tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19742877432079509102024-02-20T14:03:56.054-05:00Mia's Miracles...Because there's nothing "hip" about dysplasia !Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-15452537235351806202014-07-29T12:11:00.001-04:002014-07-29T12:11:06.079-04:00I'm SOOO Sorry !!!!!<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;">helloooooooooo my sweet, sweet loves....Team Mia !!!!! </span><i class="_4-k1 img sp_n_dW-yTMlCw sx_324c65" style="background-color: white; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/vx2Xz6h73-j.png); background-position: -54px -954px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 314px 990px; color: #333333; display: inline-block; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; height: 16px; line-height: 20px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;">I am soooooooooooo sorry that I have not done a better job of keeping you updated on the latest and greatest here with Mia. Please forgive me !!!! And, in an effort to explain, I offer two things a) most of what there is to report is both sad and frustrating.... and b ) some days, it's all I can do to keep up with it all. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;">I don't want </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;">you guys worrying....overall, thanks be to God, she's okay. But, every day her fight is pretty much the same.....exhausting. We do have some really good days, and when we do, we spend all of our time enjoying them. As a result of her hip treatments and her ongoing daily pain, Mia has been diagnosed and is being treated for PTSD. Yet another dragon to be slain. Her treatments are going well, thanks be to God, and her nightmares are slowly starting to fade, as well as some of her anxiety, but it is still going to be "a road". Lots of times (we are learning) that with terrible anxiety issues, one can develop stomach trouble. This is where we are now. Her gastro doctor will (more than likely) be calling for an MRI of her stomach to "see what he can see" about these terrible pains she gets which double her over. That's what was mentioned. She goes back to see him next Wednesday, not sure if the MRI will be before or after that appt. Just wishing we could find out what's happening there. So, for an update and outline of what's coming up, we'll see:<br /><br />August 6th - Gastroenterologist<br />Sept. 3rd - Physiatrist<br />Sept. 10th - Pain Management Team<br />Sept. 29th - Orthopaedic Surgeon (follow up)<br /><br />Everyone is trying so hard to get her pain and anxieties under control, but it is hard. We are caught in a terrible cycle, where she needs to go to the doctors to get help, but doing so makes her anxieties worse. We are doing our absolute best to get this done, and believe me when I tell you....Daddy and I will not rest until it is !! She is looking forward to trying to start back to ballet soon, and to starting school !! All next month !!! I'm going to try to scan the pics from her recital several months ago.....they wouldn't let us record it, but I have some pics !! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_n_dW-yTMlCw sx_324c65" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/vx2Xz6h73-j.png); background-position: -54px -954px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 314px 990px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br /><br />We are <b>FOREVER</b> and <b>ETERNALLY</b> grateful for the love, support and prayers that you all give !!!! We <b>NEVER</b> take any of it for granted, and every night we pray for all of you! Each and every night, Mia says the words, "Please, please bless Team Mia! Please bless them as they have blessed us!".....<i>You are covered in prayers and you are loved !!! <span class="_4-k1 img sp_n_dW-yTMlCw sx_627ef5" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/vx2Xz6h73-j.png); background-position: -72px -936px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 314px 990px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></span></i><br /><br />I apologize for the length of this post....'catch up' is never fun, and I will try to do better at keeping you all aware !! When life gets too crazy, please forgive me when I can't keep up. It is NEVER due to a lack of love or appreciation ! We are <b>PROFOUNDLY</b> grateful for each and everyone of <b><i>YOU</i></b>....Mia's Miracles !!!!!! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_n_dW-yTMlCw sx_627ef5" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/vx2Xz6h73-j.png); background-position: -72px -936px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 314px 990px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br /><br />Thank you for never giving up and for loving us through !<br />Please remember us in your prayers !!! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_n_dW-yTMlCw sx_627ef5" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/vx2Xz6h73-j.png); background-position: -72px -936px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 314px 990px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><br />And, please know that you are loved !!! <i class="_4-k1 img sp_n_dW-yTMlCw sx_627ef5" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yK/r/vx2Xz6h73-j.png); background-position: -72px -936px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 314px 990px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i></span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 20px;">With a mother's very, <b><i>VERY</i></b> grateful heart !!!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Mamma <3</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-17225792463783619092013-06-25T11:53:00.000-04:002013-06-25T11:53:01.489-04:00Update 6/24/13Hello Precious Ones !!!!! ;)<br />
Yesterday, Monday (6/24/13) we had a post surgical follow up with Mia's surgeon to discuss her progress ! <br />
Overall, he was pretty pleased with what he found !! There were a couple of things he wasn't quite so thrilled with......but, let's focus on the positive points first !!!! ;)<br />
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1. <b> Her hips are still securely in place !! </b>YAAAY!!! Praising God !!! ;)<br />
2. <b>We have NO signs of subluxation !!!</b> <i>(this is basically a 'slipping' or 'sliding' of the femur within the socket causing a partial dislocation)</i><br />
3. <b>We have NO signs of AVN !!!! </b><i> (AVN is avascular necrosis. It is when the blood supply is hindered and/or lost and so the ball or 'head' of the femur begins to die due to the lack of blood)</i><br />
4. <b>Good range of motion !!! </b><i><b> (</b>pretty self explanatory !!! ;)</i><br />
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All things to be very grateful for !!! ;) This part made us so happy !!!!<br />
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As a rule of thumb, hip dysplasia is measured more or less by the <i>angle</i> of the acetabulum (the hip socket). A normal or good range for the acetabulum is between 18° and 20°.....right now, Mia's left hip is sitting at about 25°, and her right is about 28°. They still need to come down. Mia complains much more about pain in her right side as opposed to her left, and this is part of the reason why. Now, at the same time, we are going to sing some additional praises! To give you an idea of how far, (by the amazing grace of God, and the gifts He gave to her surgeons), she has come and a better picture of how severe her dysplasia was...is....was ;), when we began this journey, Mia's angles on both sides were around 60° !!!!!!!!!! That's pretty ugly !!!! However, we do not ever want to become so 'weighed down' by the road still ahead of us that we forget to give thanks for and celebrate how far we've come !!!! We are extremely grateful !!!!!! <3<br />
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So now, let's cover the things he wasn't so happy about:<br />
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1. <b>Her pain....</b> he was really very concerned with how much she still hurts.....we are still on a regular regimen of pain meds, we believe it is mostly due to #2. <b> her stiffness</b>. The front portion of her pelvis and hips is still very, very tight. Despite a lot of usage, they don't seem to be loosening up. This seemed to concern him a great deal as well. And lastly,<br />
3. <b>her endurance</b>. possibly also caused by #2. \<br />
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Still, there are more positives than negatives, and we're going with those !!!! ;)<br />
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The plan of action......for now, we have a series of physical therapy exercises to do at home (while we straighten out her insurance fiasco, which is just nuts!) and so, we'll do those for the next 6 months to see how she progresses. We will change the game somewhat, and begin to push her a little more, in an effort to build up her endurance. Yeah, we know this is going to be an ugly process. I see many meltdowns coming, so if you see us in a store and you hear the meltdown, it's just us "pushing through". We need to find out if the stiffness can be resolved through exercise and usage or if there is something physically stopping them from loosening. If they do not loosen on their own, we'll have no choice but to go back in surgically to help them. We see Dr. Oswald again on December 23, and we will again reassess her progress and decide how soon another surgery will be needed. As it stands right now, unless we need to go in to resolve this issue (and of course, we pray we don't!) her next surgery will likely be next Summer. Somewhere between ages 5 and 6 (can't believe she'll be 5 in February !!!!! :/ ) This is when they will need to go in and do what they call "fine tuning" the hips to allow for her growth.<br />
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We can't thank you all enough for the love and support you've shown us throughout our journey, and for the love and support you'll continue to show as we push through ! We are so grateful for the gift of each of you, and the light of God's love that you've brought to us. Thank you !!!!!!!! ;) <br />
Team Mia is and always will be the best !!!!!<br />
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While we were there, we made a presentation !! ;) As part of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/onehipworld" target="_blank">One Hip World</a>'s 'Grateful Hips and Hearts' campaign, we presented Dr. Oswald and the Staff of <a href="http://www.mypedsortho.com/" target="_blank">Pediatric Orthopaedic Associates</a> with a certificate of 'love and appreciation' !!!!! ;) Just thanking them for their love and kindness !!!! ;)<br />
Below are some pictures of our visit, as well as Mia with Dr. Oswald and 4 members of the POA staff who received the certificate on behalf of themselves and everyone else !!! We're very blessed with everyone at POA, and we shudder to think what our journey would be like without them !!!!!<br />
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If you'd like a copy of the certificate to present to someone you are grateful for, just email One Hip World at <a href="mailto:onehipworld@yahoo.com">onehipworld@yahoo.com</a> and we'll get you one sent right over !!!! ;)<br />
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Enjoy the pics, thank you for staying with us, thank you for your love and prayers....know that you are loved and prayed for daily, and thank you for choosing to be a Miracle for our Mia !!!! <3<br />
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With a Mamma's grateful heart !!!! xoxoxo<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMadXohzN2u9tbfY66yWttnyQbm7x8zFJs1Nwxfc5dATvfrxh_Q8ahW1R8Ihp71nkvV_7lmCVRNedCCqi56xxTYtvHNd-umvaLyrTEA3wwPlZtXA6eHwfjckJFRIpMIjmkbhZ6lSDFqif6/s1600/IMAG0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMadXohzN2u9tbfY66yWttnyQbm7x8zFJs1Nwxfc5dATvfrxh_Q8ahW1R8Ihp71nkvV_7lmCVRNedCCqi56xxTYtvHNd-umvaLyrTEA3wwPlZtXA6eHwfjckJFRIpMIjmkbhZ6lSDFqif6/s320/IMAG0126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before the exam, when we were still smiling !!! ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loooove this face !!!!! ;)<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yvZcDLoqcyqvsoYPSIHWWnyKdGlBDndAS1uFuV0OursFJcgllc5UsDdiiYeNh_MXsCWYjVZsHJACAUfssdzrScxXscyGnPDKW09Vjz_PTCE4ReLeILrDx0wwK1IDZFe2goJjd2b7ZAiV/s1600/mia+dr+oswald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yvZcDLoqcyqvsoYPSIHWWnyKdGlBDndAS1uFuV0OursFJcgllc5UsDdiiYeNh_MXsCWYjVZsHJACAUfssdzrScxXscyGnPDKW09Vjz_PTCE4ReLeILrDx0wwK1IDZFe2goJjd2b7ZAiV/s320/mia+dr+oswald.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia and the fantastic, Dr. Oswald</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SfznhqgqSNQOTqOKhSBaAkAtU0qHPmUYl4-ujJympG1aqmA1EglBbKTneiUL5XVP5WGCIr6Tt50r2PHhT6oP3TUToOvyA3mH8kChcbATepZ8NDR4jSOW-zhyphenhyphenRAxapHU-lbdmdFjiX3-N/s1600/POA+staff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SfznhqgqSNQOTqOKhSBaAkAtU0qHPmUYl4-ujJympG1aqmA1EglBbKTneiUL5XVP5WGCIr6Tt50r2PHhT6oP3TUToOvyA3mH8kChcbATepZ8NDR4jSOW-zhyphenhyphenRAxapHU-lbdmdFjiX3-N/s320/POA+staff.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Tracee, Ms. Dorothy, Ms. Theresa & Ms. Lynn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX9bUoe3fCwimIdMgF0HVQgS-yrRVB0dksipuJBUJaRS0w9-EH-S7VQeXFIBzeNCkx5gZklfHNBAmAc8x6QVmo4rEQBu1BvK1a_o0f7ew0vDs_gS8yOSaSKkzg8he_ihNPH9n1DgIBO6A/s1600/certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX9bUoe3fCwimIdMgF0HVQgS-yrRVB0dksipuJBUJaRS0w9-EH-S7VQeXFIBzeNCkx5gZklfHNBAmAc8x6QVmo4rEQBu1BvK1a_o0f7ew0vDs_gS8yOSaSKkzg8he_ihNPH9n1DgIBO6A/s400/certificate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The One Hip World 'Grateful Hips and Hearts' Certificate</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-13650520336965950112013-05-14T10:42:00.000-04:002013-05-14T10:42:53.123-04:00One step at a time.....Just a little update.....I promised to try to do better at keeping her blog updated, although, there really isn't anything new or exciting happening.....but, I have to believe in my heart that we are moving forward.<br />
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Every day, we continue to battle pain and "phantom" fevers....we've done lab after lab, and while some things come back "abnormal", nothing seems to give us any clear cut answers. Some days are better than others....she has really good days, where she walks, run, jumps and plays....and, you can't imagine how it warms my heart to watch her do so. The downside is that those days always come at a price. Within hours, her pain is.....almost consuming. Fevers always seem to follow suit. Her pain/fever reducing meds help, but, not for long. They are a "band-aid" we use....it helps the symptoms, but we are praying to eliminate the cause. Rheumatology still sits as a "maybe"....and so, the circle continues. <br />Yesterday, she woke up feeling pain, and looking more pale than usual, and a couple of times, she said she was dizzy. When we took her for her blood work around 1:30 or so, I noticed she felt warm. I had no thermometer to check her, and she had no other symptoms other than the pain. She was amazingly brave and strong, and didn't shed a tear as they stuck her. We did our usual mantra...."What do we say, Mia?"...."No Fear, Mamma!"...."that's right, baby....why are we not afraid?"...."Because, Jesus is with me!".....;) If nothing else, she knows the most important one to turn to....in times of joy, times of pain, times of celebration and times of fear. This alone comforts my "mother's heart"...<br />
Within 5 minutes of completing the blood draw, she started to look strange....next thing I knew, she had vomited all over herself, Daddy, the tech, the floor....just everywhere.....more color drained from her face....we get her settled, and her little legs were so wobbly, she couldn't stand. Was it the blood draw ?? the fever ??? the pain ??? Truthfully, we don't know !! After a few hours, she seemed better....was a little relieved the pediatrician didn't call back...would have felt silly saying "she's ok now"....still we need to find out why these things keep happening, and so randomly. She slept well last night, and today seems...well, what has become more the norm, for her. <br /><br />I know and believe in my heart that we will get her through this.....we will find answers, and we will continue to fight until we do !! As we all heard and learned in my last post....we fully intend to "Finish the Drill"!!!! ;)<br /><br />Please continue to pray for Mia and for her doctors and all who love and look after her......pray for our strength, courage, faith, determination, healing and comfort while we seek answers. And know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that Team Mia is prayed for daily !!!!! ;)<br /><br />Thank you, for loving us through it all......and thank you, thank you, thank you for choosing to be a miracle for our Mia, and know that we will not give up on our fight....we'll continue to take it, one step at a time !!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />We love you all !!!!<br />
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With a Mamma's very grateful heart,<br />
~ <3 Gina <3 ~<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday, May 12, 2013 - Mother's Day....feeding the goats at Southern Belle Farms, McDonough</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking some fresh strawberries at the farm ! We had to sit, "just for a while, Mamma" this child is my heart !!! </td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-28016061151665876412013-04-30T20:52:00.000-04:002013-04-30T20:52:06.734-04:00Live life, have faith and “FINISH THE DRILL!”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You might want to grab a cup of coffee….this post is going
to “take a minute”… ;)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Soooo….who’s mad at me for not updating ??!! [hanging my head
in shame.] I’m sorry…I truly am. I have been a little overwhelmed, as we have
been dealing with a series of….not really “setbacks” so much as problematic “snags”. For the past several months, Mia has been
contending with an unexplained increase in pain as well as random high
fevers. When she has a ‘flare up’, she
spends about a week in bed until it passes.
