I now know that next time I travel 2 weeks with a 5 month old, I may not need as much stuff. Oh and don't forget those Outlet Malls that tend to fill the other empty nooks in the vehicle...
After Josh forced all of the doors closed on the van (really it wasn't that bad), we started our final drive to the University for our final appointment with Dr. Jimenez and the team.
Up to the fifth floor we went again...
Through the double doors...
Into a world full of kids just like Josie.
Now we new a few of them, as we had met 2 of the other 3 families going through the same thing as us. One couple was from Minnesota who had a beautiful 2 month old girl who had the surgery. We also talked with one mother of 3 from Nebraska, who had a 2 month old boy who had the surgery. He is her second son that Dr. Jimenez has operated on for saggital craniosynostosis. She was so pleased with her experience with her older son that she said she would go nowhere else. Her 5 year old son was with her and he was as normal as any other child with a beautiful head. We all joked that this was his old stomping grounds, but the truth is that he remembers nothing of his surgery or time in the orthosis (helmet). The same is true of Josie. The only memory she will have of this event will be the pictures that we have taken and all of the stories that we will tell her.
Dr. Jimenez and the team came in the room to talk with us. He upset her by pulling off a small piece of skin that was at one of the suture sites. So, she was not happy the visit, and I didn't get any pics with them. Anyway, Dr. Jimenez was very pleased with the results so far. When Darren told him the difference in the cranial index pre and post surgery, he had a look of "wow" on his face. He mentioned nothing else about not achieving perfect results with Josie :) PTL (Praise the Lord)!!!!!
On the way out we took a picture with our new family.
We left San Antonio and headed to Waxahatchie.
We stopped along the way at a different Outlet Mall-I'm telling you they are everywhere down here!
Josie had a great time. Here is a picture in the Disney Store princess castle.
It is interesting the responses we have received when people see her with the orthosis (helmet) on. Most people will just stare and not say anything. This annoys me because there is absolutely nothing wrong with her except she is wearing something on her head. For these people I have thought of having a Onesie made that says "Just Ask" or "Beware of Biting Baby" or "My Mother Did NOT Drop Me On My Head!". A fair number of people will acknowledge her, smile at us and walk by. For them, the Onesie will say "Thank you, but you still need to ask". And a handful will start conversation with "What a cute baby! and How old is she? " before getting to "Why does she have to wear the helmet?". To those, we get to educate them about saggital craniosynostosis and this wonderful treatment. For these people, they need no Onesie logo because they are very kind and honestly inquiring.
Here are a few pics of her during the drive. I had the ribbon in the room off of the flowers that Angie gave us and I thought it would be a perfect addition. Plus, I couldn't fit it into any of the packed bags ;)
And again a tuckered out little girl...
We are waiting for Josie to wake up from her nap and then we will be heading out to Arkansas!
The great thing about July 20, 2011 is that it is Josie and Elijah's 6 month birthday! They are half a year old! What a great birthday present...
What a wonderful journey y'all have had so far. The Lord does provide!! Y'all be safe on the trip back to Tupelo.
ReplyDelete