During past doctor visits Tru’s blood pressure (when they could get one) has been unusually high. Therefore, his orthopedic surgeon wanted him to have a visit with the cardiologist to rule out any problems before surgery next month. Tru did see the cardiologist last week and the doctor wanted to go a step further and have an echo-cardiogram performed.
The test was performed today and it was discovered that Tru has a kink in his aorta. The heart is not able to pump the proper amount of blood to the lower part of his body. This problem must be fixed prior to any other surgeries.
The cardiologist will give me a call next week to discuss our options. Usually with children under two years old this problem would require surgery. Since Tru is more than two years old now they may be able to use a catheter and install a stint into his aorta. Obviously we are hoping for option #2!
It looks like the leg surgery will have to be postponed at this point.
First thing first!!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Lin-Ley's Turn In The Emergency Room
Hopefully we are not making a monthly habit out of visiting the emergency room. Unfortunately the military hospital where the kids' pediatrician is located only has business hours Monday-Friday. For any ailments on weekends or holidays we have no choice but to go to the emergency room for care.
Yesterday around 6PM Lin-Ley started complaining of a stomach ache. She mentioned it off and on but acted normally. During the night she found her way into my bed and I could tell by the way she was twisting around in the bed that she was very uncomfortable. Needless to say she nor I got much more than about three hours of sleep.
The kids were up around 8AM this morning and Lin-Ley had no appetite. That was all I needed - if she does not eat that means she is sick. I learned that very early on about her. Sometimes there are no recognizable symptoms but if she is not eating it is time to go visit the doctors. This morning, however, she was in so much discomfort that she would just drop on the floor and hold her stomach.
Lin-Ley, Tru and I arrived at the emergency room at 11AM. We went right back to a room and the nurses began treating Lin-Ley. Soon afterward she began throwing up. Believe it or not she has never done that other than twice when she was over fed (Those that over fed her know who you are! Funny stories!) After about 3.5 hours there the doctor finally came in and examined her and felt something on the right side of her abdomen that was more rigid that he would expect. Given that it was on her right side, where the appendix is located, he wanted to get a CAT scan to rule out appendicitis.
Luckily during the long wait until this point one of the nurses found the movie "Little Mermaid II", which Lin-Ley had never seen, so she was almost in Heaven (minus the surroundings). Tru had also been a very good sport and spent a good deal of time eating snacks in her stroller and napping. Once I found out there was a CAT scan and a possible appendicitis looming I called for help. Chuck, a co-worker, and his wife Dodi were kind enough to come and get Tru from the hospital.
It was time for Lin-Ley's IV. Oh no! But it could have been worse. When the nurse was cleaning her skin preparing for the IV, Lin-Ley told her, "Can you move over. I can't see my movie." So, for the most part Lin-Ley was occupied. When it came time for the CAT scan she was as stiff as a statue. No problems there.
And the dramatic conclusion... the CAT scan showed a fairly sizable blockage in the colon which will be worked out over the next few days with medication (I have tried not to be too graphic!).
By the time we left the hospital (7.5 hours after we arrived) Lin-Ley was feeling much better. She was just hungry and exhausted. Ditto!
Who knew the kids would come home with so many presents today. Lin-Ley received a stuffed angel bear and a stuffed horse at the hospital. Tru also received a teddy bear.
Then Chuck and Dodi gave them each a gift. Lin-Ley's "feel better" gift was a really neat set of sparkley markers and Tru got a Caterpillar truck! Thanks Chuck and Dodi for all of your help!!
The classic hospital pajamas/snow boot look.
I think it's time for Tru's second hair cut. The comb-over needs some work!
So happy to be home! This shot is for Dallas.
"Look at my feet Daddy!"
Yesterday around 6PM Lin-Ley started complaining of a stomach ache. She mentioned it off and on but acted normally. During the night she found her way into my bed and I could tell by the way she was twisting around in the bed that she was very uncomfortable. Needless to say she nor I got much more than about three hours of sleep.
The kids were up around 8AM this morning and Lin-Ley had no appetite. That was all I needed - if she does not eat that means she is sick. I learned that very early on about her. Sometimes there are no recognizable symptoms but if she is not eating it is time to go visit the doctors. This morning, however, she was in so much discomfort that she would just drop on the floor and hold her stomach.
