Heaven has another angel...

My heart is heavy today.  Last night, we received an email stating that Noel passed away on January 27th. We knew this was a possibility but a heart is never ready to realize that news. It lays heavily upon me. 

We are thankful she no longer suffers from the illness that has raged through her body for over a year.  Our prayers have been answered.  She is now healthy and has a forever Heavenly family.  She has a Father who will lavish her with love and tell her how perfect she is.

Though Noel never physically made it far from her birth place, she has touched many lives.  She served a grand purpose on this earth. Her preciousness began us on an adoption journey we had not planned to take. God, knowing her condition and that He would soon hold her in His arms forever, led us to two boys who would needed a long term family here on this earth.  Though my heart aches knowing she was likely not lavished in love here, I know she receives His abundant love in Heaven

If Noel has touched your life, would you please leave a comment.

Your life will not be forgotten sweet girl. I look forward to the day I can hold you in Heaven.

In loving memory -

Noel Chun Guang

Sept 2008 - January 2012

3rd Fill - 2/2

We did their third fills last night, Corban was not a happy camper about it. He threw a huge fit, almost to the point that he almost threw up.  I believe he was more upset that he had to be held and was made to sit still than the actual injections. 

Note: His crying in the picture below is because of the lack of clothing.

After last nights fill Corban's totals are:

Forehead 28 cc's - L back  300 cc's - R back 310 cc's

We made some great progress on the back expanders. We will be over half way with the next fill!!!!

 

Progress is still slow on Tegan but after last nights fill Tegan's totals are:

Neck 82 cc's - Forehead 55 cc's - Rear Head 87 cc's



2nd Expander Fill

We did the second expander fill five days after the first one on January 27.  We did it this soon for two reasons.  One, so we could fit it in our busy weekend schedule since it takes a chunk of time to do. Secondly, because we have fewer weeks, than typically scheduled for, till the expanders are removed - 9 weeks versus  about 12 weeks (which is preferred).  We want to be sure we get to full expansion.
Tegan's process seems quite slow now. The first few fills seem almost pointless since you don't get much injected but that will begin to change here soon. It is quite amazing how the skin begins to adapt. At this point we are less than 25% along in his neck and less than 20% progress on the other two.  Totals now are.: neck - 57, forehead - 44 and back of head - 67. 

 

Corban's on the other hand, are about 30% filled.  I cannot even fathom at this point how big his two back expanders will be when we are done with this process.  I am beginning to wonder how I am going to fit clothes on this kid. Width wise, he has almost exceeded 2T shirts.  Guess I'm going to have to keep moving up on shirts as he gets wider.  His totals after second fill are: forehead 22 and each back is at 225. (The sad face, you ask?  He's not a fan of having his shirt off)

First Expander fill - Jan 22th

We did the first expander fill 10 days post surgery, which is also when we also had to remove Corban's two back drains.  Ten days is the maximum amount of time they want the drains in or there become an increased risk for infection.   

The first fills went about as well as could be expected.  The boys were not thrilled about the process but neither were mom or dad.  It is a long process when you have to fill six expanders. We filled them on the conservative side since the incisions, where the expanders were inserted, were not likely fully healed.

Here are some picture of what their expanders looked like after their first fill:

Guess I didn't get Corban's forehead but here are his back expanders - front and back view.  The two nodules you see in the Nevus, on his lower back, are the ports that I insert the needle into to do the expansions. After the first fill of injecting 35 cc's into each back expander, they are each at a total of 165 cc's, our goal is 750 in each. 

Tegan's expanders after the first fill: Neck is at 38 (250 goal), forehead is at 36 (250 goal) and the back of his head is at 67 (350 goal) cc's

Corban's expanders don't seem to bother him at all.  Tegan is not a fan of laying on the back of his head unless there is a pillow under his head.  Other than that, I think he is mainly just annoyed with the next expander as he cannot turn his head in that direction.  I don't remember Angel being limited in her head movement till towards the end of expansion but I think his is placed a little lower than hers was.

4 out of 6 drains - GONE

We removed Tegan's final drain and Corban's first drain last night.  Tegan did really well sitting still as I snipped the stitch on each of them to pull them out.  He really impressed me.  Now he did not like the feeling of the drain tubes being pulled out but I can't blame him.  I'm sure it has to be a weird feeling. Corban on the other hand, I knew, would no be thrilled about needing to sit still but we got it done.  I know both boys were glad to have their mesh helmets taken off this morning. I was glad to see them with them off too!  Corban still has the drains for his back expanders in and they will probably be in for the full 10 days as they were still full when he woke up this morning.  I confirmed with the nurse that this is normal.  She gave me some tips on what to do before pulling them on Sunday.  We will also be doing the first weekly expander fills on Sunday. I am not looking forward to that but we only have 8 weeks to fill them up so we've gotta get started.

Here are some happy boys with their drains and mesh helmets gone!

And Angel one week after revisions. Her eye is still a bit swollen, hoping that will go down soon.

Adopting from China by Kailey

Our 8 year old daughter, Kailey, wrote the following at school last month for a writing assignment:

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Do you like babies?  If so you would like this story.  My family looked at the computer for a new family member. They found a little boy.  A couple days later they found another little boy. We got them from China.  We brought them home in ******.

My mom looked on the computer and saw them. My mom and dad had to sign a lot of papers. It happened on November 17th and 19th.

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She is such a sweet girl who has taken quite a liking and motherlyness to her new little brothers. I am touched by how often she writes about our adoption experiences. It is neat to see the process through her eyes.

Hope you enjoy it!

Keep praying, door has opened a little...

I received an updated email today stating to please continue to pray for Noel's situation.  The orphanage has shown a little interest in learning more about what this organization can do to help Noel - YAY.  Keep praying that upon receiving more information that they see what a wonderful opportunity this could be for Noel.

I also learned a tad bit more about her health issues.  The email stated that she has some major heart and kidney issues. The local hospital says her issues are complex and that treatment may not be possible.  These specialists recommend palliative care and don't see much hope for her.  

The organization seeking to take custody of her, hopes the orphanage will accept their help so that they can get her to a major city for a second opinion.

Through God all things are possible! Please continue to lift her up.