Lorelai's Day Out

Yesterday I got to privilege of spending the day with Lorelai in LaCrosse shopping & well check-up visit.  Thanks to Grama who watched Harry for me.

We did lots of shopping for her upcoming friend party on Saturday. We purchased many fun things for her Princess Tea Party!  It should be lots of fun for all!  We also tried to get her ears pierced.  Since Christmas she has been talking about when she turns 5 all she wants is her ears pierced.  So I scheduled an appointment so we had two people to them at once.  All the way into LaCrosse she talked about how brave she was going to be, we prayed and everything.  When we got into the store she froze and started crying.  So the lady wouldn't do it and Lor was not going to let her.  So we went on shopping and I told her that it was ok and maybe when she was 6 she would be much braver and ready.  We had our well check-ups and was headed out of town when she decided she wanted to try again.  So back to the store we went.  (I should have known better since it was 330 in the afternoon and by this time she's usually a goner) but I really wanted her to have her earrings for birthday.  I knew how much she wanted them!  We went in, got the coat off, got the dots on the ears and we freaked out again!  So for about 45 minutes the lady tried talking to her and I did and I finally had to pull the plug on the whole deal.  She was getting more worked up every minute and it was just not a good time for either of us at this point.  Maybe another day!

Today at school is her Leader Day/Valentine's Day/Birthday!  She's going to be excited and exhausted when she gets home!

Happy 4th Birthday Harry

Yes I am late with this post but not with his birthday!  We had a great day. Harry didn't want a friend party this year but just to hang out with mom and dad and his sisters.  Grama came and watched the girls while mom and Harry went to the tractor shop.  We found in less then 1 hour a tractor with duely wheels, a plow for snow and a plow for the field.  He didn't want to take the time to go out for a treat of ice cream as he was too anxious to get home to play with his new toy.

That night we went out to eat at Culver's and then he got his birthday gift from us.  His very own pedal tractor!

Sunday after church it was so very cold out but I had been waiting for a new snow fall to get this picture. We drove in the driveway from church, I got the tractor in place, took Harry's coat off, got him on the tractor and took 3 pictures.  Then scooted him into the house before he got chilled.  Love how this picture turned out!  

Lorelai's Tests & Surgery

Yesterday was a very long day of waiting but Lorelai is done and home and you would never know she had surgery yesterday.

We went up on Tuesday night and got a hotel as we were told we were first case and we would need to report at 545 AM. Well since pediatric cases go by age we got bumped to 3rd case.  So Tues night when we called for our automated recording of our time we got told to report at 745.  Ok so we figured we were 2nd case.  We reported at 745, went up to the pediatric floor, went back and got all our vitals read and then we waited and we waited and we waited.  It was 1130 before Lorelai was called back to start prepping for surgery.  I tried to take as many pictures as possible throughout the day for her baby book so here is how the day went.

7:45 AM Administration Check-In 

Waiting Waiting Waiting 

(what a little trooper of no complaining)

Finally prepping for surgery

(we were very scared and not happy about getting changed)

And then the "silly juice" started working

We had a great group to work with.  They were so good about doing whatever worked best for Lor but also for mom and dad.  Lovey also got a surgical hat. She loved it!  I didn't get a picture of me and Lor together but I got to suit up and take Lor back to surgery. I rode on the bed with Lor on my lap and then when in the OR I got to talk her through the process of breathing into the mask.  It was a great experience to know that she was comfortable and not scared at all.  

This is after surgery.  We were called back right away and was able to be there when she woke up.  

You can see in the above picture her IV in her arm.  As soon as she noticed it she wanted that out NOW!  The nurse told her she needed to go potty before she could have it out.  She immediately drank some juice so she could have it out.  

Below was her getting dressed right after having the IV taken out so she was not very happy.  She took Lovey's surgical hat and was wearing it.  

Then the nurse asked if she would like a ride in the wheelchair down to the parking ramp.  Oh yes she was happy about that ride!

We all were starving from not eating all day.  All she wanted was BACON!  So we went to Perkins were Dad ordered her an extra side of bacon.  She was feeling very good and needed to take a picture of mom and dad together. 

Here are pictures from our trips up to Rochester for her tests from a week ago....

We stayed in a hotel the night before her tests.  When we got to the hotel I asked her if she wanted to go shopping, out to eat, etc.  She stripped out of her clothes, got her jammies on and into bed and then said "the food can come to me!"  And that is where she stayed all night watching TV.

Morning of tests in our hotel room

Ready to go into the clinic

 Watching cartoons and waiting for ultrasound tech

Getting gown on for VUC tests

On bed of VUC table playing the IPad.

The top of the machine slid over top of her and took images of her.  She was able to play on the IPad the whole time to help distract her.

Thank you everyone who helped with the other two kids, the prayers, the encouraging words.  We have the best friends and family.  We are very blessed.

Lor's VUC Tests

Last Friday, November 21st at 4:00 PM I received a phone call from the insurance company stating that Lorelai's tests that was scheduled for yesterday was denied due to the the fact that the tests could be done in LaCrosse.  Within 15 minutes I had 5 phone calls in and had another dictation from the dr coming stating the importance of having the tests done at Mayo.  It was a very long weekend of waiting and a LOT of praying.  

