Saturday, March 2, 2013

Before Surgery

Ah...  I finally get a moment to write!  It's been awhile. 

Kaylee's first steps to her new leg begun 2 weeks ago.  She had what is called the super hip/super knee surgery plus an 8 plate put in to straighten the bottom bones on her right leg.  So many feeling I felt weeks leading up to the surgery and during the surgery.  As I'm sure every parent has these same feelings it's not easy at all to put your child through any surgery but putting them through a major surgery knowing possible risks involved was very overwhelming to me!

Lets start at the day before surgery shall we...  After a long drive to West Palm Beach with 2 young children asking are we there yet all the way there we arrived late to her pre-op appointment!  But thank goodness they did not mind they tooks us on back we had lots of paper work to fill out and lots of different doctors to talk and then sign our daughter away to them after they told us all of the risk involved.  It was very scary but I had to in my mind say to myself, don't think about don't think about it Ashley tomorrow will just be another day.  Then the terrible part, Kaylee already knew something was up and she was already telling us "no shots" and "I don't want to wear a cast" well of course they had to draw blood :(  Her screaming they tied her up and start trying to find a vain, that's when I lost it.  I held back my tears for so long but when they started falling I couldn't control them!  I started crying and she was screaming "momma hold me" that was just getting some blood from her I thought how in the world will I have the strengthen tomorrow to put her through this surgery!

After a long day at the hospital then meeting with the PA to go over the surgery and all the risk we decided to take the kids to the beach.  It was really nice they loved it!  It was very cold so I kept telling Kaylee we can't get in the water there might be a shark in there (remember that for later).  We got back to our room after dark and I just kept telling myself just don't think about it.  I was very sick and had huge knots in my stomach, little Kaylee had no idea what the next day would bring.  I didn't sleep much that night but I did get on facebook and read all the messages and all the post of people praying for her, that really made the night better for me just knowing there were so many prayers being said for her.  I just told myself there is nothing at all to worry about b/c I know God will be right there holding her hand the whole time.  I finally turned in to try to get some sleep but it was very hard, I just held her in my arms, brush the hair off of her face and kissed her forehead all night with tears rolling down my cheeks. 



The next morning came very early we had to be at the hospital at 6:00 a.m.  The ride to the hospital was hard but something came over me like I was not myself I had a new strength come over me.  All the prayers were working and so many times I had doubt if God would really show up for me, in that moment I felt his presents!  "In Christ who strengthens me" nothing has been more true then that to me!  We arrived at St. Mary's Children's Hospital 6:00 on the dot and they took us right on back, me thinking hopefully this will go by fast now that I'm a little prepared, let just say it didn't.  After some silly juice and 2 hours later it was time.  They dressed me in a white suit and hair neat and told me to walk her on back.  I'm feeling sick thinking about it but that was the longest walk ever!  The nurse was talking to me the whole time we were walking but I didn't hear a word she was saying, it was like I was in a tunnel.  My mind just went blank, then we entered the OR. White big bright lights and dual metal (surgical utensils) was all I seen they told me where to lay her keep in mind she was still awake, I laid her on the table her looking in my eyes they told me I could give her a kiss.  Oh I cry thinking about it, so hard!  then they put the gas mask over her nose and mouth her still looking in my eyes 3 breaths later she feel asleep.  They told me to tell her goodbye...  I couldn't leave her!  Event after I walked away I turned around and went back to her I just wanted to pick her up and run out the room, but I didn't.  I walked out crying like never before the only person I saw was Dr. Paley he put his hand on my shoulder and said she'll be alright.  I walked out of the OR hall seen Chad my husband all I could do was hug him and cry.  But the hardest part to me was over or so I thought I didn't get to see her till 12 hours and 30 mins later.
            
                                              Kaylee the night before surgery

Friday, January 4, 2013

Things to expect from this surgery

I realize I have posted alot lately in Kaylee's blog but this is the best way to share what I learn about this surgery with Kaylee's whole family.

I talked with a woman from the doctor's office today and she gave me alittle insight on what I need to prepare myself for...  This is a very complicated surgery one of the most complicated surgeries in all of orthopedic pediatric surgeries, mainly because they will be working around the sciatic nerve the whole time.

When they wheel her back it will be 10 to 12 hours before we will be able to see her.  Make sure she does not come down with any type of cold before hand.  They say a month before the surgery because she will be under anesthesia for so long, she will have breathing problems from the cold if she has had one.  She will keep the epidural tube and a catheter tube in her I'm thinking a few days?  Still not sure about that.  When they wake up after the surgery the kids usually are begging for the cast to come off.  She will be in the hospital for a few days then we need to plan to stay there for 12 days afterwards.

