tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86509852749947236662024-02-19T19:33:34.440-06:00My Laurenacmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-58713036678583508212012-05-21T21:42:00.000-05:002012-05-21T21:42:51.927-05:00Dealing<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
I've been wanting to blog about so much for quite some time. I have been extremely hesitant. For starters, I'd be exposing my emotional weaknesses, but more importantly I'd be sharing my intimate fears, concerns, and thoughts about Lauren's condition. It's a peak inside of my ever troublesome mind, which fills me too heavily. If you know me, you'll know that I easily am able to empathize and feel so much emotion whether it's happy or sad with many people. One thing I do struggle with is sharing my own with others. I'm private with my emotions. </div>
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My biggest fear is that when I'm down or having an off day emotionally, I may come across as being <i>too negative</i> or <i>complaining.</i> I understand that hings could be worse; in fact, this thought gets me through so much. Lauren is amazing, and I wouldn't trade her for any perfectly healthy, physically abled child on the planet. So, please understand that I know what a blessing and miracle my daughter is. </div>
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I'm making a vow to myself, whether I post it here or write in a journal, for the sake f my mental clarity, and general well being I need to write these feelings. You may not know, but I had always had good blood pressure. The strangest thing, from the moment I received Lauren's diagnosis my blood pressure has been <i>way</i> too high. Like, seriously high. It's something that I am still struggling with. Because of this, I feel that I can't keep those feelings hidden and locked up inside of my chest. I have a constant nervous energy in the top of my belly. In fact, it's become such a constant in my life that it's "normal." So, here goes...</div>
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Last week I decided to take a little drive on a hunt for photography sessions. As I'm grabbing Lauren to head out the door, I smell it. It's a smell that's not too pleasant, but brings even more unpleasant feelings. Laurens' colostomy bag has broken. I had just changed it the night before. So, we go downstairs to change it. Me, thinking in my brain, "how in the world is Lauren going to handle these mishaps in school when she gets older..." Then, I look down at her and see that she is smiling, holding onto the bottle of stoma powder. She has such an innocence. No clue of the harshness or realities of the things that lye ahead. All I want to do is protect her from it (but instead I make mental notes to prepare her for it-take it on face-forward). What she experiences is going to be <i>her</i> normal. She won't know a life without these challenges or differences. Is this good or bad? Think about it. What if the kid next to you passed gas, but it was loud, and they did it all the time? What if you knew that kid next to you had a bag of poo just sitting there right under their shirt? Would you feel distant from them? Would you be grossed out? If you were the boy, would you ever be able to think of her as being pretty? If you were a peer, would you want her as your friend?</div>
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Once, I get her finished I grab my keys and look down and realize that I forgot to put her braces and shoes on. So, off downstairs we go. I show Lauren her socks, braces, and shoes and say their names. By now my mind is in a deep place and I begin to think about braces. How they are a flashing light to strangers that read, "Hey, look at my legs-something's wrong!" Obviously, this is not what I want and may not be true, but it's where my mind travels. </div>
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I'm sooo ok for someone to ask about the braces. In fact, I feel better when they do. I can see the glance, and the struggle with the braces. Should I ask or ignore it. Trust me, it's ok to inquire or ask. It gives me a chance to quickly and lightly explain. I think once that's out, they feel more comfortable, which in turn makes me feel better too. (funny thing-at first I kept thinking, why are people always staring at me lately? Does my hair look crazy... Then I realized, it's not me they're looking at-it's Lauren, who is strapped to me in her bjorn)</div>
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See? I know it's not the most serious or worst thing that could happen, but these things are a constant in my life. When I go to bed at night, I wake up with the same feelings. It doesn't leave and I have a feeling it never will. I will tell you this though, my life with Lauren brings me more smiles and laughs, than tears. She has the ability to move me so far into the happiness spectrum, I wouldn't think it would be possible to feel any other emotion sometimes. </div>
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So, in closing, I'd like to thank you for riding this journey through my words. I know it's not the same as living it, but it's going to give me an opportunity to share Lauren's progress, setbacks, and an opportunity for me to release the anxiety and stress that I have been silently carrying for way too long.</div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-69691570142266454172012-03-28T16:42:00.001-05:002012-03-28T18:19:36.219-05:00Close, but no....<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We were so very close to getting to come home cast free, but in the end the surgeon felt that Lauren needed another 4 weeks in casts. I was obviously disappointed she'd have to be put back in, but was completely OK and trusted his decision. It's really for her benefit and is best for the long term.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0PhYmmviD90a3OipTrfobVDG66MIYbsNmyb40jmivp1n3gHJX7Q_mDcm_epftPRPTXpReOztsSVT5mpt_SJFspJkd4B25XqCQ2lachtcGbm8E1rcITiP8hW-5xq9KZXJ2hZOaElXpBI/s1600/DSC02238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0PhYmmviD90a3OipTrfobVDG66MIYbsNmyb40jmivp1n3gHJX7Q_mDcm_epftPRPTXpReOztsSVT5mpt_SJFspJkd4B25XqCQ2lachtcGbm8E1rcITiP8hW-5xq9KZXJ2hZOaElXpBI/s400/DSC02238.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-2YB-9WSCKCiKpdkrUDNqqBdZiUQgAMDsCC-vu3-4WtYfMHAqjUv-Wo7uukBuSjUgJ160LE8c3J-USOepNWWhMlrWjPl9H9kNErY3cO6RYK_wB4yBVCktow1MIs43zC_WZou2Ysc_34/s1600/DSC02241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-2YB-9WSCKCiKpdkrUDNqqBdZiUQgAMDsCC-vu3-4WtYfMHAqjUv-Wo7uukBuSjUgJ160LE8c3J-USOepNWWhMlrWjPl9H9kNErY3cO6RYK_wB4yBVCktow1MIs43zC_WZou2Ysc_34/s640/DSC02241.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was really happy though when I learned that the casts would just be to below her knees. They are cute, they look like little boots:) Anyway, Lauren is doing great and we will head back in beginning of May to get her AFOs fitted in a shoe. We were able to take the AFOs home with us to go shopping for shoes that will fit around them.