Shnaider's Surgery

Carla (Shnaider's host mom) and I left with Jonas and Shnaider at 4am from Fort Wayne to make it to St. Vincent's by 6am.  The boys did great, and Shnaider did awesome before surgery; even though he had not eaten since 8pm the night before.  I got to meet Dr. Young, Shnaider's Neurosurgeon, and he is fabulous.  He was so nice, and explained everything really well, and even thanked us for giving him the opportunity to operate on Shnaider!  

WE ALL LOVE DR. YOUNG!!!!!!!!!!  Shnaider was taken back promptly at 8am, and the surgery was over around 1pm.  Shnaider did great, and all of the reconstruction went well.  They had to take a portion of his skull, on the right, back side; to use to reconstruct the missing skull in the front.  The portion of the skull that he removed should grow in over time.  If it hasn't grown back together by the time he is 4 or 5; we will bring him back to have a plate put on that portion of his skull.  The skin was still pulsing after everything was closed up, so Dr. Young put a pressure bandage on his forhead, and wrapped his entire head, and he will have to wear it for a couple more days.  This should eliminate any further pulsing.  They have kept him on a lot of pain meds., so he he is sleeping a lot.  He gets mad when the nurses mess with him, but then he goes back to sleep when they are done.  Carla has been a trooper!!!!!!  This is the first time she has ever had to deal with a sick child, and she is doing great!  This is a pretty intense surgery to start with! :-) (Thanks Carla!  You have been an awesome host mom!!!!!!!!)

We were worned that there would be a lot of swelling, and they were right!!!!!!!  They said the worst would be 48 hrs. post op, and that is today.  By tonight, the swelling should start to go down.  This is very scary for the patient, because their eyes swell shut, and they cannot see for a couple days.  His swelling is the worst they have seen in a while!  His eyes are swelled shut, and his eyelids are turning inside out.  An Opthalmologist came in to look at his eyes, and they are fine. The nurses are putting ointment on the lids to keep them moist.

All in all, he is doing great for what he has gone through these past couple days!  He has gotten all of his IV's removed, except for one in his foot.  He is off oxygen, and they are just waiting for the swelling to go down!  The doctors expect him to be able to go back to Fort Wayne Tuesday or Wednesday, and then be able to return to his family in Haiti the end of June!  I would love to be there when his mom sees him again for the first time!!!!!!!  He has grown so much in the time that he has been here, and he has the BEST PERSONALITY!

I want to say a personal "thank you" to all of the wonderful nurses and doctors that have cared for Shnaider!!!!!!!!!  He has had the BEST care!  Also, a HUGE "thank you" to St. Vincent's hospital, in Indianapolis, for donating the surgery and all of the expenses surrounding Shnaider's care!  

WE LOVE YOU ST. V'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a photo documentary from pre-op, to 24 hrs. post surgery:

                                                          (Waiting patiently for surgery)



                                                      (Carla (host mom) and Shnaider)

                                                            (Dr. Young and Shnaider)

                                                                  (One hour post-op)


                                                      (Look at his BEAUTIFUL nose)

                                                                      (24 hours post-op)




                                                                  (Poor guy!!!!!!!!!!)

- SHNAIDER UPDATE -

just wanted to post for both rebekah & myself, that although shnaider had his surgery date set for June 3, we received a call today that it's been moved up [due to a cancellation of another patient] & he's having his surgery tomorrow - please pray with us that it all goes smoothly & without a hitch - we'll update the minute we hear anything, but it's sort of been thrown on us quickly/all of a sudden - thanks ahead of time for the prayers!!

This is way more fun than a Tap-Tap...

Here are some new pics of Shnaider. He and his host dad, Ben, are rolling out their yard. Oh, the simple joys of childhood. We should be hearing from Riley Children's Hospital this week, to let us know when Shnaider's appointment will be with the Neurologist and team of Plastic surgeons. Please keep Shnaider in your prayers!

Widline and her new do...

Widline is still doing great. She is starting to reach some milestones; like reaching out to play with toys, getting tummy time, and trying to role over. She also loves to share her thoughts and opinions with everyone in her own baby language! Thanks Kate, Jeremy, and the boys, for taking such good care of Widline, and loving her to pieces! Here are some new pics, and her new hairdo.

