LOOOONG DAY

Missy's little surgery went well. She was a trooper. She was on high alert, but only became anxious 15 seconds before they put the mask on her to put her to sleep. She went right out and woke up groggy as could be, but as soon as the nurse mentioned juice and popcicles the kid came back to life and scarfed two popcicles and two juices in under 5 minutes. That's the part she's been anticipating.
The BEST part about surgery.
She should know.
She's had some 21 documented surgeries.

The doc prescribed an antibiotic that is a relative of one she is allergic to. I asked him if he was sure she is allergic to all the medicines that her file defines. He said he didn't really know, but he had noticed that one med that he knew for sure that she is allergic to wasn't on the list. (So, why in the world was the poor baby subjected to vancomycin - the drug of last resort? Makes me sick... but she had MRSA in her ears for an entire year!) He said she'd  had a severe reaction and Red Man's syndrome. It's weird when a doctor knows more about your kid than you do. He's been a big part of her entire life. Today he announced that her ears are no longer inflamed, and completely free of infection and fluid. Praise the Lord!  That was a long time in coming. The patch was put over the hole in her ear drum and we are good to go.  I'm just still hesitating on the anti-biotic. Can you blame me? Hey, for 14 months we've been working towards healing in her bowels. The damage came about as a result of 6 years of almost constant anti-biotics for her ears and now her ears are great. He's just concerned that the patch might not do well if it gets an infection. *sigh*

I also asked the doc an off the wall question that has nothing to do with Ears ... But who am I to ask? I wanted to know if he thought it possible that  Missy  had been exposed to alcohol or drugs in utero.  The Social worker who knew the family best has denied it completely when I have asked point blank, but was she just worried I would walk away and not give the kids a chance? Or did she truly believe that? Or did she not know and just wouldn't make a guess? The Doc said he didn't know really, but his impression was that it was possible and likely.  He said Missy has suffered as a result of poverty, lack of education, poor nutrition, cigarette smoke, and neglect, most certainly, but he said his nurse had some suspicions of a "certain drug" based on her observation of the mother. It was light bulb moment. Steve has seen this "characteristic" in some of his patients. So, if the connection  rings true, did it happen before, during or after the twins development in the womb? NOT that that we can do anything about it now... it's just that irreversible brain damage can happen, though I am not at a point to say that this is so about Missy, yet. The child is making strides. Minuscule as they may seem at any given moment, they add up to something. All this to say, I don't have any new information.

We happened upon a vegetarian Thai buffet at lunch. It was lovely and all our gluten free people could eat their fill.

Next we had an appointment for Missy's dentist and a cranial facial doc. That over, we endured rush hour traffic for hours...

Stopped by a feedstore and brought home a surprise for Brianna; a pair of 6 day old geese. TOO CUTE and SOFT. They just want to be held all the time, or they cry. Missy held them on her lap in a tiny box all the way home talking and singing to them.

Vanessa and Brianna had a wedding rehearsal and dinner this afternoon. They spent a lot of time sharing about their faith and who they are with some really interesting people. Vanessa and Dakota are taking care of Grandma Jackie this weekend, but in between their special music at the Evangelist meetings in East Town, and the wedding music/ harp / piano/ singing... so a little hectic at best!! Bri is already, ever so slightly, feeling better from her treatments. YES!

Just have to mention this tidbit.... the ducks are setting on a clutch of 15 this time around, and Clickity-Clack is getting quite protective of this pile of eggs. Steve and I watched him take off after a crow that just happen to fly over the barn.  He chased him well into the valley and dive-bombed the poor hapless bird!! Never saw such a sight! He's been seen chasing quail on foot even into the neighbor's cherry orchard. Don't you go counting those eggs -You'll have to take my word for it, it just ain't safe down there these days. (So actually, if you've ever been attacked by a duck you'll know that there's no pain involved, but somehow it's no less frightening to have a big bird pound his wings on you and quack is displeasure. I have my phone ring tone set to duck. It sounds just like Nina when she's mad and we have to stop and think... is that the phone or is that the duck? It makes people smile.

Talked to Christina on facebook chat in Tanzania tonight!