We are working closely with her pediatrician, her surgeon and now a
rheumatologist to get some answers. We
are trying to figure out if it is related to her hip dysplasia. We are blessed to have these people as well as
all of you on our “team”….Team Mia. And,
do not worry, God is in control, and I promise to do better at keeping her blog
updated with what we find !!! ;) Never for a moment am I ever NOT grateful for
your love and prayers! We all are. ;)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, while we are on the subject of “teams”, I want very much to share
something with all of you.</div>
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Here in the USA, American football is very big….REALLY big….particularly on the
College level. I am not pointing any
fingers, since I myself have a love for the game. I grew up in a football family….my Dad
coached, my brothers played, my Mom gave of her time/talents as a team Mom, and
I cheered. I have a respect for team
sports which my Dad shared with us…many things you need for life can be learned
in playing a team sport. Things like
teamwork, respect for authority, determination, perseverance, endurance,
humility. (Yes, humility….take a string
of losses and it will save you from an ego swell! Haha)
So, while I’ve never actually played the game, I ‘get it’, I love it, I watch
it, I learn from it! And, while neither my husband, nor I ever attended the
University of Georgia, we are very much “Dawg” fans…both my Michael and I have
family members who have graduated from UGA, and…well, once a GA family, always
a GA family !!! ;)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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While I have followed GA football for many years, and I have
always had a healthy respect for past players and Coaches….I have a confession….none
have touched my heart as much as our current Coach, Mark Richt has. I have not met him personally, but I have yet
to hear from anyone who has met him that he is anything other than a genuinely
good man. I think it is probably his
courage to share his faith that first made me pay attention when he
talked. With his permission, I want to share with you
3 little words, with 1 BIG message! “FINISH
THE DRILL”. These are the words God gave
Coach Richt to use to motivate his players and the other students….little did
he know that God would use him and his words to motivate many others beyond the
football field. Myself included. When I first heard those words, “Finish the
Drill”, I had just begun a personal battle to lose weight. (they helped and I did….but, that’s another
story for another day !! haha) That
phrase resonated within me. “Finish the
Drill”. When Mia was diagnosed with her
hip dysplasia, again they surfaced, and in my heart I heard, “finish the drill”. We were given a brand new “drill”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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By its definition, a “drill”
is (according to the online dictionary), “A task or exercise for teaching a skill
or procedure by repetition.” And, here’s
the important, critical thing….in order for a drill to be effective, you must
have a GOAL !!! What is your goal? What are you working towards? <o:p></o:p></div>
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My earthly goal is simple.
To have a happy, healthy little girl who can live, love and enjoy her
life while glorifying God through it.
For me to reach my goal it will take many drills to build my faith and
to teach my Mia. And, in His infinite
wisdom, God will allow me (and you!) to do it again and again and again until
we get it right, and it becomes a part of our very nature. I’m grateful for this! So, so grateful. </div>
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On the surface, drills can sometimes seem pointless…and, they are exhausting! However,
a specific drill is used in a specific situation to develop a specific
attribute or ability. A drill done hard
enough and long enough will rock you to your core, and make you reach into a
place deep within your heart and soul to find the strength to finish it. (Football
players everywhere are shaking their heads in agreement right now! hahaha…”death crawl”, guys ???!! hahaha )
Drills can lift you up, and take you to a higher place if you let them. That is what they are designed to do! That is their purpose! They ‘invade’ you, they permeate your being,
mold you and push you to greatness. </div>
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And,
let’s face it, the old adage is true, ‘anything worth having is worth working
for.’</div>
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“Finish the Drill” means, knowing what (and who) you are fighting for and not
losing sight of that. Despite how tired
you may get….how many ‘blows’ you may take…how many setbacks you may have. You must start strong, stay strong, and
finish STRONG! And, you can do this,
because He promises to do it with you!
He, God, is our Coach. He will
lead us and guide us, encourage us and push us, because in the end that is what
a good Coach does, but more importantly it is what a loving Father does. He hand- picked each of our drills…knowing
the best one to develop in us what we would need to accomplish our goal. He has picked yours too. Whatever your “field of battle” may be….whether
its hip dysplasia, some other illness, an addiction, a hurting heart….He
knows. I promise you, He knows. And, He is with you, always! Will it be easy? No.
Will you get tired? Yes. Will you
want to give up? Absolutely!….. Will it be worth it? YES!!!!</div>
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I found an article recently, where Coach Richt talks about his job, and he is
quoted as having said, <i>“…I couldn’t do
this job without His [God’s] strength, power, and wisdom. We all have a
limitation to our knowledge and our strength, our stamina—whatever it is, we
all have limits. Once we hit the limit, if we have nowhere to turn, that’s when
we have despair and depression. But if we know God is there for us and we are
connected to his power, we can keep going.</i>” This statement is true in coaching… true in
football....true in every, single aspect of life. If God didn’t believe you could do it, He
never would have chosen you for the job.
He does not ever set you up to fail.
He says, “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came
so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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The field of hip dysplasia is an ugly place. Particularly here in the last few weeks, it
has felt especially rough.
Unfortunately, we have new people, new children taking the field for the
first time, just beginning their fight.
We have some who are deep within the 4<sup>th</sup> quarter. Others, like ourselves, are praying and
waiting to hear the buzzer to signal that we’ve at least made it to half
time. And, as I look around at my
teammates, many of them are beaten and bruised.
They are weary, and frustrated. And,
we are all so very tired. So now, NOW is
the time for you to reach within. Now is
the time for you to dig deep and find within yourself the courage to
continue. As one of my most favorite
lines from one of my most favorite movies says, “…it’s all heart from here”. (Facing the Giants….if you haven’t seen it,
check it out, and you will LOVE this scene !!!)
Make the choice! Choose to
fight! Choose to keep going! In time, you will win!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Know that throughout your battle, God will pick drills
especially for you, yes, and sometimes, you will win….sometimes you will
lose. How many W’s or L’s you have aren’t
nearly as important as the amount of heart with which you fought, the experiences
you drew from having fought, and the people you touched along the way. He will also give you incredible teammates,
people who share the same ‘field’…those who will fight with you. Just remember to look around….. You’re not
alone….not only are there teammates for you to rely on….there are many who are
cheering you on, and your heavenly “Coach” and Father will never let you down!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Whatever the battle, fight hard and fight smart! </div>
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Remember to:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Protect your mind</i>….do not allow things like doubt, fear and anxiety to take root
and set up residence. They will deter
you from your goal, and interrupt your drill. <b>
Exercise your knowledge!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Protect your words</i>…..words have power!
What you say, you will bring in to existence! If you say you “can’t”, then, you “won’t”….it
really is that simple. Choose to stay
positive. <b> Exercise your will!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Protect your heart</i>….safeguard against despair and depression. They have no place in a fighter like you. <b>Exercise your hope!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And, <i>protect your Spirit</i>…..it is where God dwells with you, and in you, and through
you. <b> Exercise your love!</b></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I want to thank Coach Richt for allowing me to share his ‘motto’
with all of you. I am grateful for the
encouragement and strength I have received from them, and since they are words
which I believe have been inspired by God, I hope that you will find in them
the strength you need to look deep within and find whatever tools you may need
in your personal battle.</div>
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When you get tired….when you feel you can’t take another
step…when you feel that you are losing hope, remember…..I believe in you….I
believe in the one who made you….I know you can do it !!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, go….live life….have faith…….and FINISH THE DRILL !!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, and lest we forget…….GO DAWGS
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)</span></div>
</span><br />
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With a Mamma's grateful heart,<br />~Gina</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-67316843872032235382012-11-07T13:48:00.000-05:002012-11-07T13:48:17.291-05:00Love & Hope the Hip Hippo !!Greetings one and all !!!! ;)<br /><br />
I owe everyone such an apology for not having updated Mia's blog !!! I do apologize !!!!<br />
Mia had her second surgery back in March, and well....the honest to goodness truth of it, is that her second surgery was just sooo ugly, that I really couldn't make myself write about it. Now, after much prayer and having plunged myself into several others projects, it's better. It doesn't upset me as much, mostly because I see my blessings. I'm choosing to focus on those !! So, a condensed version of her second surgery (and, <i>pleeeease </i>use this information to make yourself aware of what is out there, I believe knowledge is power, even if the knowledge is scary, and ugly !!...but, whatever you do, please <b>do NOT</b> think or assume that what went on with Mia is what will happen with your little one !!!!!!!!!! Every child and every ddh is unique, and Mia's case just happens to be one of the more severe.) <br />
Before I share, I will tell you that Mia is doing AMAZING !!!!!!! ;)<br />
Her second surgery caught us all off guard. The time in between surgeries, while not long (and she was pretty much immobile), proved problematic, because it gave her left femur time to "drift" farther up. By surgery time, her left femur was well up under her ribs. Apparently, you (the surgeon) only has so many 'chances' to get the hip in, before it is rendered pretty much useless. Our amazing surgeon spent those quickly. He was then faced with a choice....leave her hip out permanently, or "take out her left leg"....after much soul searching, he made the VERY difficult choice to take out her left leg, because he truly felt in his heart that doing so would be temporary, and would prove best for her over-all quality of life. To "take out her left leg", meant that he paralyzed her. I saw the pain in his eyes as he explained it to us....I knew how hard this choice was for him...but, I also knew that my baby was paralyzed. A lot to process. He warned us the paralysis could take years to go away.....GOD IS AWESOME, and on day 6 post-surgery, Mia moved her big toe !! Today, Mia's paralysis is 100% gone !! ;) While we were still processing the paralysis, we jump to day 2 post surgery....this is when Mia began to 'crash'....all of her vitals were just.....well, she was in real trouble !! They called for an immediate transfusion to save her.....after tears, praying, biting fingers nails, (and I think, quite truthfully I may even have been physically sick) she responded to the transfusion, and recovered. Near death will definitely put perspective on paralysis....I remember thinking..."just save her....I don't care if she can't walk....I need her here with me....just leave her with me!"....we knew surgery ran risks....all surgery does....we are just so grateful.....so..soooo grateful that surgery #3 (technically it was her 3rd, since her 2nd was a cast change/arthrogram) is behind us....so grateful that Mia is back to walking, running, jumping, playing and dancing....so grateful for so much !!! We consider that surgery a great success. Yes, her legs are still different lengths, and always will be....yes, she still walks with a "swag" and a little limp....yes, she still has pain....however.....the pain is soooooooooo much better than where it was, as are the swag and limp !! She's getting there, and she'll be better than ever !!!! We take her back into surgery in February to remove the metal in both legs....then another surgery for 'tweaking' a year after. Hip dysplasia is not quick run....it is in fact a 'marathon', and you must pace yourself taking one step at a time !!! ;)<br />
