We're home. Very tired...I think the time difference has hit us. That flight is a killer! It was easier going than coming which is backwards from how I figured it would be. I just can't sleep on an airplane; can't seem to get comfortable. We had a wonderful time; Oahu is a beautiful island full of many "wow" moments. There is natural beauty everywhere all the time and it was a little overwhelming at times. It made me think that maybe they got all of it all which left us not much of it? I found a cute little town I'd like to move to on the island if I were to suddenly come into half a million dollars or so. Ha.
Brooke did great while we were gone. No problems whatsoever. In fact, in true Brooke form, she was a perfect angel making the caregivers doubt everything we warned them about. In a sense, "she showed us who was boss." The infection on her leg looks much better and her skin has cleared up. Love what the antibiotics do for her; just hate that she has to go on two of them in order to get relief. She cracks me up! Instead of playing with the things we bought her (her cards and a ukulele), she's more interested in what isn't hers: she's wearing 5 shell bracelets I bought, two shell lei's, a bean lei, and tinkering with 10 keychains. Typical child...give them pots and pans over toys and they're happy as can be!
I'm busy trying to shift gears from Hawaii to Denver to ensure I have everything ready to take with us on the trip. We leave for Albq. after work Tuesday and we fly out early Wednesday morning. No claritin or benadryl from this point forward...wish us luck with that! Allergy testing is the first order of business on Wednesday, Cardiology on Thursday morning, and I have no clue of anything else planned. I just hope this trip provides something that will benefit Brooke. Answers would be great!
Thank you for your prayers and well wishes while we were in Hawaii. Turning off the worry is no easy task, but we finally managed it a few days into the trip. Mike and I needed this time together and I am so thankful we were able to go. Please pray for a safe journey to Denver, for comfort with the doctors we see, for knowledge on their behalf, and for answers if that be God's will.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Mahalo and Aloha
Brooke's infection looks much better this afternoon. She developed cellulitis yesterday that had us worried, but the antibiotics seem to be doing the trick on all of it. Her leg looks better and the swelling on her face has gone down considerably. These infections just take time! I'm praying for continued (fast) healing. She's been happy and active today and is driving us both nuts wanting to go to Ma's house NOW. That will be ok for about an hour until she starts asking for mom and dad. 7 days of that may drive all of the grandparents insane! Ha. Pray for comfort for Brooke; both physical comfort and mental comfort. Mom and dad are her security blanket and more so with recent illnesses. Also pray for strength for our caregivers. Physical strengh and mental strength. This is going to be a challenge for everyone.
Mike and I leave on our trip early in the morning. We fly from Amarillo to Dallas and then straight to Honolulu. I'm getting excited, but it's hard not to let the worry drive you. I've been praying about this and asking God to carry the load for me. I forget to turn things over to Him sometimes. Please pray for a safe journey for us. For a relaxing week where we can rejuvenate ourselves so that we come home - we're better parents. Our batteries definitely need to be recharged! Thank you for the prayers and for your friendship!
Mahalo. Aloha. And we'll see you in a week!!
Gena
Mike and I leave on our trip early in the morning. We fly from Amarillo to Dallas and then straight to Honolulu. I'm getting excited, but it's hard not to let the worry drive you. I've been praying about this and asking God to carry the load for me. I forget to turn things over to Him sometimes. Please pray for a safe journey for us. For a relaxing week where we can rejuvenate ourselves so that we come home - we're better parents. Our batteries definitely need to be recharged! Thank you for the prayers and for your friendship!
Mahalo. Aloha. And we'll see you in a week!!
Gena
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
These Darn Spots!
3 days from our trip and Brooke has spots. 6 on one side, 3 on the other, 2 in the middle and 1 really nasty one on the back of her leg. GEEPERS! We've been watching the 6 and 3 and so far they are smaller like mosquito bites and don't seem to be getting any worse. The 2 in the middle are (excuse the expression) zits. On the eyebrow and eyelid. Ouch. They have made her eye swell a little. We noticed the big, bad wolf last night. It's on the bend of her leg behind her knee...one of those places that will be almost impossible to heal. Not sure when it showed up...we just noticed it as she was climbing into bed last night. It's already infected. So...Mike took her to the doctor today for another round of antibiotics. Praying that they will work their magic like they did last time and that she'll be on the road to spot-freedom soon.
