Thursday, June 28, 2018

Things that made us go...oh boy!

*the waiting room with Jeffrey on the morning of surgery: We listen to the tv, which thankfully we couldn't see, and what is on? Oh, just a documentary on "The Family", a religious sex cult. (Insert hand on face emoji)
*After surgery, in recovery, Jeffrey comments:
           "Dad's in his regular clothes!" Explanation: Jeffrey last saw Jamie in his blue jumpsuit with
             hat and booties as he was wheeled into the OR.

           "They really 'nailed me' that time!" Explanation: Jeffrey and Jamie were joking around before               surgery about how after the surgery, it might feel like you got hit by a pitch on your hip on
             knee. Mix it with the fact they call the device in his femur the Precice Nail.

           "Mom, I have the urgent need to clean my room." Explanation: the anesthesiologist told                        Jeffrey of a possible side effect after surgery. He may wake up some mornings with a strange
            feeling. It will be the urge to clean your room. When you are done, you will feel so satisfied.
            Don't fight that urge.

*In the hospital room at night:
           "I like it better here because it makes me feel like I'm normal."

*In the hospital room the next morning:
           "Don't judge." Explanation: he was wearing a makeshift bib while bacon hung from his mouth              and syrup dripped down.

*Jeffrey is having trouble with his belly, and is constipated. Jamie is reading him poop poems. smh

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

This New "Device"

Pincare is a thing of the past! Woohoo!! Jeffrey's latest lengthening is done internally. Wait until you see this contraption!
We knew it would be less complicated due to the fact we do not have to wrap, unwrap, and clean external pins/screws. No tearing gauze from scabbed over open wounds. No more screaming and pushing away child.

During Jeffrey's surgery we got schooled. Literally! Ms. Lee showed us just how this internal Precice Nail works. First, let's shock you with the size of the apparatus.
It's like a giant super heavy suitcase filled with a remote box and a giant rolling magnet. We practiced using it by turning it on and laying it on our legs. It's heavy and lasts about 2 minutes. It sounds like my nursing breast pump used to sound...*reeeeer, reeeeer...* I will post a video once we start the lengthening process next week.
Below I'm posting the Precice Nail, aka the lengthening rod, which is inserted in the middle of his femur. As the remote rolling magnets turn, the rod stretches about .2mm. We will do this probably 4 times a day for a total of .8mm a day. (That is "point 8", not 8mm).
This is the Precice Nail (the paperclip is to show where the magnet is. On his leg, there is a huge marker line so we know where to line up the rolling magnet.) Also, if the marker wears away, we can use a compass, no lie!)

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Prepping for Surgery

Monday the 25th, the clinic was short staffed so we literally waited for 3 1/2 hours to see Dr. Standard. It was um...fun...trying to fill the time.
Mommy cuddles
Daddy massages


Reciprocating Massage

Looking at the people below
It was Jeffrey's pre-op appointment where they take x-rays and go over the procedure and we can ask any questions we have. Once Allison (PA) came in and showed us the xray, she mentioned adding a new addition to our Precice Nail Femoral Lengthening. It was adding another 8 plate in his knee to help the valgus knee. (That just means his knee turns in.) They plan to leave the hips screws from 2 years ago and the broken ankle screw in since they're not bothering him.
Today's Pre-op xrays

After our appointment, we took out Jeffrey's brand new Xbox One S to hook up and download and update stuff. This really dated me and Jamie because we used to turn on a gaming system,  press start, and play. He was able to play and chat with two of his good buddies from home and I know he loved every second of that. But, alas, it was time for bed to prep for the next day.

Skip to Tuesday, surgery day.  Waking up, Jeff was so excited for his surgery that he woke up around 7!  He then, immediately, turned on the Xbox One S and starting gaming (Uhh, I guess he was actually excited to play video games rather than go have surgery ;)  Jeff  was lucky to be joined "Live" online by those same friends and they played some Star Wars Battle Front.

We had to shut down  the Star Wars "Live" battle, and take the short trek to the hospital.  Walking there, memories flooded as I took some snapshots of Jeff from behind.  Images of a goofy 3 year old making this same journey popped into my head as I watched the same goofy 11 year old strut across the street to his next surgery.
We reported to check in at 9:00am, for Surgery at 11:00. However, he did not enter the OR until at least 12:15. He was in the OR for 3 1/2 hours. The next post will show you what we did while waiting...

Sunday Night: Last sleep at home

This goodnight was an emotional one. Not for the reason you might think. Jeffrey seemed extra clingy due to some pre-surgery nerves. He basically tried to climb through me while cuddling.

The attention turns to little brother, Jack. Jack began to cry as we started out bedtime prayers.
Being 2 1/2 years apart in age, the boys are great friends and annoying brothers. Jack was so upset that we weren't all going to be together over the next few days. He has no problems and loves going to be with Grandmom and Poppy. However, his thoughts and emotions were getting the best of him. Jamie is so good at rationalizing situations and being optimistic, but even that wasn't calming Jack.


Jack e. was happy to cuddle with big brother and big brother was telling him it's gonna be alright. Talk about a twist of a situation. As a mom, I loved it!
I did end up sending Jeffrey up to his top bunk to be comfy and I fell asleep with Jack until midnight.
Night, Night!

Squeezin' in Summer in a weekend!

Happy Summer!
We started the summer by surprising the boys with an early pick up from school on their last day. Jamie and I picked up the boys and headed straight to Ocean City, NJ. They were confused as to why we were picking them up, since we NEVER do. They always stay at the after school care program. Not today!
We enjoyed 24 hours down the shore doing this...
sitting on the beach, body surfing the waves, playing paddle ball, making drip castles, walking the boardwalk, mini-golfing, eating Mack and Manco pizza, Johnson's caramel corn, George's ice cream and macaroons, Kohr Bros ice cream, rides, swimming at hotel pool, arcade, shuffle board, pizza again, ice cream again, and mini-golf again. We were fortunate and had Aunt JenJen and cousin Mandi join us for pizza, rides, and golf :)








Discovering a Chinese Finger Trap for the first time. It was hilarious!






After the beach, we had a visit from Aunt Ann, Uncle Jay, and cousin Abbey. Love spending time with them. They live too dang far away in Michigan. Together, we watched Jack play and win his allstar baseball game and watched the movie "Coco", Super cute, super emotional movie.


On Saturday, we had our 3rd annual Summer plunge/ Willlingboro Lifeguard reunion to raise money for Special Olympics NJ.


What better way to spend your time than with extended Ohana?! We continued our Saturday with the Gausz family up in Raritan, NJ. We finally made it to the annual Daiquiri party at John and Mary Pat's house. We all participated in the popular and competitive Egg Toss. The boys, Jeffrey and Jack, won one of three rounds. It was fun, funny, messy, and disappointing all at the same time. These two were the hit of the toss and all the big kids were rooting for my boys.

Little bro, Jack's, Allstar baseball game
Golfing


Tending bar



Toward the end of the daiquiri party, Jeff and Jack could be found tending bar. That's right, tapping the keg, wiping the bar clean, opening bottles, and eventually collecting tips. Oh my! I wasn't sure whether to be proud or ashamed. haha They loved every minute! On the drive back to the hotel, the boys were already checking to make sure we were booked to go next year.
Sunday morning ,they rose around 7:30 to go golfing with dad and "Uncle Chris", who is my husband's brother's wife's brother-in-law. Got all that?!
We returned Sunday late afternoon to have my parents over for dinner and our friends, the Pappalardo's, over for a visit before the "Big Day".

Monday morning, we headed out for Baltimore!