does absence make the heart grow fonder?

Have you missed me?  Has your heart grown fonder?

To be honest, we are back in full blown fundraising mode again.  Busy, busy, busy!

We are gathering items for another yard sale...so, if you live close and have items you would like to donate...HOLLER!  I'll be happy to swing by and take them off your hands!

We are having a Premier Jewelry show tomorrow evening at our house from 6pm to 8pm...again, if you are local...you are invited!  Also, since my Premier lady and brittle lady are the same person...we will also have brittle for sale!  So stop by and shop for my Lucy Lu!  All proceeds from the jewelry and brittle goes directly for Lucy's surgery!  I tell you...my Beverly is an amazing woman!  I love her dearly!  She loves my Lucy...and it shows!

If you have any quick fundraising ideas, please leave your ideas in the comments section of this post!  Surgery is quickly approaching! 

We've come full circle.  We were fundraising like wild people this time last year.....I truly pray this surgery will be the last one needed for Lucy's ears.  God bless her heart.  She's been through the wringer! 

Please keep the prayers coming! 

FYI-we still have a few Lucy t-shirts and a lot of the "Ears for Lucy" bracelets for sale!  T-shirts are $10 and bracelets $2....we will ship.  We do ask that you pay for the shipping costs.  Thanks everyone!

groundhog day

Now, I know you're thinking....."Groundhog Day is in February".  No. No, it's not at this house!

My Lucy is scheduling for an additional surgery on her right ear....yes, the new ear, on August 20th.

We have no idea why the ear got infected to begin with...but the infection is stickin' around.  So, the implant will have to be replaced. 

My precious baby. 

So, here we go again! 

She is scheduled for surgery on August 20th.  We appreciate all prayers! 

I will have to admit that when we started this process, almost a year ago, I never dreamed we would still be back at square one.  

Now, I will also tell you that Lucy apparently falls into that tiny percentage of the "exception not the rule"...you know...."95% of patients...blah, blah, blah"....yea, Lucy's in that other 5%....apparently.   The doctor has never seen any patient have the issues that Lucy has....he hasn't had a patient have all the complications she's had.....

So, here's my prayer request list....if you feel so inclined to pray!

Successful surgery
Total and complete healing of both ears
Safe travels for the entire trip
Kids and Dad at home
Finances (expenses, medical costs, etc)

Thank you all for continuing on this long journey with us!

Here's the right ear currently...you can see the swelling is returning!  Thank goodness for antibiotics! 

Now regarding the left ear.....well, I still don't know!  The area of concern is still just that!  An area of concern!  Take a look! 

Stay tuned!  Continuing to pray for a miracle!  Praying for 2 perfect ears!

3 1/2 weeks

Can it be?  Really?  3 1/2 weeks until school starts back?  Dang!  Where did that summer go?

I hope to go back-to-school shopping tomorrow.  That's gonna cost an arm and a leg.  I'll get back to you on the total.....I'm going to intentionally not buy anything else while getting school supplies so I can see exactly what the damage is! 

It's been an emotional summer.  There have been some great times, there have been some crazy stressful times.  But overall, it's been great to have the kids home....

Today means Lucy ear pictures.  I'll just say this.  It appears the infection in Lucy's right ear is back...or never went away.  I'll be in touch with her doctor tomorrow and see what the course of action will be.

I hope you guys are having a great wonderfully eventful summer!

Ok, here we go!

Lucy's left ear is doing pretty good...the doctor added an ointment that seems to be making a difference!

Prayer is making the biggest difference!


Remember I said Lucy's right ear had been horrifically infected?  Well, it is looking great!  She's been on antibiotics for almost 2 weeks...and I've been doing lots of "dressings" and "dressing changes" over the past few weeks....ugh, nasty.  I don't see how medical people do it.  Praise God for nurses and medical personnel!  You people are my heroes!

The two wounds are the exit areas from the infection.  The ear swelling has gone WAY down....

 

It actually looks like an ear again!  Thank you Jesus in Heaven for your faithfulness and promises!

This entire process has been such a learning and growing experience for me.  It's so hard to remember that in EVERY situation to lean totally on Him....He gives me strength!

Thanks for the prayers guys!  Please continue to pray for my little bitty girl!

improved

Lucy's right ear is much improved!  I should be able to post the next set of pictures!

Lucy's left ear is improving...I think.  It's so hard to see such small changes in such a small area...with 47 year old eyes.  Ugh. 

Lucy is basically back to her old self!  She is happy, sleeping good, playing hard....you know, being 4 years old!

Now for the surgical update:  usually once an implant has been infected the implant needs to be replaced.  If even one tiny infectious cell is hiding in the implant, the infection will return.  So, since Lucy's right ear (the new one) was SO infected, we assume the implant will need to be replaced.  However, the doctor wants to wait and see if the infection returns.  If the infection does return, we will have to have the implant switched out.  This would mean surgery sometime in the fall. 

While we wait to see what the right ear is going to do...this will give the left ear time to either heal over completely or well, not.  So, we wait.

God will continue to lay out His path for us.  We will continue to pray for guidance and strength!

Thank you to everyone to all the prayers!  My angel and I appreciate them!

ears

I've sent new pictures to Lucy's doctor today...waiting to hear what he thinks about both ears.

I still don't want to show you the right ear.  Too yucky.

As soon as I know a little something, I'll let you know!

I will try and post something other than ears this week!

We finally saw the sun yesterday and today...so hopefully I can get some good pictures of the kids soon and post! 

Goodness me...we certainly need to think about something other than ears!  Shew!

a ride

We've been riding the ear rollercoaster the past few days....well, weeks.....ok, months.

I will not be posting pictures.  Nope.  Too nasty.

Lucy's right ear has been infected....horribly infected.

She is now on antibiotics and the infection has broken through...and draining.  Yuck.  You can imagine...well, I don't think you can.  I've been a little blown away myself.  Gag.

We are unsure what lies ahead for Lucy's ears.  Right and left.  We are trusting God to show the way and provide a miracle. 

We appreciate all prayers.  Lucy has had a really hard time lately.  She's been in a lot of pain.  Thankfully since the infection is working itself out...the pain has diminished some.

For now, we will wait upon The Lord.

Check THIS out!!!

Dang, this child is some serious cuteness.

Ok, focus.

Lucy's right ear is quite swollen.  Gotta figure out how to help this improve!

But look what God has been doing on her LEFT ear!!!

There is tissue where there wasn't tissue! 

So grateful to God for Lucy's left ear!!!

We still have a ways to go...but so thankful for HIS goodness!!!

You can see the little tiny veins......so thankful!

 

My baby's right ear.....looks good.  But really swollen.  Bless her heart.

 

Back view....looking good!

Here is a comparison.....6 days apart.

 

 

Can you see the difference???  This little hole....isn't a hole anymore!!! 

 

God is SO good!!!  Praising Him for His blessings on my Lucy!!!

 

Please keep the prayers coming!!!