Word from Utah

Yes, we are back! The plane ride was much better this time as I was not in labor, on mag and stressed about the babies coming to early :) Dawson did well with the whole thing and actually all the turbulance made him sleep really well. I enjoyed riding by the cockpit and I got to watch all of the dials and monitors and the lights of SLC as we flew in. It was amazing to see out the windshield and see what the pilot sees. I now realize why Ryan has always wanted to be a pilot, and he has my full support. It would be fun for him to eventually be able to fly (for recreational purposes).

When we got to the hospital we sat in the ER for a few hours waiting for them to decide what they wanted to do. We finally got him up to PICU at about 1:30am. Then they told me that there all of the beds were taken and if I wanted to sleep I could find a waiting room somewhere. Well, I was a little exhausted from me 3 hours of sleep the night before so I took a blanket and some pillows and looked for the most unoccupied place I could find. I went to the same day surgery waiting room. I knew that they didn't do surgeries at night so it should be empty. It was and I was lucky enough to find a Conference Room with a lock on the door and a recliner that folds out into a bed and I slept like a rock for 4 hours then I had to head back to Dawson to sign some consent forms.

Dawson had kind of a rough night. His head grew 1/2 cm within a few hours. I am sure he has the WORST headache. The doctor told me to think of my worst migraine then times that by 10. My poor boy! They did give him some Loratab last night and he has slept a bit this morning. We are just waiting for an O.R. to open up so they can "Git R Done" (as our dear friend Lance Fenton would say).

They plan on putting the shunt in on the Left side this time so hopefully all goes well. Dr. Walker is not going to be able to do it, but Dr. Brockmeyer is really my second choice and he is here.

It is amazing how at peace I feel about this whole thing. Ryan gave Dawson a blessing the other night when we knew something was upsetting him and he was blessed that his body would show us what he needs so we can take care of him. Well, I think it showed us. I talked to a girl in the ER in the in Twin Falls. She said that she was born at 28 weeks and was a triplet. This was 30 years ago and now she is completely fine. Her 2 brothers however are very mentally handicapped (not physically at all). She said that now that she knows what Hydrocephalus is (what the babies have) she can see that both brothers must have had bleeding in their brains and suffered from it. However, they did not have the technology then to do anything about it. They breathed on their own and were almost immediately sent home. Her theory is that because shunting was not possible back then their brain was damaged from all the pressure that happened when their sutures fused (head got hard)when they were one. I totally get that feeling from talking to her. I was so thankful that we have all of this technology and that we have all been so blessed with the best doctors there is.

I feel fine about Dawson getting a shunt and I know he will do great. I think the most important thing I have learned through all of this about faith is that when we go through trials or affliction the Lord does not want us to do more than have faith and rely on him. When we need to act he will let us know, if we trust him. Dawson is in his hands and he will overcome this like he has everything else. He is such a strong little boy! He has had much to endure in his 5 1/2 months of life and I don't understand why, but honestly, I don't need to know all the reasons other than it is between him and his Heavenly Father and I am just blessed enough to be the one that gets to love and support him through this time of his life. His spirit is being prepared for this life and what he has to accomplish, I feel and know that, totally. He is a seriously amazing little man!

Well, I am headed back to see if they are taking him down yet. After surgery I think Dawson gets his own room in the Neuro-trama area so that is where we will be. I will let you know how it all goes later today.

Love, Amy

(I love you Ryan, Jake and Mallory!)