Saturday, February 2, 2013

Surgery!

The day we have been waiting for -- Well, kinda ;)
Thankfully, there was a cancellation in the hospital schedule so we were able to move the surgery up!

Originally, the date was for when Matt was out of the country --  YIKES!

I thought I would start by showing WHAT they are going to do -- as many don't know or understand.

 First, you will notice where her finger is -- that is NOT her knee.  It is a BEND in her tibia.  She does not have a fibula bone.  BUT because of the tightness in her muscles in the back of her leg the muscles PULLED the tibia back like a bow and caused the POINT in the bone.  When she had the original amputation the surgeon loosen and untangled many of the muscles in hopes that it would lesson the curve of the bone.  We wanted to leave as much bone as possible.  Well, the curve has stayed.  AND now it is causing problems while wearing her prosthesis -- pain, redness, blisters and a pull back from the heal of the stub.  
So, the only option is to take some of the bone in the point of the tibia OUT.  The plan is to take a pie wedge out. 
     
This is a side view.  AND most of the problems are happening in the back of the leg. 


The night before she got some fun gifts to prepare for the hospital!

 Books to read and some arts/crafts to do in the hospital.

 A NEW blanket -- everyone needs a new blanket when going to the hospital!  At least that's what my daughters think :)  This one even smells -- like gum balls!

AND of course -- new P.J.'s!

Surgery was EARLY!!  AND the weather was HORRIBLE!
LOTS and LOTS of snow -- and lots of wind!
We left at 4:30 am.  Shortly after we left all the schools around closed!
We arrived at 6:00 am after a very white knuckle drive.
Thankfully, Bajabs slept -- 

After check-in -- waiting to get called back to the prep room.

When we arrived, Bajabs walked in and changed into her gown -- helped get her doll ready -- went to x-ray -- talked to Dr. F -- told him she wanted a light BLUE cast NO PINK!!!! -- prayed with us -- joked about what daddy looked like all dressed for the surgery room AND easily went to surgery!
NO TEARS!!!!
NO calming meds!


Leaving for surgery.

Thank-you Lord!!!

We were told the surgery would take 2 hours.  Well, at 2 hours she was still NOT done.  
 at 2 1/2 hours Dr. F was ready to meet with us.

Of course our BaJabs has unusual bones.  Her muscles were tight and he couldn't do much about that.  When he made the pie shape cut he was not able to pull it closed as the muscles were soooo tight.  So, he had to cut a bit more bone so it would close.  Yes, they had to add some pins for the next 6 weeks so it stays straight!

 Side view -- it's almost perfectly straight.

Top view

We had to wait about 20 more minutes to go back to recovery.  
Well, she looked amazing.  You could barely tell she had just had major surgery.
She was calm and easy going.  She let us know when it hurt.  She asked for ice chips.  She slept a little.

In recovery!

WOW!!!
Again -- THANK-YOU LORD!!!
These are all things we prayed about!

We got up to the room and spent the day relaxing.  We watched LOTS of movies.  She would NOT sleep!
She ate and drank.

She wanted saltine crackers!! Really!!!

She played games and read -- even with the family life coordinator so Matt and I could quickly grab dinner.
She threw a bit of a tantrum for oral meds and did not sleep much EVEN throughout the night.

A rare hour of sleep!!! 

MOM is exhausted!!!

Tantrum about showering but finally got that done.
BUT
she was doing soooo well they allowed us to leave late in the afternoon the day after surgery.

Getting ready to leave!  Just need the IV out!

She slept about 40 minutes on the way home.

Again, she did well!  BUT there is a bit of a long road to go.  She will be in a cast for at least 6 weeks and without a leg for 8-10 weeks.  She will go to school in about a week or so but with a SOLUS scooter.  AND yes, we will be getting a new leg -- because her leg is suppose to be STRAIGHT now!

Chillin once we got home.  A giraffe pillow pet from Pastor Josh is very loved!  It's perfect to prop the stub.  AND yes, I'm exhausted here!  Thankful, my mom had the house clean and Lauren brought dinner!

I will continue to update as the week goes on!  

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Singing!!!!

JM and My Darling Singing!!!

JM was scheduled to sing Sunday night at church.

It was decided the week before that My Darling would join him.

LOTS of practice and a change of track the day off -- 

AND they did it!!!


They sang ---
If We Are The Body by Casting Crowns.

They did a nice job.
AND
Hopefully, I can figure out SOON how to upload the youtube video.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Haircuts

3 Girls
ALL need a trim!

Come home all curled up!!!



Thank-you Patty!  You did WAY more than we called for!
Cuts, dryer and stylin dues!


The girls felt like princesses!!!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

BaJabs #3 Gotcha day

3 Years ago!!
It's been 3 years since this precious child became a Woller!

Look at that first day:


She was sooo scared!  It was HARD day!!

TODAY!!!

BaJabs is growing to a BEAUTIFUL and SMART little girl!

