Titus had a rough night last night. He was released from the hospital around 6:30pm last evening. Becky and Lisa (nurse) stayed at a hotel near the hospital. As Becky stated, Titus' kept de-satting last night so they kept the lights on and tv on and just watched him all night long. Part of this was just due to getting all the anesthesia out of his body - he's done this before, but it's still a scary thing to go through. Becky told me this morning that there's not a lot on TV all night and after 4 hours of Michael Jackson coverage, they switched over and watched Seinfeld re-runs. And since most people think our life is just one continuous Seinfeld episode - it was somewhat appropriate.
Becky will stay in Houston today and come home tomorrow. The boys are with our friends in Lake Jackson and having a wonderful time.
Meanwhile, I'm home with the dogs, fish, and the fleas. It seems that flea season is horrid this year and Quita is hosting an entire flea circus. So, she's been treated and the house is being fogged tonight. And, I just can stop scratching.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Everything is Fine
Becky just called and the doctor just finished the evaluation. Titus' eye pressures are within normal ranges and everything looks good. The doctor also looked at his eyelid that's been giving him problems and agreed it was just a sty, but was so clogged, it wasn't going to clear up on his own, so they are taking care of that.
The doctor did make an interesting comment. He stated based on the nerve damage that he sees medically, it's amazing that Titus has any vision at all . And yet, he watched Titus with Becky and noticed how he was tracking with his eyes and reacting to things he saw or that came close to his face. Until Titus can communicate with us, we won't know how much vision he really has, but we are thankful for what he does have. And it's in those little things that we can so often take for granted, that we learn to be thankful.
The doctor was running a bit behind schedule today, so I've been sitting here pretty much useless at the office waiting to hear from Becky. I don't think I'll fully relax until he is out of recovery and back home, but that's just what Dad's do.
The doctor did make an interesting comment. He stated based on the nerve damage that he sees medically, it's amazing that Titus has any vision at all . And yet, he watched Titus with Becky and noticed how he was tracking with his eyes and reacting to things he saw or that came close to his face. Until Titus can communicate with us, we won't know how much vision he really has, but we are thankful for what he does have. And it's in those little things that we can so often take for granted, that we learn to be thankful.
The doctor was running a bit behind schedule today, so I've been sitting here pretty much useless at the office waiting to hear from Becky. I don't think I'll fully relax until he is out of recovery and back home, but that's just what Dad's do.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Trip to Houston
Titus (along with Becky and the boys and nurse Lisa) will be headed out to Houston tomorrow. He has an 'evaluation under anesthetic' with the pediatric opthmalogist / glaucoma specialist on Monday at 11am. He was suppose to have this appointment several months ago, the but the weekend before, he was running a little fever, and we postponed.
We would appreciate your prayers as they drive down to Houston (about 4 1/2 hour drive), and then the exam on Monday. If his eye pressures are fine, then they will bring him out of the anesthesia and once he's fine, let him go home. If they pressures are elevated, they will do whatever surgery is necessary. The last two times, his pressures have been fine and we expect the same on Monday.
As mentioned before, taking Titus under and bringing him back up from anesthesia is always hard on him. He is as healthy as he's been in awhile, so we pray the trip and exam is short.
We would appreciate your prayers as they drive down to Houston (about 4 1/2 hour drive), and then the exam on Monday. If his eye pressures are fine, then they will bring him out of the anesthesia and once he's fine, let him go home. If they pressures are elevated, they will do whatever surgery is necessary. The last two times, his pressures have been fine and we expect the same on Monday.
As mentioned before, taking Titus under and bringing him back up from anesthesia is always hard on him. He is as healthy as he's been in awhile, so we pray the trip and exam is short.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
They Don't Act Like Brothers
The four oldest have been in Vacation Bible School this week. Aidan has been helping out while Noah, Tucker, and Cade are attending.
One of the mom's in Noah's room told us that she had a discussion with her son about Aidan and Noah. She told him they were brothers. Her son stated, "No, they aren't brothers. They're just friends". The mom assured her son that Aidan and Noah were brothers, to which the boy replied "Well, they don't act like brothers; they act like friends".
Can we tell you what sweet words those were to hear? From the moment Noah was born, we have told both Aidan and Noah that they were best friends. And we know all to well how they can get into it at home, but we also know how much they love each other, talk to each other and respect each other.
Of course, Tucker and Cade are totally different characters. Cade calls Tucker "Husband" when they are playing, and Tucker answers "Yes, Dear". We haven't quite figured that one out yet!
One of the mom's in Noah's room told us that she had a discussion with her son about Aidan and Noah. She told him they were brothers. Her son stated, "No, they aren't brothers. They're just friends". The mom assured her son that Aidan and Noah were brothers, to which the boy replied "Well, they don't act like brothers; they act like friends".
