Overwhelming

The best word I can use to describe my day yesterday was "overwhelming".

First, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of people here in Dane County and around the country.  We continue to receive notes and cards from people in other places who let us know that Anna has been added to their church's prayer list or that they are keeping our family in their prayers.  Someday, (not just yet), it may be a fun geography lesson for our kids to have postcards sent to us from these places around the states :)

Second, we have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who are employed through the University of Wisconsin helping us.  To give an idea of my day yesterday (which started at 5:30 with the nurse telling me Anna needed an MRI), here are some of the people with whom I met or spoke on the phone ... neurosurgeons, pediatricians, a psychologist, a child life specialist, physical therapists, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, a teacher at the hospital who will be our liaison with McFarland schools, a social worker, someone at UW in charge of radiation therapy, a chemo specialist at UW, a nurse practitioner, someone with our insurance company, and nurses, nurses, and more nurses.  When I walked in the door last night, my mom told me that someone from the Chicago facility called and I should call them back right away.  So my first job at home was to talk to Kay in Chicago.  Then I lay down on the floor for about an hour and let Kate and Ethan crawl over me.

Just prior to Anna's diagnosis I read an article via Facebook about having three kids.  What resonated most with me from that article at the time was when the parents reflected on the challenges of meeting the needs of three different kids who are at three developmental stages.  And that was before this all started.  Now we are feeling a bit overwhelmed with trying to manage everyone's needs.  With the help of God and everyone who has said "yes!" whenever we've asked for any kind of help, we're keeping our heads above water in this regard, but it's exhausting.  We couldn't have done it without my mom's help.  Not only has she been a caregiver for Kate and Ethan, but she's also done cooking and laundry at our house.  We have lots and lots of meals in our freezer right now and all of the clothes are clean :)

I haven't spoken with Matt this morning about how last night went for Anna, but unless something unexpected happened, my guess is that today will be much like yesterday.  Anna is continuing to make progress with her mobility and her strength.  Yesterday afternoon she was cleared to use a special commode for her toileting needs.  We're hoping that this will be a good motivator for her to continue to get her upright since she really dislikes using a pull-up or bedpan.  The first few times Anna uses the commode will be hard and painful simply because her body has to be moved from the hospital bed; most movement involving her head still hurts.  We're hoping that each time she uses it, everything will get easier.

Everyone will continue to monitor Anna's ICP levels.  The plan is for her to have a follow-up MRI on Saturday morning and then make the decision about the drain.  Next Tuesday is being planned as a "procedure day" for Anna.  We're not quite sure of everything that will happen that day, but we'll be sure to keep this blog informed.

This morning I get to spend at home while Matt is at the hospital.  My mom is planning on going home this afternoon.  I'll bring the younger kids to the hospital later and we're going to have a mini-Valentine's party with Anna.  Then Matt will come home with Kate and Ethan while I stay overnight at the hospital tonight.  Melissa will get to spend the day with Anna tomorrow while Matt and I stay home to take care of some business on the home front.

Time for prayers

Thanksgiving
Please give thanks that we are receiving all the help we need right now to meet the needs of our family.
Please give thanks that Anna's digestive illness seems to have passed and that no other kids got sick.
Please give thanks that my mom has had the strength and motivation to help in all the ways she has.
Please give thanks for the continued progress that Anna is making.
Please give thanks that Anna slept for 1.5 hours yesterday before any of her therapies.
Please give thanks for Matt's successful grocery shopping trip!

Requests
Please pray for all involved in getting Anna to and from the commode, that Anna is safe and relatively comfortable the first few times she uses it.
Please pray for strength and wisdom for Matt as he spends the day interacting with everyone at the hospital.
Please pray for safe travel for my mom this afternoon and for a restful weekend for my parents.
Please pray that our family has an easy transition in the next few days without my mom around to help.
Please ask God to be with Melissa and our family as we begin to work together much more closely than we ever have.
Please continue to pray that the ICP/drain/clamp/shunt stuff gets taken care of safely and smoothly.
Please ask God to give us a happy Valentine's Day celebration at the hospital :)

"We can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13