http://www.11alive.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=826468935001
Thank you 11Alive, Dr. Conners, and everyone else for their prayers and help!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
11Alive News in Atlanta
http://www.11alive.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=826468935001
Thank you 11Alive, Dr. Conners, and everyone else for their prayers and help!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Haleigh's First Surgery
Haleigh had her first surgery yesterday, she did really good, there were no problems through out surgery. A few details before I start telling our story. Haleigh was out to sleep with grape flavored gas, then given an IV and a breathing tube, surgery was 2 hours long, the piece that was removed was 5cm long and 2 cm across. He closed with normal stitches not dissolving ones. He gave her a nerve block that lasted about 8 hours, although I think it lasted longer than that.
On to the personals.
We left mobile on Monday the 7th at 6am local time. We didn't dress Haleigh, just changed her diaper and put her pj's back on her. We stopped in evergreen to pick up Jason's mom, eat and fill up. We didn't stop again and Haleigh slept all the way until we were about 30 miles out side of Atlanta. That is when we stopped and got Haleigh some lunch, Jason and I got a snack we were just not all that hungry. And filled up again. Then on to the hotel. I have to say the hotel was very very nice, but unless it was donated to us again we would not choose to stay there, even if it wasn't 350 a night. There was nothing wrong with it, we were just kinds out of place being at a hotel where they wanna do everything for you from opening the car door to your room door. They even knew our names as we walked out the door to get dinner! It was very nice, we are just use to doing stuff our self.
We changed Haleigh's clothes and went to meet Dr C. We got lost 3 times with the GPS, because Jason kept getting in the wrong lane and we would have to turn and then go another way and so on I times lol!
Everyone at Dr C's office was so so nice. They gave her a stuffed dog that Haleigh has been carring around with her ever since. We met Dr.C in the waiting room then went to an exam room, he was real good with Haleigh he played with her and answered all of our questions, and never made us feel that our questions were not important. The news was there setting up and I talked to them and did good with no tears until they asked if anyone had ever been rude to Haleigh or me, and what kind of questions we get in public. Ugh... That is a question that in the past that made me mad and I would always answer with a don't hurt my baby mommy voice. But I had already made it through surgery talk, talk of cancer, and talk of how we were turned down by other places. So when we got to how other kids are mean, my mind rushed to kindergarten and thoughts of Haleigh sitting by herself and I cried. They have me a min and then I furnished the rest of the interview with no more tears. I will let everyone know when its on line, it has not aired yet.
We left there and it was time to eat dinner, so we did that and then went to a cool mall, that was right across from our hotel, it was underground as well as above making it like 5 stories of stores, stores like Tiffany and company! We let Haleigh pick out a cupcake and then we headed to the hotel hoping to turn in early so we would not be late for surgery the next morning. Haleigh feel asleep about 10.30 Atlanta time.
We had to be at The surgery center at 6 Tuesday morning, so we left the hotel at 5.30 the surgery center is right across the street from the Dr office, and connected to the children's hospital, that is connected to north side hospital. We got there a few mins early and checked in at the wrong desk so by the time we got to the right desk we were right on time. They were all super nice and made us feel comfortable and talked to Haleigh in a soft voice. We didn't wait long before we were called back to be weighed and to get her blood pressure and stats done. She was at 95% oxygen for a while so they have her a breathing treatment then she was at 100%. We then went to per op waiting area that was a private waiting room. The nurse took Haleigh to pick a prize and the Dr that put Haleigh to sleep came and talked to us then listened to Haleigh's heart and lungs. We changed her into a hospital gown and socks, I put a gown over my clothes and a hat on my hair and carried her into the OR. There were about 15 people in there and Haleigh got scared because they were all wearing mask. Dr. C took his off to make Haleigh feel better. I laid her on the table and held her hand, she really didn't like the mask on her face but it took 2 deep breaths in and she started to fall asleep, I then had to leave her. I did good and only cried a little.
