Urgent Care Visit

Unfortunately,  I had to take Sara to the urgent care last night.  She'd been throwing up since early Friday morning.  And it wasn't that she was that sick, she had no other symptoms like fever or body ache.  But I just knew something wasn't quite right and I should get her checked out.

I was mostly worried that with her dehydration, her kidneys might be having some trouble.  So really I took her in to get her hydrated and check her kidney function.  And all her tests were normal, until the last one which showed a UTI.  Ugh, no!!!!

Most of you know Sara's history with UTIs and kidney infection.  But for those that don't, a quick update.  Almost every time Sara has had one, she has ended up being admitted to the hospital.  The problem stems from all the infections she had when she was younger, and because of it she has some antibiotic resistance.  And Sara only seems to grow the meanest, nastiest bugs out there.  Not good!  Because of the two things combined, only once have we ever been successful in treating Sara's infections with prescription antibiotics at home.

So with this news, the doctor and I discussed it and decided to at least try to treat it at home first.  She prescribed a super strength medication and I'm praying that it will do the job.  I think it has a chance because we caught this bug so early, even before Sara showed any signs of fever.  Not sure if the vomiting is related to the infection or something else; could be either.

So now we wait.  If the drug isn't going to be able to kill of this infection, it will be likely that Sara will be in the hospital by Monday.  Let's just hope that doesn't happen.  But I promise you, if it does, I will be posting to let you all know.

Here's my little sicky yesterday!

Learning to Sew 101

So I have no idea why either of us thought it was a good idea, but Kim and I decided to attempt to make Sara's costume this year.  Of course, Sara wanted to be something that I couldn't find anywhere (not even online) so there really wasn't any other choice.

Kim has a sewing machine, but had only used it to fix already made things like jeans and shirts.  To follow a pattern from scratch was a whole new adventure for both of us.  And let me tell you, we learned A LOT!!!  And as you would suspect, we had to modify it as we went to accommodate Sara's right leg and other minimal issues.

So here it is!!  All of our work, stress, and victory all in some pictures!

The table when we started!

Cutting out the pattern!

The bad dog Tank helping us out!

Cutting out the fabric pieces!

Sara helping us pin the pattern!

All our cutout pieces!

OMG!  We actually sewed two pieces together!

We made muffins mittens!

And then we had ears!

And the tail (modified)!

Kimmy sewing the hood!

The never ending mess!

Who knew we could actually sew a zipper!

One of many casualties!

Working on the shoe covers of the jumpsuit!

One shoe cover (inside out)!

Just needs some finishing touches!

I think we made it a little big!

Check ear position before sewing them on!

Lambie's bow!

Completed jumpsuit with tutu!

Woot!  We did it!

Hood details!

It took us about 20 hrs spread out over a Saturday, and 5 week nights!  It was definitely a challenge, but we rose to the occasion and conquered it.  And we did it all with love for my peanut!  And we just hit our deadline, completing it just 10.5 hrs before it needed to be worn to Boo at the Zoo!

And here is what Sara asked to be, for those of you who don't know, and in case you couldn't tell.  Lambie from Doc McStuffins (a show on Disney Jr.)!

Picture Friday!!

Surgery has moved!

This is just an update to let all of you know that Sara's surgery has moved!

It will now be on Dec. 18, 2012 @ 7:30am.  

This is better for Sara because it is early in the morning and she won't have to be hungry all morning long waiting for her turn.  And this also makes her the first patient of the day, so no worrying about it starting really late.

Picture Friday!!

Pre-Op Evaluation

Today we went and saw Sara's orthopedic oncologist to discuss fixing her left hip (her good leg).  Sara's left hip is close to dislocating, and it needs to be corrected in two different ways.

First off, he will have to cut off the top of her femur and reattach it at a new angle so that the ball stays in the center of the socket.  Then secondly, he will cut and tighten up the muscles that reside around the socket to keep the ball of the femur in the socket once it is all healed up and she begins using her leg to walk and get around.  The surgery will last for about 5 hours.

