Wow, it feels so good to be in my own home this afternoon. Emma made the transition to home quite well and is relaxing on the couch watching figure skating. She is glad to be home too but very tired.
Yesterday the assisting surgeon came by to see us and we had a little chat about Emma's surgery. He told us that with the compression that she had had on her spinal chord that there was closer to 100% than 50% chance that Emma would have devloped something called myopathy.(a condition that makes walking unstable and loss of fine motor skills ie: inability to pick up a coin off a table) This surgery to decompress her spinal chord was in fact neccesary and we feel so blessed that she never did develop any of those symptoms. Amazing really. God has truly done all of this in His perfect time and we feel confident of that. I really am at a loss for words at the miracle he has done here.
Emma does appear to be a little more crooked than before but her surgeon says that we'll have to watch it as she grows. We will be heading back to Children's sometime next week or after next weekend to have Emma's staples removed. For now we just try to keep her comfortable and expect that she should be able to do a little more each day.
We are so glad to be home and so thankful for the smooth way that everything has gone. We couldn't hav asked for a better surgery and recovery for Emma. Thanks again for all of your prayers for God surely heard and answered all that we asked. We know that God could have easily seen fit to answer in another way.
Also, thank you to everyone who has brought a meal, or treats for our family. To each of you who have looked after our children or offered to. To everyone who came to see Emma in hospital and for all of the lovely gifts for her. She has been quite down and it has lifted her spirits to see you.
Blessings, C
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Nov.7th
Well, today has been a fairly good day. Emma has walked a little and is hoping to wash her hair and take a bath soon. She has had many visitors which is nice because she has been a little down and that helps to take her mind off her current condition. We are still waiting to see the Dr. today because physio and the nurses have cleared her to go but it sounds like the surgeons would like her to stay until tomorrow. Which is fine with us because we think it is a little too soon to go home. I'll keep you posted. C.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Emma Nov.6th
Sorry to everyone who was checking the blog yesterday. By the time I had a chance to do an update the kiosk was closed. Yesterday went pretty well. Emma was taken off her morphine and had her drain and catheter removed. She was able to sit up and actually got into a chair for about 15min with the pysiotherapist. She did however have a rough night as she couldn't get comfortable and was having enough pain to have trouble sleeping. (She is still on oral meds for pain.) I think what was contributing to her tears in the night was frustration. Just tired of everything.
Today is looking up a little though and she went for a walk with the pysiotherapist and even did 2 flights of stairs. I am a little concerned that she has not had any appetite today and basically has eaten nothing. Her fever seems to have come down and she is off all of her lines today. The surgeon and several other Dr's came in this morning to take a look at her and ask her some questions. He did say that he would be back to talk to us later so I hope we get a chance to chat with him.
I can't say thank you enough for all of your prayers for Emma. God has truly blessed us with all that we asked for in this surgery and she couldn't be making a better recovery. I will try to update again tomorrow.
C.
Today is looking up a little though and she went for a walk with the pysiotherapist and even did 2 flights of stairs. I am a little concerned that she has not had any appetite today and basically has eaten nothing. Her fever seems to have come down and she is off all of her lines today. The surgeon and several other Dr's came in this morning to take a look at her and ask her some questions. He did say that he would be back to talk to us later so I hope we get a chance to chat with him.
I can't say thank you enough for all of your prayers for Emma. God has truly blessed us with all that we asked for in this surgery and she couldn't be making a better recovery. I will try to update again tomorrow.
C.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Another Day
Today we have been with Emma all day and she has done very well. She is still a little groggy with the morphine but she is making her requests known and is already requesting a movie. She is recovering well and she was moved to the ward and out of ICU this morning. She does have a bit of a fever and a slightly elevated white blood cell count and is on atibiotics to ward off any infection. Many different hospital workers have been in to see her today for various reasons so she is pretty tired now. I will update again soon. Thanks again for all of your prayers and well wishes. We love you all.
Keith and Corinna
Keith and Corinna
Monday, November 3, 2008
Our Brave Little Girl
Psalm 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety.
This is a special verse that was given to us by two different people yesterday and I will remember it always as it couldn't have been more appropriate for this day. And,today this is what the Lord has done. Emma has come out of her surgery and all is well. We arrived this morning after a bit of a tearful start at Children's at 6:30am. Emma was a little nervous but really, all things considered, she did really well. We were checked in and then the nurses and neuro monitoring people got to work , perparing Emma for her surgey and applying electrodes to her head to moniter her neuro pathways during surgery. They gave her some Ativan to help her relax and she did relax.
