family fun...

There's just nothing in the world like spending the day with the girls when they're feeling a bit slap happy. Laura had never been to Fargo's, a local pizza parlour, so we headed there for lunch. It's a fun place with a lot of atmosphere (including a player piano in the background.) We decided to splurge and sample their famous desserts...hot fudge sundaes with homemade ice cream for most of us and a chocolate fudge cake sundae for Bethany and grandma to share. They were massive, but we managed to get them down. (Actually there was more whipped cream than anything else which made them look so much bigger than they were.) Afterward the girls and I made a Target run. They scurried around the store like little ants. I'd send them to find something and their laughter was heard aisles away!! It's music to my ears when they're having fun like that. Having never had sisters of my own, this is how I always imagined it could be. We have a great time together and they're wonderful about including me in their silliness. (If I close my eyes I can pretend just for a short time that I'm a teenager again.) Tonight I'm smiling as I listen to them playing music, sharing secrets, and laughing. And I'm reminded once again why Brian and I prayed for daughters so many years ago.

Happy Anniversary, BA!!!

Hard to believe Brian and I have been married 24 years today! We took the girls out to dinner tonight to celebrate and we reminisced about how we gathered all the change we could find to be able to afford ice cream sundaes on our first anniversary. Amy said if that's all we could afford then but tonight we had a nice dinner, just think what we'll be able to do when we hit 50 years! (We gently let them know that our 50th was on them!) It's been a good 24 years. I wouldn't trade my guy for anyone else in the world. Here's to many, many more good years ahead. Love you, BA!

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!

What a wonderous thing to behold-this Christ child who was born for ME (and for you, too!)

Prayers answered...

After reviewing Amy's charts and looking at her foot, the first thing this new Dr said was, "You're so lucky you were able to avoid amputation!" We, of course, know luck had nothing to do with it! God was in perfect control the whole time we were dealing with wound issues; we're so thankful for so many prayer warriors who have been with us along the way. This Dr isn't convinced Amy has RSD after all. He'll do a lumbar injection procedure in January. The length of time between the procedure and when the pain returns will tell him what he's actually dealing with and how to proceed with treatment. He put her on two new prescriptions also. One of them should have immediate, positive results and if we don't see them within 5 days, she's to discontinue taking it. That's ok with her; she hates taking medication! But if it helps, I imagine she'll be thankful for it. Dr Brewer said his goal is to help her find her way back to the things she wants to do such as culinary school. He's conservative with treatment yet confident that he can help her find a positive quality of life. He wants her to have the chance to live a more normal life than the one she's had for the past 19 months. So now we take it one step at a time, again! Bear with us and check back for updates as we know more. Thanks!

happy 56th anniversary mom & dad!!!

Fifty six years...wow! Most of us can't even begin to fathom a 56th anniversary. Brian and I are blessed that both of our sets of parents have passed the golden anniversary mark, and what an amazing thing that is in this day and age. Today we went to church with my mom & dad and then out to eat afterward. I was so proud to tell people of the significance of this day. What a great example they've set for us. Way to go, seniors! May we all be so blessed. I love you!

wound free...

It might not look like it, but this is a wound free ankle. We're now dealing with just a scab/scar instead of an open wound. Amy was thrilled to shower with no bag over her foot! Now we can start smearing it with lotion and getting the skin around the area healthy again. Progress is being made!

YES!!!

Although we have a follow-up appointment scheduled in January just in case we need it, we've been officially released from the wound healing center. When Dr Jain cleaned out the area there was skin underneath and no actual open wound! We have to keep it covered for a couple more weeks as a precaution, but for the first time in almost 5 months she can shower without a bag on her foot. To a 17 year old, that's huge!! The most fun part of the visit was when Dr Jain wore the "rock star scrubs" that his office gave him last year as a gag for Christmas. Amy had been giving him a hard time for weeks about wanting to see them, so just before he came into the room today he changed into them. Talk about bling...what a riot! He was a great sport. We'll miss everyone at the wound center, but it feels really, really good to know the worst is over. Now if we can only get some relief with the RSD when we see the Dr in Denver next Tuesday. To our many diligent prayer warriors, thanks for sticking with us for so long. You're awesome!

finally!

Finally it seems we're all healthy. Laura woke up with energy to burn, Bethany went back to school and is already making up missed finals, and the rest of us are still going strong. Now let's keep it that way!

here we go again...

Just as Laura is beginning to feel a tiny bit human again, Bethany is now down for the count. Finals start tomorrow and she's pretty upset that she'll miss them, so we're praying for a snow day. Don't laugh...this is Colorado. It could happen!

there's no place like home...

Nothing like having your daughter come home after a grueling semester and finals only to get the flu. Laura has been really sick today...ALL day! Because she rarely gets this sick, it's been pitiful and she seems rather clueless about how to deal with things. The silver lining? At lease she isn't still at school where she'd have to get down from the top bunk and run 2 doors down to the bathroom. She never would have made it! I'm sure tomorrow will be a better day. She sure can't take another one like this!

the end is in sight...

Today Dr Jain decided that next week will probably be our last visit at the wound healing center. He was really pleased with how things looked. He did scrape some of the dead tissue out which Amy tolerated well, but other than that there wasn't much he could do. New this visit was substantial swelling to the right of the wound which is extremely painful to the touch. Unfortunately this is probably a symptom of the RSD that we still need to see the Dr in Denver for on the 23rd. So while we're conquering one medical issue, we still have a tough one ahead. I'm not sure Amy feels like we're making a lot of progress since we still have issues to figure out, but to the rest of us it's just amazing to think of how far we've come. Please continue to pray for Amy and for all of the medical personnel involved in her care. We couldn't do it without their skill and love for what they do. And while we don't necessarily understand why Amy is having to go thru this, perhaps someday as we look back it will all make sense. And if we never know the answers this side of Heaven, that's ok, too. God's perfect plan is unfolding as it should.

in the nest...