One of the projects I have poured myself into as my way of working through things is the new book. I firmly believe that all of the anger and frustration I was feeling needed to be channeled....it needed to be put to some good use so that it didn't not consume me or my family. What better way than to channel all of it back onto hip dysplasia !!! Let's take all the ugly and use it for something good and positive !!! Let's help other Mom/Dads & little ones be a little less afraid of the road ahead....let's make a road sign....let's help point the way.....let's spread some hope..... ;)<br />And, so....after almost a year, Hope, the hip hippo was born !!! ;) She is a sweet little hippo, around 3 or so, so very much a toddler, who is diagnosed with hip dysplasia. The book takes her through her diagnosis, surgery, casting and recovery and I am so proud to say has been very well received !!!! To hear how Hope is helping to explain things to the little ones....help Moms & Dads understand what they may be up against, as well as help siblings and other children understand better what some go through....well, I am just amazed !! Within 2 weeks of her release, she jumped to #3 on the publisher's best sellers list, was #1 on 'Amazon's Hot New Releases' in both of her categories, and was in the top 10 of Amazon's Best Seller's list in her categories.....I tell you this not because it has anything to do with me.....I tell you so that you can see how much of a need there is for hope against hip dysplasia !! I am thrilled that HOPE is filling such a void, but I am heartbroken to realize how long that void has been there, and how many need her. <br />I have to say to my "partner in crime", Julie, that without her, Hope never would have happened !!! And, without our dear friend, Cherie Turner, HOPE wouldn't have come to life !! She drew her perfectly and I fell in love with her face, immediately !!!! lol.....most importantly, God. Without God and his grace, HOPE couldn't have been born. God is the source of all hope.....and He, himself wanted this book done. It is His idea....his words...and He has brought her to fruition. He touches people through her (HOPE), and I am just so privileged that he gave me the grace to not be consumed by that "poor me" feeling that I had....and that, He allowed me to play a small role in HOPE's being !!!! ;)<br />
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Here is the link, if you would like to purchase Hope, the hip hippo.....this link goes to our publisher's site, but please, please know (especially if you are international) that Hope is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble !!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000006629335/?fb_comment_id=fbc_288511827920868_1278479_288621014576616#f253aa119c" target="_blank">Hope the Hip Hippo</a></div>
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Aside from what is needed for marketing/advertising type blah, blah, blah.....all proceeds from the sale of HOPE go to the:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2avS6lq5LswDed9A29zkwGvvIoxoTZxdDbUBS00ezrvJy6UQSyCjVNK14HKFg50Q7e-4l2BYr49873Q997RNUNrVUe4EV6d3KBZDGAFK77J6Jn8EhsA4ClpJ0P1V4MYSL1CuusFENqB_D/s1600/IHDI+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2avS6lq5LswDed9A29zkwGvvIoxoTZxdDbUBS00ezrvJy6UQSyCjVNK14HKFg50Q7e-4l2BYr49873Q997RNUNrVUe4EV6d3KBZDGAFK77J6Jn8EhsA4ClpJ0P1V4MYSL1CuusFENqB_D/s320/IHDI+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Purchasing HOPE directly benefits those with hip dysplasia by helping to fund further research and spread awareness !!!!!!!!!!! ;)</div>
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God bless you, each and all....you are always in our heart & prayers....and we are so grateful to you for choosing to be a miracle for our Mia !!!!!</div>
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With a Mommy's grateful and humbled heart,</div>
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xoxoxoxo</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-72911271366154642592012-02-22T15:39:00.000-05:002012-02-22T15:39:17.478-05:00One Hip World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaJ5lgBDJlZwuv0tKN8NzV3EkstXnFj1BsSXvW4yxZIEnUbc5Sy7H4Fl7bH8ds7G-uIlKefIp4hMGzi8zVx14AreedJOZtMcCY29Wpo0rOwhNozAo_pN42Pec24SQvW9NnjAgoOYdQLu2/s1600/ohwlogo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaJ5lgBDJlZwuv0tKN8NzV3EkstXnFj1BsSXvW4yxZIEnUbc5Sy7H4Fl7bH8ds7G-uIlKefIp4hMGzi8zVx14AreedJOZtMcCY29Wpo0rOwhNozAo_pN42Pec24SQvW9NnjAgoOYdQLu2/s400/ohwlogo3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>We are so happy and proud to be able to be a part of this event and in making a difference in the lives of these children and all those who suffer (and suffer, they do!!!) with hip dysplasia !!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
One Hip World is a world wide day of fundraising to take place before, but preferably on <br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">JUNE 30, 2012</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"> !!</span><br />
The idea is for YOU...WHEREVER you are in the world, to hold a fundraiser of your choosing, be it a bake sale, book sale, auction, bike ride, 5K walk/run, etc....and then take a picture of you and your 'team' with the check before you send it directly to:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
The International Hip Dysplasia Institute<br />
83 W. Columbia St. <br />
Orlando, Florida 32806 <br />
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Because the International Hip Dysplasia Institute is a Non-Profit 501 (c) 3, your donations are tax deductible, and 100% of the money raised goes towards furthering research and education on hip dysplasia !! ;)<br />
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We wish to thank Larry the Cable Guy and his Git-R-Done Foundation for their support of us in this world-wide endeavor to make a difference !!!!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.gitrdonefoundation.org/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoIPwLNGzTgGgxscYOwYSpGRXcB6FTHOtPdJa02gUIGdRqMmtSnhlVUeRQjouPb2vHj4PFIOgskY1PYEpZbjHq6lFy5-saaJVJC8rui-WLtMwEE5z97BxWRZUCRyW-UUWwfykZLnoih4K/s1600/gitrdone.png" /> Git-R-Done Foundation </a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Together, we can STAND FIRM as we band together to have HEALTHY HIPS 4 LIFE !!!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>For more information, please email: <a href="mailto:onehipworld@yahoo.com">onehipworld@yahoo.com</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
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</b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Hip-World/335411113159784" target="_blank">One Hip World</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3f3fzCekdCjb5FwO-3p42PK-pu45O7Pno57AwOuwm280ZINbnaZmGQIiaE9pqY8UOeQPdCclVFNDfqfrOuX25RXAFuX5OKUE1mlTuwnwUYMshLhtBdDSXJ9rGPtfeEAp2bTYijCa8kLCD/s200/facebook-web-traffic.png" width="200" /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>or visit One Hip world on Facebook !! </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>All proceeds go to the:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.hipdysplasia.org/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0BD28-zcv15L02rIiny3Rrs-6Xp7mqC9MqPFMUzlP3Qw0pmq7gLXeyEfRf2SY-rVk5HIFU_tRcZ-1w4_2s2KZiMhDhH0O5hcMjcerBcJg27FbAaA_aX2-mrq2E-YbqwG1421XKAhpoEE/s320/IHDIlogo.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.hipdysplasia.org/" target="_blank"></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Always with my heart,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mamma !! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-RmQkDpWGZhseLbgPvDkn633go42PtD3_tYdriQmP4f_3qOdzxXTnhH2HvU3SpaQWTeNwrlQ6a5bs8w-px8cXCYZuinnf3-sfN59EopB_pWzv1Ssj-t8pfDPQz3pZ6LLheAndn0GfsR4/s1600/ohwlogo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-RmQkDpWGZhseLbgPvDkn633go42PtD3_tYdriQmP4f_3qOdzxXTnhH2HvU3SpaQWTeNwrlQ6a5bs8w-px8cXCYZuinnf3-sfN59EopB_pWzv1Ssj-t8pfDPQz3pZ6LLheAndn0GfsR4/s400/ohwlogo5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-87655994008054649622011-11-17T01:42:00.000-05:002011-11-17T01:42:08.984-05:00Enjoying the break...Wow !! I can not believe it has been almost a month since I last blogged !!!! Shame on me !!! I'm so sorry !!!! It's amazing how one day just sort of rolls into the next, and before you realize it, a month is gone !! I also can't believe that Mia has been out of her cast for a month !!! Truth of the matter is....we are really enjoying this break !! Mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally...you name it, we needed it ! Life without a cast is so much better !!! She is loving the freedom !! I wish I could make her understand that the more she uses it, the more it will hurt, but, she is 2 and what can ya do? During the day, she is all over the place !! We didn't expect her to crawl, walk or do much of anything for at least a year. However, our girl (who continues to amaze me daily!) moved her legs as soon as the cast came off! She insisted I put her pants on (didn't expect her to be able to close her legs enough for that), and when asked if she wanted to ride home laying down (her usual casted position) or ride sitting up, she said, "sitting up!!!". And so she did. 4 hours out of the cast, she looked at Daddy and said, "I want to stand". And, so she did. The next day, she announced, "Mamma, I want to crawl"...and, so she did. Her spirit, determination and 'can do' attitude just amaze me !! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm56nGpszEqAUhw35yTkC804T6R4YiQl7zVqZTGQn3o7cDcCSqxY2PTebVAycMESLFFc2uk4Hit963JoummEq5bwTXr-s39JlRkJiYFiug52_EM6fFsAXAqKUBAI_ZJN9H1KmhqC-aT0C/s1600/standing+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm56nGpszEqAUhw35yTkC804T6R4YiQl7zVqZTGQn3o7cDcCSqxY2PTebVAycMESLFFc2uk4Hit963JoummEq5bwTXr-s39JlRkJiYFiug52_EM6fFsAXAqKUBAI_ZJN9H1KmhqC-aT0C/s200/standing+3.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ1S8x4dbQQPVY0QR-CXd_2dCp9L4-8cWsS9SFp7pUwBK7xoJMLcmhSoZSPcGWFlmT5gW31ZD-e8gprctVN9L5YS6lTZybRcRZqAGB1mt2jal7p_HJUNzY28xQoA14q4QM_zQoeFFemQa/s1600/standing+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ1S8x4dbQQPVY0QR-CXd_2dCp9L4-8cWsS9SFp7pUwBK7xoJMLcmhSoZSPcGWFlmT5gW31ZD-e8gprctVN9L5YS6lTZybRcRZqAGB1mt2jal7p_HJUNzY28xQoA14q4QM_zQoeFFemQa/s200/standing+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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Standing up, testing out the new hip just hours after having the cast removed. ;)<br />
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Her new favorite thing to do, is to hold your hands, so that you can help her walk. I have no doubt that before long, she will be letting go, and doing it on her own. She's already trying. Only one thing stops her. The pain. Unfortunately, her nights are usually still pretty 'ugly'. Using her legs so much during the day, brings on some horrible pain at night. In turn, the pain will usually trigger a night terror or nightmare of some kind, and so our old routine continues. I do, however, believe we are making progress !! When she does have a good night, it's GREAT !! She sleeps straight through 10-12 hours or so. We are going longer and longer between pain med doses...and overall, during the day she seems happier !! Much happier !! Now, if we can get the nights to get in line, all would be good !!<br />
We are looking forward to holidays, particularly since we know we won't have to deal with casts or surgeries...and we'll even get to spend her birthday (in Feb.) without them as well !!! <br />
We see "the amazing" Dr. Heflin again on Jan. 23rd, to discuss the next surgery, which will be sometime at the beginning of March....but, you know what ?? We 're not going to think about that right now !!! We will cross that bridge when we have to, and for now....we are just going to continue to enjoy the break !!!!!<br />
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Here is a little video scrapbook I made of Surgery #1...I apologize for it's length...trying to get 3 1/2 mos. down to 8 minutes was tough !! haha...and I'm sorry that I couldn't include everything...we have been so amazingly showered with love throughout this ordeal, that I could not possibly include it all....but this will give you a pretty good idea of that love and of what we call "Team Mia" !! ;)<br />
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We love and appreciate each and everyone of you !!!!! We are blessed beyond words and beyond measure !!!! And, we are so proud to call all of you our friends !!!<br />
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Thank you for all that you are, for all that you do...and, for just being you !!!!<br />
And, thank you for being a miracle for our Mia !!!!<br />
With a Mommy's heart,<br />
xoxoxoxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-47444137409201434682011-10-19T01:33:00.000-04:002011-10-19T01:33:39.965-04:00A "complete" song....This week's lesson....in life, in order to have a "complete" song...you must have both 'high' notes, <i>and</i> 'low' notes.<br />
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All 'high notes', and you get a sound that can almost begin to hurt your ears. You just can't sustain that for long. You need to be able to settle back down. All 'low notes', and the song gets dismal, dreary, and to me just stagnant. You feel as if it "isn't going anywhere". It just doesn't do much to lighten your spirit. If you're really lucky, you get the beautiful sound in between the highs and lows...known as the 'melody'...the thing that carries you through. I believe that the highs are meant to 'enhance'...the lows are meant to be your foundation, to learn from and build on. And, the melody is really just the "whole point"!<br />
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Our 'highs' come in forms such as that amazing weekend with our Il Volo family, which, I just wrote about in the last post. They also come from each of "Mia's Miracles", of which, you are one.<br />
Our 'lows' come way too often in the form of pain and suffering for our Mia.<br />
