Pictures of Aric's progression

It's been a week of chalk full of attitude and events. Needless to say, Aric + Attitude= Grounded from Ipad and confirmation that he is on the mend :) Since last Thursday we have gone to 2 Doctor appts and Logan and Oma have returned to CC.
Aric had his leg drain removed and a few stitches. Im not so sure some of the stitches were suppose to be removed yet but we shall find out next Tuesday. This Blog will be mostly pictures as I am pressed for time and Pictures are worth a thousand words. Thank you all again for your prayers and encouragement. They are greatly appreciated!

Part of Aric's incision on leg..it starts about 2 inches from groin

Aric being silly on Thanksgiving ;)

Front and side view 5 days after surgery

Tuesday morn in the docs office..silly faces :)

Selfie time..activities to do while waiting for the dr

Before removal of bolster and a few stitches

After stich removal

Back side of ear after bolster is removed

Mini horses of love came w/ Monarch to visit RMHD thurs night

Posing with the target dog ;)

Hanging out with John :)

Bountiful Blessings

I truly have lived a blessed life. I have great family and friends. My trolls despite their daily attempt to put me in the funny farm are above anything I could ever ask for. Aric's Doctors past & present have brilliantly  helped us in more ways than one. Yes, that even includes the doctors with not so great info because it made me realize that doctors are human too and deserve to be questioned because they are not God and do not have all the answers.The boys teachers have helped shape their beautiful minds; even outside of their daily teaching regimen. I have been blessed as a single mom that both boys have male role models outside of their fathers to look up too. Logan's dad serves our country and therefore cannot be present always. I have been blessed by a wonderful church family and their outpouring of love rain or shine.
 Blessings such as above are easy to claim, but what about the rotten moments in ones life? I call those blessings too. I know you probably think I am crazy and your not far off :) Honestly, during the time of strife I didn't look at it as a blessing but without those awful moments, rotten people etc. I wouldn't be who I am nor would I be able to pass down the lessons I learned to my children. Cliché, I know but its the truth. Most of the cliché sayings are based on truth and proverbial sayings.
Recently, as some of you know, I lost my grandmother Estelle. She was a woman who was always sweet and didn't make very many enemies or if any at all. Yet, to those of us who knew her intimately, she did not mince words. You knew where she stood and how she felt about them. I loved her dearly and will miss her. Even though it is a sad time and this may make some members of my family upset, her death was a blessing. Estelle had been suffering from Supra Nuclear Palsy. There is no cure just a whole lot of try this or that and hope for the best. In the end, she was ready to meet her maker and tired of fighting the fight. She was not only tired but depressed most likely due to she lived the last yr and a half living in a nursing home apart from the love of her life of 65 years. We all knew, including grandma, that the nursing home was where she needed to be due to the constant care that none of us could provide. Was it hard? Hell yes it was hard! Yet, despite the initial reaction due the stigmatism of nursing homes, Grandma thrived and made new friends. She brightened the day for many of the residents who didn't have loved ones who cared about them. She had a zest for life like no one else I know and I am blessed because Last years Thanksgiving was my last with her. My tribe went to Illinois from Texas and during our time there, we were able to bring her back home for a few days. I was blessed by the special time I had with her amongst others and our time alone. I was blessed to see my boys enjoy that last holiday with her. I was blessed to see inside the beauty of 65 years of marriage and love. Little stolen moments are the ones I cherish most.
We are blessed again to be back to RMHD today and free of the Hospital. Blessed to see many babies who were hospitalized out with their families or other children who were in need of transplants receive their much needed organs and I was blessed to have had the chance to minister to a family who lost a little one and see how a faith so strong can get us through hurtful, stressful moments.
All these blessings bring such joy to my heart. The good, bad, ugly or indifferent moments are all relevant even in the tiniest of ways. I am glad the Lord has granted me these blessings. I may not be rich by monetary standards but I am rich in faith & love. The blessings thus far have been great and glorious..I can't wait to see the abundant blessings the Lord has in store for me and my family.
 I pray that you treasure your precious moments and count them as blessings too. Amen

A little friendly competition at children's medical city 

Introducing the fourth member of the chipmunks, Aric Liam...lol

A lesson in patience for Aric

I am same grateful to have all the wonderful people that God has placed in my life. Your prayers have helped immensely. The out pouring of love has brought smiles in the midst of Aric's low moments. There has been quite a few as he was hoping to leave the hospital by Wednesday afternoon but unfortunately thurs morn (-thanksgiving) is the earliest we will be leaving.

