Finally after what seems like ages we have a date for Paddy's surgery. I had been on the phone to the hospital for the last couple of weeks chasing things up, as we have to got through the public system here in NZ, things take awhile to sort out. Even though I had been in touch it still was a huge shock when we got phoned yesterday. I was at gymnastics with Emma and her friend Sophie, when John phoned me on my mobile, my legs went like jelly, you think you are prepared but I don't think anything can prepare you for that phone call.
So next Wednesday 28th we go in and I think the operation will be first thing in the morning, we have to go the day before for a pre op run down, they will explain everything again, maybe give us the chance to change our minds, it is such a huge thing, but to me the other option is just not a option!
Last night John and I talked about, when do we tell Paddy, now or closer to the surgery, we decided to tell her now, she took it all in her stride as usual, I just hope she handles it just as well after the surgery, in fact I think she is doing much better than John and I. My kids never fail to surprise me, especially Paddy with her happy go lucky attitude, she is just wonderful!
So there we are, finally after four years of watching and waiting, and I think the biggest decision of our lives we are here, ready and waiting, for this means we can move forward without this hanging over our heads, and I tell you that has to be a good thing. Don't get me wrong I know we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but at least things are happening and I think that is great!
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Monday, 19 May 2008
Difficult questions?
Last night as I was giving Paddy a cuddle before she went to sleep, she asked me 'how will my little foot get to heaven?'
I honestly didn't know what to say for a few minutes, my beautiful little girl asked me one of those questions that I was lost for words, as people who know me I always have something to say!
So after a deep breath, where I got my self together I told her the Fairies took it up there, I am not particularly religious, but I guess for Paddy if it makes her feel better then that is where the foot is going! I have to say, that is the thing that makes me feel the saddest about this whole ordeal, where her little foot will actually end up. To me, and I am sure John feels the same, Paddy's foot is beautiful, it just really isn't that good and later on in life it will be useless. But to think they are going to take it off and probably discard it, well it makes me feel awful, but what can we do, we can't leave it and LL is just not an option for us, I just hope that when Paddy is an adult she feels the same way too!
Then this morning as I was getting the girls dressed for the day, Georgie told me very firmly that she no longer wanted to dress as a twin!!!!
Before I had children I always thought how naff it was when I saw twins who where dressed the same, never would I do that I said. Well roll on 15 years and I ended up with identical twin girls, and I couldn't help myself I ended up dressing them the same, it was just easier that way, and when you have three little ones we all want an easy life don't we? So I guess it is an end of an era really, the plus side is I will be able to tell them apart in photo's and it is good the Georgie wants a bit of independence, Paddy I don't think was too happy, but I guess it is all part of growing up!
I honestly didn't know what to say for a few minutes, my beautiful little girl asked me one of those questions that I was lost for words, as people who know me I always have something to say!
So after a deep breath, where I got my self together I told her the Fairies took it up there, I am not particularly religious, but I guess for Paddy if it makes her feel better then that is where the foot is going! I have to say, that is the thing that makes me feel the saddest about this whole ordeal, where her little foot will actually end up. To me, and I am sure John feels the same, Paddy's foot is beautiful, it just really isn't that good and later on in life it will be useless. But to think they are going to take it off and probably discard it, well it makes me feel awful, but what can we do, we can't leave it and LL is just not an option for us, I just hope that when Paddy is an adult she feels the same way too!
Then this morning as I was getting the girls dressed for the day, Georgie told me very firmly that she no longer wanted to dress as a twin!!!!
Before I had children I always thought how naff it was when I saw twins who where dressed the same, never would I do that I said. Well roll on 15 years and I ended up with identical twin girls, and I couldn't help myself I ended up dressing them the same, it was just easier that way, and when you have three little ones we all want an easy life don't we? So I guess it is an end of an era really, the plus side is I will be able to tell them apart in photo's and it is good the Georgie wants a bit of independence, Paddy I don't think was too happy, but I guess it is all part of growing up!