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Nights like tonight are a low. 8 weeks out of surgery...8 weeks in this horrible body cast, and still her spasms and pain are unrelenting. I sit for hours and rub her little leg. I watch her as she wiggles and moans in pain. "Are you ok, Mia ?"..."what can Mamma do?"...."just rub me" says her little voice. "Just stay with me and rub me." And, so I do. Willingly. Gladly. Anything to ease her pain. Anything to see her smile. There were no smiles tonight, just pain and sadness. As she lay there clutching her "Ignazio" pillow in one hand, and her "Goofy" doll in the other, I watched as she began to relax and doze off, and, my heart ached. Please don't misunderstand me here. We, as parents (and every parent I have spoken with whose child has hip dysplasia has said the same thing!) in the grand scheme of things, we are very, very VERY grateful. We are wise enough to know our blessings. When it comes to what is wrong with our children, we are grateful that it is, so called, "structural" and can be fixed !!! And, we, I, thank God everyday for that !!! The problem is that the 'uncertainty', the 'fear', the 'pain', the 'suffering'... they are all very, very real. I want so badly to take this from my Mia and do this for her, I could die. I would die. For her, absolutely. <br />
However, I can't....and right now, I, Daddy, and each of you have the amazing privilege of being her 'melody'. The thing that carries her through.<br />
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One day, she will be strong enough to sing her own melody, and, while your 'part' may change, you will always have a role to play, and we will always be so grateful and blessed that each of you have chosen to be part of Mia's song.<br />
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When you aren't strong enough to be your own 'melody', I believe God gives you those you'll need to help carry you through. I also believe that you always have that choice for others. You can <i>choose</i> whether or not to be someone's melody, and carry them through. You can <i>choose</i> the part you will play in their life. A 'high', a 'low', or a 'melody'. "Enhance" , make "dreary", or "carry them through"...always yours to decide. <br />
Each day, new songs....new opportunities.<br />
The fact that you are here is no accident. You <i>chose</i> to click on her link. You <i>chose</i> to visit this blog. By doing so, you chose to be part of her song. And, your music warms our hearts.<br />
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I made this page to share Mia's journey with you. Sometimes we celebrate. Sometimes we cry. <br />
But, all of it, we do together !!! In perfect harmony.<br />
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With a Mommy's "singing with gratefulness" heart,<br />
xoxoxoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-8580947323340803072011-10-15T13:04:00.000-04:002011-10-15T13:04:03.911-04:00A true 'high note'....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVAdZrFMoX1vyvuqSuHa5R7-SEg62wC9bXESYO9cz_HhxaoZw1RBJLeOgUevaasGV45S2RxBS3qhf6U7k8qrFasmUmB2cPZdzv5x5GPYvhL0x5KTy3P4k7m7VDO7j2lA_xE4mF9jLj8uL/s1600/musicnoters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVAdZrFMoX1vyvuqSuHa5R7-SEg62wC9bXESYO9cz_HhxaoZw1RBJLeOgUevaasGV45S2RxBS3qhf6U7k8qrFasmUmB2cPZdzv5x5GPYvhL0x5KTy3P4k7m7VDO7j2lA_xE4mF9jLj8uL/s320/musicnoters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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A few posts ago, you read all about our Mia's great love, Il Volo !! I talked of their amazing talent, their gentle hearts, and their kind and loving souls. This past weekend (Oct.9, 2011), thanks to our dear friends Linda, Annamaria & EMI Vision we had the astonishing gift of being able to attend their concert in Melbourne, FL !!!<br />
At every concert on their North American tour, Ignazio, Gianluca & Piero have dedicated the concert to Mia. They have shown the most beautiful video of her, their "biggest fan", and the world watches as our girl sings and dances with "her boys". The video was done about a month before her first surgery, and everytime I see her standing and dancing, it warms my heart. I know we will get her back to that point one day, and it gives me hope! After they play the video, Gianluca says, "and, now, Mia, you must be strong and get well." Piero chimes in with "one day your wings will be strong enough and you will fly to us." And, Ignazio, with his tender heart always looks so choked up, and begins the Elvis Presley song "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You"...a song they have no way of knowing has always been my favorite Elvis song. And, so the three of them sing to her.<br />
At the concert this past weekend, it was so nice to hear Ignazio say, "our Mia is here"...and Piero say, "finally your wings are strong enough, you fly to us". They held her, they kissed her, and they took her heart on an incredible flight !!! Here, I'll let you watch.....<br />
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I know. Simply amazing.<br />
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For a brief period, Mia completely forgot her pain. She forgot her cast. She forgot all of the ugliness that this whole ordeal has given her. And, with every ounce of her being....she laughed, she clapped, she sang, and she danced.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/F9kGIDFVTfA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">You cannot imagine how much I have missed seeing her like this !!!!!</div><br />
How do you begin to thank Il Volo for the way that they love her? <br />
How do you begin to show your appreciation for this gift ???<br />
Ignazio, Gianluca & Piero are loved by us for many reasons, but the way they have taken her as their own, worried about her, prayed for her and loved her completely is quite simply, God himself.<br />
These boys are Mia's heroes. Particularly, her Ignazio. I do not know if even they realize how, they give her hope. She draws strength from their love, and they do something for her that I, Daddy and others couldn't at the time....through all of her pain, they made her smile. I watch her as she watches them, and I am amazed. Such, a tremendous love from such a little heart. <br />
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Both Daddy and I are so grateful to Il Volo...to their families...to their managers...their production companies...to their fans, and, everyone associated with them !!! They immediately opened their arms, and welcomed us to their family !!!<br />
We will carry you all in our hearts !! <3 <3 <3<br />
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A few pictures for you, so that you can share this moment with our Mia.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa_sHyuS7tuf90c3bwBus2jj-Zyf46UwajGkLO_mbLlYaAVzkTD0TwkfT_FZEq-sTZ6YaLFZ9_6PW9q-z3T44kiVAssVeiYH9ykmd8UerrFi9wG4XS9ogUj3C3F3ZQ-LA_fLkcPYzpHSV/s1600/daddy%2526mia+concert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa_sHyuS7tuf90c3bwBus2jj-Zyf46UwajGkLO_mbLlYaAVzkTD0TwkfT_FZEq-sTZ6YaLFZ9_6PW9q-z3T44kiVAssVeiYH9ykmd8UerrFi9wG4XS9ogUj3C3F3ZQ-LA_fLkcPYzpHSV/s200/daddy%2526mia+concert.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXdT5Tgic6RaDDHTORWyvyLS6pU5XZCi4EXPL3rWTBeQ7-z0-dYSaJQLAIxmRv7pMpKwspR6McnETR_X8Z0HHaHn0IpoEiAOzU-ehLqe-h6fUaXJZLPSJDmT3N50SbsO-sOT_aj_BNcMZ/s1600/mia%2526mommyconcert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXdT5Tgic6RaDDHTORWyvyLS6pU5XZCi4EXPL3rWTBeQ7-z0-dYSaJQLAIxmRv7pMpKwspR6McnETR_X8Z0HHaHn0IpoEiAOzU-ehLqe-h6fUaXJZLPSJDmT3N50SbsO-sOT_aj_BNcMZ/s200/mia%2526mommyconcert.jpg" width="200" /></a>left: Mia & Mommy before the concert. right: Daddy & Mia after.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfifz06Rc2exCaRU6CX69o25KmmBouAILitFwg2HrCknsi6IM_g2apnDgMbnaSKrr1vm-_IyT_vPJxc5OoLRDBg_wkTCTCNwP033ZUIKwV9_fAUnC17XEmrInf6TYGNZkj1AwoJZa7jY6z/s1600/mia+%2526+her+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfifz06Rc2exCaRU6CX69o25KmmBouAILitFwg2HrCknsi6IM_g2apnDgMbnaSKrr1vm-_IyT_vPJxc5OoLRDBg_wkTCTCNwP033ZUIKwV9_fAUnC17XEmrInf6TYGNZkj1AwoJZa7jY6z/s320/mia+%2526+her+boys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47MyWpQdstnYfh_DnCajf-LfQXj4jqIuyT4E_6bjrL2xfj-jcRyhYXgc0IkWlWVx7Yjaw6oLYiRrhqPCm1jcuh5N1LbuBw-mNADLzYXYjD_fhlhzdBCuhDWxO_R1fIy8DaZ2LAB0OWLgs/s320/PA090004.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtJUdGYOvgpZJdbsV6L36yaKD7BwRz7ByzMaykqJUgyai_9uEWEVR1cmt2skOWuj6_7chRlMmLy_fODoTDGxkataXTtqK4Va0xC3Ncyun9dAklMRO5aM0hiHys1sCVAmtznIufoxv8dFB/s320/PA090005.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMfpvcZK8OFynufkrwVxUVI9cjIvD5cAoZUQbMJ9cTLPmiqMTO0UQWbdFVj8aAJdrZow6ZEbryR5yjrlhjJ4MAX-JPUloxAVq4jsOSY_MP_wcWyILRjf5tdI8vQ4MUpuhSvXU19fCPBXx/s1600/mia%2526ignazio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMfpvcZK8OFynufkrwVxUVI9cjIvD5cAoZUQbMJ9cTLPmiqMTO0UQWbdFVj8aAJdrZow6ZEbryR5yjrlhjJ4MAX-JPUloxAVq4jsOSY_MP_wcWyILRjf5tdI8vQ4MUpuhSvXU19fCPBXx/s320/mia%2526ignazio.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGf0Jb5ATA2bw3vdnHCYvjLcMMxYeHe-8y033ISOELIA5mmrdAJbE92ELASr38dbg95SYbQTm2ICjNHLbfTfxqf-5_w3cJL6FXZLZOYGvim7tFqE3bdZ0m0yrcWPW_dta2cNcDLAUgVniL/s320/DSC01714.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8ekQsXamWvZ3-kyxc3j3NwdfnRaNhtp8Xuovqn3S7Kb-uaU3pRhg-51SVxsRZTbh_q3zJDvFtmjjytEyjSm1xDtVlAcef3G0hzlga8dRGFEkOVvqGHVTxo49ufj5rSeRG2sPHfAS4ANV/s1600/Team+Mia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8ekQsXamWvZ3-kyxc3j3NwdfnRaNhtp8Xuovqn3S7Kb-uaU3pRhg-51SVxsRZTbh_q3zJDvFtmjjytEyjSm1xDtVlAcef3G0hzlga8dRGFEkOVvqGHVTxo49ufj5rSeRG2sPHfAS4ANV/s320/Team+Mia.JPG" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOxxEChRmOI5uN_FYwlqbwJcY7eSc5wi5-MEfgMjBeI6TdoflQ-v__hv77NygeUe9EEFZozlqwjnUNmNsVITjClAuDJ3I8hxXQLmsIKYRCkxhAoxbiECDpO0gYnxpuqy9HqcQ3SggsH0x/s320/team+mia2.JPG" width="320" /></div><a name='more'></a>From left to right on the TEAM MIA pics....Gianluca, Ignazio, Piero, and of course, our girl !!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grazie, mille tesori !!! </div> Amiamo così tanto!<br />
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With a Mommy's once again, humbled and grateful heart,<br />
xoxoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-18204635832787765112011-09-27T11:28:00.000-04:002011-09-27T11:28:13.185-04:00Yeah, it's kind of a "sore" subject....Hi everybody !!!<br />
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Well, my last post was on Thursday, the 22nd of September, and you all read how the amazing Dr. Heflin (who must be worn out by now !!) met us at the ER to cut out a portion of her cast. The next morning, (Friday, the 23rd) I had to call him yet again, to tell him that I had found some nasty 'red spots' on her, which looked to be sores. He said to bring her in that afternoon, that he needed to check them. We arrived at his office around 1, and he brought us right back. With one look, his response was, "yep, we need to change this cast." Within an hour, we were on our way back to Egleston to be readmitted. The next morning, (Sat. the 24th), he took her in for an emergency cast change and arthrogram. The cast changes have to be done under anesthesia, so it was like "surgery day" all over again. Again, we met with the anesthesia team, we said our 'see you in a bit' with tears and kisses in pre-op, we sat in the waiting room, and then waited for her to come out of recovery. The change went well, praise God, and the arthrogram (which is a test where they put dye in her hip to get a much more detailed view) showed that her hip is healing quite beautifully ! He was very pleased !!! ;)<br />
We are so grateful to Dr. Heflin for 'hearing' us when we talk to him, and responding so quickly to our concerns !!!! When he took the original cast off, it was completely soaked with sweat, and the wet fabric rubbing on her had caused sores all the way around the top of her legs, and up the back of her bottom. Even where he had just cut the back out 2 nights before had already begun to cause another 'ulcer' type sore there. So, while we hated the process, we are beyond grateful that it was done and successfully !!!<br />
Mia will go back on Oct. 10th to have an 'adjustment' made to this cast. Dr. Heflin built this cast, so that the leg which is currently casted to the ankle can be adjusted and the cast cut to be above her knee, such as it is on the left leg now. She will wear her new cast (which is lined with this VERY cool stuff, which draws out moisture and helps it evaporate, so hopefully we won't have any more sores) for anywhere from 6-8 weeks. I'm sure he will do another xray on the 10th to see how she is progressing, and will make a decision from there !<br />
So, we are back home from the hospital....again, praise God ! And, while this new cast has presented some new challenges all it's own, we again, are incredibly grateful that her sores are healing, and she seems more comfortable !!!! ;)<br />
Our unbelievable gratitude goes out to the amazing Dr. Heflin (yeah, I think that should be his new 'legal' name...LOLOL) for sticking with us and continuing to navigate us through these uncertain storms....and we also thank each and every one of you for your consistent and constant love, prayers & support !!!!<br />
Will report back soon !!!!<br />
Mia sends love as do Daddy and I !!!<br />
Thank you for being a miracle for our Mia !!! ;)<br />
With a Mommy's grateful heart,<br />
xoxox<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9KvGT6jYAOXW2xHa3yHgb6ym6JLpOSe-LMOM04nlLhANfvojdEMOxwjS4TtqTHNi94obhC4vMmyPDNCZVCCfzuvTBxSIYEFe6uxnmrF4LFmD7gUDH3P74IXGQtK64gcKvSuulImueW4I/s1600/bandaid2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9KvGT6jYAOXW2xHa3yHgb6ym6JLpOSe-LMOM04nlLhANfvojdEMOxwjS4TtqTHNi94obhC4vMmyPDNCZVCCfzuvTBxSIYEFe6uxnmrF4LFmD7gUDH3P74IXGQtK64gcKvSuulImueW4I/s1600/bandaid2.gif" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-19414681778472659232011-09-22T11:01:00.000-04:002011-09-22T11:01:24.085-04:00Unexpected detours...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lMi7Lewo2Z2eGNlIKYnNJIBmnevlIottL5x8SkmhJ_NVjvgx3esEZ1QnkTrgzFzG7xVAN-eEGcGdjHI6lyTHhLWDhaYaQVNabqiQ7HDW7IxFCKokPwvSvFBvD9GqBWD4S6GZ1BJPGqp9/s1600/detour.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lMi7Lewo2Z2eGNlIKYnNJIBmnevlIottL5x8SkmhJ_NVjvgx3esEZ1QnkTrgzFzG7xVAN-eEGcGdjHI6lyTHhLWDhaYaQVNabqiQ7HDW7IxFCKokPwvSvFBvD9GqBWD4S6GZ1BJPGqp9/s320/detour.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Detours, do you embrace them or stress over them ??? Just wondering.<br />
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Last night, I learned a lesson about detours. They come with "uncertainty", and that, by it's very nature can bring with it 'fear'. The fear of not knowing. "Where am I going?" "What's going to happen?" "Will everything be alright when we get there?" Realistic worries. Realistic questions. <br />
