Our 2 Week Stay in Houston

Malcham (a.k.a. Bubba) and I left on Saturday August 29th for our first ever road trip. I only took him because I am very very pregnant and thought it would be easier with just one. The trip down took us about 9 hrs with all of the stops. He was a trooper and did so good in the car. He thought it was cool because he could pick all of the movies out by himself and not have to share with his sisters. When we got there we were greeted by Erik and Erika Stewart. They welcomed us into their home with open arms and we stayed with them for several days. We had so much fun. It was almost just like the olden days. We miss their family so much. Thank you Erik and Erika for everything.

Of coarse Bubba thought the trip was for the sole purpose of playing with his best friend Russell. He would say I am so excited we are going to Houston to play with Russell. Even after being apart for a whole year they both still talk about each other and want to play all the time. It was great being at Nicole's house. She is such a wonderful friend to me and such a wealth of knowledge. She teaches me so much and she never let us get bored the whole time we were there. Thank you Nicole. Here is a pic of the boys. I could not get them to hold still.

The real reason we drove to Houston was because Malcham started having pain in his bad kidney. He was born with a huge kidney on his left side that was filled with fluid (hydronephrosis). At the time we found it we were living in Houston and went to the best Pediatric Urologist there with Texas Children's Hospital. He had hoped that Malchams problem would resolve on it's own with time. However it did not seem to be getting any better. So on Monday August 31st we got the ultrasound done and Tuesday we met with Dr. Gonzales. He took one look at the scan and said " I just don't think he is going to win the fight with this kidney. We need to just have the surgery done so he can get better." I knew surgery was a possibility but I was really expecting him to say well let's get a few more tests done. So it was kind of a shock. They really had no open surgery appointments available but Dr. G. cancelled some meetings and fit us in since we came from such a long way. However, it would be a whole week before they could fit us in. So instead of driving all the way home and then turning around to come back we decided it would be best to stay. It was the longest week of my life. I missed my girls so much and I really just wanted to be a family again. Thankfully we were staying with one my dear friends Shauna Crook. She just took us under her wing and helped us so much during this time. She made wonderful meals for us and just treated us like we were part of her family. It was so nice. She and Bubba even made cookies one afternoon. He thought he was the chef of the house. He was even telling Shauna that the cookies were his idea and he did not want her to put oatmeal in them. She did anyway and he thought they were the best cookies ever. We were at Shauna's for a little over a week and it made all the difference in the world. Thank you so much Shauna. You are truly the best!
During our week of waiting we got to see so many good friends. We ate dinner with Valerie and her family who Malcham and I knew when were first married and living in Stephenville. We had a play date with my very good friend Jamie Williams and her kiddos. Melanie Ashcraft was there as well and we had so much fun talking and catching up. J made the best healthy hotdogs for lunch and the kids took a swim in their new pool. It was great seeing everyone. Thanks Jamie. Of coarse there are all of our friend from the ward who we got to see at church not once but twice. Thanks to everyone for your concern and words of encouragement. Not to mention it just felt like coming home. Everyone was so receptive and happy to see us. Thanks Allie for all the good advice. You really helped to comfort me.

Other activities included a trip to the zoo with Auntie Erika, a movie with Valerie and her family, and bowling with pizza with Nicole's family. We also got to attend the wards Memorial Day celebration. It was fun but so hot. One thing I do not miss about Houston is the humidity. Once again thanks to everyone. We really miss all of you.

Malcham and I got in some great shopping and we ate at Chick-fil-A way to many times. There were so many people we did not get to see and I was so sad about that but we had to be so careful with Malcham's health and not let him get exposed to too many germs. If he were even a little sick they would not do the surgery and all of that time would have been wasted.

We flew Malcham (a.k.a. Dad) into Houston on the Tuesday before surgery. It was so nice to see him again. I did not realize how much I had missed him. He was there for all of the important stuff and I was so thankful. Bubba really needed his Daddy to be there. On Wednesday September 9th we got to the hospital around 11:00 am. We waited forever it seemed before the surgery to start but Malcham and Bubba had such a good time playing with each other. I think they were catching up in their special boy way.

We finally were called back to talk to the Dr.'s and prepare for surgery. Bubba got these cool pajamas in yellow which is his favorite color. He looks like a little sumo wrestler or maybe he's going potty. Ha!

He was so excited because the nurses told him he could ride this tractor into the surgery room. He wanted to go right then with his puppy Roscoe in the bucket of the tractor. We still had some more waiting to do but Dad let him practice riding it a little and he was an instant pro.

When it came time to go into surgery he zoomed down the hall never looking back. He even ran over the nurse and hit a wall on the way down. He was so ready. The surgery took about 2 and a half hours and everything went very smooth. The Dr. came out to talk to us and said his case was very typical of UPJ Obstruction and that he would heal quickly and probably never have a problem again. We are very hopeful for that. He woke up great from anesthesia and he was so brave through all the poking, and prodding over the next 3 days. He had a Foley, a drain coming out of his side, and an IV. We were so proud of him because for a 3 year old he did very well. It took a little longer to get him up and walking because he was so sore. I felt so bad for him. He was like this little old man walking down the hall whimpering and taking little baby steps. He was such a trooper. He did well with all of his pain meds and had no problems going to the bathroom after they took out the Foley. He did so well we got out of the hospital a day early.

He was in so much pain this day and a gift from Uncle Matt and Aunt Amy came just in time. Thanks!

We then went back to stay Friday night with Shauna and then we were off first thing Saturday morning. I was so excited to get back to the girls who were with my Mom. Thanks so much Mom for coming down and taking care of the girls while Malcham and I were gone. Thanks to Lynda Malchams Mom for filling in when we needed you. Thanks to Griselda for helping take care of Mylea and picking up the girls from school. Thanks to Sylvia Bell and Bitsy for helping with the girls and playing such fun games with them. Thanks to Debbie Riley for helping with Mylea. Thanks to Aunt Amy for picking up Mylea from Mom's. Last but not least thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We are so grateful to be surrounded by such good people both here in West Texas and in Houston. The Lord has truly blessed us.

p.s. If your child ever needs surgery or has health problems I cannot say enough about the Dr.'s and nurses at Texas Children's Hospital. Everyone is so nice and they really help your child get through a difficult time. The Hospital caters to your child's every need including toys activities and play places for your kids. It was amazing and worth everything we went through. I will never take my children any other place.