Friday update

I am still waiting to hear back from Dr. Fearon in Dallas.  I am a little surprised that I haven't heard from him because other parents I have read about on the site cranio kids heard back from him within 24 hours.  So I can take it as, his head isn't that bad and so he doesn't feel an urgency to get back to us, he's on vacation, or he's been so busy fixing other babies heads that I should just calm down (with hand motion, this goes back to college days with my friend Autumn).  At any rate, I did contact Gillette Children's hospital in Minneapolis today to have a consult with Dr. Wood.  We have decided to meet with him to see what he has to say and I am going to have a ton of questions for him as well.  We are currently scheduled for November 29 (the day before Andrew's surgery, perfect timing insert sarcasm), but they are hoping to move us up.  Dr. Wood is on vacation the first two weeks of November, so hopefully we can get up there before that.  I also have a CT scan scheduled for Lucas on the 15th of November, but I will most likely push this back as well.  Reason for that, Dr. Fearon has done 25 studies where a CT scan isn't necessary and he doesn't want to expose a child to radiation.  Lucas has already had three tests where he has been exposed to radiation, so if we can get away without having a CT scan, I am all for that!  So we continue to wait and pray that all goes well. 

I finally did it!!!

I went ahead and emailed Dr. Fearon tonight!!!  This is the craniofacial specialist in Dallas.  I finally heard back from the pediatrician that referred us to Dr. Frank and I can honestly say I am glad I do not go to this pediatrician!  Our PA that we see wanted us to see a Ped. to make sure she wasn't missing anything in terms of Lucas' head.  At any rate, he basically said (through his nurse) that Dr. Frank (who mind you is a plastic surgeon and not board certified) would be a good match for surgery.  Really, gee thanks Doc but no thanks.  He did get us some information about Gillette hospital in Minneapolis, so I am going to do some checking there.  This pediatrician is very nonchalant about the whole surgery and at one point stated that I know more than he does!  I find that to be a very telling comment as I have just started to do research on craniosynostosis and hadn't heard of it until a month ago so I really don't think I know more than this Dr., but I am trying to find out as much as I can so I know the right questions to ask when going into such a serious surgery.  I am very anxious to hear what Dr. Fearon is going to say.  I basically asked him if he thinks Lucas is a candidate for surgery and I sent him some photos.  We will see.  I pray that God continues to lead us in the right direction and we come to the right decision that is in our hearts.  We want to make sure we seek out every option and thoroughly weigh our decisions as what we do will affect Lucas for the rest of his life.  Please continue to keep him in your prayers, along with Andrew and Jacob.

where we are a/o 10/22/11

I wanted to update our blog with what's going on with all three boys.  Needless to say its been stressful due to all the unknowns, but I am praying that all will work out the way its supposed to.  I'll start with oldest to youngest:
Andrew had a communicating hydrocele a few years ago that was repaired surgically by a pediatric urologist in DSM.  At his five year well child our PA could only feel one testicle and so she ordered an ultrasound to see what's going on.  Unfortunately, the testicle is not where its supposed to be and so we were referred to Dr. Glowaki who is a urologist.  The surgeon who did his surgery the first time is no longer in the state (I can't get anymore information as to why) so we met with Dr. Glowaki.  He wants to do an exploratory surgery to see what's going on and to see if Andrew's testicle can be salvaged.  I have asked for a 2nd opinion in IA City (which is incidentally the same Dr. we see for Lucas Dr. Kieren), but the earliest we can get in with her is Feb 7.  Currently we have his surgery scheduled for Nov 30 and if we can't get in with IA City sooner than we will most likely go ahead with the surgery Nov 30.  So many prayers that the Dr. will do right by Andrew with all of this.

Jacob had tubes put in his ears in January.  Since then he has had two ear infections and the last time he went to the Dr (which was about 2 weeks ago with an ear infection) the Dr. didn't think either tube was where it needs to be.  The earliest I can get in with Jacob's ENT is Nov 22, so we wait and see if he will need to have surgery again or if the tubes are where they need to be.  Again more prayers for our little Jake-man.

