Soooo.....

We drove up to Portland yesterday because I was worried we were having a shunt malfunction. They did shunt X-rays and a quick-scan MRI. Nothing looked wrong. Her ventricles are large for her age, but smaller than before her shunt placement. Doesn't quite tell me if it's working like it should, but she is perking up today, and getting a new tooth!

So, maybe she was just teething, and *that caused the vomiting, sleepiness, lack of appetite, that I was worried about. Maybe the fullness I see in her soft spot is "normal" even though it seems fuller than it has been. It's not huge. We go back to Portland on Monday to see her neurologist. I suspect she is okay, but I'll keep an eye out for any new signs.

Not sure if I'll ever get used to this.....

Almost 7 months....

Madison is getting so big. She is going to be 7 months on the 10th of August, and I can't believe how fast the time has flown. She is pushing 20lbs. Her development so far is right on target for her age. She is rolling over both ways, and sitting alone for short periods. She is a delightful baby and smiles and talks all the time. She absolutely loves all her siblings (even Abby-lol) and I know she's going to be following them around as soon as she can. They will be great motivators for her to get up and run. :)

We are still doing the stretching exercises with her, to keep her feet and hips in full range of motion. We start physical therapy soon, I'm waiting to hear from the coordinator for that. I will call today since it's been a couple of weeks since we were in.

The summer is flying by, and the weather has been wonderful. A bit hot the last week or so, but that's okay. My parents have been helping tremendously with taking the boys to swimming lessons and camping. We have continued with school through the summer, but a light load, and we've taken a break from piano. (which may have been a mistake)

Madison hasn't had any problems with her shunt, and her hair is growing so fast, we won't be able to see it pretty soon. I think the fluid retention she had was enough to make her a bit "hazy" and she has been much more alert and talkative since her surgery. That could be due to age and growth too, but it seemed pretty evident right away to me. Not night and day, but significant. That reassured me that the surgery was the right thing to do, and not wait until this fall, which was an option at the time.

I still feel like I'm running to catch up most days, rather than lead and teach my children. Hannah and Abigail are busy little toddlers, and they are great partners in crime. We have new chickens this year, and they just started laying last week. Hannah got into the refrigerator in the garage and cracked about 22 eggs into a container. (and all over the rug we have out there) She is a child that just *does whatever comes to mind. She's getting better, but in small steps. We took the boys and Hannah (and Linda) out to dinner last night for Tim's birthday, and she was wonderful! So refreshing to see that she *will grow into a nice little girl.....

Anyway, off to start my day. Abigail is calling me.....

Headed Home Again :)

Madison's surgery went very well. She's such a sturdy little girl, I'm not surprised she's handled it so great. She did swell up a lot after the surgery, which I wasn't prepared for, and the neurosurgeon said was more than typical, maybe a reaction of some sort. But once she was off IV fluids and able to be up a moving around a bit, the swelling went down quickly. She went from her eyes being swollen shut yesterday morning, to almost normal by mid-afternoon. She looks perfect this morning and is her usual cooing and smiling self.

The shunt is not too visible, which makes me happy. I'll get some pictures up later. A small bump on the top of her head where the reservoir is, but the valve is so small you can barely feel it under the skin. Once her hair grows in, you won't notice it at all.

We are going home this morning as soon as the paper work comes through. Thank you all for your prayers.

Gearing Up

Madison went in for her check-up this week. She now weighs 18lbs 14oz. She's 26 1/2 inches long, and in the 95th-97th percentiles for her age. Big girl! Her head circumference has also gone up quite a bit, even from her visit in Portland a couple of weeks ago. It's off the chart now, so I am reassured that the shunt is the right thing to do at this point.

Her surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, and we will drive up on Tuesday night since she has a pre-op on Wednesday morning. She should only be in the hospital for 2 days. We need prayers that everything goes smoothly.

As far as her development, she is doing wonderful. She sits up well for her age, but topples quickly. She's rolling over from tummy to back, and *almost the other way. She's so chunky I'm surprised at how agile she is. She grabs her toes and rolls back and forth. She is moving her toes more than she used to, which is really encouraging. I will try and get a new picture of her up soon.

It's been relatively quiet here this week, since my parents took Seth and Ethan camping. They've been gone since Monday, and I will drive over today and help get everything home. What a blessing my parents are .....

Kirsten's graduation went well, and we had a nice dinner here to celebrate. She's now working at Camp Harlow for the summer, so we won't see her much.

Well, Hannah and Abigail just woke up, so I must go.....

Some News, Good and Bad....

Madison is going to need a shunt. I was dreading the news, even though I wasn't surprised. We went to the Spina Bifida Clinic last week, and her head growth has gone up from the 75th to the 95th percentile rank. Her weight has as well, so the pediatrician didn't know for sure what would happen. So, we drove to Portland yesterday for her MRI and follow-up with the neurosurgeon. Her ventricles are getting bigger. Not causing any problems for her, but it is what seems to be causing her head growth.

I will call today to schedule the surgery, and will probably have it done at the end of the month. They do the surgery at Doernbecher's Hospital in Portland, so I will have to be away from the rest of the family for a few days. In the long run, this is nothing, I know, but for now, it's not what we wanted. I was hoping she would be in the 10-15% of spina bifida kids that don't need shunts. The neuro said that he places enough tubing to allow full growth, and if the shunt functions normally, and she doesn't have any problems with infection, etc., then she won't need a revision ever. Statistically, revisions are common, and most people have 7 in a lifetime. Prayers needed that this is the only surgery she will ever need for this.

Some GOOD news!! Kirsten is graduating from Western Oregon University on the 13th! Yay!!! We will be having a celebration here at our home after her grad ceremony. I'm so proud of her. :) She has worked hard the last four years, and I pray the Lord uses her in her work environment. She's going to be a teacher, and I know she will be a wonderful one. She has worked at Camp Harlow every year between her school sessions, and thoroughly enjoys those little people. She has a heart for it.

Other good news about Madison.... Her physical therapist and her SB pediatrician have upgraded her leg strength. She is pointing her foot a bit on the right side, and I think I've noted some on the left as well. Her hamstrings are working also, which wasn't for sure on her last exam. She is weak in the gluteal area, but does have some function there. They have no doubts she'll walk, though she will need some braces for positioning. We are still working on stretching her feet, hips and neck. She's a litte tight on one side and prefers to look to the right. But she is meeting all her developmental milestones on target, or a bit ahead. I thought she was lagging a bit a month ago, so it's very encouraging.

Thank again for all the prayers. Sorry I don't update here more often, but we are a BUSY household, and it has been a very busy Spring. Love to you all! Lord be with you.....