WEEK UPDATE

Last weekend was busy with two parties to celebrate Bree's arrival and her baptism. She surprised us all at her baptism. I had figured she would not be too happy with water being poured onto her head, however, since I had been washing her hair that way since she has been casted, she thought this was hysterical. She then proceeded to dip her own hands into the baptismal font and baptize her father and sisters! Father and all in attendance were cracking up laughing.

Last night we took Bree's second casts off and had her ortho appointment. Despite us thinking her feet looked so much better, in actuality, her rigidity was not that much improved. After consulting with his partner, her doctor decided that we should proceed to surgery sooner than later. While we are disappointed, we know this will only get her walking sooner. Originally, we had hoped she would only have to have the soft tissue surgery as opposed to the boney surgery (talectomy). Both doctors agreed that the talectomy would be the more beneficial surgery and with the soft tissue surgery, there are many recurrences that end up requiring the talectomy at some point in the future. We requested that both feet be done at the same time to get it over with. This will be possible, but the first time they can do this is November 20th! So, no casting for the next 5 weeks and then we will resume casts for three weeks prior to the surgery in order to stretch her tissues back out again. They assured us that the cast we had done already were not a waste as her right knee responded extremely well. Bree of course was loving life last night with no casts on-she was so excited. She actually slept all night without a peep in her crib! It is just going to pain us to have to resume them in 5 weeks! But, maybe by then she will understand and speak English better and we can communicate better with her.

Bree has also had a few playdates since being home. She truly enjoys being around other children. She is so good at sharing. It is so much fun to watch her play with "new" toys and discover what they do. She wasn't so sure about play doh, but eventually got comfortable with the feel of it.

THE POWER OF PRAYER

Today we all woke up at the crack of dawn-girls got ready for school and Bree and I worked on cast removal. Boy did she enjoy soaking her legs in warm water after they were removed. On to school we went and then to see our favorite orthopod-Dr. Buerk. Amazingly, no PTSD from entering his office! Of course, this time we had valium and motrin on board ahead of time. Bree did so good-she only cried when he went to mold the new casts. Dr. Buerk was very happy with her left foot correction and right knee but said her right foot was going to be harder to manipulate with the casts. Bottom line: may end up doing the soft tissue surgery sooner as opposed to later if the casting isn't going to remold that foot. Regardless, she has to have at least 3-4 sets of casts to stretch her soft tissues, skin etc. He also said there would not be any need to do surgery on her knee. Bree's spirts following this casting have been incredibly better-she has played, napped and pretty much acted normal. We have casted out and refused any pain and accept only healing in the name of our Lord. Psalm 107:20
We have a busy weekend ahead of us. Saturday all of my awesome partners and staff (friends!!) at work are having a party to welcome Bree. Sunday is her baptism with another party being hosted by our Gesu friends (family!!). Doug and I cannot express the gratitude, blessings, love, care and concern we have for all of you out there who have supported us and prayed for and with us. God Bless
Tracy p.s. pictures when I can wifi with my laptop again!

THE OLD BREE IS BACK

Maybe it's the meds, maybe she is getting used to the casts or likely the Lord is just answering our prayers....but we are seeing Bree's wonderful personality once again. My pleas to Him even became selfish...Lord I just turned 40 and I need sleep and I don't need anymore grey hair! Her sleep is improving and she has woken up happy two days in a row. Yesterday, Bree and I made our first shopping outing. Couldn't get her into the cart the traditional way, but she sat sideways up in the front and did wonderful. She is learning so much from her sisters...we have no doubt she will know all the words to High School Musical soon enough-even using a flashlight as a microphone! Thank you to all for your encouraging words and Love. This thursday we get a new set of casts.....

BRIGHTER SKIES ARE WITH US

We are day three with casts and we are all learning to deal with them. After hours of crying on Friday I called the ortho office where the nurse exclaimed "I told him he should have given you Valium for her"! So off to the pharmacy we went and things are somewhat more bearable with Valium on board. Sleep came a bit more easier to us last night, but we were still up every 1.5-2 hours. Currently, we are at Panera so I can wifi and the girls are enjoying their muffin tops. Lying low for the rest of the day. Tomorrow is church and then we are going to watch our local Christian Band "Sanctus Real" play a benefit concert for Extreme Makeover Home Edition, which is in town this wknd for a local family. We are praying that every day Bree's pain improves and her vibrant personality returns.

FIRST STEP TOWARDS WALKING

The last 24 hrs have been challenging. We saw Dr. Buerk yesterday and received all in all good news regarding Bree's feet and right knee. Her xrays were great of her spine and hips and he really was encouraging about getting her to walk soon. We began a casting program (called the Ponsetti method) to help strengthen her tissues, muscles, etc. and which will slowly correct her positional deformity. Unfortunately for Bree her legs and feet are now in soft casts in a position they have never been in before and she is very uncomfortable. She slept very poorly and her spirit has been zapped. It is very heartwrenching. She cries all the time and its hard to know if it is due to pain or she is just mad and exhausted. We have her on pain meds-but don't really know if they are doing much. We will go for weekly cast changes for at least 4-6 wks. Then the decision will be made as to what kind of surgery she will need. Please pray for us during this difficult time. We know we have to do this to get her to walk-but it is very draining.

LIFE WITH BREE

OK- I know I am getting a bad rap for no pictures-but all you spoiled people out there with wifi have no idea how long it takes on dial-up to load them! Soon, soon-I promise. Things have been going great. Bree is sleeping 12 hrs straight. She is picking up on so much daily. Had her medical with the pediatrician-all labs look great thus far. She returns in two weeks for her first round of immunizations. Her appt. with the ped. ortho doc is today. We will find out what is in store for her and us with her feet. She has become much more tolerable of Daddy-I think she has watched him play with Brynn and Brooke and has come to realize "hey, this guy is kind of fun". She is doing very well with Mema which is a blessing since she will be watching her. Saige still spooks her, but she has stopped immediately screaming when she sees her now and instead says "mama, dada....puppy!" as if to warn us that Saige is nearing her. Pray for a positive outcome at our appt. today.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Today is Sunday and I think we are slowly assimilating back to a normal life. Our flights were uneventful, Bree managed to sleepa bit on the longer flight. We arrived in Detroit right on time and what a blessing it was to hear the immigration official state "I have just stamped your daughters passport and she is now an American citizen"!!!! Praise God in the Highest. We flew through customs and through automatic doors to see Brynn and Brooke (with A. Paulette and U. Scott) waiting patiently for us. It was very emotional for me and I tear up just thinking of the moment. Bree immediately went to her sisters and let them hold her. She was full of smiles and actually was screeching in Chinese most of the way home in the van! Since being home she and I definitely have our days and nights mixed up-praying this turns around soon. She is very attached to her sisters, especially Brynn. She calls her "mama" and now me "ma maaaaaaaaaaaa"! Both girls have been so incredibly helpful. We actually have to tell them not to pick her up so much. I am sure some of this will wear off. I fear Bree will be lost without them once they return to school and she is stuck with Doug and I again. She is a bit fearful of Saige, especially if Saige tries to touch her. She was an angel in church today. At the end of Mass while Father was readying to give announcements, she became a bit loud. Father stated that "Bree was excited to be here today" and welcomed us back from China with her. Well, all for now. I will post pictures soon. Thank you for all your wonderful comments