Cheers to 2024 and hoping it gets better! We’ve had a rough start: Charlie’s rod lengthening surgery on Dec. 7 was a success! The procedure and recovery took longer because than the surgeon replaced both rods in Charlie’s back to add length – as opposed to just making an incision and lengthening the rods. For … More Cheers to 2024
It’s been 5+ months since my last blog. I just haven’t had it in me to write anything. I was burnt out and just needed a break. Break from what? I don’t know. All of it – I guess. As you know, I organized the Syble Hopp Golf Outing for Charlie’s school with another mom. … More We All Need a Break
We are in the midst of summer and Charlie is loving it! Before school let out Charlie and his class went on several field trips including the N.E.W. Zoo & going fishing. While that’s very exciting, he was even more excited that grandpa went along as a chaperone. As much as he loves school, he … More Summer Smiles
I don’t like surprises – good or bad. Don’t plan a surprise party for me. Don’t surprise me with bad news. The only kind of surprise I want is for Al to tell me to pack my bags…we’re headed to the airport for a trip he planned. And I know that kind of surprise will … More Blindsided
Our happy Charlie is now 8 years old! He LOVES celebrating his birthday and LOVES parties, like his mom. Charlie seems to be more happy celebrating at school and with his family. Since Charlie cannot eat by mouth we don’t send treats to school, but rather I’ll buy a gift for each of his classmates, … More Eight is Great
There are times in your life when you experience a change and it opens your eyes a little wider. It can be a new job – experiencing a new world of personalities and people. It can be marriage or a new baby, a medical change, something tragic or something that’s just different. These changes change … More A Changed Mindset
Charlie’s latest scoliosis surgery was on December 1. The surgeon lengthened the rod on Charlie’s left side and replaced the rod on the right side. He also had his annual eye exam under anesthesia (EUA) at the same time. It’s HUGE that they were able to coordinate both on the same day, to avoid another … More Surgery, Surgery and more Surgery
A new school year brings new emotions. Well, they’re not actually new – rather emotions that are tucked away and at times triggered with reality. As much as I love seeing kids’ 1st day of school pictures (honestly I do), it is also a challenge seeing them hold a sign sharing their age and grade. … More Back to School, Back to Reality
“Wow, I’ve never seen a kid with this much stuff going on” said the older nurse going through Charlie’s chart while Grandpa, Charlie and I waited in the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin pre-operative room. “He’s had 4 eye surgeries?! Oh wait, 5… oh no… 6 eye surgeries” she asked. And he’s had stomach surgery?” Silence… … More Summer Smiles and Surgery
We hope the third time is a charm for Charlie having his necessary scoliosis rod-lengthening surgery. It has been canceled twice and now scheduled for — the third time — for early June. It was initially scheduled February 9; however Charlie was hospitalized with RSV. It was rescheduled for May 5, but Charlie’s pre-surgery covid … More Third time is a C H A R M
Charlie, our Angel 