Our Halloween!

Since Sam and I were leaving for Cincy/ his surgery on Halloween we made sure to celebrate it ahead of time!

The Saturday before Halloween our little community has a celebration!

All the stores pass out candy and some give away little toys or have a craft project!

We went with two other families! 

All the kids had such a great time!!

The Mom's loved it too!

This was Ava and Sam's first time in costumes and trick and treating!

Yes! We did go through the grocery store and got treats from there, too!

They had face painting- or hand painting in Sarah's case!

AND then we got to the salon!

Where they spray glitter on the girls hair!

AND our friends Dorothy and Todo finally found - the tin man, the lion and the scarecrow!

In our family we had...

a bride,

a black cat,

a fairy princess garden butterfly,

a very beautiful butterfly from "the very hungry caterpillar"!

a puppy dog,

and a bee with a light up sparkle tutu!

Pinch Me Please!

Yes, we are home and so very thankful to be here!

Don't get me wrong we are so grateful to God for the skilled Physicians that did Sam's surgery, truly a blessing from God but being home is such good medicine! It's exactly what the doctor ordered!

In Cincinnati, Sam won the hearts of so many... Doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, health aids, volunteers, child care specialists and the list goes on! 

All he was doing... was being himself!

Right before he had surgery they asked if his name was Samuel M*lvahill...  he said NO!

Then they asked him what was his age... he answered back... 11!

He had everyone on the O.R. giggling!

I had to tell him they would think they had the wrong child if he didn't start answering the questions correctly!

This is MY boy! This is/was an orphan... this is a child with anal atresia or imperforate anus. 

This is a child that sat... and sat... and sat on the waiting child list.

His referral was about to be returned to Ch*na...

We couldn't believe that this beautiful boy had not been scooped up by a family...

And yet... we are so thankful he is ours!

Is your sweet boy waiting for you? 

IF he is grab him while you can! 

You won't be sorry! 

But, you will be thankful!

Homeward Bound!!

When we arrived here and learned that we had the wrong itinerary- we couldn't think straight or have enough time to re-plan. We were supposed to go home tonight- Friday but then they told us we needed to be here for an appt on Wednesday morning. It was such a surprise- we were not prepared at home or here for the change. Hubby (and our sitter during the day) took care of everything at home and I took care of everything here.


Well, now we have been discharged from the hospital and we are sitting in a hotel... many miles from home! Sam is doing okay as long as he is on pain meds. Walking and sitting do pose a problem for him- poor guy. He has a catheter in and will have it taken out on Wednesday morning... here in Cincy. Plus they will also teach a few other things that will help Sam with his recovery.

This little guy really makes the best of things! He is such a good little boy!

Today as we arrived at our hotel- the fog lifted and we realized we were paying to have us stay in a hotel, for food, for transportation, etc. At home hubby has a business trip so we were paying for babysitting on top of that- solution is - Sam and I fly home!

We both are excited to see everyone - especially Mark who flew home for Johnny's game!

I have loved my time with my little boy and we still have 3 trips back here- just the two of us!

BUT, I am also excited to visit with the hubby and let the "play team" entertain Mr. Sam!

So tomorrow morning at 4:30am we will rise and shine and prepare to "go home"!

YAY!

There are a few people I did not get a chance to see while we were here- I am planning more visiting time during our January surgery trip!!

This trip was spent figuring out what I was supposed to do and where I was supposed to be!

In January- I will be a pro!

Thank you for being so kind and wanting to see us!!

Wow, What a Day!

Today was the Championship game for the State High School League!

Our son Johnny and the team he plays on were in the championship game!

When our surgery was scheduled I knew there could be a conflict but the making it all the way to state finals doesn't happen often and I figured it wouldn't happen for us.

I was wrong!

Because we do have so much going on right now I just prayed about the timing and gave it to God.

We have Sam's surgery(2 trips to Cincy on November), High School Soccer, an adoption journey to China (on day 7 of the TA wait) coming up soon. There are many other things going on but those are the big items! 

I knew there was no way I could successfully plan it all out, it was beyond me. Just thinking about it made my head spin! 

So I gave it to the Master and prayed over it!

Once again HE has done an amazing job!!

Please indulge me for a moment!

And another moment...

And another...

That's my boy!

Wanna know something kind of funny?

I was a high jumper in high school!

Do you think I can take any of the credit for this boys hops?

GGGGGOOOOOAAAALLLLL

So here I am in Cincy with our sweet boy Sammy!

 

At 11:00 he falls asleep and takes a nice nap!

I turn on my computer and go to a site- that DH and DD told me about and whoola

I get to watch the game!!

To me- that is amazing!!

It was a blast!!

We WON!

3-1

And I really can't believe I got to watch it!!

Only GOD!!

Update on Sammy tomorrow!

Share with us!

There I was yesterday (my scheduled blog day), in a strapless dress, sitting on the sunny deck with my computer, squirrels and hummingbirds hopping and chirping all around me. I did not want to be blogging, I just wanted to celebrate and enjoy the most beautiful day of fall (maybe the last) with them.