Aric's running and athletic build has helped greatly for this surgery. The original plan was to take 75% of the gracilis muscle in the right leg but since Aric's muscle at 10 yrs of age Is the size of a full grown male adult, the doctor took only a smidgen of the muscle. This strength in the leg muscle will also help for faster healing etc. The doctor also discovered a hidden nerve in Aric's right facial area and brought it to surface to help with the function.The nerves could take anywhere from 6 mos to a yar before they engage enabling us at that time to begin various facial excercises and therapies. Every hour the doctors and nurses brought in a Doppler unit to listen to the artery and the bLood flow in the veins the first day. As of last night and today it is done every 2hrs. It is quite interesting the distinct sounds they make.

He of course had all the doctors and nurses laughing at his seriousness of walking straight out of surgery ;) when he was finally able to walk yesterday the icu nurse was almost having to jog next to him. This morning, the floor nurses were commenting on how great he is walking/running and I informed him that he is hoping the better he walks the faster he will be able to go back to RMHD.

Unfortunately, due to the doctors desire to watch him more closely due to the muscle flap/reanimation he will not get to leave the hosp til tomm.

This morning was a lil rough as he became nauseous in part due to pain meds on an empty stomach and the nurses extra heavy perfume. So that was a lil set back. I will now also be the one administering everything to Aric until the next shift change. His IV has been disconnected from the machine but will not be fully removed until we leave. The phenergan kicked in and he is fast asleep.

I know he is anxiously awaiting his brothers arrival this afternoon so they can go to the teen room and play games etc. 

sorry this post is a day late but in ICU there was very lil free time and not to mention the late night move was a lil crazy too.

Yesterday morning, a lil black n blue under the eye and eyes were dry and severely irritated.

I got a break from massaging his feet and calves when they brought in the wii system. It was short lived as it was hard to play with all the wires and IVs etc. of course, it was back to wanting to be spoiled by mama :)

11/26 this morning there is some swelling, the black n blue from under the eye has receded

He could do a great rendition of the chipmunk song for Christmas ..lol...the muscle has relaxed some on the right side and is not pulling like it was just out of surgery

Close up of ear and some bruising...the stitch on the cheek is where they listen for the artery and vien sounds...this also makes Logan a lil nauseous..who knew for such a big kid something like this could make him squimish ..a dr Logan will not be ;)

Harry Connick Jr.. Smile to a Frank Sinatra dazzler

Today at 6:30am began the long awaited process of facial re-animation and the bottom labial portion of his ear reconstruction. The surgery officially began at 9am and is slated to last around 8hrs. The days leading up to this have been a wave of emotions for us all. It is definately easier I believe to have ones pre-op the day before than to wait several days in between. Aric became relly nervous about going under when normally he may have some questions etc but never nervous to the point of not eating. Logan's arrival helped in lessening the nerves. We all know how Aric loves his brother :) 

He also spent the last several days looking in the mirror checking out his smile and of course singing. Most people don't realize Harry Connick jr. Has a slightly crooked smile and I have told Aric not to worry bout his smile cuz he is just like Harry. Yet,Aric much prefers to have a dazzler like Frank Sinatra. The facial reanimation will give Aric this ;) not to mention have other benefits as well. He won't immediately have the smile. It could take anywhere from 6 months to two yrs. The pics below are from previous days and this morn.

Snow on the truck early one morn in Illinois..Aric was prepping for a snow fight :)

South American armadillo came to RMHD from the Dallas zoo

Aric's first time ice skating...

Gettin the hang of it..tryin to beat Logan :)

Logan trying to be cool on the ice ;)

 Aric's war paint.. In between the long points is where the gracious muscle will be placed

This is where they are taking the muscle from Aric's leg or as Aric says" cool, now my leg looks like a football!" Lol

Life in the Fast Lane

I don't know about you but when I drive, it's 0-60 in 3 secs and the speed goes up from there when I'm on the freeway;especially when I'm traveling. Half the time, I don't even realize I'm going that fast cuz my mind is focused on point B And the hidden cops that not even the fuzz buster will pick up...lol. Now you know some of my bad habits but where I  learned how to put the petal to the metal defensively is of no consequence...

What I have noticed is there is a lot of drivers who tend to speed up to get into another lane, to get past someone to get access to an exit etc...but why not slow down??? Put the blinker on and slowly get behind the person where there is more in likely adequate space for you to merge over into the lane of your exit because no one wants to be behind the slowpoke ;) I through the years have learned that this method gets you where you wanna go more successfully with a lot less road rage. Don't deny it, if you got a heavy foot like me, you too have called people names even if it's just in your head :)

So why am I bringing this up?? While in Dallas traffic, I witnessed a persons frustration due to his/her failed attempt at trying to cut across three lanes to get to their exit. It jogged my memory about Christine Caines podcast bout busy-ness and being overwhelmed. If we live our life in Jesus Christ, he gives us the energy and strength to survive 15hr or longer days; especially when what we are doing is to glorify him. Yet, we all need to take time out of our busy schedules to get a refill in Gods word.  If we neglect the "refill" you will lose the your God given boost! I have to constantly remind myself of this because I do live life in the fast lane between work, children, volunteering etc. it's a crazy hectic schedule. Truthfully, I love it! I know some of you may think I have lost my mind and honestly I almost did being idle and waiting this last week. The only thing that kept me sane was spending time with God and in his word. Even though I thrive on always being on the go, I realize I too have to take a step back every now and then and slow down to rejuvenate and refuel.

