Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Very Upset!

I usually try to keep my posts happy and upbeat but right now I am so mad and I just have to vent. We didn't go to therapy today because I had a late meeting at school that I couldn't miss. Because we knew this ahead of time, we scheduled Christmas pictures at Sears this evening. We have always gotten Peyton's pictures made at Sears and have always been very pleased, that is until tonight. When we got there, a girl I had never seen was taking his pictures. She asked our name and then immediately said "Oh I better hurry and set up. I've heard he is very hard to deal with!" EXCUSE ME?!?!?!? Well of course that just flew all over me so I had to comment back. I said, "Well first of all he's hearing impaired. Second, he is two years old. So I am sure he won't be your easiest client ever but he sure won't be your most difficult." I tried to let it go but I just couldn't. That's my baby she was talking about. She was so unprofessional! And the pictures were not as good as usual either. We took family pictures on Sunday and the lady that took them did such a good job and did a great job with Peyton. Sears usually does the same but tonight was not the case. I will definately be talking to the manager in the morning. I am just furious right now!!!!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

What a FUN day!

Today was our AVC Christmas Party in Macon and we all had a blast. Ms. Candace really did a great job throwing an amazing party. Santa came to see the kids and Peyton screamed and would not even get close. He did say "Ho,Ho,Ho" when Santa came in and he turned to the Mrs. Claus's bells when they came in. I was really excited that he detected that sound because it wasn't very loud. Peyton also met a new friend named Grayson and they played with balloons together. It was really neat to meet some other children that are hearing impaired and to be able to talk to their parents. Sharing stories always helps! I don't know how we would have made it this far in this process without AVC. Once again they have out done themselves and thrown an awesome Christmas party!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Busy, Busy Day!!

Well today was a very busy day for us! We had to go to the audiologist in Atlanta this morning. Gran Gran went with us. We actually went to Jolie's new office at the Atlanta Speech School today and that is a really nice place. Jolie thought he was doing great! She mapped his CI and gave him 4 new programs and we don't have to go back for a month! We came home and I left Peyton with Gran Gran and headed to Athens for the Athens Christmas Parade. Our youth group enters a float every year so I went to help put the finishing touches on it. Robby and his crew work really hard every year and have won several years. Last year we got the best use of lights and this year we are hoping to bring home the big one....The Mayor's Award. And guess what......WE DID!! The float was beautiful and everybody was so excited that we won. I am really tired tonight but it's been a good day. It's back to work tomorrow but at least it's Friday!!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Well I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I know we did! We definately have a lot to be thankful for this year! On Thursday we ate Thanksgiving lunch with Robby's family and it was wonderful, as usual. After lunch, we loaded up and headed south. We got to Blackshear, to my parents' house, about 7:30. We got up very early Friday morning to go shopping. This is a tradition that we do with my Aunt Cindy every year. We go shopping for a while and then come home to another huge Thanksgiving lunch with my family. Of course, Peyton stays home with MeMe and Poppy and gets to sleep a little later than we did. Our Thanksgiving lunch was wonderful at my parents' as well and we really enjoyed visiting with everyone. They really enjoyed spending time with Peyton.

Peyton is doing really good! At first, I was worried because he wasn't responding to anything but now that has changed. I seem to forget that he has to learn how to listen and to respond to sound. Friday he really started turning to sound and to his name. Yesterday, when we were leaving MeMe and Poppy's house he looked at Poppy and said "Bye" just as clear as can be. I thought we were all going to pass out. He also started saying "Hey" this weekend. We tried to get him to say "bye" again but it just came out as "I". That's ok...I'll take it! Now that we are back home he is really responding to his name more, not all the time but definately more than he was. Thanksgiving has a different meaning for us this year. We are very blessed!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

First day of therapy…well not really!