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Poppy Tony
Emma, Paddy and Georgie's Poppy, (my Dad), had to go to hospital again this week. He has an auto immune disease called Wegener's Granulomatosis.
http://www.angelfire.com/ga/wegeners/faq.html
Basically his body is attacking itself, and there is a lot of side effects. Also my Dad being my Dad (or could it be men in general?) he doesn't tend to go to the doctor till he is on deaths door. He had a really bad nose bleed that lasted 24 hours and consequently his haemoglobin dropped to dangerous levels and he needed a blood transfusion. This is the second time in eight weeks this has happened, last time he also got really bad angina attacks because not enough oxygen was getting to his heart.
Anyway after 24 hours in hospital he was well enough to come home, but I have to say he looked knackered. There was an old man in his room with emphysema, I have never heard a cough like it in my life, any one who smokes should go and visit someone with this awful disease, it will put you off for life!!
On a happy note, I am just glad my Dad is feeling better, and out of hospital!
http://www.angelfire.com/ga/wegeners/faq.html
Basically his body is attacking itself, and there is a lot of side effects. Also my Dad being my Dad (or could it be men in general?) he doesn't tend to go to the doctor till he is on deaths door. He had a really bad nose bleed that lasted 24 hours and consequently his haemoglobin dropped to dangerous levels and he needed a blood transfusion. This is the second time in eight weeks this has happened, last time he also got really bad angina attacks because not enough oxygen was getting to his heart.
Anyway after 24 hours in hospital he was well enough to come home, but I have to say he looked knackered. There was an old man in his room with emphysema, I have never heard a cough like it in my life, any one who smokes should go and visit someone with this awful disease, it will put you off for life!!
On a happy note, I am just glad my Dad is feeling better, and out of hospital!
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Emma gets a certificate!
Emma and her certificateThe last Friday before school holidays Emma got a certificate for good use of capital letters and full stops!
Way to go Emma, she must have her fathers genes for good grammar, as I missed the boat somewhere along the line, (I was much better at maths than English). Now thanks to Niki I (sort of) can put apostrophes in the right place, I still need a bit of practice though.
Every Friday Emma's school has an assembly where all the kids go to the hall for songs, and certificates. It is really good the way the children get into the singing, and it is great the way the school encourages the children to learn and do well by them receiving certificates. In my book competition is a healthy part of growing up, I know in this PC world we live in, 'no one' should be better than the other, but I don't agree with that.
I digress..... John and I were the proud Mum and Dad, (along with lots of others), and Emma was as pleased as punch with herself!
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Just to explain......
I have put a few links on our blog and I thought I would explain why I have put them there.....
Firstly Fibula Hemeimelia, this explains much better than I ever could on Paddy's condition, she has Type III which is total absence of the fibula.
Then we have Kate Horan. She is a NZ athlete who has FH, she is currently training for the Paralympics, I think she does the 100 and 200 metre sprints. Kate was one of the first people I talked to when we found out about Paddy and having seen her on T.V I think she is awesome.
Next are Madeleine and Max, they are gorgeous twins living in Seattle with their Mum and Dad, Niki and Michael. Madeleine has FH in her left leg, she had her foot amputated when she was one year old. Madeleine is doing wonderfully, and I have to say thanks for all the support Niki gave me when coming to the decision about Paddy, without Niki and the rest of the crew on our FH forum I think I would have gone bonkers!
Sarah Reinerstsen is an American athlete who has PFFD, a condition very similar to FH but it involves the femur bone as well. Sarah has an above the knee amputation and she competes in the Iron man. I just have to say the word Iron man and I feel exhausted, I think Sarah is just incredible and an inspiration to all of us.
Then we have Sarah Walsh. Sarah also has FH, she lives in Australia with her Mum and Dad, Patricia and Tom and her two little sisters Laura and Kate. Nothing stops Sarah she gives everything a go! Thanks Patricia for the phone call, it was fantastic to talk to you and to hear how well Sarah is doing, I tell you we could have talked for NZ and Ireland! Will speak soon I hope.
