Yearly CDH Check-up

Hello everyone. Ava’s check-up was today. We woke up very early and traveled to the hospital. It is an hour and fifteen minutes from our home. When we got there I explained that she was going to have a test but that it wouldn’t hurt. The lady gave her the contrast drink for the CT scan and she was very unsure of whether she wanted to even try it. Brian told her was okay and after a few minutes she took a sip. “Pretty Good.” was her reply. (Pictures are taken from my cell. I realized when we got there I left my memory card at home…)

She drank it up within minutes. She did great with the CT. It is like she’s done it a million times. Sad thing is she has had too many and just knows!

A little apprehensive but she still enjoys the ride.

So then we had to go to the appointment with Dr. Shilyansky. We waited for about an hour in the waiting room. Thanks goodness they had Toy Story 3 playing!

We had to burn an hour so we went up to see the Children’s Hospital museum. It has some pretty cool things in it.

This was us discovering another cool place in the hospital. This was a secluded part of the hospital that had a ton of windows and many stairs… very pretty.

Here is the toy she picked out for doing the CT scan. She loves Horses!

She sees the wipes and can’t help herself! So I’ve taught her right.

Her NP Josh and Dr. Shilyansky was very impressed by how much she has grown. She weighs 33 pounds. She is in the 15% for her weight and 87% for her height. The CT scan results came back and they found nothing abnormal. He showed us her patch (on the CT) and how it looked very secure and right where it is supposed to be. They were so pleased and amazed at her progress.

It makes me feels so relieved. ALL she has been through and all she’s overcome. I’m super proud of her.

Here is Ava just 2 years ago. So much good has happened. I’m thrilled to be done with her central line and her g tube. She is truly a Miracle!

Many times we take our health for granted… If you are healthy this second, cherish it! God is good! Thanks for your continued support, love and prayers!

I’ll leave you with a picture I took of her yesterday at the Zoo. She’s our Butterfly!

~Terri

Lexis and Emeline (Ava's Sister's) Blog Giveaway

I thought some of Ava's loyal supporters would love a chance to get in this Giveaway. The girls are working so hard on hair candy! Hope everyone is doing well. Ava is sleeping in this morning! (That never happens!)

Lexis and Emeline Creations Blog- http://lexisandemelinecreations.blogspot.com/

Welcome! What a great week for a Giveaway. We hit 200 fans last night. We are thrilled. Here is what we need you to complete for your entry to count.

One Winner will win both... {Roses Galore} and {Blue Butterfly}!

{Roses Galore}

{Blue Butterfly}

1. You MUST 'like' Lexis and Emeline Creations facebook page to enter.

http://www.facebook.com/lexisandemelinecreations#!/lexisandemelinecreations
2. You MUST fill out this form. (We do the form to protect your privacy. No one sees your information but Lexis and Emeline Creations.)

*The Giveaway ends Midnight (Central time) on Monday June 27, 2011.

*Only available to US residents.

*Random.org will select the Winner.

*I will contact the winner by email. If winner doesn't respond within 48 hours, I will draw another winner.

*Facebook is not involved in this giveaway in anyway.
Thanks everyone!

~Terri Helmick

Healing

Hello everyone! I just want to say how AMAZING you all are. I can always count on Ava's readers to help me out. I won't go into much detail but I'd ask you all to go "like" a certain page on facebook a few days ago to win a free tutu and MY GOODNESS was I surprised at the wonderful response! I actually gave, with your help, that page over 140 fans! So I was shocked when she didn't choose me... and not only didn't she choose me but she became very rude as well. In the meantime I had several of you offer to buy and make Ava one yourself. I was so humbled. God always keep me in check, letting me know that although bad things happen there is still wonderful, caring, loving people in this world and we should never feel discouraged or down. I was really feeling so loved.

However the crafty side in me took the challenge and I decided to make Ava one myself. It was quite easy and very fun. The Girls and I have a Shop on facebook. We sell hair things, hats, and now tutus! If you have not stopped by please check us out. Lexis and Emeline Creations- http://www.facebook.com/lexisandemelinecreations. We also have a blog… http://lexisandemelinecreations.blogspot.com/

Here is Ava in her Patriotic GLITTER Tutu! Made with LOVE by Mommy.

And this picture was taken at Snake Alley. One of the most crooked streets in the United States. We love this street.

For all you Dad's out there HAPPY FATHER'S Day!

We went to a wedding last weekend so I took the opportunity to take some family pictures. You know me I just can't get too many! :)

A few of the Girls around Lake Starker.

Her scraps and bruises are all healing nicely... I asked her the other day how she was going to keep herself from getting hurt. She smiles and replies, "I can't Mommy!"

This Thursday we take Ava for her yearly check-up with her surgeon, Dr. Shilyanski. She is pretty excited about seeing him again and showing him how great she is doing. She will have a CT scan to check her diaphragm and how it is holding up. This time she has no g tube so she will have to drink the dye. Not sure how she will do but praying all goes well for this test. I still marvel at how well she is doing. God has been so good to us!

Thanks for visiting and thanks again for all your support, prayers and love. I love hearing that you still continue to keep our Ava in your prayers. This means the WORLD to Brian and I.

~Terri

Banged up.

Hello Ava fans. A few things going on in Ava’s world right now. She has had so many small accidents this last week. It started with the cut finger, then she got hurt riding her bike. She fell and scratched up her back pretty good. Then today she was trying to go too fast and skinned her knee up really good. She has no meat on her bones so each accident is severe, it seems.

Here is her finger. It is doing much better. Stitches will come out in a few days.



Here is her lower back from the bike ride fall.



Her knee we bandaged quickly so no pictures of that. Please say a prayer she heals and no infection for Miss Ava.
Thanks for stopping by.

~Terri Helmick

Trip to the ER... nothing major (sigh)

Hello everyone! Ava gave us another scare tonight. She seems to keep us on our toes CONSTANTLY... no fun for us. We were at my parents house and Ava came out of the bathroom holding her finger. She was crying. I saw blood. I got a little queezy. It was deep so to the ER we went. I called Brian at work and he came and met us there. (These are the pictures from my phone.)

Before stitches...

After Stitches...

Ava and Mommy.

All done!

Good news is after the xray we learned, it was not broken. Two stitches fixed the cut. She did great. I don't know where she gets her strength.

We just got home and Ava is doing much better. We need to keep her finger covered and dry for 2-3 god days then covered for 7. She can get the stitches removed in 7-10 days. She is happy about all the stickers she got... silly girl!

Talk about drama... The ER doctor was the same one that fixed her index finger when she nearly took it off. As we were leaving he says, "Two down eight to go!" We just laughed. Let's hope there is no next time.

Please pray for our little burger and for total healing. Thanks for all your love and support.

~Terri