January
Jayson had his Chiari Decompression surgery on January 7, 2013. It was one of the scariest events of my life to have my little man undergo brain surgery and have part of his skull, brain tissue and top vertebrae removed. But it was also a new beginning for us. This surgery saved Jayson's life and gave him a chance at a great one. {4 days in the hospital, 12th hospital admission}
January was a tough month of healing for Jayse... or lack of healing, and lots of hospital visits.
Finally, the doctor admitted it was time to open Jayson back up and correct his decompression surgery. He was allergic to the internal stitches. Here goes brain surgery number 2. {2 days in the hospital, 13th hospital admission}
February
The miracles begin: Jayson passed his swallow study! No more aspiration!!! He started eating really well and got to drink orally for the first time!
Jayse started pushing up on his arms, using both of his arms and hands, and playing with toys! He even stood with support for a couple of seconds!!!
We bought land in Lehi and began the process of building our new home!
March
Jayson pulled out his GJ extension. We decided to try just feeding him through the G port, and he tolerated it!! We were well on our way to have Jayse get a regular G tube!!
J continued to progress developmentally every day!
April
Jayson finally had his new G tube put in. This was a very, very scary procedure given what we learned about the size 20 french tube originally placed in Jayson last October. It ended up being a very simple procedure and our new GI doctor was great. Jayson also had his botox injections again. He did not have to stay in the hospital, and we went home that same day. What an amazing blessing!!
May
In May my stepmother was in a horrific car accident. She was life-flighted to Murray and spent several days there recovering. It definitely gave us all a big scare.
Jayson started scooting, and getting into lots of trouble!
June and July
These were some of the most trying, most difficult months of my life. And in all honestly, I try very hard to shut these events out of my memory. God truly lifted me up and enabled me to get through this difficult time and support my sister-in-law and brother-in-law through every parents' worst nightmare. My sweet nephew Porter got an ear infection that turned into bacterial meningitis. He went into septic shock and was in DIC. This happened while they were on vacation in Las Vegas, so they were away from home and away from Primary Children's, a hospital that potentially could have saved him. Mike and I drove to Vegas twice and spent many days there with Matt, Vickie and little Porter. We have had the most experience with hospitals, treatments, etc. so we knew we were needed. Family members in Vegas were pregnant or had brand new infants that could not be exposed to the terrible illnesses in a PICU. Clearly, that was no place for our little Jayse either, but God told me He would protect him. And He did.
Little Porter got really sick really fast and was not stable enough to transport. He was on life support for a couple of weeks, when we learned that his brain was permanently damaged. There was basically nothing left of poor Porter's brain. I hugged and held my sweet siblings as we said goodbye and let Porter go home to his Heavenly Father. I wish that was where it ended. But the pain continued as we had to make decisions regarding the care, preparation, and transfer of little Porter's body. We had a funeral to plan, and many many family members to notify. Mike and I played an active roll in all of these incredibly difficult processes, and I can again honestly say that I was nothing more than an instrument in God's hand. Tristin is not strong enough to do these things. God helped me do what I needed to do. And for the most part, God has helped me forget many of the awful memories. I hope that He has done the same for my sister and brother-in-law. 2013 will always be heavy in my heart because of such a great loss.
We moved into our new home in mid-July!
Goodbye old home!
Jayson started crawling!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc7HZiO47Pc
Jayson had his second 72 hour EEG.
August
One of my friends in Vegas got married and Jayson, Mike and I got to be a part of her very special day. It was the most perfect, most beautiful wedding I have ever seen. Just like a fairytale.
We also got to visit some of our besties on our trip!
September
Mike's dream car would not pass emissions and we found out it was quite tampered with. We had no choice but to sell it, take a loss, and buy a new vehicle. Sold one Subi and bouth another!
Jayson's early Superhero birthday party!
We also went to Antelope Island for the first time and to the State Fair!
October
We made wonderful fun memories during the fall season that we were not able to make the previous year.
November
Fun with Friends!
Fun with Family! And Jayson climbed the stairs for the first time!
Thanksgiving dinner in our new home!
December
Christmas time at home with lots of holiday events and experiences!
Jayson's SECOND birthday!
Our 2013 came to a wonderful end and we are excited to see what 2014 brings!
