Progress!

Yesterday we had our follow-up with Dr. Bauer. He was very pleased with the swelling on the outside. It looked much better than he anticipated. There is a pool of blooding the inside of the ear that is not coming out. He wants to give it a month and if it is still there he will need to put her to sleep again to get that out in order for the area around the electrodes to heal properly. Also, he cleaned out her other ear while he had her in surgery last week. He told us then that we were going to have to address a more long-term solution for that ear because it is basically a breeding ground for the tumors. Yesterday, only 8 days later there was already stuff back in that ear. We will talk more about what options when he sees what he needs to do to the implant ear. He seemed confident he would have to take her back to the OR to get that drainage out. Obviously this would be a little set back but we are trusting God! She has felt much better yesterday and today! He said he was not surprised by her recovery being slow based on what all he did. Equilibrium still seems to be the biggest issue but we are seeing positive progress!

We left his office and headed to Audiology. Thankfully this appt was mostly for A and I so that was a relief for Sallie! We got the device and all the gadgets that come with it. We learned about each piece and more info on how it works, taking it apart, putting it together, troubleshooting, care, who to call for what, and filled out tons of paperwork. Honestly, I am quite overwhelmed by it all. We also discussed more in depth her programs and the "plan" for moving through those. I know it will soon be second nature to us but right now it makes me tired just thinking about it. We should be good to go for activation on June 28th based on how well her swelling looked. This is a major plus because our ENT felt he would have to monitor that weekly for a while. Praise God!

I was a little concerned Sallie would not be able to make the trip to AL but I think based on the last couple of days she will be good! Progress, no matter how small is a great thing. I feel like we haven't seen much lately and it gets to you. Although, I know we have and our God has been there every step. I just have not felt like myself. Just kinda going through the motions. I am hoping a change of scenery will help!

I forgot how easy 1 child is, even if that child is sick and needy! It is sure quite around here! The girls are having a blast and being SPOILED! I may never straighten them out! I am just thankful they are loved and for the time and energy our families have given to them!

Sallie leaving audiology with the goods! We have to take the briefcase to every appt. It holds all the external components! See why I am overwhelmed!

Recovering

I will do a post on our Fort Hood trip once I get all the pics together.  We had a great trip and were extremely productive!

The last night there Lizzie fell while riding a scooter and broke her arm.  So, we spent our last night there in the ER.  They put it in a splint to allow it to swell.  Sunday afternoon we headed to Fort Worth to get settled in and for Sallie to eat a good meal before Monday.  She loves Pei Wei so we had dinner there and then ran through the drive-thru at Starbucks for a mocha.  When we got back to the hotel Nanna and Grandy were there and the girls were thrilled to see them!

Sallie was a little anxious on Monday morning but she did the best she has ever done.  She got upset some but she was trying so hard to be a big girl.  She was out after taking the pre-meds.  Of course when they put her on the bed to take her to the OR she woke up enough to sign mama which nearly killed this mama!  There were SO many praying for her and us and we know that is why she did so well before surgery. 

The surgery went well.  The Dr was pleased with everything and now it is time to heal.  We were blessed with A’s parents taking care of the girls during surgery which took a huge load off us.  We had friends and church family stop by and see us and sit with us during surgery and that means the world to us.  It makes sitting through those hours so much easier.  Thank you again to those of you who comforted us during those long hours. 

In recovery, attempting to smile!  She is so precious… In her roomA big thank you to Nanna, Grandy, Uncle Adam, and Aunt Ang for Sallie’s ipad!  Not sure what she would have done without it this week!  We look forward to how it will help her once she has recovered.She battled nausea in the hospital but the meds they gave her helped.  She was very anxious about what was coming next in the hospital so late Tues morning we all decided it would be best to discharge.  We went back to the hotel because she was not able to make the trip home yet.  She has been showered with gifts!A lady in Nanna and Grandy’s church sent this bag with a gift a day for 7 days.  Such a great idea!  She has loved being able to open a gift each day.  Of course she is still getting gifts from others as well.  Thank you all who have been so sweet to bring her/send her gifts.  They all bring a smile to her face!  She continued to battle nausea and vomiting and Wed afternoon her Dr called her in some meds for that and we headed home.  She was thrilled to be headed home!More nausea and vomiting on Thursday…  We think this is an equilibrium issue.  She gets dizzy when she first stands up and doesn’t really like to move around much.