Once again, my chicks are all in the nest. Laura arrived home from school today for her Christmas break. She has a rather uncomfortable cold, but at least she's home. A few of mom & dad's hugs, some much needed sleep, and some home cooking ought to do the trick. Welcome home, sweetie! ily

it's not supposed to be this way...

Honestly, we never imagined when we first began treatments at the wound healing center that the staff working there would become friends. But after 2-3 trips a week for several months, how could it be otherwise? We adore the staff and as we near the end of treatment it's starting to sink in that we won't be seeing them much anymore, if at all. And we miss them already. Thanks to these incredibly talented and awesome people. We love you and are so very thankful for each and every one of you!!!!

one step closer

Our last mist therapy treatment went well today. There was a slight scab covering the wound, but after the mist it was soft and came off easily. Amy's glad it did, because if it hadn't the Dr probably would have done some digging when we see him on Thursday. Hopefully that won't be the case now. We're so close to the end of wound treatment. Perhaps a nice Christmas present?! When we look back and compare where we are now to where we were just a month ago, it's astonishing. The power of prayer is a beautiful thing! Thanks to our many prayer warriors.

footnotes...

Wow...as you can tell by looking at the picture, the wound is looking so much better. We're almost down to just a sliver! The different type of dressing they want us to use till Monday wasn't too comfortable to peel off. We doused it with saline and that helped. Amy said several people asked about her vac today when she was working at the hospital. She loved telling them that she was done with it! I think we're finally in the home stretch with wound care. I'll be glad when she can get it wet in the shower and we can smother the skin around her scar with lotion. It's so raw and dry. I looked back at the records and realized she'd worn the wound vac almost continually for 7 1/2 weeks, 24 hours a day. That's one determined girl!

and they're off!

Our Bethany just left with her good friend, Brandon, for the JrROTC military ball at the high school. I'm not sure we were ready for this! She's growing up so fast. Thankfully, they're really good friends and we've known Brandon a long time and think he's a great guy. But both of them sure look different dressed up than they did in their track uniforms in middle school!

words can't describe...

Last night Brian and I were thrilled to attend the Trans-Siberian Orchestra show at the World Arena. It was his company's Christmas party complete with a catered dinner and box seats high above the general audience. What an amazing show! We were able to get a different perspective than most of the people attending and it couldn't have been better. Flames changing color to the tempo of the music, lasers, and fireworks were just breathtaking. From where we were seated we could watch the roadies running around backstage, yet we still had a birds eye view of the onstage show. I have to say it was unlike anything I've ever seen before and I plan to make it a Christmas tradition! The musicians were amazing and put on a breathtaking show...a full 3 hours of bliss. We're both dragging a bit today, but it was well worth it and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Celebrate!!!

Great news today at Amy's visit with Dr Jain. No more wound vac!!! The wound looks awesome and everyone was thrilled that we're finally nearing the end of treatment. They used a different type of dressing which we'll continue for a couple more weeks, but tomorrow I get to call the wound vac company to schedule pick-up of the supplies we still have on hand. We still have one more mist therapy on Monday. We'd hoped we were done with that as well, but we can live with just one more. I think the Dr anticipates we'll be home free by Christmas. Unfortunately, that's when we'll just be getting started with the new pain management Dr in Denver. Our prayer now is that there's an easy, painless, quick way to deal with her RSD and that we won't have to make a lot of trips to Denver. The good news is that the semester is almost over and even if we have lots of appointments ahead she won't miss much school since she'll have a lighter load beginning in January. It's been a long haul since our journey began with the first surgery in June of 2007. Brian jokes that I should have an RN degree by now with all Amy and I have been thru together. But I know that if I weren't taking care of my own child, I could never do what the nurses do on a daily basis. The whole staff at the wound healing center has been amazing and we're blessed to know them. In the picture above is Bill, the wonder nurse, Dr Jain, and Amy. Lots of laughs when they're all in the same room!

I have bling!

I just got home from the oral surgeon's office where Bethany had some work done. She has a tooth that has been ready to pop thru the gum for months now but has stubbornly refused to do so. The orthodontist finally sent us to have it exposed and a bracket attached so he could begin to pull it into place. They also attached a gold chain that will be used in the process over the next few visits. Bethany's first words after surgery..."I have bling!" She's going to a dance Friday night and decided to have fun with the idea of a gold chain. Think anyone will notice?!

onward we go...

We checked the wound today and the macerated tissue was much better, so we were able to put the wound vac back on. There was enough skin growth over the original wound that the actual area to dress was much smaller. The skin around the wound is still in miserable condition...very dry and raw. I'm not sure how much more her skin can take. But we're so very close to the end and Amy just wants to be done. She's willing to endure whatever it takes to make it thru. On Thursday we see the Dr again and we're supposed to give Amy hefty pain meds beforehand so he can clean out the wound again. Ouch! Please keep praying for our girl. We're so thankful for each and every prayer lifted up on her behalf.

Thanks, Bill!

We just came from another mist therapy treatment...probably Amy's last one. The skin around her wound is a bit macerated (think "water-logged" i.e. after a long bath when the skin is white), so we're leaving the wound vac off for at least one more day. If it's better tomorrow we can put it back on. If not, we'll see what the Dr says on Thursday at our next appointment. Meanwhile, we wanted you to meet one of the world's most awesome nurses, our sweet friend, Bill. He's been with Amy every step of the way since she began treatments at the wound healing center. He cares so much for Amy and always makes sure she's getting the very best care. He's gone the extra mile for her many times, and we appreciate him (and all of the nurses there) so very much.