This We Know...

I was glad to see the surprised look on our pediatrician’s face today when he walked in the exam room. It was as though he was saying, “You…again???” I’m so glad that he was with us for WB’s infancy and he “knows” us because sometimes I feel that otherwise he'd have me pegged as a real nut.

I greeted him with, “It's been seven whole days (Man, that’s a record!) since we last saw you and DG wanted to check in before the weekend.” I then explained our real reason for being there- that I was concerned about her incision and the surgeon was not in his office today. He took a look…said he was concerned too. (Yea! Validation! It’s not just my imagination!!)

He stepped out to make a few calls. When he came back, he’d secured a magical “no waiting” appointment back downtown at the hospital. I continue to be SO happy with our doctor! I told him today that I was SO thankful for him…I can ALWAYS get a same-day appointment, he listens to me, he refers when necessary, and MOST importantly, he can use the telephone!! (The whole process of waiting for letters and reports to be sent back and forth between doctors so they can be included in medical files is maddening!!)

Off we went to Children’s. The surgeon I saw said the area was very swollen, but he didn’t think it was infected. He explained that our lymph systems are designed to carry fluid and since they removed “a whole bunch” (strange, I thought they only took two) she was left with a little empty pocket that has collected fluid. He said that eventually, the body would adjust and the fluid would settle out. We should be OK unless she becomes cranky, runs a fever, or if the area becomes hot, hard, or red. (Can I get a Woo Hoo??!!)

Even though I didn’t get a full report of the blood work and test results, I did learn two very important (at least to us) things:

1. She had NO abnormal cell growth. (No tumor…thank you Lord!)
2. She did test positive for an “atypical micro bacteria”.

I may be corrected later, but I understand this to confirm that she really did need to have these nodes removed. Initially, I had struggled with having them removed because swollen nodes are a common side effect of the BCG vaccine and if DG’s nodes related to her vaccine, they would eventually heal on their own. (This may have take 6-12 months though.)

I assume this bacterium is the same kind that she had at the injection site. What we don’t know, but should know Monday, is what our next step is. DG’s file is on top of the stack for the infectious disease guy to review Monday and his nurse assures us that we’ll be priority.

So, we are back to waiting for one of two possible outcomes:

1. We’re done. Infection contained and removed. OR
2. We’re starting a long round of IV antibiotics.

I know this is a lot of info, but I’m sharing so much for a couple of reasons. One, this little princess has so many people that love, care and pray about her (many that I don’t even know) that I wanted to make sure no one was worrying. We’re OK…we’re good. And Two, I know many AP and PAPs have (or will have) BCG issues. We’re a strange case, a really rare case, but the story is worth putting out there for you guys in the hopes it many help someone else.

Thanks for checking on us...

I'm off to use as many of the $10 off (a purchase of $30) coupons as I can before Walgreen's closes tonight!

I'm Still Here!

I know my posts have fallen off a bit, I've heard the cries of my loyal readers ("Hi Nanny and Papa!") and I promise to do a little better.

Things are really hectic this week. We didn't do a very good job of planning for the first week of summer. School is out but day care and camps aren't open yet. We didn't realize this until last week so JB and I didn't have vacation scheduled. WB has had a great week, but I feel (just a little) guilty because he's been pawned off to sitters and gracious friends. A different stop everyday. Next week the real fun begins. We really try to pack his summer with camps and activities...something different every week. Next week - tennis camp. My little man, who overheats in 90 degree weather - who had a total meltdown and turned into a cherry tomato in the outdoor market in Vietnam - will be out running around in the direct sun for 4 hours a day next week. (What was I thinking???)

Little sister continues to amaze us. She bounced back from surgery with minimal downtime. She is undaunted by the incision and continues to perfect her bouncy, Army crawl. (She's hilarious to watch as she scoots along the floor with a rhythmic motion resembling a partially paralyzed inchworm.) She LOVES to stand and bounce when she is being help on someone's lap. I mean, she'll bounce for hours! Last week during her nine month check up, our pediatrician turned to me and said, "God help you when she starts walking." She's obviously made an impression on him.