I went with Emma into the OR and stayed with her until she was asleep. She was so brave and did really with the IV and all. I placed a kiss in her hand and told her to keep it with her. It was so hard to leave her there even though I knew that God was in control and that she was in the hands of some of the worlds best pediatric spine surgeons. Keith and I had a few tears and then decided to go have some breakfast in the cafeteria to kill some time as we weren't quite ready to leave the hospital grounds.We then left and went to a near by mall to buy a special gift for Emma and try to pass the hours. We were a bit jumpy each time one of cell phones rang because we kept thinking it might be the hospital. And, all day praying that we had done the right thing by putting her through a surgery of this magnitude when she ultimately had no symtoms.
We arrived back at Children's at about 2pm, hoping that we had spent away most of the surgery time but we were wrong. At 2pm they told us that it would be at least 2 more hours. (They had previously anticipated a 6 hour surgery.) Finally, at about 5:15 the nurse said that the OR was just finishing and that the Dr.'s would be in to speak to us soon. They came and talked to us at about 5:30 or so.
They said that everything went really well but that they took their time. They also told us that this was a very complicated surgery. "with out a doubt, one of the most complicated surgeries I've ever done." He continued to explain that her spinal chord was very tight. Tighter than they had thought. And, there had been a big chunck of bone that had been squishing her spinal chord. Who knows how long she would have remained symptom free. When we heard this news it was a relief to us because then we knew that Emma really did need that surgery. What they did to her is called a decompression and fusion of the C1 to C4 vertebra.(with a rib bone graft and 2 rods and screws.)
After the Dr's left us, we had to wait a while before we could see Emma. When we went in to see her she was still really asleep and did not even stir. She was still intibated and the nurse thought that she would struggle to take that tube out when she was waking up. Keith and I decided that we didn't really want to observe that stuggle and went to have some dinner.
When we came back about 30min later she was still asleep, but when I said to her, "Emma, it's mommy." she opened her eyes and looked at me. She was still intibated and was trying to talk so the nurse took out the tube. She was very tired but laboured to ask us a few quesitons over the next 30min or so. She asked if she was in the ICU, if she had a halo, (she does not! Only a hard plastic neck brace. For that we are so thankful.)She said she wanted to get up and I explained why that was not a good idea. She also asked if there was something on her face(oxygen) and when I told just to relax and breathe deeply. She said "it's kind of hard with this thing on my face." so the nurse took it off and her oxygen levels stayed up on their own. After a little while we decided to leave her to come to Keith's moms because she was doing so well but also because she was labouring to stay awake for us and we wanted her to relax and sleep. Not to mention that we need a good nights sleep too. Again though, I cried, finding it dificult to leave my baby again even though I know she is in great hands with 1 on 1 care.
We will call a little later tonight to check on her and in the morning when we wake up too. ( and maybe even in the middle of the night if I can't sleep.)
All in all, we feel tremendously blessed as everything couldn't have gone more smoothly and we know that so many of you have been praying all day for Emma. We are so greatful for that and I know she is too. So, thank you all so much and may God bless each of you.
Please continue to pray:
1.for Emma to remain infection free.
2. for Emma's fusions to take well.
3 for her adjustment to her new life and body.
4. for our other children (Isaiah, Naomi and Karys) as they are without Emma and their parents right now.
5. Praise for the many prayers God has answered thus far. So far everything has gone so well. Praise God.
This is a special verse that was given to us by two different people yesterday and I will remember it always as it couldn't have been more appropriate for this day. And,today this is what the Lord has done. Emma has come out of her surgery and all is well. We arrived this morning after a bit of a tearful start at Children's at 6:30am. Emma was a little nervous but really, all things considered, she did really well. We were checked in and then the nurses and neuro monitoring people got to work , perparing Emma for her surgey and applying electrodes to her head to moniter her neuro pathways during surgery. They gave her some Ativan to help her relax and she did relax.
I went with Emma into the OR and stayed with her until she was asleep. She was so brave and did really with the IV and all. I placed a kiss in her hand and told her to keep it with her. It was so hard to leave her there even though I knew that God was in control and that she was in the hands of some of the worlds best pediatric spine surgeons. Keith and I had a few tears and then decided to go have some breakfast in the cafeteria to kill some time as we weren't quite ready to leave the hospital grounds.We then left and went to a near by mall to buy a special gift for Emma and try to pass the hours. We were a bit jumpy each time one of cell phones rang because we kept thinking it might be the hospital. And, all day praying that we had done the right thing by putting her through a surgery of this magnitude when she ultimately had no symtoms.
We arrived back at Children's at about 2pm, hoping that we had spent away most of the surgery time but we were wrong. At 2pm they told us that it would be at least 2 more hours. (They had previously anticipated a 6 hour surgery.) Finally, at about 5:15 the nurse said that the OR was just finishing and that the Dr.'s would be in to speak to us soon. They came and talked to us at about 5:30 or so.
