After that we had to kill 2 hours until our pre anesthesia appointment. Then even after we got there we had to wait a few hours to be seen. Thank you God my mom came to help me out because we were all about to lose it. I have prayed countless prayers that Devin would walk but as so many people have told me, my job of wrangling him got 10 times harder. The most heartbreaking part of the day was watching my son scream so hard he could hardly breathe for 45 minutes straight. It took 3 tries with 3 different lab techs to take his blood. He has definitely been through a lot but this was one of the harder times for me to watch. We made it through again like we have so many times, it never gets easier though. Only 10 days left!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Long day in Loma Linda
Well our official pre-op is done and the surgery is still set for February 5th. We started out our day at our neurosurgeons office and completed all the paperwork, very boring stuff. As we were leaving though, Devin took off after our doctors voice straight into his office, Dr Sadanand was blown away at how well he was walking in just the short time since we saw him last. He is has so much compassion and support for us and we could not be happier with our doctor.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
He is Walking!
So we have another new advancement in Devins recovery!! He is now a walker!
About 2 weeks ago me and my mom were watching Sanjay Gupta and he was doing a piece on fish oil and how it has helped 2 different men after traumatic brain injuries. I asked our doctor if this was something we should try and he instead advised us to try coconut oil. That night I started adding a tablespoon of it with every meal and shockingly within 24 hours Devin went from walking 2 feet on his own to 20. This may like a normal advancement with age but he hasn't progressed in his walking in 6 months. Then over night he took a huge leap forward. We are so beyond blessed that we have a doctor who is not opposed to "new" or "controversial" medicine. We also thank our wonderful Lord and Savior who heals.
Lastly surgery is 2 weeks from today!!
About 2 weeks ago me and my mom were watching Sanjay Gupta and he was doing a piece on fish oil and how it has helped 2 different men after traumatic brain injuries. I asked our doctor if this was something we should try and he instead advised us to try coconut oil. That night I started adding a tablespoon of it with every meal and shockingly within 24 hours Devin went from walking 2 feet on his own to 20. This may like a normal advancement with age but he hasn't progressed in his walking in 6 months. Then over night he took a huge leap forward. We are so beyond blessed that we have a doctor who is not opposed to "new" or "controversial" medicine. We also thank our wonderful Lord and Savior who heals.
Lastly surgery is 2 weeks from today!!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Long awaited
Sorry for the lack of information I have sent out in the last few months. I love this medium for getting out the information regarding Devin and where he is at currently, but to be honest I absolutely hate writing lol. Maybe next time I will post a video of me talking instead?
Well basically since Devin's last surgery we spent quite a bit of time at home working all of his medicines all around the clock. Daunting task and I have been told by a few nurses that this is what I should do for a living... I dont know about that. All I know is that with it being my own son its easier to do it. He has now successfully been off his meds for a month, hooray!!
On this past Friday we went to see his Neurosurgeon Dr. Sadanand, as far as he is concerned everything is looking great for another surgery. If you all remember it is an exact redo of his last surgery where they put in a synthetic peace made out of PEEK. The only, and huge difference this time is they are also consulting the infectious disease department and Devin will be on antibiotics the morning of and one week after his surgery. Hopefully this will kick any possible infection in the bud. Oh and before I forget his surgery is scheduled for FEBRUARY 5th!!
Thank you all for your love, thoughts and prayers! Its not just me and Devin affected by all of this, but it also plays a HUGE toll on my parents. The anxiety in our household is at an all time high but it has to be said that with the help of my parents we are were we are.
Well basically since Devin's last surgery we spent quite a bit of time at home working all of his medicines all around the clock. Daunting task and I have been told by a few nurses that this is what I should do for a living... I dont know about that. All I know is that with it being my own son its easier to do it. He has now successfully been off his meds for a month, hooray!!
On this past Friday we went to see his Neurosurgeon Dr. Sadanand, as far as he is concerned everything is looking great for another surgery. If you all remember it is an exact redo of his last surgery where they put in a synthetic peace made out of PEEK. The only, and huge difference this time is they are also consulting the infectious disease department and Devin will be on antibiotics the morning of and one week after his surgery. Hopefully this will kick any possible infection in the bud. Oh and before I forget his surgery is scheduled for FEBRUARY 5th!!
Thank you all for your love, thoughts and prayers! Its not just me and Devin affected by all of this, but it also plays a HUGE toll on my parents. The anxiety in our household is at an all time high but it has to be said that with the help of my parents we are were we are.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The most recent...
