Big Mac's Surgery 2020

I have had quite a few people ask me about McKenna's surgery.  We've shared with family and friends when it comes up in conversation, but not something shared on social media since there were many unknowns.  Also, she is extremely scared of everything medical related, so we didn't want to make a big deal about it.

So last year in October, McKenna ran into the edge (corner) of two walls in the hallway.  It was on the side of her face, above/in front of ear in her temporal area.  It hurt, she iced it, and life moved on.  About 1 month after that she said that she still had a bump from it.  She showed me, and was pretty shocked.  It freaked me out enough that I called the doctor.  Over the phone, they recommended massaging it a couple times a day to see if the fluid would reabsorb.  I did that, however it started to look worse.  Almost bruised.  They had us come in, and honestly had no idea what it was.  They started her on an antibiotic as a precaution for 2 weeks and said to call back if it doesn't go away.  There was still no change following the 10 days, so they sent us to a dermatologist.

McKenna was freaked out and thought they were going to try to remove it right then and there.  She was so serious during her appointment.  She rarely has to face anything medical, so it was interesting to see her in this environment.  I am so use to Macy having no fear, so I had to learn how to be a little more sympathetic to McKenna.  Dermatology had two thoughts about what it might be, but said we couldn't be certain what it is until it was removed.  Due to her age, and it being facial, they couldn't remove it using a local in the office.  She would have to be put to sleep, so they sent us to see plastic surgery at Riley.  

Our plastic surgery appointment fell during the quarantine, so that made it very interesting considering they really needed to look at the mass in person.  I sent the most detailed pics that I could, and even used a ruler so they could get an idea about the size.  We met online, the NP looked at the pics, and tried to see it over the camera.  She again recommended removal, however they couldn't get us in for surgery until October 2.  So we booked it!

McKenna was freaking out the entire week last week, knowing she was going to be put to sleep and have surgery.  I asked her what she was so worried about....going to sleep?  the pain following?  Nope, she was nervous just to know that they were cutting her open.  Macy was a great support and talked McKenna though what the whole experience would be like, even the before in pre-op, the during as she arrives in the OR, and the after in recovery.  It was amazing to see and hear this!  It helped for sure!

So when we arrived and met the surgeon, the first thing he said was "I can tell you right now that this isn't from her hitting her head on the wall."  I was like "what?!?!?!".  He said that he thought it was a Pilomatricoma.  Basically it is a slow growing tumor.  No where along the way had anyone set us straight saying that this probably wasn't from her hitting her head, until this moment.  I felt kind of silly because that is what I had been saying all along.  I just assumed since no one said otherwise that it was the case.  I really liked this surgeon.  He was fun, happy, and told it like it was!  Following surgery, he came back to the room while she was in recovery, sat down in the chair, and chatted about it.  He said removal went great, and that he still felt like it was a Pilomatricoma, and that we would know for sure following a report from pathology.  He said they are very slow growing, and usually discovered following some sort of accident or bump.  

Of course I read up on it when we got home, and was comforted to know that most of those tumors are benign.  I just hoped that was what it was and it was benign.  By Monday morning, I couldn't take it anymore, and called to see if they had heard anything from pathology.  They told me that it could take 2-3 weeks to get results.  However on Wednesday, the phone rang and I could see that it was the plastic surgery office.  Freaked me out for a moment, wondering why they were calling so soon.  Great news came though!  It was a Pilomatricoma, and it was benign!  

So if they got it all out on removal, it is very unlikely that it will not grow back.  Our surgeon said it went great, and they removed it all, so I think we are good there.  He did tell us that it can be a totally isolated event, or patients can get more over time.  It just depends.  We are praying that it was her one and only!  Here are some before and after pics so you can see what it looked like:

 I want to see what it looks like under the tape, however they want us to wait for the tape to fall off on it's own.  He said they cut right along her hairline so it should be a nice scar.  We'll treat her scar with the same stuff we use on Macy's scars, so hopefully that helps too.  

As always, thanks for checking in on us!  Happy Fall! 

Slowing Down in Fall......

.....just joking!   We usually feel like things slow down in the fall, however they haven't this year.  Life is busy, but I love the fact that my kids are involved.  We are trying out best to still find as many family moments as we can even with as busy as we are.  Family dinner, movie nights, and family outings are very important to us, and they always have been.  Those are things that we make time for. 