Lin-Ley, Tru and I arrived at the emergency room at 11AM. We went right back to a room and the nurses began treating Lin-Ley. Soon afterward she began throwing up. Believe it or not she has never done that other than twice when she was over fed (Those that over fed her know who you are! Funny stories!) After about 3.5 hours there the doctor finally came in and examined her and felt something on the right side of her abdomen that was more rigid that he would expect. Given that it was on her right side, where the appendix is located, he wanted to get a CAT scan to rule out appendicitis.
Luckily during the long wait until this point one of the nurses found the movie "Little Mermaid II", which Lin-Ley had never seen, so she was almost in Heaven (minus the surroundings). Tru had also been a very good sport and spent a good deal of time eating snacks in her stroller and napping. Once I found out there was a CAT scan and a possible appendicitis looming I called for help. Chuck, a co-worker, and his wife Dodi were kind enough to come and get Tru from the hospital.
It was time for Lin-Ley's IV. Oh no! But it could have been worse. When the nurse was cleaning her skin preparing for the IV, Lin-Ley told her, "Can you move over. I can't see my movie." So, for the most part Lin-Ley was occupied. When it came time for the CAT scan she was as stiff as a statue. No problems there.
And the dramatic conclusion... the CAT scan showed a fairly sizable blockage in the colon which will be worked out over the next few days with medication (I have tried not to be too graphic!).
By the time we left the hospital (7.5 hours after we arrived) Lin-Ley was feeling much better. She was just hungry and exhausted. Ditto!
Who knew the kids would come home with so many presents today. Lin-Ley received a stuffed angel bear and a stuffed horse at the hospital. Tru also received a teddy bear.
Then Chuck and Dodi gave them each a gift. Lin-Ley's "feel better" gift was a really neat set of sparkley markers and Tru got a Caterpillar truck! Thanks Chuck and Dodi for all of your help!!
The classic hospital pajamas/snow boot look.I think it's time for Tru's second hair cut. The comb-over needs some work!
So happy to be home! This shot is for Dallas."Look at my feet Daddy!"
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Lin-Ley's Ponderings
This past weekend Lin-Ley had many thoughts and observations of which I took a mental note. I have been thinking about how mature some of her comments sounded and I continue to wonder how, at the age of five, she knows so much and has such a great sense of reasoning. I guess it is true that kids are like little sponges. (Note: Airborne is our dog, and Lil' Bill is our bunny who recently "ran away".) Following is some of her banter:
(#3) "Mom, I think I'm ready to get engaged but I don't want to get married yet."
(#2) "Mom, I think we should go back to China. I need a big sister. I want to name her Auntie Gabby Herpin." (My sister's name is Gabby.)
And...
(#1) Lin-Ley, Tru and I (Jody) were all in the same room together but doing our own thing. Lin-Ley began talking to Tru:
"Tru, my skin is more brown than yours. But we both have black eyes like Daddy. Airborne and Lil' Bill have black eyes too." Then Lin-Ley looked over at me, walked toward me, looked into my eyes and said, "Mom, you are the only one in our family with blue eyes. Everyone else has black eyes." Then she patted me on the back, made a face as if she were trying to comfort me and said, "Mom, it's ok that you are different from us. God made everybody different."
All of this time we have made a conscious effort to make sure Lin-Ley never felt "different". It was me that was different all along!! I'm fine with that!
A photo of Lil' Bill on the day he came home from the fair.
Happy trails little guy. You were a great bunny!
P.S. Lin-Ley said she was going to get another bunny when the fair comes again. She is going to try to find one with blue eyes!
(#3) "Mom, I think I'm ready to get engaged but I don't want to get married yet."
(#2) "Mom, I think we should go back to China. I need a big sister. I want to name her Auntie Gabby Herpin." (My sister's name is Gabby.)
And...
(#1) Lin-Ley, Tru and I (Jody) were all in the same room together but doing our own thing. Lin-Ley began talking to Tru:
"Tru, my skin is more brown than yours. But we both have black eyes like Daddy. Airborne and Lil' Bill have black eyes too." Then Lin-Ley looked over at me, walked toward me, looked into my eyes and said, "Mom, you are the only one in our family with blue eyes. Everyone else has black eyes." Then she patted me on the back, made a face as if she were trying to comfort me and said, "Mom, it's ok that you are different from us. God made everybody different."
