Poor Kayla spiked a fever last Tuesday and had another febrile seizure. It had been almost 9 months since her last one. I'd forgotten how scary they are!
She seemed a little tired and grumpy that day but not enough to make me think she was sick. Regardless after her seizure she felt very warm and I gave her some Tylenol to start bringing her fever down. Cary's Mom was able to come help me get her to the hospital to make sure she didn't have a UTI. Thankfully she didn't! Just a cold virus, but I'm still so surprised that made her have such a high fever. She still has a little cough this week and I'm pretty sure I've caught it but we're surviving.
I feel so much better when she is healthy!!!
We go 4/14 for her surgery follow up visit - hope it worked!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Kayla's Surgery Update
Wow! The surgery went better than I expected. Here's what happened:
We woke up early Wednesday morning and arrived at Egleston around 6am. Kayla was not able to eat or drink anything but she managed pretty well. We sat in the waiting room until about 7am when they called us back. We met with someone from anesthesia, Kayla got a quick check up and I was told she had an innocent heart murmer...that was kind of weird to hear but apparently no big deal. They gave her a sedative and within minutes she was getting very sleepy.
They took her to the OR and we didn't see her for about 3 hours after that. The surgeon came out and told us it went perfect so you can't get a better outcome than that! When we finally got to see Kayla I could tell she had been crying hard but she was able to drink some juice. She took a short nap and the rest of the day was spent entertaining her, letting her drink some, and trying to keep her happy and comfortable. She did not like trying to sit up and preferred to lay down. She was hooked up to an IV and a foley (catheter). Every 4 hours a tech came to check her vitals and all of our nurses were pretty good. Around 6pm they cleared Kayla to eat solid food so she had a grilled cheese and some peas. She liked that. She seemed a little uncomfortable so they gave her some Tylenol and a medication to treat bladder spasms (if she happened to be having any). The night was rough. She didn't sleep longer than a 3 hour stretch (like having a newborn again)! Morning was better and they told us we would go home around lunchtime.
We all started getting a little restless by then but once Kayla was unhooked from all of her tubes she was ready to run and play! She recovered so well. She has an incision on her lower abdomen about 2.5 inches long - bigger than I thought but they closed it with something called Dermabond so no stitches! Once we were in the car she took a nap and when we got home she acted like herself. I was a little worried about how she would sleep but we gave her a dose of Tylenol right at bedtime and she slept without a sound for abou 12 hours.
It's Day 5 today since the surgery and she is still doing great!
Our church and other friends were praying and we really appreciated it.
We'll have a follow up in a month to verify that it was successful.
Kayla right after the surgery and then standing up for the first time:
Coming back to life!
We woke up early Wednesday morning and arrived at Egleston around 6am. Kayla was not able to eat or drink anything but she managed pretty well. We sat in the waiting room until about 7am when they called us back. We met with someone from anesthesia, Kayla got a quick check up and I was told she had an innocent heart murmer...that was kind of weird to hear but apparently no big deal. They gave her a sedative and within minutes she was getting very sleepy.
They took her to the OR and we didn't see her for about 3 hours after that. The surgeon came out and told us it went perfect so you can't get a better outcome than that! When we finally got to see Kayla I could tell she had been crying hard but she was able to drink some juice. She took a short nap and the rest of the day was spent entertaining her, letting her drink some, and trying to keep her happy and comfortable. She did not like trying to sit up and preferred to lay down. She was hooked up to an IV and a foley (catheter). Every 4 hours a tech came to check her vitals and all of our nurses were pretty good. Around 6pm they cleared Kayla to eat solid food so she had a grilled cheese and some peas. She liked that. She seemed a little uncomfortable so they gave her some Tylenol and a medication to treat bladder spasms (if she happened to be having any). The night was rough. She didn't sleep longer than a 3 hour stretch (like having a newborn again)! Morning was better and they told us we would go home around lunchtime.
We all started getting a little restless by then but once Kayla was unhooked from all of her tubes she was ready to run and play! She recovered so well. She has an incision on her lower abdomen about 2.5 inches long - bigger than I thought but they closed it with something called Dermabond so no stitches! Once we were in the car she took a nap and when we got home she acted like herself. I was a little worried about how she would sleep but we gave her a dose of Tylenol right at bedtime and she slept without a sound for abou 12 hours.
It's Day 5 today since the surgery and she is still doing great!
Our church and other friends were praying and we really appreciated it.
We'll have a follow up in a month to verify that it was successful.
Kayla right after the surgery and then standing up for the first time:
Coming back to life!
Monday, March 16, 2009
March Visit with Mimi
Had a nice few days with Kayla's Mimi.
Kayla enjoyed rifling through Mimi's suitcase and helping her cook and wash dishes with her Waffle House hat on.
Mimi is surprised that Kayla likes to talk so much!
We visited the Gold Museum in Villa Rica and Kayla loved the water wheel and all the stones she could get her hands on. We also took her to Lazy Donkey - she loved the chips!
Anxiously waiting for Wednesday - Kayla's surgery. Have to be at Egleston BY 6am - early!
