Another Heather update

The Neurosurgeon came this evening.  He is going to order another CT scan and as long as that still looks stable, then he will let us manage her fever at home.  We are to watch for the same warning signs we always have to know if we need to bring her back in or not.  Heather will not be able to return to her regularly scheduled activities until we get her fever under control.  Thanks everyone for your prayers.

Heather Update

Heather is doing ok.  She is starting to run a fever from 101.4 to the 102's.  The doctors ran blood tests and everything is looking normal so we aren't sure what the cause of the fever is.

I get to spend the night at home and hopefully get some sleep tonight.  I didn't get any sleep last night.  Karl is staying with Heather in the hospital tonight.  Thank you so much Karl.

Thank you to Sister Barden for relieving me from the hospital so I could take a shower.

Thank you to Sister and Brother Roper for bringing us dinner in the hospital.

Thank you Fraziers for coming to the PICU on Saturday and helping administer a blessing to Heather after we found out the bad news.

Thank you everyone for offering and wanting to help.

We know you love us and we love you too!!

We've Moved from the PICU

We are now in room 407.  There are no visitor restrictions but as previously requested please don't come if you are sick.  Also, don't expect too much out of Heather.  She is still very tired and not really wanting to play.  Thanks.

Heather Update

We had CT scans this morning.  It looks like the bleeding has stopped and the clot is unchanged.  The doctors feel it is so small that they don't want to do surgery to remove it.  It should go away on its own and, as long as it doesn't get in the way of the shunts performance, everything will be ok.

The doctors say the main reason for her drowsiness at this point is that she has hyperactive drowsiness syndrome do to a concussion.  There is actually a syndrome for this.

We are being moved from the PICU to the main floor so there will not be any visitor restricitons, however I do ask if you are sick to please stay home and pray for Heather as that will be better for her than coming in and sharing the germs.

I don't have a room number yet but will update my blog when I do.

As long as Heather tolerates her feedings without vomitting and without having to take Zofran then we should be able to go home tomorrow.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and well wishes and willingness to help out where needed and able.

I love you all.

Heather Update

On Wednesday, October 3, 2012 0730 Heather drove her wheelchair backwards off of the lift at the top of the stairs and fell down the stairs.

We called the ambulance and went to the hospital.  They did CT scans and full body x-rays.  They said she had no broken bones and shunt looked good and brain looked good.  We were sent home and told to bring her back if she didn't get better or continued to vomit with zofran.

Thursday she had a mostly ok day.  She was a little tired and sore which was to be expected.  Friday she started getting worse.  She vomitted and we gave her zofran.  She didn't vomit again until Saturday morning.  She also never got out of bed and was very tired.  When she didn't show any signs of improvement Saturday morning and then she vomitted before I even fed her, I knew it was time to go to the hospital.

We are in the PICU of the hospital.  She was admitted after a CT scan showed that she was having bleeding in the brain.  Her shunt appears to be functioning as it should according to the scans.  At least that is what the doctors say.  I personally can't understand how she can have squish fluid by her shunt if her shunt is functioning but maybe she is just swollen with a bump on her head.  We get to play the wait and see game.

Please keep Heather in your prayers.

One of my new favorite scriptures

At ward conference they referred to this scripture.

2 Nephi 9:51
 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

My Heavenly Father loves me Mama's Weekend

So I went on a little mama vacation to Guntersville State Park.  I spent Friday and Saturday nights at the campgrounds.  It was wonderful.  I really needed that break.  I loved it and was thanking Heavenly Father all over the place for the beauty of the earth.  Here are some pictures.

This is a picture of the lodges.

 Yay Electricity!!!

 Yay Running Water

 My creative Tarping with at 24x12 tarp for a 14x9 tent

 View from the tent.  So Beautiful.

 Thank goodness for technology and FANS.  A must have for camping!!! Especially this time of year!!!

I was so grateful to Heavenly Father the whole time.  I thanked him the whole time for the break, the beautiful water, the wind.....On the way home I was singing Church Hymns and praising him.  I was singing "Because I Have Been Given Much" when I got pulled over by a cop and got my very first ever speeding ticket.  I was actually very grateful to Heavenly Father for looking after me and slowing me down because a little further up the road it was raining so hard you couldn't see very far, in an area where the road had many turns.  I know my Heavenly Father loves me.  I thanked him for all my many blessings.  Even the blessing of receiving the speeding ticket to slow me down and keep me safe.

