Daddy Update

Jennifer asked me to write this post since I know a little more about it. First, my Dad made it through surgery and the surgeon said everything went very well. He went back for surgery around 12:30 and was out around 2:30. He finally got to his room around 5:15-5:30. He was very alert and happy that the first part was over with. He'll stay overnight and get discharged sometime tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Many asked what exactly was wrong. The name of the condition he had is called cervical stenosis. Cervical stenosis is when your vertebrae degenerate over the years and develop bone spurs. Sometimes, the bone spurs can constrict the spinal cord that the vertabrae protects. This pressure causes many problems and can be different for different people. Daddy had begun to lose some range of motion in his arms, but the most serious problem began months ago when his legs began causing problems and he could not get his balance very well. The doctors located his problem in his neck, but Daddy put it off for as long as possible. The past couple of weeks, he went downhill very fast. Yesterday, he could only walk using a walker and that was very painful.

To alleviate the spinal pressure (and hopefully return everything to normal), the procedure is called a cervical corpectomy and strut graft. The surgeon goes in through the front of the neck and gets to the problematic vertebrae. He then inserts a small pin between two discs and takes an xray to make sure he's got the right vertebrae. Slight extension is placed on the head to separate the vertebrae and the doctor then carefully removes the problematic ones exposing the spinal cord. In Daddy's case, he had 3 trouble-makers (I want to say C2, C3, and C4 - Daddy had C2 and C3 fused together nearly 40 years ago). A cadavar bone is then placed in the vacated area (bone can be taken from your leg or your pelvic bone, but that is about as painful as the surgery itself). A steel plate is then placed over and attached to the cadavar bone as well as the vertebra above and below to secure the new bone and stabilize everything. Here's an illustration:

Nobody's been able to give me a very good indication on recovery time. I know he'll have to wear a neck brace for at least 4-6 weeks. At some point, he'll get fitted with a smaller brace, but I'm not sure if that is during the 4-6 weeks or afterwards.

The doctor did indicate that Daddy also had some other vertebrae constricting lower down his spine (called lumbar stenosis), but the most serious problem was in his neck. At some point in the future, he'll have to have this procedure done again in his back. However, that surgery is supposed to be much easier with a quicker recovery time.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and prayers!

Prayer Request

My father-in-law and Austin's Grandpa Harris is having major surgery tomorrow afternoon to correct a nerve problem in his spine that has rendered him almost completely immobile. It is a dangerous and complicated surgery, but necessary to keep him from being confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Please pray that he makes it through surgery OK and is up and moving around again shortly. As soon as we are home from the hospital tomorrow afternoon, I will post to let everyone know how things went.


"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Matthew 21:22

Sitting up, falling down

I've been working with Austin lately trying to get him to sit up by himself. He can go for a few seconds unassisted, but as soon as he sees something interesting and gets excited or turns his head, he's down for the count. Everyday he seems to be getting better and better at it though, and I think he'll have the hang of it in no time.

Beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Today was so gorgeous that we just couldn't resist getting outside!! We ran some errands in the early afternoon and then took a nice walk around the neighborhood pond, fed the ducks and played on the playground. We all loved being outside enjoying the warm weather and really hope it sticks around for good!

When Austin got up from his afternoon nap we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Harris' for pizza. Austin was such a happy baby and giggled for his grandparents like we'd never heard him giggle before! A baby's laugh has to be the sweetest sound you can ever hear. I hope I can get a good video to post soon!!

Taking a break...

I've decided to take a break from feeding Austin solid foods for the time being. He eats them really well and doesn't seem to mind all the new tastes, but he always seems more entertained by the bib around his neck than the food on the spoon! Not to mention, we could all do without the horrible constipation they caused him! Maybe his digestive system just isn't ready quite yet, so we'll try again at 6 months and see how it goes.

As for the constipation, a few ounces of a high fiber juice really did the trick. After 5 days of waiting I was getting desperate!! I gave him Pear juice by Gerber and he not only loved it, but it gave us results within a day. I never thought I would get so excited about a poopy diaper in my life!! A mom just likes to know that everything is working right with her little one and that he's not in any discomfort.

Look Ma, I jumped myself to sleep!

Here is an adorable video of Austin's buddy, Tyler, from the ski trip. It's just too cute and funny not to post!!!

The cutest tiger cub!

Last night was Senior night the last home game of the '08-'09 Clemson basketball season. Austin debuted his tiger outfit for the special occasion and it was a huge hit! The game was fun and since the crowd was a little light due to the weather, Austin didn't have to wear his annoying headphones!

Snow Day!

We loved playing in the 5 inches of white stuff! Yay for Austin's first snow! Too bad he's a little too young to enjoy it...all he knew was that it was cold and he had to be all bundled up to go outside (which he hates). He did enjoy watching Lucy run around and and watching daddy build the snowman, however. Ryan enjoyed the snowball fight he had with the neighbors and can't wait until Austin is old enough to throw snowballs at! :)

I want some!

Last night I was holding Austin in my lap while uploading pictures on the computer. I had a glass of tea in my hand and Austin spotted it and made his move. Before I knew it, I had a baby on my glass and he was trying his hardest to get a sip! It was so cute that I almost wanted to give him a sip for all his efforts!

Sleepover at the Grandparents!

This weekend Ryan and I took Austin down to Columbia to see Grandma and Grandpa Banks and spend the night! We left Saturday and spent a nice quiet afternoon with the whole family! Catherine and Nick were there and Aunt Geraldine and Uncle Carroll came for a visit as well as a my mom's former co-worker, Lynn and our neighbor Mrs. Dobbins. Austin enjoyed all of his visitors and then zonked out around 9pm. The rest of us stayed up for game night and enjoyed a crazy game of...Phase 10!

The next morning, Grandma Banks made us a great breakfast and we all just hung out around the house since the weather was cold and rainy. We heard the snow was starting to fall in Greenville and finally said goodbye around 5pm before the weather got too bad for us to drive in. The snow started falling when we got between Chapin and Newberry and only fell harder as we made our way home! Austin napped the whole way home while Ryan drove extra carefully and I watched the gorgeous snow fall.

Peek-a-boo!

Yesterday while Austin was down for his morning nap, I decided to go take a quick shower while I had the chance. I didn't hear a peep the entire time I was in the bathroom, but when I walked into the bedroom I saw a little baby face peering over the side of the crib at me!! This was his way of telling me he was awake and ready to get up!

I thought it was so cute so I ran to get the camera. He's such a patient little guy, isn't he!? :)

A visit from the cub

Look who came to visit us at the Clemson basketball game last night! Austin didn't seem so sure about being handed over to a big fuzzy Tiger, but once he saw the Tiger cub sit on Daddy's lap, he was reassured! Go Tigers!

A tisket, a tasket...

...Austin's in the laundry basket!!

I now pronounce you...

Jumpy Jumperoo!