My Warrior

Good Evening!

My Super Wy right outside the RMH

 

                                                           The beautiful lobby of RMH

Right after surgery

Today the swelling is much worse

                              This is what is stitched into these beautiful winged blankets.

This is his completely CLOSED airway after breathing.

This is the small airway opening to begin with. Google what it should look like- there should be much more space.

I know so many of you have been following on Facebook, sending nice texts, emails and comments and although we may not have responded to each one we were uplifted by them all. It is truly magical to see how God works in our lives and the true power of prayer. So keep the prayers and uplifting texts coming. :)

I have always been honest that the biggest struggle for me all along is the fact that visually Wyatt was a normal if not high functioning 2.5 year old. He was able to do anything he wanted with an amazing personality that would put a smile on anyone's face when they see him. (It's the truth, not just because I am his mom). I couldn't grasp why I would want to go in and change this with a serious surgery. I knew what everyone told me, I saw the scans, did the research and heard the stories but none of those people knew Wyatt. As I drove to the hospital yesterday morning yesterday morning I started thinking about Wyatt's surgery and all the things that aligned for us and for him to make this date and this time work for everyone. I won't bore you with the details but it is everything from care for the older boys, insurance, work schedules, school schedules, getting into Ronald McDonald House without being placed on a waiting list (and our room # is my favorite # of all #24) and the list goes on. It was at this moment a different peace came over me.  I pictured God removing obstacles and clear0ing this path for this to be the day and nobody or nothing would get in the way. That is POWERFULL. God is POWERFULL!!!!
With this being said I was still one nervous mama anxiously awaiting to see her baby boy. I let go of him outside the operating room with a whole lotta tears in my eyes and Kleenex in the pocket. But as we walked that hall I told Wyatt to repeat after me " Dear God, hold my hands, protect me, look after the Doctors and keep me safe." Wyatt repeated that prayer followed by I love you mama.
Wyatt's surgery was about an hour and half longer than they told us so I was a wreck pacing floors and checking the board every 5 minutes and it took a lot to wait 5 minutes. LOL. Thank goodness for a calm headed husband who would make light of it every time asking if it said they went to McDonalds or Chuckee Cheese. I say thank goodness today, yesterday I couldn't understand why he was so calm and funny. I don't even need to right the next sentence, you all know that your significant other is exactly what you need him/her to be when you need them to be that. Tony and I are 100% meant to be together because we balance each other out and make each other laugh in the craziest situations. Sometimes it's hard to see at the moment but afterward its clear as day.
Surgery was successful but they had a ton of issues with the airway so the procedures that were supposed to be 15 minutes  ended up being almost 2 hours and then the distraction and ear tags were only the 1.5 hours he suggested. We obviously new Wyatt had a complicated airway and so did they, but it was worse than anticipated. I am posting 2 pictures. 1 shows his narrow airway and the other is as he takes a breath and the airway completed closes. The pulmonologist was AMAZED Wyatt breathes on his own and doesn't have assistance. He kept showing us more pictures from the scope (which they could only do the flexible scope as the ridged scope would not go done) and he was getting excited to talk about "how interesting" Wyatt was. After the 3rd time, I politely explained that interesting is not a word a mom likes to hear when talking about her child's airway. The issue is his adenoids have grown back and he has signs of that Larengomalicia which is what he had his first surgery on again. Basically it is floppy cartilage that blocks his airway. The end result is that we need to see if this jaw distraction will open the airway enough or if we will need to look at having another superglotpasty and adenoid removal.Also this was that added reassurance that this surgery was a necessity. They will look again in 4-5 weeks when the distractors are removed. They had to intubate Wyatt using fiber optics which luckily they were prepared with and another reason why we choose Cinncinetti. They initially told us they were keeping Wyatt on the breathing tube till Sunday or Monday to be safe and that they would keep him sedated in the PICU which again we were prepared for.
When we got to the ICU to see him they told us they felt like they could excubate because his lungs were clear and he was on little assistance. This is when things changed for me and my "calm" husband. They wanted to excubate but did not know how he would do so they needed to be prepared to reintubate and they needed crash cart, critical airway carts, tubes, wire cutters, and like 8 Doctors and 5 nurses to be present and they needed him to wake up from anesthesia. STRESSFULL isn't even adequate. It was not a peaceful environment for us as parents let alone poor Wyatt just waking up. I kept asking why rush it, would it be better the next day but they seemed to think no matter when it would be stressful. So picture about 16 people waiting right outside the room with instruments and carts... waiting for the moment your son first wakes up from anesthesia. It was a scene from the movies.
I knelt down to my baby boy and told him as loud and proud Gods got it. Be strong and God will take care of the rest. Guess what.... HE DID!!!! Excubation successful only needed oxygen and a lot of love.
Today we were able to leave the PICU and go to a critical airway unit- same floor just another hall over. To be honest I like it a lot better because Wyatt is patient # 2 in that wing which means he gets lots of attention, although anytime someone comes in he puts up his hands and shoes them away.
This my friends is the Wyatt personality I know and love. He is in a ton of pain and as you can see from the pictures, he looks horrible and feels every bit of it. He is REALLY swollen and wants his mama to hold him. He wants to place his head on my shoulders like we always do but can't because of the contraption, it melts my heart every time.
We are managing his pain and starting NG tube feeds, however, in true WARRIOR fashion he is asking to eat and drink which they say is rare and an excellent sign that he may be able to do one or both during this procedure and he is talking which they can't believe either. He asks for me, and Dora and shows me his owies. :(
This child is a TRUE BLESSING, my heart lights up talking about him and tears stream down my face when I think of all he has been through and continues to fight through.
No FEAR just FAITH!!!!
I am actually at the RMH right now and I am going to try to sleep for the first time in 48 hours. Wyatt let me go for the first time in 48 hours lol. Hard to leave but looking forward to seeing a little more of my true WARRIOR bright and early in the morning. Pray for Daddy who was a little nervous knowing Wyatt's mama attachment.
Joe and Noah are doing amazing and having a blast with family, they have been spoiled but they deserve it. I love them and am so proud of them. They pray for Wyatt and the first thing they ask is how he is doing. Love those boys.:)

