3 years ago today, we nearly lost a baby. Actually, about 7 months before that day, we nearly lost a baby. Our specialist told us that we were going to miscarry for the 5th time. I still remember that day very clearly. We decided that day to adopt actually. A few days later, our doctor told us he might be wrong. 7 months later, we were in labor and Drew had the cord wrapped around his neck two times. His cord was cut before he was actually born, something that rarely happens but was necessary as he was in such distress. When he was born, he had been deprived of oxygen and was unconscious and blue. He was quickly resuscitated though and then all was fine. What a strange day that was, such a roller coaster of emotions. Now, 3 years later, our crazy little man had his 3rd birthday. It wasn’t nearly as eventful as birthdays normally are around here since I’m still pretty much a wreck. But, he didn’t care. His door was decorated. He got to wear a special “3” shirt. He got a cookie cake. And, of course, he got presents. So, it was a good day. The highlight gifts were his Indiana Jones whip–the only gift he asked for–and his Indiana Jones hat, a yard sale find I picked up for $1.50. He may actually wear this thing everyday. We’ll see.
Archives for March 2009
ashlyn’s perspective
Scene: Mark and the kids watching me approach in all my glory–bandage around my neck and a barely audible voice.
Mark: Here comes the lovely lady.
Ashlyn: Here comes throaty girl.
So, that’s what I have become for now, throaty girl. Tried to just take tylenol today so that I could stay awake for church. But, it just wasn’t enough. So, back on percocet and back to bed. I was hoping to be good by tomorrow. But, I’m planning now on being out of commission for tomorrow still if not Tuesday. My only goals for the day are dropping off and picking up children from school.
From, throaty girl
i’m alive
No pictures with this post–I’m sparing you. But, I wanted to do a quick post to let you know that I am still alive. :)
The surgery went well. I was indeed awake for all but the first 5 minutes of it. It lasted for about 90 minutes in total, about 45 of which I had to say “ee” in different pitches, count to 10 over and over again, and sing happy birthday. They had me do this to test the size and placement, I guess, of the gortex implant on the side of my right vocal fold. Yes, I could feel the pressure of what they were doing and hear the noises of their instruments, but I was quite happy on the medication and even a little too chatty apparently. :)
Recovery is going okay. I’m very swollen and can barely speak. My neck looks really nasty. And, I’m taking percocet nearly every 4 hours. That takes care of the pain but makes me a bit woozy and wipes me out. I’ll be thankful when I can decrease my dosage of that.
Hoping to be back into the swing of things early next week.
manic monday
What a day. I woke up early and headed down to Phili for my doctor’s appt to find out that she does think I need the second vocal cord surgery which I was really hoping to avoid. This surgery is somewhat easier than the last one since I do not have vocal rest afterwards (remember my 2 weeks of silence this past fall? not fun.) and I will not be under general anesthesia. BUT, that’s also what makes me uptight about this surgery–I’m awake for it. She will be putting in gortex implants on the sides of my vocal cords to help them close better. While she does this, through my neck mind you, I have to be awake and responsive so that I can speak while she is doing it. So, I was a bit frazzled leaving that office today. And, THEN, I headed over to CHOP which is only about a 7 minute drive from where I was to visit a friend I have only spoken to online over the past 20 months. She and I met because we both sent our paperwork to China at the same time to adopt. Last January, she joined China’s waiting child program and just recently brought home the sweetest little girl. This little girl had severe heart conditions which required open heart surgery a week and a half ago. I’ve been praying for her and for my friend daily and reading her blog often to get updates, etc. When I read yesterday that she had run out of the little girl’s favorite baby food and had no way of getting more, I jumped at the chance to have something I could do for her. So, today, I delivered some pasta pickups and was so glad that I did. I was surprised to learn when I got there that it was the little girl’s 2nd birthday today. So, the three of us sat and enjoyed a mini Carvel ice cream cake together and chatted some. It was a pleasure to sit with them both. And, as I heard from her and saw that little girl with her chest still with a large drainage tube coming out, I felt a little silly for whining about my surgery. I’m going to be just fine. Check out the pictures of this little cutie. She’s a doll.
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