Kayla enjoyed rifling through Mimi's suitcase and helping her cook and wash dishes with her Waffle House hat on.
Mimi is surprised that Kayla likes to talk so much!
We visited the Gold Museum in Villa Rica and Kayla loved the water wheel and all the stones she could get her hands on. We also took her to Lazy Donkey - she loved the chips!
Anxiously waiting for Wednesday - Kayla's surgery. Have to be at Egleston BY 6am - early!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Upcoming Surgery
After meeting with Dr. Kirsch and doing the VCUG test, we found out Kayla's treatment did work again. We weren't shocked or even that disappointed, maybe we just weren't getting our hopes up about it. Regardless, she is scheduled for surgery on 3/18/09 at Egleston in Atlanta.
Most children go home the next day and we will have a few days of recovery at home. From what I've read the surgery takes 2-3 hours and Kayla should wake up without pain (although I'm sure very upset and confused like she was after her other treatment). She will have an epidural block at first and a catheter. Once those are removed we should be able to treat any pain with Tylenol and her stitches in the incision on her belly should dissolve in a few days. Then 6 weeks later another VCUG to see if the surgery was successful. This particular surgery will try to reimplant her ureters but it is done without having to cut into the bladder. If it doesn't work this time they can try it again by cutting into the bladder. So this may not be the end of the road for us as far as surgeries go.
I just hope Kayla can be somewhat comfortable at the hospital and that she heals quickly.
Obviously we hope the surgery will be successful! We are confident that God will do what is best.
We love our little girl!
Most children go home the next day and we will have a few days of recovery at home. From what I've read the surgery takes 2-3 hours and Kayla should wake up without pain (although I'm sure very upset and confused like she was after her other treatment). She will have an epidural block at first and a catheter. Once those are removed we should be able to treat any pain with Tylenol and her stitches in the incision on her belly should dissolve in a few days. Then 6 weeks later another VCUG to see if the surgery was successful. This particular surgery will try to reimplant her ureters but it is done without having to cut into the bladder. If it doesn't work this time they can try it again by cutting into the bladder. So this may not be the end of the road for us as far as surgeries go.
I just hope Kayla can be somewhat comfortable at the hospital and that she heals quickly.
Obviously we hope the surgery will be successful! We are confident that God will do what is best.
We love our little girl!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Results
We will find whether or not Kayla's second treatment worked on either 2/16 or 2/17. I say either because the VCUG test is on the 16th but the Dr. visit follow up is not until the following day. We'll have a good idea on the 16th. If we see the backflow of urine on the screen then we'll know it is not fixed.
We're prepared for the outcome either way - God is in control of our precious baby and He loves her more than we do.
We'll keep you posted!
We're prepared for the outcome either way - God is in control of our precious baby and He loves her more than we do.
We'll keep you posted!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Almost 15 months
Kayla is growing and growing - not so much physically right now but developmentally.
She has little habits and quirks and things she likes to do around the house.
She loves to bring things from one place to another and open any and all doors and cabinets. Thanks to the geniuses who made child safety locks! She can also be a little daredevil, standing on things and trying to pick up very heavy items.
She has been healthy the past few weeks and I'm thankful for that. Seems like many are sick with colds!
We will be taking her for a dental "Happy Visit" in the next few weeks to have her teeth looked at and make sure they are healthy.
Kayla's Mimi will be coming down for a visit next week and we are excited to show her all of Kayla's new tricks!
This is Kayla playing with the bubble machine.
And this is Kayla trying an orange juice "popsicle".
She has little habits and quirks and things she likes to do around the house.
She loves to bring things from one place to another and open any and all doors and cabinets. Thanks to the geniuses who made child safety locks! She can also be a little daredevil, standing on things and trying to pick up very heavy items.
She has been healthy the past few weeks and I'm thankful for that. Seems like many are sick with colds!
We will be taking her for a dental "Happy Visit" in the next few weeks to have her teeth looked at and make sure they are healthy.
Kayla's Mimi will be coming down for a visit next week and we are excited to show her all of Kayla's new tricks!
This is Kayla playing with the bubble machine.
And this is Kayla trying an orange juice "popsicle".
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Surgery # 2
We had the second endoscopic treatment for Kayla on 1/5. It went well and we were much better prepared for her reaction after the anesthesia. This time Cary walked her back to be put to sleep and after about 15 minutes the surgeon came and told us that everything looked good. We won't know for a couple of weeks whether or not it worked but we are hoping and praying! This is Daddy and Kayla ready to go back!
Kayla returned to her normal, sweet self a few hours after we got home. She slept most of the morning.
Kayla will point to her nose, mouth, ear, teeth, hair, finger, toes, foot, and belly - she is so smart!
Kayla loved this basketball hoop at the surgery center waiting area!
Kayla returned to her normal, sweet self a few hours after we got home. She slept most of the morning.
Kayla will point to her nose, mouth, ear, teeth, hair, finger, toes, foot, and belly - she is so smart!
Kayla loved this basketball hoop at the surgery center waiting area!
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