Month: November 2013

Our normal Thanksgiving travel means we would have cut down our tree last weekend, but we were in Boston. Today we loaded the boys up and drove to our favorite christmas tree farm – which thankfully sends a postcard every year reminding us of their address. Because we are normally a little before the “rush” the owners are never running the tractor/wagon, but today they were! We didn’t actually want a tree from the back fields, but we took a ride just because it made the boys happy.

Due to our crazy travel before Thanksgiving, we knew we wouldn’t be traveling on the holiday. Wade’s parents were already in Milwaukee and agreed to stay to celebrate with us. Even better that Aunt Emmy could fly in for the week too. We prepared tons of food and ate a nice big Thanksgiving meal. Then everyone took a long nap before having the leftovers for dinner.

Today was our last day in Boston. We had an early morning appointment with the plastic surgeon and learned all about eyelid surgery. She definitely recommended doing the eyelid surgery soon (and doesn’t wait till a particular age like we had heard), but wanted to make sure all the swelling from the alignment surgery had gone down. She also recommended patching Teague’s good eye and then she devised a way to hold the left eye open – genius. She said this would give us an idea of what Teague would look like after eyelid surgery. She places the eyelid 1-2 mmm above the pupil.

We had an early morning visit with Dr. Hunter and we were curious to hear what he would say. It was pretty obvious to Wade and I that Teague’s eyes were once again uneven and he couldn’t see out of his left one (the same one that had an adjustment yesterday). Dr. Hunter agreed. Evidently when he completed the adjustment yesterday the left eye had actually been lower than the right. He was hesitant to do another adjustment without knowing why the eye was continuing to move upwards. He mentioned exploratory surgery and a visit to the plastic surgeon to discuss raising Teague’s eyelids (something we had been told wouldn’t happen till he was 4 or 5). Dr. Hunter also mentioned it was possible that asymmetrical swelling was causing the eyes to remain uneven and this might correct itself in a few weeks. We left his office knowing we would be in touch and would potentially be back for surgery in a few weeks.
The big concern with the current eye situation is that Teague might lose some vision in the left eye if the situation isn’t corrected. Dr. Hunter suggested patching the good eye and teaching Teague to hold up his eyelid to use the left eye. Teague gave this a good try, but quickly grew frustrated.

Yesterday morning Wade and I noticed that Teague’s eyes seemed uneven. White below one iris was clearly visible on one side and not on the other. It also appeared to us that Teague could only see out of one eye. The other was high enough to be hidden behind the eyelid. Dr. Hunter called to check on Teague and after talking to Wade requested pictures. He quickly scheduled a 7 am appointment today with a quick adjustment in the surgery center. The doctor seemed a little concerned with Teague’s eyes because he had done a symmetric surgery, but he had also put in adjustable sutures so making the eyes even should be fairly easy. Teague was a champ and everything went pretty smoothly. Anesthesia was still hard on him, but we were home in time for nap.

Wade leaves his mark wherever he goes. Now Boston Children’s Hospital has a couple sets of googly eyes.

Teague woke up this morning and it was pretty obvious he can’t really see out of his eyes due to swelling. He was content to hold a hand and be led around as we went out for a little sightseeing. (It never occurred to me to bring the stroller out of the attic for this trip. It would have been well worth it for Teague’s sake.) The only time Teague was unhappy is when he realized he needed eye drops. (You would think having them all last week for pink eye would have made this easier.)

Teague was the second surgery of the day and did really well without food or drink all morning. He played in the waiting room and was fine with changing clothes. The nurses were great and provided a gown and cap for monkey too. I got to back with Teague while the anesthesia was given. Then Wade and I spent a few hours in the waiting room.

We had warned everyone that Teague doesn’t come out of anesthesia well and they had us back with him before he even began to wake up. We were quickly given a private room (he was causing quite a ruckus) and after he settled down he fell asleep. (Monkey made it through surgery fine and came out with an eye patch.) The doctor came in to check his eyes after his next surgery and then we were ready to go home.

I was surprised that other than blood-tinged tears there was no visible signs of trauma. His eyes are definitely a little swollen but there is no bruising and none of the incisions/stitches are visible.

Teague had his pre-op at 1:30 this afternoon, which means no nap. He spent almost an hour with the first lady and then about 30 minutes with Dr. Hunter. We were there a LONG time, but there were toys, books, and even a Wii. Teague did great. We love the staff and everything is set for surgery tomorrow morning.

Today is the start of our week-long trip to Boston with Teague for his eye surgery. I think at this point he only understands that he gets to fly on a plane. He has grown very attached to the monkey from Granny and Pop and carried it from the time he got up till we got to the hotel.

Major milestone for me – I flew with no medicine and was very thankful for the new rules letting me watch a movie from the minute I got on the plane till we landed.

Let the craziness begin.

Wade had a commitment all day today. Thankfully the boys and I had already made lots of plans. We made a quick stop at the gym before heading to the Sunset Playhouse for their latest Bug in a Rug performance – When I Look in the Mirror.

Then it was home for lunch. I got Teague to bed pretty quickly and then got Alex set up for his playdate. He was so excited to have a friend from school come play. (This friend happens to love Scooby Doo as much as Alex. I recently learned he brings a Scooby Doo book to school almost every day for Alex to read.)

One of the phrases I used a lot during childhood was, “Holly needs a hug.” Teague seems to have similar needs and often walks up to me and asks, “Hug?” Lately he has even been soliciting (or taking) hugs from strangers. First it was the nice old man at the library. We both kind of laughed it off, but I think the old man liked it. Then it was the young man (early 20s/ late teens) at the bus top. Teague ran right up to give his legs a hug and I had trouble getting him to let go. The young man was nice about the whole thing and now waves to us as we pass him on our street. This week we were at the post office and Teague attacked another old man. We all laughed, but I am beginning to wonder. Thankfully he is young and cute enough he can get away with it.

Alex has been working on sticker mosaics and Teague has found a use for the leftover stickers.

The boys felt the need to swaddle and decorate Madison. She was a good dog and just went with it.

The dreaded pink eye has finally hit our house. Alex came home from school with a pink eye and a call to the doctor ended with a prescription for eye drops. The doctor also said Alex had to stay home from school tomorrow, which caused quite a few tears.
Update: Teague woke up the next morning with pink eye too. Thankfully this is happening now, a full week before surgery, and not next Wednesday.