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now this is going to be interesting, because her left foot is larger, so we may end up always having to purchase 2 pairs of same shoe. Silly, really. Let's just hope the shoe fetish passes by this little one...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyway, here is a video of her day at doctor getting her feet checked out...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwdo-pYGXNho35uSuu0kxH4kS9frZAIQVmCBxEaPDMkQvbBABl7_xJuqzx9RYEUENs55l11WImRzowE_XZ8Mw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-60347636740389331482012-03-28T16:15:00.000-05:002012-03-28T16:15:29.833-05:00Things I can do...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren has been super busy the last 5 weeks showing us what she can do. Spending her first 4 months in the hospital put her further behind, but don't tell Lauren that...she's busy playing catch up.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OqJplZuKl3KrICdKvic9OzrSYBYMkCUxsO-c8pnstSZfPRLMQ55mjWWW-Pr19cDhD-bkLl8pF98ywAQM3xMipH6iFs_IZ_FLQGi6arhrRZHP-1nQnfWbsQNlz9ARCNLGg6IODZ3xD0Y/s1600/Look+what+Lauren+can+do+Part+1.m4v" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv21.nonxt3.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Daac5ec1b9750726e%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1332984092%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D4FA9CD0EE3C9044E17CB8F40D470205B1196F2C1.B0E40EF8BE103A02B235CF793C2CE4848D580811%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv21.nonxt3.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Daac5ec1b9750726e%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1332984092%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D4FA9CD0EE3C9044E17CB8F40D470205B1196F2C1.B0E40EF8BE103A02B235CF793C2CE4848D580811%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We're still working on some things. Actually, I think we will always be working on things. But nonetheless, I couldn't be more proud of my little boo. In fact, we just finished making her goals for her home plan. There are things that I know with time and assistance she will be able to accomplish, and that feels good right now. She has so many milestones ahead of her. She may not do them the same way as most or on the same time schedule, but I just know that this little determined daughter of mine will surpass any and all predictions. </span>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-37402033550043123252012-03-12T21:56:00.000-05:002012-03-12T21:56:44.103-05:00Clinic<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren attended spina bifida clinic in Nashville today. Overall, we received a good report and some interesting tidbits...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She began the morning with an ultrasound on her reproductive organs...which we received results when we met with uro later that day. Remember when I mentioned that Lauren has 2 vaginas? Well, it appears she has a double reproductive system, which means she has two uteri (uterus)...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The doctor said that it's actually not that uncommon to have this anomaly. Right now, it's not causing any problems, so "don't touch it if it doesn't need to be fixed yet"... In a year or two when we find out more about her urinary issues, we will discuss future plans. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Overall, she is a hot mess inside, but nothing that can't be adapted or mended. Honestly, I'm not too worried about it now. We have a really good idea of what's going on and are keeping an eye on things. The doctor said if her kidneys are growing correctly and bladder is doing it's job, then we're in good shape for now. The next time we see uro we will get a renal (kidney) ultrasound.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next up was nutrition. Lauren has been vomiting her milk, typically the last one of the day about 5-6 times per week for past 6 months. She also has a very strong gag reflex, which has been stopping her from moving on to snacks like the puffs and yogurt bites... Even cut up into small pieces she gets gagged up and usually will throw up. So, it's been a bit frustrating, but from reading around it seems pretty typical for children with Chiari II to have sensitive gag reflexes... the nutritionist just really wants to make sure that Lauren gains the adequate amount of weight and receives the proper nutrition. So, she will be referred to someone to perform a feeding evaluation. She can then receive a type of oral therapy to help her with her feeding. This pleases me and calms my mind more than you know. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Last was a visit with her neuro surgeon. It has been a "quiet" 6 months neuro wise for Lauren, so we are very pleased with her progress. I remember a time when I prayed for this type of serenity with her shunt and thought I would never see a day like these. We are very blessed that her shunt has been working so well. We talked a little about other things, including her eyes and her sacrum.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren's left eye wanders A LOT. Typically to the inside. I wasn't sure if this was caused by hydrocephalus or more a muscle thing. It's not the hydro, so I will get a referral from my pediatrician to the pediatric eye team at Vandy. I'm also relieved that we can get on top of this and try and make progress before it gets too bad...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The sacrum are the last 5 vertebrate in the spine. As we grow, they begin to fuse together into a triangle shaped bone between our pelvis bones. When Lauren was being created, a large part of her sacrum wasn't made. Which, means that she is missing most of this bone. When I did a little research online I found that when this happens its not uncommon for the child to have an imperforate anus... Ahaa! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyway, for the time being it's not an issue. When she gets older and larger, and begins to bear more weight onto her lower half, we may have some obstacles since her pelvis doesn't have the support of her sacrum. This means that if she becomes mobile with crutches, walker, braces... she may be even more limited and will have to rely more heavily on a wheelchair. Which actually doesn't really bother me. We expected from diagnosis that this would be her life and that's a part of who she is and we love EVERY part of her. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We did not visit ortho as a usual sb clinic goes because she will see him in two weeks to check out her feet and possibly get her new AFOs.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyway, all went well. I got some very helpful information and felt at ease with things as they are. I trust that with intuition, prayers, and staying on top of things, all will fall into place. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren was also a fabulous baby today! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Love to all:)</div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-20232745500166579402012-03-08T15:41:00.000-06:002012-03-08T15:41:33.620-06:00Lauren Turns One<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our Lauren turned one yesterday. I could not have been more excited to see her celebrate the day. It's hard to imagine what has all happened in only one year. This was certainly a year marked by triumph! A year when my medical vocabulary exploded. A year when two older sisters accepted and captured a baby into their hearts. A year when a baby became wrapped around her daddy's fingers. A year when love transcended all.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll never forget the moment we first saw each other. She was crying and when Lauren was brought to my side, I placed my hand under her back and said hello and began... She immediately stopped crying... and I immediately fell harder than I thought possible for a beautiful sweet baby girl. I still continue to be overwhelmed by my love for her.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During this year I realized the power of prayer and patience. Through obstacles some small, others larger-the Lord proved to us His will through Lauren's determination towards healing. I will forever be grateful to the family and friends that stepped forward to show support in every way imaginable. Whenever someone approaches and tells me that they prayed for Lauren I am usually moved to tears. A selfless and simple act impacted our lives in ways that I'll never be able to express. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank you also to her hospital family (Jennifer, Karie, Kaitlin, Lita...) for their amazing efforts and dedication to their jobs.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwVMBOdesDLYTFelbOzBmx3NxPHTHGDS7grL5_EzPBb-z0xpx-rP034QVa-Y0Ln5uXJlOU63YlI2BgKOlxJSA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Lauren spent the day with her family. We played lots and celebrated the end with a cupcake, which Lauren didn't care for... We're looking forward to another year, but this time with less obstacles... </span> </div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-8954202632301605352012-02-20T20:55:00.000-06:002012-02-20T20:55:26.227-06:00Recovery Update and Random Thoughts<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lauren has been recovering beautifully since her surgery last Monday. The only hiccup we had was a fever for two days following surgery. Her fever never went too high and didn't last too long. I still called surgeon's office and visited my local pediatrician. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have just been trying to be careful to position her feet and legs comfortably and trying to be as gentle with her as possible when moving her around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We will go back to ortho on the 28th to get a new set of casts, then 4 weeks later another set, then four weeks later they should be off for good if all is well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On another side note....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I really wanted to explain that in previous posts, sometimes I may come off as being sad about some of the things that Lauren has to endure... I am to an extent worried or sad about what obstacles-social and emotional-that she will encounter throughout her life because of these things. But, very importantly, I accepted Lauren's spina bifida the day she was diagnosed in utero. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that my daughter, differently abled or not, was exactly what God intended for me to have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lauren has blessed me in so many ways, that one day I am going to have to thank her for making me a better woman and mother. I just really wanted to stress that when I vent or deliver posts regarding procedures, disabilities, or abnormalities that she has, I am comfortable with these things. I accept these differences and would take a thousand more if it meant keeping Lauren with me here on earth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know that this post is a bit random, but after reading back on a post or two and some comments I began to fear that I was coming off as "complaining"... which couldn't be further from the truth. I hope that everyone understands that complaining is certainly and never will be my intent. I am truly blessed and am thankful daily for my wonderful family. I am also blessed to have such a wonderful community of supporters and followers of Lauren. And thanks for listening to me ramble... </span>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-24929087967060832552012-02-13T14:00:00.000-06:002012-02-13T14:00:55.246-06:00Surgery Update<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lauren went into surgery at 7:20 this morning and came out at 11:45. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sleepy bear...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> She is responding really well! Hasn't cried one time and does not appear to be in any pain from her feet. Which is a good and bad thing. I don't want her to be in pain, but if she was it means that she could feel her feet. I suspected that she wouldn't be able to feel, but I was hoping:) </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They ended up releasing and correcting tendons and bones. She has stitches and temporary pins coming out of each foot. They are wrapped well within her hot pink casts. We're just checking for swelling... Over the next few weeks we need to be watching for any signs of infection or blistering... Which is hard with casts on and without her being able to tell us. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So fever and or consistent irritability is key. Plan is to take these casts off and the pins out in 6 weeks, then make molds for new AFO's, then recast for 4 more weeks. This doesn't seem so bad. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S8-L7lhcHE7KEJmjL60YuQ7z62Xg1UIPlGo_aO-gg20jjA1SgPQvdWXsuSaUHuVjQfhX0dLpg4pgFkdZ7PeOScVk_FykvULMMIupwuogXCXWTXOCduM6-cRwyudxNMznHLHsmKKiKg4/s1600/IMG_8601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S8-L7lhcHE7KEJmjL60YuQ7z62Xg1UIPlGo_aO-gg20jjA1SgPQvdWXsuSaUHuVjQfhX0dLpg4pgFkdZ7PeOScVk_FykvULMMIupwuogXCXWTXOCduM6-cRwyudxNMznHLHsmKKiKg4/s400/IMG_8601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her casts before the sisters get a hold of a marker and finger nail polish;)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As far as urology is concerned, they decided that her defect was rather high, which can make things a bit more difficult to fix. As discussed in the past, we're still thinking that her colostomy will be permanent, therefore allowing less surgical work for her rectal tract later on.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At this point, which it could change, we believe that she has little to no bladder control. Which means that once the urine is made, it doesn't hang out in bladder and come out in bulk-it just comes out once it's made (her bladder doesn't hold the urine). If this is the case, less surgical work to urinary tract will be needed as well. She would use a catheter through her abdomen straight into her bladder to urinate. This would obviously be a surgical procedure and this too would be a permanent solution for urinating. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All this being said, it may turn out that they will just have to close off each of the fistulas (or bridges) between each tract and just really focus on the vaginal one. During today's procedure they discovered that she has two vaginas (yes, you read it correctly), which apparently is common with a urogenital sinus defect. So, when they work on these things, they would correct her vagina as well giving her just one.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You know, right now her defects aren't presenting any problems and if this is the case she probably won't have these surgeries for another year. They want her to be larger and when she's about 2 (when typical children begin to potty train) would be a good time to address these issues.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll be following urology in SB clinic still and we'll stay on top of and monitor things, but for time being this is the plan.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank you all who have followed and prayed right along side of us during her journey. I am incredibly blessed to know such wonderful people! </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Love,</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">McGinnis Family</div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-77610343145622694322012-02-06T19:26:00.000-06:002012-02-06T19:26:43.097-06:00A new year and lots of catching up<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A fresh new year, brand new start, and a year full of good times ahead! </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We brought in the new year with my family-Travis, Christine, and Ashley. The girls tooted in the New Year with fireworks and noise makers, running wild around the yard, all the while our New Year princess Lauren rested.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAc-F0L0paQ0VC1n50uTSQ5UMwS5xKS0F6W2GdmwCK-wvGr9w1lMWwY7AqR9zpi1j5qF3b2ob_bNnGrF8Kd9xdufipXoJ4LcCbVDHwhj9KRtmBi_jyS_jWTd0Gw_bY0WkPaWwbtRtXDg/s1600/new+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAc-F0L0paQ0VC1n50uTSQ5UMwS5xKS0F6W2GdmwCK-wvGr9w1lMWwY7AqR9zpi1j5qF3b2ob_bNnGrF8Kd9xdufipXoJ4LcCbVDHwhj9KRtmBi_jyS_jWTd0Gw_bY0WkPaWwbtRtXDg/s400/new+year.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Ashley and Uncle Travis with Taylor and Peyton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkixb9CmkCzQGoExCYnYwIYc-XxxsYYicZP8iX8No7-An9Sh35naz9fdxqJKpkhTw61MkREonFU9e_Dx6s4sV-0jr1X47HjM3EnRm6sTrLUr9lO6r5su0bK9OOJZPoiGrvHlbEpg4w2y8/s1600/Lauren+New+Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkixb9CmkCzQGoExCYnYwIYc-XxxsYYicZP8iX8No7-An9Sh35naz9fdxqJKpkhTw61MkREonFU9e_Dx6s4sV-0jr1X47HjM3EnRm6sTrLUr9lO6r5su0bK9OOJZPoiGrvHlbEpg4w2y8/s400/Lauren+New+Year.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Lauren</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> We recently went to Lauren's pre-op appt with ortho. We talked about plans for her upcoming surgery next Monday. On the right foot, he will release and stretch some tendons. On the left, tendon work will be completed as well-not as much though as right. Also, on left she will have a bone (vertical talus) corrected and pinned. Both feet will be casted for a while.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We will check in at 6:00am Monday February 13th for a 7:15 surgery. Lauren will stay one night and if all goes well will be discharged Tuesday. Which is good cause we don't want to spend Valentine's Day in a hospital all day:( </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The urologist will perform a cystoscopy (a camera) of her urinary tract. Lauren has a urogenital sinus cavity. For a girl, there should be 3 separate tracts-vaginal, urinary, and rectal. Lauren's are all connected as one. So the first step is to evaluate the defect-figure out if it's high or low, then use the camera footage to come up with a plan to fix. Further surgery will be required at a later date...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Overall, I dread going back to the hospital, having Lauren go back to surgery. In fact something strange and unexpected happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I was grabbing my mother form a procedure in an outpatient surgical facility and while I was waiting the monitor of the patient next to my mom began to beep with her heart rate. That noise gave me chills. I immediately felt extremely nauseous and a pit of anxiety rested in my chest. It was a flood of not so great memories. I had no idea the amount of anxiety that has been resting quietly inside of me. In fact I have never had blood pressure problems until Lauren was born. It's still very high, but I have been working at trying to deal with it, rather than keeping it all pinned up. I want to be healthy, so that I can give my best to each of my girls. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lauren currently is being treated for a UTI/kidney infection. But is showing no discomfort and is doing wonderfully.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK1T3_zDFrovBB7rJM79c_Dn1BSDlYB7pkY4x6rMATPE2NfrhhfKOxANjjkvtDZ3hS9HI8QlnbjzPMm-EulbcUVIiAVjlMpecCLXYSMPPN8PXxERwqt7CftyZfiiatmmjAqvACyujR-8/s1600/DSC01593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK1T3_zDFrovBB7rJM79c_Dn1BSDlYB7pkY4x6rMATPE2NfrhhfKOxANjjkvtDZ3hS9HI8QlnbjzPMm-EulbcUVIiAVjlMpecCLXYSMPPN8PXxERwqt7CftyZfiiatmmjAqvACyujR-8/s640/DSC01593.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She began to say "mama" and "baba" at the beginning of the year. She doesn't say them often right now, but she is still learning a lot of things right now. She is doing well in each of her therapies. A university nearby engineering dept is making a crawler for Lauren. I'm really excited about it. It will help and aid her in the crawling motions... Should get it in about 4-5 months. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0fRzdFjmfhnc2z0bs3j4Ibil9yNauefYBTdQjK4L-fuGUptuz6z8YDRzdGnMlGnYrYYvcFSU5I1-m2elDCzuE_edynX56ZxNZgor6MwsQVw4Ig-jHM_ITaX3Th15e7UJpqNPOKVxiL0/s1600/DSC01601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0fRzdFjmfhnc2z0bs3j4Ibil9yNauefYBTdQjK4L-fuGUptuz6z8YDRzdGnMlGnYrYYvcFSU5I1-m2elDCzuE_edynX56ZxNZgor6MwsQVw4Ig-jHM_ITaX3Th15e7UJpqNPOKVxiL0/s640/DSC01601.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Another recent development is that Lauren is becoming a serious daddy's girl. She has got him so wrapped around her finger. It's very sweet to see. Her favorite thing to do is to have Tracy take her hands and plant her feet on the floor and to dance her around.