JACKSON'S MELLON

Jackson's back surgery

2010-04-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

These next few blogs are out of order because I cut and pasted from our family blog. `

2010-04-16T06:46:00.000-07:00

2010-04-16T06:45:00.001-07:00

So we had our appointment with Jackson's neurosurgeon today. He said that Jackson does have a tethered spinal cord, however it's not severe. That does not mean that he doesn't need surgery. Jackson will need surgery within the next two or three months. He let us know that Jackson will be in surgery for two hours and then be in the hospital for two days after surgery. He'll have a two to three inch scar on his back. I'm so relieved to finally know what's going on with him. We feel so blessed that it's not as bad as it could be and that our crazy pedi (who turns out is a genius) found it so early. Jackson will gain all his bladder control and bowel control back pretty quickly and will not have to worry about this happening again or losing control and function of his legs.

His doctor said that the fluid in his spine would more than likely go away or stay the same once he has surgery so it should NOT be a problem.

We will still need to see a urologist about his kidney being abnormal in shape and size but I'm not too worried about that. (He has two and only needs one, right?)

For those of you who don't know, he will probably need some cosmetic surgery in the next few years on his head and face and has a deveated septum which will probably need surgery also (i don't know when)

Next week Jackson will have two root canals done. I'm beginning to think that his pedi was right and that Jackson's LITTLE body just didn't form all the way in my belly.

Thank you for all your fasting and prayers. We feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.

2010-04-16T06:44:00.001-07:00

Today is Jackson's Pre-op. I'm going to meet with his surgeon and see if Jackson's still on for tomorrow's surgery. I'm a little concerned, because he had a sinus infection that we're not sure is gone or not. He's been through two rounds of anti-biotics, but his pedi can't tell if it's gone or not. The only way we knew he had one is because it showed up on his MRI. I'll see what the doctor says.

2010-04-16T06:43:00.002-07:00

The doctor said everything went well. He fixed the problem with his spinal cord and he should be back to normal in a week. Just no trampoline for four weeks:( That will be hard to enforce.

Makayla and Isaac went to visit Jackson last night and Bella and Jessica came and visited yesterday during the day.

Jackson had to lay flat for 24 hours. That was the most difficult part of the after surgery experience. He was so mad at me mostly for making him lay flat. He took a few good swipes and kicks at me. Of course mom gets all the anger and all the loves.

I'll let Jeremy blog everything. He does such a great job at telling the stories of our family. He's able to add detail and interest where I'm just trying to spell everything correctly and use as few words as possible.

2010-04-16T06:43:00.001-07:00

O.K.

Jeremy mentioned that I should go ahead and write a little about my experiences at the hospital.

Jeremy and I were both able to be at the hospital when Jackson went into surgery and when he came out. We weren't sure we'd both be there until they moved his surgery back a few hours. (Isaac also got a fever the night before, Jessica watched him for us because we couldn't send him to school and we both really wanted to be there. I felt really bad leaving Jessica with our sick kid, but it really meant a lot to us) I was so glad to have Jeremy there. While Jackson was coming out of anesthesia, he totally freaked out. Well he was doing fine- until he saw me and then he went crazy. It was really scary because they wouldn't let him be held, sit up or anything. So comforting him was a lot harder than his other surgeries. After Jeremy and I held him down and the nurses pumped him full of meds, I layed down with him and half-held him as much as I could. The next few hours were hard because he wanted to be held and we couldn't. He kept trying to rip his IV's and cords out. He also kept yelling to go home and yelling at everyone not to touch him.

Jeremy went home to get the kids to bed and see them off to school the next morning while I stayed the night with Jackson. I was so afraid for Jeremy to leave me alone. I layed in bed with him most of the night to keep him laying down and stop him from ripping anything out. It was a long hard night, but the next morning everything got a lot easier. Jeremy brought up a Kilan movie (the only t.v. he'll watch) and Bella (his very best friend) came to visit, both really helped raise his little spirits. He kind of had a big attitude so it was nice to have my cute sweet Jackson back.

His most favorite thing at the hospital was the playroom. He loves bowling. He loves bowling with my kitchen cups, on my cell phone, and at the bowling alley. The playroom had a Wii and of course our little bowling protege loved bowling on the Wii. It's all he wanted to do there. When it came time to go home, he didn't want to leave the Wii or the wheel chair. He really wanted to take them both home with us:)

Jeremy spent the last night with Jackson and I stayed at home with the older kids. When I was leaving to pick the kids up from school the nurses had him standing up and taking steps. I was so sad to leave and miss all that.

