It has been a struggle to get the approval for this procedure, but Kennedy will finally be able to get tubes put in her ears. She has been very sick with double ear infections since November and she has been in pain ever since. We wanted the surgery to be done in Hagerstown instead of DC, and that has been a nightmare to get records transferred to the correct departments.
Kennedy was very sick for her birthday party and cried the whole time! The following week she was in the Pediatrician's office three times because of a 104.6 fever that we could not keep under control. Kaylee ended up getting Strep throat and Mono the same week! Larry and I started to feel sick, so we were given antibiotics as well.
Kennedy was back to her old self a few days ago, and we hadn't seen her that happy since October. You could tell that her ears weren't bothering her and she felt great. Unfortunately, she started vomiting and got a bad case of diarrhea yesterday! I am afraid she got a virus, but Larry is hoping it was bad food or something. If she gets sick again, the surgery will have to be cancelled----AND WE DON'T WANT THAT!!
So her surgery is scheduled for this Monday. We are trying to keep fluids in her and monitor her temperature right now. I hope Larry is right and maybe she ate something that was bad....but I have a feeling it is a virus. Help us with prayer over the next few days that she is well enough for the surgery that she desperately needs.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
One Year Old
Wow....I just can't believe it! Kennedy is going to be one year old this Thursday and it is hard to grasp it. Her birthday crept up on us, and we didn't have enough time to plan a big party. As much as I wanted to shout to the world, rent out a place, and invite tons of people to celebrate her life with us...it would be way out of our budget. The place I wanted to have her party would have cost $150 and then we would have to get food, decorations, etc.
We decided to have a small party with family and just a few close friends this weekend. It is in our price range, and the most expensive part of the party will be her cake. I want to make the cake...and being that I am still in the beginning stages of being a cake decorator, buying the pans and all the Wilton stuff isn't cheap.
We are so excited to celebrate her birthday, and I can't wait to see if she tears into her cake. Kaylee was scared to touch her cake when she turned one because I would never let her get dirty. I had to take her hand and smash it in the cake! Kennedy is more assertive than she was, so I have a feeling she will not have any problems making a mess.
We decided to have a small party with family and just a few close friends this weekend. It is in our price range, and the most expensive part of the party will be her cake. I want to make the cake...and being that I am still in the beginning stages of being a cake decorator, buying the pans and all the Wilton stuff isn't cheap.
We are so excited to celebrate her birthday, and I can't wait to see if she tears into her cake. Kaylee was scared to touch her cake when she turned one because I would never let her get dirty. I had to take her hand and smash it in the cake! Kennedy is more assertive than she was, so I have a feeling she will not have any problems making a mess.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Correction in journal story
Here is the link for the story in the journal.
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/515973.html?actionAlert=emailcontent
Overall, I think that the editor did a great job on Kennedy's update. Apparently she must have used pieces of the previous story on Kennedy in 2008...which made some information inaccurate.
Just to make it clear, we DO NOT have $300,000 in medical debt for Kennedy. I flipped out when the first editor put that in the paper...and was totally surprised to see it in today's paper. WE HAVE INSURANCE, and they have been slowly paying their portion of Kennedy's bills.
So.....we DO NOT have $300,000 in medical bills.
Just wanted to clear that up :-)
To see more pictures of Kennedy, go to www.babyruffner.blogspot.com
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/515973.html?actionAlert=emailcontent
Overall, I think that the editor did a great job on Kennedy's update. Apparently she must have used pieces of the previous story on Kennedy in 2008...which made some information inaccurate.
Just to make it clear, we DO NOT have $300,000 in medical debt for Kennedy. I flipped out when the first editor put that in the paper...and was totally surprised to see it in today's paper. WE HAVE INSURANCE, and they have been slowly paying their portion of Kennedy's bills.
So.....we DO NOT have $300,000 in medical bills.
Just wanted to clear that up :-)
To see more pictures of Kennedy, go to www.babyruffner.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Farewell JR
The community showed their respects to the family as we buried JR yesterday. For me, the viewing was difficult...but seeing his casket closed at the funeral and knowing that it would never be opened again was very hard for me. Natalie (JR's wife) chose three beautiful songs to be played and they couldn't have been more perfect for him.
For those of you who had the honor of knowing JR, please remember and cherish all the good times you shared with him. JR and I were good friends in college and stayed in touch after we graduated by chatting at the gym whenever we saw each other. There was never a dull moment with him, and I have so many hilarious memories of things we did together. Don't harp on the difficult struggles he had with cancer and the heartache he must have felt through it all. He would not want us to relive that emotional pain.