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNTVtOAfx0ohJuDaL_fmB3y9CL50iESeOh-lDEiyJ0mw0oSfy0rlrHYBIr3CMmiFtOrkQK5cSKr0sBADNsLiX2UPpnYZoIcKOe8O7Bo1YErFw4xfddrsc6qB1FJF3WhifB0IyADhmxtc/s1600/DSC01605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNTVtOAfx0ohJuDaL_fmB3y9CL50iESeOh-lDEiyJ0mw0oSfy0rlrHYBIr3CMmiFtOrkQK5cSKr0sBADNsLiX2UPpnYZoIcKOe8O7Bo1YErFw4xfddrsc6qB1FJF3WhifB0IyADhmxtc/s640/DSC01605.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Well, we'll be in touch after the surgery t let you know how things went. Thanks again for following and keeping up!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ImvTXvNoyMdVVxF619fxqnUpZPmh2RSe9VOmcHoQvd19aTuochgnGtmCRWlFWxknGmuduq-6wv-qcKM0MjluvKfldLrWK55LQCu09ki89HqFlm6lcMjoEdD6D2HVv0TWRsduH2vWql0/s1600/DSC01609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ImvTXvNoyMdVVxF619fxqnUpZPmh2RSe9VOmcHoQvd19aTuochgnGtmCRWlFWxknGmuduq-6wv-qcKM0MjluvKfldLrWK55LQCu09ki89HqFlm6lcMjoEdD6D2HVv0TWRsduH2vWql0/s400/DSC01609.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Love from the McGinnis Fmaily!</div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-73303392226345159662012-01-18T13:58:00.001-06:002012-01-18T13:58:56.515-06:00A Snapshot<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lauren is still doing wonderfully. Sitting tall, trying to roll over (at least mommy standing by waiting...). She is still doing her regular therapies and each is seeing progress. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnzbeq2__XFRcRZRIPJAxdFfhruiK4zQde3DzY2zFimTO3c6M7kmDS8vzGDkHB2QbgRDT0uZtgpWu1WZy4r4bfzJ2yVl439RwbU1nacHglWLsxoBbTw3XR6bXKyAmXl6mXYxeOw-a_Fk/s1600/DSC01123ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnzbeq2__XFRcRZRIPJAxdFfhruiK4zQde3DzY2zFimTO3c6M7kmDS8vzGDkHB2QbgRDT0uZtgpWu1WZy4r4bfzJ2yVl439RwbU1nacHglWLsxoBbTw3XR6bXKyAmXl6mXYxeOw-a_Fk/s640/DSC01123ed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-32849628459321287622012-01-18T13:55:00.000-06:002012-01-18T13:55:32.877-06:00Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXROWI1Bd4N9qeqkduF6ieOjyWGXaUDcAmv2MOwvqUpJ07Eva0-xU3CbhlQjk1d2js0faVmsXu_rDia07vnQqdVtgm9aP1szCSEnPNlEUbyQv45_fQXmdzurSbyKBFozWZ0iSofdUk9Fo/s1600/DSC01086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXROWI1Bd4N9qeqkduF6ieOjyWGXaUDcAmv2MOwvqUpJ07Eva0-xU3CbhlQjk1d2js0faVmsXu_rDia07vnQqdVtgm9aP1szCSEnPNlEUbyQv45_fQXmdzurSbyKBFozWZ0iSofdUk9Fo/s400/DSC01086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L68oPaGV5hx08Vsxh9-4_fevKoTXODl34id5YAkGvpVJrcu-0-tB3JZ0I-uuv_MjXyVaSQ6oJhwMXXmgOMSDeD2CsGzADiw2g8xIrxIswsfEGXJ4xcTmlkFK1VLCrmZM3a87hYP5Hqw/s1600/DSC01093sugar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L68oPaGV5hx08Vsxh9-4_fevKoTXODl34id5YAkGvpVJrcu-0-tB3JZ0I-uuv_MjXyVaSQ6oJhwMXXmgOMSDeD2CsGzADiw2g8xIrxIswsfEGXJ4xcTmlkFK1VLCrmZM3a87hYP5Hqw/s640/DSC01093sugar.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdYBJZ_LVxUZBNV-0Pm9D5i0vwe_cXU7MBk4j5Gg7mKVJqK4MhEe9Z2VO3qJCJaOrlBbuIukT_hqH6gnTzIakoPoWJHCCeXNZujaDTNcSmqcJ1rrOG9lsdRyZb2Z1iL8wKmBh8y1OruE/s1600/DSC01097divine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdYBJZ_LVxUZBNV-0Pm9D5i0vwe_cXU7MBk4j5Gg7mKVJqK4MhEe9Z2VO3qJCJaOrlBbuIukT_hqH6gnTzIakoPoWJHCCeXNZujaDTNcSmqcJ1rrOG9lsdRyZb2Z1iL8wKmBh8y1OruE/s320/DSC01097divine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, blessed with health and family. I have much to be thankful for this year...acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-71346108729614260192011-12-02T12:13:00.001-06:002011-12-02T12:13:51.588-06:00Article<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A friend posted this article on her facebook page. It was well written with great pointers for me and any other parent of a child with a disability.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">" The kids don't know fear unless we teach it to them. It is only fair to let them explore life on their terms, without hesitation and without fear..."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carla-lohr/parenting-special-needs-children_b_1123509.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false">Article: From Patient to Parent</a></div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-29654224111564650212011-11-21T19:35:00.000-06:002011-11-21T19:35:06.060-06:00A.F.O.s<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, we went Friday to pick up her A.F.O.s. They actually look pretty cute, we were expecting something more bulky... Even my husband said they were "cute"-a word that is not usually in his vocabulary.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She will have her foot correction surgery on Feb. 13th. She will be casted and will wear special shoe braces with a bar for a while, then get some new A.F.O.s.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just moving right along!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kk3INnBNtKsy6Tw6bvDBy5jXZDBPObHP9CfKbzf44gHx66ThsFa2P2TlSExspA5DpOrmP7bJjtkDhpM47q5lvn3G3JxWkmrsWo3c9yzmAGrq6M75D_vjWT9pcGjoqdIVnI9WxPoxTwg/s1600/IMG_8587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kk3INnBNtKsy6Tw6bvDBy5jXZDBPObHP9CfKbzf44gHx66ThsFa2P2TlSExspA5DpOrmP7bJjtkDhpM47q5lvn3G3JxWkmrsWo3c9yzmAGrq6M75D_vjWT9pcGjoqdIVnI9WxPoxTwg/s320/IMG_8587.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-38305981175387931682011-11-17T14:21:00.000-06:002011-11-17T14:21:51.436-06:00OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!Since Lauren was a little thing, she has always tried to sit herself up while you held her on her lap. She LOVES it. <br />
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Well, with those heavy and sturdy casts on her legs it made it easier for her to try and sit up on her own for little bits at a time. <br />
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Today, she has no casts on AND she sat up on her own!!!<br />
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You can imagine my excitement and surprise. Oh, I could just squeeze her, I'm so proud of her! We were told not to expect this for another 4-6 months-I just love it when Lauren proves us wrong this way!<br />
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I know that she has many more things to accomplish and is currently working on, but today we celebrate her achievement.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLjl2FAgWhW24tAm-zypKiCbNdj4xUCCSDimGqFDkySlcZX2nEiVqrDPvOT-IAI6XwcIht0EfeiSlO8XwKkfawDT2zFnnCLO94BvSLa_Dww6TPLualLXlo2ePv0BBetW5IZPmhSjgge8/s1600/DSC01080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLjl2FAgWhW24tAm-zypKiCbNdj4xUCCSDimGqFDkySlcZX2nEiVqrDPvOT-IAI6XwcIht0EfeiSlO8XwKkfawDT2zFnnCLO94BvSLa_Dww6TPLualLXlo2ePv0BBetW5IZPmhSjgge8/s400/DSC01080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-69528193489748642382011-11-10T17:06:00.000-06:002011-11-10T17:06:14.725-06:00PT & OT<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren is now getting her Tennessee Early Intervention services weekly for an hour. During these sessions we talk about her progress... and make plans on her future and work on her developmental things. It's working out nicely and Lauren appears to enjoy the extra attention. Although, her time allotted is typically during a nap time, so she often gets very sleepy towards the end.