Why bring this up?<br />
Well, for the past 3 or 4 days, Mia has been complaining that her back was hurting. We had been kept up all night for 3 nights straight. I had mentioned this to her surgeon, and he said, "let's watch it, and if it gets worse, call me." Yesterday morning, I called. Her pain had reached a point where every time you put her down, she screamed. I told him that I got one finger far enough up the back of her cast to touch her lower back, and that when I did, she screamed bloody murder, and it was awful !!! We all worried that it was a cast problem. He said we need to cut a portion of the back out, so as to relieve her pain and to make sure that the cast wasn't causing an ulcer in her back. So, once again, we load up our precious girl, and head to the emergency room. Driving there, I kept noticing all of the road signs. I realized how grateful I was that God gives us such 'direction' to navigate our way through areas we've not been before. <br />
The amazing, Dr. Heflin, met us at the ER, and immediately began to cut away at a portion of her cast, all the while talking to Mia, and helping to calm her. Giving direction and steering us through 'troubled territory'....every journey needs a navigator, making detours a lot less frightening !!<br />
Once the cast was opened, we could see, quite clearly, that she did in fact have a nasty ulcer going on, but that praise God, because the warning signs were noticed, it had not yet broken through the skin !!! This could have been a very ugly situation, and we are so very grateful it was caught in time !!! <br />
She is still in a lot of pain, and will be for a while until it heals. Again, but for the 'signs' that God gave us to let us know of "danger ahead"....this post would be very different !!! ;)<br />
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So, having gone through this, it occurred to me, that 'detours' may seem scary, and uncertain and frustrating, but they are usually BLESSINGS in disguise. Taking a different route sometimes is just what is needed to see things differently, and explore the unknown. They can save you from lots and lots of trouble !!! ;) Dr. Heflin felt bad about "making us drive all the way up there." but, it was worth it !! So very, very worth it !!! And, Daddy and I would drive to the ends of the earth for our girl. That was never an issue.<br />
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As I 'travel' through life, I will do so knowing a couple of things....for each journey I undergo, I will always let God stay in the Captain's chair !!! I want Him calling all the shots for me and my family !!! I will be grateful for the rest of the 'crew' that He sends (which He ALWAYS supplies) i.e., our Navigator, Dr. John Heflin....my 'first-mate' (I know this is a 'boating' term, but we travel is many different ways !!! LOL) , My Michael....and the rest of our crew, our family and friends, who are always there to help us, support us, love us and pray for our safe journey !!!! We love you all so very much !!!!<br />
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Next time you find yourself on a new "adventure"....relax a little !!! God is in control, He's going to take care of everything you need. He'll supply it all...the people, the places, the things....He's got it all !!!!<br />
He has us in His hand, and He's going to take very good care of every one of us, until we all safely reach our destination !!<br />
Know that you are all loved and prayed for !!!! And, thank you for being a miracle for our Mia !! <3<br />
With a Mommy's "much more relaxed" heart,<br />
xoxoxox<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6_rfgt2BoB7BQ2irCrTVQBzVddQAR5C1hnf1O1wJrmvA8sfbQwIJjAHoM1jztze1cpqEk267UPzuHCffQsNB02P_6omkgCM2Bax5NJuwDtWXv9HdtTZr8dcdBsOKjUZ8eywG6rlbWq5j/s1600/you-are-here-78909491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6_rfgt2BoB7BQ2irCrTVQBzVddQAR5C1hnf1O1wJrmvA8sfbQwIJjAHoM1jztze1cpqEk267UPzuHCffQsNB02P_6omkgCM2Bax5NJuwDtWXv9HdtTZr8dcdBsOKjUZ8eywG6rlbWq5j/s1600/you-are-here-78909491.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-17356979833083960532011-09-20T23:25:00.000-04:002011-09-20T23:25:12.631-04:004 week Post Op Follow up- Surgery #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hi everyone !!<br />
On Monday, September 19th, Mia had her follow up visit, post surgery !! The visit went very well !!!<br />
Dr. Heflin (did I mention how much we love him ??!!!) ;) was so very pleased with how well her hip looks, and how great she seems to be healing !!! Oh, here's a pic of our fabulous doctor with Mia.....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKykzGWj97fFsQNtmWMDN3xMO4kJfft6Yoh689CXPy2VZESx2WcCWpfOn0M4HAUcz7RWswrrq_AJP_eCIZdleFAfAuFP3tVr3TDyzoPTVi8lMvQ5p8Om9xE2GAhkZPq7t06XwlcfobL1m/s1600/Mia+%2526+Dr+Heflin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKykzGWj97fFsQNtmWMDN3xMO4kJfft6Yoh689CXPy2VZESx2WcCWpfOn0M4HAUcz7RWswrrq_AJP_eCIZdleFAfAuFP3tVr3TDyzoPTVi8lMvQ5p8Om9xE2GAhkZPq7t06XwlcfobL1m/s320/Mia+%2526+Dr+Heflin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia and Dr. John Heflin, M.D.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>We talked a bit about some pain that she is continuing to have, and we agreed to 'watch' it, and of course call him if, Heaven forbid, it gets worse. We set up a 'game plan' to leave this cast on for another 2 weeks. At the 2 week mark, we'll go back to the hospital for what we hope will be an outpatient procedure, for them to shoot some dye into her hip (yes, there is a 'technical' medical term for this, but forgive me, it's late and I just can't think of it !! lol)...this dye will allow him to see the hip in great detail to be sure everything is actually healing as well as it appears to be. While there, they will cut her out of this cast, and place her in a new one, known as a "pantaloon" cast. This cast will differ in that both legs of the cast will be short, such as the left one is now. She will wear the pantaloon cast for another 4-6 weeks. We expect, hope and pray that this second cast will come off somewhere around mid-November, and then, guess what ???!!! We get to take a break !!! YAAAY!!!! He said that he feels that she needs a break, and that Daddy and I do too (see why I love this man ??!!), and so we will wait until after the holidays, AND her birthday before we start the process again on the other side. I expect that surgery #2 will take place sometime at the beginning of March.<br />
Giving Mia this break, will also allow the hip to get some usage, and help her to regain some range of motion in it, before immobilizing her again for another 2-3 months with the second surgery. Hopefully, this will help strengthen those muscles, and keep the atrophying to a minimum. I can hope !!! ;)<br />
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If the pain she has continues, I'll have no choice but to call the good Doctor back, but hopefully, we're making progress and that won't be necessary !!! <br />
We want to thank everyone for all of the gifts, cards, letters & most importantly, prayers, that you have sent, and continue to send !!! You have made her smile more than once, and this of course, makes Daddy and I smile LOTS !!!<br />
We love and appreciate you all, and as always, thank you for being a miracle for our Mia !!!!<br />
With a Mommy's grateful and humbled heart,<br />
xoxoxo<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1gQjrn53htEyzMP3fw_2uVW8MrQJRxLFJgNwocGWFJmua8-nesRnQ4b63Snto5minaLB9S0Ruin463xM-tBPuZKPDuZNbg8eEX0ebk-5hvH5wwln7S1d8KGdJq6LPs2mnzvK2wj-vAmL/s1600/Mia+%2526+Daddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1gQjrn53htEyzMP3fw_2uVW8MrQJRxLFJgNwocGWFJmua8-nesRnQ4b63Snto5minaLB9S0Ruin463xM-tBPuZKPDuZNbg8eEX0ebk-5hvH5wwln7S1d8KGdJq6LPs2mnzvK2wj-vAmL/s320/Mia+%2526+Daddy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia and Daddy in the waiting room....<3</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP2edfyvncuDgzDbDmLUU-KOMQPsNtpwC8XYlYh5tskCrXXq-tDFWsMdZwbf3XMFnc_BqcrqwNWy8ainLEiSeJVZRhEVgPDubjxTLduDrg6PFVWGAKxcC4wV5PTHT_A2HQEogAgpxIlQq/s1600/Mia+%2526+Mommy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP2edfyvncuDgzDbDmLUU-KOMQPsNtpwC8XYlYh5tskCrXXq-tDFWsMdZwbf3XMFnc_BqcrqwNWy8ainLEiSeJVZRhEVgPDubjxTLduDrg6PFVWGAKxcC4wV5PTHT_A2HQEogAgpxIlQq/s320/Mia+%2526+Mommy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia and Mommy <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-81502894119866617972011-09-08T01:10:00.000-04:002011-09-08T01:10:39.090-04:00Surgery #1Oh my gosh guys, PLEASE forgive me !!! It has been absolutely NUTS in the past 13 days since her surgery, and I'm so sorry for not having updated this sooner !!!!!<br />
Her first surgery went very well, praise God !!! The doctor was ...ummm....ok, 'blown away' by how bad she was...he said it was awful in there. Poor angel !! Surgery lasted right at 4 hours and he was pleased with the way it 'set'. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrsDU2IOPbToa3uXWsZBW7hUpBRAgJDIWxz-mOM3HpjWIy9lY3zC5WcpNshKy6rsGrRGN6sEBVR7ggWovctHFrGDQ7g7BxKhRWFlj7pXU3wBJJeX5JbEYj1ZNWEq-c2A_zicIGhMowItu/s1600/Mia+hospital+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrsDU2IOPbToa3uXWsZBW7hUpBRAgJDIWxz-mOM3HpjWIy9lY3zC5WcpNshKy6rsGrRGN6sEBVR7ggWovctHFrGDQ7g7BxKhRWFlj7pXU3wBJJeX5JbEYj1ZNWEq-c2A_zicIGhMowItu/s320/Mia+hospital+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our girl, just out of recovery.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3hUSudAIDa1llop6-msNgYNuqYcuguCfFTyeJNBghnWACREabGiWCGHrOG5b2GfPNgKXog2srgqbI157EZ8sZ64cqH0doWGfF3SDDI40nThbm0ZS8oufgchjofL5EZBgHtss6ctTgjot/s1600/Mia+hospital+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3hUSudAIDa1llop6-msNgYNuqYcuguCfFTyeJNBghnWACREabGiWCGHrOG5b2GfPNgKXog2srgqbI157EZ8sZ64cqH0doWGfF3SDDI40nThbm0ZS8oufgchjofL5EZBgHtss6ctTgjot/s320/Mia+hospital+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting comfortably, with "Jay", her teddy bear by her side. They've had a rough time, these two !</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Our hospital stay lasted 5 days...during which, we had a couple of 'issues' with her pain meds....let's just say that we have learned (the hard way), that Mia has a really bad adverse reaction to Valium. We'll leave that there, and have now put that on her "allergy" list !! :/ After coming home from the hospital, we continued to have some uncontrolled pain. This took us back to the emergency room. There, they did a scan to be sure that the hip had not moved, and we were very happy to learn that it hadn't. We were, however, readmitted, for pain management. Thankfully, once we got that back under control, we were able to come home, and day by day, it has gotten a little easier. She has had a terrible time getting used to this cast (as anyone can imagine), and her limitations are becoming painfully obvious to her, no pun intended !!<br />
So as not overload this posting with pictures, I will post them on the "photos" page (what a concept, huh ?! LOL)...and everyone can see how well she's done !!!<br />
We go back to the doctor on Sept. 19th for a follow up with a new scan, and to decide how much longer she will have to wear this cast !!! :)<br />
We cannot begin to thank you all enough for your constant love, support & prayers !!! Please know, and believe, that we have relied on them heavily, and have gained tremendous strength from them !!!! God used each one of you to hold us up and get us through !!!! One surgery down, 3 more to go !!!<br />
Praise, Jesus, we will see her run again, one day soon !!! ;)<br />
With a Mommy's grateful heart,<br />
xoxox<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkY1KHwDb2D-Y5OPJCHjzRxU8NSehvU9uETvZ9Oj6NNGOr61_wKIOKHDau7DG3W9YlI5SPtIDiN-mQdz-zUcOQPR4tdtZb-ytf4__Zbb1QEOXmeTIWQ8Wj0WsUKCMTdy-KKob9xAiBQS5/s1600/jay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkY1KHwDb2D-Y5OPJCHjzRxU8NSehvU9uETvZ9Oj6NNGOr61_wKIOKHDau7DG3W9YlI5SPtIDiN-mQdz-zUcOQPR4tdtZb-ytf4__Zbb1QEOXmeTIWQ8Wj0WsUKCMTdy-KKob9xAiBQS5/s320/jay.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Jay" sends his love too ! <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-80021901757589702872011-08-21T09:33:00.000-04:002011-08-21T09:33:18.342-04:00Say You Will....<div style="text-align: center;">Say that you'll come with us,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Say that you'll go too</div><div style="text-align: center;">Promise you'll be by our sides</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that you'll pull us through.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Say that she will walk again</div><div style="text-align: center;">and run and jump and dance,</div><div style="text-align: center;">say her pain will all be through</div><div style="text-align: center;">for sure, not just "a chance"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Say that you'll stay with her</div><div style="text-align: center;">in rooms where we can't go</div><div style="text-align: center;">and guide her surgeon's heart and hands,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and that Your peace he'll know.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Say that you will strengthen us</div><div style="text-align: center;">and help us help her heal,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And, say your strong and loving arms</div><div style="text-align: center;">are what we'll always feel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Say you understand our hearts</div><div style="text-align: center;">our hopes, our prayers, our dreams</div><div style="text-align: center;">and say you'll take away our fears</div><div style="text-align: center;">as hard as that all seems.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Say your love for us is great</div><div style="text-align: center;">say you're in control</div><div style="text-align: center;">say you'll help us turn to you</div><div style="text-align: center;">when 'weakness' takes its toll.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I shouldn't need reminding, Lord</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know you're with us everday</div><div style="text-align: center;">You show your love and 'lift us up'</div><div style="text-align: center;">through those you send our way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The love that has surrounded us</div><div style="text-align: center;">could only come from you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bless them all, Lord, one by one</div><div style="text-align: center;">and let them know we love them too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We're thankful that you carry us</div><div style="text-align: center;">as "uncertainty" draws near</div><div style="text-align: center;">we know that you will hold us tight</div><div style="text-align: center;"> with you, we need not fear.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, I do believe you'll come with us</div><div style="text-align: center;">and that you will go too</div><div style="text-align: center;">and that you'll be right by our sides</div><div style="text-align: center;">and that you'll pull us through !</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicepGtzpffkw3QrgwmCPxwpN2Sb4yktF1dvi0BMvF4gNVLFGHhbqnX7Mw_hUBr4QYV-hFqFK_xUGjsvri3Z40M2Lud_JYUNDMQlgLgyNJnNFrM27FSRMbA5EhpLgrlXVbNrbE_rycprk7m/s1600/jesus-and-child.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicepGtzpffkw3QrgwmCPxwpN2Sb4yktF1dvi0BMvF4gNVLFGHhbqnX7Mw_hUBr4QYV-hFqFK_xUGjsvri3Z40M2Lud_JYUNDMQlgLgyNJnNFrM27FSRMbA5EhpLgrlXVbNrbE_rycprk7m/s320/jesus-and-child.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-74240714081556211932011-08-18T11:14:00.000-04:002011-08-18T11:14:27.977-04:00Cards & Letters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyFVjCsriXMTW1UFTdQTdwcosyQG8t5YqPQeOHBtjagyHtYpijK9qOfGWbE-rc7dSLPY_xNcOifpuAaot9RPaBAEodHr2bYeXCtfSBCNmuirTLVGi2dS8PDXUQiVhmBtDQq0Ek5CJL_mx/s1600/hletter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyFVjCsriXMTW1UFTdQTdwcosyQG8t5YqPQeOHBtjagyHtYpijK9qOfGWbE-rc7dSLPY_xNcOifpuAaot9RPaBAEodHr2bYeXCtfSBCNmuirTLVGi2dS8PDXUQiVhmBtDQq0Ek5CJL_mx/s1600/hletter.gif" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You guys are all soooooooo great !!!!!!<br />