Macy is playing golf on the high school team this year.  She is enjoying playing a lot of golf!  Honestly though, she has spent 2 years playing for her Jr. PGA coach, and she's struggling with having a different coach that is telling her to do different things than she's ever been told.  She will return to play for her other coach this winter and in leagues in the spring and summer, and I think she is looking forward to that very much.  She will continue with Girl Scouts as well this year.  This group of girls have been together since 1st grade, and it's turned into such a special group.  I think all of us moms love getting together as  much as the girls.  

McKenna is currently in soccer season.  They played their first tournament last weekend and placed 2nd.  They hadn't played together in almost a year due to spring season being cancelled, so we were very proud of them!  She finished her summer softball season with Indy Lightning, and will no longer be playing softball on that team.  She was offered a couple positions with different travel teams and accepted a position on a team called Red Storm.  We are excited for this new adventure!  Practice has already started, and she will be playing in a couple of fall tournaments.  Basketball season starts in about a month, which is one of her favorites.  Yep, we are busy!

School started back for all of us as well.  McKenna and I are full-time 5 days a week.  McKenna was placed in a special program at school this year called Reach.  It is a program for gifted children.  She is loving it, and we are very proud of her.  She skipped the 5th grade content and is doing 6th and 7th grade work.  Macy is on a hybrid schedule and goes to school 2 days a week and is home 3 days a week.  It's been a lot to manage.  I have to remind myself often what day of the week it is and whether she is going to school or not.  She is trying to manage virtual work vs. in-person work, and make sure she gets things completed on time and turned into the correct places.  One of the biggest challenges is that all of her teachers post their virtual work differently and require the work to be turned in differently.  It's very frustrating!  However, she is doing a very good job managing it.  

Jeremy is still working from home, and will continue to do so.  He is on a lot of meetings daily, and tries to support Macy with any questions she encounters while working.  This is just a completely whole new world than I ever envisioned us living.

I have had a lot of people ask me about how school is going this year.  It's very different!  I am SO happy to be back in the classroom, face to face with students.  See those sweet faces and hearing those sweet voices and laughter mean more than I remember before.  I am praying that we don't have to go virtually this year.  I can't imagine "leaving" my students again.  The end of the school year last year completely broke my heart.  On another positive note, I am teaching at a new school this year.  It has been such an amazing move, and the transition has been so smooth.  I'm loving it!

We've got so many prayer warriors that follow us, so I wanted to reach out for prayers for another family we know.  One of our family friends is facing the scariest, most challenging time of their lives right.  Their 3 year old daughter Addie is currently getting treatment for a brain tumor called DIPG.  It is highly aggressive and difficult to treat, but their team at Cincinatti Children's Hospital is on it!  I have seen miracles happen with Macy, and I have all the faith that miracles can happen in the most challenging circumstances.  Please pray for this family as they continue their journey through this difficult time!

Thanks for checking in on us and always continuing to pray for health and happiness for our family!

Summer Normals & Medical Follow-Ups

Well, the Coronavirus is still out there affecting our world, however it feels like life is slowly starting to get back to normal.  Macy is back to golf.  She is golfing in a Jr. PGA League this summer.  She is playing in the 17U division, and is the youngest one on the team.  She is doing a great job! She has also started practicing on the high school team. McKenna has started playing softball again, and we are enjoying watching her team play. She has a few more weekends of tournaments to play.  She's having a lot of fun with her teammates!  The lack of masks and social distancing at all of these events still make me, but we are outside, and we try our best to make smart, safe decisions. 

We have headed to the lake house a few times now.  It's been great to see our family, and do "normal" things like fish, swim, boat, tube, etc.  We spent most of the week during the 4th up there, and had such a nice time relaxing and feeling normal again.  We also had a lot of fun times with Mamaw and Papaw this summer.  We done some bike riding, swimming, cooking out, and watching softball! 

We've had quite a few appointments for Macy this summer.  So I thought I would give a medical update.  First of all, I get comments all of the time how good Macy looks.  Yes she does!  She is growing and gaining weight, and we are so happy about her health!