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren has also began going weekly for half an hour to a physical therapy session one day and an occupational therapy session another day. It's been really nice to be able to move forward with her development. I get a lot of feedback and ideas on things that I can do at home with her.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is ABSOLUTELY amazing at the things that we take for granted with our healthy children. I never once thought about having to teach my other two daughters so many typically easy developments and milestones. But with Lauren its so many things that really have to be intensely targeted and worked on. It is honestly a completely different life. Lauren has already made some progress and I am so super proud of her hard work and the way she tolerates things. She is so adorable, sometimes she even pants from exhaustion after an exercise. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She got her results back too from her PT on the Peabody test. It was a little surprising in some areas, and others weren't too much of a shock. It just really leaves us a lot of room for improvement and progress, which we will work really hard for. She has some really great goals set ahead of her and I look forward to her achieving each of these and some nearby milestones.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Results:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <u>Age Equivalent</u> <u>Percentile</u></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Reflexes 5 months 25</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stationary 6 months 37 </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Locomotion 2 months 5</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren does wonderfully with her core strength. She absolutely LOVES to sit up, and for a long time we have been sitting her straight up with support. Over the past few weeks Lauren has really gone forward and has began to sit up on her own for a little bit at a time. I am soooo incredibly pleased and proud of her. The PT is very surprised and happy with this ability. We just need to work on other things and keep her moving forward.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVC6agGK4xpzbySj4D-NaU6vXJUeWt0JO2m-sU9VT-uXXDZ-b-C5p4pffEBovG9Os3RL5ahiwdhtij01DcCj4ihsfLn4yH2ojPY3rCyb7Y3usNbFlQWwKFFZvcJQ60BrcI9U5i6ZV3XIs/s1600/DSC00390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVC6agGK4xpzbySj4D-NaU6vXJUeWt0JO2m-sU9VT-uXXDZ-b-C5p4pffEBovG9Os3RL5ahiwdhtij01DcCj4ihsfLn4yH2ojPY3rCyb7Y3usNbFlQWwKFFZvcJQ60BrcI9U5i6ZV3XIs/s320/DSC00390.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding her upper-body up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z3Lkz3EOiHsUf9kxiwvwF7Eo9uciuxNmjKBqbdKR6xZZvi6u7nJlJt900BLZ_TTBZJMuCgZQZvbl3a50MgwYxW-AAMOpUBHrD7NiWG8JPFIhORY8rG0F0rhyphenhyphenEMHPt46w2jLdJmRZFnQ/s1600/DSC00385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z3Lkz3EOiHsUf9kxiwvwF7Eo9uciuxNmjKBqbdKR6xZZvi6u7nJlJt900BLZ_TTBZJMuCgZQZvbl3a50MgwYxW-AAMOpUBHrD7NiWG8JPFIhORY8rG0F0rhyphenhyphenEMHPt46w2jLdJmRZFnQ/s400/DSC00385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with grandma keeping her body upward. What a strong little girl!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-83402761750012966052011-11-10T16:47:00.001-06:002012-05-21T21:06:38.030-05:00Wayyyy behindI really want to apologize for getting so behind on Lauren's posts... Yes, I have been a little busy doing things, but honestly, I wasn't quite in the mood or place to write. That sounds terribly awful, but I would think about it all the time and just would not be able to follow through. Though the last few days I have felt better and much more motivated to get things back on track! YAY!!!<br />
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So, lets hope that things continue to flow and that I am able to share the joys and such with all her followers!acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-59603772782324462072011-11-10T16:44:00.002-06:002011-11-10T16:46:47.987-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJ1fh1oetIBdOMfffi5gGZdcSxfjVb-wzVE6hlVOidU-v-gAz07tLFqvLGrt9f04kHaxy3616rQ77wQdLEO90NV1QVYfdzyfXMzHUAE4tpacdzZ5UoPm5nrUZEihAXl3WYNxLJA-StN8/s1600/DSC00384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJ1fh1oetIBdOMfffi5gGZdcSxfjVb-wzVE6hlVOidU-v-gAz07tLFqvLGrt9f04kHaxy3616rQ77wQdLEO90NV1QVYfdzyfXMzHUAE4tpacdzZ5UoPm5nrUZEihAXl3WYNxLJA-StN8/s400/DSC00384.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f5407CDJ5V4GI8w_LTh6tiz2DZCmGPld78JGVPjfEZHk9pXfdHNLFLl-Yp22iuTPmJjapmyuDQa8BFzlEkV9iRScBujQRxmV92SWnzDTdaFZmWRBqUPu0tuyEYIScS0O1VZQ5vjYzsg/s1600/DSC00362_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f5407CDJ5V4GI8w_LTh6tiz2DZCmGPld78JGVPjfEZHk9pXfdHNLFLl-Yp22iuTPmJjapmyuDQa8BFzlEkV9iRScBujQRxmV92SWnzDTdaFZmWRBqUPu0tuyEYIScS0O1VZQ5vjYzsg/s320/DSC00362_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-5132857614405226592011-11-10T16:37:00.001-06:002011-11-10T16:38:30.942-06:00Halloween<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Halloween was so great with all the girls together. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Costume idea began with Taylor wanting to be a peacock, then her sister wanting to be one too, so we just HAD to make Lauren a baby peacock.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4RhrqKyiiYxcDOhW1tgW5xKqrrpbtCDIielAWL8rqjrucCj_9c4ysnGnz1ShSUrgQGgaTS7bRXtf2_ToMw7W5unglNmxCSF_un012HJGKdEx0V_VkapHTPLGPmR57GUSvo-Kvkkp6X4/s1600/DSC00734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4RhrqKyiiYxcDOhW1tgW5xKqrrpbtCDIielAWL8rqjrucCj_9c4ysnGnz1ShSUrgQGgaTS7bRXtf2_ToMw7W5unglNmxCSF_un012HJGKdEx0V_VkapHTPLGPmR57GUSvo-Kvkkp6X4/s400/DSC00734.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peyton</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taylor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Gina and Nanny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-5109176983520472502011-11-10T16:02:00.000-06:002011-11-10T16:02:59.649-06:00Shunt Progress<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">OK, so Lauren is notorious for shunt problems. This is how her summer went...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shunt malfunctions:</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">June 26 - repaired with surgery</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">July 9- TPA</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">July 22- TPA</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">August 11- TPA</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">sooo when her shunt malfunctioned AGAIN on September 6th, the surgeon and I decided that it was time to try the abdomen again. So, on September 7th (6 months old) Lauren had her shunt placed back into her abdomen with no problems.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">AND guess what?????</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It worked!!!!! 8 weeks later and I can tell you she has been malfunction and infection free!!!! We are so thrilled for her progress and look forward to many many more weeks, months, and years of things going well for her!