Went to SO state track meet two weekends ago in Albq. and Brooke had a blast as usual. Did several special "O"'s with her good friend Randy, had a lot of the family there cheering her on as she threw the tennis ball and walked her 25 meter race on Saturday, and played in the Special Orchestra. She loves seeing her friends...oh, and the dance! Loves to dance. Two gold medals came home with us and a lot of hugs from some very special people.
Hawaii in 3 days. Am I ready? You bet. Worried. Sure. Scared. Yea. Really praying about it right now...need to turn it all over to God and place it in His hands. I know He will take care of Brookie while we're gone and will give the grandparents the strength, patience and and knowledge needed to take care of our precious cargo. I guess what makes this trip so different is that we won't be a simple 2-hour flight away like we usually are. Hawaii is so far. But Mike and I are looking forward to spending time together in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We are so blessed to be able to get to go and are very thankful for Fern, Frank and my mom. Without these folks - it wouldn't be happening.
Please pray for quick healing for Brooke. For no more fever and for the spots to go away. Pray for calm nerves for her as she worries about us leaving. Pray for calm nerves for me as I struggle leaving her. Pray for a safe trip for us and for me to be able to "leave it all behind" and enjoy the special time with Mike. He deserves that. We need this trip. We need to refresh, regroup and revitalize. Ask for God to be with the grandparents as they care for Brooke. To ease any fears they may have and relax and enjoy their time with her. Pray especially for Brooke...ask God to continue to comfort her, and let her know she is never-ever-ever alone.
Thank you all, and if I don't have time to post before we leave -
ALOHA!
Went to SO state track meet two weekends ago in Albq. and Brooke had a blast as usual. Did several special "O"'s with her good friend Randy, had a lot of the family there cheering her on as she threw the tennis ball and walked her 25 meter race on Saturday, and played in the Special Orchestra. She loves seeing her friends...oh, and the dance! Loves to dance. Two gold medals came home with us and a lot of hugs from some very special people.
Hawaii in 3 days. Am I ready? You bet. Worried. Sure. Scared. Yea. Really praying about it right now...need to turn it all over to God and place it in His hands. I know He will take care of Brookie while we're gone and will give the grandparents the strength, patience and and knowledge needed to take care of our precious cargo. I guess what makes this trip so different is that we won't be a simple 2-hour flight away like we usually are. Hawaii is so far. But Mike and I are looking forward to spending time together in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We are so blessed to be able to get to go and are very thankful for Fern, Frank and my mom. Without these folks - it wouldn't be happening.
Please pray for quick healing for Brooke. For no more fever and for the spots to go away. Pray for calm nerves for her as she worries about us leaving. Pray for calm nerves for me as I struggle leaving her. Pray for a safe trip for us and for me to be able to "leave it all behind" and enjoy the special time with Mike. He deserves that. We need this trip. We need to refresh, regroup and revitalize. Ask for God to be with the grandparents as they care for Brooke. To ease any fears they may have and relax and enjoy their time with her. Pray especially for Brooke...ask God to continue to comfort her, and let her know she is never-ever-ever alone.
Thank you all, and if I don't have time to post before we leave -
ALOHA!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Denver - CT - Cardiology
Where to start??? Hmmmmm...we have our Denver appointment finally. June 16, 17 and 18. Immunology on the 16th where he will do allergy testing, Cardiology on the morning of the 17th and nothing else will be determined until we get there. It will be a very busy 3 days for sure!
Brooke had a CT scan Monday and it went remarkably well. She is such a trooper. I'm not even going to throw out all of the "stuff" we had to contend with; I'll just leave it at "it went remarkably well" and be done with it. YEA GENA!! I picked up the results on my lunch hour Tuesday and spent the next hour having one of the biggest melt-downs I've had in a LONG time. Not sure where all the hysteria came from but it never fails that it always happens at work and in front of my boss. Forget trying to put on the air of being tough...BLEW THAT LONG AGO! Ha. Long story short - it's ok. I'm ok. Everything we knew was wrong is still wrong, so no shockers there and the two new developments aren't anything to worry about according to the OB/GYN. Thank goodness for that! Mike mailed the disc to UNM today so they can look at the images. I sometimes just shake my head in disbelief of everything this little girl endures. And to do so with her happy disposition and a smile on her face. Never any complaints from her. How in the world does she do it? She is my hero!