She has had many challenges.  Her original paperwork was soooo vague.  When we picked her up that freezing, snowy and LONG day her medical needs were much more than we anticipated.


The trip was challenging -- 20 days in China shortly after Matt's fathers death.  Both Matt and I had been very ill in the late fall as well AND we were just plain tired! 


BUT it gave us LOTS of time in our hotel room to bond and play!
Yep, she was great in the room --


BUT
HATED daddy as soon as we walked out of the room!


She was really TICKED about meeting the kids!
BUT so quickly warmed up to them!


DR. appointments, surgery, new legs, school and so much more!

Her amputation in May 2010 -- just 4 1/2 months after we got her.

Her first leg -- Aug. 2010 -- cow print :)  

WOW!!! 3 years!

This year has been a big growing year for Bajabs.
She is blossoming at school.
She is reading up a storm and writing short stories!
She is making LOTS of friends at her new school!
She LOVES her teacher -- Mrs. P.
She is a bit quieter than the other 2 girls BUT surely throws her weight :)


Yep, she still has some physical challenges -- BUT most can't even see them!
She is AMAZING!
We LOVE and adore this precious child
AND
continually thank God HE picked our family for her!!!

We make a BIG deal about the 'Gotcha Days!'  
IT IS SPECIAL!!!

We make an authentic Chinese meal and invite family!

 She received 2 gifts -- both bought in China for just this special day.
A glass bottle -- painted on the inside -- with a dog on it -- her sign on the zodiac --- and her name - both American and Chinese with her gotcha day date.

AND a puzzle of China -- she is pointing to where she is from. 

Finally, we have a yummy dessert.
This is NOT a Chinese dessert BUT it was YUMMY!


Thank-you Lord for this precious girl!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Snow!!!

Snow!!!!

Yes, it is beautiful!!!


Snow makes everything LOOK clean and fresh!

Beautiful!!!


AND

YES, I'm trying to convince myself it is good!!!
HAHAHAHA

I do not like snow --- except for it's beauty OR for SNOWDAYS!!!!

It is COLD --
It is SLIPPERY!!
DRIVING --- YUCK!!!


On the other hand most of my children don't mind it.
They like to play outside in it!


The boys like to ski -- 
But My Darling HATES having to wear all the clothes.

BUT......

We live where we live and snow is part of our life.

So..........

I leave with the fact that it is beautiful .......


AND

Thankfulness that we will probably have a snowday :)


Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy Birthday -- My Darling -- Oh my, 8

Can you believe it???
My Darling is 8!!!

I can barely believe it --
She's just growing up so fast!!!


Beautiful --
Happy --
Smart and Talented --
FULL of compassion!
Bossy with some spunk --
Oh, and ATT-I-TUDE!!!!


She is certainly developing into a young lady.  She loves to read, write, draw -- a bit of a perfectionist at times when it comes to academics :), music, violin and playing with her American Girl dolls.  She is a great helper and encourager around the house.  She is the best sister!  She has style -- picky about it -- but it's her!  She notices when someone needs a hug; leaves the sweetest notes around; has so much compassion for others; prays for others AND makes us laugh every day! 

All Birthdays are a big deal in our home.

It is their SPECIAL day :)

My Darling actually had 2 family parties this year :)
The 'WOLLER' family party a few days ago --

We all get together for dinner -- I LOVE that we all help with this.
We did a taco bar, fruit, dips and dessert.

My Darling shares her birthday with her younger cousin C.  He turned 5 -- 9 days before My Darling turned 8. 

I LOVE this picture of the cousins all watching. 

 The attack of the wrapping paper started ---

 Everyone ganged up Uncle J and Aunt S!!!
It is so special that our 4 families have such a good time together.  
ALL the kids get along and just plain have FUN!!!

Dessert -- yummy cupcakes, cake 
AND
of course, the tradition
HOMEMADE ICE CREAM with homemade hot fudge!


My Darling also gets a family party ON her birthday --
my parents, my brother and Lauren's family join us.

Of course, we had to do her hair -- pretty!
Oh, and her nails, too ;)

 TRADITIONS --- 'the birthday hat'

My Darling got to pick the menu --
taco salad, chips, mango salsa, regular salsa, guacamole AND strawberries.
We did add a spinach/artichoke dip with crackers that was YUMMY!
YES, everything GLUTEN FREE!!!
  
 Her dinner!

 Gift time!

 Yes, she is sooooo excited!  She really wanted a Kindle Fire -- 
AND 
she got it :)
Yes, she is a HUGE reader.  She looked RIGHT at her dad when she opened this -- she really couldn't believe that we got it for her.

 She always takes her time and reads all the cards -- aloud!

 Yes, can you see the attitude ;)

 She wanted cupcakes --
LOVE the snowmen!
We again had homemade ice cream BUT with homemade caramel this time.

BEAUTIFUL!

Thank-you Lord for this little girl!
We are blessed that you picked her for our family!
We pray that she brings GLORY to God in ALL she does.  We pray for good health, heaps of blessings and good choices in the year ahead!