At Home Recovering

AK was released Tuesday morning from the hospital.  We were all ready to get out.  I had been at the hospital for 72 hours straight.  AK and I got some needed rest when we got home.  She seems to be back to her active self again.  I have to remind her to be careful.  I have said it so much that she now can say "careful".  She has started saying so many words now.  Most of them are Bennett phrases, such as "not nice", "got you", "not know?", etc.  Our current struggle is getting AK and Bennett back to being nice to each other and sharing.  They have both received undivided attention and gotten to play with what they want for 5 days that they have forgotten what it means to have a sibling.  It feels like we are starting over on this, but I at least know now that we can get to a good place again. We have a post op appointment August 9th.  So far AK and the incision look good (although it is a long incision).   

Post surgery update

AK is doing well.  She has been restless.  When Bennett stopped by, she got upset that she could not get down and play.  They have removed one iv and blocked the other so she is more mobile.  We got to stroll her around in the wagon and she loved it.  However the blocked iv clotted and she had to get a new one in her foot during the night.  They are still giving her antibiotics through the iv.  This morning she was sitting in my lap and when I got her up I had blood all over me.  Her iv had come out.  So she will have to get another on at 2 today. 

We have been praying for poop, so the drain could be removed and we could be closer to going home.  We got a little poop this morning.  Yea!  

It has been hard trying to be there for AK and not neglect Bennett.  Kevin's parents have been such a blessing.  They watch Bennett so one of us can be with AK and one can get rest and shower.  I know Bennett is in good hands and may prefer them over being with us.  However, I miss my Bennett.  

We should be released Tuesday, but praying for Monday.  Please continue to pray for quick recovery and easy transition when we get we get home.  AK has been having undivided attention, so we may face the tantrums all over again.

AK surgery

We arrived at Children's Hospital at 8:30 am.  She got prepped quickly and was taken back around 9:45.  At 10:30, they started the surgery.  We received calls every hour saying she was doing well.  

At 4:45 pm, we finally met with the doctor.  He said the surgery was more complicated than expected.  The tumor was the size of an adult fist positioned in a difficult spot.  They went in through her previous incision, but could not get to the tumor.  The did a second incision through her belly and went back through her bottom to remove it.  The doctor also did some cosmetic work on her previous scar to make it less noticeable. He was not a 100% sure they got all of the tumor.  If not, she will need an additional surgery in a few years.

 Around 6:30, she was finally moved to a room so we could see her.  She was upset, but calmed down with us.  Bennett did not understand what was wrong with sissy.  It upset him.  They gave her morphine and Tylenol regularly through the night.  Kevin stayed with her, but said she did not sleep well with all the interruptions during the night by the nurses.

This morning when Bennett got up, he asked where sissy was as he usually does.  I reminded him she was in the hospital, but would be home soon.  He said he loved sissy and wanted her home to play.  That melted my heart.

I got to the hospital about 8:30 and she seemed happy to see me.  She sat up in bed and played with some toys for a while.  Around 10, she fell asleep in my arms.  It is now 1, she has been sleeping and laying down most of the time.

Thanks for everyone who has prayed for her and asked about her.  Pray we get to go home soon and she recovers quickly.

3 Month Update

We have been united with Anna Kate for three months now.  It seems like she has been with us all along now.  It is remarkable how easily she has transitioned.  Kevin and I are astonished on the progress she has made and cannot believe we are where we are with her in three months time. 

AK is now 23 pounds. Looking at her gotcha day photos, she has really filled out and has some chunky cheeks.  She has slowed down in her eating to a more normal 18 month old portion.  Her hair has gotten so long that I finally gave her a little trim.  I am wanting to let her hair grow out, but could not stand the hair being in her face. 

She is still doing great with taking naps and sleeping at night.  Around 11:45 am, she goes down for her only nap for the day.  She usually sleeps around 2 1/2 hours.  At night, she goes down around 7:30 pm and sleeps in her room in her toddler bed till around 7 am.  I have to admit that I am extremely blessed to have two children that sleep in their own rooms through out the night.  Praise God!

AK has really come out of her shell.  She is very personable and absolutely loves playing with other children.  We have visited the splash pad and park and she wants to be where all the other kids are.  She went to a friend's birthday party and fit in well playing with the other girls. 

I feel AK has really bonded and attached to us, Bennett, and her Nana and Poppy.  It is funny when she talks to Nana and Poppy through face time, she gets upset to tell them bye.  She also wants to kiss the phone to give them kisses.  She is so sweet. 

The biggest accomplishment we have had recently is her staying by herself at church nursery.  For the last five weeks, Kevin or I have stayed in the room with her at church.  We had planned to continue doing this till she started daycare (August).  The sixth Sunday, we walked her to her room and she walked in all by herself.  I waited.  Shocked.  She went straight to the toys and started playing.  I went and got a beeper and headed to worship service with Kevin.  After the service, Kevin dropped by to check on her and she was doing fine.  So we enjoyed Bible study together as well.  This past Sunday she was a little hesitant, but I took her to our friend who was keeping that class and she did fine.  This is amazing. 

We are so blessed to have AK in our family.  Her smile melts your heart.  It is so much fun to watch her and Bennett play with each other.  AK will mimic what Bennett does.  It is so funny.  We really appreciate all the prayers that have gotten us to this point.  I am looking forward to the joy and happiness that the months and years will bring.

Medical Update on AK

We had another week of doctor appointments.  Thursday, AK went to Children's to be sedated again for a CT scan.  She did great and it was super quick.  She did run a fever afterwards, but acted normal. 

Friday, we went to Children's to meet with the surgeon to discuss the mass discovered on the MRI and CT scan.  The surgeon said there are 3 masses cystic in nature.  It could be remnants of the teratoma, but not sure if it is a cyst, remnants of teratoma, or new growth.  The largest of the masses is 2" in diameter, so he recommends surgery to remove them.  He hopes to go in through her old scar, but unsure if he will be able to get everything.  He may have to go in there and on her stomach.  The surgery is tedious and will take 4-6 hours.  She will stay in the hospital 3-4 days and have a 10 day recovery time at home.  It is all a little overwhelming.  In trying to manage transitioning her to daycare and me going back to work, we have scheduled the surgery for July 18th.  Thinking about managing a restless 18 month old in a hospital bed for 4 days may be worse than a 17 hour plan ride back from China. 

Please pray for AK that she handles the surgery well and has a quick recovery.  Pray for us trying to manage her in the hospital and Bennett's normal routine.