• Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - Getting better
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
Julie is on the mend! 
She has been taking it pretty easy at home - watching movies, doing 'quiet' activities (reading/painting/etc.) and although she is still rather sore, she is gradually getting her strength and spirit back.
(You know she's feeling better when she starts teasing her brother again) 
Unfortunately she has lost quite a bit of weight ( and if you know Julie - you know she really can't afford that!) so our goal now is to get her eating well again.
(Unfortunately, this isn't an easy feat...not only is her tummy still tender - but one of the instruments that they used during surgery cut her mouth inside.)
Still - she has managed some scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, some cheese bread, and even a few "Potato Ole's" from Taco Johns.
I think it's time to break out Grandma's Sugar Cookie recipe!
If that doesn't encourage her....I don't know what will...
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• Saturday, December 19, 2009 - ***Another Update on Julie!***
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
Shortly after I posted the last update, things got really bad for poor Julie.
Her pain, fever and vomiting/diarrhea got worse and worse, and so did her coloring.
It was another long, horrible night at home, but we got her in to see our family doctor first thing in the morning. The doctor ordered an abdominal CT scan, which showed that Julie's appendix was very inflamed and that her pelvis was full of fluid - a possible rupture!
Julie was sent immediately to the hospital for emergency surgery.
I was SO frightened for her, and yet I had peace, as I knew she was in God's hands.
(Here she was right before surgery)
Her surgery lasted only about 45 minutes, and the surgeon said that her appendix had not ruptured, but that it was black and gangrenous. Thankfully, she sailed through surgery and recovery, and her first words to us were..."I feel SO much better!" (Praise the LORD!!!)
She was kept overnight for observation ( and so that she could continue to receive IV fluids and antibiotics) And although she is sore and very weak from her days-long ordeal....
Here is how she looked this morning before checking out of the hospital - MUCH better!
She is now home and resting comfortable.
We'll keep you posted as to her recovery.
Thank you EVERYONE for your prayers!!! |
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• Dec. 19, 2009 - 3 (surgeries) + 1 (surgery) = 4 surgeries in 2009
I only thought our family would be closing out 2009 with three surgeries. On Friday morning as Brooks was getting out of bed he felt and heard a pop. We ended up at the doctor's office. The x-ray revealed that one of the three anchors/screws popped loose out of the bone so on Monday we will be returning to the surgery center for another surgery. Our doctor was in surgery all day on Friday so we saw another doctor in the practice. He was quite surprised that it had come loose and said that it is rare for that to happen. Because our doctor was in surgery all day, we were told to keep our Tuesday appointment and a plan would be made from there. Friday evening we recv'd a phone call from the surgery center letting us know that our doctor had looked at Brooks' x-ray and he would be coming in on his day off, Monday, to repair it. So at 6am on Monday, we'll be back at the surgery center.
All of this could be very overwhelming and I certainly have my moments but at the same time it could always be so much worse. I am continually reminded to keep a Holy perspective. God is in control. None of this is taking Him by surprise.
Prayers are much appreciated for this surgery and recovery.
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• Thursday, December 17, 2009 - *Update on Julie*
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
After a tiring, (and somewhat scary) morning -
we decided that Julie needed to be seen sooner
rather than wait for her 4:00 appointment.
I called the nurse to see if there were any cancellations,
but after describing Julie's condition to her -
(lethargic, confused/delirious, and her color was gray-ish)
she thought it would be best if we headed straight to the ER.
Once there it was determined that poor Julie was quite severely dehydrated.
She also was low on potassium, and had the beginnings of a UTI,
so she was given IV fluids, potassium, anti-nausea meds and an IV antibiotic.
We spent 5 hours there, (and our wonderful neighbor graciously watched all 3 of my other kids on just a moment's notice. What a blessing!)
Tonight she is home again, and I wish I could say that she is doing better/resting comfortably, but the truth is she's not out of the woods just yet. She is having bad stomach cramping and is still losing fluids just as fast as we can get them in.