No, it’s not his first day of therapy but today was his first day of therapy since his CI was turned on. It really wasn’t the therapy session I was hoping for. Peyton cried a lot and I think he is just really tired. He did respond better but I was just hoping for a little more. Candace and I both think he was just exhausted both auditory exhaustion and physical exhaustion. He’s had a really busy few days. We went early today because of being out of school for Thanksgiving Holidays and Robby didn’t go. My sweet boys from Pembroke, Blake and Garrett, are staying with us for a few days so they went with us. Blake and Garrett (and their parents) are very good friends of mine. They are like family to us and we are very excited for them to be here for a couple of days. I met their parents’ on Sunday. Monday we went to the Georgia Aquarium and had a blast. Peyton loved it. Then we met Robby’s parents and nephews at Logan’s in Athens for dinner. It was a very busy day but we really had a great time. Those boys are the best ever. I can only hope that Peyton grows up and behaves as well as they do. They have to go home tomorrow and it makes me sad. Today after therapy, they played with my nephews and will play with them some more tomorrow. I am also keeping a friend’s little boy so that she and her husband can go to Atlanta with our youth group so I will have a house full of boys tomorrow. It will be a lot of fun though!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

MY BABY CAN HEAR!

It worked. Peyton’s CI worked and now he can hear. I felt so sorry for him because it scared him to death. He cried every time she turned it on which was great because that meant he was hearing. Jolie, our audiologist, was very pleased with his response. Now the fun begins! We still have a very long road ahead of us but at least we know it is working. When we left Jolie’s office, Peyton heard the traffic on the interstate that runs right by the parking lot. He really didn’t know how to respond but he definitely heard it. How exciting!! When we got home, we played everything we have that makes noise and he just kind of looked at it strange. I know he is wondering what in this world is going on!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tomorrow is activation day!!

Well tomorrow is our activation day! We are VERY nervous. I guess my worse fear is that he won’t respond and the CI won’t work for him. I keep telling myself that if that happens it won’t be the end of the world but I just want my baby to hear and eventually be able to talk. He is such a smart boy that I just want the very, very best for him.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Short trip!

Well we loaded Peyton up today for therapy and got almost to Eatonton about 20 minutes away from our house and Ms. Candace called! She is sick!! Oh no!!! We hate that she isn’t feeling well and we sure don’t want it so we turned around and headed back home. Peyton liked getting out of the house even if was just for a little bit. When we pulled back into the driveway, he looked at us like we were crazy. Sorry buddy!!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Well Halloween is a little different for us this year! Instead of us going out, Trick or Treat is coming to us. My wonderful family all came to us with Halloween surprises for Peyton. We did dress him up and he was a skunk. He was a very cute little stinker. He had a blast. We did carve our pumpkins today and Peyton really enjoyed that. I don’t know who it enjoyed it more though…..Peyton or Daddy!! We are really enjoying MeMe and Poppy being here but we are sad that Poppy is leaving tomorrow. MeMe is staying with us for a little while though so Peyton can stay home next week. He is still doing really good. The hardest part is keeping him still. He acts like nothing ever happened and wants to run around like a crazy man. He still has only had Tylenol for pain. I would still be on the morphine drip and he is running around like nothing ever happened with no pain meds at all. Kids are amazing!!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

WE ARE HOME!!!

Well the intern came in early this morning and took Peyton’s bandage off and it wasn’t near as bad as I thought it would be. He then began the “going home” process. Peyton had an OK night. The pain medicine made him as mean as a snake but after that little spell was over he rested. He did eat and drink on and off throughout the night and never got sick again. He didn’t have pain medicine again and won’t unless he is in horrible pain. We have given him Tylenol since and it seems to be working fine. We made it home about 2:00 and we are very glad to be home. MeMe and Poppy are still with us and MeMe will stay through next week. Ant Cindy and Aunt Charlotte went home but they were a great help to us. I am so thankful to have such a great family!
Well now the worst part is over. Now we wait for activation day…..NOVEMBER 18th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

LONG but GREAT day!