Hello All,
We apologize for the lack of update but would like to give you all some information regarding the most recent hurdle that little Devin and Mommy Katy are facing. On October 7th, Katy had to take Devin to the ER at Loma Linda Children's Hospital for a 103.8 fever. Doctors determined that he had some form of infection and admitted him to the hospital for observation. They ran tests, took blood samples and did a cerebral spinal fluid (csf) test. The CSF test came back a cloudy orange color and it should be clear which suggested that he did indeed have an infection. They did a CT and MRI and we aren't sure what the results of those test were, but they determined that his head was definitely infected and they would have to remove the "new skull." Surgery took place on Tuesday October 9th and it was successful. They were able to remove the new skull without complication and Devin was moved to an ICU room. He currently is on antibiotics to fight the infection (we are unsure what kind of infection it is) and will go home with a PICC line again and likely be on antibiotics for 6-8 weeks. All of this is VERY similar to the last situation when they had to remove his bone flap.
Devin is doing well considering all of the challenges that he continues to face. He is truly a miracle boy and has the fight of a champion! Please continue to pray for him and his family. He remains in the hospital as of today (October 11th) and will hopefully go home in the next couple days. Once he fights the infection doctors will evaluate him and consider another surgery to replace the flap.
Thank you for your overwhelming support, words of encouragement, prayers, texts, emails and love.... we all truly couldn't get through this tragedy without the support of our prayer warriors!!
Much love and blessings to you all!
We apologize for the lack of update but would like to give you all some information regarding the most recent hurdle that little Devin and Mommy Katy are facing. On October 7th, Katy had to take Devin to the ER at Loma Linda Children's Hospital for a 103.8 fever. Doctors determined that he had some form of infection and admitted him to the hospital for observation. They ran tests, took blood samples and did a cerebral spinal fluid (csf) test. The CSF test came back a cloudy orange color and it should be clear which suggested that he did indeed have an infection. They did a CT and MRI and we aren't sure what the results of those test were, but they determined that his head was definitely infected and they would have to remove the "new skull." Surgery took place on Tuesday October 9th and it was successful. They were able to remove the new skull without complication and Devin was moved to an ICU room. He currently is on antibiotics to fight the infection (we are unsure what kind of infection it is) and will go home with a PICC line again and likely be on antibiotics for 6-8 weeks. All of this is VERY similar to the last situation when they had to remove his bone flap.
Thank you for your overwhelming support, words of encouragement, prayers, texts, emails and love.... we all truly couldn't get through this tragedy without the support of our prayer warriors!!
Much love and blessings to you all!
1 Peter 1:5-9
who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Such a trooper!
SUCCESS!!! Praise the Lord... Devin's surgery was completed around 11:00 this morning and the doctors couldn't be happier. Devin did very well throughout the whole surgery and is awake, sitting in his bed and playing with his stuffed animals. Ü
His surgery went without incident and there was no evidence of any complications. Initially due to the nature of the surgery doctors were concerned that he may suffer another stroke while removing the skin (because it had adhered to his brain) but there was NO evidence of stroke and Devin is doing all the things he was capable of doing before surgery!
His incision looks wonderful considering he has 55 stitches from the front to back of his scalp. **Please beware, if you get queasy from pictures do not scroll down** They expect that he will have severe swelling over the next few days and he will possibly have a black eye.
Doctors and nurses are monitoring him as he has been throwing up all day... poor little guy! Let's pray that the Lord would calm his tummy and help flush the anesthesia from his body so he can get on the road to recovery quickly! He will not be sent home tomorrow due to this issue, because they want to make sure there are no complications.
Please pray for rest for both Devin and Katy and that Devin will feel the Lords comfort as he recovers!
Thank you and God Bless!
His surgery went without incident and there was no evidence of any complications. Initially due to the nature of the surgery doctors were concerned that he may suffer another stroke while removing the skin (because it had adhered to his brain) but there was NO evidence of stroke and Devin is doing all the things he was capable of doing before surgery!
His incision looks wonderful considering he has 55 stitches from the front to back of his scalp. **Please beware, if you get queasy from pictures do not scroll down** They expect that he will have severe swelling over the next few days and he will possibly have a black eye.
Doctors and nurses are monitoring him as he has been throwing up all day... poor little guy! Let's pray that the Lord would calm his tummy and help flush the anesthesia from his body so he can get on the road to recovery quickly! He will not be sent home tomorrow due to this issue, because they want to make sure there are no complications.
Please pray for rest for both Devin and Katy and that Devin will feel the Lords comfort as he recovers!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Almost a year later!
Dearest family, friends and prayer warriors,
In just 3 days we will celebrate our miracle boy Devin's second birthday and the 1 year anniversary of his injuries. While we are SO blessed and beyond grateful to be able to celebrate him one year later, we face yet another situation that we would like you to pray for.
