Big brother....little brother

So Kenneth had his foot surgery on March 19th and he is keeping me pretty busy with his recovery.

Surgery went well.  He was in surgery for 2 hours total instead of 3.  The Dr. lengthened one tendon and shortened another tendon.  She also put some plates in and moved the bone over.  He has a really nice arch now.

He is currently on his second cast right now.  He goes back to the Dr. on Thursday.  He went back to school after Easter/Spring Break.  First week back was a little rough on him.  By Thursday night he was sore and tired and Friday morning he had some swollen toes so I kept him home and elevated his foot all day/weekend.

He is non weight bearing right now.  I can't wait until he is able to get a walking cast.  I think he will do and feel much better then.  I am concerned that his pain level spikes up to a 9 sometimes.  I thought he would be feeling better by now.  Overall he has been a good sport about it and I hope when its all over that he is much happier.

Little brother is missing playing/hanging out with big brother.  Kenny is the one that still sits and plays legos and army guys with Jonathon.  And Kenny hasn't been able to do any of that.  But he is able to go outside finally and this makes Jonathon very very happy.

We have had some nice weather lately so Jonathon has been able to spend sometime outdoors again.  He really enjoys all the animals.  He thought maybe he would try to let Andrew's dog out for him(of course Andrew was not home)

And he has caught his other big brother to help him out in his monster truck!

BROTHERLY LOVE!!!!!  I am so proud of all three of my boys!!!!

Lots going on

with our family lately.

Jonathon went in for his braces to be checked and currently he has SMO's.  But we are switching to SURE STEPS.  I am very excited for him to get into sure steps.  They look like they will be much more friendlier.  Right now I have a hard time finding shoes and snow boots for Jonathon.  I have to order EW and then the braces don't fit into rain boots or snow boots.  This winter I finally found him a pair of snow boots that actually work with the braces and we did not get any snow.....Figures....

Jonathon and I went out shopping and found some pants for Kenny to wear after surgery.  We looked for hours and then finally decided to buy in the kid department and luckily a 18/20 works!  Hooray.  Next time I won't wait til the last minute to purchase something I really need.  And we found a great deal on a suitcase....  Now I own one.  Hooray.

Jonathon is finally better and was able to go back to school on Tuesday this week.  He is happy, but a little hyper....he has been out for a long time.  And now he needs to get back into the daily routine.

So I opened up all the windows on Tuesday and hauled out the Bissell and was able to shampoo my living room carpet, hallway and my room.  It feels so good to let the warm breeze come through.  I will have to wait to finish the other rooms.

Wednesday after school Jonathon had his friend Rylee come over to play for a little while.  That was nice because they haven't seen each other in forever.

Wednesday night my neighbor/friend texted me to say that she had a fire at her house earlier in the evening and to call her on Thursday.

Today.....today after I dropped my boys off at school I hurried and went over to my friends house.  They have a wood pellet stove and it caught on fire Wednesday afternoon and pretty much just smoldered....therefore filling their home with smoke....Her 16 year old daughter was the first to arrive at home and when she opened up the door she said it was a white cloud of smoke and all she could think of was to get the dogs out.....she got one out and had to drag the other one out because he was unconscious... after all that she called her step dad...never called 911.  Didn't think it was a big deal because there was not any flames.  And then they all slept there along with their dogs.

So I stayed with my friend this morning and got her to go outside with her pets and then I went and picked her up lunch....then after the first adjuster arrived and was shocked they all slept there, he said the dogs needed to go out and stay out.....well....they are inside dogs so I packed them up and took them home with me and put them in my garage....then when her daughter and son got out of school I had them come home to me....I gave them clothes and let them shower so they felt better and did not smell like smoke.  They went out and walked their dogs and seemed ok.  After talking with their mom we decided that it would be best for the kids to stay here overnight and the dogs are staying over too.

Tomorrow they will find a hotel to stay at.  Their house has alot of smoke damage.....the family is lucky that they slept with windows open because they all could have died overnight.  I don't think they understood how bad it was.  They will be homeless for about 6 weeks....everything is ruined....I feel so bad for them, but am very thankful that I am able to help out.  Please keep them in your prayers.

I would hope that if something tragic like this happened to my family I would have friends to help me out.  So we are all getting comfortable and getting ready to call it a night.  It has been kind of nice having another girl in the house though.  She is pretty quiet....mainly kept to herself...but she did enjoy playing with Jonathon.

