Life is all about changing, nothing stays the same and plans are not immune from that theory, in fact plans are just that. Plans are also normally human plans and we get upset because it is not God's mighty plans. Jeremiah 29:11, has been imprinted on my life this year for many reasons.
We left yesterday morning for a fun-filled adventure to see Dr. Dan and get our Pre-op appointment done. This trip we took Granny and 1 of my nephew's Johnathan as travel companions. I had reserved a motel at the Fairfield Inn so we could play in the in-door pool and Whirlpool. I also decided this time we would try a different route from the one we've taken many times. We got off in Joplin and took the Kansas City exit and hit Hwy 71, then hit I-440 or some interstate but the goal was I-70 East into beautiful, home away from home Columbia, Missouri.... It was a nice break, different scenes but somewhat boring. It did however seem to be a quicker trip. The closer we got to Columbia, we seen snow on the ground and it was pretty. We got to the motel and I took a picture of my nephew in shorts with a snowball in hand, only red-neck, OKIE's travel the end of December in t-shirts and shorts. I got to meet up with Amber, our social worker and she gave me a quick tour of where Jeremy would be. I stopped at Pizza Hut got us dinner, back to the motel, and then hit the pool and whirlpool. Jeremy actually got all the way in the whirlpool, sit down in it and played and splashed around.
We got up bright and early to make our 9:15 appointment to see our super-hero Dr. Dan, and his assistant Holly. He stuck his head in and we visited for a while, then they took J down to get his X-rays. We came back to a new resident who was extremely, extremely nice asking questions about Jeremy. I'm sure that I will like the other residents we get, but they are going to have to do back-flips to beat Dr. Robertson, he is my all time favorite resident ever. Dr. Dan came in and decided he wasn't happy with the fact Jeremy would only be in traction for 10 days, so change of plans. Jeremy will be admitted on January 12 and put back in halo traction. This is the "plan", Jeremy doesn't always do things as planned, I know he has always wrote his own book since day 1 of his life plus this is the spine and it comes with no guarantees. Dr. Dan said there might come a time we have a heart to heart talk about a difficult procedure that is risky. He wants him in traction so he can naturally relax and straighten J's spine, I totally get why and the purpose for this, he wants his spine to straighten, wants to see who the spine reacts once it does straighten and doesn't want nor plans to do lot of manipulation of the spine during surgery. He will want Jeremy up with therapist walking around, so Jeremy will be up, get to play, go to the playroom. Jeremy will not be on pain medicine during this time, children tolerate this procedure well and it will be more the aggravation of that halo back on his head. They have awesome therapist, child life specialist. He wants to see how Jeremy's spine responds to the traction and as his spine does some relaxing and straighten to make sure it doesn't compromise his spinal cord. His main objective in this is for Jeremy to remain mobile and to stop the progression. Jeremy's spine didn't like the first surgery, so he is very cautious and moving slowly. I totally respect this man, honor his expertise and know to the very depts of my heart and soul he is doing what is right by Jeremy. He doesn't hide anything from me and speaks up-front about all issues. Dr. Dan doesn't make any rush decisions on J's spine.
What are the prayer request: That we have good traveling weather.
Jeremy- remain healthy, he tolerates halo traction, be able to rest, his spinal cord to be healthy and tolerate the halo traction and God to be able to use this method to naturally, relax and straighten out his spine.
Dr. Dan Hoernschemeyer- as God uses him to be the hands, brain, eyes to fix Jeremy's spine.
Me- for strength, endurance, rest, and if decision have to be made that I have a clear mind with wisdom. I am also having anxiety about the whole ordeal now, so that I can rest now, live life the next few weeks before we go back.
Many have asked what you can do while we are there. The biggest thing is prayer. The University of Missouri has a new children's hospital with private rooms so I will be staying with Jeremy during the entire duration, I have plenty of sick leave and vacation from work. They also have a cafeteria on the 1st floor and the social worker said it's very reasonable price, where the children's hospital is, there is McDonald's, apple bees, chili's around so there are places I can go get some healthy meals that are reasonable. I don't want to deny anyone the chance to bless someone. If you want to send encouragement cards that will be appreciated and I will post the address and Jeremy's room number when we get it. Don't worry about snack foods, I am totally a "stress" eater so if I have any type of snacks around I eat on them. I personally prefer not to take lot with me and if I get hungry go get something, if anyone wants to bless with gift cards that is great. It is a 6-7 hour trip so I don't expect a whole lot of familiar faces from Oklahoma, but for any that do it would be AWESOME to see some familiar faces during our extended stay. I can tell you Columbia is an AWESOME, NICE, town that is easy to get around in. You all who know me, know that I am not afraid to talk to people, families who have children with special needs seem to come my way. I already have a hand full of friends in Columbia. I have been communicating with their medical director, Dr. Timothy Fete and he is going to give me the "GRAND" tour of the facility so I'm excited about that. Jeremy will be set with his DVD player going with us and his i-phone that I plan to download him some games.
Address: The Univeristy of Missouri Children's Hospital, 404 Keene Street, Columbia, MO, 65201, you will want to be sure and put Jeremy's room number and I will post it when we get in a room....
1 comment:
Columbia is a great city. My prayers are with you. Kerri B.
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