Johnsonerds

i started this post after her procedure, then things got crazy. so for the record here's what went down...

Rinoa had dental work done, but for this to happen, they had to put her to sleep.
to say the least, i was nervous and worried out of my mind. okay so, i was down right terrified.
i know, it's no big deal, it's just a routine dental procedure. no biggy, right?!

but the thought of putting her to sleep and any chance that her little body doesn't handle the anesthesia... and well, i was having a hard time. they had to cut into her gums and a lot of other stuff i don't even want to get into.

Friday JULY 17 we arrived at 6am, did all the prep etc., she drank the vercet, after a bit she was feeling loopy. i took her to potty, just in case, cause she would be out for a while. then, they took her to "the back". the anesthesiologist warned she would be grumpy afterwards when she wakes up, so be prepared .

i brought a book in hopes to catch up on my reading, but couldn't even sit still long enough. the next two hours were endless. reading small articles here and there in the outdated magazines, was all the focus i could muster at one time.

FINALLY. they called me back.

i could hear her screaming and coughing from down the hall. the nurse assured me it wasn't her. i replied, "oh, yes it is." (a mother KNOWS her child's cry, it's weird, but true)

Sure enough, she was kicking and fighting with the 2 male nurses, while the female nurse was holding her trying to comfort her. the female nurse turned around with a look of relief and says, "Mommy's here!" i swooped her up so quick she didn't even realize it was me. and continued to screams and kick. Through her swollen tear-filled eyes she realizes it's me and instinctively nestles into my chest and starts to calm down.
she was still hooked up to all the wires and tubes. at this point she didn't want anything or anyone else touching her. she kept grabbing at the IV in her arm and the monitor wire attached to her toe, trying to pull them out. i asked the nurse if it was necessary for her to continue to have them or can they be removed. i wanted her to be as calm and comfortable as possible at this point. he said it was fine, as Rinoa was ripping off the one on her toe. and going for the IV tube in her arm. luckily that one was taped and wrapped several times. he was trying to tear the medical tape off, at no avail. after 3 attempts i was getting frustrated and said, "get some scissors." the female nurse left to grab some, while he continued to fiddle with it. getting more anxious i rip the bandage off, so he could get on with it. he removes the IV and tries to apply pressure to the area, but Nona didn't want him touching her anymore. i grab the gauze, held it in place and applied pressure.

Nona then holds me closer and begins to fall asleep. The male nurse asked who the anesthesiologist was, while the other male nurse looked it up. i asked, "why, don't all the kids wake up this cranky?" he answers, "No, not THIS bad, only when this guy does it."

.....so anyways....

we move on to the secondary recovery area, where they observe her further. at this time they let Daddy come in too.
she tries to fall back asleep and we have to keep waking her up. she has to be fairly coherent before they can discharge her.
it's been a few hours since surgery, so, i ask the nurses if i can take her to the bathroom. they looked at each other and as though i was crazy. nurse1 says, "why, is she potty training or something?" nurse2, "well, we have to get clearance." (WAS THAT SUCH AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST??) so then i say, "look. you think she's mad now! if she pees herself, you are going to be in a world of hurt!"
i take her to the bathroom with the 2 nurses following and observing. of course i held her the whole time. she HAD to go! and she went A LOT!
and the nurses behind me chatting amongst themselves saying, "oh, wow!" "she's going a lot!" "i guess mom knows best" "mommy knows her girl" ....BLAH BLAH BLAH....WHATEVER!

finally we get to leave.

2 days go by, things seem to be normal. minor pain. some swelling. eating popsicles and jello.
then Sunday night she starts having fevers, high fevers. still thinking this is all normal, we try to control them with Motrin and Tylenol. we clean her teeth and do everything as instructed, but i was not comfortable with all the bleeding and fevers.

Wednesday July 22 we walk her in to the dental office. they see us right away. we are told she has a bacterial infection and an acute case of gingivitis from lowered immune system and stress.
they give her several meds and a different antibiotic, we discovered she's allergic to amoxicillin.

she cries and cries. like an infant waking every 2 hrs or so. she is miserable and in terrible pain. on top of keeping a steady level of the antibiotic in her system every 8 hrs on the dot, we keep pumping her with tylenol and motrin every 5 hrs, antibacterial mouthwash every 12 hrs and a special concoction of benadryl/ lido/ maalox mix to help numb her mouth.

Friday JULY 24 again we see the doctors, her condition seems to worsen. we are reminded her condition is acute and they are genuinely concerned. they determine it's viral and tell us if she becomes listless to take her to the emergency room asap. The Doctors are amazed at how "normal" she seems despite her affliction. We are told at this point, we are doing a great job, all we can do is continue what we are doing and wait it out.

i could barely leave her side to do much of anything. i spent most of my time holding her sweltering little body, even while she slept. i was so sad for her. it pained me to see her hurting, it killed me that i couldn't do anything about it. to make it go away and make her better. i prayed so hard every moment i could. i cried till i had no tears. i felt so hurt and helpless. emotionally drained, torn at the seams. not having control. not able to fix her.

Monday JULY 27 another appointment, the doctors are hopeful. her fevers subsided. she still has bleeding but things don't look worse. so that's good.

TODAY, she has improved substantially. back to her normal self and almost eating normally. she still has some meds to take but is doing SO good. though she still has bleeding, the swelling has gone down considerably. SO SO much better. she has another appointment on Monday August 3. I feel so relieved, it's almost over.

We are all truly grateful to all our friends and family for the loving thoughts and prayers.

We all enjoyed a nice outing at this nature park. There are paved nature trails with mile markers, pavilions, picnic tables, playground, climbing nets and of course a huge roller slide.

The layout of the park...

Close up of the little sign

Rinoa Mia enjoying a pony ride, haha

Donovan getting squirrely

cute playground with a panda for Mike!

another sign along the path. there was one for "Haboo", but it wasn't as funny.

Big overlook tower

neighboring city

Dondan speeding by

Dad and Nona taking a spin, you can see Mike and Donovan underneath

view from the bottom

these slides are fun, and FAST... you pick up speed quick and the friction can be, well, less than kind on the behind. We have brought towels to help, but decided we will make cardboard sleds instead.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as we are.

a VDO of Dondan sliding...

Johnsonerds

Friday, August 7, 2009

walk a mile in someone else's shoes...

RANDOM: So that's where THAT goes

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Look who's 14

Sunday, July 19, 2009

UGH, Nonaz teeth....

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Manta Park

Pink Toenails, for realzzz

Monday, July 13, 2009

eight years

Tobaru Koen Park

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Served sizzlin' HOT

RANDOM: So that's where THAT goes

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