I have to run out tomorrow sometime with Jonathon and pick up a couple more pair of pants for Kenny since those fit.  Get some last minute stuff done around home because on Monday morning.....My sis is coming early to take care of Jonathon....

Kenny is going in for foot surgery.....He/we will be at the hospital until Tuesday.  His surgery is going to be 3 hours long and then if all goes well he can go home on Tuesday.  I will be staying with him.  I don't want my child to be alone....he may not need me, but I will be there in case he does need me.

My sis will be here for Jonathon and then Gilbert took Tuesday off to stay with Jonathon and help with Kenny when I get him home!  Keep Kenny in your prayers!!!!

Surgery

is in our future yet again.

Jonathon had his first official dentist appointment today for a cleaning.  I explained to Jonathon on the way to the dentist that she was going to look into his mouth ~ make him say ahhhh and she would look inside ~ I explained to him that she was going to clean his teeth all shiny.

And here he is all happy hanging out waiting for Dr. Dentist to come in......

And then we found out that Jonathon does not like Dr. Dentist ~ and the screaming began ~ and my mommy heart started to break......

Seriously I really wonder if all pediatric dentist do this to their patients?  I did not protest because honestly I don't know if this is the norm or not....  I can tell you that Jonathon really and truly hated it ~ I have not seen my son so scared in quite some time ~ and she wants me to do this at home ~ "really"......

And this is how a parent looks when she is trying to remain calm when the word "surgery" needed comes out of a physicians mouth ~ dentist ~ close enough...  Jonathon has cavities ~ Jonathon has..... Jonathon will need to be sedated ~ Jonathon will need to have xrays to see if he has cavities in between front teeth ~ Jonathon will need to go to Children s Hospital ~ 

 
And then Jonathon got to pick a prize out of the prize basket and we got ready to leave.

A much happier little boy now to be all done..and he got to pick out 2 prizes.

Not a real clear picture, but see the red speck ~ Jonathon has broken blood vessels in his face from screaming ~ not a good thing ~


And then while you are in with the Dr. Dentist listening to all of the information she is telling you and the only thing that is registering in your head is the word "surgery" and then you say o.k. and then you leave.....and then you get outside and then......hey why didn't she clean his teeth today?  If she couldn't clean his teeth today ~ then why would we come back in 6 months for a recheck ~ all in all I guess I will just wait for the phone call tomorrow and try to be better prepared ~ because as of right now my husband said "what do you mean surgery"?  I guess I need a better explanation so then I can better explain to him!


I swear sometimes it feels like its never ending........

Surgery is Over!

What a long and exhausting day this has been!  We were up at 4a.m. to leave at 5a.m. to be at hospital at 6:30a.m.


We got lost ~ we (hubby and I) got into huge arguement over me not getting correct directions! I did, they were just confusing. ~ by the time we turned around ~ we missed our exit AGAIN! ~ Again I got yelled at! (as our 14yr. old is sitting in back with Jonathon) poor Andrew and Jonathon. ~ I am so over getting yelled at! ~ so I called hospital to let them know what was going on. ~ they were fine and said to take our time ~ we woke to a snowstorm ~ roads were horrendous! ~ we were only 10 minutes late. ~ and by now I was a little ticked off!


We stayed with Jonathon til 7:35a.m. and then they took him back.  Even though this was a much simpler surgery than OHS, it still crushed me to watch my baby get wheeled away. ~ We went to the next waiting area and then Andrew and I hurried to go get a drink ~ I forgot my Gatorade at home. ~ and most everyone knows I "NEED" that! ~while we were gone (2 minutes) someone had come out and let my husband know that yes they would be taking the adnoids out too. ~ so we waited. ~ not very long and they came to get us to go to another room to wait for the Dr. ~ as we are sitting and waiting Gilbert and I hear a scream ~ "Is that Jonathon?"  First time we weren't sure. ~ but when that door opened again and I heard it again ~ a mother just knows ~ "IT WAS MY BABY!"


