5th fill done & our trip to Oxnard, CA

Over the weekend, Brayden and I went to visit my good friend Kristy in Oxnard, CA.  We had a great time and it was so nice to enjoy the cooler weather.  We even took Brayden to his 1st zoo trip, Santa Barbara Zoo.  He loved it!


Brayden, Krity & I at her place in Oxnard


Brayden playing in the sand, he did not like the sand touching his feet, what a little prince ;) ha!

Brayden also went to the beach, the last time he was at the beach he was only 7 weeks old in South Africa, so this time he got to enjoy the beach. He didn't like the sand touching his feet, it was pretty funny! Brayden's nevus buddy, Drew and his parents even came for a play date at the beach.  It's always nice to spend time with out nevus families.  We are happy they could take the time to see us. 

Drew, Jacyln, Brayden & I at the beach

 Feeding the giraffe lettuce at the zoo...Brayden's favorite!

Tonight we did the 5th fill at home.  Brayden did such a good job, he was laughing away at my funny noises while Geoffrey did the fill and he was also watching his favorite, Mickey Mouse Club.  Both sides were numb, yay! On the right side we got 60 in and now it is up to 350 cc's and the left side we got 70 in and it's up to 435 cc's.  Brayden's expanders are 500 cc's and we can even double that size.  We have 6 fills left, well unless he gets sick and we have to miss a fill.  But we are doing great so far! And I know we will reach 500 with both expanders.  My goal is 700, I hope we can reach it.  The more skin we can stretch, the more nevus will be removed when he goes for suegery on October 10th. 

We have to keep an eye on his stiches, they still look alittle red.  Dr. Prices office called today and they have the laser that we use for his satelite spots.  They were waiting since April for a new laser and now they have it.  Only problem is, we are waiting to hear back from insurance if they are going to cover it or not.  If we get denied from insurance it's $2200 for each time and he will need 4-5 more laser treatments. Once we hear if we got approved or denied, we will decide if we can afford for more laser treatments.  We want the best for Brayden, just hope some how it all works out for us.  He is such a strong little boy and every day I feel so blessed to have him as my son. 

We still have cookbooks for sale, please let me know if you would like one.  They will be great stocking stuffers for Christmas :)

Front side...he is doing so good!

Back side ...the right is the smaller one at 350 and the left is 435 cc's

4th fill done! And no problems, yay!

Tonight Geoffrey & I did the 4th fill at home.  We were a little worried that we didn't have a 3rd person with us, but Brayden did great.  He was busy eating his gold fish and when Geoffrey stuck the needle in on the left side he didn't feel a thing.  Which we were happy about! We got 75 cc's in and now the left is up to 365.

Then it was time for the right side, by this time Brayden wanted to get off the kitchen counter and go and play so I gave him a toy and he was happy.  Geoffrey stuck the needle in the right side and he didn't even move...yay! We got 45 cc's in and now the right is up to 290.  It's amazing how different each side fills and they are both not the same. 

This week Geoffrey took Brayden to the doctor for a follow up on his sore throat and the doctor said he is healthy and looking great.  Then the doctor gave him 2 shots.  Which I told his doctor he's not allowed to have any shots during the time he has his expanders in.  Well the doctor forgot and when Geoffrey called me after the doctor apt, I was in a panice because Dr. Bauer in Chicago said no shots.  Why, I don't know.  I just knew, no shots. 

So I called Mim the nurse at Dr. Bauer's office and she said the reason they tell you not to get any shots is because they could get sick or get an infection and it just becomes a grey area and they won't know if it's from the expanders or the shot.  She told me it's not the end of the world but don't do it again.

Also this week I have been dealing with the insurance company and they are not wanting to cover Brayden's laser surgery he had in April.  They are saying it's not medically necessary, so now we are sending medical records and Dr. Price wrote a letter, but as of right now, it's denied.  So that's $2200 out of pocket we will have to pay.  And Brayden will need 4-5 more rounds of the laser, so I just pray it gets covered and if it doesn't get covered, I really don't know if we will be able to afford it.  Which is heart breaking because he needs it.  So now, I am "trying" not to stress and hopefully some good luck comes our way soon!

On Friday we went over for a play date with Brayden's nevus buddy Joshua.  He had his expanders out a few weeks ago and he is doing good.  We are very greatful to have them for support and to live so close to us.  We love hanging out with them!


Brayden at the South African braai last night, he was not a fan of the grass, the moment it touched his foot he moved it.  It was pretty funny!

Brayden having scramble eggs for the 1st time...he loved it! But boy, was it messy!

Getting ready for the fill, these are all the supplies we need for the fill

Left side with 365 cc's now

Back side of the 2 expanders

Right side, the smaller side at 290

Eating his mum mum after his fill

3rd fill at home done!

It's Sunday again and that means it was time for another fill already.  Can't believe we already have 3 fills done and 7 to go! Less then 2 months and Brayden and Geoffrey will be going to Chicago to remove his expanders on October 10th.

Tonight, Melissa who is a nurse and my very good friend came over to help us with the fill. After last week, we needed her for the support.  As we got the supplies ready for the fill, I was praying that BOTH sides would be numb this time.  We didn't want a repeat of last week.  Too hard on Brayden, daddy & mommy!