And, because so many of you have asked where you can send a card/letter, Mia's amazing Memaw & Poppy have set up a P.O. Box for her so that you can !!!!!! Thank you, Memaw & Poppy !!!! And, thank you to all of you for your constant love, support & Prayers !!!! ;)<br />
<br />
Please send to:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Miss Mia Jay</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">P.O. Box 27</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lovejoy, Ga 30250</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">USA</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, thank you all for being a miracle for our Mia ! ;)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">With a Mommy's very grateful heart,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>xoxo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRb-paXkgSo13_JI57lUC2toG4NIC8zfGTVWJfcRyfRUmAWjkyridDNlBfEivp5sHbm_B85aqiCui_QGKbPYiuauGUickrAYcVX9EOhzi8Z8vjuPXoQAYWugn3A9P9eEa12-4tWK1E8B1F/s1600/heartsletters.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRb-paXkgSo13_JI57lUC2toG4NIC8zfGTVWJfcRyfRUmAWjkyridDNlBfEivp5sHbm_B85aqiCui_QGKbPYiuauGUickrAYcVX9EOhzi8Z8vjuPXoQAYWugn3A9P9eEa12-4tWK1E8B1F/s1600/heartsletters.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-81765667926022786842011-08-15T17:57:00.000-04:002011-08-15T17:57:47.328-04:00Surgery details....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywQUWSMoOPG-X8N9bJ1ghZSonH4KIMimrsWghpyjtMLy6you6Ii3aFEJYYzTckwsBBWVL0yRKEFOhJNfnO2ZWLKbAO2ITuO0ItmVS18l_x0v0EpRElCPpWAsBgDGJoUrNP6pDI3GPLoHY/s1600/ready+to+go.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywQUWSMoOPG-X8N9bJ1ghZSonH4KIMimrsWghpyjtMLy6you6Ii3aFEJYYzTckwsBBWVL0yRKEFOhJNfnO2ZWLKbAO2ITuO0ItmVS18l_x0v0EpRElCPpWAsBgDGJoUrNP6pDI3GPLoHY/s320/ready+to+go.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All ready to go.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Ok, so as you all know, today was the day to "meet the surgeon". He is the best part of our visit !!! He's a wonderfully sweet man, seems very capable, and he and Mia got along great !!! No meltdown like we on Friday with the pediatrician !!! That's the good news !!!! Mia really likes her "new friend" Dr. Heflin !! And, Mommy and Daddy do too.<br />
<br />
Now, onto the not so great part of the visit. We have been up to this point, (clearly, quite foolishly I might add) been thinking, "okay we go in, we do surgery, we fix the problem, done deal." Yeah, not so much.<br />
Dr. Heflin took a new set of x-rays today to get a fresh look, and well, it's somewhat worse than we thought. Apparently, her case is really bad. He feels fairly confident that we can get this done with 4 surgeries. He does not want to do both hips at the same time, because given the magnitude of the surgery, it would just be too much for Mia. They want to minimalize blood loss and pain, and feel that to do the surgeries separate would be better. So, on the 23rd, the will go in and fix her right hip only. She will be in surgery for 4-5 hours....and, in the hospital for 4-5 days. While in surgery, they will do away with the additional sets of hip sockets which Mia's body has tried to produce, the will have to cut and form the sockets which never formed correctly, they will have to "clean out" the area of the socket which right now has ligaments, tendons & muscles growing in there, since the femur was never in there to keep them out, and well, cause basically they could. And, last but certainly not least, they will shorten her femurs by about a half inch. They will put in "hardware" (plates, rods, screws, etc) to hold everything together. Then, she will go in a cast for 3 months. During that 3 months, she will undergo several CT scans, to be sure that the hip isn't moving...if it does move at all, we go in immediately, open her back up and put it back. (We're praying this doesn't happen !!) <br />
After the 3 months, they will cut her out of the cast, and do the entire process again on the left side. Back in the cast for another 3 months. At some point (and I'm not clear when, I was a little 'dumbfounded' and still somewhat stuck on 4 surgeries !) they will have to go in to remove the hardware. One surgery for each side. Hence the total 4.<br />
Now, this surgery is Mia's best chance at being able to avoid total hip replacements by age 20. And, while he says she will never be 100% and will always have limitations, this will ease her current pain, and prevent further crippling. Or so we all hope. He does feel that Mia's hips are "salvageable", (and he tried so hard to be kind when he said that), but he let us know he's <br />
going to do his best to get her as close to "right" as he can.<br />
The only thing he stressed over and over again, was how "major" this surgery is, and how "horrible and long her road to recovery will be". By the end of the meeting, we got it. There is nothing easy about this procedure...and there's nothing easy about afterwards.<br />
<br />
So, we will be at Egleston Children's Hospital at 6 a.m. on the 23rd of August....to prepare for surgery at 7:30 a.m. <br />
We are going to ask that everyone say a prayer for Mia at 7:30 a.m. on the 23rd. Please.<br />
<br />
We are so grateful to each and every one of you for being with us, and for walking beside us. We love and appreciate you, your prayers, and the way that you have all loved us.<br />
We have incredible hopes for our Mia. We trust that God will guide Dr. Heflin, God will heal our Mia, and that God hears all of your prayers for us. God gives us strength through you.<br />
With an incredibly sincere heart, thank you.<br />
<br />
And, thank you for being a miracle for our Mia,<br />
With a Mommy's heart,<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdat0T3phKaNPE9ModGJT4Ve3rxuX7nQM0wr-Ctj5NDP50y1V0I9WD0eTNfMahnA10r1spIEbaR0tU7-Ydxww8MRZuCFLfMoVi8BGVHJDMnE5JKbmUw2jW7F5qPBDEx12cajsb4al0QOk2/s1600/waiting+for+the+doctor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdat0T3phKaNPE9ModGJT4Ve3rxuX7nQM0wr-Ctj5NDP50y1V0I9WD0eTNfMahnA10r1spIEbaR0tU7-Ydxww8MRZuCFLfMoVi8BGVHJDMnE5JKbmUw2jW7F5qPBDEx12cajsb4al0QOk2/s320/waiting+for+the+doctor.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for the doctor, playing with Daddy's hat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILrYwbbTsek1POSNSUt1SNloEaPYkLARp0aYHdxCVb1JvpU8LPo4vKkO4Zaq-SxRvsvr1-ryOqaGInH3kZ2Gu7fCJBTgNDDv3e4SQphMwvoXLqnw184kDlB_IwZ-11qE6g1TZVWdpydvT/s1600/ham.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILrYwbbTsek1POSNSUt1SNloEaPYkLARp0aYHdxCVb1JvpU8LPo4vKkO4Zaq-SxRvsvr1-ryOqaGInH3kZ2Gu7fCJBTgNDDv3e4SQphMwvoXLqnw184kDlB_IwZ-11qE6g1TZVWdpydvT/s320/ham.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't I cute ??!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-52645600685824291482011-08-12T22:58:00.000-04:002011-08-12T22:58:45.603-04:00Meeting the new Pediatrician...Okey dokey....weeeeell, the lesson learned today was, "don't assume anything will be simple" !! LOL<br />
<br />
Today, we went to meet Mia's new pediatrician. The thought process was that since she is going to be a new patient for him, and him a new doctor for her, well, I thought they should meet. I don't know that I won't need to call him after surgery for something else, and I just kinda thought that as her new doctor he should have a "heads up" that she's having the surgery, etc. For the past couple of weeks and up until today, I was thinking..."no shots....no real examination....yeah, ok...we should be good !!! A piece of cake !!". WRONG!!<br />
Apparently all of these doctors visits have made my girl somewhat paranoid. She had a HORRIBLE meltdown, didn't want him to touch her, to look at her or anything! It was just "ugly". On a couple of different levels. Our new doctor (who really is a VERY nice man) said that Mia looked good...checked her iron...looked her over...watched her walk...and, said to let him know how the surgery goes. I feel better that he knows, at least, a little something about her now. As the visit progressed, I began to get a glimpse of not only Monday's visit to meet her surgeon...but, the week after, when we go for surgery. If she reacts anything like she did today...well, let's just pray she doesn't. The only thing that calmed her down was her music. Thank God I have her favorite group (Il Volo) on my phone....she said, "Ignazio sing to me and make me feel better.".....You got it !!! Grabbed the phone, pushed the button and said, "Sing, Ignazio, Sing !!!"....thankfully, it worked, she settled down, and we could get her dressed and out of there !!!! ;)<br />
<br />
Aside from the meltdown of "biblical proportions", the visit was very good. We believe we have found a very good doctor for our Mia to see....and, we became even more incredibly aware of how grateful we are for all of the prayers being said for Mia and for us. Please, please keep them up !!! Clearly, we need them !! ;)<br />
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Monday (8/15/11) should be another post, after we meet the surgeon, and get all the details for surgery.<br />
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Thank you all for your continued love, support and prayers, and thank you for being a miracle for our Mia !!!<br />
With a Mommy's heart,<br />
xoxox<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDZhQkfYei2tuEOhgnQtCRkZOf74I2OjZVfE2qCGx1qe9MhdlYl-N6CRXalm7RA802v6iyt854pTRiaSLDbjzv9S7RyLgCmF_y2R77w7PMlnhAb1Hei_AhmwriKCL9veON0DxoiyjRQM9/s1600/miadoctor2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDZhQkfYei2tuEOhgnQtCRkZOf74I2OjZVfE2qCGx1qe9MhdlYl-N6CRXalm7RA802v6iyt854pTRiaSLDbjzv9S7RyLgCmF_y2R77w7PMlnhAb1Hei_AhmwriKCL9veON0DxoiyjRQM9/s320/miadoctor2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">listening to Ignazio, Gianluca & Piero, and beginning to settle down....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA8mFWZmncwQZ5sT0u4Cj8Xdkiu7D3N3gsNOvWOMA4yK9fLNwU09ButuEbT0PXHhoipbQq-jA2DXzTeJ8kEb437uxJ9GLsD-qaF-3NXmZLX4bGRfjtGiNW8Nuk7ZHKQ7029D-t5FkNAHW/s1600/miadoctor1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA8mFWZmncwQZ5sT0u4Cj8Xdkiu7D3N3gsNOvWOMA4yK9fLNwU09ButuEbT0PXHhoipbQq-jA2DXzTeJ8kEb437uxJ9GLsD-qaF-3NXmZLX4bGRfjtGiNW8Nuk7ZHKQ7029D-t5FkNAHW/s320/miadoctor1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Daddy's "she's breaking my heart" face....he just wanted to get his girl out of there !! ;)</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-36544565979243909662011-08-01T19:30:00.000-04:002011-08-01T19:30:23.729-04:00A Side Note...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVAdZrFMoX1vyvuqSuHa5R7-SEg62wC9bXESYO9cz_HhxaoZw1RBJLeOgUevaasGV45S2RxBS3qhf6U7k8qrFasmUmB2cPZdzv5x5GPYvhL0x5KTy3P4k7m7VDO7j2lA_xE4mF9jLj8uL/s1600/musicnoters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVAdZrFMoX1vyvuqSuHa5R7-SEg62wC9bXESYO9cz_HhxaoZw1RBJLeOgUevaasGV45S2RxBS3qhf6U7k8qrFasmUmB2cPZdzv5x5GPYvhL0x5KTy3P4k7m7VDO7j2lA_xE4mF9jLj8uL/s320/musicnoters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Ok, well, we're going to digress from health related things for just a minute. We have GOT to tell you all about the MOST amazing group of people that we have met, but first, we must introduce you to the reason why !!! Over on the right hand side of this page is a section called "Little things that make Mia smile"...and, in that list, you will see "Il Volo". <---there's your reason 'why' !! LOL Mia wants to make sure that everyone knows who Il Volo is, how much she loves them, and how great they have been to her ! <br />
We first encountered Il Volo when they made their American debut on American Idol....had a dear friend, (thanks JJ!!) not called and told us to "put it on, NOW !!"...we would have missed them !!! As soon as they came on the screen, both Mia and I were hooked !!!! These are three of the most talented young men we've seen perform in a VERY long time !!!! And, they are amazing !!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gHWkug73xp13mLqA3_iBH0sZn24FqAilUS_4tuBKDiCR2jKOBfYLf5r90SJ25lGDxpnZDN0a6b7QZUhg-uPwkZ_LvlMqfua2_lvUCjbsNnhe4ViiJgE5u5S8efguGIlorZDZYFciWQGF/s1600/il-volo-italian-singing-group-new-album.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gHWkug73xp13mLqA3_iBH0sZn24FqAilUS_4tuBKDiCR2jKOBfYLf5r90SJ25lGDxpnZDN0a6b7QZUhg-uPwkZ_LvlMqfua2_lvUCjbsNnhe4ViiJgE5u5S8efguGIlorZDZYFciWQGF/s1600/il-volo-italian-singing-group-new-album.jpg" /></a></div><br />
