Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Wired Shut

Emeline has been through quite the ordeal this last week. Last Tuesday night she was playing catch with her Dad and Sister Lexis. She went to catch the ball from her Dad. She had the glove on her left hand. (As she was throwing with her right hand.) I guess she turned her glove to the side and decided to turn her head away at the same time. The ball skimmed her glove and hit her in the middle of her jaw on the left side. She came inside with tears in her eyes but claimed she was "okay". We had her rest in the chair for awhile. The inside of her mouth was bleeding from an apparent cut but we weren't sure how or where the cut was. She didn't have much pain but I felt a strong urge to take her to the Emergency room for an x-ray.

We got to the Emergency room. They did a CT scan and it showed that the front right side was indeed fractured all the way through. With the doctors lights we could see the cut on her down her tooth on the right side, the front and back of the tooth. We were baffled why she would have fractured the bone there when she was hit on the right side of her jaw. The doctor wanted us to wait until she made an appointment with a larger hospital so she could be checked more thoroughly. We waited there for four hours. All this time Emeline was able to talk and communicate fine. She didn't even want pain medicines. We finally left at around Midnight with an appointment to Orthopedics in Iowa City at 8:00 the next morning.







I took Emeline to the appointment myself as I really thought they were going to send us home saying she just needed to heal on her own. Wow was I wrong. The surgeon looked at her CT scan from the night before. He also ordered an x-ray. Emeline and I were both shocked when he showed us the x-ray and told us she was going to need surgery. "Surgery.... WHAT?" He explained that she would need a plate and several screws to hold the fracture. They would also be wiring her jaw shut. She wouldn't be allowed to open her mouth for at least 4 weeks. Both Emeline and I were trying to soak all this new information up. A million things were running through my mind. I sat there looking at Emeline. She was so young. How would she handle all of this? I knew I had to be strong and not let on that this was a very risky and dangerous surgery. This was not small but would affect the next month of her life severely. The doctor and nurse were coming into the room giving us papers and information on the surgery and all the after care. I saw a tear run down her cheek when they mentioned eating all liquids for four weeks. She would not be able to eat all the things she loved. They explained so much that I was a bit afraid when it came to signing on the paper my approval of the surgery. This was all happening SO fast. Was I ready? I had no option.



We walked down to the waiting room. On the way I called Brian. He was not able to get out of work and still felt terribly bad about the accident. I let him know that I would keep him updated. We got to the big desk. The lady asked our names and what procedure we were having done. Okay now we would wait. I'd have time to adjust. We'd be able to talk. I asked Emeline if she was okay. She nodded and assured me she was fine. I picked up my phone again and called my Mother at work. I quickly explained all that had transpired in the last hour. She was shocked as well. As I hung up the phone a guy motioned for us to come with him. He asked if her name was Emeline. We both nodded and followed him. He told us that they were ready for us and that her surgery was scheduled for 10:30 AM. I have to admit I was trying to be strong but at that second I had to dig way deep inside and find a part of me I'd never known. I prayed and prayed that Emeline was going to be okay. I asked God to give me the strength. I asked Him to be with Emeline.

Here was Emeline in the room right before surgery.





I gave her a kiss and off she went. Now I was to wait. How is one supposed to hand their child over? How do you give them to someone you only met for 5 minutes? I just have to have faith that God will take care of her. So tough to do as a parent.



She was whisked away for surgery. I was left with this emptiness. She wasn't the first daughter that I'd had to say goodbuy to and they hauled her off to surgery. Surgery wasn't anything new to our family. Our youngest daughter Ava was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. She had very little diaphragm at birth. She's been through seven major surgeries in her life. However this was Emeline and she had never been hurt. I was extremely worried and anxious. My Mother texted me and told me she was on her way up. My blessed Mother she always knows exactly what I need. We waited and waited... it seemed like hours. They told us it would probably take around 2-3 hours. An hour and forty five minutes later her surgeon sat us down and told us that he placed a two inch plate in her lower jaw with seven screws holding it in place. He also wired her mouth closed as tightly as they could. He assured us it all went well and she was doing fine. We would be able to see her in about a half and hour.





Emeline was a champ. She dealt with this better than most adults. Her pain tolerance is quite high we've learned. She quickly got adjust to drinking through a soft tube attached to a large syringe. She made progress quickly. She took it all in stride and grew fond of writing on the board and explain to us her needs. If you know Emeline you know she is a talker. Not talking has been the hardest part.










She got discharged the next night and has been handling this all pretty well. As her Mom I'm very concerned about her getting the flu or a cold. It hurts her a lot to sneeze or even cough. She's at day 7. She's had a few tough spots when she's wanted to eat but then she gets over it and goes on.

