Saturday, November, 27

Stayed at the Swan Hotel

The boys visiting the cockpit during our flight.

Boys with Debbie (Clay's nurse at Children's clinic)

Chance & boys (Animal Kingdom)

The boys with Mickey & Minnie

The boys and myself with Kidd Kraddick (thanks, Kidd)

Southwest Airline's Kidd's Kids plane

Boys with Beauty & The Beast

Hello to all, we hope you had a happy Thanksgiving-we have so much to be thankful for. We wanted to let you know that Clay's surgery date has been changed to Tuesday, December 14. Our scheduling coordinator had to change the date to accommodate an additional physician. With this being an extensive procedure, two Plastic Surgeons will be in the O.R. Clay is scheduled from 11:30am-7:30pm in the O.R.(8 hr. surgery with many hours of anxiety in the waiting room).

We've recently returned from Walt Disney World in Florida. Clay was chosen for a special trip for terminally & chronically ill children (Kidd's Kids trip). Our nurse, at Children's hospital, told us about the trip and asked us to fill out an application. She told us about the trip this past Spring and begged us to send in the application before the August deadline. She was very persistent, and her persistence paid off. We mailed our application, and found out a few weeks later that Clay had been chosen. I believe there were 52 families chosen. It was an incredible trip for us & we are thankful that we were able to go. Some videos and pictures can be seen at kiddskids.com & I am posting a few of our own on the blog.

Carson turned 12 yrs. old last Saturday (Nov. 20th). It is hard to believe he's already 12. Our boys are growing up fast! We want to cherish these special years!

We are grateful for your care!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Hello to all! Once again, it has taken me a month to post. Clay has really healed well from his last surgery on Sept. 27th & is a very active little boy. His next surgery is scheduled for Dec. 13th. The scheduling coordinator had to block out a full day (8 hrs) in the O.R. for this next surgery. It will be his most-extensive surgery so far & I am worried about him being under anesthesia that long. Our Plastic Surgeon will release his neck. The tissue expanders, on his shoulders, will be taken out and the expanded skin will be brought across his chest (below his trach). The Dr. will then take a large, full-thickness, skin graft from Clay's right thigh and place it under his neck.
The contracting scars have pulled Clay's chin down to his chest. He did have a neck-release surgery last year, but his scars were still in the maturation stage. As long his scars were maturing (18months-2years), they continued to contract. Clay's scars are almost fully mature (with the exception of a few). Since they are now mature, we will begin to see big differences with his surgeries. Some have wondered why Clay had so many surgeries during the "scar maturation stage" and he had to have those surgeries to keep functional. We will meet with our Plastic Surgeon on Nov. 30th and discuss surgery details further. Many have also asked if Clay's trach will be removed during this surgery. Clay's trach will NOT be removed at this time. It will stay in place until he gains enough extension in his neck for safe intubations during surgeries.
Clay and I (mom) attended the World Burn Congress in Galveston, TX a few weeks ago. He met some new buddies there. We also enjoyed our recent Fall church conventions. Clay also showed his miniature steer at our county "prospect" show last weekend. Cody showed his steer, too. It was good practice for both boys.
A nice thought passed on from our recent church conventions was this: "Our thanks is the only thing God doesn't have, until we give it to Him." I want to give my thanks to God everyday. We feel like we can't give much in return for all that has been done for Clay; but, we can give our thanks. We thank you for all!