Much Needed Update Feb. 3, 2012

HELLO! Wow, it has been how many months since I have updated my blog? I'm ashamed. But it has been a whirl-wind of a year, let me tell you! I spent the first part of the summer recouperating from MY genioplasty surgery. Aiden enjoyed Summer playing at  his park, playing in his backyard, playing with his GrammaDonna when she came to visit, played in his swimming pool....even took a trip to his Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Pete's lakefront cabin! His best summer yet!

Aiden's Pollicization Surgery...
In August, Aiden had his first pollicization surgery, which is taking his forefinger and rotating it to create a thumb. See, Aiden was born with no thumbs. Dr. Light, his AMAZING surgeon said he was a perfect candidate because he used his forefinger like a thumb...and very well at that!  The surgery took place at Loyola Hospital, the same place Aiden was born and stayed for 2 and a 1/2 months. Let me see if I can remember that day. The whole day was such a blur, for all of us. Of course I had no sleep...I was a nervous wreck. Prepping Aiden went well because they didn't even put on his gown till after he was sedated. I always hate when they take him away. Breaks my heart EVERYTIME!! 

This surgery took about 4 hours, I believe. Aiden didn't seem to be in any discomfort...Dr. Light told us that the surgery was a complete success and that we just had to observe the blood flow to the 'new thumb' over night.  They put a pain blocker underneathe his arm that would last a few days.  He had a cast on with a sock sling which I think drove Aiden crazy. I think the worst part of the hospital stay is being in a room with a child who was crying like crazy.....and a mean mother that was yelling at him every time. UGH!  So basically, everytime her baby would cry, Aiden would cry...even if he was sleeping. Aiden could NOT rest, and we were a nervous wreck.  We finally asked to be transferred to another room.  First, Juan slept for a few hours.  I can't remember Aiden being up much.  I think he was in a daze...in a peaceful daze. The following morning...very early... just when I was about to try to sleep, Dr. Light and his team came in and told us that Aiden was going to be released!  We were thinking we'd be there for several days!  I guess the blood flow to his finger looked great!  Aiden was VERY happy to be outta there.  When we got home, he was ready to PLAY!  He was rolling around without a care in the world.  The surgery we dreaded for weeks had come and gone....a big sigh of relief!

Going HOME!

Driving home from hospital...

Right after we got home from hospital...

 

 

We were told by our surgeon that movement may not return to his new thumb for three months.  Recovery was slow...we had to visit Dr. Light almost weekly to check on his wound.  At one point, we thought the open part of the wound was infected...turns out that it was 'sloth' or 'slough'... dead skin that needed to be removed.  Juan and Aiden's nurse said that it was very good I didn't go to the doctor that day, they had to scrape the dead tissue away and Juan said he could tell that it was very painful.  UGHHH!  My poor luv muffin!!!!  After that visit, we made sure that we let the hand soak in the bath, cleaned the wound every night, and put Silverdine on it.  Slowly but surely, the wound started to heal. After many visits, many new casts and slings....I'd say a month and a 1/2 later, the cast came off!!!  And to everyone's amazement, his thumb moved!   Dr. Light as astounded....but we knew he'd move it early, cuz that's what Aiden does! :-)  Surpasses everyone's expectations.  After his cast was off, he started using his thumb like it was there his whole life.  Picking things up became easier....I could tell instantly. One hand down....one to go!  It is quite an accident that I'm updating my blog tonight, but his SECOND pollicization surgery was supposed to happen yesterday!  But because this winter has been riddled with one cold after another, one flu after another...and one suspected pneumonia...we decided to postpone the surgery until the spring.

Aiden with his amazing surgeon, Dr. Terry Light

Let's see, what else has been happening.  Ummmm....we went to Washington State over the Christmas Holiday!  We flew out there Dec 13th and stayed until the 31st.  19 wonderful, most memorable days!!! Aiden had the best time.  There wasn't a moment when he said he wanted to go home.  It was 19 days of being loved by GrammaDonna...his cousins Hannah and Ava...Ian and Michael.  I thought for sure Aiden would get sick right away like he did last year...but he only came down with a cold three days before we headed home.  For that, we were VERY thankful!!! There is so much to say about our trip...But I feel that the pictures speak for the trip itself.  I think that's how I'll remember it best...I added some pictures at the end of my blog.

Aiden's Third Birthday...

Aiden had his 3rd birthday on January 14th.  We only intended to have a small party at the house because everyone has been sick.  But it turned out to be a big bash!!! It was incredible...Aiden is truly loved.  We went with the Thomas theme...OF COURSE!  Before we sang 'Happy Birthday' to AidenAiden.  But of course, people clapped...and Aiden cried.  Awwww, Aiden....he recovered quickly...until everyone clapped again once the candles were blown out.  I gave Aiden a taste of the ice cream and all was well.  During the cake and present opening, we Skyped my mom...that was awesome cuz it was like she was there!  You've gotta LOVE technology! Aiden got lots of new school clothes and toys.  And whenever we asked his age, he would show us three fingers. So cute.

Every time we asked Aiden how old he was...he'd show three fingers :-)

Aiden's First Day of School...

Last, but not least....Aiden is going to school!!!  He actually started 2 weeks ago...but after a successful first day, he had to go home early on his second day after throwing up.  At first we thought it was nerves...but it turned out that he was actually coming down with the flu. He stayed home for the next few days, and then just when we were about to send him back, he came down with his fever AGAIN.  We knew that wasn't right, so we took him into the Urgent Care Center.  The doctor tested for strep and it was negative.  She took xrays of his lungs and she saw what she THOUGHT might be the start of pneumonia...so she put Aiden on strong antibiotics just to be safe and we kept Aiden home from school for that week.  He got better pretty quickly.  On Tuesday, he went back to school and all the kids were SO happy!!! The weather has been gorgeous, so all week, they've been going outside to the playground.  Aiden has been such a social little boy.  The routine is getting easier and easier every day.  Yesterday morning, after he was all dressed with his coat and hat, the bus was late. Juan called the bus company and they said they got caught by a train....so Juan told the nurse to take him in and unzip his coat to wait for the bus and Aiden started crying!  He wanted to go to school!!! He kept waving 'bye bye?!'  That made me soooo happy.  Our nurse said that Aiden loves school. His teacher, Ms. Carrie is so sweet...his classroom is AMAZING!!!  Of course I teared up the first day we left him there.  It is such a HUGE milestone.  I can see the changes in him already! 

Well, I tried to update as well as possible.  In a nutshell...Aiden is a THRIVING three year old!!!  It's been an amazing year...and it's only going to get better. We started him on a smoothie diet...feeding him purees through his g-tube and it's been a great success.  We still feed him by mouth.  We find him actually asking for it...that never happened before! So.... I promise to try to keep this blog updated. That was actually my New Year's resolution...lets see if I can keep it up!

Trip to Washington 2011

Our visit was filled with family, food, playing, visiting, Christmas tree decorating, zoo light seeing, singing carols with Barb, and lots of laughs!

Christmas Eve was magical....

Christmas Day 2011 At My Brother's House...

Aiden and his Uncle Jeff

The Rest of our Trip...

GrammaDonna has a swing in the basement!

Ian, practicing his killer tricks...



Aiden's Early Birthday Celebration...



Going Home... :-(