From left to right in the pic above is: Piero, Gianluca & Ignazio. Oh yeah, all Italian, all the time !!! ;) And, since I am Italian, and Mia is 1/2 Italian...well, they're just SO up our alley !!! lol <br />
In case you've never heard of them....have a listen.... ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lw3c5d3aBSE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Oh yeah, incredible....we know !!!! ;) And, to think....Piero is 17 (may have just turned 18), Gianluca & Ignazio...both 16 !! ;)<br />
<br />
Now, onto the amazing people !!! Through a video of Mia which I had posted on Il Volo's fan page, we were spotted by (and have since adopted ! LOL) Wendy Marcinkiewicz. She heads up Il Volo's fan club out of Houston, is a huge fan, and loves our Mia so very much !!! Wendy put Mia out on every fan page imaginable, and literally sent Mia "around the world" !!! She's asked everyone to help us pray !!!....on Mia's facebook page (which you can access on the right)...we have met and received messages of love, hope and incredible prayer from all over !! We have heard from Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia, Italy, France, and of course from right here in the good old USA !!! And the list continues to grow. These boys can't imagine the impact they've had and how they've touched people everywhere !!! I can't tell you how kind and loving everyone has been !!!!!<br />
Wendy, Caitlyn, Gladys and everyone else....you have touched our hearts sooooooo much !!!!! And, we do truly love and appreciate you !!! Il Volo fans everywhere have blessed our lives !!! xoxo<br />
Ignazio and his beautiful fiance, Francesca have both sent Mia messages on facebook, "wishing her all the good of this world", "sending her BIG hugs & kisses" they say they will "pray without ceasing for the little princess", and that she has kidnapped their hearts. Yeah, these kids are worthy of "all the good of this world", we love them and wish them all the best !! <br />
<br />
So, there you go....amazing group....amazing people !!! Does our Mia have good taste or what ????? Give Il Volo a try....become a fan....you're going to find yourself in some unbelievable company !!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictnggUS_tiB_SXaeMZtM8Cj6T28b2YTkph29PNcVCA8UXQYJOC9rwzUgUA3SDoHdXdYDdOFU3dwBoJtEpIJ19WQoCGtWlYb3W2KA4UaLPODCKogGvIHCeZ7k6PMOPzO76myhhyqZ80C6O/s1600/il_volo_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictnggUS_tiB_SXaeMZtM8Cj6T28b2YTkph29PNcVCA8UXQYJOC9rwzUgUA3SDoHdXdYDdOFU3dwBoJtEpIJ19WQoCGtWlYb3W2KA4UaLPODCKogGvIHCeZ7k6PMOPzO76myhhyqZ80C6O/s320/il_volo_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
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Thank you Il Volo for the smile you bring to my Mia, to me, and to countless others !!!<br />
Thank you Il Volo fans everywhere for your love, support and prayers !!!! We add you to an amazing 'circle of love' for our Mia, and we are proud to call you all our friends !!!<br />
<br />
And, as always, thank you all for being a miracle for our Mia !!!! ;)<br />
With a happy, singing O Sole Mio, Mommy's heart,<br />
xoxo<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVAdZrFMoX1vyvuqSuHa5R7-SEg62wC9bXESYO9cz_HhxaoZw1RBJLeOgUevaasGV45S2RxBS3qhf6U7k8qrFasmUmB2cPZdzv5x5GPYvhL0x5KTy3P4k7m7VDO7j2lA_xE4mF9jLj8uL/s1600/musicnoters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVAdZrFMoX1vyvuqSuHa5R7-SEg62wC9bXESYO9cz_HhxaoZw1RBJLeOgUevaasGV45S2RxBS3qhf6U7k8qrFasmUmB2cPZdzv5x5GPYvhL0x5KTy3P4k7m7VDO7j2lA_xE4mF9jLj8uL/s200/musicnoters.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-19084600360493775852011-07-27T22:42:00.000-04:002011-07-27T22:42:54.266-04:00Growing Pains & GatoradeBecause I do not trust myself to write a whole lot about today's visit, I will simply state what the doctor said. "It's growing pains, it's very common at her age"<br />
"Give her gatorade before bed, in case it's leg cramps"<br />
"If she's still in pain in a few weeks, we can do some other 'studies' on her, you know, neurological, etc., but of course, by then you'll be at surgery time."<br />
"Otherwise, she looks good."<br />
<br />
Yeah, that's pretty much the gist of it.<br />
An hour and a half drive, one way....a full tank of gas....a lost day of sleep for my husband....and an uncomfortably long ride for Mia, and that's what we walked out with. <br />
<br />
Please continue to pray my dear prayer warriors....and thank you for being a miracle for our Mia.<br />
With a Mommy's frustrated and somewhat broken heart,<br />
xoxoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-19055527843616198892011-07-26T15:51:00.000-04:002011-07-26T15:51:32.901-04:00Sneaking in...Ok...well, while the past 2 nights have been much more restful (praise God !!) the three before were beyond 'ugly'...this past Friday morning, I had called the surgeon's office to find out if the level of pain she is experiencing is 'normal'. Once I described her being asleep yet, thrashing around in the bed screaming "my legs, my legs"...he said, quite simply "no". So, a long story short, after an exchange of several calls between our amazing, P.A. and myself...he has set us up to have an 'impromptu' appt. tomorrow afternoon at 1:50 to have Mia looked at by one of the Sr. Surgeons. He is HOPEFULLY going to be able to tell us something that we can do to keep her comfortable for the next month until surgery time gets here. While moving the surgery up would be nice, the specific surgeon that they want her with doesn't join the practice until Aug. 15th, and that is the date that we'll be seeing him. Poor Dr. Heflin gets to hit the ground running !! <br />
So, I wanted to let everyone know that we will be going back tomorrow, and I'll post right when we get home, so you'll all know how it went !!!!! ;)<br />
Thank you so very, very much for the continued prayers, and thank you for being a miracle for our Mia !! :)<br />
With a Mommy's heart,<br />
xxoxoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-75877358323727381392011-07-21T23:34:00.000-04:002011-07-21T23:34:24.809-04:00"Well, that's the way it should be"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQS77RO7cpPR6Vfgv1OC60r97F2VKPAAD-iNW2Fwndr8QeDTHV2DRYBHXSKPSPcebh65SklAFYX_BqlQF0qffukMvGxuYRsC7v2ZlOM-QfrkpingtejnnaKuDtYA5E8ekDgOxYIhRo2Jz/s1600/rain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQS77RO7cpPR6Vfgv1OC60r97F2VKPAAD-iNW2Fwndr8QeDTHV2DRYBHXSKPSPcebh65SklAFYX_BqlQF0qffukMvGxuYRsC7v2ZlOM-QfrkpingtejnnaKuDtYA5E8ekDgOxYIhRo2Jz/s200/rain.png" width="200" /></a></div> I have the privilege of having in my life an amazing man....this man has been beside me through so very much, he has always guided me, loved me and "kicked my butt" when it was needed. (Including busting me smoking in his bathroom, when I was 14 ! Wasn't pretty. LOL) This man's name is Fr. Vincent Douglass. He is my priest, my friend, my angel. To say that I love him is an understatement. How do you not love someone who loves you with true unconditional love?.....With an occasional "butt-kicking" to boot ??!! lol<br />
Yesterday, I called to tell him about our Mia, and her surgery. (Her surgery is set for August 23rd in case I hadn't put that out there yet....am kinda losing my mind here !!! lol) Fr. "D" was of course shocked to learn of what was going on, and that she needed surgery, etc. He immediately kicked in to his normal mode and started with "what do you need, what can I do?" My answer of course, "talk me off the ledge, then pray." He listened intently, and when I said, "I'm standing on faith and God's promises", he said "well, that's the way it should be." I said, "I'm confident that He hears all the prayers that are going up for her and that He is making His presence known." he said, "well, that's the way it should be." When I said, "I'm tired and I'm scared, because I don't know what lies ahead for my little girl", he said "well, that's the way it should be." <br />
It didn't really matter what I threw at him, his answer was almost always the same. "Well, that's the way it should be." Towards the end of our talk, he gave me a "task", if you will. He said, I want you to think about our talk, and reason with yourself. Hmmm...."reason with myself". Interesting.<br />
After the tears, the "I love yous" and the promises to keep him updated, we hung up. After Mia went to bed, I sat and did what he had asked. I thought hard about all that I had said....and all that he had said. It was then that it occurred to me, that 90% of what he had said was "well, that's the way it should be." As I 'reasoned' with myself it became clear that while it appeared he hadn't said "much", he had actually said a great deal. "Well, that's the way it should be" means that God's presence and gifts are being recognized, acknowledged and appreciated. It means, that we have accepted that this is bigger than us, and that we cannot do this alone. It means, that knowing your limitations isn't the same thing as "making excuses"...it's recognizing how much you need Him and those He sends to walk with you. And, that when you get tired and think you can't go on...He steps in, lifts you up, makes up the difference of what your short and helps you finish. And, in Father D's own special way, he was letting me know that I was ok. I'm not as weak, helpless, hopeless, tired and awful as I think I am. He wanted me to know that my faith is still in tact, that God is still with us, that He's going to see us safely through. He wanted me to know that I am loved. I get it.<br />
So, I would be completely remiss if I didn't do the other things that I know God has asked of me.<br />
1) Make it abundantly clear to each of you how treasured you are, and how grateful we are that you have chosen to walk with us through this storm. We are grateful, and we feel God through you. Your words of encouragement and love are His words. Your hugs, His hugs. Your prayers, His heart. Sincerely, thank you.<br />
2) Remind myself and everyone else that this too will pass. Our Mia is in the best hands possible, and He is loving her with a Father's heart, and will hold her in his hand.<br />
3) Remind anyone and everyone who reads this, that He will do the same for you. Mia's sufferings and triumphs will be a testament to God's love and mercy and healing, and you will all encounter Him as you walk with us. He loves you with a Father's love, and He holds you in his hand.<br />
And lastly, I'll just put out there my 'philosophy' and outlook on God's plan and will for my life: I may not always know it. I may not always understand it. And, sometimes, I may not even like it. But, I will always, ALWAYS trust it.<br />
And... well, that's the way it should be.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you for loving us, for riding this storm out with us, for helping us keep watch for the rainbow that WILL come, and thank you, for being a miracle for our Mia !! ;)<br />
With a Mommy's heart,<br />
xoxoxox<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4m81nD2dmyhfZyQAJbs9pISIRtZjwm0jjbiKmuxHnTK7rZaKrBiuUVXjgoCqNbwv6ndbss1K1G8GhoL7OeHeLQcy12FXOJcNzFvd0AaHAgxm4fPN1g4wj9YavH8kRrERMRV047dIIhgx/s1600/rainbow.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4m81nD2dmyhfZyQAJbs9pISIRtZjwm0jjbiKmuxHnTK7rZaKrBiuUVXjgoCqNbwv6ndbss1K1G8GhoL7OeHeLQcy12FXOJcNzFvd0AaHAgxm4fPN1g4wj9YavH8kRrERMRV047dIIhgx/s1600/rainbow.gif" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-37592984759925648202011-07-20T12:30:00.000-04:002011-07-20T12:30:48.603-04:00Mia's Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzR7c6XCIAbX7fq-EFt30EhQ4IPyTRrorJRZp-hjPmW_68joH8mvCKJsRFqMRQkbeXdAWgJsEGDzT1m3CmE2_QS2VyxCh7ittEibEvkRNgjOzROz3Xxn0N2yXiu4AD-QmVUW9xDHANR2C/s1600/friendsCartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wow !!! I am always amazed at the miracles that continue to come to us !!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzR7c6XCIAbX7fq-EFt30EhQ4IPyTRrorJRZp-hjPmW_68joH8mvCKJsRFqMRQkbeXdAWgJsEGDzT1m3CmE2_QS2VyxCh7ittEibEvkRNgjOzROz3Xxn0N2yXiu4AD-QmVUW9xDHANR2C/s1600/friendsCartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzR7c6XCIAbX7fq-EFt30EhQ4IPyTRrorJRZp-hjPmW_68joH8mvCKJsRFqMRQkbeXdAWgJsEGDzT1m3CmE2_QS2VyxCh7ittEibEvkRNgjOzROz3Xxn0N2yXiu4AD-QmVUW9xDHANR2C/s1600/friendsCartoon.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Some of our newest miracles come to us as new friends !!! We have added a page here to introduce you to them a little bit, and to provide a place where you can visit their blogs and get to know them better !! On this page, you will meet Abby, Aleena & Molly (with more to come, I'm sure) and they will truly touch your heart and make you smile !! <br />
Having other parents who are walking the same road...experiencing the same heartbreak, anger, frustration and struggles has been an absolute sanity saver !!! In talking with them, you have that added assurance that you aren't alone and at the same time you get to help them too. How comforting it is to hear "I understand, we had the same thing" or to ask a question and receive an answer that makes sense to you !!<br />
<br />
Whenever your child is sick or in pain your heart hurts. Seeing any child suffer is just beyond awful.<br />
Having someone who truly understands is a gift. A truly treasured gift !!<br />
<br />
To our new friends: we already love each of you....you have touched our lives, you will forever be in our prayers and our hearts and, we add you to a "circle of love" that will blow you away !!! We have many family & friends who love us and who we lean on....they are an incredible group of people and you will come to know and love them too !!! ;)<br />
To our "circle": Please take a minute to visit their blogs, and watch how these amazing children and their parents will inspire you !!<br />
Again, from our hearts, thank you for being there for us and for being a miracle for our Mia !!<br />
With a Mommy's heart,<br />