I took Brooke's echo discs by UNM and Presby. Friday. Brooke's "former" cardiologist (he is a pediatric doctor, about to retire, and is at Presby.) has called me 3 times to discuss these findings. I love DR. BERMAN!!! LOVE-LOVE-LOVE his kind and caring ways. Praying that our new cardiologist at UNM will be the same! If Dr. Berman wasn't going to retire - I would seriously consider staying with him, but since everything we've ever done and all of our other doctors are at UNM --- it just makes sense to be there. You go where they know you. And I don't have enough energy to "start over" with a new hospital and group of doctors. We're currently waiting on an appt. with the new doctor at UNM.
10 days until our vacation...very much looking forward to spending time with Mike in such a beautiful place. We need to decompress. Please pray for Brooke. For her health and well-being while we're gone. Pray for solutions to the problems. For resolution. For strength for all of us.
Brooke had a CT scan Monday and it went remarkably well. She is such a trooper. I'm not even going to throw out all of the "stuff" we had to contend with; I'll just leave it at "it went remarkably well" and be done with it. YEA GENA!! I picked up the results on my lunch hour Tuesday and spent the next hour having one of the biggest melt-downs I've had in a LONG time. Not sure where all the hysteria came from but it never fails that it always happens at work and in front of my boss. Forget trying to put on the air of being tough...BLEW THAT LONG AGO! Ha. Long story short - it's ok. I'm ok. Everything we knew was wrong is still wrong, so no shockers there and the two new developments aren't anything to worry about according to the OB/GYN. Thank goodness for that! Mike mailed the disc to UNM today so they can look at the images. I sometimes just shake my head in disbelief of everything this little girl endures. And to do so with her happy disposition and a smile on her face. Never any complaints from her. How in the world does she do it? She is my hero!
I took Brooke's echo discs by UNM and Presby. Friday. Brooke's "former" cardiologist (he is a pediatric doctor, about to retire, and is at Presby.) has called me 3 times to discuss these findings. I love DR. BERMAN!!! LOVE-LOVE-LOVE his kind and caring ways. Praying that our new cardiologist at UNM will be the same! If Dr. Berman wasn't going to retire - I would seriously consider staying with him, but since everything we've ever done and all of our other doctors are at UNM --- it just makes sense to be there. You go where they know you. And I don't have enough energy to "start over" with a new hospital and group of doctors. We're currently waiting on an appt. with the new doctor at UNM.
10 days until our vacation...very much looking forward to spending time with Mike in such a beautiful place. We need to decompress. Please pray for Brooke. For her health and well-being while we're gone. Pray for solutions to the problems. For resolution. For strength for all of us.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Brooke Update / SONM
Hello. Just wanted to say that Brooke is doing fine. She's not in the hospital and not in criticial condition like one of the stories going around says. At the moment, she's laying on the couch doing an infusion that will get her ready to go to Albq. in a couple of hours. She's feeling good except for trying to get over a UTI she's had. Nothing is any different than it has been. She's considerably healthy-looking considering some of the things going on inside her body.
As I mentioned, we are leaving later this morning to go to Albq. I'm taking a copy of her Echocardiogram to her Cardiologist at Presbyterian and a copy to our doctors at UNM, who will have it read by a Cardiologist there. I talked to her Cardiologist Wednesday and he helped ease my mind a bit. He said there were several pieces of the results that were inconclusive so not to get worked up until another test can be done. I hope to have some sort of direction by Monday or Tuesday. I cannot figure out why the medical process is so slow? It blows my mind! Do you know, if I hadn't gone to the hospital on Monday and picked up the Echo test myself, that I most likely still wouldn't know the result? To date, NO ONE has called me regarding the results. NO ONE. I scanned them and sent them to our doctor in Albq. or else they might not have known? Then I faxed them to Brooke's Cardiologist. What is wrong with this picture? What happens when a person doesn't take charge of their own medical care? Maybe I should open a medical consultation business?