Thursday Lizzie went to get her hard cast.  Waiting in the Dr’s office.Bright pink cast!  She has done wonderful with her arm.  She had done well finding work arounds with one arm and has not complained a lot.Friday was a MUCH better day for Sallie.  She was like a different child.  Her color was better, no nausea or vomiting, more active, etc. 

Lizzie and Millie went to a b-day party at the city pool for a little girl in our church.  A took them and said Lizzie did well sitting on the side of the pool.  He did have to get her when she got a little too far in.  That is a hard thing for a 5 yr old to sit on the side of a pool!I wish I could say Sallie has done as well today as yesterday but I think she over did it.  This is where she is today.  She is wiped out and has been vomiting again.  We did not rest well last night so of course that doesn’t help. 

Nanna, Grandy, Ell, Lizzie, and Millie headed to AL this morning.  It is way too quite around here!  I miss them already! 

So, what now?  We need prayer that the nausea, vomiting, dizziness issue get better, that everything is healing properly which is crucial for the cochlear to work properly, and that her ear is draining properly.  We will see the Dr on Tues and he will check the bleeding and draining.  Pray for rest for us as this is just the beginning.  Pray that Sallie will be able to make the trip to AL.  Right now there is no way so we pray that when the time comes she will be able.  Of course we want to be able to go home but we really want her to be able to go.  It breaks my heart that she is having to stay here while the girls are having fun.  Also, pray for Lizzie to do well with her arm while she is in AL and that it heals well.  THANK YOU is just not adequate for the prayers, visits, food, texts, calls, gifts (for all of us!), and support that has been shown to our family.  We love you all!

The Night Before

The girls were overjoyed to see Grandy and Nanna. They are all sleeping in their room tonight. Sallie is very excited and that is somewhat hard to see since we know what is coming. We are letting her have a good time tonight. She will have a hard enough time in the morning. Thank you all for your prayers.

Finishing Up

2 weeks of no blogging is way too much!  So before I get out of pocket again I am catching up.  Ell’s birthday post is before this one and this is a combination post of everything else that has been going on (well some of it!) 

We finished up AWANA for this school year on the 16th.  We had an Awards Ceremony and then food and bounce house and water slide following for all the kids and their families.  I took NO pics of the Awards Ceremony which I regret but A and I lead the ceremony so we obviously can’t take pics.  I am sure someone has some and will share with me!  The weather was perfect for the bounce house and water slide. 

I do have this one that someone sent to me.  Lizzie had a great first year in Sparks.  She finished her first book as well as her extra credit book which means she learned over 50 Bible Verses this year!  Millie finished Cubbies and did great as well.  She finished her second book and also did some work in her Character Builders book.  She learned around 40 verses this year!  She is SO excited to move to Sparks next year.  Me, I like having a Cubbie! 

Sallie is not in the pic but she had a great year too!  I had no idea they were doing this but during Awards T&T which is the group she is in did a verse in sign language.  She learned “The Father and I are one” in sign language and she taught it to the group.  It is no doubt her favorite verse.  Her face lit up when they did it.  It was precious!  I then had to get up and speak following that!  I just couldn’t think too much about it!!!

Hanna coming down the slide!

Here comes Sall!

2 days later as the girls were finishing up school they had Water Day and Field Day at the Elementary School

I am in love with this pic!  Sallie is “supervising” tug of war!  SO Sallie!!!

It was quite a windy day as you can see!

I have no idea what Lizzie is doing here but it for sure an action shot!

Last week Elleigh finished up the 9th Grade.  She has had a busy year to say the least.  She has learned and accomplished a lot and we are very proud of her. 

I never dreamed Elleigh would be a part of FFA but she really got into this year and was successful and has learned so much through it and has really loved it.  This past week they had their banquet. 