Liver Update:  About a month ago Macy and I headed to Riley to have an MRI.  We were very thankful that Dr. Superina's office allowed us to have the MR at Riley vs. driving to Chicago.  We got the images and reports the next day and I mailed them to Dr. Superina.  I chatted with them the day they viewed all of the images.  They said there was a collective gasp in the meeting when they all saw her images.  Her shunt is "beautiful"!  It is open and flowing!  We are beyond excited!  That means no surgery this summer for an angioplasty to stretch it, and she is able to stop the Plavix!  Yay!  We had a video appointment with Dr. Superina at the beginning of  this month. We got to chat with our favorite nurse practitioner Joan, and then got to "ride" on two elevators to go see Dr. Superina.  He is so happy with how her liver looks.  He said it is not likely that she will even need another angioplasty, and that things look great!  He wants an ultrasound and labs in December, and stated we could do those at Riley if we want to.  He will see her back in April of 2021!  Wow!

Endo Update:  We saw endocrinology a couple of weeks ago.  Macy has grown and gained weight!  Yay!  She is still growing and has the opportunity for a couple of more inches.  We are hoping she makes it to about 4'10" or 4'11".  I am just shy of 4'11", so we hope she catches me!  She will remain on her growth hormone injections until she is growing less than 2 cm a year. 

Cardio Update:  We just saw cardio this week.  Macy had an ekg and an echo.  Her heart remains mostly unchanged, however her numbers are a little higher.  She still has moderate leakage around her pulmonary valve.  We know for sure that she will need another surgery, but at this time we don't know if it will be in the cath lab or a full open heart surgery.  We've always known there would be another surgery.  At our next annual visit, she will have a cardiac MRI and a stress test.  This will give them a really good look at the pulmonary valve area and give them an idea of what kind of surgery they will do when we decide it's time.  He said he likes to wait until they are done growing, since that can help long term with keeping the valve longer. 

We are so happy that Macy is strong and healthy, and we can't wait to see how much she continues to grow in her health!  Please pray as we make the transition back to school with the Coronavirus continuing.  I worry about her being exposed while attending school, but  I also worry about me or McKenna bringing it home.   Thanks for checking in on us!

The Coronavirus Life

*This post is mainly for myself, and documentation of this unbelievable event taking place in the world*  However, read away if you want!

I've had multiple conversations with friends over the years about 9/11. The main question is "Where were you at when you found out about the terrorist attacks?"  You remember exactly where you were, what you were doing, and what you did afterward.  It was a very traumatic event for the entire country, and has had lasting effects on how we think, how we do things, and the way we live.  We were forever changed!

I'm sure you know where I'm going with this.  Never in my mind would I have ever thought we would be going through something as life-changing as we are right now.  Yes, we've all anticipated more terrorist attacks or mass shootings.  We've prepared our minds for natural disasters.  And maybe if you watch shows like The Walking Dead, you've even thought about what you would do in a zombie apocalypse.  I know I've thought about those things.  However, never in my mind would I have thought that we would live through a time where a virus wreaks havoc on our entire world, causing everything in life to be put on hold, and basically shut down the world.  Where were you when you found out the first case?  How are you handling it?  What is your life like now?

Small mentions of the virus happening in other parts of the world were mentioned in January, and then talk about the first US case in February.  However, the first case in the US was on January 21 in Washington State.  This person had recently traveled to Wuhan, China.  At first everyone thought it was a virus that could only be transferred from animal to person, and then changed to "limited" transfer from person to person.

Over the month of February, cases started spreading here in the US. More information started coming out about the transfer from person to person, and the immense challenges that China and Italy were facing (too many cases, not enough hospital beds and ventilators, and many deaths).

So what is Coronavirus?     Covid-19 is a new disease caused by the Coronavirus the emerged from China in December of 2019.  The symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.  It can be passed from person to person, can be diagnosed with a nose swab, and has no vaccine.  Some cases are mild and some are severe.  It is unknown how each person will individually react.  The treatment can often include supplemental oxygen and ventilator support.

At first, we were told to not worry.  We were told that this would most likely stay in other countries and have a short life here in the US.  However, as this virus started to spread in the US, we all became more and more concerned.

I started hearing more and more about the concern for individuals with compromised immune systems and other health challenges such as diabetes, heart conditions, and breathing challenges.  They also spoke about the concern for the elderly.  I started thinking more and more about the concern for Macy.  I was concerned for my grandpa and my parents.  I was concerned about myself and McKenna as well due to our asthma.  The virus is new and unknown and SCARY.

On Friday, March 6th, I was sitting in my classroom with one of my high school students who helps on Fridays.  My class was at related arts class, and I was working and chatting with my high schooler.  She looks down at her phone, and then said "Oh my gosh, we have the first case in Indiana!"  We had a few minutes before picking up our students from related arts to turn on the news and take a peek.  That is when I got very concerned.  It was hitting very close to home at that point.

