Sarah's Surgery

We are HOME!  She did so great!  I can't believe we made it home so quickly!

 Just arrived

 Surgery Hair

 Time for bed.  Telling Daddy good night.

 The elevator

I

 In the holding area

 Waiting while Sarah is in surgery

 Resting

 resting

 Pastor Justin stopped by

 Awake again

 What a surprise on the rooftop of the hospital.

 Santa arrived in this helicopter.

This is the giant tree in the atrium.  Right after this, we had lunch and then headed back home.

Off To The Hospital

Tomorrow morning, Sarah and I will leave for the hospital.  She will be having surgery on Tuesday to trim the bones in her leg. 
She has grown so much that there is no room left, and it has caused her much pain and discomfort.

Please keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery, so she can get back to doing what she does best; dancing and soccer and gymnastics and having a great time. :)

I will hopefully be able to post from the hospital.  If not, I'll get Daddy or Erika to do a guest post. :)

New Legs

 Yesterday Sarah finished her appointments for a new leg.  She brought it home and likes it very much.  Erika's legs are still a work in progress.  We have had double appointments for the last few months trying to solve problems with fitting....
Staying in a small room for what seems like an eternity can make one rather.... well.... SILLY. :)

 The Great Leg Mix up. :)

Sarah thinks her leg looks rather large!

 Trying it out!

 I think she likes it!

And into the elevator to go home!
Erika will have 2 more appointments before delivery. They sent her home with unfinished legs so she can take notes on problem areas .We go back September  6 and turn them in, and then..... this LONG ordeal will be over. Until next time. :)

Jumping and Overcoming

I took the girls to Gymnastics free play yesterday.  It is usually a smaller group for the home school association, but being summer, it was MUCH larger.  In fact, there were about 50 children participating.  When we walked in I heard Sarah groan.... "Oh great, I'm going to get asked a bunch of questions."   I just hurt for her sometimes. 
Alli offered, "I'll take care of them!"  Um. No Alli, that won't be necessary. LOL 

There were a few of those "mean girl" types gawking with mouths hanging open like Sarah was some sort of freak of nature.  She politely asked them to stop staring when it got out of hand.
That daycare group left and then things were much better for her.... On the way home, Sarah said, "Mom, did you know that there is something wrong with every single one of my limbs?"  "EVERY ONE!"   We all got a bit of a chuckle out of that. :)

Yes, Sarah, but look at all you do!  She has been on crutches for a last few weeks off and on due to pain issues.  She stayed on crutches for a couple of days before the gynmastics event so she could jump.  And boy can she jump! :)

I sure do wish some of these children's parents would teach them about differences.  Honestly, to open your mouth and say OMG is so far out of line, I don't know how to express it..... it is off the chart inappropriate, but we see it ALL THE TIME!  
Sarah is a sweet girl. She is kind and funny and talented.  I HATE it that she has to go through such scrutiny.  I LOVE IT that she NEVER gives up! :) That's my girl!

On Being Different

We have been going to gymnastics for a full school year with our home school group.  I remember the first time we were going, Sarah was nervous because she didn't want to answer questions about why her leg is missing, what happened, why her fingers are missing.  She would LOVE to just go and be part of the group!  After the first session, that was how it was all year.
But school has let out, and now the monthly free play is open to all.  We knew there would be a lot more kids there, and on the way, she started to get nervous.   "Oh mom, I'm not sure I want to go!"
"But Sarah, you LOVE gymnastics!" 
"I know, but there will be new kids and they will ask me questions!"
"So, what are you going to tell them?"
"I could tell them a shark bit my leg off!"  Alli was dying laughing.
"Or you could tell them be careful fishing in the lake!"  :)
"Or I could tell them I was just born this way!" 
"Yes, that would be good!"
"But then they will ask why and keep asking and I won't be able to just play!"
"So what will you do after you answer a question and somebody won't leave you alone?"
"Get mad?"
"Will that help?"
"No...."
"I'll tell them I answered, and now I want to play."
"That sounds great to me, although I like the alligator idea!"
:)
And then, she bravely went in and faced about 25 kids. 
And were there stares?   Yes.
Were there questions?    Yes.
Did she tell the alligator story?  No.
She said, "I was born without a leg and fingers."
Did somebody pester her to death?
Yes.
Did she handle it well?
VERY WELL.
"I've answered your question, now I want to play."
And she did.
By the end of the session, she was having a wonderful time.

I never dreamed of the conversations I would have to have with my children.
They are so brave. :)  And I am so glad they have each other!

Sarah's Dr. Visit

Sarah and I headed to Scottish Rite this a.m. EARLY. :)   

She had a great visit with the team of doctors and therapists.
One thing she has been concerned about, is that her left leg thigh muscle is not as developed as her right leg.  She wants it to get stronger.
So the Doctor called in P.T. and they gave her some exercises to do for the next 3 months.

 She was also accepted into a research study on how amputees walk. :)  The goal is to map on a computer gait so that they can develop better ways to help kids walk well.  Sarah does not have a limp and she is a great candidate because she walks so well.  

We were sent downstairs to Orthotics and Prosthetics so they could add about 1 1/2 cm to her leg because she is getting TALLER! :)     She is also thinking about a "high heel" foot. She is, after all going to be 13 in June. :)   They told her to pick out some high heels and the height she will want, and then we will work on it. :) 
I have a very excited little girl. :)

We Are Back From Camp

We had a wonderful time!  Everybody was able to go this year. Erika and Sarah had a great time showing the rest of the family what happens at Camp.  There was a lot of rain, so we didn't get to do some of the summer things, but they made up for it, with lots of indoor activities. :)  Erika and Brittany, together again. :)

The Cup Race.... This was a LOT of fun. :)

I loved this picture. :)  Sarah, Alli and Jackie were sitting on the couch. :)

Getting ready to swing

The famous cake contest

Anna tried to swing like Spider Man. :)
These were just a few of the highlights ......We had a great time. :)