Time flies!

Sorry no updates lately...I had planned to do one Sunday, but then the blackout hit and put me out of commission for a few days! Zack is doing GREAT! We decided he had recovered enough to go to King's Island last Saturday with our free tickets...we were just careful about what he rode. He started back to preschool yesterday and even went to soccer practice last night. They spent most of the time taking pictures, but he did get to run a little bit and kick the ball a few times. We're trying to ease him back into his normal schedule...one more week until he's considered healed enough to treat like a normal kid.

The swelling has continued to come down even more this week...I'll try to get another new pic when I get a chance. Suffice it to say that he looks great, acts great, and we couldn't be happier to have it all behind us again!

Home sweet home!

We're home! We had a lazy morning at the hotel, and a fairly uneventful flight home. It was raining pretty hard in Dallas, and then the plane was having some mechanical issues that needed checking, but we were only delayed about 20 minutes. The first half was pretty turbulent, but it finally smoothed out, and none of it bothered Zack. Unfortunately, when we picked up our luggage in Dayton, it was soaked! They must have had it sitting out in Dallas for awhile. So, the laundry has begun!

The kids were all pretty happy to see eachother. Zack's appearance hasn't really bothered him, but he was worried what Alex would think. Alex was fine, but they are already scrapping over the new toys that Zack got while we were gone and that Alex conned the grandparents into as potty rewards. Liz made a couple comments that Zack looked 'freaky', but they rolled right off him, thank goodness.

So life is pretty well back to normal...kids fighting, homework not done yet, and mountains of laundry! I'll try to continue the updates & pictures as the swelling continues to go down and he gets looking better and better. For now, I just want to thank everyone for your kind notes and well wishes that got us through a very difficult week away from home. It meant a lot to know you were thinking of us and supporting us from far away!

Another great day!

We had a bit of a rough night last night. He kept waking up and had problems getting his eye open each time and refused to go back to sleep until he could. But, our last full day in Dallas was a good one. We started the day by heading to a big mall here called the Galleria. Zack liked the little play area, but we had to leave when he starting thinking he could jump off things! (BTW...yes, I realize he's wearing the same shirt as yesterday...somehow I miscalculated the number of button-down shirts he'd need, so we're having to do double-duty!) We did some mall walking, then headed to Toys R Us to get a little celebration gift. He started to say he was tired, so we came back to the hotel to get him a nap. Tonight, another local cranio family came to visit and brought us another wonderful dinner. Thanks so much, Kerre! He unfortunately refused to get a picture with sweet baby Jack, but was more than happy when we got back to the room to pose with his Sponge Bob Whoopie Cushion! Another hit gift from Eden! I asked him today what his favorite part about Dallas was, and his answer was, "Go-Karts!" I then asked him what his least favorite part about Dallas was, and he responded with "Nothing, really." Funny, I can come up with an idea or two!

His right eye now stays open pretty well on its own. I was a little worried after his nap, but it opened right up when he woke up, so I think we're good there. The left one he can now get open with his fingers, but can't keep it that way, so he pretty much leaves it alone. I think by tomorrow it may be open too. We fly out around 2:00 and will be back in Dayton around 5pm. It'll be so good to be home and see Alex and Lizzie again and finally go back to normal! Dr. Fearon has asked us to send pictures at 6 weeks post-op, but will leave it up to us whether we feel the need to come back for follow-ups. He didn't leave any openings, so he said Zack will have no restrictions at 3 weeks post-op. I still can't believe how well he's done this time!

I'm magic!

We've had a great day! Zack requested McDonald's for lunch, so we stopped by on the way back to the hotel. We mostly hung out today and watched TV in bed. Dave and I napped, but I don't think Zack did! When it was time for dinner, he decided he wanted TGI Fridays and wanted to eat there. So, off we went! The quote of the night out of him was "I'm magic! Really, I am!" He's managed to keep his right eye open a slit most of the day. Every now and then he requests a warm washcloth to rub it a bit and get it back open. He has just amazed us every step of the way! Here are some pics from today:

1pm - getting settled in with his washcloth:

1:30pm - enjoying his chocolate shake:

6pm - watching tv with his Power Ranger from Eden

8:45pm - finally crashing for the day:

Eye!

We have eye!!!!! Dr Fearon came by and taught Zack that if he pulled up and down on his right eye, he might be able to see. A warm washcloth later, and he got it open, and there is no turning back! His attitude did a 360...we have our Zack back! His comments have ranged from "I didn't know we had a clock in here." "Where's that door lead?" "Ah, nice" (when he saw the bathroom.)

He's got to get his hair washed and then we are outta here!

Real room!

We're finally in a real room! He was ready to go earlier, but we had to wait for a bed to open up on the pediatric floor. He insisted on real clothes before he'd go anywhere. He really wanted to walk, but settled for Dave carrying him as long as he could push elevator buttons. We're right across from the playroom, which closes soon, so we raided it for a bunch of movies and a keyboard, which he wants nothing to do with now, but we suspect he might later. He wants nothing to do with the new bed, so he's going to sit up and "watch" power rangers now. He's already starting to act more relaxed.

His blood count was still good (10.4) and he's drinking well, so he's unhooked from everything except an iv in each hand, just in case he needs anything. The swelling is bad, but his mood is better than we ever expected. We'll go back to the hotel at some point tomorrow and fly back to Cincinnati Tuesday.

At this point, feel free to call us on our cell phones. We have them on vibrate and won't answer if it's not a good time.

Bowling...

Quote of the morning: "Mom, for some reason, everytime I lift my head up, it feels like a bowling ball."

He is still doing great! He made it through the night without his right eye swelling shut. From experience, we haven't hit the peak yet, but so far, so good. His mood goes up and down, but stays mostly pretty somber. He's kept lots of Gatorade down and if the jello he just had stays down, then he'll get to order some breakfast.

We just saw one of the neurosurgeon's colleagues. The craniofacial surgeon said he'd be here around 9 or 10, and if all goes well, Zack will get moved out of the PICU after that. The goal for today is to gradually get unhooked from most of his attachments (and to keep that eye open!) He already asked what will happen if that one closes too, so I know he's worried about it as much as we are. He doesn't want me to take a picture this morning...I'll try to get one the next time he sleeps.