Arts and Crafts

Emilia is doing great ! Today we did arts and crafts . Duck tape bows and bead bracelets for the fixator. A little physical therapy too...

Emilia Post Op

Emilia's surgery was scheduled to start at 9 but she was bumped to 3. She was so hungry having to wait an additional 6 hours. Dr. Standard felt bad so he sent her down to make a Build A Bear ( there is a store in the lobby of the Hospital). He is such a fantastic Doctor. People come from all over the world to see him . It is phenomenal what he can do . His imagination ...

Emilia's surgery went very well . The hardest part is trying to get her pain under control. She knew that Mayzie was coming today so that really gave her something to stay focused on . She also had a visit today from a few of the Baltimore Orioles. She did not have a clue who they were but she loved showing them her dog . Mayzie was so good . Her presence gave Emilia so much happiness and she helped her as she had a blood draw and a splint made for her hand. Then the two of them took a nap. So far everything is looking good for her arm . She will come back in 2-4 weeks and have the next procedure to lengthen her arm .

Emilia's surgery

Last week was such a busy week . We had 2 Birthdays (Eddy turned 26 and Grace turned 13 ), Grace had her first horse show of the year and the girls had lots of doctors appointments . Grace was so excited to compete in this horse show . She did fantastic competing in 6 events and coming in sixth, fifth, three fourth places and FIRST place in jumping ! One day she would like to compete on the US Olympic Equestrian Team . But after talking to her trainer about all of the requirements (mostly the HUGE financial commitment) I think it will just have to be a dream unless we somehow win the lottery . Anyhow she is having tons of fun riding and competing . This week we are gearing up for another busy week. Grace has another horse show and Emilia has her surgery on Tuesday . At her pre op visit today we were thrown a curve ball. I thought the surgery was going to be uncomplicated (in and out of the hospital in one week, fixator off in six months...) but since Emilia's anatomy is a bit complicated , she will have the surgery in two stages. Tomorrow she will have the distal radius and wrist positioned with the fixator . After 2 weeks of turning it nightly to reposition her wrist she will go back for the second stage , the lengthening . This will require another week in the hospital and another 2 weeks out of school . Emilia is amazing though , she never complains . She is just so happy that her arm will be able to function better . We call her the bionic kid. To think when we first brought her home from China we were told to amputate her legs. We knew in our hearts this was not the right choice for her. God lead us to an incredible Doctor right here in our home town . He is a miracle worker . He totally rebuilt both of her legs and arms. (after meeting him initially we knew we liked him because he had also graduated from the Citadel in SC. . The same college Eddy had recently graduated from ). Mayzie will come to the hospital on Wednesday to help Emilia as she transitions from the nerve block to the pain pump to oral meds. . Her presence alone really brings Emilia great joy and I know just having her near will alleviate a lot of her pain . ( the first 3 days are very painful ). Please join us as we pray for a speedy recovery without any complications or pin site infections . Someone said to me this past week , " I don't know how you do it . But don't worry , God doesn't give you more than you can handle ." ( I must have looked VERY tired at the time ) Actually , I don't believe that . We have had more than we can handle for two years now . The past two years God has challenged us and asked us to take on more than we can handle and at times it felt like it would surely break us . But now I can see that in being given more than we can handle , God has shown through , doing the impossible in our lives . Teresa's life has touched thousands of people all over the world. She has had to endure so much in just the first five years of her life. More than most of us will endure in a life time . The miracles in her life are countless... They are there to glorify God and without a doubt to show us that God is in control, of her life and ours as He gives us more than we can handle . He has used one small orphan child to change the lives of so many , mostly mine . I "Thank" God for giving us more than we can handle and wait patiently for the biggest Miracle of all . P.S. A BIG " Thank you " to Pattie from San Diego for sending the girls BEAUTIFUL quilts that she made by hand.!!! They love them ! Gemma and Teresa had fun playing in the box and Lucy loved looking for all the LUCYS in hers .

My Heart

"Look Mom at my heart ."
I turned around to see what she was talking about ... Teresa had made her hand and her little hand into the shape of a heart ... actually half a heart because of her little hand . The sad thing is this is exactly what her heart looks like , half a heart. Half a heart that has miraculously kept beating for 5 1/2 years !

Still no word from CHOP yet. I am being patient , well at least for a few more days then I think I might have to call .


Today David and Mayzie and April and her dog Claire came to visit. ( you can see April and Claires story and video at paws4people.org) Her story is very inspirational .
Emilia had so much fun working with Mayzie and Claire.

Easter 2012

Thank you Jesus !

Transplant / Graduation

Friday afternoon we headed down to NC for Mayzie and Emilia's graduation . All the girls were in the car packed and ready to go and the phone rings...normally I would have just let it ring since everyone was already in the car. (The troops can get restless when not in motion ). BUT I didn't , I answered it and I was glad I did. It was the cardiac transplant team calling to discuss their decision for Teresa.

Their decision was to not list her right now. Their concern was that some of the data in the Cath. was inconsistent . Some of the data showed her lungs were improving and might be able to accept a new heart BUT there was a lot of concern as to if there was enough vasculature and if it would be able to accept the new blood flow . So , they are not saying no, they want to wait and repeat the heart Cath. in a few months and at the same time do a cardiac MRI to also measure the blood flow to her lungs and if these 2 tests together are consistent then they will make the decision to list her.

Needless to say we are very disappointed but we are trying to be optimistic. If it were up to me (and being the control freak that I am ), I would be on the phone tomorrow shceduling the cath. and MRI trying to get it done ASAP! But I am going to wait on GOD. This is HIS plan and HIS timing . I know HE has something already planned for Teresa and we will have to wait, be patient and trust in God. God is always good in everything .

We got in the car ,put on a happy face and headed to NC.

Paw4People/Paws4Vets, what an amazing organization !
We had the honor of being part of a truly inspirational weekend . It was standing room only for the 20 children and Veterans whose family and friends came together to support them as they graduated with their service dogs.
The children's stories were all incredible. They have all been able to overcome so many obstacles with the help of their dogs , some physical but most socially and emotionally .
Emilia was so happy ! She even got up in front of the entire graduation and spoke about how happy she was to have Mayzie. Her level of confidence has increased drastically since Mayzie has come into her life. Her writing ability and vocabulary have also improved. She writes daily in her journal about Mayzie .

Next to graduate were the Veterans. Paws4Vets provides service dogs to Vets who return home from war and are faced with many life changing emotions and circumstances . Many of the Vets suffer from Post Traumatic Stress disorder . The dogs have been trained to help them emotionally and physically with their stress. Their stories of survival and triumph were awe-inspiring. To sit next to them and witness their pride and achievement was very moving . We were honored to be able to "Thank " them for their service to our country .
After graduation ,photos and a special dinner, the girls had some time to relax and look for shells on the beach . Even Mayzie loved looking for shells!

We are so grateful to everyone for your continued prayers, love and support for Teresa. We pray God will sustain her and keep her safe as she waits for HIS timing for her MIRACLE !