We were taken to post op and was given a timer. It went off after an hour, they called the or and we were told everything was going great and Haleigh was doing wonderful. 55 mins later Dr. C was out telling us she was in recovery and would be there for about 20 mins then they would bring her to me in post op. She was still sleeping but breathing all on her own age woke up for a min the laid her head down and slept for another 45 mins. After that she wanted me to hold her and her binky and cup. After the nurse saw her drinking age went over everything with us and gave Jason her pain meds to get filled, he ran down stairs and did that while we waited our 30 mins, after drinking before we could leave. By the time Jason was back we were ready to go.
We went to the hotel, Jason dropped me and Haleigh off while he went to get is something for lunch, since we had not eaten that morning and it was 11.30 already. The hotel was super sweet and helped me up to my room with my key, they also told me any thing we needed to just ask.
Haleigh did good through the day and night Dr. C came by the hotel about 4 to see her and was very helpful with some questions we had. We went to see him Tuesday morning and decided she was doing so well, we could head back to mobile. The weather was progressively bad, so we decided that since we had to take Jason's mom home anyway we would just stay with her for the night. Headed home in morning!
On to the personals.
We left mobile on Monday the 7th at 6am local time. We didn't dress Haleigh, just changed her diaper and put her pj's back on her. We stopped in evergreen to pick up Jason's mom, eat and fill up. We didn't stop again and Haleigh slept all the way until we were about 30 miles out side of Atlanta. That is when we stopped and got Haleigh some lunch, Jason and I got a snack we were just not all that hungry. And filled up again. Then on to the hotel. I have to say the hotel was very very nice, but unless it was donated to us again we would not choose to stay there, even if it wasn't 350 a night. There was nothing wrong with it, we were just kinds out of place being at a hotel where they wanna do everything for you from opening the car door to your room door. They even knew our names as we walked out the door to get dinner! It was very nice, we are just use to doing stuff our self.
We changed Haleigh's clothes and went to meet Dr C. We got lost 3 times with the GPS, because Jason kept getting in the wrong lane and we would have to turn and then go another way and so on I times lol!
Everyone at Dr C's office was so so nice. They gave her a stuffed dog that Haleigh has been carring around with her ever since. We met Dr.C in the waiting room then went to an exam room, he was real good with Haleigh he played with her and answered all of our questions, and never made us feel that our questions were not important. The news was there setting up and I talked to them and did good with no tears until they asked if anyone had ever been rude to Haleigh or me, and what kind of questions we get in public. Ugh... That is a question that in the past that made me mad and I would always answer with a don't hurt my baby mommy voice. But I had already made it through surgery talk, talk of cancer, and talk of how we were turned down by other places. So when we got to how other kids are mean, my mind rushed to kindergarten and thoughts of Haleigh sitting by herself and I cried. They have me a min and then I furnished the rest of the interview with no more tears. I will let everyone know when its on line, it has not aired yet.
We left there and it was time to eat dinner, so we did that and then went to a cool mall, that was right across from our hotel, it was underground as well as above making it like 5 stories of stores, stores like Tiffany and company! We let Haleigh pick out a cupcake and then we headed to the hotel hoping to turn in early so we would not be late for surgery the next morning. Haleigh feel asleep about 10.30 Atlanta time.
We had to be at The surgery center at 6 Tuesday morning, so we left the hotel at 5.30 the surgery center is right across the street from the Dr office, and connected to the children's hospital, that is connected to north side hospital. We got there a few mins early and checked in at the wrong desk so by the time we got to the right desk we were right on time. They were all super nice and made us feel comfortable and talked to Haleigh in a soft voice. We didn't wait long before we were called back to be weighed and to get her blood pressure and stats done. She was at 95% oxygen for a while so they have her a breathing treatment then she was at 100%. We then went to per op waiting area that was a private waiting room. The nurse took Haleigh to pick a prize and the Dr that put Haleigh to sleep came and talked to us then listened to Haleigh's heart and lungs. We changed her into a hospital gown and socks, I put a gown over my clothes and a hat on my hair and carried her into the OR. There were about 15 people in there and Haleigh got scared because they were all wearing mask. Dr. C took his off to make Haleigh feel better. I laid her on the table and held her hand, she really didn't like the mask on her face but it took 2 deep breaths in and she started to fall asleep, I then had to leave her. I did good and only cried a little.