She just inspires me. I've said it before, but I really feel that our girl is "destined for greatness." She's had a challenging entry into life and a difficult transition to this country. I don't think she has ever been 100% but you'd never guess it to look at her. She's tough, opinionated, and dominates our home in a way her big brother never has. And, every time I look at her (especially if I haven't seen her for a few hours), I'm just so taken by her beauty. The joy she bestows with each smile is just priceless. We are so blessed...

We are STILL waiting to hear results on the blood work, pathology and microbiology from the surgery...and I am starting to worry. I was pretty confident at first, but I'm honestly worried now. Worried, and more than a little scared.

She's got another lump...

Two Lumps To The Lab

We are home and everything went well.

DG had a little apple juice around 5 this morning and wasn't fussy at all before they took her back. Honestly, I hadn't worried too much about this procedure, but there is something about the moment when you had your child to the surgery nurse. It almost brings me to my knees. I got a little teary, but little sister was good and I had JB to take my hand.

They told us it would be pretty quick, so I became more nervous as the clock ticked. After about an hour, the surgeon called JB's cell phone and gave him the report. He removed two lumps, one was sent off to pathology and one was sent off to microbiology. She was groggy, but we could go back and see her.

We had the best recovery nurse. Her first words to us were, "Can I have her? She's the most precious thing I've ever seen!" DG's eyes were open and she was sucking on some apple juice. She was pretty grumpy, and she was oozing a little. She was very glad to see us, although not nearly as glad as we were to see her.

She was in recovery for a couple of hours before we were allowed to leave. She's got a Loritab script and strict instructions to stay out of the water for a month. Serious, we can bath her, but nothing else for a month. I am thinking there must have been some green goo in there...I've never heard of having to stay out of the water for a month!! (I guess this pushes back her pool debut until July 4th!)

The incision is larger than I imagined. Sometimes it seems to bother her, and sometimes it is as if nothing happened. She is pretty clingy, but she's home and awake and lumpless, and we're feeling very blessed.

Twas The Night Before...

(Isn't she just BEAUTIFUL? Great shot of her two little teeth, huh?)

Little sister woke with green snot this morning and I was concerned that she had an infection that would postpone her surgery. But, our pediatrician worked her in and got her some meds. He thinks she is good to go for tomorrow.

We are set for 9:00 am in the morning. No formula or food after midnight, but she can have clear liquids until 5:15 am. So, it isn't quite as bad as I'd thought yesterday. We are really looking forward to having this behind us and hope to finally get some answers.

AI Addiction

OK, so I confess. I love all TV that is "reality". (I have a DVR, and I know how to us it!) I watched them all...from the early days of MTV Rea1 Wor1d, to Survir0r and American 1dol. I confess to being obsesses with reality TV. I'll watch just about every pathetic show about any pathetic creature trying to plod their way through survival, captivity, addiction, love, cooking and/or decorating.

And, I also confess...WB has been influenced a bit. So, when "Santa" brought a Wee, I was thrilled when WB asked for American 1dol. Woo Hoo! Finally, a kid's game that da mama can love and enjoy!!

However, I'm now questioning the appropriateness of it all.

There is truly something unnerving about hearing your 8 year old sing (at the top of his lungs while jumping on the trampoline):

"O...O....O....I...I just died in your arms tonight. Must have been something you said...I should have walked away...should have walked away." OR

"My girls in the next room...sometimes I wish she were you. I guess we never really moved on..."

Lips of an Angel just isn't an 8 year old's song. It's just wrong. I'm sure the neighbors are very impressed. Again, I'm reminded that my qualifications for "Parent of the Year" are simply limitless.

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Here is a picture from the weekend. You can't really see, but the vaccination site has almost healed entirely. We are still on for our surgery on Wednesday. For some reason, they don't give you a time until the day before. We have our fingers crossed for the first available appointment. DG still wakes for a bottle once a night and I can't imagine not letting her have anything after midnight and then having to wait until 11:00 for surgery. The Princess will surely be telling everyone about the injustice.

Hey, maybe I'll be able to secure some more votes for "Parent of the Year"?

Show Stopper

We often call little sister our "Show Stopper" because when we are out in public she regularly receives attention from those seated near or passing by us. She is SO cute, and so tiny, I think people don't expect her to be holding her head up, sitting, and wiggling as much as she does. Of course, we also get lots of commentary on the hair. WB has never been jealous of the attention his sister receives, on the contrary, he's just as proud as we are.

