Thanks..to those I love!!!

I guess a family with four kids takes up all my time.... I am so grateful for my children and all that comes with it. I am also grateful for my husband who has stood by me while I have pursued all my dreams. I wished to marry the love of my life...he granted me that and asked me in 1995. Married him in 1998....I wished for healthy children...he gave me four. I wanted to work with children with Autism and I became a full time employee with our public school board and love my student to bits!!! For years I wished to learn how to take beautiful photographs but it was always.."I will do it someday." Well someday came just over 2 years ago when I went back to school and learned my passion. Then Nicole Wood Photography was born. My first year was a learning experience and this year was AMAZING!!!! My husband picked up all teh slack and did it all.....dinner, groceries, laundry and the kids....and most of the time I was here..EDITING!!! This has been an amazing ride and I am so blessed that Kevin, Emma, Gracie, Lexi & Dani were as supportive as they were....I could have never done this without you!!!!

My new adventure...CDH Awareness!!!

Welcome to my special blog entry just for Cherubs- CDH Awareness!!!

I have embarked in a new adventure to raise awareness for a birth defect known as CDH or

Congenital Diaphramatic Hernia.

What is CDH?

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) occurs in approximately 1 in every 2,500births (1,600 cases in the U.S. each year). The cause of CDH is not yet known. The diaphragm is formed in the first trimester of pregnancy and controls the lungs' ability to inhale and exhale. CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to form or to close totally and an opening allows abdominal organs into the chest cavity. This inhibits lung growth.

Every patient diagnosed with CDH is different. Survival rates depend on the types and number of organs involved in the herniation and the amount of lung tissue available. There are many surgical procedures and complications that may or may not occur with each individual, including in utero surgery.

Roughly50% of babies born with CDH do not survive. Of the 50% that do survive, most will endure long hospital stays, feeding issues, asthma and other problems. A few of the survivors suffer from severe long-term medical issues.

I am taking part in a huge campaign along with several photographers from North America and so far I am the only Canadian. My friend Fernanda is the only photographer from Mexico.

Her son Juan Pablo was born with CDH and survived...bless his heart. There are several taking part from the U.S.

I will be taking pictures of a local child with CDH known as a CHERUB. Stay tuned as to when I will do this and how awareness will help these angels!!!

To learn more or join me.....

http://www.savethecherubs.org

http://savethecdhcherubs.blogspot.com/

http://www.cdhsupport.org

Thanks ,

Nicole

Life keeps changing......

Well first of all I have to apologize for not keeping up with this the last few months. Our house has been so busy with Danikah learning how to walk, the girls going back to school, my surgery, everyone starting daycare when I went back to work and then potty training Lexingtyn. Oh and I am trying to get a photography business to be successful. Just being a mom has been a blessing and a very hard task!!

First of all, Danikahs feeding issues sure all resolved and you would never know she had any issues if it weren't for the pictures and stories on the blog. It is but a memory. Thanks for all yours prayers, they were answered.

I do have another update for you and it is but a memory as well. Kevin and I wondered how it ever came to pass that we were to be blessed with danikah as she was not planned and we were trying to be careful...LOL!! After a very easy nine month pregnancy and very fast, and easy delivery. I was blessed yet again with a healthy baby girl.
It was not until my 6 week check up that I discovered why she was meant to be. Cancerous cells were found on my cervix and it was suggested or should I say decided for me that I would have a biopsy. My biopsy was done I April 2009 and my cervix was a mess and basically removed. It was covered in lesions and rated stage CIN I. My OB decided that answer was not good enough so it was sent out again and it came back CIN III. It was time for some decisions. I could have paps every 3 months to moniter or have a hysterectomy. It was a no brainer. I had 4 perfectly healthy girls and Kevin had already had his vasectomy so we opted to remove anything that resembled cancer. I was booked for September 15th 2009. I had a partial vaginal hysterectomy and I was able to keep my ovaries. They were crystal clear. No menopause for me!!!!!