xoxo<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfVZP7yrmRzm3eTpeqJDgQpAbI7oPPJEzCGIySlFVNjt997K-hgtomlL_C-ieDcPtwStluQ5GlQ9JIBfk9wAHsUjmMzrLcDy8aWeULcctkm_O8dcAY9_kCSitbNgLb19AN3YUkSxUMvWt/s1600/friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfVZP7yrmRzm3eTpeqJDgQpAbI7oPPJEzCGIySlFVNjt997K-hgtomlL_C-ieDcPtwStluQ5GlQ9JIBfk9wAHsUjmMzrLcDy8aWeULcctkm_O8dcAY9_kCSitbNgLb19AN3YUkSxUMvWt/s320/friend.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-90286286348256840732011-07-15T23:53:00.000-04:002011-07-15T23:53:04.964-04:00More Duckies in a row....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLGo75wwL7Iwti42LPCSHTkQ-FhBjeGvGUAZHVPeatOOBd9bxQPwsWZp12U0CJRMtn9JxWMcPeuvxaG7u0I7HTzD6dDpsxLRimFpg0v2h5V-CsacRjwCdN6Qg8QziErD8wuS5Gva4Vtbt/s1600/rubber-duck-family-swimming-clip-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLGo75wwL7Iwti42LPCSHTkQ-FhBjeGvGUAZHVPeatOOBd9bxQPwsWZp12U0CJRMtn9JxWMcPeuvxaG7u0I7HTzD6dDpsxLRimFpg0v2h5V-CsacRjwCdN6Qg8QziErD8wuS5Gva4Vtbt/s200/rubber-duck-family-swimming-clip-art.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Have I mentioned lately how incredible you guys are ???!!! Truly !!! Your love and support is just amazing, and we are absolutely humbled !! 'Thank you' seems so 'small' right now, but from our hearts, THANK YOU !!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So, preparations are still being made to get ready for surgery day. Today, Mia and I were talking about our new friend, Abby, and her Mom, Julie. Abby had her surgery this week and got to come home from the hospital today !! We are so happy for them, and that they are on the road to recovery. Showing Mia Abby's picture gave me a chance to really begin to familiarize her with words like "surgery", "hospital" and "cast". It's hard to talk to a 2 yr old about these things, you're never really sure how much they "get", but at the same time, our Mia is as smart as a whip, and let me know real quick that "Abby's legs will be all better now"...and I said, "that's right, sweetie", to which she said, "Mia's cast will make Mia's legs better too". I think she gets way more than I give her credit for. Opening the talks, so as to try to minimize her fear and anxiety was Ducky #1. This Ducky will be used a lot over the next few weeks !! ;) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQlVwwDc5INON-QJJdsE62eBVoSKMBrUy_qLUimOIGZaGuQsrIxGAH1R6n4B5tJ9g1YNNt71H6dAPvT2gPk2xktLXaJiZ2FPQrApNswaiwWwWwM2EKLsRJ5kA3JPuNAbHVDg_ymyjMW7s/s1600/ducky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQlVwwDc5INON-QJJdsE62eBVoSKMBrUy_qLUimOIGZaGuQsrIxGAH1R6n4B5tJ9g1YNNt71H6dAPvT2gPk2xktLXaJiZ2FPQrApNswaiwWwWwM2EKLsRJ5kA3JPuNAbHVDg_ymyjMW7s/s200/ducky.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Next, came the car seat. With the spica cast that Mia will be receiving, we will need a specially made car seat to both bring her home in, and to be able to take her places. On another blog, I saw a Mom talking about an organization called Safe Kids. I looked up their Atlanta number, and they were very helpful as far as putting me in touch with a very, very sweet lady (who's name also happens to be Mia !) who runs the Special Needs Car Seat Division for Children's Health Care of Atlanta. Ms. Mia assured me, that come operation day, someone would meet us at the hospital, special car seat in hand, and would help us properly install it, and cover all safety questions and guidelines. How awesome is that ???!!!!! Another miracle for our Mia, and another 'ducky' in place !!<br />
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As I continued to look at blogs, I noticed that one thing all the Moms and Dads were saying was an absolute MUST, was a bean bag chair ! It hadn't even occurred to me that she wouldn't be able to sit on the couch or a regular chair in her spica !! Well, our treasured Aunt Jackie was on the phone with me as I was reading, and she said ok, go to this site and see if you like this one ! It was an adorable pink with white polka dots, and it just looks like my Mia to me ! As I was telling her how much I loved it, she said "good, I'm half way through check out now!"...and, so there you go....one bean bag chair for Mia, on it's way !!! We love you so very much, Aunt Jackie & Uncle James !!! You're the bestest !!! :) Ducky #3, check!<br />
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Ducky #4, is just adorable !!! While my husband and I had always been anti "tv in the bedroom" for Mia...we never in a million years dreamed she'd be stuck in her bed for quite a while !! So, that rule has gone out the window, and we began the hunt for a small tv that she could play her DVD's on. Once again, we didn't have to look far....Aunt MaryAnne, Uncle Gus, Aunt Pam, Uncle Robert, Aunt Debby & Uncle Ben brought her the sweetest Disney Princess TV I've ever seen !!! It actually looks like the tv is wearing a tiara !!! LOL And, it is beyond precious !! (If my mind was working, I'd have taken a picture to show you all the amazing things she's getting....I'll make sure I do that, I promise !!!) But, to say that we're grateful to them, is an understatement !! Mia looooooves her tv, and has already made it quite clear that "this is MY remote, Daddy...don't touch it !"..and then, she giggles !!! She's a hot mess, and she loves her Aunts & Uncles very much, as do her Daddy and I !!!<br />
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So, you see, as I said before, Mia's miracles come in all shapes and sizes...big, small, electric, bean filled...diapers, nightgowns (we love you Memaw & Poppy!!) her big, big, BIG "big girl bed" (we love you, Nana!!) and everything in between....(I feel like I'm forgetting something, and if I am, I'm going to feel AWFUL and will have to blog again....the miracles are coming in so fast and steady, I'm actually having a hard time keeping up with them !!! Praise God !!!) But, I wanted to share them with you guys. I want you to be able share with us first hand how God is making himself known...is providing what is needed, and is with us every step of the way !!! I hope you'll see these things, and know that He's going to do the same things for you !! Name your "duckies", and watch God line them up !!! ;)<br />
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We love and appreciate each and every one of you !!!<br />
We pray for blessings and miracles for you, and as always, we thank you for being a miracle for our Mia !!!<br />
With a Mommy's heart,<br />
xoxox<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLGo75wwL7Iwti42LPCSHTkQ-FhBjeGvGUAZHVPeatOOBd9bxQPwsWZp12U0CJRMtn9JxWMcPeuvxaG7u0I7HTzD6dDpsxLRimFpg0v2h5V-CsacRjwCdN6Qg8QziErD8wuS5Gva4Vtbt/s1600/rubber-duck-family-swimming-clip-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLGo75wwL7Iwti42LPCSHTkQ-FhBjeGvGUAZHVPeatOOBd9bxQPwsWZp12U0CJRMtn9JxWMcPeuvxaG7u0I7HTzD6dDpsxLRimFpg0v2h5V-CsacRjwCdN6Qg8QziErD8wuS5Gva4Vtbt/s320/rubber-duck-family-swimming-clip-art.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-14126064894294912362011-07-14T15:12:00.000-04:002011-07-14T15:12:16.933-04:00ResourcesI wanted to take a minute to introduce a couple of amazing resources to anyone and everyone who may have happened on Mia's blog looking for not just updates on our Mia (which we LOVE and appreciate), but who may also be seeking more information about hip dysplasia and support for themselves and their child !! We don't want ANYONE to feel like they are going through this alone....we do have resources available to us...and furthermore, if you are going through this as well, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU !!! Please, take a moment to leave us a comment or message us telling us a little about you and your child, so that we can include you in our prayers by name, and also build a community with each other. Together we can figure it all out and get through it. There truly is strength in numbers !!! ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWPVdHdy5Dcm8ffVW02YTJg61jTURNbhZ4gmf4ATXsi6sThUtpSSUXCdvmjrsKIyK78K2vWJj09I-vI44_4KLGt5Dcnkz5PFDl1S6NqQk56X9t5dOnr6q-nznbXykmoLHn6DYHNGSPwxv/s1600/Hip-Dysplasia-copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWPVdHdy5Dcm8ffVW02YTJg61jTURNbhZ4gmf4ATXsi6sThUtpSSUXCdvmjrsKIyK78K2vWJj09I-vI44_4KLGt5Dcnkz5PFDl1S6NqQk56X9t5dOnr6q-nznbXykmoLHn6DYHNGSPwxv/s320/Hip-Dysplasia-copy.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsOkuuaohHvZOPsFBqVAMzh_Rnu-AlVinooCMNLW0MYjPyYrXCrk0mMAvAN93Hzog_atTwsU5Q0xKrFH7DIy02eY1B1MlS9GC4q6d9OYcWrp3_Esi2ME6kSVTuQ33MgNdHbps30OcS11C/s1600/IHDI+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsOkuuaohHvZOPsFBqVAMzh_Rnu-AlVinooCMNLW0MYjPyYrXCrk0mMAvAN93Hzog_atTwsU5Q0xKrFH7DIy02eY1B1MlS9GC4q6d9OYcWrp3_Esi2ME6kSVTuQ33MgNdHbps30OcS11C/s320/IHDI+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hipdysplasia.org/">www.hipdysplasia.org</a></div><br />
Above is the website for the International Hip Dysplasia Institute - this is an amazing place to go to learn more about dysplasia and to get some of your questions answered !!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm5DxZF8T9hcJgql4YSVuYF_7KMz8h5UluiP21fbymzNBHxLVhreBRph1gCB8RVaaieKcuhyphenhyphenhwNcawEimsOLKEpKogv6PEERLuin1ZIxLtmtK0CCGDIOSAcbR6ydx3e7d3P7StoAUKnMI/s1600/GitRDonelogo_color+banner1-website+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm5DxZF8T9hcJgql4YSVuYF_7KMz8h5UluiP21fbymzNBHxLVhreBRph1gCB8RVaaieKcuhyphenhyphenhwNcawEimsOLKEpKogv6PEERLuin1ZIxLtmtK0CCGDIOSAcbR6ydx3e7d3P7StoAUKnMI/s320/GitRDonelogo_color+banner1-website+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gitrdonefoundation.org/">http://www.gitrdonefoundation.org</a></div><br />
The Git-R-Done Foundation - founded by Larry the Cable Guy and his wife Cara after their son, Wyatt was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Having no where to go for answers, and enduring the frustrations that we already know, they started this foundation to raise awareness, raise money for research and aide, and to minimize our frustrations by having someone to turn to. They've already been a blessing to us, and we can't thank Adrian enough for being there for us, and especially for listening to the insanity which is me !!! ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsOkuuaohHvZOPsFBqVAMzh_Rnu-AlVinooCMNLW0MYjPyYrXCrk0mMAvAN93Hzog_atTwsU5Q0xKrFH7DIy02eY1B1MlS9GC4q6d9OYcWrp3_Esi2ME6kSVTuQ33MgNdHbps30OcS11C/s1600/IHDI+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsOkuuaohHvZOPsFBqVAMzh_Rnu-AlVinooCMNLW0MYjPyYrXCrk0mMAvAN93Hzog_atTwsU5Q0xKrFH7DIy02eY1B1MlS9GC4q6d9OYcWrp3_Esi2ME6kSVTuQ33MgNdHbps30OcS11C/s320/IHDI+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/IHDIOnline">IHDI FACEBOOK PAGE</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The IHDI on Facebook - this is just a great place to go for a sense of community !!!!!!!! ;)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">We hope you'll find the links/sites as useful as we have....we hope that you will support them as they support us and so many others, and again, if you're going through this, please don't try it alone. We're here for you !</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you for always being there, and again, thank you for being a miracle for our Mia !!</div><div style="text-align: left;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974287743207950910.post-73937465543732827272011-07-13T14:12:00.000-04:002011-07-13T14:12:47.556-04:00Visit from July 12, 2011Thank you all so very much for continuing to track our Mia's progress !!!!<br />
We love and appreciate you all so much and we feel your love and prayers !!!<br />
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Yesterday's visit was "informative" if nothing else. We met with "a" surgeon, but he isn't going to be "the" surgeon. Since he specializes in complex "spine issues", he would prefer that Mia be seen and operated on by one who specializes in complex "hip issues"...naturally, we agreed. It was decided that Mia would be referred to their hip "team", a team of 2 doctors who would both perform the surgery. We do know that her surgery will be the 3rd week in August, although we do not have a definite date as of yet. We do, however, have a date to meet with the actual surgeon, which is August 15th. Her surgery will be sometime the following week.<br />
Yesterday's doctor was kind enough to try to clarify a few things for us...such as surgery lasting "approx." 4 hours....hospital stay would be "approx." 2 days....cast time would be "approx." 6 weeks, and then she would go into a "brace" of which no real specifics were discussed. He said that the actual surgeon would be better able to better answer these questions, which makes sense, since he'll be one doing the surgery.<br />
Now, since this blog is very therapeutic for the frustrations that go along with this whole ugly process, and since my feelings are my own, and I'm entitled to them, I will say that I am somewhat angry at the thoughts of watching her suffer for another 5 weeks. I'm trying desperately to be 'sensible' about the surgery, the necessity of it, how "she's on the right road", and "going to be so much better" afterwards. Our 'heads' understand that...truly they do. However, our 'hearts' aren't on board. Our hearts care nothing about "sensibility" right now. Our hearts see the pain our daughter suffers EVERY day. Our hearts ache with her EVERY night while she cries for relief. Our hearts don't understand the wait, and can't figure out what to do to make it better in the meantime. We hate watching our child suffer. We hate watching her fall down and get bruise after bruise, because her legs won't hold her up. We hate waiting for her relief. We hate and don't understand the 'wait'.<br />
There is, however, one thing we do understand, and that is faith. We understand that it takes a complete and total surrender to stand on faith. It means, "accepting that which you cannot change, courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Faith is what helps us continue forward, knowing that God is in control, and that NOTHING escapes Him....He sees all, handles all, and is all ! And, while our hearts are troubled, we remain committed in faith, that God has this !!! He has our Mia, He has us, and He will oversee every aspect !!!!<br />
In the meantime, we are challenged with one task...."Be Still, and know that I AM God". <br />
And so we will.<br />
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Thank you for letting me rant, rave and blow off a little steam. But, most importantly, thank you for walking this with us, and reminding us that we are not alone !!<br />
Each one of you is treasured....and we thank you so much for being a miracle for our Mia !!!<br />
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With a Mommy's heart,<br />
xoxoxoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0