All of this time we have made a conscious effort to make sure Lin-Ley never felt "different". It was me that was different all along!! I'm fine with that!
A photo of Lil' Bill on the day he came home from the fair.Happy trails little guy. You were a great bunny!
P.S. Lin-Ley said she was going to get another bunny when the fair comes again. She is going to try to find one with blue eyes!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Update From Kuwait
Dallas is staying busy and has been traveling a good deal in January. The safest method of travel is by air so he has had some adventurous flights including two flights on a Japanese plane. While he is traveling we are not able to communicate very much and that makes us realize just how good we have it that we are usually able to speak to each other a few times a week and instant message more than that.During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays there were many visitors to Kuwait. Some were a part of the USO shows and others were there on official business. One visit included Robin Williams, Kid Rock, Lance Armstrong and Miss America. Here of some pictures of the others:
POTUS:President Bush was just there within the last few days.
FLOTUS:First Lady Laura Bush was there before Thanksgiving.
Darryl Worley (country music singer) visited during Thanksgiving. After he signed autographs Dallas and Darryl had dinner together! Darryl spent part of his youth in the Zachary/Baker, LA area. Small world!
A photo of the locals.Sunday, January 6, 2008
Go Tigers!
We heard the LSU Tigers were having a big championship game tomorrow. The kids are showing their support! Rather than the traditional face paint Tru decided that a bruise would bring the same colors of purple and gold. Just call him Knot-Head.
A future Golden Girl??
Go Tigers - Fight, Fight, Fight!
Thanks Ma-Ma Linda and Pa-Pa Cowboy for the LSU gear!
Friday, January 4, 2008
The Big Decision
Yesterday was Tru's big day - Decision Day!
Finally after months of paper work, insurance issues and untimely illnesses Tru was seen at the Limb Deficiency Clinic. A team of 9 doctors saw him all at the same time. (As you can see from the above photo they were all happy to see him but he was not crazy about them all staring at him!)
After much discussion it has been decided that Tru will have an amputation at the knee of his right leg (technically he does not have a knee). Dallas and I knew this was a real possibility even before we "accepted" Tru in October, 2006. We thought that with the technology in prosthetics at Walter Reed (where all of the soldiers are being treated) that we could provide the care Tru would need. Oddly enough the military sent us to a civilian provider.
There were discussions about other possible treatment methods and there are some who disagree with this decision (military and civilian alike). However, Dallas and I both strongly agree that amputation will be the best option for Tru. He could be up and walking with his first prosthesis as early as April 1st. If you have seen the video from New Year's Eve you know how badly he wants to walk! We are so anxious and excited to make that happen for him!!
Surgery is scheduled for February 22, 2008. I am positive there will be a major insurance struggle but I am ready. Bring it on!!
We are so happy for Tru!! Yesterday's news was sad but oh so wonderful at the same time!!
Finally after months of paper work, insurance issues and untimely illnesses Tru was seen at the Limb Deficiency Clinic. A team of 9 doctors saw him all at the same time. (As you can see from the above photo they were all happy to see him but he was not crazy about them all staring at him!)
After much discussion it has been decided that Tru will have an amputation at the knee of his right leg (technically he does not have a knee). Dallas and I knew this was a real possibility even before we "accepted" Tru in October, 2006. We thought that with the technology in prosthetics at Walter Reed (where all of the soldiers are being treated) that we could provide the care Tru would need. Oddly enough the military sent us to a civilian provider.
There were discussions about other possible treatment methods and there are some who disagree with this decision (military and civilian alike). However, Dallas and I both strongly agree that amputation will be the best option for Tru. He could be up and walking with his first prosthesis as early as April 1st. If you have seen the video from New Year's Eve you know how badly he wants to walk! We are so anxious and excited to make that happen for him!!
Surgery is scheduled for February 22, 2008. I am positive there will be a major insurance struggle but I am ready. Bring it on!!
We are so happy for Tru!! Yesterday's news was sad but oh so wonderful at the same time!!
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