I had a very rough recovery, developed an infection and ended up on several meds but in the end...I was CANCER FREE!!!!!! Kevin was fantastic...took time away from work to care for me and the girls. Let me tell you how blessed I am to have him. He made that part of my recovery and time away from the children stress free!!!

Our next obstacle was Gracelynn. Her teacher contacted me while I was recovering and had major concerns with behaviour and her work. She was not working up to her potential and was in fear of losing her year. I was not surprised but I was. Gracelynn had struggled socially and we had other agencies involved in the past year. I suspected ADHD but the school and the agency we had involved did not agree. They said she was a late in the year baby (Dec 2002) and she seeemed to have anger management issues. After this phone call...I insisted in a psychiatric evaluation to weed out there conclusions or mine may it be the case. We waited from October until yesterday. I was right....she is a very classic case of ADHD!!!! We had a very thorough examination of Gracelynn and her issues. The Dr was able to read her like she had been living with us for the last year. It was a huge weight lifted off our shoulders. We have some things in place to help Grace and we feel she is ready for her fresh start and she is excited!!

I will leave with the video we made with Gracie and how we wanted to celebrate her life to date and to show her that even though she feels liek a bad girl who makes bad choices...she is a girl full of "grace" a huge and loving heart and she has ADHD and that makes her special..not bad. We know why she does what she does , thinks like she does and reacts like she does. Now it is time to make Gracie believe that even though she has something that could stand in her way, we are going help knock ADHD out of the way to make way for Gracelynn's dreams. She is going to be a Dr. and possibly work in China to save the pandas. It will all make sense when you watch the video..she loves her pandas!!!

Take care and God bless...
Nicole and family

Back on track.....

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The last few days have been very eventful. Things are going our way but slowly.
The other night Emma, Gracie, and Lexi were tickling, wrestling on the floor when we heard a pop...someone hurt something. Well sure enough once we got everyone cleared from the floor Emma was crying and said her thumb hurt really bad. It looked o.k. that night so we thought she sprained it maybe......
The next morning it was definitely swollen and it was a nice range of colors...not to mention it was soooo crooked. I took her to be seen and she was sent for x-rays. We waited all weekend with her thumb in a splint. The clinic called on Monday and we had to see the Dr. I took her in after the call and yes it was broken. We had to go to Metropolitan Hospital to see a plastic surgeon on Wednesday. After a very long wait, and Emma getting really impatient...the Dr. confirmed the break but said it was in a good spot and would heal on its on in about 10 days from the day she hurt it. he wrapped it in a better splint and sent us on our way. We got home around lunch and I had to eat something to turn a round and go back to see Danikah's pediatrician.
Well what a beautiful day it turned out to be after we left there. I am in such a great mood!! YEAH!
Danikah and I saw the Dr and she was very happy to tell us that her feeding assessment was a success and the trach and stomach were indeed attached ...so no problems there. YIPPEE!!!!!
She also decided to change meds to Prevacid just as a trial as the Ranitidine was binding her up and since I stopped that med....she really hasn't been spitting up as much. She didn't feel that an upper GI would be a benefit as Dani would have been throwing up everything including fluids from the start if it was that. She and I both agree that Dani's issues aside from the reflux are psychological or behavioural and she has a hard time with certain textures. Some babies just skip right over baby food and move on to the good stuff....real food!!! We started feeding her a few days before the appointment because she was asking to have something and although she gagged ( very hard) on some of it....she held it down and did o.k. She does love fruits, is working on veggies...but hates cereal. I have tried everyones suggestions and she does not want it and that is o.k. I will get Danikah her grains a different way. The Dr then weighed her. keep in mind that until a few weeks ago she was breast fed and now is drinking formula. At her 6 1/2 month check up when we addressed the problem....she was just under 17 lbs 14 ozs(breastfed) at just over 7 months when she was assessed by the specialist she was 19lbs.She is 8 months old today and weighed in yesterday at 21 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is with no solids...can you believe that. She doesn't eat in excess and she is very active. A month ago she was pulling herself along but not quite crawling and I wasn't able to leave her in a sitting position and walk away as she would still fall over. Specialist said she was scooting. A few days later she was really crawling and fast too. She crawling and then sitting up on her own and was very much in control. Then about 3-4 weeks ago she started wanting to pull her self to her knees on objects on the floor or in her crib......that got lowered that day. She did that for a few weeks and we had to be careful because she thought she could just throw herself to the floor to sit.....a few bumps here and there. On Sunday we were all in the living room and Danikah crawled over to the ottoman and stood up......I just about crapped!!!! Are you kidding me???? She wasn't even 8 months old yet!! All this in under a month......I was blown away!!!
Last night for dinner ...Danikah ate mashed potatoes, broccoli, and chicken....that I cooked. She loved the broccoli..big time!!!!
This morning I had to get out Lexi's 12 AND 18 month clothes because Danikah needs them. She doesn't even look big.....she measures long though...27 1/2 inches!!! I am in for a really tall kid I think...LOL!!! Lexingtyn is 32 inches and she will be 2 in just over a month!!!!!

