Pre Op Complete

Good Evening to all!  I know a lot of you have been emailing and texting to find out all the details of the doctors visit and upcoming surgery.  I figured that I would do a blog post so I could capture all the details in one place.

The Pre-Op appointment started at 10am with a visit to see the surgeon.  We talked through all of the possible complications of the surgery and the steps of the surgery.  I would have to admit the complications are super scary and we had to sign our lives away on the consent forms.  I don't know about you but watching TV and listening to the commercials for new pharmaceutical drugs and the complication that may result of rectal bleeding is scary too.   (Don't believe me about the above pay attention to the commercial next time!)

The surgeon will take approximately a hour for the surgery once the anesthesia kicks in.  He will do a small insertion behind her ear, yes they will have to shave her hair around her ear a little bit but nothing drastic.  From there he will insert the electrode (the tail looking piece) through her cochlea.  You and I have hair follicles in our cochlea that captures the sounds.  Kylie's are damaged.  It is too hard to see in this picture but at the end of the electrode there is electrons that support Kylie with sound.  The other part which acts as part of the processor and has a magnet will be under her skin on her head and attaches to the external processor part (which will be applied in about a month).  As you can see this is the size of a nickel. 

 

The sutures that Kylie will receive will be dissolvable. Her head will be wrapped and she will have to wear the dressing for up to 48 hours.  The doctor indicated that she will experience some swelling of her head / ear area after the insertion as her body wants to fight this foreign matter.  They expect her to bounce back after a few days but can experience been dizzy and unstable for a little bit.  They would like her to stay out of school for about a weeks time. 

After a very thorough explanation from the surgeon offices we made our way over to the hospital to do our pre-op visit there.  At the hospital they walked us through the procedure in massive detail, walked through the day of surgery and we met with admission, nurses and the anesthesiologist. Of course they had to make sure our money was good too!  Love Insurance!

 Kylie was quite the trooper as she has had her blood pressure checked multiple times and was poked and prodded everywhere but she checks out as in great health and can proceed with surgery.  She of course in true Kylie style thanked every nurse, doctor and person we came across and said, "Have a Nice Day!"

Best case scenario she will just have to go through general anesthesia but they will be prepared for anything that she may require.  The Anesthesiologist was calling Kylie's Cardiologist  as we left to just review her heart condition and the anesthesia.  We left the hospital around 1:30. 

Everything seems to be set, we don't have a time frame for the surgery yet they will call us the night before.  Most likely 7 or 8am on Friday morning and they anticipate we won't leave until the afternoon as she has to recoup etc at the hospital.  I know I know yes day surgery and they are cutting into her head.  She may come home but I may still be in a straight jacket somewhere! 

We haven't really told her what is going on as I am not sure she will understand the complexity of it.  I think telling her closer to the surgery that the doctor is going to give her a new princess ear is the best that we can do.  Just saying doctor right now she gets a little nervous as she thinks she is going to get a shot or blood taken.  Less is more I believe in this scenario.  

Thank you again to all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers for our family we are so full of appreciation and love. Kylie's future is so bright she has to wear cochlear implants.     (I hope some of this made sense I am exhausted!) 

Farm Field Trip

This past Thursday my Mom and I were class helpers for Kylie's field trip to the farm.  We all truly had a blast and it was so much fun to see Kylie with her class enjoying the farm!  There were chicken, horses, pigs, cows, goats and sheep.  We were all having so much fun we didn't get many pictures.  Being responsible for so many little ones keeps you busy! 

Here comes the bus

Singing Songs

Mr Pig

The Chicken - Kylie was super impressed by the Chickens and their Eggs

Playing at the park at the farm

Kylie's Class- They were all not thrilled that they were done with the animals

Time to wash your hands

After the field trip Kylie had another doctor appointment where she had lab work done.  She only cried for a few seconds and then thanked the lab technician on her way out.  She is handling these appointments much better then her Mom and Dad!   As a reward she got to have ice cream here she is enjoying it! 

Ten Days to Surgery

We wanted to start off by saying, Thank You!  Since we got the news that Kylie’s surgery has been approved the outpouring of calls, e-mails, texts and love from all areas of the globe has been amazing!  We love you all and appreciate each and every one of you.

We are currently ten days away from the surgery and we have been busy getting all of the appointments and tests out of the way. 