Among the other awards she has won throughout the year she was awarded the Star Greenhand Award which basically means she had the most accomplishments in FFA for all Freshman.  The guy in this pic was awarded the Chapter Greenhand which is awarded to a Sophomore.  She knows what she needs to accomplish to win this next year so she has it all planned out!  The state qualifiers for the year were given these personalized duffels

Ell with her wonderful advisor, Mr. Carter

Sallie finished up 3rd grade with an A/B average which is a major accomplishment!  I just can’t help but smile really big when I think about all the milestones she has reached this year! 

Lizzie finished up Kindergarten and according to her teacher is more than ready for 1st grade.  She loves to read and has reminded us every day since being out of school that we need to practice sight words.

Millie finished up her last days at home with ME…  I have dealt with it OK.  I have really been too busy to dwell on it which is probably a good thing! 

She loves having her sisters home with her and of course she loves that she is about to join them in school.

Things are about to get even crazier for us but hopefully I will not get too behind on the blog!  We head to Killeen for our mission trip and in 8 days from today is Sallie’s surgery. A and I finally got a chance to talk on Friday night and share where we are now that the time is almost here.  We both agreed we are scared…  Scared for what she is about to go through, scared for the outcome, scared for her response, just scared.  We know God is in control and we accept that and are not consumed with fear but we are still scared.  This never gets easier and this is for sure one of the most permanent decisions we have made for her.  We do know this is the direction God led us and the more we look at the timing it confirms that His timing is perfect but we also know that doesn’t always mean it is easy.  We think a lot about how she will respond once activated and we do not feel it will be pleasant for a while.  We are not being pessimistic but trying to be a realistic.  We feel she will get there but we are trying to prepare ourselves that her reaction may be negative for a while.  One thing is for sure, our God can handle all our emotions and her reaction.  Thankful HE does not change and HIS will is sovereign!

The video below made national news last week.  The girl is a patient of Sallie’s Dr, Dr. Bauer and he is interviewed in the video. 

http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/Girls-video-diary-chronicles-her-struggle-to-hear-153311365.html

15!!!

On May 7th Elleigh turned 15!!!  I know I say this every year but I REALLY can not believe she is 15!  I feel like I am running out of time with her…  She has not gotten her permit yet.  In TX you have to have Drivers Ed (part of it) prior to testing for their permit.  Hopefully soon we will get all that done and she will take her test. 

She did not want a big party this year.  Her b-day was on a Monday so Sallie had therapy.  Sallie had a cold and while in therapy I noticed that she was coughing really bad.  Elleigh wanted to go to Fuzzy’s to eat and by the time we got there Sallie was burning up with fever.  We ate and headed home.  Sallie threw up on the way home so by the time we got home and got that cleaned up we finally had cake and Ell opened her presents.  Sallie ended up really sick and had pneumonia.  I felt like Ell’s birthday was rushed and it was but it was good. 

Ell’s request-Phineas and Ferb cake!  With Perry of course!

WHY?

Why do we think we are in control of our lives?

Why do we think we are immune from some things happening in our lives?

Why do we take so much for granted?

Why do we live like we know we have tomorrow? 

Why do we get so caught up in the little things?

Why do we not place the ONE who holds ALL the power in the proper place-not just in words but in our actions and service?

Why does it take things like this to give us a reality check?

http://texomashomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=177952

Briley's mom, Alicia, is Lizzie's teacher.  Our hearts are heavy for this sweet family.  Please pray for them all!  The teacher interviewed is one of Sallie’s teachers.

Plans and Prayers

This week has been a little different than I have planned for!  I am thinking that is the theme of my life!  I have so many things I feel I want/need to do before Sallie’s surgery and they just don’t seem to be getting done for one reason or another.  I haven’t mentioned it here I don’t think but our family along with others from our church will be going to Fort Hood for a mission trip the week after the girls get out of school which is the week before Sallie’s surgery.  I know, not great scheduling but it is something we felt called to do this summer and we had to get it in at that time.  SO, we are preparing for that in addition to getting ready for the big day.  We will come back from our mission trip on Saturday and head for Fort Worth on Sunday afternoon for surgery on Monday.  I am the VBS Director this year and VBS is the end of July this year which gives us some time but June is pretty much out for us so trying to get a lot done before surgery so I do not have that hanging over my head and of course trying to wind up AWANA for the year which ends next Wed nt with our Awards Ceremony/Family Night.  I say all of this not to complain but I need prayers!  Prayers for stamina, prayers for me to NOT stress (OK maybe prayers for me to stop stressing), prayers for peace, prayers that I will let the little things go and not worry about them, etc, etc! 