I know this is amazingly long- but may I add one more blessing. The Ronald McDonald House is amazing. The things they provide to make you feel at home are lovely. They have these winged blankets for adults and kids (of course Wyatt and I match) but they are stitched with the saying above and you simply wrap yourself and your child with them. Amazing. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, amazing volunteers, workers, families and the list goes on. If you ever get a chance support your local house, go and make a meal for families....This will be something we do forever as a family and I hope others will as well.

God tonight I start by saying THANK YOU, you are AWESOME~
Please continue to look after Wyatt and heal him day by day, open his airway and show us the miracle only you can provide.  Help me to rest so I may be ready to take on this feisty boy tomorrow and remind me that he will be okay and I am doing all he needs at the moment. Please look after Tony and help him to have a stress free night with his little guy and continue to look after Joey and Noah. Help me to be the best mom I can be - in your name. AMEN

Thank you all for being part of Wyatt's Warriors.

God Bless,

Melissa and crew :)

Merry Christmas

 

"Merry Christmas" words that have always excited me from childhood through adulthood, yet this year these word have signified panic. Have you ever tried so hard to be positive and keep things "normal" that you make yourself sick? I pray multiple times a day, love what Christmas signifies the Birth of our Savior, I go to church 1-2 x a week, I teach my kids about the Glory of God and Read the Bible- but being the human I am I can't shake this overwhelming feeling of pure exhaustion.

I walk around everyday Thankful for all I have, hurting for those suffering,  loving Jesus and full of smiles, yet this weight is sitting on my chest and I can't shake it. Such a REAL feeling and it's not going away.

My 2.5 year old happy baby boy is about to undergo his 4th surgery that will result in him not being able to eat, speak or physically play.  He will be separated from his brothers, his home and his dad and left with a Mother that wants nothing more than his Health and Happiness yet has no idea how to provide either.

I have no idea what anyone is getting for Christmas, haven't even begun to think about packing for five weeks, still don't know who is watching the older boys for the 26th and 27th of December, and I have 2 older boys melting down anytime I walk out the door in fear that I am leaving for 5 weeks. My 6 year old comes in our room every night, my 8 year old cries when you look at him the wrong way and my 2 year old has not a clue that his world is about to change. This doesn't even include all the change occurring at work and the preparation I still need complete in 2.5 days prior to my leave.

 Merry Christmas!!!

 

I am trying to do everything right, but what if I fail? So many people relying on me to do what's best. How do I know what that is? Am I really the adult?

 

Wow, as I am writing Joe just came out from bed and said that the money Grandpa sent from Arizona he wants to give to Wyatt for his surgery (after he gets some Pokémon cards). He said the money could help the hospital or the Ronald McDonald House help Wyatt. He is continuing to talk about how we keep telling him how important Giving is and this year he wants to GIVE to Wyatt. Did we raise this young man?  What a heart, is GOD giving me a message of reassurance just as I write out in distress?

 

Last week I traveled to Cincinnati for a series of preoperative appointments. It was a long day that started with the Aero Digestive team that offered suggestions on new foods to try, food to avoid and articulated what is actually happening with the food Wyatt is eating. He doesn't chew, just swallows whole and this is how he compensates and why he often chokes. They also let us know that he will need to learn to eat all over again after the distractor is removed. So we will have more visits. They suggested straws over Sippy cups to avoid aspiration.