Last night, Larry and I spent the evening reflecting on all the good times we had with JR. We laughed... we cried... and it helped us heal from the loss. I was able to talk to Larry about my emotions and the guilt I was feeling about his death. We were able to help one another deal with unanswered questions. I felt uplifted afterwards, and I think we both felt at peace with knowing that JR is now in Heaven and no longer in pain.
There is one huge aspect of life that JR's passing should remind all of us. Don't take anything for granted. If someone would've told JR that his life would end at 30 years old, he wouldn't have believed them. None of us have a guarantee that we will live to an old age. As a police officer's wife, I have learned to cherish every moment I have with my husband because every time he goes to work, it may be the last time I get to give him a kiss. But what if my time comes before his? Have I lived my life to the fullest? Have you?
I will close with this: If you perished tomorrow, would you have any regrets about your life? Would you be proud of your accomplishments? Have you been a good parent, a good spouse, a good samaritan? Have you lived your life the way Christ would want you to? Do you have Christ in your heart? Will you leave a legacy that your children will be proud of? I'm sure JR thought of these questions before his death, and I know that he stood tall when he entered through the gates of Heaven. I pray that each of us will be able to stand as tall as he did when our time comes.
God Bless
For those of you who had the honor of knowing JR, please remember and cherish all the good times you shared with him. JR and I were good friends in college and stayed in touch after we graduated by chatting at the gym whenever we saw each other. There was never a dull moment with him, and I have so many hilarious memories of things we did together. Don't harp on the difficult struggles he had with cancer and the heartache he must have felt through it all. He would not want us to relive that emotional pain.
Last night, Larry and I spent the evening reflecting on all the good times we had with JR. We laughed... we cried... and it helped us heal from the loss. I was able to talk to Larry about my emotions and the guilt I was feeling about his death. We were able to help one another deal with unanswered questions. I felt uplifted afterwards, and I think we both felt at peace with knowing that JR is now in Heaven and no longer in pain.
There is one huge aspect of life that JR's passing should remind all of us. Don't take anything for granted. If someone would've told JR that his life would end at 30 years old, he wouldn't have believed them. None of us have a guarantee that we will live to an old age. As a police officer's wife, I have learned to cherish every moment I have with my husband because every time he goes to work, it may be the last time I get to give him a kiss. But what if my time comes before his? Have I lived my life to the fullest? Have you?
I will close with this: If you perished tomorrow, would you have any regrets about your life? Would you be proud of your accomplishments? Have you been a good parent, a good spouse, a good samaritan? Have you lived your life the way Christ would want you to? Do you have Christ in your heart? Will you leave a legacy that your children will be proud of? I'm sure JR thought of these questions before his death, and I know that he stood tall when he entered through the gates of Heaven. I pray that each of us will be able to stand as tall as he did when our time comes.
God Bless
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Prayer Request
Please join me in prayer for the Butcher family. We were informed that the doctors are giving JR four to six weeks to live. He is not feeling any pain because they have him on a bunch of medication to help him rest. Unfortunately his brain cancer has consumed his body, and the doctors have done everything they can to keep it under control. JR has always been a fighter, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will continue to fight until he takes his last breath.
Pray that God will continue to hold him close. If the time must come that JR has to leave us, I pray that his spirit leaves his body in a peaceful and painless manner. Even though we may lose him in the physical being, he will never leave our hearts. I am still praying for a miracle because God can do the impossible! A part of me knows that I have to come to terms with JR living out his last days, and it definitely pulls at my heart.
Thank you for all your prayers!
Pray that God will continue to hold him close. If the time must come that JR has to leave us, I pray that his spirit leaves his body in a peaceful and painless manner. Even though we may lose him in the physical being, he will never leave our hearts. I am still praying for a miracle because God can do the impossible! A part of me knows that I have to come to terms with JR living out his last days, and it definitely pulls at my heart.
Thank you for all your prayers!
LATEST MRI RESULTS
We have been patiently waiting on the results of the MRI Kennedy had a few weeks ago. The surgeon called us a few days ago and left us a message with good news! Now, we have yet to speak to him...but the voicemail he left said that the tumor is getting smaller!! WOOHOO! Praise God!
I will update the blog as soon as we are able to speak with the doctor more and get all the details. He mentioned that he met with the Tumor Board at Children's and they have created plan on how to monitor the tumor....and it doesn't involve anymore MRI's!!!
