Its COLD!!!
I have never been so cold in all of my life! I didn't even know it could actually get this cold. I just ran over to the grocery store to pick up some fruit and the temperature outside is 10 degrees. Can you believe it? The wind chill is minus something. I am so thankful that Ash does not have to feel this cold air. I couldn't even breathe. Living in Texas (where it was a beautiful 70 degrees today) I had no idea the weather could actually make you hurt all the way to your bones. Thankfully I don't venture out too often and I should stay tucked inside the PICU where it is nice and warm while the storm is here.
This afternoon I spoke with the Pediatric surgeon who will be doing Ashley's operation. He said that they all agree it is necessary, but they are not sure how to perform it on her. Ashley has had many operations in her little lifetime and her abdomen has alot of scar tissue built up. This will make it very difficult. There are areas where the new organs were grafted that are "paper thin" and this makes it dangerous. As they attempt to cut through the scar tissue which is very thick they will try not to perforate the new organs. They are trying to decide if they should make an incision in the side of her chest and seperate her rib cage to try and avoid the danger. At this point they are looking at several options and searching for the safest way. I am trying not to think about what Ash will have to endure. My heart breaks and my eyes fill with tears if I talk about it. I am afraid this is going to be a very long 2 weeks.
One thing I am more than grateful for is that my sweet Ashley has no idea what the future holds for her. She is not worried. She is not scared. She is happy and content to play with her toys and have her mommy rock her in our"favorite" chair. For this I am thankful. Well, am going to go enjoy my bowl of vegetable soup and watch my Ashley rest. Take care and have a wonderful evening. May God bless. Trish
posted by Ashley @ 6:48 PM
6 Comments:
Praying for you & sweet Ash....( I do know that kind of cold...I grew up in West Virginia...blizzard country (= Why do you think I am now in Texas? LOL Just wait till you park on the street & the snow plow truck blocks you in after you dig your way out....fun fun...LOL). As a kid it was LOTS of fun...but as an adult...not so much. Anyway, I know your heart & mind are heavy in thought of what may come with this surgery. Praying God will direct every aspect of her care. I feel confident that HE will keep her safe & that this may be a HUGE turning point in her ability to feed...wean from TPN...& grow & thrive. I agree the discussion with the surgeon is scary to think about ....& lots of "unknowns & what if's" ....just know ...God knows what the outcome is already...He loves Ash...& I am praying for her healing & recovery.....& GETTING HER BACK TO LONGVIEW. Warm smiles....& hugs.
Trish- I come to this site every day several times a day to check in on you and Ashley. Please know that my family and I and pretty much everyone around me will be praying for your family during these two weeks. Also the surgeons and doctors as they prepare and research options. God has brought you this far, and He will be with you through this time as well.
Your family has stuck in my head ever since the first time I saw Ashley's name on the sign at Oakland Heights. God Bless you all!!
Bless you.
What a sweet way to look at it - that at least Ashley doesn't know what she may be facing. That just made me smile. We are praying for the doctors as they form these decisions. Enjoy your soup and get some good rest.
Trish, if it makes you feel better, it WAS 70 degrees here today, but by nightfall the temp had dropped 40 degrees, and now we're having freezing rain--supposed to last for two days! You know what a big deal that is in TX!!
I'm continuing to pray for Ashley, and for you. You're right--she has no idea of tomorrow, let alone a surgery down the road, and so while I pray for her recovery, I'm also praying for your peace and faith. And hope! Know that you are constantly thought of and prayed for in this household!!
I just came across your blog through looking at Bluebird Blog Designs. Your story touched me deeply because I have a son named Seth who endured several surgeries in his first year of life. He was born with severe reflux and the doctors thought it was from pyloric stenosis. They operated on him to correct it when he was 7 days old. That was not the cause of the reflux, but instead it was a birth defect where the esophagus meets the stomach. They then performed the Nissen Funduplication at two weeks and it seemed to do great. He then used a feeding tube through his stomach for a month and resumed eating but wasn't able to thrive. At seven months he only weighed 10 and a half lbs. and we soon found out he had adhesions which had formed from the scar tissues. We caught them just in time and they were able to remove part of his intestines and fix him up. He still was not thriving so we consulted a wonderful godly nutritionist. He was put on live goat's milk, live fruits and veggie juices and a diet of whole foods. He finally began to thrive and cleanse his body. It was miraculous to watch him finally gain weight. Seth is now about to turn 10 years old and is doing very well. He is still on the very thin side, but we haven't had any further problems. I know Ashley's situation is much more serious in nature, but I thought it might be helpful to know of someone else who has been through the NF surgery. I will be praying for Ashley and your family. I have an Ashley, too. Sorry to write such a long post. I will come back to check in. If you ever have any questions about my experience I would be happy to share. God bless!
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