Trying to hold composure til Dr. came in.  He talked with us really quick and then someone would be out to get us in about 20 - 30 minutes he said. As he was leaving the room a nurse was walking in to get us. ~ Thank God! ~ Dr. was surprised. ~ i didn't care ~ just get me to my baby. ~ I walked into recovery ~ to Jonathon screaming and thrashing all about ~ trying to come out of the anesthesia ~ They gave him to me and I just "hugged   him sooooo tight and talked to him"  ~ And yes lots of tears from mommy too ~ After a few minutes we both settled down. ~ he drifted in and out of sleep ~ took maybe 30 to 45 minutes to get him to drink ~ then he felt better. ~ we were dressed and on the road by 9:30a.m. "HOORAY!"


We were half way home when Jonathon vomitted all over! ~ Luckily we were able to pullover and luckily I always pack way too much stuff!  I was able to clean him up and carseat and change his clothes and we were off again.


got home around 10:30a.m. ~ He has had a little bit of water and just a few bites of jello.  I know he is hungry ~ but his throat is bothering him ~ rocked him to sleep and I think I will give him Tylenol later so then maybe he will be able to tolerated the jello.


I have to put drops in his ears ~ 3 drops 3x per day for 3 days and then we go for a recheck in 3 weeks. ~ It will be really weird tonight when I don't have to do the Little Noses.


Happy to be home ~ Happy Jonathon is resting ~ Happy surgery was a success!

Andrew and Jonathon

Gilbert, Jonathon and me

Jonathon waiting to go

   

ENT Recheck

was yesterday at 5p.m.  Jonathon had another tympanogram done and yes there is still fluid in his left ear and he has pressure in his right ear.


Dr. ENT approached us with "I think we need to discuss surgery" and before he could even get all of that out I interrupted with " Yes we need to just do the surgery, this isn't helping him."  It was really simple, we were all on the same page.


I tried to think of questions to ask him and of course thought of some after I got home.  But that always happens.  I am not too upset about the upcoming surgery.  I really think this will help Jonathon with his speech.  We have been going to ENT appts since last January and we are both finished.


Surgery will be after the holidays, someone is supposed to call me this week and schedule a day.  Surgery is supposed to take about 10 minutes and we get to go home the same day.  The longest procedure is going to be driving to the hospital and getting ready for surgery.(that part I won't like)


We will be going to Beaumont Troy Hospital. 
When I know more I will update everyone.

Alot to think about

Back in January 09 Jonathon had his first hearing test and he failed.


He passed in the booth 100%. . (booth testing- wide range of things can be done in the booth depending on the age and cooperation of the child. for our kids at a young age behavioral testing as described above is the best thing, it can give some side (ear) specific information but does really give you an idea on the degree of hearing loss or if it is a conductive or nerve loss. As a child gets older the booth is used with headphones and a bone stimulator (buzzing thing placed behind the ear). this is the best. it gives specific information on specific frequencies, and the type of hearing loss as well as the degree of hearing loss. this information is crtitical for programming a hearing aid ( if you have to go that route))


but with the tympanogram he failed. Came back that he has fluid in his right ear.

(tympanogram- this is not actually a hearing test but is done by the audiologist. a puff of air is applied into the ear canal under seal, the pressure tracing monitors how well the ear drum moves and helps gives a an idea of what is going on in the middle ear space (ie fluid build up, negative pressure) downs kids are prone to these things because of a higher rate of eustachian tube dysfunction ( tube that runs from the throat to the middle ear) these kids can be hard to test though because of congenitally narrow ear canals. there are some things that can be done with tympanograms in response to an auditory stimuli where you look at how the middle ear muscles and bones pull on the ear drum, but that is really a fine point and not looked at that often)


So we went to the pediatrician and it was confirmed that he had fluid in his right ear. From Dec 6th thru Dec 29th he was pretty sick and we were hoping it was just from that. So he was put on Clairitin for 30 days , then we would go for a recheck and then another hearing test and hopefully he would pass.

So after 30 days we went back to Dr. Pediatrician and had a recheck on his ears. Dr. Pediatrician still seen fluid. And Jonathon had his first ear infection. Instead of going back to local audiologist for another test we were scheduled to see an ENT.

When we finally got in to see the ENT, Jonathon was over his ear infection, but had another sinus infection(4th one since Sept 08). Dr. ENT looked him over and sent us for a tympanogram test. The tympanogram showed fluid in both ears. Good thing was that it was a better result than the one taken in January. So the test showed Jonathon was getting better. Dr. ENT decided that we would 2 months and retest. In the meantime he put Jonathon on fluticasone(nose spray)once a day. Hopefully this would help with the sinus infections.