Want to take my place writing?

Ever since I started this blog, you have shown a great deal of patience and understanding reading through my posts of frustrations, growing pains, and self discovery.

Sometimes you relate to my stories, sometimes you do not, but through the comments we connect, and support each other. Yet, comments only offer a glance at your personal journey.

I invite you to share further with us by submitting your story (zerowastestory at gmail dot com) of 750 words or less in the body of an email (no text attachment please), with a picture attached of you, or whatever would illustrate your words. Let us know what got you started, what keeps you going, what your biggest challenge is (or was), or all of the above. The possibilities are infinite.

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Surgery, Recovery and Back In Our Room

Sam's surgery was at 12:30 today. It was a challenge keeping all food and drink away from him  for the morning but we did it@

He is such a sweet little boy!

The nurse asked him- " Sam, What are they going to do?"

Sam answered "I dunno?"

We have talked about it many times but it is hard for him to understand what is happening. He just focuses on the end result- he'll be able to "go" like everyone else.

I am sure he is going to wonder what on earth did they do today and why? BUT, it is all part of a process so this sweet boy can be like the other kids. 

 In my eyes he is already so perfect just the way he is!

He got a little scared and teary before the surgery but he rallied and calmed down. It helped that his nurse was named Sarah just like his big sister Sarah!

Before surgery they asked him his name- Are you Samuel Mulvahill

Nope, he said!

Then they asked how old are you?

eleven!

At this point I had to interject- Sam you have to tell them the truth or they'll think they have the wrong little boy!

He probably wouldn't have minded if some other poor soul had this surgery instead of him!

His surgery was 4 hours long. It was more complicated than anticipated - poor dear had a lot of inflammation inside due to the unforeseen fistula between the bladder and colon. It amazes me the pain tolerance these children have- we are so glad that we are here where the experts are to help our sweet boy!

We returned to our room at 6:00. He has a little water and a grape popsicle - which ended up on the sheets! No more food for tonight- we're giving his tummy and break!

He is supposed to have minimal activity for A MONTH! Hello, he's a 5 yr old boy! This should be interesting!

The Doctor feels that the surgery went well but does not know if he will be bowel continent yet- we will know that in time... meanwhile- let's pray about it!!

I feel your prayers and am so grateful for your prayers!

Tonight is the national honor society banquet that Johnny and Hubby are at...

Tomorrow is the  State soccer championship...

Yes, I want to be at these events and support Johnny but I know I am right where I need to be! 

Feeling so thankful to God!

A Hitch...

We have some new test results that have changed the plan...


The test this morning showed that Sam has a fistula (small opening between the end of the colon and his bladder. 


The good news- is they will fix it tomorrow in surgery.


The bad news - is we have to stay in Cincy through next Wednesday. We cannot go home on Friday- I am bummed. I am not good at this... I miss home already... I miss the all children, the hubby, my vanilla lattes and everything else that is HOME!! 


I'm trying not to... I am trying to be brave and grown up but it is a challenge. Just want all of you out there that have taken your sweet kiddos to have surgeries, procedures, therapies, etc- that I did not give you enough credit and TLC. I am sorry. But please don't believe in that eye for an eye stuff and please shower my with prayers, comments and TLC.

Last night we stayed at the Marriott! It was quite nice and we had room service! Sammy ate his food in bed!!

He has been too wired to take a nap both yesterday and today.

After this morning procedure he asked if we were all done and going home...ahhh, no!

I am kind of a driven person and used to getting thing done! I love getting things done and I find myself pacing a bit while we wait for one thing or another or another.

Kind of felt like telling everyone- "hey we have some down time lets get this surgery done... now!"

I believe this time in Cincy may be a much needed lesson for me- gulp, 

in patience

a reminder of who's in control

in maintaining peace

in thankfulness

Must we Lord? Really?

One thing we know for sure is that we are in the right place!

They were not able to tell that Sam has a fistula at home- it wasn't until we got here that they discovered it.

We met both Dr's in the late afternoon and they are great!

They are so experienced and professional.

This week they have visiting Dr's from all over the world that will be viewing Sam's surgery through video streaming to an auditorium.

My goodness things have changed since I was an RN.

There are no longer serve 3 meals a day. Instead we order our meals when we want them and then they are delivered to each room individually. I kind of like it - no more wasted food and you get what you want!

The children wear their own jammies to bed and around the hospital. Once he has an IV he will be in the hospital jammies.

If you want something-go get it! The nurses don't do the beds- we do!

Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 12:30-3:30!

Sam's surgery has a 60% success rate.

If it is not 100% successful - where he has complete bowel control- he will go through a bowel management program and learn bowel control/ maintenance through this method. 

They do everything they can do so that the children live a normal life.

Please say prayers for him, for the surgeons and well, for me too- if ya can!

Thank you!!