MRI, Walk N Roll, Red's Baby Day, and Pumpkin Patches OH MY

Thank you so very much if your still sticking around after my long absence. We've been a busy family in the past few weeks. The first of which was Emma's MRI. We had to get Emma to Children's by 12:00 pm and she couldn't eat formula for about 6 hours prior to this because of the sedation. I thought I might be able to be in the MRI with her the way I had been in the past, but to my disdain I was not. I understand it's their protocol and I respect that but at the same time talk about wrenching my heart out. Kinda took me back to the days in the NICU when I had to entrust my sweet baby to the hands of albeit very competent doctors but it was still very hard. The MRI lasted about three hours. It should have been two but they were having technical difficulties. She came out of the anesthesia like a champ, of course. We took her home and in the next few hours she was back to her sweet spirited self.

As I mentioned in my previous post we had the Spina Bifida Coalition of Cincinnati Walk N Roll. It's one of their biggest fundraisers for the year and it was AMAZING. The amount of support our Team Emmavators had was especially touching for Peter and I. We had family come in from FL and TN just to walk and show support for our baby. Fundraising went well I was quite impressed with myself if I can gloat about it for a moment. We raised a grand total of $1690.00 so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was made possible by the generous people we love!!!! I told my mom that this walk is rather cathartic for us but also for our extended family. I'm not sure how much research they've done but they can see all the abilities and possibilities that are out there for Emma.

The next day we got to go to a Cincinnati Red's game. Since Emma was born at Good Samaritan Hospital we were eligible for a REALLY neat opportunity. We got a free ticket and then discounts on the other ones. We were able to get our pictures taken with the mascots, and we got to parade on the warning track (on the dirt) before the game. It was so neat although the weather stunk as did the Red's it was an awesome day for us as a family!!

We got to meet with Dr. Stevenson on October 1st to discuss Emma's MRI results. It was all good news and a few things that we need to keep an eye on. He commented on how great her hydrocephalus was from April till now.  There is room for her brain to grow which is how it is supposed to be. He said her Chiari II was now considered mild. PRAISE GOD. This was one of the MANY things I worried about and prayed over and to hear him say MILD. WOW. She does have several syrinxes which are fluid filled cavities (these are completely normal and expected in SB kids). She also has a cyst where her repair took place. She will have another MRI in January to monitor these things. He said if they've gotten larger then we will check her shunt, check her shunt, and check her shunt again. Most times if they've gotten larger then it would be shunt related. If its not then he would look at her Chiari. All things considered we have one amazing daughter on our hands and we are so blessed that God chose us to be her parents.

Today we went to the pumpkin patch. It was so fun and a good deal. Peter and I have been commenting on how much fun the holidays are going to be now that we have Emma to share them with. Their charm, and excitement are going to come flooding back as we get to experience them all over for the first time again with her. The pumpkin patch had a hay ride through the woods and to the patch and then back again. It was kind of bumpy but still so much fun!!!! We got some cute pumpkins and are looking forward to carving them.

Thank you so much for hanging out with our family through the world wide web. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I ask that you continue to pray for our precious girl! She is such a gift to us and we praise God for her everyday. Please pray that her syrinx and cyst go away and that she wouldn't need further intervention. Pray that her shunt continues to function as it should, continue to pray that she doesn't have seizures. But most of all pray for her overall continued good health. Thank you to all for your faith, love and prayers. They are invaluable to us!

Now onto the pics!!!

We were on the jumbo-tron.