He had a chest x-ray, met with the Pulmonologist that will be joining the ENT and Plastic Surgeon in the surgery to help monitor his airway. Lastly we met with anesthesia to discuss his airway complications during surgery and the precautions they take, which was very reassuring. They also explained that I would be able to carry Wyatt into the operating room and hold him as they put him under and that he would most likely be on a breathing tube for a day or more following the surgery to be sure his breathing is regulated and during this time he will be in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and once it is removed he will be moved to a the regular floor. His surgery is scheduled for 6am on Friday December 27th. The good news is we called the Ronald McDonald house and they seem to think we can get in right away even though we won't know for sure till the 25th since unlike us most people try to go home for the holiday's. LOL

 

Dear God-

 

Thank you so much for providing for our family and continuing to lead us on the right path. Please place your hands on our shoulders as a family as we all will be experiencing change and stress and desperately seek the peace only you can provide. Please help me to take things day by day and when the walls are closing in, please help me take it minute by minute. Please continue to remind me NO FEAR just FAITH and BELIEVE in you alone. Thank you for communicating and reassuring me every step of the way. Please look after Tony, Wyatt and I as we travel next week. Please look after the older boys and all those that are helping to take care of them for the first week. Please fill their hearts with Love. Look after and guide the surgeons taking care of Wyatt and help Wyatt to be without FEAR. May your will be done. Let us not loose sight that we are rejoicing and celebrating your birth. Praise be to you alone.

 

Amen

 

Lastly, I feel is so important to note that our hearts are full of gratitude to all of you who have helped in so many ways. We are always amazed and humbled. Many times this last week we have been brought to our knees in praise and thanks. I have learned to never doubt and only TRUST we are grateful to have all of you in our lives and we truly wish each and everyone of you and your families a MERRY CHRISTMAS! God Bless you.

 

Love,

Tony, Melissa, Joe, Noah and Wyatt

 

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I couldn't let this holiday go bye without acknowledging my THANKS.

I have spent so much time over the last couple weeks reading about Wyatt's journey, looking at pictures and researching his newest surgery coming in December. It's funny how I can read about his journey and feel all those feelings as if I am right back in the moment.

I grew up sort of fast in my teen years and although I had some tough years, I have always maintained that those experiences shaped my life and made me who I am. It took me a long time to realize that there was someone out there looking over me and guiding me through it all. For a long time I felt really alone and felt like nobody could possibly know how I was feeling or what I was going through. I remember a FEAR that was so strong I didn't think I would survive it.

I tell you this because we all have those moments that we question our FAITH and feel desperate and alone, it's what we do with those moments that make us who we are today.

I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to grow in my FAITH, BELIEVE in a GOD that can make miracles happen, for the ability to co parent three amazing children and TRUST in a GOD that always provides.

Before I had Wyatt I would see parents with children who had special needs or read stories about children with illnesses and my heart would physically ache for them. In fact there was a period of time Tony wouldn't let me read stories because I would be so sad for days. He would always make up happy ending to make me feel better. I thought there was no way I could handle it if my child were sick or suffering. The funny thing is now when I see or read these stories I feel the same way, my heart aches and I think I could not do it.

I was talking to a friend the other day and she started to cry as I was talking about Wyatt and she said to me. "My heart aches for you, I don't know how you do it." I immediately responded with Wyatt is going to be okay and I am not doing anything extraordinary I am just being his mom. When I got home I started to think that people feel like I do toward others about me. It was this strange feeling because I never thought of Wyatt like this. I know he has had quite a journey and his road is long but it is BEAUTIFUL. We have seen God work miracles with him and with us. Wyatt has defied all odds and we have built a stronger family, a stronger faith and a stronger marriage through him. I can't think of a better gift.

This got me thinking even deeper and reading others blogs the one's where my heart ached and all of them who speak of or believe in our GOD sound and feel like I do. Even in peoples darkest hours they find comfort and peace in him alone. They can take a tough moment, year, life or circumstance and GROW as individuals, families and in their FAITH. How amazing is this? My heart aches but could so easily REJOICE in the strength that only our GOD provides. How AWESOME is our GOD?

My heart will ache going forward for those that have not yet found their FAITH or who are not yet at PEACE that he will provide. Those who were like me when I was a teenager and felt lost and alone, when the FEAR consumed me and I didn't think I would survive. I pray tonight that all those parents, teenagers or children find our GOD and learn not to FEAR but rather have FAITH.

Since the moment Wyatt was born I have trusted, believed and prayed without fail. I had many moments of sadness and anxiousness but I never lost FAITH. I have always believed without fail God would provide and he has. I knew if I ask he would answer (although sometimes not as clear as I would like).

