Back and Forth

We've made it half way. Allie has had her A frame cast on for three of six weeks. We all are doing much better than we thought; Allie is adjusting fine and the charming and beautiful Susan and I have not killed each other or even disemboweled one another. I think that's a good thing.

We have date for the cast to come off: May 8. Allie started back to physical, occupational and speech therapies today. She seemed happy to see everybody down at the Children's Therapy place on Indiantown Road.

We also wanted to say thank you to everybody that brought us food while we were in the hospital and since we've been home. So thanks Dave and Leyette, Lyndsey and Andrew, Jim, Yolanda, Jessica and Bob, Lindsey and Robin, Joyce, Luann, and Julia for making cookies. And some of you still owe us some food. You know who you are. And if I forgot you, sorry about that. You know who you are.

Allie had her stitches removed last Friday. But the incisions got infected so we've been back and forth to the doctor. They're getting better.

The easiest thing about this has been lovin' on Allie. She's so loveable.

Amazingly Resilient

This kid has been pretty happy the past couple of days. Every day gets better. Dr. Bayhnam said that kids are "amazingly resilient" after these operations, but we didn't believe him. We stand corrected.

Above is Allie in her new wagon from Grandpa Jim. 

This is from this morning:

First Weekend

Our first weekend home from the hospital went way more smoothly than we expected. Caring for Allie has not been the post-operative nightmare we thought it was going to be.

Dr. Baynham did say that kids are amazingly resilient after these operations, but we just thought he was painting a rosy picture for us. You know, giving us hope or something crazy like that. To which we rolled our eyes and politely nodded.

But we stand corrected.

Dr. Baynham didn't have to do all the work he set out to do, thankfully. One of the steps he thought he would have to take in the operation was breaking Allie's pelvic bone and reshaping her little hip sockets. After he lengthened her muscles and reshaped her femur bones, everything went right into place. The payoff: a thigh-high instead of waist-high cast. Allie's mobility is much greater making our lives and her recovery much easier.

We attribute these fantastic results to prayers answered and the fantastic skill of our doctor. In that order.

Home

Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home. At least that's what Allie seems to think.

We're delighted that Allie didn't have to have her pelvic region operated on. That means the cast is shorter than we anticipated and the payoff is huge. Allie can sit up, she can ride in the car, we can hold her. Ultimately, she's not nearly as limited (and, thus, neither are we) as we expected.

Let me just say that the eight day hospital stay was torturous. I've drafted a ripping criticism of that hospital, but it will probably stay unpublished. But I will probably refine and rework the draft for therapy's sake. The hospital stay was brutal.

Below is a video of me working some tangles out of Allie's hair. There was no way to wash her hair in the hospital and since all she did was lay on her back, her hair on the back of her head is twisted and tangled into dreadlocks. The charming and beautiful Susan is threatening to cut them out, but I'm determined to untangle them.

Nothin' is Easy

The only thing that comes easy with Allie is love. She is unbelievably loveable. She gives and receives love easier than any person I know.

But she's having it tough. She contracted Strep B while in the hospital. Doctors believe colonies of the bacteria were present on the tip of the catheter and stowed away when inserted during the operation. So the amazing team of St. Mary's medical pros is watching Allie around the clock in the PICU.

The charming and beautiful Susan and I are spending most of our time with her. We alternate taking a break for a few hours each day to go home and get cleaned up and refreshed.

Thanks for all the love you've been showing us through your visits, notes, emails, and meals delivered. You're kindness is keeping our heads above water.

'And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these dmy brothers, you did it to me.’ 
Matt. 25:39, 40 (ESV)