Pharyngeal Flap Surgery- Day 1

Surgery went well today, but it's been a long day for all of us.  

 Red Shoes before surgery-playing in the waiting room...things are good.

All ready for surgery and playing with a racetrack...still good.

We handed our Red Shoes over to the nurses a little after 10:00 a.m. this morning and didn't get to see him until around 1:30. We met with the surgeon and she said everything went well. She let us know that there would be a "trumpet" in his nose. They insert this so that if kids forget to breathe out of their mouths they can use the trumpet to breathe out of their nose.  This is because most of the area that allows you to breathe through your nose has been sealed up with this surgery. 

Post surgery- trying to rest with mom, but pretty uncomfortable. 

I'm holding oxygen up to his mouth.  He's doing a good job keeping his oxygen saturation levels at a good level though.

 Snuggling with dad

It's been hard for Red Shoes to get much rest today. He's been very uncomfortable and at times inconsolable. The ENT let us know that this is probably the most brutal surgery she does. She said that his throat be very sore, along with the back of his neck.

He will be able to drink out of a straw and won't be limited to a liquid diet, but rather a soft diet.

I wish I could fast forward a few days, or wherever that point is where he won't be in so much pain.

Here's hoping for a better day for Red Shoes tomorrow. Pin It

Red Shoes is Ready!

I talked to Red Shoes about his surgery on Saturday.  Pharyngeal Flap Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday.  Usually I wait until we are on our way to the hospital.  It just seemed like we should talk about it sooner this time though.  I didn't get the reaction I was expecting... 

As soon as I told him he ran into his bedroom and grabbed his backpack and started filling it up with toys.  Then he pointed to his mouth and wanted to leave right then!  He wants to talk so badly! 

Every morning since he's done the same thing.  He totally understands. 

We are so hopeful that this surgery will work.  If you have a chance, please pray for Red Shoes. 

Thanks,
Casey Pin It

A Fathers Love...What a Witness

In church on Sunday I felt really emotional.  Could be that I'm going to have a baby, or that Red Shoes has surgery in a few days.  Whatever the case my heart was in a pretty raw state. 

For the last few months there's been a man who we sit in front of.  He's there with his son who is probably in his early to mid-twenties.  His son is mentally handicapped. During the worship portion of church he loves to sing.  He doesn't know the words, he won't ever know the words.  There are people who look back at them curiously.  Five years ago I think I would have been really distracted by him too. 

Since having my own children my heart has changed.  Because you know what?  It doesn't matter that he doesn't know the words or that his singing is off key.  I truly believe that his is the most purest form of worship.  It is so apparent that he is singing out to our Lord with everything he has. 

And his dad...what an inspiration he is to me.  His is a love so deep, so strong, so courageous.  I listen to this dad, encouraging his son, letting him know when the song is over and letting him know when he needs to stop singing  He does this with such love, patience and grace. To me he is a beautiful illustration of how our Father, our Creator, loves ALL of us. 

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Shrimp & Crab Boil

My aunt, uncle and cousin visited last night.  We thought it would be a great time to have our annual shrimp boil.  We started doing this about three years ago and haven't missed a summer since.  It's so fun and SO good!  Since the beginning we've been using a guide from the blog, Skip to My Lou. Go to this link to get a handy shopping list and directions. 

Here's what was in our boil:

• Zatarain's Crab & Shrimp Boil in bags
• Salt
• Onions
• Lemons
• Sweet Corn
• Red Potatoes
• Kielbasa
• Shrimp
• Crab Legs

It's been REALLY hot here, so instead of doing this inside on the stove, we borrowed a turkey fryer and cooked everything on the porch.  Here's some pictures of the process.

Getting the water boiling...

Boiling the potatoes and corn with the spices, salt and garlic

Happy Feet making sure the job gets done right

The Seafood Boilers

Everything but the shrimp is in...

Everything just thrown out on the table

Let the feeding frenzy begin

Cheddar Biscuits to go with the meal.  They are like the ones you get at Red Lobster.

And for dessert...a Jello Poke Cake

One of the best parts of this meal is the clean up.  Because you cover your table with newspapers and freezer paper you can just grab it and throw it away.  If you've never hosted or been to a shrimp boil you need to do this.  Oh, and usually I go to the library and pick up a Zydeco CD. Not this time though....

Somehow I failed to get a picture of my sweet aunt Kathy.  Probably because she was filling up cups for the kids, or doing something to help me out.  So...here's Kathy, not at the shrimp/crab boil, but still Kathy.

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Visiting Nana & Papa

Visiting their Nana & Papa is one of my kids' greatest joys.  Why wouldn't it be?  There are beautiful gardens to explore, tractors to ride, animals to care for and the love of family which surrounds.  These pictures were taken towards the end of May.   

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Red Shoes' Pharyngeal Flap Surgery

Red Shoes is scheduled for Pharyngeal Flap surgery on August 11th.  This is due to his difficulty with speech.  It should seal off the air that he is losing through his nose when he speaks. About a year ago when he would try to blow bubbles he could do it with the air from his nose, not his mouth.  Since then he's gotten a lot stronger and can blow bubbles with his mouth. 

 He has what is known as Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI).    Causes of VPI can be anything from a Cleft Palate, Aednoidectomy,  neuromuscular abnormalities and sometimes there's no known reason for VPI.  I'm not sure we really know the reason.  Things are just a little different on Red Shoes.  I think some of it goes back to him having Choanal Atresia.

Here's some pictures of what it would like before & after surgery:

I read that sometimes you can see the stitches along the roof of the mouth.  Here's a photo of a child who had the procedure done, and what you can see. 

The ENT doctor who will be doing Red Shoes' surgery will be taking muscle from the back of his throat and attaching it to his soft palate. The surgery usually takes 1 1/2 - 3 hours. The doctor said that he will probably stay in the hospital 1-2 nights, but it just depends on when he can drink easily. They said his recovery will probably be about     1 1/2 weeks.  Two weeks and he will probably be resuming speech therapy.  Of course, sometime within this span of time we will be having our baby.  Should be an interesting and exciting month! Pin It

Dad's Famous Pork Loin

If you've ever attended a meal hosted by my mom and dad you've probably been

served this pork loin.  It's very versatile and easily served with about any side dish.  I think tonight I'll be serving it with cheesy potatoes and green beans.  By the way, I noticed that one of our local grocery stores has boneless pork loin on sale for $1.39 a pound!  That's so CHEAP!  Cheaper than hamburger cheap.  Such a good deal for a lean, quality meat.  Do I sound like a hog farmers daughter? 

My dad would be proud!

The loin I bought was a little over 4 pounds.  I cut it in half and used half for supper and froze half for another meal.  I would say the recipe below would serve 4-5.

2 lb boneless pork loin

1 T. onion powder

1  T. garlic salt

1/2 t. pepper

1/2 ground cloves

Mix the seasonings together in a bowl, then rub on pork loin before grilling.  Place on aluminum foil.  As far as the grilling goes, I think it's best to just experiment with your grill.  We have a gas grill and I grilled the meat on low.   I came across something that said it would take 20 minutes per pound, but mine took a little longer than that.  The most important thing to remember is that your meat needs to reach 160 degrees.  My sister said they usually remove their loin from the grill at 150 degrees so that they don't dry the meat out.  The meat will continue to cook a little once you remove it.  

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