Tonight is opening ceremonies for Special Olympics New Mexico state track and field games. Brooke absolutely loves this! One of her most favorite people is a lady named Randy Mascorella. I've talked about her before. Brooke loves Randy and Randy loves Brooke. She's already asking for the "special O." This is where all of the athletes stand up to do a standing ovation but they put there arms in the shape of an O and scream OOOOOOOOOOOO. They love it and it's become a trademark of Randy's whenever Brooke see's her. We have to hunt her down throughout the course of the weekend to get OOOOOOOO's done. It's cute. Most of the Hankins family will be there, including three that have never gotten to attend before. I highly recommend everyone trying to see an event like this at least once in your life. It is incredible...too incredible to put into words. These people are true examples for how we should act! My mom will miss this year because Briana's wedding shower is tomorrow in Friona. Our thoughts will be with them there but I'm sure we'll be having fun in Albq. Brooke competes in the morning at 8:00 (tennis ball throw and 25 meter walk), then it's on to the Olympic Village at 10:00 for all of the goodies, and finally over to the Special Orchestra so Brooke can get her groove on. This is an awesome sight!
Please continue to pray for Brooke. For guidance and direction, knowledge and compassion for the doctors who will be taking care of her. And you might throw in a prayer for promptness on everyone's part so this momma doesn't have to use her "not so nice" voice with anyone. Ha. Love you all!
As I mentioned, we are leaving later this morning to go to Albq. I'm taking a copy of her Echocardiogram to her Cardiologist at Presbyterian and a copy to our doctors at UNM, who will have it read by a Cardiologist there. I talked to her Cardiologist Wednesday and he helped ease my mind a bit. He said there were several pieces of the results that were inconclusive so not to get worked up until another test can be done. I hope to have some sort of direction by Monday or Tuesday. I cannot figure out why the medical process is so slow? It blows my mind! Do you know, if I hadn't gone to the hospital on Monday and picked up the Echo test myself, that I most likely still wouldn't know the result? To date, NO ONE has called me regarding the results. NO ONE. I scanned them and sent them to our doctor in Albq. or else they might not have known? Then I faxed them to Brooke's Cardiologist. What is wrong with this picture? What happens when a person doesn't take charge of their own medical care? Maybe I should open a medical consultation business?
Tonight is opening ceremonies for Special Olympics New Mexico state track and field games. Brooke absolutely loves this! One of her most favorite people is a lady named Randy Mascorella. I've talked about her before. Brooke loves Randy and Randy loves Brooke. She's already asking for the "special O." This is where all of the athletes stand up to do a standing ovation but they put there arms in the shape of an O and scream OOOOOOOOOOOO. They love it and it's become a trademark of Randy's whenever Brooke see's her. We have to hunt her down throughout the course of the weekend to get OOOOOOOO's done. It's cute. Most of the Hankins family will be there, including three that have never gotten to attend before. I highly recommend everyone trying to see an event like this at least once in your life. It is incredible...too incredible to put into words. These people are true examples for how we should act! My mom will miss this year because Briana's wedding shower is tomorrow in Friona. Our thoughts will be with them there but I'm sure we'll be having fun in Albq. Brooke competes in the morning at 8:00 (tennis ball throw and 25 meter walk), then it's on to the Olympic Village at 10:00 for all of the goodies, and finally over to the Special Orchestra so Brooke can get her groove on. This is an awesome sight!
Please continue to pray for Brooke. For guidance and direction, knowledge and compassion for the doctors who will be taking care of her. And you might throw in a prayer for promptness on everyone's part so this momma doesn't have to use her "not so nice" voice with anyone. Ha. Love you all!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Raunchy Day!
Today has been rough. Brooke had an Echocardiogram done at PRMC on Friday and I got the test results today...not good. It shows either a clot or a Myxoma (benign tumor) in her heart. I'm waiting to hear from our doctors as to what the next steps will be. I assume we will be going to a Cardiologist for a second opinion. Thank goodness the Infectious Disease doctor is looking at EVERYTHING! No one else has even mentioned checking the heart until she came along. I think she is a true blessing for us!
Brooke has a CT Scan set for next Monday here in town (not related to the heart test). The ID doc feels the spot on the lung and streaks in the kidneys from previous CT scans need to be re-evaluated. Hooray...FINALLY! No tuberculosis - good test result with that one. We're still waiting to hear from Denver on our appt. there. I'm praying for May 26, 27 and 28; this way we could get it done after school ends and before we leave for vacation. Wouldn't it be nice to have everything taken care of PRIOR to going to paradise? Please-please-please!!