Our prayers worked and both sides were numb and we had no poblems with this fill. Yay! Thanks to Melissa for the help.  Dr. Bauer's office did call me this week and said we did great last week getting 90 in but that we need to start off slower with the volume we put in for the 1st few weeks, then during the middle we go with larger volume and the end you slow down the volume again. The reason you do this, is you want to gradualy stretch the skin and if we put in high numbers at first, poor little Brayden has to carry all that extra weight on him. 

I have noticed he is growing out of his clothes alot faster then I thought.  He is 9 months old and most of his 12 months are too small....so on to 18-24 months right now.  Luckily we have been very greatful with good friends and family giving us clothes.  Every bit helps out. 

On the left side we got 60 cc's of saline in, which is the most Mim, the nurse from Dr. Bauer's office wanted us to put in this week.  Now the left side is up to 290! Which is great considering we still have 7 fills left, well as long as he stays healthy and we don't have to skip a fill.

The right we didn't get as much in, the skin was getting hard so we decided we would play it safe and we only got 45 cc's of saline in.  Now the right is us to 245.  Overall we are VERY happy with the amounts we have in so far. And Brayden is doing great! No problems with his growing bubbles :)


Here are some pictures from the fill tonight

Such a strong little boy, his growing bubbles don't even bother him

The smaller side, the right with 245

The larger side, the left with 290

Happy baby boy playing with his toys!

Aww my boys were tired! Brayden didn't nap all day, so he was asleep tonight at 7:30 and those pj's are 12 months and 1st time he worn them, doesn't look like he will be wearing them too much longer :(

First fill at home, DONE!

Tonight we did Brayden's 2nd fill.  He had his 1st fill on Monday in the doctor office in Chicago.  So tonight was our 1st fill that we did on our own.  It's always easier when you have 3 people to help. So luckily our neighbor, Noel that we are good friends with came over to help us.  Before we started the fill, we had to put lidocaine on for an hour on his ports.  That numbs the skin and when Geoffrey sticks it with the needle, Brayden won't feel a thing....well that was what was suppose to happen tonight :( 

Geoffrey was the one that got all the supplies ready and Noel and I held and distracted him.  First Geoffrey did Brayden's left side, he had no problems....once he stuck him with the needle, Brayden didn't even move! He was busy eating and did a great job.  We got 90 cc's of saline in and now the left side is up to 200 already.  Which is great considering we still have 8 fills left.

Next it was time for the right side, this didn't go as well as the left side.  As soon as Geoffrey stuck him with the needle, he moved forward and started to cry.  Oh no, this isn't good.  This means that for some reason it didn't numb correctly.  This was very hard on all of us, and he even started bleeding where he was stuck.  So Geoffrey got the needle in and Bryaden was not a happy little guy. Think this was just as hard on us, as it was for Brayden.  Hearing your chid cry when they are in pain, is the worst feeling. Tried feeding him a bottle to make him feel better, but tears where pouring down.  Half way through, he stopped crying and was playing with his toys.  We ended up getting 90 cc's of saline in on that side, now it's up to 230!

After the fills were done, Brayden got 2 car band-aids and he was a happy little guy again.  He finished his bottle and Geoffrey enjoyed a much needed beer! I was all out of wine, so next week, I will have to get some. Now we hope that next week this doesn't happen again with the port not being numb. 

Brayden also wanted a drink of daddy's beer

After his fill, Brayden helped daddy put together his new toy!

He was so excited about his new toy, couldn't believe right after his fill, he was ready to play

Brayden and his 2 growing bubbles...only 2 fills in and look how big they are

The right side has 230 and the left has 200 in

Brayden is such a little super hero....such a strong boy and makes me so proud to be his momma!

Back home again

On Sunday we left Iowa and we drove back to Chicago.  Brayden was so good on the 6 1/2 hr drive, he slept almost the whole way.  When we arrive back in Chicago we went out for pizza at Gino's East.  Which was very good. 

Bright and early Monday morning we were off to  Dr. Bauer's office.  Before we left, we put lidocaine on Brayden's ports and wrapped him in saran wrap  That way when we stuck him with the needle, he wouldn't feel a thing.  Once we arrived, Mim who is Brayden's nurse layed out all of the supplies that we would need in order to do his 1st fill.  Grandma played with Brayden, while I took notes how to do everything.  Mim filled his right side with 30 cc's of saline.  Then she had me do the left side which I got 40 cc's in.  We didn't want to put too much in since it was only 2 weeks out from surgery and also on the right side some of the skin was splitting a little where the stiches are.  So Mim told us to keep an eye on that. 

Doing the fill looked easy and even when I poked Brayden with the needle he didn't even move.  Which I was happy about that he wasn't in any pain. 

Here's a picture of my 2 "bubbles" The right has 140 ccs and the left has 110 ccs

Every week my expanders will grow when we do the fills. 

Brayden was such a good boy on the flight for mommy.  And Geoffrey was so happy to see us, 15 days away was a long time.  All Brayden wanted to do when he got home was crawl around and play with his toys.  He has till Monday till he came move around again.  Then he will be a happy little boy again :)

This week, Brayden got sick with a swollen throat and had a high tempature of 103.2.  Geoffrey took him to the dr and they put him on antibotic.  That seemed to help and by Thursday night, he was wanting to eat again and talking away.  If Brayden was still sick this weekend, we would have to skip the fill on Sunday.  So were are happy he is better and tomorrow we will be doing our fist fill from home, wish us luck ;)