Livy Surgery

Alivia had surgery to remove the screws that were correcting her bone alignment. When I got to her she was on the familiar machine called a bear hugger. It is a heated blanket to help with the shock from surgery. Mark had to wear this for three days to increase circulation in his new veins. Livy thankfully woke up better this year than last. While she was uncomfortable she was not teary. 

It is amazing how quickly they take you from surgery to in the car going home. We brought the right pants this year and somehow she took the few steps and maneuvering to get situated in the car. We saw the lines and lines of traffic and her request for Olive Garden wasn't hard to agree to. Jake had a nursing strike day- actually stress and public just don't go well with nursing- so we also went to get more formula for him. The store had very little selection. I was surprised just more proof there aren't many babies around these days. 

A picture of the correction versus the problem. See how her hip bones are more aligned, the legs are more in socket, the straightness of the line from hip joint to knee to ankle. Oh I'm so thankful for the prompting to get her seen and for the haste the doctor got her in surgery.  We are so fortunate to have the holy Ghost. God does know and care about us long term! This was so much less invasive than shaving bones.  

My learning crew. This time of year we are working to improve our understanding. Aliza makes comments in her college classes. One day a girl said "Man you know everything." The teacher stopped the class and asked for a show of hands of who reads books. Aliza was the lone hand in the air. Obvious point made. So we are working to read more diverse books. And as they kids get older that looks like time taking college classes because you need to take advantage of those cost savings as well. Addie is taking Intro to Theatre, and A Speech class. Reed is taking health and American history. 

My two self-sufficient kiddos taking care of a snack. We do love peanut butter. I think my family line has a genetic pre-disposition to love the stuff, to crave it, and thought to pair it with most fruits. 

On Livy's first forced walking across the room to start working on mobility I found some red lip gloss to divert her attention. She showed how it looked with a kiss on Andrea and Merle's foreheads. 

This time was not as easy as I'd hoped. Her bones had grown over the long screws in her femur. Therefore the doctor had to chip that away then work hard to get the screws removed then add bone graft to replace what he had removed. The incisions are bigger and the recovery is more because even though you are asleep you still go through the work. So it takes time and rest. Thankfully March offers both of those. Life moves on and now Livy has a life with less pain than would have been and many opportunities ahead of her. As she begins the road to high school we are wondering where her talents will grow and how to help her become herself. She was happiest when they fixed her name from an O to an A on the charts. She does love her unique name. Life is good.