Well everything went great. He was in surgery about 7 hours but everything went great. They did call us and tell us what was going on every 45 minutes or so. That really helped ease our nerves as much as possible. They were able to get a full insertion which means all the electrodes were able to be placed in the ear. That is really good. When Peyton came back from surgery he was very restless and upset. So I crawled in the bed with him and tried to settle him down some. He woke up and was thirsty so we gave him some juice. He drank some and almost immediately got sick all over himself (and me because I was in the bed with him). After getting the bed changed and everyone some clean clothes, he is resting again. Dr. Todd just came in and said everything is going great and that he would see us in the morning. If Peyton has a good night, we can go home tomorrow. YAY!!! They will also take his HUGE bandage off in the morning. That makes me kind of nervous but I’m sure it will be OK.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tomorrow is our BIG day!!

Well we all made it safely to Atlanta. And by all I mean the Grand Aunts, MeMe and Poppy, and us. We are all staying at a hotel across from the hospital so that we will have access to a shower and bed if anyone wants to nap tomorrow and also so we don’t have to get up so early in the morning. I am VERY nervous but very excited at the same time. This is a new life for my little man.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Monday, Monday!!

Why are Monday's so hard? We had a good weekend celebrating Robby's birthday but it was a long one. We also had a good day at church yesterday. Our revival started yesterday and it was good but it was a long day because we didn't get to come home. That is probably why I was so exhausted today.

Peyton is finally getting over his strep and starting to act like himself again. Our mission is to keep him well for the next two weeks. Our pre-op is two weeks from today. We have a room in Atlanta for his surgery. My wonderful Aunt's reserved us a room so that we wouldn't have to get up so early the morning of his surgery and would have a place to rest or shower if need be. I am sure I am not going to leave his side, but just in case we have a room!!

No therapy this week! I hate "no therapy" weeks. I will be glad when are back on our regular schedule. I thought I would dread going to Atlanta, and now Macon, every week but I love it. It gives us someone to talk to about Peyton and the crazy things he does and she understands us and him. Can you believe it....someone who actually understands us!

If any of you are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket to support the Auditory Verbal Center, let me know. AVC is where Peyton goes to therapy and they are an amazing group of people. AVC never turns anyone away because they can't pay and all proceeds from the raffle go to their scholarship fund. The raffle tickets are for a one week stay in Orlando and 4 one day Disney Park Hopper Passes. They are $5 each or 5 for $20. If you want one give me a call or send me a message. Thursday will be the last day I will be selling them. Thanks to all of you that have bought tickets so far. You are supporting a wonderful program and I greatly appreciate it!

Ok prayer warriors keep those prayers a coming. I am starting to get nervous which is to be expected when the are going to operate on your baby! I know, without a doubt, that we are doing the right thing (and Candace....so does Robby!). Love you all!!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Vaccinations........CHECK!

Well yesterday and today Peyton got the two vaccinations he needed to have before surgery. Yesterday he got the Prevnar 13 vaccine from the pediatrician and screamed bloody murder. Today he got the Pneumovax vaccine from the Oglethorpe County Health Department and only cried a little and then he signed "thank you" to the nurse that gave him the shot. My baby has manners even when someone hurts him!! So slowly but surely we are marking off all of our pre-surgery duties. Now if we can just keep him well until our surgery date, everything will be great!!

We also schedule Peyton's initial cochlear implant activation today. His CI will be activated on November 18th at 3:30 pm. It is all becoming very real now. I was thinking today coming home from work that 3 weeks from today the surgery will be over. Now that's a good feeling! Thanks everyone for all of the prayers. We can really feel them. I have a peace about this surgery that I know can only come from God. Keep sending them our way. We love you all!!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

3 Weeks and Counting!!

Well we are on the count down to surgery. I cannot believe that in 3 weeks we will be in Atlanta getting ready for our sweet little man's 1st cochlear implant. HOW EXCITING!?!?!?! I can't wait to hear my baby boy to say "Mommy" and I praying and believing that this is going to happen.

I spent most of the morning trying to find a vaccine that Peyton needs before surgery. I was told that it would not be a problem, but that was not the case. It is really sad that your local health department will not give Peyton the vaccination because we have insurance. I always thought that having insurance was a good thing! Anyway, thanks to a great pediatrician and his wonderful staff the vaccine has been located and Peyton will be getting it tomorrow afternoon.