This is a major step in helping Sara to become more mobile and independent.  But unfortunately, this isn't the last.  There is no telling how long Sara's hip will stay in the socket even once the surgery is done.  Because she is so young and still growing, at some point, probably about a year from now, we will have to go in and remove the hardware that will be placed during the surgery.  Also, because she is growing there is no guarantees her hip won't become in need of more correction later.

But to do nothing isn't an option, so we must act and hope that Sara will get several years of good mobility out of this surgery.  It seems big now...a 5 hour procedure, a couple days in the hospital, 8 weeks of spice cast (from ribs to both ankles), building a ramp on the front of the house for a special wheelchair while she's in the cast, and somehow figuring out how to manage it all at home and at school.  Not to mention Christmas is the week after her surgery.

Its scary to think about my baby going under the knife, but it has to be done and its in her best interest. Sara has a great support system, as do I, to help her through this (what seems like now) immense task.  It showed today with all the support she had at this appointment.  Everyone who will be dealing directly with Sara's care, either daily or every few days, was present to listen to what is going to happen and to ask questions so they know how best to help.  My roommate was there because she will be living with us and knows that her daily involvement will be crucial to a smooth event.  My boyfriend was there because he will be building a ramp outside my house, and also coming over often to help us care for Sara when my roommate and I have reached our breaking point.  My dad was also present to ask questions and make sure he understands the surgery because he knows that I will not be able to really hear anything the doctor says right after surgery because I'll just want to see my baby.

So with all that said, here's the important info I'm sure most of you came to get.  Sara's surgery will be on Dec. 19, 2012 at 10am.  Let us all pray it goes well!

New...Picture Fridays!

Several of you have stated that I don't post enough, especially when it comes to pictures. I've given it a lot of thought, and to address your complaints requests I've decided to take up Picture Fridays!  Every Friday I will post one or two of the funniest, cutest, or just plain best pics from the week that I have taken.
 

 

Enjoy!

 

Exciting News!

I was accepted into a graduate program!  I'm going back to school, and oh so very excited about it!!

I will be attending the Management Program at Regis University in Denver.  I will be working towards a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership.  I won't be starting classes until next year, but that gives me time to look for some scholarships and grants to help offset some of the expenses.  As many of us know, school is very expensive!

I can't wait to get back to it.  I love to learn, and I'm actually looking forward to homework and long hours at night reading text books.  I've always wanted to get my graduate degree, and now I finally can!  My plan at this point is to graduate in May of 2014!

That Magical Season

Recently over the last couple weeks, the weather has been changing.  Its colder in the mornings now, and most mornings its wet because it has rained over night.  But by 10am it begins to warm up, and highs are in the mid 70's.  Getting up in the dark is hard, but eating dinner when its dark isn't any better.  Also, the leaves are changing and its so very pretty!

It must be fall!!  And that means one more thing, I can finally say the C word without people completely flipping out on me.  Instead they just give me the look of death that says, "Don't remind me!"

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!!

You see, I love Christmas!  Best holiday of the year!  And for those of you who aren't keeping track, you only have 11 weeks until its here!

I also love Thanksgiving, and everything else that the holiday season brings each year.  I love to bake, and play in the snow.  (Granted I only love snow when I don't have to drive in it.)  I love to see Sara get excited about the lights on the houses, seeing Santa, writing her letter, and just the wonder she has every year about the entire thing!

This year's holiday season will be filled with even more challenges than before.  Its always been challenging, especially since planning is a nightmare when you have divorced parents, and your child also has parents that are not together.  But this year Sara will have her surgery!  Hopefully one that will change her life for the better.  And she will be in this awful cast for Christmas!  That just means I have to work even harder this year to make it super special for her, and that's exactly what I plan to do. 

No matter how much work it takes, I still can't wait!  The look on her face is more than enough reward.  Its going to be awesome!