Stop the ride--I'd like to get off for a minute!

Things here with ABC have been extra busy it seems. I can't believe how much time has passed since I last posted. Time is flying like crazy for us.

Each of the kiddos had been fighting a cold. Brock showed me that he can't take Sudafed as it caused him to have seizures. :( He does respond fairly well to the Sudacare vaporless plug-ins, and with Vicks and Emergen-C, he recovered without any serious illness.

Avery and Cora however, were battling the sniffles for what seemed like an eternity. When they each failed their Impedance Screening (hearing test) at school, I scheduled an appointment with the ENT. Tuesday, November 9th, the doctor found Cora to have fluid on both ears and Avery's left eardrum was sucked in--virtually not functioning. Major bummer. Bilateral ear tubes are in their future. This will be their THIRD set of tubes!!!!!! So, as to prevent a possible need for a fourth set in their future, they will also be getting tonsils and adenoids removed! Oh my goodness. They need the tubes ASAP due to hearing issues, so I have to think that getting all the procedures done in one surgery for each girl is best. They know about getting ear tubes but have know clue about the tonsils/adenoids. It is on a "need to know basis" at this point. As far as I am concerned they do not need to dread some unknown surgery. Tuesday, November 23rd, they will get a hearing test as a baseline measurement. Also, they will get a pre-op check-up which includes a blood test. If you hear some screaming that Tuesday, you will know it is my girls. I have a feeling Cora will have to be restrained to have anything done. Today completes a 10 day course of antibiotics for each. Avery still seems to have a bad cough, but both girls have improved since starting Keflex. The procedures have been scheduled for December 9th. I am to have the girls at the hospital (Galesburg) by 6am. I am dreading each and every second.

OK, so that was one appointment that week.

The following day, Nov. 10th, I drove Brock to Peoria for a followup hip x-ray. It was a long drive with lots of waiting, but he received good results so that is all that mattered. Brock's hips are healing nicely and he was given permission to proceed with more physical therapy and was cleared to use a gait trainer. I told the Ortho surgeon that he better never send future surgery candidates to me for advice or opinions on such a hip surgery. No one can really prepare you for what to expect regarding recovery from such a procedure. It is no fun. I told the surgeon he just knows how to "cut and run", he should spend a day in the life to get the full experience. He laughed and had to offer some optimism, reminding me that Brock didn't have the full body spica cast. I guess there is always a silver lining..........


Brock continues to tolerate his stander......

Yet another trip to Peoria the following day-- This time was for Cora. Avery tagged along as the girls' school was out for Veteran's day, but Brock was in attendance. Cora had to go to the dentist to get 2 baby teeth pulled. Her adult teeth on the bottom were coming in way behind the baby teeth and even though the baby teeth were loose, they showed no signs of coming out anytime soon. Cora had dread with anticipation and I kept telling her if she pulled them herself we wouldn't have to go to the dentist. No such luck. When Cora was finally called back to the dentist she completely flipped out! Crying, yelling, grabbing onto me, etc...... It was over and done with in no time and she said it didn't even hurt! I wish I could say the same thing. It hurt me to get the bill.


Here is Cora proudly showing her tooth necklace she receive at school.

Saturday of that week actually brought something fun. We went to a Shriner's circus in Springfield. One of Jason's friends is a Shriner and he invited us. Brock enjoyed all the lights, music, and excitement. Avery and Cora enjoyed themselves too, with their highlights being the trapeze acrobats and the fact they rode an ELEPHANT! The only downside to the trip was me driving separately so Jason could go on to an Illini basketball game that evening. It was a long
day.

Fun at the Circus....

My next week started off with yet another trip to Peoria. Brock had a visit scheduled with his new Epileptologist. She is great. I had to tell her that Brock is way too sensitive to everything. If something has a potential side effect, Brock will usually have it. I told her about the Sudafed causing him seizures. (Something I knew could potentially lower a person's threshold, but didn't remember it in Brock when given it previously. Sudafed in my opinion is awesome for clearing sinuses!) Also, Melatonin caused him to have seizures! Brock's nightly sleeping habits are not the best. Apparently, he doesn't like to sleep as much as I do.... Anyway, melatonin was suggested at our last neuro appointment and I kept forgetting to purchase it. I should have forgotten it all together because it was useless. The first night taking it, Brock didn't sleep any better. The 2nd night, no improvement with sleep and the following day he had a seizure. I continued 2 more days until he ended up having 3 seizures in one day and it dawned on me that Melatonin was the culprit. Once the Melatonin stopped, so did his seizures. I had to Google to see if seizures were a side effect of Melatonin....sure enough...."there is potential" for that side effect. The doctor apologized for suggesting it, but said most patients don't respond that way to Melatonin and it was rare for it to cause seizures. I just said my Brock is 'rare.' :) He has never been one to follow the rules!

All this running is on top of dealing with our house torn up for renovation. This process is taking FOREVER. One excuse after another, from the contractor, it feels like. (However, I don't recommend ever renovating an old house.) Things are finally moving in the right direction, but I don't foresee us using this addition anytime soon. We actually have changed plans and will only complete 1 portion of this project due to time constraints. I need Brock and us to have our bedroom and bath on the ground level, ASAP. The boy is not getting any lighter and I am not getting any younger.

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Even harder to believe that Avery and Cora's coming home days soon follow. I am always amazed at the time they spent in NICU after their September birthday......

My next big undertaking is triplet Christmas card pictures. Cross your fingers for some GREAT SMILES! :)