God is good ! All the time !

We got Michael's results back on his kidney tests. The results came back ok. We just have to keep an eye on them, so that was a relief. Michael also had his neurology evaluation which we have been waiting for for six months, and Joseph as well. The neurology has a lot of records to review before any kind of final diagnosis is made including reviewing both MRI's for the boys. She felt at least initially with Michael we should get him tested for heavy metal poisoning considering he has had headaches for the past six years. We expect those results next week. We are glad the neurologist is at least being thorough, but it could be simple pediatric migraines or lupus cerebritis that is causing the headaches.

Joseph is doing really well since his open heart surgery. He only needs pain medication about once a day now, which is really good. His incision and chest tube site are really healing well. His pacemaker seems to have helped some of the pain he was having before surgery possible from the rapid changes in pressure within his heart. His pacemaker is working just great. He will be on activity restriction for a while, so that remains a challenge for our active boy. He really likes to be in the center of everything. Joseph's neurology evaluation was also done. He will be having chromosome testing to rule out various genetic disorders which can be misdiagnosed as FAS, especially with his unique set of birth defects and delays.

Both Michael and Joseph are doing well on their growth hormone injections.

Joshua, Shawna and Gabriela are all healthy and doing well. All the kids are so excited for Halloween and dressing up. We are glad Joseph is healed well enough that he will be able to participate.

Please know for our friends and the many families who are struggling in such a difficult market. We are PRAYING for God's provision for you too !! We have had so many angels help us in the past weeks, and we thank every single one of you.

May Christ Our Savior Bless Your Journey and Blessings to you in Jesus name who has helped us endure, given us patience and faith, and helped us make the difference in the life of a child. We hope you will join us give a child hope and opportunity.

Scott and Jennifer Richardson

Our Business: Richardson Studios at www.richardsonstudios.com - Resources.
Our Store: www.shop.richardsonstudios.com - Support Special Needs.
Our Blog: www.richardsonstudios.blogspot.com - Touching Stories about our Family.
Our School: Academy of the Possible at www.academyofthepossible.com - a school for special needs kids coming soon.

Donations are accepted at all of our sites.
Every child has a story, and every child matters.
Thank you for your generosity in advance, and Thank you for giving a child "Hope for the Heart".

For any parent with a special needs child, adopted, biological or caretaker, you are welcome to apply to join our yahoo group. Just go to www.groups.yahoo.com and type in academyofthepossible (formerly everychildmatters). We are a support system for parents and loved ones of these wonderful kids. Or click http://groups.yahoo.com/group/academyofthepossible/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1

"Lord Jesus, I believe and I profess that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Take my life, my will, and all that I have, that I may be wholly yours now and forever."

Here is the latest !

Well, we have a LOT of doctors appointments in the upcoming weeks. Joseph is doing well, walking, moving around on his own, and seems to be doing just fabulous with his new pacemaker. It is such a relief to not have to worry about him waking up or his heart just stopping. He also seems to be doing okay with the pulmonary banding as well. He has activity restrictions for the next 3 months according to his discharge instructions, and some activities he will never ever be able to do because of the location of his pacemaker. Contact sports of any kind are now permanently out. The reason is if the leads to the pacemaker break from being hit or an impact to his chest, he would end up in the emergency room and back in open heart surgery or worse it could be fatal. His wounds are all slowly healing, and he has medication several times a day. He is back on blood pressure medication to manage his blood pressure, but all in all not too bad.

Michael's labs indicate he is having trouble with his kidneys. We are anxiously awaiting the results of those tests. He also has an echocardiogram, MRI and neurology appointment coming up. Michael is still having headaches and chest pain. We continue to be concerned about that. Also, Michael is not growing. His bones are getting further and further behind. Going through puberty is so important for many reasons - one being for the growth plates in the bones to solidify as we enter into adulthood. For this and many medical reasons, daily growth hormone injections are now very very important and no longer just an option but a necessity for Michael. We are supposed to start those this week.

For similar but different reasons, Joseph will also be starting daily growth hormone injections to give him the best chance for his heart to grow. Joseph's growth is also very delayed, and in order for any chance to have the final surgery in a few years his heart MUST grow or they cannot do it.
Joseph is being positive and says he is going to be big like Michael.

Scott's dad needs everyone's prayers. We just found out on Sunday that he has a brain tumor. He already has a heart condition, and is having brain surgery on Thursday 10-16-08.

Lord, please help us cope. This is getting very hard with one thing after another. Please pray for our spirits, our finances, our groceries, our gas, all the medical tests and appointments. Our plumbing broke; yes, again ! Scott's car battery died, and needs servicing again.

