Sunday, August 30, 2009

Kaylea turns 9!?




Her favorite gift this year!!!

It is hard to believe that our Kaylea turned 9!! She is such an amazing, strong, beautiful, happy and brave young lady. She has endured more in 9 years, medically speaking, than most of us do in a life time! She has been in our arms for a mere 3.5 years, but honestly, I don't really remember the days before Kaylea.

Since we know she has more surgeries and hospital stays in the next year or two, we started her off with an iPod shuffle! She hasn't taken it off since all her music was put on it Friday night. She ignores us just like her older siblings! Bless her heart, she fell asleep in her walker traction tonight listening to her music! HAHA

We had cake and ice cream here at home and of course took cupcakes to school on Friday. When she was in the hospital my parents had a party there for her so they could celebrate her birthday with her, too!!

Her traction is working! When she went in for her surgery the curve in her back was 88˚!!
Exactly 1 week later, her curve was only 54˚ !!!!! I think that is AMAZING. She still has about 6 more weeks in traction and then on to the castings. She will wear a body cast for 6 - 12 months with the casts will be changed every 2 months. After the castings, she will then be in a brace for some time. That is at least the plan for now. We are still praying for guidance in this area. If we follow this plan she will have to have a tracheostomy. The trach is the part that really scares me! I'm really nervous as to how it will change her life. If you have ever dealt with a trach and would be willing to discuss with me, I'd love to hear from you!!! We know it will require nursing care for her at least at school and on the bus to and from school. John and I will also have to attend 40 hours of training to learn to care for her. Any thoughts, comments, ideas are appreciated!!

Thanks for checking in.....

Love,
Photobucket

7 comments:

lorihays said...

Happy, happy birthday to Kaylea! LOVE the glitz on the halo! You go girl! And yes, Ipod shuffles are a wonderful thing - or so my children tell me! I'm still in the dark ages concerning stuff like that for myself! Wishing wisdom with the trach decision - never had to deal with that one here. Love to all the Lamberts from all the Hays!!!!

Marla said...

Happy Birthday Kaylea!! Love that iPod!!! :)

What a sweet little trooper she is, best of luck with everything coming up, it sounds like she's doing beautifully!

Ladyblog said...

Happy Birthday to a very sweet little girl, Kaylea!

Sharon and Michael said...

CArla,

there is a child in one of the SN rooms at school with a trach. Maybe I can see if I can locate her parents. I worked in an ENT office forever. Most kids you'd never know they had it and their parents did deal with it well. Water is a big issue about not getting any in it - no swimming etc. How long would she need it? The suctioning and cleaning isn't too hard. And many times the doctors will do the trach change in the office if that needs done. I can understand your concern. i'd be the same way. It leaves a scar when it's out and there are so many things to thinka bout. HAve you got a second opinion?

Sharon and Michael said...

Oh forgot to type. Happy Birthday! And you sure have a suuweet mommy ... that Ipod shuffle looks fantastic. My kids would be jealous. ;o)

the Provident Woman said...

What a cutie!

thatgirlblogs said...

happy birthday miss kaylea...

carla? you are amazing.