Addison 3 YEAR Follow Up

Addison just finished up with her annual surgical post op follow up visits and testing in Minnesota.  It's been three years since Dr. Chinnakotla (in the pic) gave us back our beautiful, healthy daughter.  He is an amazing man and truly skilled physician, second only to the true Great Physician, our Lord who made it all possible and looked after her through all these trying years. They say she is doing amazing and hopefully by the time she has children there will be even better options to treat this disease.

Three Month Follow Ups

Bailey and I had our three month post op appts today in Charleston.  It was a few weeks shy of three months but October is going to be busy for us.
Dr.  Morgan said we are doing amazing and can't believe we are off all pain meds.   Bailey did get a lecture by the doc and the nutritionist about her food choices,  cause mom can tell her and I don't know what I'm talking about lol.  They reiterated the importance of following a diabetic diet to protect her still fragile islet cells.  They told her once they are damaged they will never work again.  Hopefully she'll take it to heart and make smarter choices.
Thanks to nana and papa for looking after Addison for us during our quick trip down and back, not sure what we'd do without them. 
We head back to Charleston in February for six month post op visits. 
Thank you Lord for bringing us this far and for taking us through anything that may be ahead. 
Please pray for a family I've gotten to know through this disease,  they have a teenage son named Sean who is very sick with pancreatitis and is preparing to have the same surgery we did very soon.  Pray for his parents and those who will care for him during this difficult journey. Thanks

Home!!

We rolled into ole Lenoir NC about 800 last night. Thank ya Lord for home!  Have to be back in Charleston in a week for staple removal but couldn't stay away from home any longer so we'll just drive back next Wednesday.  Just want to earnestly thank each and every one of you for the kindness, love and prayers called out for me and my family.  This has been the most difficult journey for me personally, Ever. The road to recovery is still long and I'm sure curved but at least now I'm aware of the road, and the direction, from what I've been told I wasn't aware of many things for quite a few days.  The Lord is Good in all things; easy and tough, good and bad, happy and sad, mountain and valley. With love and deepest gratitude, April

Day 8 post op

Well I've got all of my girls back under the same roof! April was discharged from the hospital a little after lunch time yesterday and is doing really well. She still has some pain but is mainly complaining of "tightness" in her stomach from surgery. She still has her staples in until next Wednesday so it hurts for her to travel far so it might be after her follow up appointment until we can come home. Bailey is still doing really well. My biggest challenge now is getting all of them to follow a diabetic diet! Keep the prayers going. We're going to try and get out and walk some today. Pray for strength and minimal pain for April. Missing home!

Day 7 getting out!

Another good day yesterday...April got her drain out and we walked a lot yesterday...She's getting better every day. She is so strong and so brave it's hard for me to convince her to slow down now. Had to say goodbye to her sisters yesterday along with my sister and my niece Megan but we'll be back home soon! Wanted to also say good luck to my sister in law Caroline as she leaves for Africa on a medical mission trip today. We love you and are praying for you Caroline! Praying for you too Jon while you're home with the kids by yourself! Drs said we're getting out of the hospital today but we're going to stay in Charleston until April can get her staples out so she can travel comfortably. Please keep the prayers going. GOD is so good!

Day 6 post op

Well yesterday was another busy day. April got her catheter, epidural and central line out. She is taking all meds by mouth. We walked several laps throughout the ward and had some visitors! My uncle Neal and Aunt Cheryl stopped in for a visit and took my mom and dad out for a much needed lunch break. Eric, Julie, and Delaney Parsons with Jenna Pittman snuck in for a nice surprise visit on their way back from Florida. Rebekah and Megan are here and tucker showed up Friday to brighten Baileys day along with his parents Ricky and Debbie Beane. Whew! April and I really appreciate our friends and family...y'all will never know what your thoughts and prayers mean to us. Today we're working towards getting her drainage line out and get out of this hospital! Please keep the prayers going...April is still in pain and her potassium is a little low. Bailey is doing well but still adjusting to real foods. They're making her sick every time she eats. Missing home!

Day 5...getting better

Well yesterday came with a lot of developments. April was on a trial drug for inflammation that was causing a lot of confusion and drowsiness. We requested they stop the trial study and within 45 minutes she started to improve. They were able to get her off of the pain pump and get her onto oral pain medication every 4 hours. We also got into a regular room and walked a little bit around the room. The surgical team just came in and said they're going to stop her iv fluids and take out her epidural and catheter. They also told her she can eat solid foods today and take a shower. Praise JESUS!  She's still in a lot of pain so please keep praying. All of you that know April know how she is so I expect to do a lot of walking today once she's disconnected from everything and more mobile..i may not be able to keep up! We love all of you and really appreciate your prayers!