Can we tell you what sweet words those were to hear? From the moment Noah was born, we have told both Aidan and Noah that they were best friends. And we know all to well how they can get into it at home, but we also know how much they love each other, talk to each other and respect each other.
Of course, Tucker and Cade are totally different characters. Cade calls Tucker "Husband" when they are playing, and Tucker answers "Yes, Dear". We haven't quite figured that one out yet!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day
To my 5 incredible boys - thank you for making me a dad, thank you for making me smile, thank you for making me laugh, thank you for encouraging me, thank you for listening, thank you for obeying, thank you for loving your mom. I love you more than you can imagine.
We took Titus swimming tonight. You would never believe this is the same little boy who was in ICU a week ago. He LOVED the pool. I floated him on his back and his little hands were out and open feeling the water, his legs were kicking and he had the biggest grin on his face. We have also turned his oxgen down to a quarter liter. That's .25. A week ago we were at 1.5 and 2. Thank you God for answering the sweet prayers and improving his breathing this week.
My two little ones are so excited for tomorrow. It's the first time they get to go Vacation Bible School. And Aidan is excited to be a helper. He's been studying his lesson all week.
And one last daddy brag. Aidan and Noah participated in their first swim meet yesterday. And they did great. Noah came in first on two of his heats, 2nd on another and 2 on the relay. Aidan came in 1 in his freestyle and 2 on his relay. I was so impressed with their stamina and strength - especially when Noah dived in and his goggles came off - it didn't deter him at all - he swam strong to the end.
We took Titus swimming tonight. You would never believe this is the same little boy who was in ICU a week ago. He LOVED the pool. I floated him on his back and his little hands were out and open feeling the water, his legs were kicking and he had the biggest grin on his face. We have also turned his oxgen down to a quarter liter. That's .25. A week ago we were at 1.5 and 2. Thank you God for answering the sweet prayers and improving his breathing this week.
My two little ones are so excited for tomorrow. It's the first time they get to go Vacation Bible School. And Aidan is excited to be a helper. He's been studying his lesson all week.
And one last daddy brag. Aidan and Noah participated in their first swim meet yesterday. And they did great. Noah came in first on two of his heats, 2nd on another and 2 on the relay. Aidan came in 1 in his freestyle and 2 on his relay. I was so impressed with their stamina and strength - especially when Noah dived in and his goggles came off - it didn't deter him at all - he swam strong to the end.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
3 years: Happy Homecoming Cade
With the hustle and bustle of the last several weeks of illness, I didn't get the chance to post this. But, better late than never.
To my precious Cader-Tot,
Three years ago, we brought you home kicking and screaming from Korea. It had to be one of the most traumatic experiences of both our lives. For you, everything you knew and were familiar with changed in an instant when they placed you in our arms in that van and we took off for the airport. We had tried to play and get to know you for 4 days, and you would not have anything to do with us. And then on that morning, it was just the 3 of us in the taxi.
You fought hard. You kicked, hit, bit, and screamed. You were terrified.
And so were we (although we were too scared to verbalize it with each other). But as you were throwing that fit, I knew that here was a boy that had strength, that had resolve, and that knew how to fight. And I knew that one day, one day, you would love us.
I remember after we landed after the longest 24 hours of our lives, and you walked out holding our hands and met your brothers. And you smiled and laughed (and we looked at each other and knew there was hope). And as the days, weeks, and months passed, you changed into a happy, loving child.
You have grown so much over the last 3 years (literally and figuratively). You are my singing child, my laughing child, and my very opinionated child. You can be my snuggler, but you can also be my stubborn one.
What a joy it is to be your father, to watch you grow, to train you in the right ways, and to watch you with your brothers. You bring joy to my life.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
UPDATED: Thursday Morning Update
Titus had a good night and is doing much better this morning. His fever seems to be gone and if his blood work looks good, he will be coming home today.
The doctors still have some concerns and they are focusing on his heart. Titus was born with an ASD/VSD (like many newborns). His ASD closed up by the time he was a year old, but there is still a small gap in his heart. Based on his breathing/oxygen issues, the pulmonologist wants to continue discussions with the cardiologist to see if closing up the VSD might resolve some of these breathing/oxygen issues Titus continues to have. So, nothing definite yet, but one more item to begin praying about.
I'll will let you know when they get home!
UPDATE: Titus is released from the hospital and they are in the car on their way home.
The doctors still have some concerns and they are focusing on his heart. Titus was born with an ASD/VSD (like many newborns). His ASD closed up by the time he was a year old, but there is still a small gap in his heart. Based on his breathing/oxygen issues, the pulmonologist wants to continue discussions with the cardiologist to see if closing up the VSD might resolve some of these breathing/oxygen issues Titus continues to have. So, nothing definite yet, but one more item to begin praying about.
I'll will let you know when they get home!
UPDATE: Titus is released from the hospital and they are in the car on their way home.
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