They said that everything went really well but that they took their time. They also told us that this was a very complicated surgery. "with out a doubt, one of the most complicated surgeries I've ever done." He continued to explain that her spinal chord was very tight. Tighter than they had thought. And, there had been a big chunck of bone that had been squishing her spinal chord. Who knows how long she would have remained symptom free. When we heard this news it was a relief to us because then we knew that Emma really did need that surgery. What they did to her is called a decompression and fusion of the C1 to C4 vertebra.(with a rib bone graft and 2 rods and screws.)
After the Dr's left us, we had to wait a while before we could see Emma. When we went in to see her she was still really asleep and did not even stir. She was still intibated and the nurse thought that she would struggle to take that tube out when she was waking up. Keith and I decided that we didn't really want to observe that stuggle and went to have some dinner.
When we came back about 30min later she was still asleep, but when I said to her, "Emma, it's mommy." she opened her eyes and looked at me. She was still intibated and was trying to talk so the nurse took out the tube. She was very tired but laboured to ask us a few quesitons over the next 30min or so. She asked if she was in the ICU, if she had a halo, (she does not! Only a hard plastic neck brace. For that we are so thankful.)She said she wanted to get up and I explained why that was not a good idea. She also asked if there was something on her face(oxygen) and when I told just to relax and breathe deeply. She said "it's kind of hard with this thing on my face." so the nurse took it off and her oxygen levels stayed up on their own. After a little while we decided to leave her to come to Keith's moms because she was doing so well but also because she was labouring to stay awake for us and we wanted her to relax and sleep. Not to mention that we need a good nights sleep too. Again though, I cried, finding it dificult to leave my baby again even though I know she is in great hands with 1 on 1 care.
We will call a little later tonight to check on her and in the morning when we wake up too. ( and maybe even in the middle of the night if I can't sleep.)
All in all, we feel tremendously blessed as everything couldn't have gone more smoothly and we know that so many of you have been praying all day for Emma. We are so greatful for that and I know she is too. So, thank you all so much and may God bless each of you.
Please continue to pray:
1.for Emma to remain infection free.
2. for Emma's fusions to take well.
3 for her adjustment to her new life and body.
4. for our other children (Isaiah, Naomi and Karys) as they are without Emma and their parents right now.
5. Praise for the many prayers God has answered thus far. So far everything has gone so well. Praise God.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
God's Special Blessings
Wow! Today was exhausting yet amazing at the same time. We left our home this morning at about 6:30am. Emma was dreading our day at Children's and we tried to assure her that the fear is more of the unknown than anything else and that maybe today's information might help her to relax. We arrived at the hospital at 8am and we were greeting by a nurse who kind of helped us through our day. She began by taking some history from us and giving us info on the practical preparations for the surgery day. After a quick consultation with Dr. M she informed us that he is planning NOT to use the halo for stabilization after the surgery. Emma will be fitted with a brace instead. (as long as he can get adequate stabilization in the neck itself) This is an amazing answer to prayer for us. A really special blessing. Emma was glowing after she heard that news.
After this we headed xray for some additional pictures of Emma's neck.
From there we went to the pre-op clinic where we met with the anesthetist(I should look up how to spell this....later). He was really great and answered a bunch of questions we had. Emma has had some anxiety about the I.V. and he put her at ease by promising that they would make her comfortable no matter what. He was quite funny too.
Next she met her physiotherapist. Emma really liked him(although I don't know if she'll feel the same when he is trying to get her to do something uncomfortable) and he explained that he will work with her on her breathing and leg exercises as well rolling, sitting, walking etc. after surgery.
Our next appointment was at the repiratory clinic. Emma had to do some breathing tests.
After this we went to see the surgeons. We met with Dr.M and another Dr. who would be assisting him in the O.R. He answered many questions about the surgery itself. It is expected to take about 6 hours. Emma will have both an incision on her neck and on her side.(for the rib graft) She is expected to stay in hospital at least until the weekend. Both Dr.'s were amazing and so kind and generous with their time. They also stressed that Monday is Emma's day and they have not scheduled anything else for that day. Emma had been told that she could not do anymore horseback riding due the risk of injury to her but she came armed today with a compromise(after the suggestion by good friends). She asked Dr. M if she might be able to do therapeudic riding. Emma had the information sheet with her and presented it to him. And, to Emma's great joy he agreed that she could do this. Maybe by next summer. Another special blessing from the Lord for Emma. She was so happy and said that this whole day was worth it for that little piece of info. After signing waivers etc. we went and had a bite to eat.
Next was our tour of the ICU. We couldn't believe how busy and loud it was in there. Crazy! We also had the opportunity to see the ward where she will be after the ICU. This helped to make us all feel better I think.
We then went to the lab for some blood work etc. Had a quick visit to the hospital library and finally were done for the day.
We were so encouraged by the prayers that were answered today and thank you all for praying them on our behalf. Amazing!
