12.22.15 Surgery Day

Waiting...

Aimee has been under for 5+ hours. We're waiting...

12.21.15 Tomorrow Is D-day

With tears in my eyes, I can officially announce that we made it. Isolation was a success. Aimee is as healthy as I've ever seen her. 

Tomorrow is D-day. Today, I prepare and enjoy a day at home with my 3 smiling babies. 

Aimee's surgery is tomorrow morning. We will check in at 10 and she will be prepped for an 11:30 start. We are expecting it to be completed by 5-6 and plan to post progress and updates as much as we can. 

Please pray. Wear your Aimee shirt if you can to remind you. Pray particularly for successful intubation and extubation. Pray for protection of Aimee's nerves, appropriate levels of bloodloss, and, most of all, peace on her little heart. 

12.17.15 Pre-op

I am sitting in pre-op appts with Aimee today. Feeling nauseous. This is real. I had a crazy inclination not to turn the van into the hospital parking garage earlier. If we run away, she won't need this surgery, right? If we just don't come in, it won't happen. And then, she won't go through all of this pain. And then... She will be in pain for the rest of her life... Jesus, help me to be strong enough to bring Aimee here to go through all of this pain to avoid future pain. Help. 

Coming in Tuesday morning. She will have general anesthesia and nerve block local anesthesia as well. She will have a bed in ICU for the first 24 hours and then move over to the surgical floor. I know I will be scared and I know she will be in pain. Hope that the lack of surprise makes the times calmer. 

Had a spinal traction xray just now. First time pulling her by her legs and shoulders to see how straight she could be. X-ray still came back with a 43 degree thorasic curve. Not what any of us were expecting. She seemed so flexible. Ortho doc says surgery to add growth rods would be kind of unorthodox, but once she hits 50 degrees we'll need to act. 

I just signed a surgery consent form that said Aimee's condition is cerebral palsey. Some times there is no point in arguing particulars. 

Pleasantly surprised that they will not use a spica cast, but a brace instead for the first 6 weeks at least. Easier to care for. Extra padding included for washing purposes! She will still end with a lower cast on her left calf though. 

Surgery will be 4 parts: leg bones cut, angle added, and aligned with plates; thigh muscle lengthened; calf muscle lengthened; and hip socket released, rotated, and grafted bone added. Somewhere around 5-6 hours total. 

Labs taken to confirm pre-operative levels and blood type in case of tranfusions. ICU bed booked. Time set, anesthesia approved, and now the courage to follow through.

Made it back to snuggle with brothers tonight. Rough day for Aimee was merely a test run. 

11.29.15 T-shirts and Prayer Requests

2 days left to get your new Team Aimee Love shirt. Proceeds go to Aimee's expense fund. Surgery day is 3 weeks away and we ask that you consider wearing either your 'Happiest girls are the prettiest girls' shirt or your new 'Joy is catching' shirt to remember to pray for Aimee through that day. Thank you to all who have supporting our pretty girl with prayer and with funds. We cannot do it on our own!

Also, please pray for Aimee over these coming weeks. First, that she would be healthy and strong going into surgery. Second, for her adjustment to her new supportive chair, which is so supportive that it is hard on her learning to be straight. Third, that her pain would be manageable as we have to back off of our primary pain medication for a period prior to surgery. 

Ps. Here is that t-shirt link again:

https://www.bonfirefunds.com/team-aimee-love

11.20.15 New Home Base

Aimee's new wheels showed up this morning!! Thrilled!! So supportive, actual foam cushions, equipment storage, solid wheels, head strap, and on and on! Seems like it will be perfect for this next season of her life. 

It's kick-up-your-heels good! 

11.18.15 Team Aimee Love

A new Team Aimee Love t-shirt design has been launched. The fund ends on December 1st, so you will have your shirt in time to wear when Aimee goes in for her surgery and to give as Christmas gifts. Check it out here:

https://www.bonfirefunds.com/team-aimee-love

11.12.15 Aimee's Sparrow Project

Our family at St Monica Catholic School

We had a memorable experience a couple of weeks ago at St Monica Catholic School. We were invited as a family to participate in the school assembly introducing Aimee as the Sparrow Project for this school year. This incredible day started with a video about Aimee (You can read the post I wrote introducing Aimee HERE), an introduction of Sparrow Clubs by founder Jeff Leland (Read about the Sparrow story HERE), a little unexpected word from me, and a big blessing from the school. When we walked through the front doors, the very first thing we saw was Aimee's face up on the lobby screen. Walking through the halls, she was greeted by name by the teachers. As the students gathered in the gymnasium, several of them called out a hello to her. It was incredible. Lately I have heard kids mocking her, seen sideways glances, and even have had adults make ignorant comments. To have these sweet kids be so excited for Aimee to be their project was incredibly touching.

Look how excited Aimee was! SO sweet.

Aimee is St Monica's 11th Sparrow project. The principal shared with the students a reminder of how this is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Aimee was given gifts, including this giant elephant, which we named 'Hugsie'. He was given a hug by all the students in pre-school, kindergarten, and 8th grade prior to be given to her.

Several of the classes had made cards for her, which we decorated a corner of her room with at home. 

 All these dear kids gathered around her afterwards, loving on her. It was incredible.

These sweet kids have committed to a huge amount of volunteer hours to raise funds for Aimee through a donor family. Through Sparrow Clubs a fund is also set up in her name that can be given to for a tax deduction by any one who wishes to contribute to the project. We can request money out of this fund to use for respite care, travel expenses, medical bills, and other Aimee needs as they arise. We are just stunned at how God takes care of Aimee. She is loved.

The timing of this all is incredible as we prepare to put Aimee in isolation for 6 weeks prior to her big surgery day. Surgery is scheduled for December 22nd. Please pray along with this amazing school that Aimee would have strength and full health going into the procedure.

Also, if you know of anyone who would like to be a part of this project for Aimee's benefit, please direct them to this link: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/SparrowClubsUSA/OnlineDonation.html. Be sure to designate the funds to Aimee's sparrow project in the additional information field.

We are so grateful for each gift that helps us care for Aimee.