Now we're home and he's a little timid to do anything. He keeps wanting to do things but is afraid to stand and walk. I don't know what we'll do for the next 6 days. I'm scared to let him do anything also.

See the Popsicle I'm enjoying in recovery? They kept trying to give Jackson Popsicles in recovery while he was totally out of control. There wasn't anywhere to put it so I got to enjoy a Popsicle while trying to hold him down real good. I just thought it was funny, when they kept trying to give it to him and he was so ticked off.

Jackson's mellon will never be closed again

2008-08-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

I will never say bye to this blog. I don't think, I'll ever run out of things to comment about.

Yesterday, I cut Jackson's hair. So, last night I was rubbing his head and hair cut, when I noticed a pretty big soft spot. Like the ones we noticed last year, only smaller. I woke up this morning thinking it was just a nightmare. But later realized that it wasn't. So Jeremy and I called Dr Barcello and left a message on his nurses answering machine. Which is so frustrating. We always have to wait so long to hear back from people. It probably only feels like a long time because were anxious to talk to someone.

Today I keep feeling like all the worries we thought were over are all rushing back in surreal familiarity. I know whatever it is that the Lord has helped us through everything and he will continue to help us deal.
I love ya'all

2007-11-28T10:13:00.000-08:00

I had to go the bathroom and he was mad I put him in his crib:)
He was O.K. by the time I came back. All of his toys were thrown out of the crib in protest
there was a fish tank on our walk that he really liked
I woke him from his nap so we could leave the hospital. What a mean mom. I think he forgave me when he realized we were leaving!!!

2007-11-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

Jacksons cool ride from PICU to the regular room
Jackson and Mom blowing kisses as they take aride around halls of the hospital
Jackson right eye is swollen here. The day before his left eye was swollen.
Jackson had fun driving this around the halls of the hospital
everytime we past an elevator he tried to make an escape

Hospital Pictures!

2007-11-28T09:49:00.000-08:00

Jackson and Mom when they got to the PICU
You can see the tube (drain) along his forhead
You can see the tube (drain) here really good
Jackson when he finally let me put him down and we both slept for an hour

We're Home!!!!

2007-11-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Everyone is finally home!!!!!!!!!!!!! Within minutes he was running around and playing soccer. Chauntel took great pictures on the video/digital camera we just got, and as soon as I can figure out how to download them onto the computer, we'll put a lot more on.

The stitches look great. If you look at the previous posts from his last surgery, the stitches last time look so much bigger. We'll post more later when we can figure out how.

Everyone's Home!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Out of ICU

2007-11-21T16:39:00.001-08:00

Jackson is now out of ICU and in a regular room. His doctor, Dr. Barcelo, came to see him today and said that he should be able to go home tomorrow (Thanksgiving day) at around 10. We are so excited to hear that news. Because I couldn't go to the hospital to relieve Chauntel, our home teacher who sits with Chauntel and the kids and helps entertain Jackson during sacrament mtg. went to relieve her so she could take a break and get something to eat. She was worried b/c Jackson had not let her put him down since waking up from recovery. She tried, but he would fuss so much that she just held him - for over 24 hours straight! She was worried how he would act for Br. Treanor, but she came back to find him asleep in Br. Treanors arms. They had been playing and Br. Treanor had him in the wagon pulling him around the 6th floor. Jackson really likes him alot. I was glad she was able to get a break.
We're excited for Jackson and Mom to come home tomorrow. I'm feeling better, but the kids have been coughing so bad for the last 2 days and now Isaac tonight has a 100* temp. tonight at bedtime. I've been giving them the cough/congestion meds that their doctor said every 4 hrs., but it doesn't seem to be doing anything for both of them. It's going to be a feat to keep the boys away from each other. I really don't want Jackson sick on top of all this. The hospital was probably the safest place for Chauntel these last few days.

Still in ICU

2007-11-21T06:20:00.000-08:00

I just got to talk to Mom and Jackson this morning. Jackson was a lot more talkative today and I could understand him better also. The kids thought it was neat to talk to him too.

this is makayla. I got to talk to jackson and mommy today. I miss them.

Chauntel said that Jackson is still in ICU, but that a nurse mentioned getting him a regular room today while another nurse said that it's not unheard of to release him from ICU. It was hard to talk for more than 4 minutes because Jackson still will not let Chauntel put him down in the bed, and he kept either hanging up the phone, or getting so mad that he couldn't hold the phone. Chauntel had to hold him all night and sleep with him. This will either be a major bonding experience for them both, or they won't speak until his baptism after he gets out. I'll try a little later again to call.