Please continue to pray: for peace for all of us.
for Emma's health.
for a safe and successful procedure on Monday.
for our other children who will be without us for a few days.
for God to be glorified.
Thank you all so much. We love you.
Keith, Corinna, Emma, and family.
After this we headed xray for some additional pictures of Emma's neck.
From there we went to the pre-op clinic where we met with the anesthetist(I should look up how to spell this....later). He was really great and answered a bunch of questions we had. Emma has had some anxiety about the I.V. and he put her at ease by promising that they would make her comfortable no matter what. He was quite funny too.
Next she met her physiotherapist. Emma really liked him(although I don't know if she'll feel the same when he is trying to get her to do something uncomfortable) and he explained that he will work with her on her breathing and leg exercises as well rolling, sitting, walking etc. after surgery.
Our next appointment was at the repiratory clinic. Emma had to do some breathing tests.
After this we went to see the surgeons. We met with Dr.M and another Dr. who would be assisting him in the O.R. He answered many questions about the surgery itself. It is expected to take about 6 hours. Emma will have both an incision on her neck and on her side.(for the rib graft) She is expected to stay in hospital at least until the weekend. Both Dr.'s were amazing and so kind and generous with their time. They also stressed that Monday is Emma's day and they have not scheduled anything else for that day. Emma had been told that she could not do anymore horseback riding due the risk of injury to her but she came armed today with a compromise(after the suggestion by good friends). She asked Dr. M if she might be able to do therapeudic riding. Emma had the information sheet with her and presented it to him. And, to Emma's great joy he agreed that she could do this. Maybe by next summer. Another special blessing from the Lord for Emma. She was so happy and said that this whole day was worth it for that little piece of info. After signing waivers etc. we went and had a bite to eat.
Next was our tour of the ICU. We couldn't believe how busy and loud it was in there. Crazy! We also had the opportunity to see the ward where she will be after the ICU. This helped to make us all feel better I think.
We then went to the lab for some blood work etc. Had a quick visit to the hospital library and finally were done for the day.
We were so encouraged by the prayers that were answered today and thank you all for praying them on our behalf. Amazing!
Please continue to pray: for peace for all of us.
for Emma's health.
for a safe and successful procedure on Monday.
for our other children who will be without us for a few days.
for God to be glorified.
Thank you all so much. We love you.
Keith, Corinna, Emma, and family.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Six Days and Counting
Well, here we are only six days from Emma's surgery. The Lord seems to be asking me if I trust him. I mean really trust him. I have been under the weather for a week now and today Isaiah came home early from school sick. Emma needs to be healthy in order to have her surgery and right now she is. So, we are praying that she will stay that way until surgery day. But even if she doesn't, I have peace that the Lord is in control of all of this and if her sugery is delayed for any reason, this is all part of His plan too. I do feel that I can rest in this fact and it has given me much peace.
On Thursday this week we are to spend the whole dy at Children's to prepare for the surgery. Emma will be seeing her two surgeons,the anestitist(sp) , and her ICU nurse. She will have blood work done, and several other tests. We will be taken on a tour of the ICU, and the ward where she will be afterwards. They said to expect a full day there. I hope that my voice is back by then so that I can do some advocating on Emma's behalf. This is our chance to ask a lot of questions.
I'm sure it will be an exhausting but informative day.
I will probably make another post after Thursday's adventure and then I will try to keep this blog updated daily once Emma has her surgery. So, you'll probably get the greatest amount of info here. Also, many of you have asked if Emma is able to have visitors. I think she can after she is out of ICU.(Maybe by Wednesday) But, I am suggesting that people call the hospital to ask if she is able to have visitors or else check the blog. I don't know if Keith or I will be available to take calls.
We so appreciate having such good friends and family. Especially during a time like this. Thank you so much for your prayers, help, support and love. God bless each of you.
On Thursday this week we are to spend the whole dy at Children's to prepare for the surgery. Emma will be seeing her two surgeons,the anestitist(sp) , and her ICU nurse. She will have blood work done, and several other tests. We will be taken on a tour of the ICU, and the ward where she will be afterwards. They said to expect a full day there. I hope that my voice is back by then so that I can do some advocating on Emma's behalf. This is our chance to ask a lot of questions.
I'm sure it will be an exhausting but informative day.
I will probably make another post after Thursday's adventure and then I will try to keep this blog updated daily once Emma has her surgery. So, you'll probably get the greatest amount of info here. Also, many of you have asked if Emma is able to have visitors. I think she can after she is out of ICU.(Maybe by Wednesday) But, I am suggesting that people call the hospital to ask if she is able to have visitors or else check the blog. I don't know if Keith or I will be available to take calls.
We so appreciate having such good friends and family. Especially during a time like this. Thank you so much for your prayers, help, support and love. God bless each of you.
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