Bake Sale

So, today Staples gave us the okay to do one of the booths in front of their store! We will be having the bake sale June 5th at 9am-2pm at the Staples in Eureka. We also have an okay from Murphy's Market as long as no one else is booked for that day. We find out for sure on Monday about that one, since we are having 2 booths. I am so glad we found somewhere to have it! What a relief. Now, I am running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to get everything together. I am so grateful for Staples!! :)

Full of Surprises

Surgery didn't go as we anticipated. When I called to check to see if Brayton was out of surgery yet, they said yes but that the Dr wanted to speak with me. Something they've never done before. The surgeon informed me that Brayton's esophagus was so constricted (worse than the previous weeks surgery. His esophagus went from a 30 the previous week to a 16 this week-after surgery) that she had to get an xray machine to help guide her so that she would not tear anything. While she had the xray on him, she discovered his esophagus is bent at an awkward angle, and that during any of these dilations, his esophagus could have been torn while doing them through his mouth. So, oral dilations are no longer safe. She went through his feeding tube hole in his stomach, and up into his esophagus. She threaded a string through the feeding tube hole, through his body, out his nose, tucked over his ear, and back into his feeding tube hole. They also placed arm braces on him to prevent him from pulling the string out. These braces are making it impossible for him to do anything. He can't drink his sippy, he can't play with toys, he can't get up if he falls down...nothing. He cries a lot now, he's so angry that he's so restricted, and I don't blame him one bit. I heard him whining this morning while playing in his room, to find him face down on the ground, unable to get himself back up. I had enough of watching this, and finally stuck some socks on his hands to deter him from attempting to get the string (which he really isn't very interested in anyways!) but so that he could still do things. He was happy about that, and it worked pretty well. Before he went to bed though, he had to put the braces back on. No fun but he's toughing it out like the little trooper he is.

The surgeon told us that we still have months of these surgeries ahead of us. Just praying for the strength to get us through!

Woke up too early

My sister & I are in SF for Brayton's dilation. He woke up this morning sick, so I wasn't sure they would take him back. Anesthesia didn't think it was the best idea, but after consulting with the surgeons, they decided to go ahead. He is back now in surgery, and I am at the Family House, waiting for their call to let us know they're done. They said with him being sick, if there's any complications, we'd have to stay the night. Crossing fingers that doesn't happen. Nikiya & Destiny woke up sick this morning too. Poor babies. Rick is in Sacramento for some testing for his work, and when he's finished, he will be heading over to pick us up, and we get to head on out of here.

I am looking forward to the bake sale coming up, but hoping Safeway will approve our fundraiser request to do it on the premises. We are going to have 2 booths, at each one. Rick & some of his buddies at one, and us girls at the other.

There's not too much to report right now, so I'm going to get off of here, and hang out until the surgeons call me over to the hospital.

Only my husband went with Brayton to this week's surgery. I've been extremely nauseaous for about 4 days and wanted to stay home and rest. It was uneventful and they said the width they got it to was the same as the previous surgery. They told us it was because we had missed last weeks surgery. I just don't understand what the plan is if Brayton's esophagus is starting to constrict again in that short amount of time. We are planning a bakesale fundraiser in June. I am looking forward to it! The friends, and letting my secret Martha Stewart out to play. Lemon squares, brownies, blueberry muffins, cupcakes, banana bread & more Our friend, larissa w. recently surprised us with a totally cute monster hooded towel and bath mit for Brayton. His birthday theme is funky monsters. It was so sweet! Once I can get to a computer, I will add pictures to my posts!

This Needs To Stop

Recently, a friend of mine, had her son's photographs stolen from her website by a pedophile, and it was used on several of his sites. He is linked to many children pornography sites, and boy-love sites as well. The name he goes by is lixthom. Some of his sites have been shut down, but he is has many more and is recreating the ones that were disabled. He is persistent, and it repulses me. To take these children's beautiful innocence, these pictures and memories that bring such joy...and use them in such a devious, revolting manner. People like him need to be locked away forever.

After this was brought to light, I went through my sites and made sure that my settings were private, or friends-only. I just wanted to remind everyone to be careful. It's sad that we have to worry about these things, but unfortunately, it's the way the world is these days.

If you can, could you please spare some positive thoughts to the many families out there whose children are being exploited by these sorry excuses of human beings.

Happy mothers Day!

Happy mothers day to all of the wonderful mothers I know and love! My mothers day started off a bit stressful and dissapointing but my friends came over with food to bbq and smiles to share. The day got better and my husband helped with the kids and house. We should've been heading to San Francisco today but had to reschedule due to finances. Luckily, the pediatric team cut us some slack but stressed that we must be at next weeks surgery. I was relieved to get a break though and to be able to enjoy the weekend with my family and friends. I'm sure Brayton enjoyed the break as well. I'm updating from my phone which is taking forever so I'm going to get off of here and cuddle with the husband! Hope you all had a fantastic mother's day!

Chugging Right Along

So, we are now going to San Francisco every week on Mondays for dilations. They gave us the next 2 months worth of schedules for surgery and then we will take a look at where to go from there. We'll be on the road again to head down there on Mother's Day. Hes doing great with the surgeries and tolerating them pretty well. He now gets treated with popsicles after every surgery thanks to the nurses. They want to see how he tolerates it. He doesnt mind.

I am planning his birthday which is coming up next month. I can't believe it! Where did the time go? It's incredible that he's going to be 2 already! We are doing a funky, cute monster theme. I'm excited but a little frantic too. We have a lot going on right now with the trips and everything else. I hope it all falls into place. We are doing it at our house with friends and family. I'm really happy that he's home with us so that we're able to celebrate with him.

Yesterday, Brayton had his first try at a straw, and wouldn't you know, he took right to it! We've tried sippy cups but Brayton couldn't figure out how to suck properly, but with the straw, he took right to it. Looks like we'll be investing in some sippy cups with the straws. He'll be stoked.

Well, Destiny has homework, and then ballet, and a softball game so we have a full evening ahead of us. I'm going to get off of here and help her out. I'll update next whenever I can. I am using my friend's laptop right now so it's rare I get to hop on here.