We were taken to post op and was given a timer. It went off after an hour, they called the or and we were told everything was going great and Haleigh was doing wonderful. 55 mins later Dr. C was out telling us she was in recovery and would be there for about 20 mins then they would bring her to me in post op. She was still sleeping but breathing all on her own age woke up for a min the laid her head down and slept for another 45 mins. After that she wanted me to hold her and her binky and cup. After the nurse saw her drinking age went over everything with us and gave Jason her pain meds to get filled, he ran down stairs and did that while we waited our 30 mins, after drinking before we could leave. By the time Jason was back we were ready to go.
We went to the hotel, Jason dropped me and Haleigh off while he went to get is something for lunch, since we had not eaten that morning and it was 11.30 already. The hotel was super sweet and helped me up to my room with my key, they also told me any thing we needed to just ask.
Haleigh did good through the day and night Dr. C came by the hotel about 4 to see her and was very helpful with some questions we had. We went to see him Tuesday morning and decided she was doing so well, we could head back to mobile. The weather was progressively bad, so we decided that since we had to take Jason's mom home anyway we would just stay with her for the night. Headed home in morning!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Haleigh & Dr. Conners
Haleigh with Dr. Conners at her pre - op appointment
the day before her first surgery in Atlanta!
the day before her first surgery in Atlanta!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Last Day
Its our last day before heading to Atlanta, everything is going as planned, except it is cold and windy this morning so I did not want to get Haleigh out into it, so we are missing church. I am going tonight Jason will be home he can watch Haleigh. I hate her not going though she loves going and she asks about her friends there when we miss, if she knows we are going to church she will cry if I leave her home, so let's hope the wind dies down.
I pretty much have everything ready to go. I didn't want today to be stressful washing clothes and packing so I have been doing it all week, and now I really just need to go grocery shopping for the kids so they can eat while we are gone and so my mom doesn't have to shop with them, and get our personal soaps and shampoo and tooth brushes in our bag in the morning and we are all set.
I am also going to vacuum the truck again and fill up on gas when I go get groceries, no way do I wanna have to stop at 530 in the morning to get gas.
We are stopping in evergreen in the morning to get Jason's mom, she has taken off work and decided to go with us, so we have another support in Atlanta with us. Jason's sister is driving her to the gas station in evergreen to meet us, and even though that is only 100 miles from here I will probably go ahead and fill up again since we we already be stopped, and getting gas that way will make it less painful to fill up, since gas is 345 a gallon! I did estimate gas to be 3.50 a gallon when I budgeted the trip, but I never thought it would be that much, I did it to give us a buffer zone, that zone is now very small. But we did get 2 nights hotel free so its all going to even its self out! And who knows maybe the price of gas will drop while we are there (hey we can all dream).
Haleigh knows something is up, we have been telling her we are going on a trip, and I have let her help me pack her bag, she is too young to know what surgery is though, so I feel like I can not prepare her for anything, that is about to happen. She does not mind the doctor though so I have said we are going to see the Dr she said 'tell Dr hello' its very cute. Landon my 4 year old is the only one of the older kids that doesn't understand why he can not go. He wants to take a special trip too he said, I told him they we're going to do surgery and explained what that was, he then told Haleigh the Dr is going to cut you, she told him to hush and I cut you lol, she then pushed him down. But Landon is not happy about is packing our bags and leaving him at all!