For more prayers:  Sallie has pneumonia…  The specific prayer we need is that it clears quickly.  We need it out of there as soon as possible for surgery to stay on track.  We go back on Tuesday and they will check her then to see if she is clear.    She is finally showing some improvement.  She still sounds terrible but she does act like she feels better so maybe she is improving. 

This post feels so whiny to me and I guess it is but we do need prayers and so I am asking! 

I may not know my plans but HE does!  I just have to remember that!

BTW, we did take a little time to celebrate Elleigh’s 15th Birthday this week!  I will post on that later when I have mind enough!  15!?!?!?  Still can’t really make it sink in!

It’s Hard to be Humble…

I actually had to look back at my last post and through the few pics I have to remember what needs catching up on the blog.  You know sometimes it just all seems like a blur! 

Last Friday was Lizzie’s Academic Pep Rally for the 5th Six Weeks.  She received the PE Award!  This is a major deal for her!  She is not much of a PE girl and doesn’t care to be!  The first week or so of school she cried every day during gym but apparently she is improving!

Friday night A and the girls along with some other dads and daughters from church went on their annual Father/Daughter Campout.  Our girls look so forward to this each year and have a great time.  Daddy has a great time too!  I am glad he sees the importance of spending quality time with his girls! 

Funny Millie story I need to document before I forget:  Millie-“Mama, this is a Father/Daughter Campout not a Father/Daughter/Cameron Campout so you can’t go!”  Me:  “Hallaleuja, I will have my own campout right here on the couch!”  Millie: “Yeah you won’t have any girls to take care of or Daddy to tell you what to do!”  You never know with Millie!

On Monday Elleigh competed in District Senior Prepared Speaking.  She had 2 weeks to come up with a topic, write, and memorize her speech.  They submit their manuscript and then are not allowed to use notes to speak.  All sources are verified.  Once they have presented their speeches the judges ask them questions related to their topics.  She was the only Freshman in her Division.  They really sent her more for experience for the upcoming years.  She won 1st place!!!  Next Saturday she will present the same speech at Area Competition.   Communication, especially properly written and oral communication is a lost art so we are very proud of her!

This is a terrible quality picture but it’s all she got. 

Wednesday morning was Awards Day at the High School.  All the Seniors received their scholarships and then Academic UIL Awards were given.  Ell received her medal for 1st place Team in Literary Criticism.  However, I have no pics!  The self timer was set on the camera and I did not realize it.  So, the picture actually snapped as Elleigh was getting back in her seat.  Really?!?

We left the Awards Ceremony and went to Sallie’s final ARD for the year in which we discussed her progress this year as well as goals for next year.  Everyone in the room expressed how Sallie had blossomed this year in every area and how amazing it has been to watch.  She is a sponge right now and we are so thankful!  I really fought back the tears as I listened to each educator, administrator, and therapist express their excitement over all she has accomplished and see the love they have for our Sallie!  She is pretty loveable!!!  By the way, she made A’s and B’s again this 6 weeks!  She loves to cheer with the other girls on the playground and we were told they had her on the top of the pyramid last week!  I hope I am not reporting a broken bone soon!

Yesterday we had our final consultation before Sallie’s surgery.   As the nurse was leading us to our exam room Dr. Bauer was coming out of another exam room and Sallie stopped and shook his hand and just smiled.  It was priceless and he loved it!  She has come a long way!!!  He went over the specifics of his plan for surgery.  Some things will be trial and error once he gets in but he talked to us about the possibilities etc.  We also learned that we will have to see him post surgery more than we had thought.  Some of that will depend on the type packing he uses and the bleeding she has.  He will need to monitor this.  So, looks like adding once a week to see him for the first month or so.  Honestly, it exhausts me to think about it.  It all became very real to me yesterday.  I know that might sound strange but it did. 

