Where to start? How about the fun stuff... we took Mia & Noah up to the Wilderness in the Dells last week for four days. They had such a great time. Picking which water park to swim in each time we went swimming to having there own bedroom with a bunk bed. Mia was so funny when it came to the wave pool. Before the
waves would come, the mammoth would roar and then the waves would start. If she w
as playing in the water next to us and herd the sound, her face would just be in shock and run for daddy. Rich had to pick her up and either carry her or hold her in a tube. She wanted nothing to do with me during waves. Now they can't wait until next year, when we'll take Addison for her first time.Now the not so fun stuff... We went to Milwaukee yesterday 3.18.09 to follow-up with Mia's surgeon and to re-consult about her forehead. We felt it may be growing, although we hoped it was only looking bigger because her cheek is smaller now.
Unfortunately the first thing the surgeon asked when he walked in the room was if her forehead is growing? So.. he left the room to look at her scans and pics and came back to say he feels we should schedule surgery to remove the lesion from her forehead and that her mouth already needs to be cauterized again after only 3 short months .
Our poor little Mia. This surgery is something we have feared since we first heard the way the surgery will be performed. The lesion on her forehead is much more involved and is not in one piece like the spot that was in her cheek so it will consist of a lot of dissection and it will be necessary to make an incision across the top of her head all the way from ear to ear and then pulling her skin down uhhh .. just saying it or typing it brings tears to my eyes. The surgery may be lengthy and she will have a drain coming out of her head for a couple days after the surgery and she should be able to go home once the drain can be pulled out. We are not sure yet about her hair ...although it seems minor at this point the idea of it being gone is well upsetting to say the least. Mia is sick right now she has a fever, cough and an earache. So we are going to her pediatrician tomorrow to get some medication b/c she needs to be put to sleep to have an MRI for the surgeon to see before surgery. I guess his surgery schedule is a couple months out so we don't have a for sure date yet . We are hoping that she gets to celebrate her 4th b-day her golden b-day (5.4.05) and perform in her ballet recital before the surgery. Mia is strong and she is a very brave little girl. I only hope we can be as strong for her.
Thank you Rich and Brandy for the beautiful photos and the updates. Your family and beautiful Mia are never far from our thoughts and prayers, we only wish we were physically closer, but through your sharing we can glimpse that awesome smile. We know you will continue to do a fantastic job of focusing on the end results as you struggle to keep the "pictures" of the procedures at the back of your mind. You are both getting very good at the necessary part of studying these things are "steps", just what has to be done, the means to an end. It is the very hallmark of good parenting to do what you have done: search ceaselessly for the answers to your child's particular problem; collect expert opinions; weigh all options; and to proceed with a tough decision in the face of uncertainty after much soul-searching . Your ability to stay in today's joy with your family and to surround yourself with love will see you through. Know that we are with you in love.
ReplyDeleteI concur with turkowski89 and would add that you are all at the top of our list of prayers. Mia is as tough as she is sweet. God bless you all. Jake
ReplyDeleteWell, I am a little disturbed right now but I know that this is the process that has to be taken for Mia to be better. I am just so glad she is so strong and has a strong family and support system. We will pray for her and all of you, if you need anything we are always here. WE love you guys!! Your friends and neighbors... The Babiarz Family
ReplyDeleteRich, Brandy, Mia, Noah & Addison,
ReplyDeleteThere are so many people praying for all of you! And prayer does work miracles. We are so happy to see that you are taking the time out to have fun! That is sooo important. Also, don't forget about just the two of you. Making sure you keep your relationship strong will help you during the trying times. After all the years we have been together we have learned that. Keep your chins up and keep doing what you're doing. As stated above, you are wonderful parents and you have some awesome children to share that with!!
We love you and are here for you all.
John & Kathy