Just Two Little Words

Just two little words ~ Don’t Worry ~ so simple, yet so full of meaning(s).

Don’t worry … does that mean I should ?

Don’t worry … does that mean honest, everything will be all right?

Don’t worry … does that mean just trust, have faith, believe?

Jackjack’s post pelvic osteotomy appointment was yesterday and despite his very loud and sad reaction that made our amazing surgeon feel very, very bad, and every child waiting to see her very, very nervous it sounds like everything is okay. Everything looks good, see you in two months, keep letting him explore as much as he’s able, he still has a long road ahead of him…

Nope, don’t worry about his limp.

Nope, don’t worry about his left foot being on a 90 degree angle to his right.

Nope, don’t worry about his left leg being almost an inch longer.

Nope, don’t worry that we didn’t do an xray “just to check”.

We’ll watch, and we’ll wait and we’ll see … see you in two months, don’t worry.

Ummmmmhhmmm … okay?!

And yet, with just two little words, we have a choice. These two little words give us option(s).

Don’t worry, be happy.

Don’t worry, it is out of your control.

Don’t worry, celebrate every new moment.

Yes, celebrate that your child has overcome challenges that many have not with courage and smiles.

Yes, celebrate every new step your child is taking, even if not entirely “on his own”.

Yes, celebrate that we live in a country with such amazing medical care.

Yes, celebrate that you have the love and support to make it through.

Yes, celebrate.

At this moment, I choose to “just keep swimming”, (we may have watched Finding Nemo more than once over the last year!) due to two very sweet words …

“Don’t worry”

What are you choosing today?

XO,

Steph

I'm blaming it on lack of sleep

Jackjack is doing fabulous! He's sleeping well & enjoying just hangin' out & layin' low .... with yummy cookies left by a very special lady!!

Jackjack loves Thomas & I was heartbroken to know that Thomas was here while Jackjack was in the hospital. That was until I found out that he's here this weekend as well!! Although online tickets are sold out, they do have a few available at the door!  

I got all the information I needed, Jackjack has had 2 fabulous days & nights, he is in between waking & needing a nap,  he is down to just needing Tylenol for pain control, it's a cool day outside .... sounds perfect, doesn't it??

It got even better when we got there & the parking lost wasn't busy, there wasn't a big line to get in, Jackjack handled the drive in well & was still very happy. 

I was very, very proud of the pretty lady taking admissions. She didn't laugh at me like "hipdaddy" did,  when she very gently said ...

"Thomas isn't here until tomorrow."

It's the lack of sleep .... clearly!

XO,

Steph

Through to the other side ...

**UPDATE**

Jackjack has had a very, very peaceful night which is exactly what his poor little body needs! When changing his diaper & cleaning him up last night, rolling him caused the pressure from his cast to release & his incision started to bleed heavier. They ended up trimming his cast so a pressure bandage could be placed to help stop the bleeding & this morning it looks like it has started to work :)

His "gravol" has definately worn off during the night & we just got him cleaned up again, given him another dose & he's resting .... sweet boy. I'm praying today will be easier on his little body, that he is able to rest well, start healing.

You know, I honestly, thought I had let go of the anger I originally felt when Jackjack was diagnosed but it returned last night. My anger isn't for me but for Jack ... he has had such a long year & has been nothing but a happy, giggly, loving, little fighter. Knowing that all of this could have been avoided, knowing that this wouldn't, shouldn't be necessary makes me angry, frustrated .... so sad. This happens to so-many-children, please share Jack's story so others won't have to be sitting here, watching their child, wishing that it wasn't so. DDH is so easy to diagnose, this shouldn't happen.

I always say that if I can just make it through to the other side of this ... everything will be okay. Right now, everything is okay & I am feeling blessed to be on the other side! Jackjack is "in the zone, Sullivan", pain free, many tubies not free, & hanging in there!

Last night was the toughest "night before" we've had .... resulting in a very, very sleepy boy by the time surgery came (he didn't fight falling asleep for the first time!). Jackjack seemed to know exactly what was going on when Mommy put on her pretty hat & coat to carry him back to surgery .... he didn't want to let go of Daddy! I was able to hold & talk with him while he was falling asleep ~ I would be lost if I wasn't able to provide our sweet children with this one comfort.

Jackjack's release of his "fair weather friend" (or orchiopexy) went very well. His testicle didn't like to be overly warm, just nice and toasty, so it was easy to find, release & bring down. The little mister's "mister" looks awfully sore & swollen making his cast very tight around the diaper opening.... which has been a gift in itself, putting pressure on his incisions helping them to clot.

His innominate osteotomy went smoothly & was a success!! Dr. J is very happy with how solid his hip is & she only needed to use 2 pins (these will be removed in 6 months). Jackjack's cast is blue .... we realized, after Dr. J came to chat with us, that we didn't request a color & forgot to ask ~ I wonder why ?! His right leg is absolutely free with his cast wrapping around his waist to his armpits, around his right hip & all the way down to his chubby ankle on his left! WOOT WOOT .... I have a feeling he may not be slowed down at all with this one! His epidural will remain in tonight & they will start to wean him slowly tomorrow until he is able to do with a lower dose pain medicine. His vital signs are all stable, he has no sign of fever & has stopped being sick to his wee tummy (knock on wood!).

I am pooped beyond belief (& apologize for the state of this update but I think it makes sense?)& will lie down as soon as I can kick my sweet hubby off of my "bed" ;)

XO,

Steph

From down the hall

While hiding from my children lying in bed Saturday morning, I hear ... from down the hall: 

“Why don’t you guys put the rest of that candy away and come eat your bacon and eggs” 

Momma lesson learned?  Next time ~ I’ll close the door.