Friday, November 18, 2011

Strength

First of all, I want you to know Kayla made it out of surgery just fine. She is every bit of the rock star patient we all knew she would be. While in our stay in the PICU there is NO cell use. We can't use the internet or text at all. So, updates will be less frequent but purposeful. Don't worry, we are all doing ok considering.

Dr. Gupta did a fantastic job as we knew he would. He is almost positive they got the whole tumor out. She is alive and recovering. The pathology report wasn't clear so we just ask that all of you keep positive with us and keep praying hard that this is the end of "this" journey for Kayla and that once she heals she will be cancer free. 

After the doctor left, we were just so nervous and anxious to go and see her. We knew she would be swollen from laying face down for 9 hours. We knew about all the various tubes and drains and IV's that would be on her now. Still, until you see them, your heart just races and you long to have them flutter those eyes open towards your voice.....

Kayla was closely monitored by her PICU nurses all night long. Every hour on the hour she was cautiously checked. Her team continues to be incredible. I can't say enough about how great her care has been so far. She is starting to become a little more alert as the anesthesia leaves her tiny body. It made her quite sick at first, which was to be expected. She complains of neck and head pain which is also quite normal. The nurses are doing what they can to keep her comfortable-ish while she heals. The nurse said that she is the bravest little girl that she has ever seen after having had that surgery and still making the progress she is so quickly. She quickly comes out of sleep to tell the nurses exactly what she needs. She demands water or to have the lights turned down. It makes us beam when she shows glimpses of herself like that. She is incredibly strong willed and knows what she needs. When I asked her last night if she was hot or cold, she looked up at me with puffy eyes and said, "perfect".  That was all we needed to hear. She is, indeed, perfect!

Today, Kayla will have another sedated MRI to make sure that the tumor is gone and that her head is looking how it should. Hopefully that will be the most traumatizing part of the day. I hope that Denny can get a shower at some point and sneak a nap in. His strength during this has amazed me. He is courageous. Focused. Positive. and never ever looses sight of the big picture. When he sees me loose it, he gets stronger. He continually takes this one step at a time and I admire him so much for that. If anything, the pain and agony we have been through in the past week has made our love and our faith grow leaps and bounds.

Ok, I am going to go get to that baby of mine now. Sorry to make you all wait. I have been on that end and it is torture. Just know that we love you all and we can't thank you enough for keeping us strong. Without all the support out there, we wouldn't be as positive as we are. We are taking this one step at a time. Moment by moment.





25 comments:

  1. We are so glad to hear everything went ok and that she's getting better!! Our prayers are still with you and your family!! Love the Barados

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  2. So relieved to hear the surgery went well! Praying for the best news of all... the tumor completely removed and benign. Kayla being so strong and confident will help you and Denny get through this.
    Hugs,
    Lisa, Dan, Brittani and Sophie

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  3. So glad to here everything went well! We haven't stopping thinking and praying for Kayla. You are an amazing family. Lots of Love, Chris, Chris and Solis

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  4. We thank God for the strength, power and glory ALL of you are showing and sharing. You are all an inspiration to behold. God bless you every moment and thank you for taking these precious moments to keep us up-to-date. Love and constant prayers, Mary and Frank Hoburg

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  5. So relieved to hear things went well. You've been in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for keeping us all updated. Your strength is amazing!
    -Erin S.

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  6. I'm so glad to hear the update. I know it must be hard to post with all you must do. I want you to know we are still praying for this to all be over and you can bring Kayla home, healthy and happy. Love, Susie

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  7. Strength, indeed--great title. Continued love and prayers for your beautiful family!

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  8. Ditto to all the above comments! Your report is all GREAT News. You three have just taken a "mother may I----GIANT step" in this incredible journey...and a huge step towards the goal of Kayla's return to full health. Each of you has the grace and power to be strong, positive, and know what & when to ask for help---all key attributes. Annie & Denny, please remember that it's imperative for you to take good care of your "selves" (eat, sleep, recharge)in order for your parental "wells" to be brim full and ready for the lengthy healing process. You are in our thoughts & prayers 24/7.
    Greg's Mom n Dad (Mary Beth & Charlie)

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  9. I am so thankful to hear how well Kayla is doing in recovery. She has been in many hearts and minds and will remain there. We love all of you guys so darn much. I look forward to hearing about positive progress day by day. Give that special girl a gentle hug from the Wu Family. We can't wait to see her up at at em soon.
    Jenn

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  10. I knew the surgery would go well, and that Kayla would wake up "still Kayla" but having been there (not anywhere near to the degree you guys were though) I was still holding my breath and sighed big with relief when I saw this post! We are so proud of you, Denny and especially Kayla for being so strong, brave and filled with faith and a positive outlook. All the best wishes for an easy recovery for Kayla and that pathology comes back negative. Thinking of all of you Annie, and that includes your Mom and sister and your whole family.

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  11. Hi Annie, thanks for giving so much of yourself and what you and your family are going through to all of us. You are all in our thoughts. Love, Patty & Terry Friesen.