Please continue to pray for Emeline. We started a page for her on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/EmelinesVoice We'd love to hear from you. She's always in need of encouragement!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Lexis and Emeline Creations

Lexis and Emeline has started a new project... with a little help from me their Mother. "Lexis and Emeline Creations." We decided to make a little money on the side and create beautiful hand-made hair accessories. It is very fun and the girls are loving it.
Their work can be found on facebook. We'd love it if you'd stop by "like" us and please share this with all of your friends.




Here is a few of the pieces.



















We have so much fun bonding and making fun items! If you get a chance stop by facebook and check us out!
~Terri


Sunday, March 27, 2011

Emeline loves her Guitar!


Emeline started taking lessons about two months. She is doing great. She learns something new at each lesson. AND she practices regularly. She looks so cute with her new guitar fit just for her. She just got new strings put on it this week end. I believe she is going to go far with this guitar.





Emeline we are SUPER proud of you!







~Terri

Monday, January 3, 2011

Christmas 2010 and the Brand New 2011!



Emeline is a little helper. She was very excited for Christmas this year. She was disappointed that Santa only filled their stockings and didn't leave any other gifts. I told her that he was on a tight budget this year as all of us are...or so it seems :)

Here is Emeline trying to butter up Santa.



Santa had the great idea to step behind the girls for this photo! He really is 'the' Santa!



SO here is some of Emeline's loot this year :) AND yes that is two monster remote controled cars. She is our little Tom-boy!



Here is one at Grandma Karen's.



Our family Christmas picture...




Emeline was not to thrilled to be going back to school this morning but she did wake in a great mood! She will always be my "Cute"!

~Terri

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Beautiful Emeline.

I am just thinking about Emeline since I am away from her right now. Ava had to go back into the hospital again. I hate that I have to leave Lex and Emme. I would do all of this for them as well.

I wanted to display her latest pictures taken by me. I love photography and I have very easy models and gorgeous ones at that!

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As we were leaving Emeline told Ava that she was sorry she had to go back to the hospital. She said that she would miss us both. She is an amazing little girl.

Emeline if you are reading this Mommy loves you so much!

~Terri

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Emeline's beautiful pictures.



Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: Glitter Gal
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook


~Terri

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Getting over Strep!

Emeline has been battling Strep throat for a good two and a half weeks. Poor girl she has a horrid cough on top of it all. I felt sorry for her and let her stay home on Tuesday...ALL by herself! (I had to take her sister Ava to the doctor and couldn't change my plans.) She is such an awesome girl that I didn't even worry about her. I had Aunt Marsha call and check in on her throughout the day. I took her back to the Doctor on Wednesday and she has a new antibiotic so well she how it goes!

A few new pictures of Miss Emeline.

Around our house sick people have to wear a mask because of Ava's medical conditions. Emme is the best at keeping it on!


She also loves to read to Ava. What a great big sister!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Mommy's helper



So Emeline is my ultimate helper. She gets all of Ava's medical supplies and knows exactly which drawer they are in at all times. She is very smart and "on the ball". She is ready at the drop of the hat to pick up and do the next thing.

Ava loves her sisters but Emeline makes her laugh. It is so cute to see them bond. It brings so much joy to my heart to see them playing and having a great time.

Emeline wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She told me the other day that she hopes her child is sick so that she can take care of her like I do Ava. "Out of the mouths of babes" huh? If only she knew!

Now how cute are these two?

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Santa come tonight!



Can you believe it is almost Christmas? The time just flies. In a few more days the whole year will be new. Emeline is such a great little lady. She loves helping me with her little sister Ava. Ava has Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and requires a lot of extra care. Emme is my nursing assistant on most days. She knows exactly where everything is and what it is all called. That is amazing because there are a LOT od supplies!



Emeline is awaiting Sants tonight. She is very happy with all the presents she has under the tree. Our many good friends, and strangers (we call them angels) have been very generous this year and has sent the girls many presents. I don't think our tree has ever had this many gifts under it ever!





You all have a Wonderful Holiday season!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

"Happy 8th Birthday Emeline!"

Yesterday Emme turned the Big 8! I do remember the short labor I had with her, from start to finish is was 5 hours. It was quick, fast and very furious! She was such a cute baby. She came out with very dark skin. We were all a little shocked. Brian's and his Mother both have an olive tint to their shin so I guess that is how she came to be so tan. She was so precious. Here is a picture of her at 2 days old. She really wasn't a heavy baby she just was solid. She almost loooked like a china doll.



We celebrated her birthday with her big sister Lexis (Lex b-day was friday.)at Gators restaurant. They had a ton of presents to open. Here is a few pictures of the party!



I still can't believe my "Cute" is growing up. Gee time goes by way too fast. It is so important to tell your children you love them and teach them how to be wonderful loving human being! You never know how life will turn out. I'm so proud of Emeline. She is such a hard worker and a very helpful little young lady!

~Terri