So summer has come to an end. I cannot believe how quickly it went by! Gabby is approaching her 6 month post op date already! She is doing fantastic! She started walking early this summer and now is trying to keep up with her brother. She is babbling like always, but is now able to say a few words. She loves our dog, Sadie, and cannot get enough of her. It is fun to see her personality shining through. She is getting to the age tantrums and can through them with the best:) She is a big stuffed animal fan and when we go to stores, or even the library where there are stuffed animals she goes nuts. It is entertaining some times, but keeping her in a shopping cart can be a challenge.
We have been dealing with another round of double ear infections that won't go away. This time though, she has learned to clench her jaw and refused to take the medications. It was definately a challenge, but we got some in her eventually. Her doctor is now just watching because there is still fluid in both of her ears. If this continues we will be going the ear tube route. Gabby is kind of clutzy in walking- she trips a lot. Her doctor and I think it may be related to her ears. I hope this all goes away soon!
We had an appointment with the pediatric opthamologist a few weeks ago. I have not noticed Gabby's eye wandering like it was before her surgery. Dr. Ruttum agreed. She was cleared for another year. Yeah!
Gabby and I are going to be doing the Briggs and Al's Walk for Children's Hospital this year! I wanted to do something to try to give back to this fantastic hospital system we have here in Wisconsin. The money raised this year goes to the west tower addition. This addition opened while Gabby was an inpatient. The nurses raved about it. While we were their there was no room for Mark and I to stay in Gabby's room. We slept on the floor or tiny pull out for the 4 nights she was there. Now they made the rooms more geared toward having parents stay. They have added different PICU sections. If I remember correctly what I was told they would have a certain number of beds dedicated to neuro, heart, etc so that the scheduling would be smoother and with much more space to accomodate more children. If you remember, Gabby got bumped from surgery the first time around because there were no PICU beds available that day. They didn't have space for any children who came in with emergencies overnight. So the patients who could wait were bumped. This should not happen anymore. Anyway, I am trying to raise money for this addition. 100% of the donations go directly to this. If you are interested in donating, even $5, visit our website at: http://www.firstgiving.com/jodidanen (you may need to copy and paste). Thanks in advance!!
