PICKING OUT, CUTTING DOWN AND DECORATING OUR CHRISTMAS TREE!!

CHILDREN'S BRIDGE CHRISTMAS PARTY!

This afternoon we attended the Children's Bridges(my agency) Christmas Party! It's the first members event that we've attended...and even fighting pneumonia, Ava managed to have a great time. We had signed up weeks ago but it wasn't until this AM that I was sure we would attend as Ava has been feeling so poorly the past week.


Giving the craft table a try. Still doesn't like having glue on her hands!


Her finished candycane!



Having a blast playing under the rainbow parachute with the other kids!

Trying out the games table!

Listening to Christmas carols with Mama.

Helping out the music entertainment by playing the tamberine!

Checking out the man in the red suit!

Ava and her gift from Santa.

FEELING WELL ENOUGH TO START OUR CHRISTMAS DECORATING!

Headed into Sick Kids this morning to see the surgeon...wanted to make sure the source of Ava's temperature wasn't anything to do with her palate. Got the all clear from the surgeon...so I guess it is a bit of a chest infection. Still running a low grade fever off and on...but is getting her energy back and getting back to herself!
Started our Christmas decorating this evening and Ava decided the dogs needed to be taken care of first!

GET WELL PRESENTS FOR AVA!

My cousin Anita sent cute lion and card.

My sister Cathy and her family sent all these bath goodies.

POST OP DAY # 7...STILL FEELING A LITTLE ROUGH!

Well, it's post op day #7 and Ava is still feeling a little rough! She's been on the antibiotics for 48hrs now and is still running a low grade fever. So to ease my mind...that the source isn't the operative site(her mouth) and actually is her chest as per the pediatrician...we are heading back to Sick Kids in the AM to see her surgeon. That's seven days running a fever...I wasn't comfortable letting it go without him having a look in her mouth.

She found the "hair toys" this AM and wanted as many "ponies" as I could get in her hair!

I guess you can see she ran out of hair but still had some "hair toys" left...so guess who got there hair done? OK!...no comments from the peanut gallery...I'm sure most of you have sported a "do" like this one at some time or other....and if not, guess what you have to look forward to!

VISIT WITH SANTA!

A couple Christmas ornaments I ordered for Ava off the internet.

The Hallmark Keepsake Ornament from the "Joy to the World" collection.

POST OP DAY 4 & 5!

POST OP DAY # 5


Tear filled eyes, burning up with a fever of 40C and feeling just Yukky!
Ava's fever spiked to 40C during the night and again this am! Spoke with the on call plastic surgeon at Sick Kids during the night, suggested as long as her fever is responding to Tylenol, Motrin then wait til am and see my own Pediatrician. Called this am and got an appt. for 11am.


Fast asleep after seeing Pediatrician. Says her ears and mouth look fine. Thought her chest sounded somewhat reduced, did chest xray and is now on antibiotics for the next 10 days.



Home and still feeling pretty "rough"...spent most of her waking hours in the snuggly. Hoping to see a big change after a few doses of antibiotics. All this crying, whining is so not like Ava!


POST OP DAY # 4




Just hanging out in her jammies...still not feeling up to par! Still continues to run a low grade fever off and on. Happiest in her chair watching "signing time"!

AVA'S SURGERY -UPDATE!

First of all....I'd like to thank everyone who said a prayer for Ava and I, that her surgery would go well and that her Mama would get through it.




My sweetie the morning of her surgery before we left for Sick Kids Hospital

Ava dressed in her jammies and hugging "Boo" ready for surgery.

The whole process went amazingly smooth. No hysterical crying and thrashing about everytime a medical personel came near her....unlike the surgery for her lip! She willingly let them take her vital signs, weigh and measure her , listen to her chest and heart...no tears ....no fuss! I was shocked....but I guess all the practice with the doctors kit helped. As well , having more time to bond with mom and grasp the English language, I'm sure was a great help...as she was able to understand what I was telling her was going to happen prior to it actually happening. The only time she started to cry was when I sat her on the OR table and the anaethetist held the mask over her face...but I was able to calm her down just by talking to her...I still can't believe it.

Showing me "Boo's" medical bracelet....the same as hers.

Playing in the OR Playroom waiting to be called into the OR

Ava and "Boo" playing in the OR wagon(some children like to ride the wagon into the OR room rather than walk or be carried)

In Recovery Room, still well sedated.

That evening in the "Special Care Unit" where she had to spend 24 hrs so they could keep a close eye on her airway...because of potential swelling. That is also why she is in "cool mist" tent...she isn't actually receiving any o2, it is just a cool mist to help keep the swelling in her mouth and airway down.

Post Op Day 1

Was transfered to a regular room today. Continued to sleep most of that day as she was still receiving quite a bit of Morphine for pain. She will have to wear her arm splints again for three weeks(keep her from getting her hands into her mouth)

Post Op Day 1

Post Op Day 2

What a difference a day makes! Playing in the Play room, already dressed, just waiting for the Doc to arrive to sign us out.

Saying goodbye to her hospital crib

Presents for Ava

The flowers and card are from Nanny and Papa, the snowman and snowman book are from Sherri, Ava's godmother and the other book is from Mama.

Post Op Day 3

Home but not feeling too great! Have had a low grade fever since during the night. Alot of crying, whining and fussing going on today...just not quite herself! Not sure if the fever is from her ears(also had tubes inserted), just a cold or the start of post op infection. She is already on ear antibiotics...so will have to keep an eye on the fever...may need some systemic antibiotics as well. For now we are watching and waiting...fever hasn't gone above 38.4C.

The only thing that she was happy with today was watching "Signing Time"...thank god for those videos!