Now onto little Lucas.  As you might remember, Lucas has urine reflux.  From his last ultrasound a month ago, the Dr. in DSM and IA City are happy with the progress, but we are still not out of the woods as his reflux is still Grade 5 (the worst).  We go back to the nephrologist in Dec for another ultrasound and follow up to see where we stand.  IA City already has scheduled a VCUG for March 30 and from then (I assume) a decision will be made if he has grown out of it or surgery is needed.  Concurrently, as some of you know I have a thing with heads, head size, and mis-shapen heads and I have always been very worried about my children's heads.  Well maybe this is biting me in the a$$ now because I little Lucas has been diagnosed with craniosynostosis of the myopic suture.  Basically he has a ridge on the front suture (basically the bridge of your nose, up to your soft spot is where the suture runs).  I have always noticed it, but didn't say too much because I didn't want people to think I was nuts.  At any rate at his 6 month well child our PA took noticed and referred us to a pediatrician.  He then referred us to a plastic surgeon who said that he does have craniosynostosis.  I have requested to go to Mayo clinic for all CT scans and if surgery is needed.  The issue is if the sutures close too soon it can cause issues for his brain because it will have no where to grow.  I have done a little bit of looking on-line and currently I am comfortable with Mayo and a hospital in Dallas, TX.  The pediatrician is also looking at Gillette Children's hospital in Minneapolis, so I am waiting to see what he comes up with.  So more prayers are needed for our Lucas.  He is SUCH a happy baby and  has been through so much in his 7 1/2 months of life. 

I just pray that all these Drs. know what they are doing and lead us down the right path...for all of our children.

So there's the update for now.  As soon as I know more I will update the blog.  So please check back often.
love
The Haase's

minor setback

We had a minor setback this weekend with Lucas.  On Sunday evening Lucas started running a high temp of 99 degrees.  I gave him some Tylenol and put him to bed.  At 1:00 Monday morning I heard him crying and since he has a cold and bad cough, he sounds kinda hoarse (poor buddy).  I went in and he was burning up.  I took his temp and it was 101.8 so I gave him some more Tylenol.  He took half the dropper and started dry heaving (it was awful).  He was crying and I got pretty scared.  He then threw up a little and he was not too happy about that.  I then got him calmed down and tried the rest of the dropper and rocked him to sleep.  I laid him down and then he started dry heaving again.  I picked him up and ran to the bathroom where he started throwing up again.  I was very scared and with the new medicine he is on for the reflux and the fact he was running a temp, I decided to bring him to the ER.  When I got to Blank there was no one in the waiting room so we got in right away.  The Dr. discovered he has an ear infection in his right ear.  Poor guy!  He also had to have a catheter, but thankfully no UTI!!!  We got home about 4 am and slept in until 7 and then we snuggled in bed until 9.  We were all pretty tired most of the morning as both Andrew and Jacob are getting over upper respiratory infections.  So needless to say we haven't been sleeping the greatest in our house.

here's a nice picture of our big boy at his 5 year well child

Lucas is feeling better!

Lucas and Jacob being cute

Jacob giving me a nice smile

Andrew also took quite a spill on his bike tonight too.  He fell mouth first on the sidewalk and nearly knocked out his two front teeth.  It looks pretty bad, but he is so tough that he cried for only 5 minutes and then went back to playing with his friends.  I have a picture, but will have to add it later.  I will be staying home with all three boys tomorrow as the baby would not be ready to go to daycare, Andrew needs to go to the Dentist and Jacob isn't feeling the greatest either.

right after the spill OUCH!

later that night

this afternoon.

 To note, the Dentist said that we are going to watch his teeth.  The front teeth will fall out soon and not long after the teeth next to it will fall out.  Poor guy, he is sooooooooooooo tough!

where has the time gone?

I cannot believe it has been since June that I have updated our blog!  Well to give a bit of an update...

Andrew: is almost 5 years old (September 13), has lost 2 teeth, 2 more are loose, his 6 year molars have come in on the top and are almost through on the bottom (our dentist stated he has an advanced mouth), enjoying being back at daycare and is ready to start pre K this fall at St. Paul Lutheran!  He continues to be a great big brother and loves to "daddy" his baby brother Lucas.  He currently weighs 54 lbs and is 3 feet 11 inches.  A big boy!  He is also excited to start flag football in September

Jacob turned 2 in May and continues to keep us on his toes.  Potty training is coming along as he almost has #1 down, but #2 is still touch and go.  But we are proud how close he is with being potty trained so young!  He continues to love on his baby brother and drive his big brother nuts (but they do play nice together too!)  Jacob is talking up a storm and his vocabulary is booming!  He enjoys being back at daycare and playing with his friends.

