Adjusting

Kelli is slowly getting back to her normal self.  She is finally eating and drinking more - which means we are going through LOTS of diapers because she needs to wear two at a time.  We tuck a smaller one inside the cast and place a larger one around it.

Now that she is mobile, she is able to explore and play more.  She likes to race Grandma and Aunt Katy across the floor.  She was even able to paint today!






Since it was cool this evening, we were able to take Kelli outside.  We went for a walk and then sat on the back porch to watch lightning bugs and fireworks.

On The Move

Sixteen days after her surgery, Kelli gathered the courage to try to crawl - and was successful!

Handling Emotions

Surgery is such a difficult thing for little ones to handle.  Even more so when that little one struggled with anxiety, fear, and self-esteem issues before the surgery.

The other day when Kelli and I were talking she told me that she didn't like herself.  I tried to get her to explain what she meant and why she felt that way, but either she didn't want to talk or she didn't know how to articulate her thoughts.  She has said such things before, and it seems like no matter how much I try to reassure her that she is wonderful just the way she is, that she is loved and accepted, it hasn't boosted her confidence.

So many things seem to trigger fear in her.  Seeing doctors or nurses.  Mentioning appointments.  Medicine.  Being picked up.  Bath time.  If I'm not sitting right beside her.  Using the potty.  When we were at the pediatrician's office this afternoon for her follow-up appointment, he said that her muscle spasm medicine also helps with anxiety.  We've only used it once for muscle spasms the first day after she was released from Sinai Hospital, so the doctor suggested that we consider starting her on it again for awhile to help her deal with the anxiety and fear.

I feel terrible, helpless - that as a mother I am unable to alleviate her anxiety and calm her fears.  I want so much to make everything better, but I am limited in what I can do.  I keep praying that God will step in to comfort her and heal those broken places that only He can reach.

The Adventure Continues

On Thursday we met with one of the doctors in Baltimore to talk about having a new cast put on.  Friday morning, Kelli got a new purple cast.  Fortunately, it is only on one leg and around her waist this time.  Her right leg is completely free.  The bad news is that light anesthesia makes her overly grouchy and irritable.  It was quite the difficult day for her (and us!).

Once we got home, she started to refuse to eat or drink again.  She was pitching fits and being completely defiant.  Sunday I had to call her pediatrician because she hadn't urinated in almost 20 hours.  We were told to take her back to the ER.  The wait to see a doctor was slightly over two hours, and in that time she finally used the potty.  Once we were taken back to one of the ER rooms, Kelli decided to eat some dry cereal and goldfish (the first she had eaten all day).  By the time the doctor came in, Kelli was in a playful, silly mood.  And she was willing to drink for him - something she wouldn't do at home.  Looks like it takes being at the hospital to get her to eat, drink, and use the potty!

Hospital Hopping

Kelli was release from our local hospital Wednesday evening. (I'm sure the hospital staff is thankful since she spent a good portion of her time there screaming and pitching fits!) She is now eating and drinking more and is using the potty more comfortably.

We had an appointment with the surgeon in Baltimore this morning, and she will be getting a new cast at Sinai Hospital tomorrow.  When the doctor asked if she wanted another pink cast, she said she wanted a purple one this time.

It's good to see her back to her normal, silly self again.  While waiting for the doctor come into the room, she decided to start singing and made up songs about squirrels.  (That was thanks to watching mommy's favorite Disney movie - Up.)

Quick Update

The doctors just came in and said they plan to keep Kelli in the hospital at least until tomorrow.  She needs to be eating and drinking on her own before they will release her.  Hopefully my stubborn little Peanut will stop refusing food so we can go home!

Another Hospital Stay

We took Kelli to the ER around 6:00 last night.  Fortunately, we didn't have to wait very long before we were called back to the triage nurse.  After a quick review of Kelli's symptoms and medical history, they took her straight back to an ER room.  They started IV fluids to help get her hydrated and encourage urination.  Her blood work came back normal, but an x-ray showed that she had some blocked stool in her body.

We were able to get settled in a room around 11:00 pm.  The IV continued, and Kelli was very uncomfortable and crying (and screaming) off and on.  By 11:45 she was ready to use the potty, but it was incredibly painful for her.  The fear and pain I could see in her eyes, and the piercing screams broke my heart, and it was all I could do not to cry.  I just want to make things better for her - but I know there is little I can do other than to be by her side.

She fell asleep for a few minutes after this.  Unfortunately, by 12:15 am, she needed to wake up for a suppository.  Needless to say, that was not an easy thing for her to endure.  I finally got her calmed down and back to sleep after it was over.

Between 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning (I was so tired that I don't remember the exact time) she was able to have a bowel movement.  Again, she screamed through it.  Once she was finished and cleaned up, she was able to fall back to sleep.  Thankfully she has been sleeping for a little over four hours now.

The doctors want to keep her here until they get another urine sample to test.  She may have a urinary tract infection, but they won't know until they confirm it with another test.  They also want her to be able and willing to eat and drink on her own before they release her.

Our plans to go back down to Baltimore to have a new (less smelly) cast put on has been put on hold until we take care of these medical issues first.