Well, I better get dressed and head to the store, Jason is getting off half a day so I can do this alone, before Aden's practice at 3 this afternoon, yes they practice on Sundays!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Power of Prayer
How many times have you said oh I will be praying for you and then never do? I know I have in the past and I now feel bad about it, I never said it as a lie, as I had every intention on praying,but I would forget because praying was not something I did very often, mainly only when I was at church or when I wanted\ needed something from God. The past few months though having being in church 3 times a week and learning how to pray and why its important, I realize all the times I should have prayed and didn't. I do now pray for others more than myself, and while I do not shy away from asking for prayers, I do realize how somethings are more important than others. And its not all about me!
I believe in the power of prayer, I have faith that God gave Haleigh to me because he knew I was strong enough to get her the help she needs and to not back down, he knew I would follow the path he has laid before Haleigh, and I believe I am walking the path he carved for me. I have faith God lead me to the doctors in Atlanta, and that he will be guiding her surgery. I have no doubts in what we are doing is right and no doubts that its all going to go good and be amazing!
 |
| Haleigh and her Prayer Quilt |
My church has been amazing with prayers for my family, and tonight I got a gift for Haleigh that made my heart full, a lady named Ms. Barbara who has a grandson in the nursery with Haleigh made her a prayer blanket and have it to me tonight.
I was picking up Haleigh from the nursery and didn't get a chance to look in the bag until she was out the door already, so I waited until I got home. Its so cute I love it. I posted pictures on my facebook of it with Haleigh and I have plans on a thank you card for her.
She prayed for Haleigh while making the blanket, then after it was done she held it and prayed for Haleigh. We are taking it to Atlanta with us and since she can take a blanket to the O.R. With her that will be the one. I am going to make sure she know just how much this blanket means to me. I can't think of a greater gift than the gift of prayer.
I believe in the power of prayer, I have faith that God gave Haleigh to me because he knew I was strong enough to get her the help she needs and to not back down, he knew I would follow the path he has laid before Haleigh, and I believe I am walking the path he carved for me. I have faith God lead me to the doctors in Atlanta, and that he will be guiding her surgery. I have no doubts in what we are doing is right and no doubts that its all going to go good and be amazing!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
News from Atlanta
I got a message from Atlanta today, I want to clarify that when I say Atlanta that is in general anyone that has anything to do with Haleigh's care in Atlanta, there are more than one groupe of people helping up there so I just call them all Atlanta.
So back to my message, I have to take haleigh to see her pediatrician tomorrow to get a letter from him saying that she is healthy enough to have surgery and be out under, lucky for us she is! So I know we have no problems there. All the other stuff will be done when we get to Atlanta Monday.
Emergence Gifts the foundation that is covering all Haleigh's surgery needs is also taking care of our parking at the hotel they got donated to us. Parking is 26 bucks a day! That is really expensive just to park your car! The hotel is Also trying to get our food covered, that was a huge surprise to me, I am hoping that if we get no other meals we will get dinner the night of her surgery that way jason does not have to leave and go get is food. But if not it will b
They are also excited about the interview with the news, its a big hope of ours that this interview will help get the word out about Emergeence and will boost their donations and in turn they will be able to help more childen like Haleigh, am excited to do this interview, but also nervous, because I tend to cry at the beginning of telling haleigh's story to new people, but I told them to just edit that out.
So back to my message, I have to take haleigh to see her pediatrician tomorrow to get a letter from him saying that she is healthy enough to have surgery and be out under, lucky for us she is! So I know we have no problems there. All the other stuff will be done when we get to Atlanta Monday.
Emergence Gifts the foundation that is covering all Haleigh's surgery needs is also taking care of our parking at the hotel they got donated to us. Parking is 26 bucks a day! That is really expensive just to park your car! The hotel is Also trying to get our food covered, that was a huge surprise to me, I am hoping that if we get no other meals we will get dinner the night of her surgery that way jason does not have to leave and go get is food. But if not it will b
They are also excited about the interview with the news, its a big hope of ours that this interview will help get the word out about Emergeence and will boost their donations and in turn they will be able to help more childen like Haleigh, am excited to do this interview, but also nervous, because I tend to cry at the beginning of telling haleigh's story to new people, but I told them to just edit that out.
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