Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Quick update

It has been a while since I have been able to post an update, but believe me, a lot has happened since the last post. Probably the biggest, and in my opinion most exciting news is that my wife has been discharged from the neurosurgical unit at UAB. We have moved on to a long-term care facility to do rehab. The staff at the hospital has a very aggressive plan for getting my wife to the point where she can begin acute rehab so that she can return home. Also, since school has started back, we have lost a very valuable asset in helping take care of the kids. My mother had to return to Huntsville, and I have been alone with the girls. The first couple of days, I was very anxious as I did not know what to expect, but now we have settled into a routine. During the day, they go to an aunt's house so that I can go to work, and in the evenings we get to spend time together. I don't know why people make this out to be so difficult, it's a piece of cake. Just remember, anytime that they sleep sneak in a quick nap, and be very flexible. ;-)

Today the girls got to go to the hospital to see mom after their pediatrician visit. I was actually hoping that it went a little smoother, but they were hungry and tired from a long day at the pediatrician. They are getting very big, but still require lots of sleep. This does require some getting used to because everyone I speak to expects that they should be up more because they are so old. I have to keep reminding myself that they were seven weeks early, and are doing great! Nonetheless, seeing mom was very therapeutic for mom, the babies and me. It was great having my entire family together in one spot. In fact, I still have this big ol' stupid grin on my face... I think we will do that more often.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

All so fast

It's been a busy week, and a lot of things have happened. Many prayers have gone up on our family's behalf, and God has shown us the power in His word. On Friday, I got a rather strange phone call from my sister. We were both at the hospital that evening, and it was pretty late, so I thought she needed to relay some information from the doctors. What she told me is that my wife was saying "Madison, Morgan, Che; I Love You." What was truly miraculous, is that when she called, and asked my wife to repeat what she said; those were the exact words out of her mouth. Now, not hearing my wife's voice for some time, I was completely speechless. I tried to put it on speaker so that everyone could hear her, but I was too excited and anxious to do either.

To further improve on things she has had a conversation with my sister-in-law visiting from Mississippi, and even showed a bit of whit with my other sister. When she entered the room she said hello to my wife, we asked her to speak, and she said "bon jour" back to her. My wife is still a very proficient signer, and all of her sisters can have a conversation, and I not have a clue what they are saying (hope they are not talking about me), so I guess I better get more diligent on at least learning the alphabet.

My sister visiting from out of town got a taste of what it is like to be living in a house with twins over the weekend. If any of you see her ask her about her experience. All I can say is for anyone who has not had the experience of keeping newborn twins, it is an experience you should savor. Just make sure you have lots of patience, and a working knowledge on how to swaddle a baby. I am sure that will be one of the most memorable four hours of her life. I actually thought she got off a little easy, since we let her do it in the middle of the day when they are easy to calm. Next time I will wait until 2 am; now that will be fun!

The doctor told us Friday that he was considering yet another shunt revision to correct the proximal end, but the swelling that he has been worried about has subsided considerably. We are believing that all is well, and my wife will be discharged from the neurosurgery unit in no time.