March 2010

It's been awhile, but here's the new news. Tristen saw her surgeon on March 4th. She is now awaiting a CT scan. She has a small screw or other object protruding through her forehead. This will have to be removed by an outpatient surgery once it comes closer to the surface. She also has a new moon shaped defect (skull deterioration) over her right eyebrow. Right now her surgeon wishes to give her time to grow. It is not a life threatening defect and he wants to see if it gets bigger or changes over time. Plus with more time he will have more options on how to repair it. So right now, we are thankful for no surgeries this summer.

While in MD for the appointment we got to go iceskating with my sister and Marissa. here are some photos.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!

The little kids and Mom got to go to Mom Mom and Pops on the Eastern Shore of MD for a rare snow storm event. we've been shovleing 2 ft of snow and having fun! Can't wait for Christmas!!

Soft spot OKAY!

We saw the surgeon at JHH today concerning the soft spot over Tristen's right temple. He feels that it is okay - just her dura (brain covering) in the area where he removed the plate. He said it would take several months for the bone material he put in that spot to solidfy. So now we just wait.

Downrigging Weekend in Chestertown, MD

This past weekend the younger kids and Lara got to spend the weekend in Chestertown to enjoy "Downrigging" Festivities. Tall ships (including the Sultana from Chestertown, Pride of Baltimore II, Lady Maryland, several others and the largest above the Kalmar Nyckel from Delaware) came to town for a last showing before downrigging for winter.

Kalmar Nyckel

Ryan, Cameron and Jasmine aboard the Pride of Baltimore II

Mom mom and Pop and girls

All smiles - always (he's my cheesy guy!)

Happy Halloween!!

Carving our pumpkins!

Marissa as Sharpay and Jasmine as Gabrielle from HSM

Cameron as a Ninja Turtle

Ryan has not been feeling well, but he went out trick-or-treating

for a few houses weraing his Incredible costume.

The Girls - Tristen was a Princess.

What's been going on.....

We got a new dog - a stray off the streets. We lost Amadeus in January and I've not been ready for a replacement. I guess I didn't think I could find one that would be as good - Amadeus was the best dog in the world. Her name is Kadan (means companion) and we call her Kadi for short. She's about 8 months - and she is a very very good dog!

Tasha got baptized Sunday October 17th

(I was a very proud mom with teary eyes over her testimony)

Meagan got her driver's license and starts beauty school Nov 9th.

Sat Oct 17 - Birthday Party and a soft spot

Here we are all dressed up to got to Jordan-Marie's 1st Birthday Party!!!!

Happy Birthday Jordan-Marie

Tonight Mom found a soft spot over my right temple while she was washing my hair. I'm not fond of the pictures. Please pray this spot hardens up, it's a little squishy right now.

No More Drain Oct 12th

Tristen got her drain tube out today. She cried when the dr removed the stitches (mostly becasue he was pulling her hair) but she only shuddered when he pulled out the 8 inch long tube going across her head. She is so excited to be able to wear dresses!!! You can see the hole where her drain was - it should close up soon.

Saturday October 10th

We were finally able to shower Trsiten's head a little today. We couldn't get near the incision, but we got the "red highlights" out of the back of her hair and she's looking a little better. She's doing great, but is impatient with the drain, it is hindering her ability to play "dress up".

Friday October 9th

Tristen's right eye swelled shut about 4 am this morning. She was a little cranky between 4 and 5 am, but she dealt well without the visison when she woke up around 8 am. She seems to be handling it all just fine.

And she is still feeling good enough to get outside and play some.

Tristen in the Tub Thursday Night

Thursday Oct 8th 4:30 pm

Pictures of Tristen's scar and drain - she could care less she is carrying it around.

Rissa, Jasmine, and Tristen

Back at Mom mom and Pop's with the boys.

Thursday October 08, 1:00 pm

We are still on schedule and Tristen is doing great. We are expected to get discharged around 2:00 pm or hopefully a little before. We will be heading to Lara's parents and Tristen will be going home with her drain. The drain can be removed at our family Dr. in a day or two. It's amazing what God can do.

Thursday Oct 8 7 am

Tristen's surgeon, doctors, and especailly nurses have been AWESOME. Most amazing is God's healing hand upon her. We have had a great night, her eyes never swelled completely shut. Her (much bigger) drain has been working grat and her head as not swelled much at all. She has been comfortable, we only used the pain pump 3 times since she came out of surgery. She woke at 9 pm and had a shortbread cookie and some juice. She did the same at 4 am. Doctors were in at 6 am and said she looks great and if it keeps up we will go home today with the drain and her pediatrician can remove it. We are just waiting for breaksfast now!!!

Wednesday 7:00 pm

Tristen has moved to her own room and is drinking apple juice. She is very tired and only wakes up for a few minutes at a time. She looks really good and I'm sure will be waking with an appetite soon.

Wednesday 3:00 pm

Tristen is out of surgery and in the recovery room. They said the surgery went well and Dr. Simmons removed all the plate except for two tiny pieces that are Incorporated in her bone and should never cause any problems. He also placed synthetic bone in two small spots and re-attached some muscles that were causing a small lump near her temple. We will talk with Dr. Simmons more when he checks on her later today. We will also attach some more photos soon.