</span>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-71552277903215714722011-11-10T15:56:00.000-06:002011-11-10T15:56:52.095-06:00Feet<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren's feet have made sooo much progress.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHVitHPN0_HE_1mQx-4O-7T_PO5XWrtpDfnwb0yXyNmhvtchekWVIhcBUC4zAfOV6L9SwmYccZ4qI71J9uDVHke0LaDo48Ue4E3JeMGoAaoytBBulZocKB154ex4Q240quI0qg4wYqhg/s1600/IMG_7782_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHVitHPN0_HE_1mQx-4O-7T_PO5XWrtpDfnwb0yXyNmhvtchekWVIhcBUC4zAfOV6L9SwmYccZ4qI71J9uDVHke0LaDo48Ue4E3JeMGoAaoytBBulZocKB154ex4Q240quI0qg4wYqhg/s320/IMG_7782_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: Her right foot is definitely clubbed. Her left foot is inverted. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and now they look soooo much better. I don't have a picture because of the casts on them, but when we go to change them I get to take a peak. I'll post some soon though next time I go.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Through xrays and exams Lauern has a vertical talis (spelling?) in her left foot. Which means that a bone on the bottom of her foot grows in a downward motion rather than flat. To fix this they will straighten and pin the bone in place through surgery.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The plan right now is to go to surgery on Feb. 13 to have the tendon release surgery on her right foot, and have the left foot bone repaired. At the same time she will have urology go in and do their exams of her anatomy. This saves Lauren from an additional trip to the O.R.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the meantime, her feet have been casted, changed weekly. On Friday the 18th Lauren will be placed in her A.F.O.s instead of casts. This pleases me VERY much. It's difficult to make much progress with her legs and feet casted AND I am looking forward to Lauren's comfort being increased. Regardless of feeling...it's gotta be awful to have casts on. </span>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-83102391549266481672011-11-10T15:45:00.001-06:002011-11-10T15:57:32.043-06:00Urology<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I went in September to discuss Lauren's internal anatomy in relation to the fistulas that she has internally between her rectum, vaginal and urinary tracts. This is not too uncommon to have one fistula with children who are born with an imperforate anus. But Lauren has 2 or 3, which is highly unusual. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> So, the plan is to put Lauren under (anesthesia) and take a camera to explore her anatomy more closely. This will help them and the general surgeon to make a better treatment plan for her.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It still looks as if her colostomy will remain permanent. Her colon is located rather high and they aren't sure once they make the repairs to the tracts making each one separate, if they will be able to make one for her rectum.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It still saddens me, but I am able to be more positive now that I have had time to deal with things. It's definitely better to have that than her have to wear diapers... But who knows what they will be able to do in 10-15 years from now medically speaking.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I also learned more about the bladder functioning. It does two things: Holds urine and releases urine. Now, we know that Lauren is able to release her urine, which has been wonderful since we haven't had to catheter her... BUT what we have been noticing is that Lauren leaks ALL the time, meaning her urine comes frequently, which probably means that her bladder can not hold urine.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This presents a whole new problem. The urologists assured me that they would do everything they can to make sure that when Lauren starts school, we will have her urinary issues under control. Something will have to be done to fix this, but at the time it is going to be addressed later.</div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-38404846128140047902011-11-10T15:32:00.000-06:002011-11-10T15:32:38.631-06:00Spina Bifida Clinic<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lauren had her SB Clinic in late August. It was a good experience overall.</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I wasn't sure what to expect</span>. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">They checked her in and measures her head circumference, weight, height, and blood pressure. She then went into a room, where we stayed for the remainder of our visit. This made it so convenient. I don't know why, but I imagined us moving to different offices to each doctor.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She saw Nephrology for her kidney and high blood pressure. The hydranephrosis (swollen kidney) was clean and clear and was looking great. Doctor is hoping that she will grow out of her blood pressure problems, but she will continue to take her medicine for it and will continue with check ups. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Her Neurosurgery doctor was glad that at the moment Lauren was doing well, but was concerned with her recent and frequent shunt malfunctions. He said that if they continued, they would probably have to consider performing another shunt revision...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ortho doctor was pleased with the progress she was making with her clubbed foot and the left foot as well. She will continue with serial casting.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Urology said that he would perform a urodynamics test around a year old. This test will tell them how her bladder is functioning. Right now, her plan is working and emptying on its own.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I spoke with a nutritionist briefly...</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We did get an opportunity to visit with two of her nurses from the parinatology office before Lauren was born. They really enjoyed getting to see her and it was nice to visit.</div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-58330786679623050892011-09-11T21:44:00.000-05:002011-09-11T21:44:58.971-05:00Life with a baby<ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>If you have a dog, mailman, and a baby: I guarantee you that your dog will bark while the baby is sleeping at the same mailman that has been coming the last 10 years (but only if baby is sleeping).</li>
<li>When the baby wakes up before the sun and I am nursing her in the bed, I wish my husband would wake up for one little second and acknowledge that "Hey your up early-thanks," then off to sleep again. Yeah, don't think this one is going to happen. I'll just try not to choke him when he says, "WOW, can't believe she slept through the night." To which I will reply, "No honey, that was you who slept through the night." </li>
