Surgery Numero 2

So long about 1 am Wednesday night or I guess you should say EARLY Thursday morning there was a lone blue Camry headed toward Charleston, SC.  That Camry contained a very sleepy mommy, daddy,  and Baby Conner, and ofcourse a semi rested Papaw Robert.  Let me just add we have been very fortunate to have my dad offer his car and his time to drive us to Charleston over the best two months.  For anyone that has a gas hog like the Big Expedition you know that 12 miles a gallon on a 5 hour trip just isn't cutting it.  (More about that later.)  

We arrived in Charleston around 6:30 am and got checked into outpatiend surgery.  Papaw curled up in the car for a nap.  Conner stayed asleep the whole time and when he did wake up he did not seem to mind that he had not eaten in 4 hours.  The nurses absolutely adored our sweet baby boy and his beautiful smile.  There was no blood pressure drama this time.  LOL (the nurses got a good chuckle about that story.) Dr. Hochman came in and gave us a quick pep talk.  Anesthesia came in for the "here are your risks" talk.  All the papers got signed, and two nurses whisked Conner away. 

11 minutes later, Dr. Hochman was back to tell us everything went well. Conner's skin has become "pitted" over his hemangioma and there is no way to tell if that is how the hemangioma is growing or if it came from the first laser treatment.  Normally the penetration of the laser would be increased at every surgery.  However because of the condition of Conner's skin Dr. Hochman chose to use the same level of the laser as the first surgery.  Conner came out from under anesthesia just fine.  He was not crying, just woke up, looked up at the recovery nurse and smiled.  We were back on the road before 9 o'clock, and home before 4!  YAY!!!! 

One more thing, I just wanted to Praise God for the wonderful blessings He gives us. Although we are SOOOO appreciative that dad has been willing to take us back and forth to Charleston we have been praying for a new vehicle with better gas mileage.  God allowed us to finance a 2004 Toyota Sienna that gets almost twice the gas mileage as the Expedition did.  That means half the gas money per trip!!!  Our payments did not go up very much and in the process we were able to pay off a personal loan and allowed that monthly payment to come off of our bills!  Pray that we will continue to be good stewards of our money.  Only God could have worked out all the details so perfectly!!!!

Thank you again for all your prayers and support.  I will be updating soon about some fundraising and benefits we will be having for the Hemangioma Foundation in honor of Conner. Also, stay tuned for pictures pre and post op!!! 

Conner's Prayer Card

We are blessed to know a wonderful lady who is a whiz at graphic design.  Thankfully she volunteered her time to create a beautiful prayer/donation card for Conner's medical expenses.  I am just so proud of it I wanted to share it with all of you.  Please keep us in your thoughts today.  Little man has come down with his first cold/ear infection.  Antibiotics are on their way as soon as his Aunt Jennifer comes back from the pharmacy.  (I am babysitting all six kids, my three and her three, while she runs some errands!)  Have a wonderful rest of the week! 

Isn't it just wonderful?!!!  Thank you Janee'!!!!!! 

Christmas Pictures

We are so thankful that Conner's first surgery was successful and that he was able to be home and healthy  for Christmas!  God has truly blessed our family more than we could ever imagine.  I just wanted to share some beautiful pictures from Christmas morning.  Oh and one more thing Conner's next treatment/surgery is January 21st.  Please mark the dates on your calendar so you will remember to send up a special prayer!  Much love to you all and enjoy the pictures!!! 

Little Man's First Car!  (It is slightly used...Thanks Legina!  LOL)

He can't quite reach the steering wheel! 

Conner Levi "Bubba" Carswell and his beautiful sisters Mallory and Makenna! 

By the way did anyone else besides me notice how much lighter his hemangioma looks?   And this was only two days after his first treatment.  Praise God!