Today’s five is going to look a little different. Since we seem to always have a lot going on in our family, I thought I’d give everyone one (or five) big updates on how the fam is doing!
one. Thomas had his second eye surgery on Tuesday and it went just as well as the first surgery! The doctors didn’t even make us stay a full day in the hospital like last time because Thomas showed no negative reactions to the anesthesia.
But wait, it gets better! On Wednesday morning we had his follow up appointment. We were informed that his left eye is healing beautifully and that his right eye is already completely healed! The stitches dissolved completely on their own too so the doctor didn’t even have to remove them! Hallelujah! And then…we received an even bigger surprise. Probably the best surprise I’ve ever received (topping my engagement which was a pretty damn good surprise) — THOMAS HAS BEEN CLEARED FOR THE CONTACTS in a week!!!! We weren’t expecting contacts for at least another few weeks but the doctor said his eyes will be ready sooner than we thought!
Y’all! I can’t tell you how excited we are. My baby, who hasn’t seen our faces since birth, will (hopefully) SEE out SO SOON! I am praying for a miracle. A full healing miracle. I pray that he will respond to us and show us that he can see us and that his brain has not shut down the development on that eye completely. It’s going to be a long road ahead to improve his eye sight but we are so ready. More than ready. We are elated. Lord, give us strength and patience for this crazy contact journey ahead.
two. As if we didn’t already have a big week, Caroline decided to put on an Oscar winning performance on Monday with an emergency trip to OrthoCarolina for what we thought was a sprained or fractured wrist. We received a call from daycare just a few hours after drop-off saying she was holding her wrist and FREAKING out like they’d never seen. I think it took Matt less than 2 minutes to get to daycare to get her. Meanwhile, I was frantically packing up the baby at home (and all his pre-surgery eye drops) for a long day in the ER. But thankfully we were able to get in to OrthoCarolina right away and get an x-ray. Turns out she’s fine and her pediatrician told us it was likely nursemaids elbow (which totally sounds like abuse if you google it!!!!) but is actually quite common in kids. Our doctor’s daughter got it twice just by going down the slide the wrong way. A child can also get it by holding another child or caregivers hand and turning the wrong way at the wrong time. It can self correct (which we think is what happened) or your doctor can pop it back into place with an exercise. Anyway, that was an exciting day. I’m pretty sure my insurance company hates me.
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| Lindsey, Mom & Dad! |
three. It’s been a long time since I’ve updated you on my dad’s cancer journey. Truth be told, it’s because we haven’t received any good news. The past 6 months have been the hardest yet for dad and we have all been very scared. After many rounds of chemo (and great news about his shrinking tumor) we were all very excited about his progress only to take a huge step backwards just after celebrating. The chemo stopped working earlier this year and the tumor has grown back to almost it’s original size. So we are essentially back to square one. On top of that, dad got extremely sick and couldn’t get better for months because his immune system was so weak. He had everything at once from pneumonia to a throat infection and had to take a break from work. During this time he dropped down to 108 pounds because it was too painful for him to swallow and became very weak. It was truly awful.
However, after several long months of feeling sick and being confined to the house, he is finally on the mend and feeling great (and positive). He is back to work and even went surfing for the first time in almost a year. Since the two different types of chemo treatments he tried no longer work the doctors have put him on a clinical trial with a new drug called Opdivo. He had his first treatment last week, will have another one next week and then he’ll get a scan to see if there’s been any progress. So please keep him in your prayers!
four. Still no Jackson! Lindsey is going on two weeks of hanging out at 5 cm and irregular contractions and we are all getting impatient! Ready for this little man to arrive!!!
five. So, there’s actually one more piece of significant news we have going on that I haven’t shared yet because we haven’t wanted to take any attention off of Thomas right now. But I promise to post early next week (after I likely write, delete and rewrite many more times). We’re all healthy, by the way!
So happy Thomas is doing better, will keep him and your Dad in our thoughts and prayers, and hopeful that Jackson arrives soon, cliff hangers… on a Friday!
My daughter has had nursemaids elbow three times in the past year. The first 2 times we went and got X-rays and had the doctor reset it and the third time the doctor showed me how to reset it at home. I agree that it is terrifying. We make sure her teachers, family and friends know not to hold her by her hands, so no parking lot swingies for her! I'm glad Caroline is okay!
THREE TIMES?! That is crazy! We thought it was her wrist because that's what she was grabbing and crying, but the doctor said that kids will grab their wrists to keep their elbow from moving! News to me! And now we are on high alert for hand swinging!
Sending you all my love and prayers sweet friend – you are an inspiration at how strong and brave you are through all these testing times. You are an amazing momma, sister and daughter.Our little SJ also had a similar thing with her collar bone – clicked out of place jumping on the bed!! x
I am so glad that Thomas is healing so well! That's such amazing news 🙂
i can't believe your dad went surfing!!!! that's truly amazing! i'm so so glad he's feeling more like himself! keeping him (and all of you) in my prayers as he goes through the trial! God is a miracle worker – we know this! love you!! xo
So very happy to hear the good news. God is so good. I'm praying for your Dad's new treatment and that he can continue to remain strong and healthy! You've all been dealt such a heavy hand lately and you all are in my thoughts and prayers. <3
That is so good to hear about Thomas!! The Lord truly does miracles in your family! Even though your dad had a lot of issues, I'm glad he's on the mend and back in the ocean! Hope he responds well to the new drug. Good luck to your sister – that sounds super frustrating but she does look amazing 😉 Waiting on our niece to be born in a few weeks!
