rain on tulips

I answered the phone this morning, and was so pleased and surprised to hear Devin’s voice on the other end! He was calling for DA, but did say that he is doing alright. He is truly a miracle!

There has been talk of releasing him from the hospital to a closer, long-term care type location. Ideally his family would like him home, but he still can’t be transported in a car, can’t turn on his own (this takes 4 people to coordinate), and needs lots of rehab services. I don’t know when this will be happening.

Donations for his care are still being solicited.

(But at least a little good news, huh?)

Last night I was putting on CC’s diaper (refastening it while he stood in front of me) while he and Fuul were playing a chasing/tickling game. That was my big mistake, I think.

Fuul jumped at CC. CC dove to the side to avoid getting tickled by daddy. Fuul heard the crack that my nose made when CC’s head came into full contact.

Yeah. Some blood. Lots of internal swelling. Nothing displaced or crooked (far as we can tell). Much cold packs. Lots of Advil. Foggy head, ’stuffy’ nose, dull pain across the front of my face and into my teeth today. No visible bruising or black eyes (amazingly).

It had to happen sometime: I’ve made it through 14 years and seven kids, been headbutted accidentally more times than I care to count, and this is the first time with any lasting impact. Please let it be the last!

(for any fiber-y, Ravelry folks out there)…

I’m holding a fundraiser/drawing for yarny goodness to help raise money for Devin’s medical fund… the direct ravelry link is here.

(I’d be happy to send the info directly to anyone who is not on Ravelry; just comment below, and I’ll get back to you!)

Edited to add: a paypal donation link, if you feel so inclined. All the monies received will go directly to Devin’s Medical Fund. If you would like to be included in the drawing for yarny goodies, please comment below, so I know to include you!

AE has had a cough for most of a month, and her ears have started bothering her. Took her to the dr yesterday, with a diagnosis of “Sinus infection seeping into her ears, chest congestion, but probably not pneumonia yet.” Probably not. Nothing like getting good news, huh? She’s on antibiotics for the next 10 days.

I finally got fed up enough with six migraines a month to head in to the dr and get something for them; have some lovely samples of Zomig on hand now, and just in time, because I needed it yesterday.

Fuul is still tweaking the dosage on his adderall for work; got new instructions for that.

Fuul also saw a new dentist yesterday, who is finally willing to work with us in stages to get his teeth taken care of after five years in his splint. His first ‘real’ appointment is Monday, and they’re going to give him Valium for that. Can’t be all bad, huh? (Best part? They’re going to work with us on the cost, instead of asking us to pay $30,000 up front like the last dentist he saw! Ack!)

I’m heading over the bridge this afternoon with EK for an echocardiogram. Her last sleep study in July showed that her obstructive apnea is getting worse, and we’re still trying to figure out how to take the bottles away and get her to use her bipap machine regularly. In the meantime, we have an oxygen compression unit here, that she will sometimes wear for a couple of hours. The echo is to check for pulminary hypertension as a result of decreased oxygenation while she sleeps. Her last echo was all good. Any good thoughts would be appreciated!

And finally, though he’s not in our family, Devin is doing ok, I think. He was scheduled to have surgery on one of his feet on Tuesday; I’ve not heard anything since then, but assume he’s still doing better. Out of ICU, off the breathing tube; a few friends have been by to visit him, and we’re trying to figure out when would be a good time for DA to go by. (I’m knitting Devin a penguin, and am down to just some finishing touches now, so hopefully it will be ready to go with DA when he heads over there).

So. Medical update in a nutshell.

Well, in the past few days, we have heard that Devin is doing much better, has been moved from ICU to a regular floor, had his breathing tube removed and started talking and taking things by mouth, had his arm set without surgery, and is still in a holding pattern as to when and what the doctors are going to do with his feet. They are waiting for swelling to go down more until decisions can be made.

The family is very grateful for all the thoughts and prayers that have been shared for Devin, and they are so pleased to see them all at work in their son. (The doctors were surprised how quickly he was able to come off oxygen and move out of ICU).

Now they are asking if prayers could be directed to the doctors who will be working on Devin’s feet, that they will be wonderfully skilled and make the right decisions for Devin. The outcome of these next surgeries could have the biggest impact on Devin’s future of any of the injuries so far.

I got an email last night that said that DA’s best friend, Devin, had fallen 50ft while rock climbing and was at the local big trauma center in need of prayers. No other info has arrived, but if you could spare some prayers for Devin and his family I know they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Edited to add…

UPDATE:
Got another email:

“Devin is a 14 yr old boy. He fell close to 100 ft yesterday while hiking and hitting some slippery rocks.”

As of 1:30: “As of then Devin had not had any surgeries.
They had set his arm and put both legs in casts or splints so they would be stationary until they could operate on them. He has a crushed vertebrae too which will need surgery. The hospital was performing many tests multiple times. They did another CAT scan to determine injuries to his face although visually his face looks O.K.
He is in the Pediatric ICU. The nurse said he has the best orthopedic surgeons and the world’s top neurosurgeon. … There aren’t many answers yet…still a waiting game. The Munks said they want everyone to know because they want and need all the prayers possible.”

Keep the prayers coming….

I’m about six weeks into this program, and so far its amazing! I have learned lots already abut writing and thinking and planning and making my creative side play nice with my critical side… so totally worth it! And, I’m suddenly finding myself with ideas about new things to write, and being excited by them again! (Its been such a long time!)

Check it out… cool stuff!

(The course is only open for new signups through this week — it will open again later, bt I don’t know when. Just a heads up for anyone interested! And click thru this link to get there… its a bonus for me!)