Today, Kylie went to see her Cardiologist to give clearance for her surgery.  While her EKG came back clear he wanted her to wear a heart rate monitor for 24 hours to ensure that she was in tip top shape and was ready for surgery.  At 9am tomorrow we can take the monitor off.

Here is Kylie registering at the hospital to see her Doctor.  How did they know she was Minnie Mouse?  

Kylie with her Heart Rate Monitor.  She loved to show it off!  She called it her Boo Boos.

Kylie, Mom and I made a trip to the Broward Health Department this afternoon so Kylie could get the necessary Meningitis shot for her upcoming surgery.  Let me tell you if you ever don’t have enough reality TV to watch make a trip to your local Health Department.  After two hours of sitting there we really felt like we saw it all.  While Kylie was a little bit scared and nervous, she screamed when the shot when in and then said, “All Done, Let’s Go!”  She told the nurse, “Thank You!  Have a nice day!” What a sweet girl.

We are so excited that the day is almost here and most importantly that means we are 25-40 days away before they turn on the implant for the first time! 

Spring Break Part Two and Easter

Spring Break was so much Fun and Kylie was able to celebrate with my Mom and Dad and with Brian's parents as well.  It was a full house of fun!

Here is Kylie enjoying a Mr Blue Pool Party followed by a Frosty. She met up with her friends Aiden and Tatum but all were having too much fun to capture all three at once!   It was 92 degrees that day!

Kylie learned how to make authentic Chinese food with Po Po.  Here she is helping wash the vegetables and enjoy  the video of her chopping :)

Kylie and my Mom learned how to make Chinese Potstickers.. Yummy!!

 

On the Saturday before Easter I ran my fourth half marathon.  This was the first time that Kylie was able to be at the finish line and she was screaming Go Mommy Go! 

 

Checking out the Bling

 

We colored Eggs and prepared for the Easter Bunny to come.. 

And then there was Easter

Three Generations

Here's another Egg Grandpa

Mom and I being silly.. Kylie took the picture :)

Kylie's New Bubble Maker - She uses it almost every weekend - Version One just bit the dust and the Easter Bunny brought a new one

What a Way to Start Spring Break

Spring Break officially started on Friday... but before we start we have to to highlight the previous weekend fun!

We attended the Park Springs Carnival and Kylie had a blast.  

Here is Kylie in action on the bounce obstacle course.  Love how her hair is flying

Here is Kylie and our friend Kyle on the bounce slide.  (He just had a blue snow cone!)

Kylie climbing up the rope ladder

One last time on the obstacle course and the big mushroom got Kyle and Kylie

Twister Bounce

Okay so back to the Spring Break story.. It officially started on Friday and Kylie and I went to see Disney on Ice, Dare to Dream!  Kylie was so excited and barely moved the entire time.  Except during intermission where she felt it was rude that Cinderella needed a break. 

Kylie kept trying to tell Minnie Mouse that Kylie was over here..

Cinderella and her horses

Intermission is Over

The Horse! - She thought this was awesome but he needed to BE NICE!

The End! This was the best moment of the whole event.  She wrapped her arms around my neck and said, "I Love You Mommy, Thank You!"

Today we went to the South Florida Egg Hunt and Picnic it was 87 degrees out and super hot!  Our weather is too wacky but we enjoyed the event.

She wanted the Easter Bunny to Hop Along...

The Easter Egg Hunt

Paddle boat - (How come we didn't have these as kids)??

Kylie's New Favorite Thing - Rock Climbing.  The older girl behind us was telling her Mom that Kylie was too small to climb.  Ya not Kylie

 

What will the rest of Spring Break bring, I guess we will have to wait and see.  We are having a blast so far!

Telling a Story

Kylie's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher encourages us to share stories, pictures or information about what Kylie is doing at home.  This morning, Kylie wanted me to tell Ms. Ivy in her take home book about taking a bubble bath.  It is neat to see Kylie describe Mom's drawings (I am not an artist).  By using real life examples they are encouraging Kylie to speak more and describe things.  Many might not be able to understand but this is major progress.  

Here are two other pictures from school today:  One of Kylie with her friends outside and then  with a caterpillar on her hand.  I know the first thing you will  notice is it is COLD here!  :)

Dr Seuss :)

Today ended the week long Dr. Seuss Events at Kylie's school.  Check out the class with their hats on!  Of course enjoy a picture if you haven't seen it yet of the Cookie Dr. Seuss Hats Kylie and I made last night!

Here's to Dr. Seuss