Lucas is almost 6 months old, which I still can't believe!  He is doing really well and growing and changing everyday.  He resembles both boys, but his hair is actually a lot lighter than the other two boys!  We did have one set back with the medication that he has been on.  He had an allergic reaction on August 20, so we had to switch to a new medication (its late and I don't have the name off hand).  So far he is doing pretty well with it, so we wait and see.  He goes in for his 3 month ultrasound in a couple weeks so we continue to pray his kidneys get better!!  He seems to really enjoy daycare and is currently the youngest in his room, so he is spoiled by the grandmas in the room!  The next oldest just turned a year so I like that he is the only baby.  He is also rolling EVERYWHERE!  And just last Saturday he started getting up on his toes and hands.  Pretty soon the pumpkin will be crawling.  Lord help us all!!  He continues to be the best sleeper of the three boys and I pray that continues.

All and all the boys are great.  I will have to post pictures soon!!

follow up with the specialist

Hard to believe its been almost two weeks since I brought Lucas to the specialist in Des Moines.  When we had went to Iowa City Dr. Kieren had said she wanted ultrasounds of Lucas' kidney every three months.  We are happy to report that everything thing went great!  Lucas is gaining weight!!  He weighed 13lbs 6oz!  I also told Dr. Auron before he even said anything about how the ultrasound went, that I noticed I was changing a lot more pee diapers.  He stated that the left kidney is stabilized and the right kidney looked better!!  This was great news because if things weren't getting better than surgery would be a stronger possibility.  Lucas also gave a urine sample and all checked out well with that.  He was supposed to give a blood sample, but after two pokes he was not a happy camper and this momma was tired of her baby crying so hard.  We did go back two days later and he gave a blood sample with the first poke!  All and all Lucas is doing great!  He is taking Bactrim every night to prevent a UTI and he takes that medicine really well.  He also sleeps 11 hours a night, which makes him the best sleeper of the three boys!  Hard to believe he is almost 4 months old.  Where has the time gone?

I also have to mention that Jacob is doing pretty well potty training.  Pee pee is pretty easy, but he isn't consistent with poopy.  So I keep on trying. 

 Andrew also had a wonderful week at vacation Bible school a few weeks back.  He also has been working on a loose tooth for a little over a week.  Its now on the point of hanging on by one thread, but he's too scared to pull it out.  I just hope he doesn't swallow it like his aunt Becky did (or so I am told by grandma Pam) :-)

single parenthood

I have always thought how hard it would be to be a single parent.  I feel blessed that I have such a wonderful husband who is also the best dad one could ask for.  I have gotten a taste of single parenthood this week while John and a couple buddies went up to the Black Hills on a motorcycle trip.  Yes its busy being home with a 4, 2 and 3 month old, but it honestly has been better than I thought it would be.  In the sense that I would fall apart with the stress of three little ones at home all day long by myself. 

My three boys!

The boys have been GREAT!!  Andrew is a HUGE help to me.  He has really stepped up as "man of the house" this week.  Helping me with his brothers or with other little chores I need him to do.  Jacob has also been very cooperative this week, which blows my mind.  He is usually quite the stinker, but this week he has been a model two year old (enter Twilight zone music here).  And Lucas, well he is pretty much the BEST baby in the world.  He sleeps AWESOME (hopefully not jinxing myself), eats well, plays, smiles, repeat.  God has truly blessed our family with a great last baby.  To prepare myself for being along for nearly 6 days I have kept a pretty jammed packed schedule. 

Lots of playdates and company has been wonderful for us.  The Schwendinger's came down from MN on Thursday and spent the night and then played most of the day on Friday.  Along with our friends the Hall's who came over Thursday for a BBQ and play time.  The weather has also cooperated so we have been able to get outside and wear my boys out!

the four big kids: Theo, Andrew, Jacob, and Ayla

 And I am not going to lie, TV has also been a good distraction.  I am not too proud to say that my kids watch TV and its a way to distract them and pass the time (and a bribe tool!).  Today (Saturday) my friend Amy and her two boys (her hubby John went with my John on the Harley trip) are coming over to play and have a sleep-over.  Should be a fun afternoon and evening!  Sunday we are heading up to Boone to see John's grandpa Bud, sister Becky and her family, possibly John's sister Sarah and brother Paul.  John should be home sometime around noon on Monday.  We are having a pretty good time just the four of us, but we do miss John a lot and really look forward to him coming home on Monday.  I commend all the men and women who are single parents and feel blessed that I have someone to take this crazy ride with me known as parenthood.  Love you babe and we hope you had a wonderful time in South Dakota!!

John and John ready for their ride to the Black Hills