Today Ell left for Texas A&M where her Meat Judging Team is competing for the State Title tomorrow!  If they win 1st or 2nd they will advance to Nationals which will be held next Fall.  I had no idea how much work and time would go into this but it has been a great experience for her and dedication and skills that she can carry into adulthood (which is coming way too quickly!) 

No Lizzie is not going with her!  This is a pic that was on A’s phone from their camping trip but they do look cute!

See, as the 4 Hall Girls Mom, It’s Hard to be Humble!

Step 1 Complete…

This precious, funny, smart, sweet, entertaining, life of the party, little sister, BABY is now registered for Kindergarten and I have no pics to document it.  I was/am a wreck over it!  However, I did not intend to not take pics but somehow I did not.Her WONDERFUL big sister is very excited about this!!!  I was not sure how she would feel about it but she is beside herself that Millie is going to school with her next year (unless we change our minds!)

This has been a really hard decision for us and we still reserve the right to change our minds between now and start day! I have tried SO hard not to be selfish about this and to make the right decision for Millie.  She does not turn 5 until Aug. 9th which is a couple of weeks before school starts.  Academically I am not at all concerned.  She is little and she is the baby of the family so that does make a difference.  Part of me thinks it can’t hurt to give her another year at home.  However, I do not want her to be bored in Kindergarten if I hold her back either.  SO, we registered her with the intentions of sending her unless we really feel like between now and then we should not.  How do I feel?  I really do not have it in me to document all that right now but I will say this is definitely one of the strangest crossroads I have been to in my life.  Not sure I can even put it in to words right now.  I got really upset the day I took her to register and she came up to me and hugged my neck and said, “mommy are you upset that I am going to school?” and I said, “yes Millie, I will miss you”  She replied, “it’s OK Mommy, I will stay with you this summer”   That’s my Millie!

Random Happenings

These are some random pics the girls took a couple of weeks ago. 

Always got to have a silly pic!

This picture makes me laugh!  So Millie and So Elleigh!

And So Lizzie

Lizzie and Millie got their ears pierced last week.  They both did well and only a few tears from Mill!

Sallie DID NOT get her ears pierced!  We had no intentions of getting her’s pierced but when we got there she jumped in the chair and picked out earrings BUT when the lady put on the gloves and got out the marker she bolted from the chair.  That was on Monday.  On Wednesday night after church she came home wanting to go get them pierced.  I am thinking “yeah right!”  She woke up Thursday morning insistent on it again and when we picked her up from school on Thursday insistent again SO we headed back to try again!  Got there, picked out the earrings and bolted while standing in line.  Left there and decided to try another store.  Got in, picked out earrings, bought earrings, got in Daddy’s lap in chair, signing pretty, gloves come out and you guessed it-she bolted.  We actually have her reaction on video but it is way to pitiful to post.  We do not care if she never gets her ears pierced but she wants it SO badly but she just can’t get over the fear and for good reason.  Everything is on track for surgery.  We got our letter last week stating that insurance had approved the device and implantation which is one thing off the check list!  Praise God!  I made an appt today for a meningitis vaccine for her because that is a risk with inner ear surgery so one more thing crossed off the list.  I am completely at peace but I do feel like I am running out of time on some many things that need to be done and many things I just want to get done before surgery.

Elleigh has been busier than usual.  She was on the golf team and I have no pics (I actually had a couple that she deleted because SHE did not like them!)  She really enjoyed golf and their season ended a couple of weeks ago.  This past weekend her Meat Judging team won 1st in Area so they are headed to state the first weekend in May (her b-day weekend).  About a month ago she competed in UIL competition in Literary Criticism and their team won 1st place so this weekend they compete in Regionals.  This school year is coming to an end.  I will be somewhat glad BUT not so glad that my girls are finished with another year of school…  This really had seemed like the fastest school year EVER!