On to the others....Lexingtyn is starting to put two and three word phrases together and for the longest time she is was one word at a time. She is getting closer to being diaper free....another yippee!!!

Emma has been doing a great deed this week...her great grandmother is staying with Kevin parents and while they are at work...Emma spends the day with Nana and gets her up....does lunch and plays cards or watches movies.....she says she is having a blast with her Nana. So very proud of her. Haven't seen her much this week but for good reason. Gracelynn has been helping me with the babies and showing us she can handle a little more in respect to responsibility. She is doing good!!!

Oh yeah..Dani's second bottom tooth came...so glad they came after I was done nursing her...she can BITE!!!!

I know Danikah is in a boy outfit in the video per say but dad is a firefighter and we have to make him happy......sometimes!!!! LOL!!!

My girls make it worth it......

Today and last night was a s rough as it gets but through it all...I still laughed and the reason is 4 sweet girls.
Emma kept and eye on the baby this morning (early) so mom could get a shower and then she asked me to move her room a round and she cleaned it all very nice. It was nice time together while the girls were being occupied by a friend of the family downstairs. We cleaned up the whole house and then Emma and our friend Emily took the girls outside while I got a lot of needed things done. I am so tired but stuff needs to get done. They were so helpful. Between Emily and Emma they got the baby to fall asleep and have a nap. I was so happy!!!!
the older girls helped get lunch started, cleaned up all the toys...changed diapers for naps and when it was all said and done....I was so relaxed...awesome job helping me girls!!!!!!
Danikah is still all messed up and waiting to see the Dr on Wednesday is going to be rough.
She isn`t eating well today again but her spirits are not dampened..she is such a happy baby!!!

O n a better note.....we are planning to go away to see family finally after 4 long years. We have a reunion every other year and we haven`t been since 2005 so I am very excited.
Tomorrow is my final exam for my photography and I am looking forward to this part being done. I go back for the next round in the winter. Hopefully I pass....LOL!!!!! By the photoshoots I am booking...it looks good!!!

Before I leave you tonight I do want to thank a few special people that have emiled me directly or posted a comment on the blog. I am overwhelmed at your compassion. Thank-you for your ideas, your love and most of all ....making me realize that I am not alone!!!! It means so much..more than you know!!!

Nicole

Assessment completed today....

I need to back up a few days because they have been such a nightmare I could just scream...I am so tired and apologize for not updating this blog. I know I have people know that are following that I have never met and I am so thankful for your support so bear with me as I get this all out there.
The Ranitidine was suppose to be a bandaid for her reflux and it has caused more problems...Dani was waking up due to acid reflux in the middle of the night ( like 3-4 times to nurse) We started the meds and she started sleeping longer and it was like we had a miracle happening. That lasted a few days and then the problems came. She started waking up more in the night but refusing to nurse and just crying and moaning. I started to notice the longer intervals between bowel movements ( although they were still soft) and then all hell broke loose. The constipation started late last week and I know that it is the meds. The sleeplessness was a symptom and so is the constipation. She is waking up screaming instead of a slow wake up like she used to do. She refuses any food and she just moans and wants to be rocked...eventually falling asleep only to wake less than and hour later sometimes twice and hour. I can't do this anymore, seriously. she won't eat because she is so bound up. I can't give her prunes or any other solids to get it to move because I was told no foods. I tried apple juice and nothing. I cried so hard the other day when she tried to go and I had to assist her and she screamed so hard and held her breath....It was so bad she bled. So now we have no spitting up or vomiting but now she can't poop and can't sleep....did not solve the problem!!!!!