She will be sent home with a removable Spica cast only for bathing and diaper changes (very glad we kept her in a diaper!)  We will need the Hippo Car Seat and a Jogging stroller which we don't have. 

After the six weeks are up in the cast and it is removed she will need therapy for gait training, range of motion and other things.  She will need a medical walker which thankfully we already have.  Possible 3 to 4 months after the removal of the cast will she be back walking on her own again.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

~Getting Started~

The first preparation. I  Called and got her pre-op appointment set up we will need to be there February 12th at 11:00 a.m. to set everything up for the next morning.  Kaylee will have to stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 days then afterwards we will stay in West Palm Beach for a week if everything seems to be healing well.  She will be put in what is called a Spica Cast the picture to the side is what this will look like.  We will need to buy an almost $700 special car seat called the Hippo car seat... Wow!  Very thankful for the benefit we had for Kaylee! 


Lots of paper work to fill out and plans to make.  We will be very busy around here for the next month!  But things seem to be going smoothly so far.  Main things to focus on this month is getting this house in order everything sterilized!  And we must make sure not to get as much as a runny nose 30 days before the surgery or we will have to cancel.    I certainly feel an amazing peace over me seem crazy but no nerves or worries just ready for it to be here!  Kind of feels like that last month of pregnancy just all the perparing and the waiting for the baby to arrive,  thats the only way I can describe what I'm feeling now.  But maybe not the joy afterwards of having a baby...  I do look forward to having the time spent with my family for almost 2 weeks we will be together and what better place then at the beach!  Thankful for our father everyday, we are blessed beyond any measures.  Peace be with all who reads this <3     

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

~A New Year~

  Well I am starting the new year off right, I told myself this year I will start back with Kaylee's blog...  It's time for a fresh new start to this new year! 

   Kaylee will be having her first surgery February 13th so alittle over month I have to perpare!  Lets just say I'm not ready!!  We have put this surgery off for to long and now the time has come.  Lots of stuff to learn about this surgery it's not an easy one, this one surgery alone will last 6 or more hours.  There are special car seats to buy and I'm sure alot of special stuff we will need for her at home. I have alot to learn I was reading of blood tranfusions and painful muscle spasms, scary when I think about it!  But never less it must be done for Kaylee's well being so there is no turning back now.


  Some info on the surgery this surgery is called the super hip and super knee surgery.  Dr. Paley her lengthening doctor will have to perform this surgery first in order to stabilize her hip and knee so it will be ready for the lengthening surgeries.  We will be staying in West Palm Beach for alittle over a week then reture home for 6 weeks with her in a lower body cast.  Hopefully we can keep her satisified and still for 6 weeks...  For a 2 1/2 year old I realize this will be very hard!!  Then after 6 weeks of healing time we will return to West Palm Beach to have her cast removed.

  At this point I am just ready for her to have the surgery and be back in my arms.  It seems for me this time before the surgery has been the worst just all the worring and looking at her so happy now and knowing soon she will be in pain and in a cast for so long not being able to move, ugh...  There is light and hope for all this, after she will be moving around so much better and she will gain a whole inch in length!!  We are always thankful for what the Lord has done and no matter what he will get us all through this and make Kaylee and her family much stronger from it <3

Friday, April 27, 2012

There's A Healing in Process


A miracle.  What if in our life God came just once and asked what do you need?  What would you say?  What is our biggest need in this life?  Let’s say you tell him what you want and right then he gives it to you, what happens then?  Would you need God anymore in your life?  Would you pray, would you praise and worship him, would you continue to follow his word and do as you should in this life, would you continue to seek him with all of your heart?  This life on this earth is full of needs, needs only God can answer and if he did what we asked him to do all the time we wouldn't have a need for him in our life.  You may say that’s not true I have everything I need right here I don't ask God for anything.  You better be asking God for something you may have everything your family, home, car, material things but there is always someone else that’s lost and hurting or someone out there that needs a healing to pray for.  There is always a need for God ALWAYS!





My need. I laugh when I say this I am a person who wants to change the world but I am also the most quietist no attention on me person to.  I say to the Lord I have no voice so how can I change the world that must be why he gave me Kaylee so I pray "please use my daughter to change the lives around me heal her leg completely show everyone who you are, you are almighty show these people who are lost your power, please Lord please use Kaylee heal her leg!  I'm not asking healing out of vain I truly want to change the lives of people around me I want them all to love God as much as I do. So that goes back to my need if God came to me and asked me what I want in this life.  No it's not to heal Kaylee's leg which was overshadowing what I really wanted, what I really wanted is to bring salvation to people, my biggest need I want no one I know, no one I love to waste this life that God has given them I want them all to be in heaven with me, that this is not our home we are all a part of something bigger and greater than this life!