So now all of you know my secret, put all your faith in God and he will get you through the grueling long days ;)

They even have fancy tickets ;)

Today before stitches were removed..

Sorry i will post pics later of afterwards..two weeks out and it's still swollen but it's definately healing. We are scheduled for the next surgery Thankgiving week...big things are happening for this little guy...feeling blessed :)

Sometimes the smallest things are the hardest

A couple of days ago Aric & I were in the store Joann's. He had found a pair of spy glasses complete with listening device that he desperately wanted. My reply of "No" was not taken quite well at first. You see for a "hearing child" the listening device would have amplified sound significantly but for Aric the amplification on the spy glasses was less than what his hearing aid produces for him; therefore making it a hindrance and not an asset. After he got over the intial "no" and allowed me to explain that I wasn't just being mean mommy he understood but was therefore further determined to find a pair that were of better quality; mind you he is still in the process of elimination. Also, since Aric will be using his own money to purchase these ridiculously high priced ones he found; he is being quite diligent in making sure they are the real deal while he is researching.

It is not often when I have to remind Aric of his hearing loss because he has become quite dependent on his hearing aid and generally does rather well with it. Now since the surgery though, he has not been able to wear it and depends quite heavily on me interpreting or reading the other persons lips. He in turn has gotten quite frustrated with others from time to time.Why the frustration? You see most people assume because Aric has great speech skills that he has "normal" hearing. So when Aric says "huh", "what", "I didn't hear you" etc. that he just was not paying attention not there may be another underlying issue. For example, We were out shopping yesterday and I told Aric lets use the restroom before we head back since it was going to be rush hour here in Dallas. You all know murphy's law that all children have to go potty at the most inconvenient times. Anywho, Aric ran up to the sales lady in front and asked the woman for the key. He asked her, "May I use the key for the restroom?" she replied, "Yes, you may" but didn't move to get the key. He repeated himself again and she replied again but still didn't move. He tells her," I'm sorry but I don't hear very well and I think you said yes." she laughed and replied," yes , I did" yet still continued on folding shirts. Now I am closer to him and simply say, " We would like to use your restroom" the lady replies the key is on the counter there" as she points. I told her " I understand that you were probably waiting for a parent to be present due to a store rule but it would have been better for you to tell him that than to confuse him." she of course looked at me as if I was crazy. Needless, to say I could have been cray cray cuz truthfully I wanted to be but I have worked places where they do not allow only the child into the restroom due to the unfortunate misbehavior of others. She of course once we checked out finally realized when he said that he couldn't hear that he was not being patronizing due to the fact that him and I were talking and I was sign assisting. She then apologized to me and I told her that she didn't need to apologize to me but to him. Unfortunately, she didn't as she was an older lady and felt that she was above apologizing to a child.
These incidents in my life, I know God uses as not only teaching tools for me to help Aric because  he will experience this all his life. I say this not for people to pity him but to understand that having an invisible "disability" is worse than having a visible one at times. I have to therefore watch my demeanor and how I reply, so aric learns the correct way to deal with people. Truthfully, the mom in me wants to get in the womans face and berate her for being so inconsiderate and rude etc. If I do that, than who does that benefit? I choose to believe that it also becomes a learning incident for myself as well as onlookers.

Latest pics as of tues 8/26..stitches due to come out on 9/2, next tues

Comparison pic

Aric making faces cuz he is tired of me taking pictures..lol

Aric's groovy socks from his RMHD photo op :)

As time goes on...

Sorry for the delay in updates on Aric.  We have been making quite the progress this go round and so hopefully we will be able to go home probably as soon as the stitches come out. Really won't know until we see the dr. on Tues morn. Below are the pictures you all have been waiting for :)

Aric sleeping so sweetly ;)

Aric's new view from the front

Aric's right side with his new treachis and lots of swelling

Aric's new left ear tucked

( these pics were from Fridays dressing change)

Thursday afternoon the Dallas Zoo visited RMHD, background animal is an Opossum 

The Eagle owl

Jazz the pequin

Aric posing with Sid the pequin..who kept checking out his head dressing..Aric wasn't thrilled..lol

Aric & his friend Damien at the Royal a Gala of Horses

Royal Gala of horses