The kids have been outstanding these last 2 days. Thank you for all the prayers on our behalf. I have learned how to make oatmeal from the box of oats, found out that there's a Pizza Hut right down the street that I didn't know about, and that Isaac still doesn't understand how skid marks get on his underwear. The look of surprise on his face upon finding them is like, "I can't believe this. There they are again!"

Hopefully I'll have more soon. We'll have to wait for them to get home to post pictures and video.

Jeremy

Surgery Update

2007-11-20T12:21:00.000-08:00

I just got off the phone with Chauntel and she's in an ICU room with Jackson and he's doing great. The kids and I got to talk to him and he told me about his owie the best he could. The surgeon said that he removed 3 large plates that had not dissolved; one on his forehead, one on top of his head, and one on his left temple - exactly where all of his swelling spots were. If you guys remember from his previous surgery (you can look at previous posts on this blog), he has the drains in his head again and Chauntel says that his stitches look great also. She told me that the plates had left some ridges on his skull, so they sanded them down to smooth it out. She said that there's a possibility of him actually coming home tomorrow.
The kids and I are getting along OK. I feel so much better today but still can't go for much more than 15 minutes w/o taking a break. The kids really need to get out - maybe I can tomorrow.

Round 2

2007-11-20T03:44:00.000-08:00

Chauntel's last post said that we're finished with this blog. Again, life lets you know more and more everyday how much you don't know when you really really think you do know. As I said on our other blog, I just sent Chauntel and the baby off to the hospital for his 2nd surgery today. The doctor feels like it will be an easy procedure, but without knowing exactly what is causing the swelling, I still feel a degree of anxiousness. They said that they will go ahead and take out any of the plates and screws that may have not dissolved yet from his surgery in December, because their best guess is that it's the hardware that may be left in his head that is causing the swelling. There shouldn't be much left since it was supposed to be completely dissolved in a year they said initially. Chauntel will call me throughout the day to let me know when he goes in to surgery, and when he comes out and so forth. You guys can call the house or either of our cell phones as you wish. You may want to call Grandma Schultz though for the most up to the minute info. For whatever reason I feel like that will be the order information - Grandma then me. Love ya Grandma.

We'll keep everyone posted on how he's doing.

Jeremy

No More Helmet

2007-07-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

Even though I'm done with this blog, I thought it fitting to do one last post. About mid-june I took Jackson's helmet off the the next week we saw the doctors and they agreed that he was done. I'm so glad to not have to clean it anymore and to not have to drive to Houston anymore. We are so thankful for the way everything has gone. It wasn't perfect but I'm not sure it could have been anymore perfect (if that makes sense)

my last blog

2007-01-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

I'll going to stop posting on this blog. I originally started this blog so the kids won't see pictures that would upset them and for anyone who didn't want to see the pictures of him in the hospital, but now he's looking so good I don't think it's an issue. So if you still want updates just go to www.growinguptexans.blogspot.com

as you can see he got his helmet.

Lost in the mail

2007-01-20T05:47:00.000-08:00

jackson was supposed to get his helmet on thursday, but we were rescheduled for friday. friday morning while i was getting ready to go to his appointment, i got a call from the prostetic place saying that ups had lost his helmet and that they'd call us when they find it or get a new one. i'm a little worried because the older he gets the less it will work. i'm sure a week won't hurt anything. however if everything would have gone as plan he would have already been wearing it for a six week now.

2007-01-15T07:52:00.000-08:00

Jackson is doing great. I just wanted everyone to see how well his head is healing.

all the kings horses and all the king men couldn't put jackson together again but dr. hollier could

2007-01-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

I have a better understanding of the surgery now. We went to Jackson post-op with his surgeon. He explained that they took off the left-front quarter of his skull and then later had to take off the right-front side of his skull to do everything they wanted to. We asked him how many plates and screws were in his head and the doctor said "a ton (pause) a ton." They broke his skull into a lot of little pieces and then shaped it the way they wanted. To get the pieces to stay that way, they had to piece them together with plates and screws. If you look closely at the baby's head you can see ridges where there are probably plates. It will take a full year or year and a half for the plates and screws to dissolve completely, but the docotor said that they have already begun to dissolve. This will allow the helmet to work easier.

Makayla and Jackson (long lost siblings reunited)

2007-01-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

Long Lost Siblings Reunited

2007-01-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

As you can see Makayla and Jackson have reunited, thanks to Jackson's inablity to get his hoody off.

Today is the second day of hoody sweatshirts. I think Jackson is getting really sick of them. For now it's working real well.

brother jackson in the hood

2007-01-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

These pictures of him with Jeremy were taken last night. He's been in such a good mood.