She is supposed to have a 'follow-up' with her own doctor tomorrow.
I fear it may be a repeat of today if we can't stop her vomiting/diarrhea.
Thank you all for your prayers. We really appreciate you lifting her up!
On a positive note - Paul made it safely home from his business trip.
However, he, too, will be seeing the doctor tomorrow -
as he is is pretty positive he has a sinus infection.
Tis' the season....I guess. 
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• Thursday, December 17, 2009 - Traveling woes
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
I'm starting to get very paranoid for Paul to take business trips anymore.
Typically either something major breaks (dishwasher, toilet, etc.) or we get hit with a wave of sickness.
This week was no exception.
If you could - please keep Julie in your prayers.
She has been hit especially hard this time, and hasn't been able to keep anything down for more that 24 hrs now. On top of that she has some strange rash on her cheeks (It's not 5ths disease - she's already had that when she was younger) We'll be seeing the doctor later this afternoon - to check and see if she is dehydrated.
Thanks for your prayers!
(But the good news is ... Paul comes home tonight!!!) |
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• Dec. 17, 2009 - ICE
On Monday before Brooks' surgery we went to the ICE show at Gaylord Opryland. The theme this year is Charlie Brown. The children had lots of fun and enjoyed the slide made of ice a great deal.
    We had to get Mark's picture with Linus since he's our little Linus (loves his blankie)
   My favorite part each year is the ICE Nativity scene. It's always so beautiful. I was frozen by the time we reached this point so I only have one picture of this scene.
As a side note -- The children hadn't ever seen any Charlie Brown shows. It had been forever since I had seen any. We got A Charlie Brown Christmas from Netflix so the children could see it and have an understanding of the theme of ICE. Do you know how many times they call one another "stupid" in that show? Way too many to count and certainly way too much to be a suitable show for our family. I was surprised how mean they are to one another. One of the children asked "why do they treat Charlie Brown that way". All of the children thought it was a program we shouldn't watch again. I was glad to see their discernment in that. |
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• Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Modest dresses for a pre-teen - do they exist?
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
So many people have commented lately on Julie's height.
"She's almost as tall as YOU!" is the usual comment these days. And they're right! 
Julie is is now almost 5'3" and wearing a ladies size 2-4.
The trouble is... all of the dresses we can find look like ladies dresses! 
Julie is still such a kid at heart, (still into dolls/toys, not really into makeup, etc) and she still wants to look like a kid.
We have even tried looking at Goodwill and on Ebay, but even there most of the dresses we are finding are inappropriate. (Spaghetti straps, scooped necklines, etc.)
These are the types of dresses she prefers...
but we just can't find them (at an affordable price) in her size.
(Girl's 16's are too small.)
Does anyone have any recommendations of where to look for clothing for her?
(Or maybe it's time I learned to sew better.  )
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• Monday, December 14, 2009 - Julie's first concert
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
• Monday, December 14, 2009 - Drum roll.................
Posted By Foxvalleyfamily
I printed out all of the comments
Cut them into strips and put them into a bowl.
Miss Katie had the honor of choosing one....
And the WINNER is........
Congratulations, AMBER !!!!
*And I might add..... DOUBLE congratulations to Amber, as she is going to have her baby THIS WEEK!!!! |
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• Dec. 11, 2009 - Brooks' surgery report
Brooks' rotator cuff surgery went very well today. The doctor was very pleased with how surgery went. They did a shoulder block so his pain is low right now. They say when the shoulder block wears off the pain will be great.
On Monday he starts physical therapy. PT will be 3x a week for 6 weeks. He has to wear the sling for 6-8 weeks. No pictures to share today. :-) I'll try and take a picture of him in his lovely sling in the next few days.
Praising God for Brooks' parents that stayed with the children today and for our amazing church family that is providing meals for the next few days.
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