Please know for our friends and the many families who are struggling in such a difficult market. We are PRAYING for God's provision for you too !!

If you have the means to help us out, we would be ever so grateful for a donation. We have had so many angels help us in the past weeks, and we thank every single one of you.

Jennifer Richardson
Richardson Studios
www.richardsonstudios.com
Every child has a story, and every child matters.

10-07-2008

Tuesday morning, before heading home, we had the chance for a free parking free visit to a NASA Center less than 10 minutes from the hotel we stayed in.

We got to walk around and see all the cool things.
All the kids got a hands on field trip for science.

Then we headed towards home.
We had to take it in shorter spurts as Joseph needed more frequent breaks to stretch and move around.

Jennifer

10-06-2008 Monday

Rather late on Monday, the doctors decided Joseph was well enough to go home.
We waited for medication, post op doctors visits galore to be scheduled, discharge orders and instructions.
Finally, we got back to the hotel.
The first thing - Joseph took a picture of all of us.


We were so glad to be back all together again.

Jennifer

Eating regular food !!

Shawna was quite content to find a great shelf to lay on next to the little couch.

Getting a bit tired of being at the hospital, can you tell?

Joseph is on a regular diet !!! Yeah !!

Standing on his own and pretty steady now too !

10-05-2008 Sunday

Sunday continued

Doing so well, the doctors allowed him to get up and move around.

Joseph was in good spirits.

Walking on his own, but not too steady !!

Shawna wanted a turn in the wheelchair.

God continues to amaze us.

10-05-08 Sunday

Now, he only has two IV's. One in his right foot, and one in his left arm.

Mommy and Gabi

Shawna making sure we all new "See, it's not dark yet."

Joseph watching spiderman.

Chest tube out and sitting up -

Sunday, 10-05-08, day3 after surgery.
Joseph was moved to 3 West to a regular room.
Yeah !!!

Now we could all visit him !

"I got my chest tube out today ! "
Look, he is sitting up !! Amazing.

Watching movies and playing games, Joseph liked this room best of all.
He even shared the room with the boy who was in CVICU next to him a couple of days ago.


Yes, God answers prayers !!

10-04-08 continued / Day 2 after surgery

In his new room, Michael was able to visit.
Michael did great with Joseph.

Still in CVICU, but a very happy boy.
Joseph now had a TV with a decent picture.
The other bed's TV was all green AND fuzzy.
We were glad to see him smile finally.

Joseph caught a very tired mommy as he was taking pictures of everything in his room.

Joseph telling me he was going to be okay.


Jennifer

Richardson Studios
www.richardsonstudios.com
Every child has a story, and every child matters.

Moving Rooms - Doing Better

Day 2 after surgery - 10/04/08 Saturday.
Joseph was doing much better than expected and showing signs of good progress.
He is now on a full liquid diet and was moved from the Cardiovascular ICU bed with a nurse 1:1 to a room in the same CVICU with a nurse 1:4.
We thank the Lord for answered prayers as Joseph becomes less critical.

Oooh, you caught me. Ah haa.
We put Shawna's hair up in braids to keep it out of her face longer, and it worked well.
She liked them too.

The kids all playing doctor while we did laundry at one of the hospital's family lounges.

Praise God for a place to do laundry for free. The hospital even provided us laundry detergent.


Jennifer
The Lord was providing for our needs.

Extubated !!! 10-03-08 Friday

10-03-08
After only one day, Joseph is doing so fabulous that the took out his breathing tube (extubated).
He is awake !! Yeah !

They started slowing removing the lines that he did not need, one at a time.
His mouth was so dry. He is sucking on a sponge with water on it. He was not yet allowed any liquids.

The kids playing and being silly to pass the time.

We spent a lot of time here !


Jennifer

Day 1 After Surgery

10-03-08: one day after surgery.
Joseph is sleeping and doing well.

We went to visit what Shawna calls the "water mountain".

Enjoying the moment, one moment at a time.

Please keep praying. We need it.
Jennifer

Out of Surgery !

When Joseph came out of surgery after only just under 3 hours, we were so glad.

It was now 7 pm, and Joseph was stable.

We were so glad he was doing well without any complications.
Praise God !

Angels are certainly watching over us and over Joseph !!
This is Joseph's third heart surgery.
1st at 4 days
2nd at 9 months
3rd at 7 years 3.5 months: 10-02-2008

He still has 3 more to go !!!

God Bless You and Keep You in Good Health,
Jennifer

Richardson Studios
www.richardsonstudios.com
Every Child Has A Story, and Every Child Matters.

Please keep our family in your prayers !!