Today, after a wonderful lunch with our dearest friends, we went to the mall to exchange my Mother's Day gift. (The PURSE, but that's a(whole)nother story!) As we begin our decent down the escalator, I see a couple of women at the bottom of the escalator next to us. They are beginning their ride up and DoriGrace has already captured their attention. They are obviously talking about her, as they point and smile in our direction. As we pass, they say, "She's just adorable, look at that hair!" We smile, no doubt beaming with pride, and say, "Thank you."

When we reach the bottom and exit the escalator, WB turns to me and says, "You know Mom, they were looking at me first."

OK, so maybe we will have some sibling rivalry someday after all...

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I've had such a great day! Surely, the best Mother's Day on record for me. I am so blessed and I feel very loved and appreciated today. Isn't that what it is all about?

I hope yours was just as wonderful!

Text Meseg Brake Up

My posts have been rather heavy lately, as I've been worried about the girl. While I'm still really worried, but I thought I'd lighten things up a bit...

Here's my slice of life for today:

WB is bellied-up to the bar, enjoying his taco dinner. He pulls a picture from his backpack that he has drawn today, and says, "Mom, did I tell you about text message brake up?" (Or, Text Meseg Brake Up as he has labeled it.)

"No, what's text message brake up?", I ask. He hands me the picture. It depicts a man, a woman, and a child forming a triangle with lines between them. In the center there is a broken heart.

He's so proud of the picture and he's proud to explain, "The dad wants to go to the bar, the mom wants to go to the casino, and the kid wants to go spend the night at his friend's house." (OK...so he totally lost me with the dad at the bar??? What the??? Where does he get this stuff?)

And then...the true gravity of the situation settles in. "WB did you draw this in class or day care?"

"School"

Hard swallow.

"Did you show it do anyone? Oh my, WB please tell me you didn't...show it to your friends, or (gulp) your teachers? Where did this come from? What gave you this idea??"

"Just Ms. H...I only showed it to Ms. H...I didn't show it to any other teachers."

Great. That's a relief...at least the counselor and the principal don't think that your dad drinks, and your mom gambles, and you're pawned off to whomever will take you. That's comforting.

Surely we're still in the running for Parents of the Year?


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Little sister's surgery is the 21st. It sounds like a pretty simple deal, but they do have to put her "all the way under." Of course, I worry that she isn't even 14 lbs yet, but the surgeon is great and assures me he's done much smaller. We've been SO impressed with Children's in OKC. Yes, it takes forever, but they seriously seem to care about our princess and that really calms me.

Well, as much as a neurotic, over-protective (and obviously gambling-addicted) mother can be calmed.

One Lump or Two?

Sorry for the delay in updating. I've been rather stressed this week. Even though I appreciate this blog for the benefits I receive...in kind thoughts and well-wishes from so many people, I still haven't been able to muster the energy to post my update on little sister.

We saw "the man" at OU on Wednesday. I was SO impressed with his interest in DG and his willingness to explain everything to me. It probably isn't a good idea for me try explain things here, although I am certainly willing to share the info individually with anyone who might be facing similar situation.

Basically, we've gotten some misinformation along the way. The lumps (yes, there are two now..almost the size of little chocolate Easter eggs) have to come out. Little sister has an infection called Fortituitum. The lumps could be either BCG or Fortituitum, although chances are the BCG would have worked itself out by now, so it is probably the Fortituitum. They need to come out pretty quickly, so we are expecting to hear about an appointment with the surgeon on Monday. Although you can never to sure, I am under the impression that once the lumps are removed (as long as they are removed before they start to break up, and as long as the biopsy results are OK) that should be the end of it. I keep telling myself that things aren't "that bad"...it could be worse...I'm just ready for this to be over...

Your prayers are appreciated!

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I feel rather selfish in that I haven't commented on the current sad state of things in the Vietnam adoption world. It is now clear that adoptions will end (again!) in on September 1, 2008. My heart breaks for the children and for those that have been waiting and will now have to consider other options. I can't imagine how I'd handle the news if I were in your shoes and I wish you all the best on your journey!

Peace!