Gods answer.  God said to me "gather my people and I will show you a miracle" so clearly he spoke this to me.  Ooh I see now all this praying I am doing over Kaylee why it's not working is b/c God wants to do this in front of people not just any people but people who believe in him the most.  I must bring her to the church, I must get the church to pray for her, I must,I must, this is it people are about to be changed forever!  Thank you Lord, Thank you!!  Something happened Kaylee's leg has grown some and almost overnight it has grown, God was right I am going to do it, Kaylee's time is now! " I will show you a miracle" God said " A miracle" not Kaylee's miracle.  A miracle more powerful than the healing of a leg a miracle that will change life’s forever..  Hear this a miracle of the heart!  I did as God instructed me to I took Kaylee to be prayed over, and something happened not to Kaylee but to me!  Tears are coming to my eyes now..  My heart, my heart do you hear that Kaylee's not the miracle my heart is!  I can change the world; I can change the lives around me only by my heart not by God proving himself to us!  We all have a heart, all of us!  Kindness is the only way to change a life not harsh words or preaching to but simply love and kindness!  Jesus said it best above all of these commandments LOVE thy neighbor!  Kaylee's healing will come no I will never give up on that but it's all in good time, a heart will change the world, only a heart!  May God be with you as you read this and realize if there is a person out there who is lost and is suffering reach out to them you don't have to right off the bat tell them you need to change your ways and get right with God, just sit down and talk to them, listen to them and just give them a big hug and let them know you care!  My new need I want the heart of Jesus, guess what I have had that all along!  We all have the heart of Jesus it's time we share it with the world!  May God bless your heart, and just trust God in everything you do! 

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Love and Thanks

   
Love. My heart is very heavy tonight, I just want to write and let it all out. Kaylee my precious, precious child oh I have no words to say only tears, tears of joy, tears of fear, tears of LOVE! Kaylee is 19 months now and we are fastly approaching her first charity event, A Walk for Kaylee. My sweet sister who is now in the 11th grade at Bethlehem High school made a suggestion to her FCCLA club to have a benefit for her niece, and oh how that one suggestion turned into an all out huge charity. The Lord uses us in incredible ways and he put this thought in Savannah Miller's mind over a year ago to organize all of this. I can not thank you enough and the whole FCCLA club of Bethlehem High School.
Kaylee is only a work from God that is the only way I can explain Kaylee and all the people living with this condition. You take a child born with half a leg and no hip or knee and tell me honestly tell me how it is physically possible to walk, to run, to dance, to climb, to do every single thing a normal 19 month old would do. Only through God! You know I have been praying for Kaylee's miracle for so long, before she ever even thought of walking and look at what God has accomplished though her. Let me say this, how can a child be born with a physical handicap and still be completely normal in every single way! Let me just say this if I didn't see it for myself everyday I would have never believed it, honestly before God gave me hope and came into my soul I thought just being honest, I thought Kaylee would be in a wheel chair until her leg was lengthen.
This world is beautiful, I know it's so hard to see because we are surrounded by negativity all the time, thought the media, the people we surround ourselves by, all of that just gets in the way of how beautiful we really are and how beautiful this world is that God so generously gave us. I am saying this because I have seen true complete beauty in the town and surrounding towns where I live beauty is here, peace is here, to me this would be the closet place to heaven I could imagine. To the people of Bethlehem and all surrounding towns around us, this has even reached people in England I might add so let me say that to all the people that has been involved in saving my child's leg let me just say from are whole family THANK YOU!! Thank you doesn't seem like much I truly feel as if I should give it all back to you in someway but as of tonight thank you is all I can say! Beauty is within you all, God is within you all only God told you to do what you have done and I know many, many blessings will be poured upon all of you because God never goes back on his word! In me saying that God has put it in my heart for sometime now that he will heal Kaylee, so I am anticipating that glorious day so please people keep praying for my little girl because let me tell you all who has prayed in the pasted and is praying now for her, whatever it is you all are doing it's working beyond belief it's working! I could write all night but I better stop, so I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you, I can't say it enough to all the people that has helped out with this event for Kaylee and for all the many people out there who are praying for Kaylee. From the bottom of our family's heart THANK YOU and may God bless you all, Kaylee's leg will be safe and it's all possible from you!!!