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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Surgery

So. . . . This post is destined to be filled with LOTS of news. First off, Hannah had her ENT appointment today and it was decided that her tonsils and adenoids have to go or her apnea will most likely get worse as she (and the tonsils and adenoids) continues to grow. She'll also have tubes put in her ears to keep the fluid draining from her Eustachian tubes so that the hearing loss she's currently experiencing won't be permanent. I have to call tomorrow to schedule the appointment with the surgeon, but it will likely happen soon-most likely within a week or so. Because she's so young, the surgery won't be done outpatient like it usually is. They'll do it at the hospital and she'll be admitted for at least 24 hours after to be sure she's ok, drinking well, and staying hydrated. Do I sound calm, matter of fact, even happy to hopefully be getting my little girl some relief? I hope so. I'm trying very hard to be. BUT I'm not. I'm not in the least. I'm freaking out. The thought of my little girl having surgery, any surgery no matter how "minor" scares the begeezes out of me. Please send some prayers our way that we stay calm, Hannah stays calm, and that everything goes smoothly both during and after the surgery. I'll be sure to keep you all posted on when it's scheduled for and how she does.
Now, just in case that isn't stressful enough, here's the rest of our big news. We're moving. Not just moving like across town or even across the state, we're moving across the country-from Indiana to Rhode Island! I've been sitting on this news for about a month now, but have been unable to make it public because of Kyle's current (soon to be former once Friday rolls around) job situation. Being in limbo for so long has been stressful and now with the surgery it just got more stressful because they want Kyle to start on March 2nd, but we still have to put our house on the market, take a house hunting trip to Rhode Island, secure temporary housing, pack and move, Kyle needs to defend his Master's thesis, and allow Hannah at least 10 days to recover from her surgery! That is A LOT to do in 2 weeks. So, since we just found out about the surgery Kyle is going to attempt to negotiate a later start date citing extenuating and unforeseeable circumstances. Please pray that the new company will be reasonable and allow us the time that we need so that I do not have to stay behind alone to help Hannah recover and that Hannah will be recovered well enough to perform normally at her psychologist evaluation on March 5th.

While we feel that this move will generally be a positive thing for Hannah as far as the resources that will be available to her there, I am definitely concerned about how the actual moving and adjustment will play out. She's already on edge from our schedules being disrupted, our house being in disarray, and her sensory playroom dismantled. Two months in temporary housing might not be fun for any of us if we don't find access to things to keep her sensory diet in tact while the weather remains cold. I'm not sure a corporate housing company would be keen on us hanging a swing from the ceiling of their furnished apartment or bolting a hammock into the walls! Right now I'm praying we find somewhere with an indoor pool. It may be wishful thinking, but that would certainly make things much easier. Leaving the support network we've built up here will be hard on us all. Besides family, there are only two couples we have ever trusted to watch Hannah and who know how to handle a meltdown, we adore her therapist and don't relish the thought of having to find a replacement as great as she is, finding kids (and their parents) who will immediately "get" Hannah and her quirks and love her just the same just won't happen-it'll take time and for that I'm sad for Hannah. She doesn't make friends easily so for her to lose (at least for regular play dates) the only two she really has is heartbreaking to me. Though intellectually she knows that we are moving and is totally pumped about it, I'm positive she doesn't get just how far away Rhode Island is and that Evelyn or Addie won't be just stopping by to play anymore. :(

PS. Speaking of friends, Hannah recently hosted a "slumber party" for her best friend for 4 days and I got some great pictures. If these aren't the picture of happiness then I don't know what is. We've had a long road to get to this point, but we made it with two little ones so I know she can do it again. It'll just take time. Now, it's not all roses, shortly after both of these photos the happy moment was spoiled by Evelyn pushing the personal space issue just a tad too far and Hannah hauling off and hitting her, but those happy moments DID happen. That's a testament to the hard work both of these little ones have put in and all that they have weathered to make their friendship work.


PPS. Doesn't everyone have an old mattress in their living room for their kids to jump on? Don't even pretend you weren't thinking it! If you've ever spent a considerable amount of time with a sensory seeking kid with SPD then you'd understand.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Kyle!!!!! I hope you enjoy discovering new places as much as we did/do!!! It will be an adventure for you all and a place for all of us to visit! :) I was never sick as a child and I attribute that to having my tonsils removed when I was six. So I am very hopeful this surgery will help Miss Hannah in many ways! Miss you guys! Love you! Myrna

a Tonggu Momma said...

Oh, wow... what a lot y'all have going on right now. The surgeries - that must feel so scary. I cannot fully imagine, I suspect, having never dealt with it. My thoughts and prayers are with y'all.

And moving?!?!! Rhode Island is great though. I used to live in Middletown, near Newport. I have only good memories. Except for my memories of the weather. Just know that the weather in July and August make the rest of the year worth it. I promise.

Angela - Life w/ Two Busy Boys said...

Wow...you have quite a bit going on. We'll definitely be praying for you and all this transition. I know Hannah has lots of special needs but kids are so resilent. I'm sending you all the best!!

Patty O. said...

Yikes! That is a lot to have going on. I will pray that the transitions go well. Also, I will pray that Hannah recovers quickly. My niece is having her tonsils and adenoids removed this week and my sister is so worried.

Anna said...

Wow, so much news. The tonsils aren't fun and you have every right to freak out about surgery - she's your girl :D My 8 year old, had his out in November, he didn't want to drink anything after surgery, he did get a little dehydrated, so it might be a blessing for her to be there overnight. Hopefully she will do great and have a speedy recovery.

Moving across country sounds exciting and scary! I hope selling the house and finding a temporary place goes well too.

Love the mattress on the living room floor!

m said...

Look at those tiny little jumping beans! Cute photos. Sorry about so many big changes happening all at once, I can't even imagine how difficult that will be for you. But, it's like you said, these are all transitional changes. Stressful not, but with huge benefits down the road. The surgery, in particular will be a good thing, let her sleep a little more comfortably. Did you ever decide whether or not to try melatonin?

More in a bit. Hope you're well.

Unknown said...

I don't blame you about being nervous. I would be too. It is nice that they are keeping her in the hospital for 24 hours though. That is a really great thing. You will be in my prayers.

I feel for you about the craziness of moving. I hope it all goes smooth.

Mama said...

Thanks for all the prayers! We made it through. The surgery went fine. Hannah did end up with post operative pneumonia so that complicated things a bit, but all things considering it went well. It's weird now because I can't hear her breathing with the door closed while she's sleeping! I know it's a good thing, but I've listend to that heavy "phone stalker" breathing for 2 1/2 years now. I've grown quite used to it and it's a bit unsettling not to hear it and know she's actually breathing and ok in her room!

M: Yes, we did try the melatonin. I'm not sure if it's helping or not since there have been so many changes going on. We'll try it again once she's healed from the surgery and we are all settled in at the new apartment. I'll keep you all posted on how she responds.

Natalie