Surgery Again

Cousin Emerson (nephew to me) has surgery tomorrow. He's getting the hardware taken out from his jaw surgery he had a few months ago. That will take a few hours. Then he's getting his adenoids taken out. Thankfully this time he will not have to go on a ventilator. He will be sedated for a few hours.

I'm hoping that when his adenoids come out that he will not get sick as often. I wonder if some of his stuffy nose issues are part teething? It's possible. Babies with Trisomy 18 tend to get sick more often then babies with no chromosome problems. The doctor that is taking his adenoids out really wants that done. His are enlarged.

Here's a picture Aunt Terra (sister to me) took of Emerson:

Little guy loves to eat. It does take awhile. He goes through one 1 little jar every 2 days. He opens his mouth like he wants food. He likes veggies and cereal best. Fruit is not on his list of loves. Terra thinks it's because he has acid reflex.

He loves getting back rubs and head rubs. I was rubbing his head last night and he looks like he was enjoying it. He even shot me a few smiles. Then when I stopped he glared at me.

Terra also gave him a hair cut.

He smiles and will stand up with help.

We'll be taking care of cousin Elijah (nephew to me) during Emerson's surgery. Cousin Evan has a play date and a sports event.

Hang in there little Emerson!

Finally Good News

Cousin Emerson/Nephew to me was able to get off the ventilator today. He underwent jaw surgery last week. There were a few scary moments. His lungs filled up with fluid. Now he's able to be in his parent's arms. He's off his pain meds and is only on Tylenol. Day by day they will have to see his progress to  know when he'll be able to go home. He had more done then just jaw surgery.

Today while Cousin Evan is at school, Cousin Emerson's in the hospital, Cousin Elijah and Isaak went sled riding with Uncle Travis/Daddy.

It snowed over the weekend. We have a excellent backyard for sledding.

By the way Cousin Elijah has a new name for me. All weekend he's been calling me, "Miss Alissa". Not "Aunt Alissa," it's "Miss Alissa". It was too cute to correct him.

Waiting...

So today I'm waiting! The boy's cousin/my nephew Emerson is having jaw surgery today. It makes me shiver to think about the pain.

Before I forget to mention, I read a wonderful article written by a mom that has a baby with Trisomy 18.  Many people do not know what it is, so I'm just spreading the word. It's what little Emerson has. Rick Santorum's daughter Isabella has Trisomy 18 as well.

I stole this photo from my sister! Yep Emerson got his first tooth last week!

Emerson's jaw surgery makes me sad, anxious, worried, yet happy that it will help him. I'm all mixed up emotionally.

I felt mental pain when it came to my cousin Megan getting bone cut our of her skull because she needed more of a soft spot for her head to grow (she's now in high school doing just fine), my Mom getting her ankle fused because she had Post Polio problems (she isn't fine, but is better off with the surgery), my Aunt Becky, Uncle George, Father-in-law getting total knee replacements (they seem to be doing ok now). Every family has their things, and I'm no exception!

I know I'll be feeling the anxiety when my Dad gets Atrial Fibrillation Ablation surgery on his heart later this month!

Let's just say there is a lot going on and I don't like it.

I keep trying to think about the fact that Emerson wouldn't be getting this surgery if the doctor's didn't think this is the best thing for him. They are hoping in time with this surgery little Emerson will be able to breathe better, choke less, swallow and possibly eat. All those this are good! His lower jaw is just too small to do all those things effectively.

With my Dad, well his Atrial Fibrillation Ablation will help him to not take meds with nasty side effects! Hopefully it will help him to have less acid reflex problems and it will work, unlike the meds do now! Having a fibrillation problem in the heart is pretty normal. My Dad has suffered with it for years and it just seems to to of gotten worse.

So if I had a wine glass, cheers to healing, strength and future happiness! (Up goes my glass of water and drink).

I guess little Emerson smiled a lot yesterday for the nurses. Maybe I should be smiling to. :)

Instead of flowers and/or balloon I got him a little lamb that plays soothing sounds.

Image found here. Except I got Emerson's at Whole Foods for half the price: $14.99.