A Year Ago Today!!
This is what we were doing a year ago today. I can't believe how fast this past year has gone by. We have been so blessed to have this sweet little spirit in our home. Birthday party is tomorrow, so hopefully someone brings a camera with them, and I will post party pics then. 
Our camera has broken, but I was able to upload this picture we took of Joel about three weeks ago. This was a few days after his surgery, and as you can see he is happy, and even able to put pressure on that right hand. He did not like that wrap too much. Now he has a much smaller warp, and is still as happy.
For all of those out there who get squeamish....this is good news for you. Our camera is broken, and I was not able to take pictures of Joel's surgery. I did do video, but I don't know how to add video to the blog.
He had surgery set for 1:00pm on Friday afternoon. He had to be fasting, and nothing to drink past 9am. So on the way to Shriner's I thought I should TRY to feed him. When we arrived they had told us that the two surgeries before Joel had gone quickly, and they could take him back to the OR at 11:30. They asked if he had had anything to eat or drink. "Ummmmm, you told me he could drink up until 9. I guess the rule is nothing in the tummy for 4 hours prior to surgery. So we had to wait. The little guy behind us was able to go ahead, and guess what.....his went over, so now we were pushed back even more. Dust was pretty upset, mainly because he was the one having to hold Joel.
Joel had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia, but is now doing well. They cut out the skin from his hand that was burnt, and replaced it with skin they took from his leg. I think the leg is causing him more pain than the hand. All I can say is, I thought the burn was hard to looked bad... his leg is 100x's worse!!!!
We go back to Shriner's on Friday to make sure the graft took, and from there they say it will take 2 months to heal. Maybe we will post a pic then....if I can get a hold of a camera.
Thank you everyone for all the prayers for Joel!!
For all of those who iron the clothes the night before.....KEEP IT UP!! Do not wait until the morning, and if you do iron your clothes in the morning.....DO IT THE NIGHT BEFORE!! Or like my mom, right when your done with the laundry, iron them then, and hang 'em up.
I was awarded the worst mom in the world award on Saturday morning. (try saying that 5 times fast....worst mom in the world award) The day was going sooooo nice. I was up early, and ran 4 miles with Amy and Lizzy. Got home, put Joseph in the shower, and started ironing our clothes for my nephews baptism that morning. I ALWAYS iron the night before!!!!! Sadly this time I didn't. Joel was awake and super happy. I had the kids' clothes ironed, and went to get my dress. Right then, Joseph came out of the shower. I gave him his clothes and told him to get ready, and to take Joel with him. I could hear them in the bedroom playing. I went to get my dress, and walking down the hallway, I thought to myself, "if I get in the shower right now, it will probably save us some time...me doing my make up and hair, while someone else is in the shower." Stopped in my tracks, and got into the shower....TOTALLY FORGETTING THAT I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF IRONING. So there I am, and all of the sudden I hear the worst screaming in all the world. My little baby Joel's screaming. All you moms know what scream I am talking about. Not the "he took the toy away from me, or she changed the channel I was watching....but the "hurt scream". I had chills. I yelled," Dustin......JOEL!!!!!" Dustin came in the bathroom yelling for me to get out, and that we had to go to the ER NOW!!!!
Still in the shower, I started praying. Then as calmly as I could asked Dustin what happened. He told me Joel had gotten to the iron. There went my clam. I pretty much lost it from there. I had to focus. Joel is screaming, pulling at his arms and hands, Dustin is running trying to get ready, because he wasn't just in the shower, I am standing in my towel, trying to hold my screaming little baby, trying so hard not to touch his arms or hands. Dustin called the Robertson's to get a ride to the ER....there was no way of getting Joel in his car seat, and thank goodness we only live two blocks from the hospital.
I got myself and the other kids ready, called my dad to come get them, and once he was there I took off to the hospital.
When I walked in the ER I saw our good friend Kevin who had given Dustin a ride. It was very nice for him to wait there until I arrived. (Here comes another plate of cookies guys). They had already taken Joel back and I could hear him still screaming. I was on my tippy toes trying to get someone to see me. I said," I need to get back there....the baby who is burnt." Now get this, THE GUYS SAYS," OK, IT WILL BE A MINIUTE, I THINK THE DOCTOR IS IN WITH THEM." I think this guy was no married, and had no kids. HELLO?????? GET ME BACK THERE NOW!!!! ( i didn't say that to him, but I was this close.) I think a light bulb went off in his head, because, he quickly changed his mind and took me back.
When Joel saw me he started screaming even more. I just wanted to hold him so tight, but I couldn't. I started crying, and Dustin had to take him back, and I had to leave the room. It all came down on me at once...why did I leave the iron....why did I get in the shower, when I was still in the middle of ironing.....why didn't I iron the night before....WHY DID I LEAVE THE IRON!!! The doctor came in and said he had to remove the skin. I had to step out of the room....just ran 4 miles + no breakfast + lots of tears= passing out. A nurse and I stepped out until I felt better. Just then my dad walked in so he and Dustin could give Joel a blessing.
We have to go back every morning to get his burns washed, checked and wrapped. On Monday, we finally got to see Joel's regular doctor. He didn't like the looks of one area that was badly burnt, so we are going to Shriner's Burn Center in Sacramento on Wednesday.
Right now Joel seems to be doing ok. He is taking Tylenol with codeine, so he has a hard time trying to walk. Can't crawl too well, so he is usually being held. Can't feed himself, so it is funny trying to give him food, and he just pushes it away and reaches for something else on the plate. I didn't want to post a picture because it was just to sad. He looks like he is going to go into a boxing ring at this point. So.....I have learned to NEVER EVER EVER leave an iron unattended!!!!!!!!!!!