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  12. Thank you, dearest Annie, for the update! As you can see, your family and friends have been anxious, also knowing how much you have to do. We are hoping for more good news asap...a benign tumor, completely removed. May it be so. Please tell Kayla that her Pennsylvania family is there with her in spirit, and with you all. Love, hugs, Auntie Ann

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  13. Kayla, Denny and Annie, you are an awe-inspiring crew! We are so grateful to hear how well Kayla is doing. Thank you so much for generously giving us your time for the updates. Our prayers will continue...

    With LOTS of Love from The Lyall Family

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  14. We are cheering for you, praying for you and marveling at the courage, love, and spirit you are all showing us! Wishing you a gentle recovery from your surgery...
    Love- Kira, Marne, Steve and Brandon Burgess

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  15. Annie, you write so eloquently and from the heart. It's like we are right there with you and of course we all are in spirit & prayer. God Bless you, Denny and Kayla. I hope he keeps you strong for the healing process as well. Kayla is lucky to have you two for her parents. Love & Hugs, Cindy Jacque

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  16. Thank you for taking precious time away from Kayla's bedside to share her progress with us. What a wonderful update! We are thrilled to hear the latest and look forward to more good news in the future. You continue to inspire with your strength. Your love for Kayla and each other shines through every update! Amy, BG, Alexis and Peyton Weiss

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  17. Keeping the faith and not letting up with prayers. Can I bring you anything? Food, clothes, deodorant, a pillow? How can I help? Hugs and love, Celeste

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  18. You and your family, esp kayla is amazing me sooo much. Deff teaching me to be way more positive and to let the small things go. Times like these are so rough, but it Gods plan. They are teaching you to be stronger and closer as a family. Plus growing your faith for God. Its hard to understand why these things happen, but everything does happen for a reason. I am very happy that she is doing so well considering. I kept imagining what it would be like for you guys and for Kayla. I guess I imagined worse than it really was. Gosh this has to be so rough. I couldn't imagine going through this. Ash was in the hospital for Asthma, and that was rough enough. Glad you have such a great team, family, and friends to help pray and get you through this. It really is inspiring and a beautiful thing. You all continue to take care, be strong, and try to give yourself breaks and rest up. You need to take care of yourselves so you can take care of Kayla. Sometimes us parents forget to take breaks.! Much love to you and the whole family! You will all get through this, in fact you already are getting through it. <3<3 Krysta and the family

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  19. I'm so happy to hear that Kayla is doing so well! She is indeed a brave girl. Keep up the good work and we are praying for a good pathology report. By the way, I saw Anthony at Chapel today. He did a great job singing. Can't wait to get to see Kayla.
    xoxo

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  20. YES, I love that "Kayla girl" sounds just like her! "PERFECT" in every way! Grateful to hear the continued progress, we and FB nation are certainly are keeping her in our thoughts and prayers. You continue to focus on K right now, continue to have the most outstanding attitude, and you know I'm a bit biased cause my husband is pretty outstanding, but you have the BEST husband around! Den is hard as a ROCK under pressure but a rock with smooth rounded sensitive edges, you know I adore him immensely and his actions do not surprise me. Like you, Zan can do no wrong is Jayna's eyes. You are so beautiful to have found the true "silver lining" it's moments like these that concrete what's important in life and although I've always felt you two like us were lifers, you and your relationships with your husband and children, your true appreciation will be the biggest gift when Kayla shows these Doctors and her tumor a little I'M GONNA TRUMP you Dehnert attitude! Much love to you all, Jayna

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  21. Thank you for this update. Your willingness to take a moment and write here rather than have a cry or a shower or a huge piece of chocolate cake shows incredible strength and love for all of us! We will keep praying and sending our love to Kayla & you all. You are all rock stars! Hugs from the Erika & the whole Fish Family

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  22. Thank you for your posts! I sit on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one. We are glad to hear Kayla's surgery is over and she is recovering. Remember to take time for yourselves and "recharge" so you can be strong for Kayla and so you don't get sick. We love you all! XOXO
    Diana, Tomaz and Isabella

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  23. PERFECT INDEED! What a great post, and such great news....so grateful for you to think of us with posts when there is so much going on there and blogging is so inconvenient... whats up with that UCSF ? (totally kidding!)

    I saw Anthony and your mom today at school- he was so excited to have had 5 cookies... and I got the high 5 of my day in celebration... clearly, he hasnt learned about the "dont ask, dont tell" rule of cookieage .... LOL

    Love to you all... you, your family and your spirit are a gift to all of us...
    Joe, Joanne, Jack and Ella

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  24. i have been following Kayla's journey since Michelle posted it on her facebook page. I am soooo happy to hear your update, especially of her expressing what she needs :). yay! i continue to pray for the very best outcome!!

    stacy, michelle's 3Day friend.

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  25. I really appreciate all of your updates, I especially love this one. That's so awesome of you to do these with everything going on and the lack of Internet access. So glad that Kayla is doing well and that surgery is done. I completely agree that Kayla is perfect and the bravest too. We will be sending more and more positive thoughts, prayers, and energy to all of you. I have been saying the word benign all day long too. We are so proud of you guys and how amazing and strong you, Den, and Kayla have been!

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