<li>If your baby has a colostomy, they will soon learn to play with the bag, which of course contains an atomic stink bomb that has been declared a lethal weapon in twenty states. And when your baby goes to grab it on the changing table and you sternly say, "No," and she replies with the cutest, biggest smile EVER, you will quickly forget the stink and let it be. NOTE TO GOD: Please let me grow tough skin when this cute smile crosses my path again when my little one is being a stinker-amen. </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm sure there will be more to follow one day-sorry, just had some random things to go off my mind:)</span>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-49052960833907772962011-09-07T20:56:00.000-05:002011-09-07T20:56:56.277-05:00No repair<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lauren was born with an imperforate anus, without a way to use her bottom. On her second day she was given a colostomy so that she could use the bathroom. It's been in the plans to wait for Lauren to get a bit bigger, create a bottom, then another surgery to take back in the colostomy-TADA, and she would use the bathroom like so many others! This was such a simple plan, and honestly gave me little to think or worry about. Until a few weeks ago...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lauren went in for a lower GI contrast x-ray (colostogram) that would show the surgeons where her colon was exactly located (this would be pulled down to surface of skin where they would make her bottom...) </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got a call from the ped surgeon with the results. Lauren has several abnormalities inside her lower abdominal organs. Mainly, she has many connections (called fistulas) between each of her tracks (vaginal, urinary, and rectal). This means that any fluid/object that passes from one can go into the other. Not, so good. So, Lauren will require repairs to the urinary and vaginal tracks. Urology will first go in with a camera through her urinary track and see in more detail what's going on.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The part that hit me like a ton of bricks was that Lauren may never get her bottom. Her anatomy is so unique that it may be impossible to fix. Not only that, they are feeling that she may not even have any control over her bowels because her back lesion was so damaged.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I spent the whole day crying. Mourning for my sweet pea. The weekend began to feel a little better, but still could not fight those nasty little fears. My husband said that I need to take one day at a time and to not worry so much. Perhaps, this is great advice and I should take it. Though, I can't help, but think about her being a teenage girl. Will she care if others know about her colostomy, will she want it to be a secret and if so will she be able to hide it? Will her clothes fit her OK, will a bowel movement sneak out and make a loud noise in front of others (because it does now, and the bag amplifies the sound)?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can't help to feel sadness. It may not be warranted, it may not be necessary, but I fear <i>that</i> day that she comes through the door with tears running down her soft little cheeks because someone didn't have enough human decency to not tease or outcast her because of her unique physical differences. I wish that I could fully trust humankind to use their hearts and to be compassionate. Sure, many will be understanding, but unfortunately their will be many that will lack basic human kindness. Especially for those that stand out. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I just know that I have a HUGE job of raising all my girls, especially Lauren, with enough character to handle life and the potential bad days. I pray that each one of my girls has a full kind heart, intelligence, wit, humor, and faith. For Lauren I pray that she additionally has gusto, fistey-ness, Maybe then she is more able to fight off those unkind words, weird stares... I pray that she will see the beauty that I already see in her, and allow <i>that</i> beauty to lead her through life. Because I am certain that her life will be filled with joy and be surrounded by people that love and adore her. I need to put my fears and sadness behind and allow Somebody else to take control. </div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-27975645666510174582011-09-07T15:09:00.000-05:002011-09-07T15:09:16.775-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5jgEa4Xu8hP9-hfpa8MThhk2BfSsqOvz5neoGZSPp8emC9shiXqxo930BojtxrexEhKr66quq04tkxbFmA3DQ-CthFTFnSMGo7fnVseWCZgjOylIdXeUQqWyY8EJCKja0xdeKC8KjAM/s1600/DSC00084-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5jgEa4Xu8hP9-hfpa8MThhk2BfSsqOvz5neoGZSPp8emC9shiXqxo930BojtxrexEhKr66quq04tkxbFmA3DQ-CthFTFnSMGo7fnVseWCZgjOylIdXeUQqWyY8EJCKja0xdeKC8KjAM/s640/DSC00084-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650985274994723666.post-12869378913045906182011-09-07T15:07:00.000-05:002011-09-07T15:07:12.367-05:00FOREVER<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I know, I know, it's been <u>forever</u> since I have posted. So sorry. But, good news is that I now have wireless internet at home, so I can begin to update her blog. I have so many things buzzing around in my head, ready to make it from the keyboard to this screen. So, be on the look out in next couple of weeks for some things.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Right now we are currently back at the hospital, but I believe that this time it's a good thing. Lauren had the following things happen:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>7/9 shunt malfunction-successfully treated with TPA injection (broke up clots at end of catheter in heart)</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>7/20 shunt malfunction-successfully treated with TPA injection</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>8/11 shunt malfunction-successfully treated with TPA injection</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>9/6 shunt malfunction-successfully treated with TPA injection BUT, this time they decided to do a little more. </i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Earlier today Lauren underwent a shunt revision in surgery changing her VA (heart shunt) back to a VP (to her abdomen). We are all rooting that this keeps my little butterfly from getting sick and back and forth between the hospital. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are in our room now, and Lauren is sleeping. I think the next few hours she will be in and out of sleep and some discomfort, but I anticipate her to make a speedy recovery. So much that if all goes well we can get out of here tomorrow and back HOME!!!! Where her big sisters are anxiously awaiting. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone who sent some prayers up high for her recovery and safety, we certainly appreciate your generous hearts. Love to all!</div>acmcginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10895325998171054673noreply@blogger.com2