You can see that the helmet that he'll wear will have to fix a few more things, but they did such a good job.

We tried putting a hat on Jackson, so Makayla would be around him, but he kept taking them off. This evening I put a hoody sweatshirt on him (one that bailey lent me) and he keeps the hood on, so now makayla will be around him. So he maybe wearing a zip up hoody everyday. Good thing Bailey lent us two of them.

Texas Children's Hospital

2007-01-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

Everyone at the hospital was so amazing and helpful. What a great hospital.

We're home now and the baby looks so good. I have new picture from last night. I'll have to take some today so you can see how great he looks.

Makayla's having a real hard time with the baby. She is terrified of his stiches. She won't be in the same room unless she's covering her eyes and we're holding her. Today Jeremy went into work late so I could take Makayla to school (without the baby). After school a friend is bring her home, but she's going to have to give a little. She keeps locking me out of rooms and screaming if anyone comes close to her (just in case we're holding the baby)

We don't know what to do?

Jackson hit his head pretty hard on the corner of our computer armoire. It was less than an hour after we got home. His stichs were bleeding. I realized how hard it was going to be to keep him from getting hurt. Plus Isaac accidentally got him a few times. So, I'm borrowing a playpen from a friend so he can play in it without Isaac tackling him or hurting himself. I've been putting him in his hi-chair a lot and feeding him crackers to keep him safe also. I'll probably be a little over protective for a few days. The doctor told us not to worry that his stitches were not coming out, but better safe than sorry.

He's such a champ. I've given him pain meds once or twice but not a lot. He seems to be fine. It's amazing that he could have a surgery like this and not need pain medication for a month.

Jackson the world strongest baby

2007-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

The day before we went home one of jackson's IV's backed up. His whole arm, shoulder, peck, and back on his leftside swelled up so bad. He looked like a muscle man on that side. It totally shocked me but the nurses said it was no big deal. By the next day it was all gone.

Ronald McDonald Rocks!

2007-01-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

While we were in ICU there are no beds, bathrooms, or even recliners in the rooms. So Jeremy and I had to take shifts. In the waiting room there were about 25 reclining chairs that you could sleep in whenever. But there were no showers.

The greatest thing ever was the Ronald McDonald House. It was in the Hospital. I was like a nice hotel. There were 25 rooms first come first serve. Your child had to be in one of the ICU units to stay there. They were free. You could sign up for a nap time during the day 1 to 5 and then overnight 7 to 11. You had to leave after your time and sign up for the next time slot after it started (first come first serve) So you couldn't just stay in the same room for three days straight. It was to make sure in wasn't just sitting with no one in it and so it could be availible for those who could use it and needed it at that time. They had a kitchen with food and washer and dryers so you could do laundry. They even had computers available. But the firewalls won't let me use my e-mail because it's a Yahoo account or use my blogs. We stayed there two naptimes and one night (I think) It was so great to be able to shower and take turns sleeping.

Once we left the ICU, our room had a hide-a-bed and a bathroom. He was supposed to stay a week but was able to leave two days early because he was doing so well.

2007-01-04T07:06:00.000-08:00

Dad gave me a brain freeze

2007-01-03T18:13:00.000-08:00

Jackson's Mellon

2007-01-03T15:09:00.000-08:00

Jackson's surgery was on Friday, December 29, 2006. We showed up to Texas Children's Hospital at 5:45 and Jackson left our side to go to the surgery room at 7:30. We were told that the surgery would take about 4 or 5 hours, however it only took 3 hours. The surgeon told us that his case was more difficult and more severe than he thought it would be. I don't know what he meant by that.

We stayed in recovery for about 4 or 5 hours, because they didn't have a room ready. We were suppose to only be in recovery a half hour, but it wasn't a big deal. While we were there both the plastic surgeon, Nuero surgeon, and optimologistl came in to check on him. They were a little worried at first because he could shut his right eye but it's fine now.

After recovery, we went to pediatric intensive Care Unit (PICU) For the first 5 or 6 hours they couldn't figure out how to manage his pain. It was kind of frustrating. They would give him a dose of morphine that was suppose to last 7 hours and it would barely last 20 minutes (at the most). So they would keep trying new things but it would never last long. They were afraid to give him too much because he's so young they were worried that he would stop breathing. So at about 8pm they started a small continuous drip of morphine into his IV. And then every 15 minutes we could give him more, if he was fussing (from pain) It worked and he did very well after that.

I will post more pictures and stuff later.