At some point over that weekend, I told my teaching team that I really just wanted to be at home, safe in my bubble.  A bubble that my family has spent a lot of time in before.  See, this may be new to some people, but we've practiced this many times before.  We often isolate our family before Macy's surgeries, or during illness.  Actually, we spent 2 weeks last year in March in isolation following a flu diagnosis before her big liver surgery scheduled in April.  My bubble is safe.

When we returned to school on March 9th, I spent my first 20 minutes of class discussing hand-washing and appropriate measures we can do to protect everyone at school.  Schools are like a petri dish, especially kindergarten students.  They cough without covering, they use their hands as tissues, and they don't wash their hands properly because they want to be out of the restroom as quickly as possible so they can be the first in line.

As the week progressed, more and more cases were noted.  The staff at school began talking about the fact that we might not return to school the next week. Sports were starting to cancel such as the NBA, the Masters Tournament, the N.C.A.A., etc. 

On Thursday, March 12th, I sent my car riders to the gymnasium for dismissal.  I placed my bus riders on the school bus.  I gave them all my same goodbye, just like I do each day.  I said "I'll see you tomorrow!"  Little did I know, I was actually saying goodbye to them without even knowing it.

I went home right after school that night, and hopped on the treadmill.  I was training for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon.  As I was running, my phone started going off like crazy!  The governor was Live and discussing the cases in Indiana and closed all Marion County Schools in Indianapolis effective immediately, and they would be closed until at least April 6th.  I could not believe what I was hearing.  That was the moment when I knew how serious this was, and that I needed to protect my family.

After dinner that night, Jeremy and I headed to Meijer.  Friday is normally grocery day, however I was afraid to wait until Friday because I had been hearing for the last week about people shopping like crazy and hoarding items such as toilet paper, meat, hand sanitizer, etc.  Meijer was insane.  We got enough meals for a couple of weeks.  Knowing we didn't want to get out of the house to go get more if we didn't have to. We couldn't get toilet paper while at the store, the aisle was bare.  As we waited in the long line that ran down the aisle toward the back of the store, I told Jeremy to go back and check the aisle.  Thankfully they had just brought out another big box, and he grabbed a pack.  Not 2 packs, not 4 packs, not 6 packs, he grabbed 1.  It was insane what people had in their carts.  I get it, but seriously people!

Our district had implemented eLearning the previous year for inclement weather or closings.  eLearning is learning that can take place online when the school has to close.  We also have paper packets available to families that don't have internet access.  Our tech integration specialist in our district made this all possible, and we are so thankful for her and all of her hard work.  When schools started closing, it was shocking to see all of the districts that had no plan.  Thanks to her, we had a plan, and it was easily put into place.

We did eLearning lessons starting immediately (March 13-20).  March 21st, started our scheduled Spring Break.  Spring Break for us lasts until April 5th.  Our plan was to return on April 6th.  Well, the news was changing daily.  More cases here in the US, more deaths, and more and more things being cancelled and shutdown.

Universities declared online learning for the rest of the year and told students they needed to move home, schools closed, restaurants were told they could no longer have dine-in service (only take-out), etc.  Life was changing on a day to day, hour to hour basis.  We all waited by the TV around noon to hear President Trump speak (along with his team of specialists).  In Indiana, we waited again by the TV in mid-afternoon to hear Governor Holcomb speak about our state specifics.

On March 19th, Governor Holcomb made more changes.  Our state of emergency was extended another 30 days.  Indiana schools were set to remain closed through May 1st.  We were up to 56 cases in Indiana, most of them in Marion County.  Our first death was on March 16th, and by March 20th we had 3 deaths total. In his speech he said something to the effect that it would take a "miracle" to get our students back into school before the end of the year.

My heart completely broke!  This was the time that so many people realized that life was completely changed.  College students heart broken about not finishing out their school year in the normal "college life" ways.  High School seniors know they can't finish out their senior year sports and activities, and may not even get to have a "real" graduation.  The same goes for college seniors!  Eighth graders who will miss their first "real" dress-up dance.  Pre-K and Kinders who might not get to "graduate".  So many kids in general who are missing out on all of their normal activities and sports.  Parents who are home because their job is closed.  Many who are not getting paid now, and they are now "teachers" at home.  This is a first for many in their lifetime, and I pray it's the only time it ever happens.