Tuesday at 11:35 AM I received the phone call from the insurance stating that they reevaluated her case and she was approved for her tests.  I picked her up from school at 2:55 and we were on the road headed for Rochester by 3:30.  What a world-wind it was but we got up to the hotel by dark and settled in for the night.  I told her we could go swimming, shopping, out to eat...whatever she wanted to do.  Nope she got her jammies on, jumped into bed, turned the cartoons on and stated "the food can come to me!"  WOW how fast they learn the ropes of being a princess.  :)

Wednesday we were up, dressed, ate breakfast and at the clinic for our first test by 8 AM.  Ultrasound was very easy.  It was a very reassuring test for me as well as the ultrasound tech's daughter had to have these tests and surgery. She talked to me about what happened and how she was doing great now.  She did tell me that if one child has the VUC there is a 30% chance another child can have this which I did not know before.  

The VUC test was not pleasant but I had already prepared myself for that since it was not pleasant when Ellaree had her test done 3 years ago.  Even though she screamed and cried she was very brave and did a great job!  The test in itself took less then 10 minutes to do since it was very evident that she had the VUC reflux on both sides.  She is a stage 2-3 on the left side and a 1-2 on the right side.

After meeting with her pediatric urologist nurse practitioner (dr was in surgery) we are hopefully setting up to do a minor surgery next Wed Dec 3rd.  We are waiting to hear from the dr to clarify and then we will proceed.  Should hear tomorrow.  The procedure is called a VUC Endoscopy Deflux.  There is an 85% success rate on this.  If this does not work we can then either do it again or do the open procedure which is a 90% success rate.  

We are very thankful for all the family & friends who have helped with the kids, prayed, gave encouraging words and support.  We are very thankful and blessed.  

Lor Update

Well November 13th has come and gone but I am finally finding time to update on her appointment in Rochester.  I am so thankful that we have such good drs that are willing to send us on to specialists when they need to and know when they need the help.

Lorelai and I ventured up as soon as we put Ellaree on the bus.  Mr. Harry stayed overnight at the farm with Papa Harry and Nonie the night before so I was thankful not to have to worry about getting him ready and I could focus on getting Lorelai out the door on time.

As expected the appointment was ONLY a consult.  They asked many questions and the minute I mentioned that Ellaree had the same signs & symptoms and had the VUC test they wanted Lorelai to have this test done.  They also said that the ultrasound done in LaCrosse was incomplete as they only scanned her kidneys but did not scan her bladder.  Therefore she will have another ultrasound done as well.  I requested a Wednesday for all her tests done so that Harry could go with us as he has Wed off.  Well they scheduled her tests for Wed. Nov 26th.  Unfortunately that is the day before Thanksgiving therefore Harry has to work that day for two reasons...1) so he can have Thursday off for Thanksgiving and 2) it is the busiest day before Thanksgiving and he has to stop at every store.
So with that being said Lorelai and I will be venturing back up to Rochester by ourselves.  Her first test is at 8 AM so we will leave Tues afternoon and stay in a hotel.  I have had so many wonderful family and friends to offer to come with and I am so very thankful for their offers but I think I will take this precious quality time with her and spend it shopping and at the pool before her very long day the next day.

What are we doing with the other two?  Well Mr. Harry will venture back to the farm.  Poor guy has to help Papa Harry around the house, drive tractor and anything else he might think up to do on a farm!  He's heartbroken his momma is leaving.  ;)  Grama will come to the rescue to help with Ellaree.  She will come up to get Ellaree on the bus and then she will be back in time to get her off the bus on Wed.  Ellaree is very excited for one-on-one quality time with Daddy on Tuesday night.  Our kids are so good about rolling with the punches.

So our schedule for Wed.

8:00 AM is urinalysis and ultrasound
9:45 AM VUC
2:00 PM Meet  with Dr.

Prayers are so very welcomed at this time.  The dr did say that she is concerned about her kidneys as this has went on far too long with no answers.

I have added the link to the Mayo definition of what VUC is, symptoms, and procedures.

Love Him!

After 8 years he still melts my heart every time I see him. He has been my rock through thick and thin. And I am honored to say that he is my best friend, my love, my help mate. And I thank God for choosing him for me. I love you Harry with all my heart! Happy Anniversary!

Girls

It has been a crazy start to the school year and as I look the first quarter is almost done.  WOW time flies.  What has been happening...

Ellaree has been in gymnastics for a 6 week clinic and she loves it.  She started piano lessons.  Goes to AWANA on Wed nights at church and loves riding horses when she can.  This coming spring she would like to start riding lessons.

Lorelai loves 4K.  She goes 2 full days and brings home lots of fun projects for me to hang on my kitchen cabinets.  She will start hockey this Sat.

Harry is all boy all farmer and loves his 2 full days alone with mom.  He loves to be in the mud or tractors!

Today I did take the girls into the clinic.  Since the last time I wrote about Lorelai and her UTI issues she has continued to have issues.  She has seen the Urologist and he is stumped. Therefore today we scheduled an appt for her in Rochester at Mayo with a Peds Urologist.  We will travel there on Nov 13th.

Ellaree also went with today.  She has been sick since last Wed.  It seems that her symptoms just keep getting worse.  What started off as an ear infection has turned into double ear infection with a ruptured eardrum, strep with rash and was not tested but 95% sure she has mono as well.  She's one very sick baby girl!

We have had many trips to the Onalaska Clinic which is an hour one way and many sleepless nights but hopefully we will get on the road to recovery soon.