Andrew's Upcoming Surgery

OK, so April 22, 2010 Andrew is going in for a major surgery to a Baclofen Pump Insertion.  Basically the pump delivers medication that will keep his muscles relaxed, they are VERY tight right now and it has become painful for him and difficult for those who take care of him to manage his daily care. 

Anyhow, the pump is about the size of a hockey puck and will be placed inside his tummy and it will have a tube that will run up to his spine, in the neck area because his spine has been fused below that. 

Front View to Spine.  The x-ray shows rods, screws and wires that were used in Andrew's Spinal Fusion.

Side View of Spinal Fusion and rods.







The pump will give him doses of medication throughout the day.  About once every six months, maybe less, we have to go in so more medication can be inserted into the pump.  This is done through the skin and into the 'hockey puck'.

Currently, Andrew is taking the pill form of Baclofen but through the pill he only recieves about 10% of the medications effect, where through the pump, he will benefit from 97%.... a huge difference.  A couple or so weeks ago we underwent a trial form of the medication and you would not believe the difference it made and how happy he was.  The little guy was smiling and laughing and jabbering on and on like you wouldn't believe, a totally different kid.

My only concerns, besides the fact that he has to undergo yet another surgery, is that there are risks to this.  With the trial proceedure, his heart rate had fallen really low but they eventually got it to stabilize, especially after I came back to the recovery and worked with Andrew some.  A mother's voice and touch can do wonders ^_^.  Also, because of how they will have to do this particular surgery (normally the tube goes in the lower spine vs. the neck) it will be much more invasive.  I know that everything is in God's hands and it will all work out according to his Will but I still feel anxious about the amount of hardships that we will face in the next coming weeks because of it.

Well, for now that is all I have to write on this.  I will keep you posted when I learn more or if there are any changes.

Amazing Love

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is never easy.  Yet again, today, I had to say goodbye to another loved one, who passed away from cancer.  This is a story about a beautiful woman who made my marriage something to get a good giggle about.

Reflections of an Idaho mom

This time, I just wanted to share with you the story, what I know of it, of a very beautiful woman who was like a mother to me.  I only knew her for a short time before the Lord took her home but she meant the world to our family and we loved her dearly.  God knew we needed her and her loss is still felt but we know that she is home with our Lord and probably still praying for us at least three times a day, as she did when she became our neighbor.

Fun Fun Fun

Ok, so this Friday, me and some of my favorite gal pals are getting together (an early B-Day thing for me) and we are going to go to the Rock and Worship Road Show, dinner and maybe a cocktail afterwards.  I love my girlfriends!!!!  It's always so much fun to go play with them.  We get wild, we get crazy and we praise God!  I am so looking forward to it!!!  Pray we all stay well and have a good time.

Another Place Where I can Earn Commissions

Need shoes, Concider shopping here and I will earn a commission if you order through my link ^_^  A permalink is on the right under Item of the Week/Month - which I also earn commissions on as long as you link through my site.

Just another Random Thought I had to Log cause I couldn't sleep until I did....

Ok, so I was lying in bed this morning thinking about the books I write and being frustrated at how everyone is making money off of them.... Except me.  So I started think about how I could 'fix' this problem, at least with the books I am only half hearted about right now, like 'Angel and the Dragon', my Emma Moon book.  First of all, that book needed some major editing done to it.  Although the story was good, the grammar... well, let's just say that it really needed some work.  Even though I did not pay to have the book published, despite sales, the publisher has not sent me any commission, except on the two books I bought directly from them.  Gee, how kind of them.