The last two weeks we have been having a lot of debate over how the schedule for the next two months will work. Trying to work out the who, what, when, how, where and whys. I have remained calm that the answers will come. I have questioned myself and some decisions I made and in some instance started to doubt myself based on others opinions or thoughts. And just as he always has GOD has shown me the path and reassured me that we are going the right direction. I know if we continue to follow him and him alone we will continue on this beautiful journey, see more miracles and watch this amazing 2.5 year old grow up to be an amazing old man some day.

That is what I am thankful for. :)

I also feel it important to tell all of you how blessed and thankful I am to have you in our lives and praying for Wyatt. Their is nothing more powerful than prayer and having all of you thinking of us, lending a helpful hand, or listening to us when we need to talk has been such a great gift. It always reminds me that we are not alone in this journey, not today and not ever.

GOD BLESS YOU and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Tony, Melissa, Joey, Noah and Wyatt

Welcome to Wyatt's Warriors!

This may be a little bit easier for me to update outside of Caring Bridge.

Today the Geers family woke up at 4:15 am and traveled to Cincinnati as a family of 5. Need I say more. The trip was quiet and peaceful for the first 2 hours but once the sun came up so did the bathroom breaks every 30 minutes and the I'm hungry, I'm thirsty.... We did manage to arrive on time for our 10am appointment with Dr. Gordon.

The Not such Good News:

We found out that because Wyatt has nothing on the left side they are not able to distract using an internal device, so they will need to use an external devise. This is more cumbersome and the hardest part is that he will need it on for 5 weeks (not the 2 we originally thought of) AND he won't be able to eat or speak. We will need to use strictly signs and an NG tube (which I said I never wanted to do again). All of this on top of the fact that this poor child will not be able to run around and play like he does. Those of you who know him this will be a hard task in itself as this child does not stop. When I asked what could happen if he falls, the Doctor calmly stated that a screw could cut through his skull and then he would need neurosurgery. This was not as comforting as I was hoping, but it was honest.

The Good News:

The surgery itself will only be about an hour and a half and they WILL be able to remove the ear tags at the same time. There is also not much risk with this particular surgery. Not only do we love Dr. Gordon but the entire office and nursing staff is wonderful. We feel very comfortable there.  Also the ENT will be on hand during the surgery because of Wyatt's complicated airway. This was reassuring.

The BEST News:

GOD provides and has our Wyatt in his arms. He never lets us down and is with us and loves us unconditionally everyday without fail.

Additional Information:

I will be taking Wyatt on 12th of December to meet with their Aero digestive team which is the best in the Country. They will be able to evaluate Wyatt's eating and digestion as he tends to choke a lot. It is sort of sad how common this is for us. I am excited to see what they say and recommend.

We will leave on Christmas night to arrive for an appointment with the ENT on the morning of the 26th and surgery is scheduled for the 27th. There is a chance we will get bumped as it is a holiday week but we will know for sure by the 23rd. He will spend 3-5 days in the hospital and then its up to us whether we come home or if I stay with Wyatt for duration at the Ronald McDonald House. We have heard of a few families that came home and regretted it but 5 weeks seems like so long to be away.

A little FUN:

Dr. Gordon suggested we take the kids to EnterTRAINment Junction the Largest indoor train display in the world. What a treat this was. (Especially getting a groupon for 40% off). Anyway there were so many trains through civil war times to present day, play areas, play trains, a fun house and even a stop to see Santa and Mrs. Claus who had freshly baked cookies. This was just what we all needed to get distracted and run of some energy.

There is no place like home:

I tried clicking my heels 20x on the LONGEST trip home. We were right back to kids fighting, tired, whining, bathroom breaks, thirsty, hungry...... Not to mention Tony and I trying to talk through everything and review the appointment and how we are going to juggle it all. I am happy to say after 5 hours we made it home and then 1 hour later everyone is fast asleep. :) We made it, we did. Hip Hip Hooray. :)

Prayer requests:

That we are able to find care for the older boys so Tony and I can be there for Wyatt the day of and immediately following the surgery. For a successful surgery and recovery. For the wisdom to make the right decision on where we should recover. For Wyatt's recovery process-and the frustrations both he and I will encounter with not being able to communicate, eat or keep up with his activity level. Financially as we will be traveling, encountering additional medical expenses and taking time off work unpaid.  That we don't loose Wyatt's daycare provider as he will be off for 5 weeks and we LOVE her. For the older boys who although they understand it is hard for them to loose their brother and their mom for 5 weeks. Lastly for peace, it is stressful trying to balance, juggle and comprehend all that is happening.

NO FEAR JUST FAITH!!!!!!

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Follow the links below to Watch Wyatt's video story or to help with medical/travel expenses.

Wyatt's Video Story

Help Support Wyatt's Travel and Medical Expenses