We quickly had to adjust to a "new" life.  I have been an educator for 17 years, and know the importance of a schedule.  We started a schedule in our house.  Our initial schedule involved academic time(eLearning), accompanied by creative time, outdoor time, educational app time, quiet time, free time, and chore time.  We also have implemented daily family walks 2 times a day with the dogs.  We go once in the morning, and once in the evening.  Our dogs are loving it, mostly.  Penny is so out of shape that I think its really wearing her out.

After our last week of school, we switched to a "spring break" schedule.  This was partially the same, but I replaced the eLearning time with physical activity time.  I keep reading about people posting that they aren't going to make their kids live by a schedule, and they are going to just let them be kids.  Well, this is the first time in a long time that my kids have gotten to just be kids!  However, they aren't constantly saying "I'm bored" and "What can I do?"  The schedule has allowed them to organize their time better.  When it's creative time, they choose what they want to do. Some days they paint, other days they do crafts, and sometimes they cook.  It's been amazing to see all of the new things they are learning, and how much fun they are having.

Don't get me wrong, we miss school!  I miss my students, and I want them to be at school learning from me. I want them to be interacting with each other.  My kids miss their friends too, and they'd love to go somewhere other than our house and our neighborhood.

However, we have completely embraced this "new" life.  It may never happen again in our lifetime.  This is a new life where "time" is not a factor.  We can't say that we don't have "time" to cook a nice meal and "time" to eat it as a family.  We can't say that we don't have "time" to take that long walk around the pond or on the trails.  We can't say we don't have "time" to workout.  We can't say we don't have "time" to go for a bike ride, play a game, or have a movie night together.  We can't say that we don't have "time" to teach our kids new things.  We have all the TIME in the world right now!  We really need to make it count!

Our girls are finding joy in the simple things in life.  The other day I watched them skip down the trail in the woods behind our house.  They were so happy just skipping away next to each other!  They found joy in riding their bikes around the cud-a-sac in circles.  They found joy in painting rocks, making pot holders, and cooking scrambled eggs.  Family movie nights and family game nights mean so much to them right now!  They spent hours walking laps around the ponds in our backyard, and even saw a deer jump up from the woods and run.  They were beyond excited!

I know these are hard and uncertain times, however, we have also been given a gift.  A gift of "time" with the family.  "Time" that we will never have again!  "Time" to enjoy the small things in life and really get a chance to come out stronger and better afterward!

As of March 25th, our state has been placed on a complete lock down. One essential travel is allowed, meaning work, medical care, food, and exercise.  Unfortunately some people still don't understand the magnitude of what this virus is doing, and they are still doing things that they probably shouldn't be doing. They are not staying home and practicing social distancing (6ft away from others, no groups larger than 10 together).

To date in Indiana, we have about 645 total cases and 17 deaths.  We have over 85,000 cases in the United States and over 1,00 deaths.  We have the most cases in the world, bypassing China and Italy yesterday.  It's scary what we are facing!  The experts are saying that it's going to keep climbing and get worse.  The hospitals are running out of space, they don't have enough personal protective equipment for the doctors and the staff, and they don't have enough ventilators that the patients need.  The doctors and nurses are being worked overtime and scared to death that they are going to get the virus themselves or give it their own families.

Jeremy will continue to work from home until otherwise told.  He's been home since March 16th.  He has his office set up in the dining room, and he hides in the bedroom for conference calls. He works from 7:30-3:30 each day and breaks at noon for lunch.  The girls will start back with eLearning on Monday, April 6th, and I will be back teaching as well.  We will continue that for the whole month of April.  Macy will do eLearning M-W, and then have class online Th-F on a website called Zoom.  It's a video chat forum.  I am planning on doing Zoom lessons with my students as well, but they will be voluntary.  I just want to see their sweet faces and let them know that I am still here for them, and that I think about them every day!

It's such strange and unknown times we are currently living in.  Schools sit unused and locked up, businesses are hanging "closed" signs, and the streets in downtown cities sit empty.  I am not sure exactly how to end this post, because all of this chaos created by this virus is far from over.  Each day we receive new information, and new guidelines.  For now, we are staying home.  We are protecting ourselves, the ones we love, and the vulnerable.  We will continue to navigate this new life, and know that we will never again be the same.  Thanks for checking in on us!