Lastly I would like to say thanks to Claire, Mark and Buzz for taking time to see us and share your experiences with us, you made a huge difference in our decision making and made it a lot easier for us. Also to Carol and William for coming to see us, and everyone else who has taken time out to chat to us and help us along the way. Geez it sounds like an Oscar speech, but I don't think John and I can thank everyone enough for all their support and advice, everyone has been just fabulous!
Firstly Fibula Hemeimelia, this explains much better than I ever could on Paddy's condition, she has Type III which is total absence of the fibula.
Then we have Kate Horan. She is a NZ athlete who has FH, she is currently training for the Paralympics, I think she does the 100 and 200 metre sprints. Kate was one of the first people I talked to when we found out about Paddy and having seen her on T.V I think she is awesome.
Next are Madeleine and Max, they are gorgeous twins living in Seattle with their Mum and Dad, Niki and Michael. Madeleine has FH in her left leg, she had her foot amputated when she was one year old. Madeleine is doing wonderfully, and I have to say thanks for all the support Niki gave me when coming to the decision about Paddy, without Niki and the rest of the crew on our FH forum I think I would have gone bonkers!
Sarah Reinerstsen is an American athlete who has PFFD, a condition very similar to FH but it involves the femur bone as well. Sarah has an above the knee amputation and she competes in the Iron man. I just have to say the word Iron man and I feel exhausted, I think Sarah is just incredible and an inspiration to all of us.
Then we have Sarah Walsh. Sarah also has FH, she lives in Australia with her Mum and Dad, Patricia and Tom and her two little sisters Laura and Kate. Nothing stops Sarah she gives everything a go! Thanks Patricia for the phone call, it was fantastic to talk to you and to hear how well Sarah is doing, I tell you we could have talked for NZ and Ireland! Will speak soon I hope.
Lastly I would like to say thanks to Claire, Mark and Buzz for taking time to see us and share your experiences with us, you made a huge difference in our decision making and made it a lot easier for us. Also to Carol and William for coming to see us, and everyone else who has taken time out to chat to us and help us along the way. Geez it sounds like an Oscar speech, but I don't think John and I can thank everyone enough for all their support and advice, everyone has been just fabulous!
Emma is six!
Birthday cake at NannysOur baby has turned six, I still can't get my head around the fact that she is no longer our teeny tiny baby but a six year old who has lost two teeth (very big news in the life of a six year old) and is in her second year of school, and loving every minute of it. Emma has a great network of friends and she seems to enjoy the school work as well, but at the moment I really think school is all about catching up with her mates!
So for the big party we went to 'clip n climb' which is an indoor climbing gym, and the kids just love it. It kind of looked like hard work to me, but the energy children seem to have is endless.
I have to say I was so proud of Paddy, we were unsure whether she would be able to do it with her smaller leg, but she was up there with the best of them, you have to say that Paddy is a trier and really what more could you ask for, the fact that she managed to get part way up the wall even better!
Then it was back home for a few games and some party food, I thought the kids would be knackered after climbing up walls for an hour but they went CRAZY! I think we had 16 hyper children running around like they had never been to a party before, I think I just went and hid in a corner somewhere and hoped for the best, (I thought they are supposed to settle down the older they get?)
Anyway it was a great party (honestly), the kids had a ball which is what it is all about!
Paddy giving it a go!
Emma
Monday, 21 April 2008
Swimming anyone?
Last November the Walsh Family went on a well earned holiday to Fiji, on arrival Emma spent approx 8 hours a day in the pool, I think it took a week for her skin to recover when we got home!
Well I have to say the twins were a different story, they wouldn't go in without their arms in a death like grip around John's and I necks, as for putting their heads under, not on your nelly. We worked on it, and by the time we left they were jumping in to us. Excellent!
So on our return to Auckland we thought while they are feeling confident lets start swimming lessons and boy do they love it.
A couple of weeks ago I took Georgie and Paddy along, I hadn't been in awhile as John normally takes them (good Dad that he is), and before I knew it they were in the pool and Georgie was doing rolly pollies (I couldn't believe my eyes), when did this happen?
Big thumbs up, you bet!
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