15 years married and still makes me laugh

The other night I went to my room to go to bed.  Karl was already in bed but woke up when I came in.  I had my light on my phone on so I could see where I was going, and it shined in his direction.  He said, "woe" sounding startled where we then had the funniest conversation.
I said, "Whatever you weren't asleep anyway." laughingly
He said, " But I wasn't as bright as 3 squirrels."
I said, "What? Squirrels aren't bright."
He said, "Because they make you drink dark."
I said, "How do squirrels make your drink dark?"
He said, "Because they're small, like frogs and spiders."
I said, "You're not making any sense."
He said, "Whatever, your the one who doesn't know the difference between frogs and spiders."
I started laughing at this point.
He said, "What? I can't find my L."
I said, "What for?"
He said, "nothing"
I said, "What do you need your L for?"
He said, "So I can find the end of my face."
I busted up laughing and said you aren't making any sense.
He said, "Whatever, you just don't get it because I'm smart."
That was probably the most coherent part of the conversation.  I laughed so hard.  I love that he can still surprise me and make me laugh after 15 years of marriage.

Made one for the girls too

Michael calls it his keep out sign

Funny things the kids said on 4th of July

Kayla during fireworks:
Yay, more purple more purple.

Michael after fireworks:
Oh no the moon is broken.  Me: No, it's not broken there is just a cloud in down the middle so it looks like it is cracked in half.

A few minutes later Michael says:  Yay, it's fixed.

The cloud had moved.

Handmade Crochet Teddy for Kayla

I made this teddy bear for Kayla.  She loves it.  She named it Purple Bear.  She calls it her baby bear.  I'm so glad she loves it.  Purple is her favorite color.  Here are a few photos of her with her new bear.

Embroidery Machine

I got a new Embroidery and Sewing machine combo.  It's a Brother SE400.
I have been playing with scrap material.  Here is a butterfly I made but probably won't keep.  I didn't have any stabilizer but was excited to do something with it I couldn't wait.  I made it into a sticker and put it on my door.

Kayla's date night with daddy

Daddy wants to take Kayla to go see Brave, the new princess movie.  So Kayla is all dressed up and excited to go.  She wanted to dress in a princess outfit and this is one that Nona got while she was in Malaysia.
Here are a few photos:

Michael liked that Kayla got to dress like a princess so he wanted to dress as a prince.  Here are a few pictures of Michael dressed as a prince.

Scrap Material

Kayla saw these scrap pieces of material and wanted to play like mommy.  At first she tried to grab some scissors and play at mommy's sewing table but I stopped her.  I showed her how to wrap the material around her.  She loved it. She said she was beautiful.  I love the way she says that word.  It sounds like beeootyfoooool.  Here are a couple of pictures.

Heather sitting up

For the first time today, Heather got herself into a sitting up position and stayed there.  This is the first time she has ever sat up, unassisted in this straight leg position.  Yeah Heather!!!

Heather and baptism

I have spoken with our bishop on this matter.  He strongly feels that Heather doesn't need this ordinance.  He said he doesn't feel that will change but if it does, we will address it then.  Just FYI.

Other Kids want spotlight

Here are a few pictures of Michael and Kayla.  They wanted there picture taken after I did the video of Heather.

Sunday rolling

Heather got tired and bored with staying in bed and/or her wheelchair, so today I let her get on the floor and move herself around.  Look at her go.

Crazy Girl

Heather is starting to get her since of humor back.  See, she smiled when I called her my crazy girl.

Heather update

Heather has been making progress on slowly coming off of her pain medicine.  She is moving her hips and trying to move her legs.  I think she is getting frustrated that she can't bend her knees.  She had a really rough night last night.  She went to bed at 8pm, woke up at 10pm because the cat climbed on her, woke up at 12am because she was uncomfortable, I gave her some pain meds, she woke up at 2am because the cat climbed on her again, I locked the cat in the laundry room this time, and woke up at 4am because she was uncomfortable, I gave her 2 of her pain meds and then she finally slept till 10am.  Poor girl.  Keep praying for her.

We are Home

We got home at 530pm yesterday.  This is the first chance I have had to update since I got home.  Heather is still having pain and discomfort but she is glad to be home.  The Doctor told me that he won't be in the office in 3 weeks to change the casts, so she will have them for 3.5  to 4 weeks.  Then changed to half leg casts.

Heather update

OK.  It has been a while since my last post because Heather has needed lots of attention.  We are in our hospital room 409.  She is having lots of pain but is doing well.  She is in two full leg casts.  The Dr. changed his mind about the half body cast today.  See her pretty pink casts?

Heather update

Heather is in post op.  Dr says she is doing fine and everything went well.  He will see me tomorrow.

Heather is in surgery

Just got called by nurse.  Heather is asleep and in surgery.  It will take a couple hours.

Heather surgery day

Heather in admin

Heather in pre op

Kayla got bangs

Kayla got bangs.  Here are some pictures.