I will update the blog as soon as we are able to speak with the doctor more and get all the details. He mentioned that he met with the Tumor Board at Children's and they have created plan on how to monitor the tumor....and it doesn't involve anymore MRI's!!!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Busy Busy Busy
Wow, I don't know about you...but our lives have been so busy the past couple of months!!! I barely remember the month of December because things were so hectic and I was too busy running around like a crazy woman. Today was the first day I have been able to sit down, stare at the walls, and do absolutely nothing since probably the week before Thanksgiving!!
Kennedy ended up catching a cold the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and we have been at the pediatrician's office at least 10-15 times since then. From antibiotic injections, double ear infections, to drawing blood for possible blood poisoning, to breathing treatments....you name it, she has been through it. To add to it, everyone in the house ended up getting sick from her! Kennedy just could not shake the sickness and the doctors were baffled. Larry figured it up, and we spent over $300 in her medication and co pays in less than a month! She just had a follow up appointment on Christmas Eve and they said she needs to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist because she still has fluid behind her ears after a month of treatment.
Kaylee and I were involved with our church's Christmas production, and that seemed to engulf so much of our time. So while we were tending to a very sick baby, fighting off our own colds, and trying to prepare for Christmas at our home....we were also memorizing lyrics, shopping for stage attire, learning choreography, and making sure everything was ready for the production. Kaylee and I ended up getting really sick the week before the show, and the doctor put me on 5 different medications. We were both holding on to the little bit of voices we had left...and I think we did the best we could with our performances (considering our health). The Christmas Experience was a huge success, and the community packed the Apollo to share in the joy that Christmas brings to us. Kaylee rocked her solo in the kids choir with her scratchy voice, and I cried every time she sang it. I was so proud of her!!
We finally had the time to put our tree up two days before Christmas, and even went to get family pictures taken on Christmas Eve...lol. Talk about last minute, but we fit it all in just in time! Yeah it was way too crazy, and at times I was very stressed out...but we were still able to enjoy family time on Christmas day. I will not let our lives get that crazy again, because I had a pretty bad meltdown in front of some friends...and I can't let myself get to that point again. I think it was just everything hitting us at once, and then dealing with all of us being sick really wore our bodies out.
We feel better now, and we are eager to see what 2009 has for us! I am confident that God has so many wonderful things planned and we are excited to live out everyday the way He wants us to! Kennedy will be getting another MRI on January 7th at Children's Hospital to check the status of her tumor, and we know that we will have great results. So help us in prayer for the tumor to be either the same size or shrinking. Heck, pray that it has disappeared because we know all things are possible with God!!!
Kennedy ended up catching a cold the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and we have been at the pediatrician's office at least 10-15 times since then. From antibiotic injections, double ear infections, to drawing blood for possible blood poisoning, to breathing treatments....you name it, she has been through it. To add to it, everyone in the house ended up getting sick from her! Kennedy just could not shake the sickness and the doctors were baffled. Larry figured it up, and we spent over $300 in her medication and co pays in less than a month! She just had a follow up appointment on Christmas Eve and they said she needs to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist because she still has fluid behind her ears after a month of treatment.
Kaylee and I were involved with our church's Christmas production, and that seemed to engulf so much of our time. So while we were tending to a very sick baby, fighting off our own colds, and trying to prepare for Christmas at our home....we were also memorizing lyrics, shopping for stage attire, learning choreography, and making sure everything was ready for the production. Kaylee and I ended up getting really sick the week before the show, and the doctor put me on 5 different medications. We were both holding on to the little bit of voices we had left...and I think we did the best we could with our performances (considering our health). The Christmas Experience was a huge success, and the community packed the Apollo to share in the joy that Christmas brings to us. Kaylee rocked her solo in the kids choir with her scratchy voice, and I cried every time she sang it. I was so proud of her!!
We finally had the time to put our tree up two days before Christmas, and even went to get family pictures taken on Christmas Eve...lol. Talk about last minute, but we fit it all in just in time! Yeah it was way too crazy, and at times I was very stressed out...but we were still able to enjoy family time on Christmas day. I will not let our lives get that crazy again, because I had a pretty bad meltdown in front of some friends...and I can't let myself get to that point again. I think it was just everything hitting us at once, and then dealing with all of us being sick really wore our bodies out.
We feel better now, and we are eager to see what 2009 has for us! I am confident that God has so many wonderful things planned and we are excited to live out everyday the way He wants us to! Kennedy will be getting another MRI on January 7th at Children's Hospital to check the status of her tumor, and we know that we will have great results. So help us in prayer for the tumor to be either the same size or shrinking. Heck, pray that it has disappeared because we know all things are possible with God!!!
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