Tomorrow, September 25, 2012 Devin will head back to Loma Linda Childrens Hospital to undergo surgery for a cranioplasty. Cranioplasty is a surgical repair of a defect or deformity of the skull. Devin has been without the left portion of his skull for a few months now and the doctors will use a polyether ether ketone material which is an organic polymer thermoplastic to close the gap that is missing. Surgery is scheduled for 7-8:00am and will last between 2 to 3 hours. We will update you as soon as we have any information!
Please pray that the surgeons will be rested and use skilled hands to perform the surgery. We ask that you pray for Devin that he responds well to the surgery and for his mother Katy and his family as they anxiously await the completion of the surgery.
Thank you for your support and continued prayers and God Bless!
In just 3 days we will celebrate our miracle boy Devin's second birthday and the 1 year anniversary of his injuries. While we are SO blessed and beyond grateful to be able to celebrate him one year later, we face yet another situation that we would like you to pray for.
Tomorrow, September 25, 2012 Devin will head back to Loma Linda Childrens Hospital to undergo surgery for a cranioplasty. Cranioplasty is a surgical repair of a defect or deformity of the skull. Devin has been without the left portion of his skull for a few months now and the doctors will use a polyether ether ketone material which is an organic polymer thermoplastic to close the gap that is missing. Surgery is scheduled for 7-8:00am and will last between 2 to 3 hours. We will update you as soon as we have any information!
Please pray that the surgeons will be rested and use skilled hands to perform the surgery. We ask that you pray for Devin that he responds well to the surgery and for his mother Katy and his family as they anxiously await the completion of the surgery.
Thank you for your support and continued prayers and God Bless!
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13
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| Dr. Sadanand, Devin's Neurosurgeon, who will perform his Cranioplasty |
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Upcoming week
This website was started by some dear friends of ours to keep people informed about Devin's condition. With best intentions, Katy took over writing the blog, but it became very difficult for her to write about what she and Devin were going through. She asked me, Richard Adams,(Devin's grandfather) to do what I can to keep you in touch.
In spite of the overwhelming challenges he has faced, Devin is the happiest, most joyful and playful little guy you can possibly imagine. He is a delight to be with and he always makes our home a house of joy. He has been so brave and resilient through this whole ordeal.
But, he and Katy have some real challenges ahead. He will turn 2 years old on September 27, which is also the 1st anniversary of his injuries. He is still not walking on his own and goes to regular physical and occupational therapy sessions to work on his right leg and arm. He is being evaluated for speech problems because even though he communicates and "jabbers" constantly, he does not really form real words other than Mama, Hi, or Yeah. Also, he still has that section of his skull missing on his left side and has to wear a protective helmet. This tuesday he will be having surgery to put a plate in his head, and because his skull will continue to grow, he will have to have it replaced at times of "growth spurts", usually at 8 and 12 years old. So you can see that this is a long term issue that we face.
Your prayers for Devin (and Katy) have made a tremendous impact on his recovery. We just ask that you continue to remember and pray for them both, as we all continue to meet the challenges as they arise. We especially ask that you pray for his surgery and recovery this next week, as well as for the doctors who will be performing it. We will keep you informed as to his progress. Bless all of you for your prayers and support.
Richard Adams
In spite of the overwhelming challenges he has faced, Devin is the happiest, most joyful and playful little guy you can possibly imagine. He is a delight to be with and he always makes our home a house of joy. He has been so brave and resilient through this whole ordeal.
But, he and Katy have some real challenges ahead. He will turn 2 years old on September 27, which is also the 1st anniversary of his injuries. He is still not walking on his own and goes to regular physical and occupational therapy sessions to work on his right leg and arm. He is being evaluated for speech problems because even though he communicates and "jabbers" constantly, he does not really form real words other than Mama, Hi, or Yeah. Also, he still has that section of his skull missing on his left side and has to wear a protective helmet. This tuesday he will be having surgery to put a plate in his head, and because his skull will continue to grow, he will have to have it replaced at times of "growth spurts", usually at 8 and 12 years old. So you can see that this is a long term issue that we face.
Your prayers for Devin (and Katy) have made a tremendous impact on his recovery. We just ask that you continue to remember and pray for them both, as we all continue to meet the challenges as they arise. We especially ask that you pray for his surgery and recovery this next week, as well as for the doctors who will be performing it. We will keep you informed as to his progress. Bless all of you for your prayers and support.
Richard Adams
Most recent picture after his new haircut.
This is the closest idea we can get to what the replacement piece will look like. It will be made of Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) which is a colourless organic polymer thermoplastic used in engineering applications.
Here is an interesting website I have found that explains the substance http://www.cavendishimplants.com/cranioplasty_p.html
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