Oh I am so, so happy to hear Thomas's great news! What wonderful blessing! Sending prayers for continued awesome progress and healing! Have a great weekend!
praying for you all, SO happy about the amazing Thomas news!! xo
So glad that your family is experiencing some positive health news! You've definitely had a scary year but it surly shows how good the Lord is (he heals!!) Keeping y'all in my prayers! Have a great weekend!!
Super super super amounts of hugs going out to you and your family! I'm so glad to hear about Thomas's eyes and that your dad is finally out on a surfboard again!Lauren :)ohheyilikethat.blogspot.com
So happy to hear all went well with Thomas's second surgery and he is recovering beautifully. Will continue to pray for he and your dad.
Prayers for your sweet dad & family as you navigate through this together. So glad Thomas is doing well. I can't wait to hear about how he acts the first time he's able to see his family! ❤️ Happy weekend! Xo
Whew, girl! You deserve a big old glass of wine for making it through the week. SO happy to hear Thomas is responding well to treatment. What a blessing. Enjoy your weekend!
goodness gracious mama… when it rains it pours BUT it sounds like things are getting better slowly but surely!!! keeping you wrapped up in prayers my friend!! OXOX
kaye has had nursemaids elbow three times! once i was holding her hand and she threw a fit and pop! the next time i was pulling her up a slide…pop! and i can't remember what happened the third time. 🙂 apparently it gets easier and easier the more it happens. ugh. the doctor had us watch a youtube video to learn how to pop it back in…so that's what we've done the last two times. so farmer of us. 🙂 and yay for your little man! good things are going to happen for him today!
My goodness, how amazing is our Lord! I have been keeping your sweet family in our prayers. SO happy that things are going so well! Praying for even more progress in the months/years to come. Hang in there momma, you're doing such a great job.
Such wonderful news about Thomas, so glad he is doing so great! We will continue to surround your Dad with thoughts and prayers as he continues to fight, hoping for a miracle! Maybe Jackson will be here this weekend?!?! A cliffhanger on Friday!!
So glad to hear Thomas is doing so much better!! And great for your Dad! Really sounds like it was a good week even with Caroline's wrist.liz @ sundays with sophie
Wonderful news about Thomas!! So incredibly happy for you all. And sending prayers to your Dad that this clinical trial drug does the trick. I'm laughing about Caroline (not in a funny way, but in a "when it rains, it pours kind of way) because we had some of the same stuff going on when my youngest was a baby. He was in the NICU for a month and during that time (that was already so crazy), our 2 year old rolled off the bed and broke his collarbone. My husband and I just laugh about it now, but at the time, we were like…..WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!?! Hang in there! It sounds like all is going well now. 🙂
So glad Thomas' surgery went well and he is healing quickly. I have to tell you that every time I put my 10 month down for a nap or at bedtime I say a little prayer for him and now I say a little prayer for you and Thomas too. Great news about your dad!
This made me smile. Thank you SO much, friend. Truly! xx
So glad to hear about Thomas' positive progress!! Scary about Caroline's arm! I've never heard of that but, if something like that happens to us I'll know what it might be! I'm so glad to hear about your dad doing better. Cancer is such a scary thing. Will continue praying for your dad, that these new meds begin to work on his tumor & that He has a full remission! Lots of hugs & prayers sent your way!!
So happy to hear about Thomas and Caroline, but I am covering your sweet dad in prayers. I'm hoping for some good news for him too. Can't wait to hear your news sweet girl. Here's hoping for continued positive recovery for Thomas!
Praise God!! I am so happy to hear that Thomas is doing so well and Caroline's arm is okay! My goodness, the trials you and your family have gone through and are going through. My heart hurts for you but I am comforted that you know Him and trust in Him. He will take care of you! Happy Friday!
I don't know how you do it. It seems like you have dealt (and still are) with a ton of different health issues between your beautiful babies and your dad. I'm so glad that Thomas is recovering well and that Caroline is ok!
Bless your heart! I cannot even imagine what all you are going through… It feels like so much between your baby boy, your baby girl & your daddy! I give you so much credit sweet girl…Sending you tons of prayers!
Girl, you guys have definitely been through A LOT in the last few months. I'm sorry to hear about your dad, but hoping that the new drug is working for him, and that this next scan reveals very positive results! So, so glad that little Thomas has pulled through is surgeries so well. That is amazing! Can't wait to hear about how he reacts when he can see you guys for the first time. How amazing will that moment be??? And dying to hear the other news you referenced! Eeeek!
I hate to hear about your dad but glad he seems to be doing better. I'm sure being able to get out of the house has helped him recover in a major way. So glad Thomas is doing so well.