Now to catch up to today.....
Getting ready for all this today was really crazy trying to get four very high strung girls out of the house. I went over to grandmas and dropped off Emma, Gracie & Lexi to play and spend some time with Kevin's mom. Danikah and I headed to the hospital. Every nurse or Dr.in the place stopped to talk to Dani and kept telling her she was very beautiful. A nice way to help mom relax before the big test. Michelle ( our assessment nurse) came out and talked to me about what was going to happen and got some of what we brought. She asked how the meds were working and she looked concerned...not only does the ranitidine cause constipation.....so does the barium test. She said she would try and use as little as possible. Michelle went and added the barium and then a few minutes later ( after 20 more nurses stopped to talk to Danikah) Michelle came back out with her chair and we got started. Danikah did amazingly well for her test. It was concluded there is nothing wrong with her esophagus and she swallowed just fine. The radiologist was concerned about how she swallowed and think it is more of an upper GI problem. We got unstrapped from the chair and went back out into the hall and she threw up. Gagged and everything. The nurse was floored..and was like...that didn't take long.
I tried to give her her bottle before we left and tried to get her home before she did it again. She refused the bottle. To this point the last bottle she had was at like 4 am when she finally ate for me. Now it is noon and she won't eat. we come home and from what I can make from it....she is cramping and screaming in pain from the food and barium. Here we go again.......
She screamed the whole way home. I tried the bottle at home and she refused. She just cried and wanted to be rocked.She calmed down long enough for me to set her down on the floor so I could use the washroom and as I returned she was pushing and trying to go to the bathroom. I ran ,picked her up and had to help her again. I won't even go into how bad it was...it was just bad. She just sobbed on me after and from then which was 2pm till almost 3:30pm she was so uncomfortable. She finally curled up into a ball in my lap and fell asleep and i was able to put her in her bed. That is why this took so long to get on here.
I want my baby fixed...I want her to be healthy and happy, I want her to feel refreshed after getting the sleep she needs. I want to enjoy all my children without feeling like a zombie with no energy. It is summer...we should be out enjoying our time and we just can't because Danikah is in such a bad place.

The part that sucks the most is....she wants food so bad...she cries when we eat and not share. She doesn't see the paediatrician until next Wednesday. Then a upper GI will be ordered, which could take a few weeks and then follow up again.........

How much more does this sweet pea need to endure before they figure it out?
She wants my hugs and they seem to help so I am just going keep doing what works...LOVE!!!!!

Nicole

Testing is officially booked

We are very excited..the speech department called me from the hospital and we spoke about Dani's issues and we are going in for her modified barium testing on July 14th. Seems so far away but at least it is coming. The woman I spoke to was very helpful and says it sounds do much like reflux and the test will help determine that. It will also eliminate or rule out aspiration. She said that is the main concern right now.
In the mean time...she is back to spitting up again..not a violently but it is back. She slept great the first two nights but we were up over and over again last night. The nurse at the hospital says that her getting up to nurse during the night helps push the acid back down so she can sleep again. Laying flat out makes the reflux come up and into her chest and throat. Breastmilk helps push it away. They need to find whet will help keep it down so she can sleep.

I am so tired and I am complaining......AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! Yawn Yawn!! There I have had my complaining session. I need sleep and so does she...poor thing. She is up way more than she was a newborn. That is crazy.
I am spending so much time with her and I need to spend some time with the other girls. I want to write about our adventures too.................maybe I can do that soon. Maybe tomorrow....got to catch a nap or I am no good to anyone.....not even me.

The countdown is on to answers ..............14 days.

Nicole