12 days and 2 lbs...

That's right, Shnaider has only been here 12 days, and he has already gained 2 lbs.  It is amazing how fast a child can put on weight when they have a chance to eat whenever they want!  His 2 favorite foods right now:  scrambled eggs and french fries with ketchup.  He has always liked rice too, obviously, except the other night he pushed it away and wanted more spaghetti.  (uh oh) :-)  This little boy can out eat any adult!  You will be able to see the 2 lbs in his new pictures, even the start of a double chin! (yeah)  Here is a little note from his host mom too.

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Just wanted to give an update on Shnaider. We had his MRI today and met with the surgeon here in Ft. Wayne. After looking at the MRI results the surgeon decided he wasn't comfortable doing the surgery here at Lutheran hospital. He referred us to Riley Children's hospital in Indianapolis. We were disappointed that he was unable to do it. Now we have to meet with another surgeon at Riley to see what he thinks. Also we will have to talk with Riley hospital to see if they will cover his surgery and stay at no cost. While we are frustrated that it cannot be done here, we are hopeful that Riley will take the case and help Shnaider so he can get back home to his family. Continue to keep us in your prayers as we now have to make 2 hour trips down to Riley. I am a little concerned about scheduling as Ben works and I am usually home with the boys. Ben may be taking some FMLA!!!!
Shnaider has adjusted very well the past week. He is starting to sleep better at night. He is very happy during the day. (as you can see from the pictures below!!) The boys adore him and Shnaider lights up every time he sees them. He is enjoying American food and has gained 2 pounds!!

New pics of Widline...

Here are some pics that Kate, Widline's host mom, sent to us today. Doesn't she look amazing!!! Thank you to Nationwide Children's Hospital, for donating all of Widline's care. You are making a difference in the lives of children who had no hope.

Shnaider's first couple days...

Shnaider is adjusting well for his first couple days in the US.  He seemed a bit shell-shocked at first, but what do you expect!  Things that Shnaider loves:  FOOD, TOY CARS, BATHS, BEING HELD, AND HIS HOST BROTHERS!  It is interesting experiencing the US through his eyes.  A lot of things he is not too sure of, but he is amazingly easy going!  The Truesdale's are enjoying having him at their house!  The oldest boy, Carson, can make Shnaider giggle so much!  It is so cute watching the boys play together!  Kids are so resilient...

Update on Shnaider...

Shnaider is on his way from Miami to Indianapolis today. Lori and I were going to pick Shnaider and Barbara Walker up from the airport at 2:30. She was not picked up on time from her hotel in Miami, so she and Snaider missed their original flight. They are routing her through Chicago, and will arrive in Indy at 8:30 tonight! Even in the states, nothing goes as planned! :-) Shnaider has his MRI and initial appointment with the Neurologist on April 10. I will post more when I know the results from the tests. I get to keep Snaider at our house for 2 days, until his host family gets back from vacation in Pennsylvania. I might not be able to give him up! lol...

He seems to be adjusting to all of the different changes very well! He has been a great traveler over the past couple days! As long as he has some crackers to munch on, he has been perfect! Pray for his family back in Haiti, that they have peace during their seperation! I can not even imagine having to send one of my children to another country without me, to save their life! This shows you how much love these families have for their children! Pray also for Shnaider, he is 17 months old, and is reallly going to miss his mommy and daddy!

I will post more when I know more.

Update on Widline...

Widline had her surgery yesterday, and is doing well recovering at Nationwide Children's Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. Doctor King did not have to do a colostomy bag on her, and was able to do the initial rectal pull-through. They are taking her off morphine this afternoon, and trying her on Tylenol with codine. She has even taken a bottle of pediatlyte today. She will probably be in the hospital until early next week. Little Miss Widline has all of the doctors and nurses wrapped around her little finger with her beautiful smile. Please pray for continued healing for her! Also pray for Kate and Jeremy, Widline's host parents, as they are away from their 4 boys; while Widline recovers in the hospital.

Little Miss Widline Pierre...

Widline is doing great with her host family.  She is gaining weight slowly.  Next week, her host family will be taking her to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  She will have her pre-op appointment Tuesday, April 1st, and her 1st surgery is scheduled for Friday, April 4th.  I will post an update on her after her appointment on Tuesday.