As of March 16th I had Jonathon healthy once again. He was doing great and then last week Wednesday I starting noticing a difference in him. His breathing seemed different. I just monitored him. By Thursday night he was snoring again and when he woke up Friday morning he had a snotty nose. I sucked him out hoping it was allergies. No such luck. It was yellow and he seemed congested.

Made a call in to see Dr. Pediatrician. And I was correct. Dr. Pediatrician confirmed sinus infection and put Jonathon on amoxicillin. Saturday late afternoon Jonathon started coughing some. (When he starts coughing we are to get an appointment with Dr. Pediatrician to make sure he is not wheezing)I didn't want to take Jonathon to the E.R. so we just monitored him.

On Monday morning I had to take both big brothers to Dr. Pediatrician.(complaints of sore throat/strept). Found out that neither one had strept. They could return to school. I had Dr. Pediatrician take a quick listen to Jonathon since we were there.
Uh Oh! He was wheezing!!!(I of course felt horrible). He was immediately prescribed Albuterol for his nebulizer. He is back on his nebulizer 3x day for 5 days to help the wheezing.

Monday afternoon Jonathon had a recheck appointment with Dr. ENT. Gilbert was supposed to meet us there, but he called me at lunchtime to say that he was sick. I told him to forget it and just stay at work and go home, that I would take Andrew with me instead. So that is what I did.

We arrived early and actually got taken right back. Dr. ENT came right in. I explained what has been going on lately with Jonathon.(sinus infection again and back on albuterol for wheezing). He took a look at him and said that he had some wax build up. Needed to be cleaned up. Personal opinion~not very kid friendly at all. Made Jonathon scream AND I mean scream his head off. Would not take time with him at all. Actually poked his little ear and made him bleed. I was soooo glad when that was over, and I was mad. Dr. Pediatrician cleans Jonathon's ears ALL the time AND has NEVER once made Jonathon cry. 1st mark against you Dr! Got that done. He then sent us down the hall to get another tympanogram done. Still fluid in his ears. It is getting better, but is not better.

Then we wait for Dr. ENT to come and get us.....

So this is what he tells me: He still has fluid in both ears. We could put tubes in his ears and while we are in there take his adnoids out. Not saying it will help with the sinus infections. But we could do it or we can wait a couple more months and see what happens...... Ok, now I am in a fog...."Are you saying that Jonathon needs tubes in his ears and you will take out his adnoids while you are in there? Yes says Dr. ENT. "You want me to answer you today if I want Jonathon to have this surgery, when my husband is not here?" No No Dr. ENT says, you can wait and let me know. Do you have any questions?

Yes I am concerned about the fluid in his ears. This started in January and is not getting better. Can this damage Jonathon's hearing? Dr. ENT says to me: Well it is not getting worse. It is not staying the same. It is improving some. So I don't see any reason why you can't wait 2 more months and see what happens or have the surgery now. But if he isn't better by July, then definitely he needs the surgery. By now I was really wishing I had brought another adult with me. I questioned him about my concerns with him having tubes put in(my godson had a horrible experience). He of course answered me, but not to my liking. So I made an appointment for July and they gave me all the paperwork to fill out for surgery if we decided to have the surgery now.

Of course Gilbert was sick last night so even though we discussed a little bit about it we didn't resolve anything. I am really at a loss and not sure which way to go. I really do not think we are going to see a major change over the next 2 months on the tympanogram. Do we make Jonathon suffer for 2 more months or do we just get the surgery done now?

In case you do not know, when you have fluid in your ear;it is like getting water in your ear and you shake your head or pull on your ear and it gets better. Well Jonathon is stuck like this since January.

I am beginning to think that maybe this is why he is not a full walker yet. Equilibruim is off. Which is not fair to him. I wish I could take the fluid and take all these sinus infections from him. Really really heartbreaking to see him sick all the time.(I HATE it)

Talked to my sis a little while ago and she told me to get a second opinion. She went with me to the first ENT appointment back in March. She too said that she did not care for the doctor then.

I do agree, I think I need a second opinion. I do know something has to be done. I just don't care for the way that Jonathon has been treated and he leaves me uneasy. I have seen many doctors since 2007 for Jonathon and this is the first one I have come across that I am just not Happy with. I think I will take my sisters advice and see if our insurance will cover a second opinion.