this...I had not received the letter, but I did receive the bill and paid it. After a few minutes of "Are you kidding me" and "this is wrong" they realized they had to cover us for the month of November--one disaster avoided! While sitting there I began to smell the most horrible smell, it was Lina's skin-I later learned that the lasering is like 3rd degree burns, it takes off the top layer of skin to reveal what we hope will be regular facial skin. I carried her out of surgery 5 hours later, she was swollen and in pain. We got to the hotel and she fell asleep momentarily, I gave her the pain med and it did not touch her pain. It was a long night. The next day we went back to Dr. Rose's office and I asked for a better pain med. For the next 2 days we didn't move from that room, hardly moving from the bed. She said her throat hurt and started coughing. Called the doc and he said she's on antibiotic, she should be fine. I will be calling our ped on Monday, as I think she might have strep, not that you could see her throat she can't open her mouth! They worked on her nose, eye, and mouth, put in a chin, revised scars, and lasered other scars. Her face has to be washed 3 times a day and a heavy ointment kept on for the week and then a cream put on for 2 weeks. She will not be at school on Monday and I'm going to evaluate each day, she probably won't go back until after Thanksgiving. Thank you for all the prayers and to my church family, you have no idea how much I love the comments. THANKS.
I have never claimed to understand why God chose me to play a part in this miracle, but I am thankful and trust in his power and knowledge.

Lina's Recovery

Lina and Laura arrived in NY on Nov 9. Her surgery was on Nov. 10th in Dr. Rose's office where she had a chin implant and laser treatment, then back to the hotel for recovery (no hospital stay this time). I spoke to Laura when they got back to the hotel and Lina sounded like she was in incredible pain. She was moaning and crying and for Lina to be complaining means she's in serious pain! She was like that all night, and the pain meds didn't do much to help her. After a visit to Dr. Rose's office the next day (and a boost in some meds!) Lina's doing a little better, but still hurting! Though it's been painful, it's 'as expected' as far as her recover and they are looking to return on Friday (the 14th)!

Please keep Lina (and Laura) in your prayers...Lina's a tough kid, she must REALLY be hurting from the laser treatment. I don't know how Laura could handle hearing Lina moaning in pain all night, knowing there's not much she can do except to let her know she's there.

All's fine at home (thank you Nancy!!!), thank you to everyone who's been praying for Lina's recovery.

November 10

Lina's next surgery is scheduled for November 10th. She will be getting a chin implant, and laser on her scars. We will be there for a week, God-willing. Lina's behavior has been less than desirable lately, maybe regression due to nervousness. I have been praying for the Lord to teach me how to be a better parent to her.