Brooke is standing here signing mommy on MY chin. Headache. Night-night. She wants me to take her to bed. Sweet girl. Please pray for us. It's hard to understand why things keep continously happening to Brooke, but we know God is in control and she is in His hands. We serve an awesome and compassionate God. I know He is hurting right along with us.
Brooke has a CT Scan set for next Monday here in town (not related to the heart test). The ID doc feels the spot on the lung and streaks in the kidneys from previous CT scans need to be re-evaluated. Hooray...FINALLY! No tuberculosis - good test result with that one. We're still waiting to hear from Denver on our appt. there. I'm praying for May 26, 27 and 28; this way we could get it done after school ends and before we leave for vacation. Wouldn't it be nice to have everything taken care of PRIOR to going to paradise? Please-please-please!!
Brooke is standing here signing mommy on MY chin. Headache. Night-night. She wants me to take her to bed. Sweet girl. Please pray for us. It's hard to understand why things keep continously happening to Brooke, but we know God is in control and she is in His hands. We serve an awesome and compassionate God. I know He is hurting right along with us.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
This-n-That
How in the world does Michelle Duggar do it? 19 kids...and still counting? With Baby Josie home, I can't imagine her anxiety. She seems to be such a kind, sweet, gentle person and patient. My thoughts and prayers to her and the rest of the family as they care for their preemie. The thought of having to keep a 20 person house germ-free scares me for them! What an inspiring family...yet I am content with my one precious child.
Brooke is doing well. She's still on a bowling kick but we think it's because she wants to go see her Special Olympic friends. She apparently has her "seasons" mixed up...state track meet is in two weeks in Albq., but please don't tell her...she'll drive us nuts asking every 2 minutes! We have borrowed the bowling ramp from Pat and Dave and plan on taking her bowling some evening. And the plan is to go to state games even though practice this year for Brooke has been sparce. She's had zero time with the team, which is what she's missing right now. She loves the state games and I think it is just what she needs to boost her people needs. She is so lonely sitting at this house!
On the healthfront, I'm in the process of scheduling some of the tests that the Infectious Disease doctor in Albq. wants done. 3 out of the 4 can be done locally so anything to save us a trip to Albq. has my vote. Our Denver trip is stuck somewhere in the "getting insurance approval" phase. You know how that goes! I did learn that when we go it will be for a Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday. Looks like it may be June!
Hawaii is right around the corner. In fact, we'll be there a month from now! We're so excited. Please pray for continued good health for Brooke and for the grandparents who will be watching her (both sets). Pray that Mike and I are able to unwind and relax and enjoy the beautiful setting. Pray for Brooke not to worry too much about us, and not to drive everyone nuts asking where we are. Ha. I am so thankful for our support system that is allowing us to be able to make this trip so far from home.
Happy Mother's Day. What a truly blessed job it is!!
Brooke is doing well. She's still on a bowling kick but we think it's because she wants to go see her Special Olympic friends. She apparently has her "seasons" mixed up...state track meet is in two weeks in Albq., but please don't tell her...she'll drive us nuts asking every 2 minutes! We have borrowed the bowling ramp from Pat and Dave and plan on taking her bowling some evening. And the plan is to go to state games even though practice this year for Brooke has been sparce. She's had zero time with the team, which is what she's missing right now. She loves the state games and I think it is just what she needs to boost her people needs. She is so lonely sitting at this house!
On the healthfront, I'm in the process of scheduling some of the tests that the Infectious Disease doctor in Albq. wants done. 3 out of the 4 can be done locally so anything to save us a trip to Albq. has my vote. Our Denver trip is stuck somewhere in the "getting insurance approval" phase. You know how that goes! I did learn that when we go it will be for a Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday. Looks like it may be June!
Hawaii is right around the corner. In fact, we'll be there a month from now! We're so excited. Please pray for continued good health for Brooke and for the grandparents who will be watching her (both sets). Pray that Mike and I are able to unwind and relax and enjoy the beautiful setting. Pray for Brooke not to worry too much about us, and not to drive everyone nuts asking where we are. Ha. I am so thankful for our support system that is allowing us to be able to make this trip so far from home.
Happy Mother's Day. What a truly blessed job it is!!
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