We had therapy today. We have only been going every other week until after surgery and I am ready to start back every week. Yes, it is tiring but like I've said so many times before, Candace is like our family therapist and I think I need it as much as Peyton does. Peyton did a really good job today. He had not taken a nap today and did not sleep any on the way so we were a little worried but he did good. He did a GREAT job discriminating today and he even imitated several sounds. He had never done this during therapy! We were really proud of him. It's amazing the progress he has made in a year. Of course he's worked really hard and, bless his heart, the hard work is far from over. But thanks to an amazing therapist, Robby and I have have tons of fun activities that we do with him at home that he has no idea that he is even working! We also have the help and support of family and friends. We are truly blessed.

Well Peyton is sound asleep and so it's time for some "me" time. Good Night!!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Light at the end of the tunnel.

Well after 7 weeks of being in a hard cast I have now graduated to a boot. I can now put some pressure on my leg and can get around a lot better. Now it's Robby's turn to act up. We found out this week that he has VERY high bloodpressure and a hernia so he is now on BP meds and will be facing surgery the first of the year. It's ALWAYS something in the Duvall house.

Not a lot of changes with Peyton. He is making tons of vocalizations and they are very intentional. He is trying to talk and expects you to understand what he is saying. We are now under the 1 month mark until surgery. We are nervous and excited at the same time. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and our big day approaches.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

You've got to be kidding me!!!

Ok.....so it's not like my family does not have tons going on right now with Peyton's surgery coming up and the start of a new school year in a brand new class.....but now I am totally useless! Today at recess I slipped on some loose gravel and as I hit the ground heard a "snap". Well that snap was my leg breaking in two places. Both bones in my leg broke at my ankle so I am now an crutches and with a two year old that means I am pretty much useless. I can't do ANYTHING but sit in the recliner. You know, I have always thought that would be nice, but it's HORRIBLE!!! Thank goodness that God has blessed me with a wonderful husband that has waited on me hand and foot since we left the hospital. I guess now I will take some pain medicine and go to bed (that's all I can do!!). I have to go to the orthopedic doctor in the morning to see the extent of my injuries. Please pray that I don't have to have surgery!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Last Hoorah!!


Well we just returned from Tybee Island where we spent 3 wonderful days on the beach. This was my last "hoorah" before starting back to school tomorrow! We had a blast. Peyton absolutely loves the beach and had a great time playing in the sand and in the ocean. I don't know who had more fun in the sand, Peyton or his daddy. Gran Gran and Grandpapa (Robby's parents) went with us and they really enjoyed seeing Peyton playing on the beach.
Tomorrow it's back to the grind. I am looking forward to a new school year but not looking forward to leaving my sweet little man at all. I have really enjoyed spending the summer with him and he's grown extremely attached to his mommy so tomorrow may be rough on Daddy and Peyton. I am looking forward to working with my new kids though. I am now going to be teaching the adaptive curriculum classroom and I am VERY excited about that. I am going to miss Preschool but you do what you have to do. I am also excited about my new parapro, Karen Bufford. She is going to be wonderful, but I am going to miss my old parapro, Jennifer. So there will be a lot of changes but change isn't always a bad thing, right?
As far as Peyton goes, we are anxiously awaiting our surgery date! We will only be going to therapy every other week until then. This is because we have really done all we can do until Peyton has more access to sound and language. That does not mean that therapy stops at home though! We will be working really hard still and counting down the days until he has his first Cochlear Implant.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Sorry!!

Well it's been almost a year since my last post! I have now committed to sitting down at least once a week and updating our blog. Of course tons have happened since my last post....so much I don't know where to begin.
Peyton received hearing aids in February of this year. They are giving him a lot of receptive benefit but still isn't getting the language that we need. We still don't have any expressive language (with the exception of the few signs he uses). We are still receiving AV therapy once a week, but we now go to Macon for these services because our wonderful therapist transferred there. The drive is actually much better and we would go to the moon to be able to see Candice. In June, we returned to see Dr. Todd for a check-up and it was at that time that he told us it was time to move on. So we immediately began the Cochlear Implant process. We saw Jolie (an audiologist at CHOA) for his initial work up and she began the insurance process. That was a two week process and today we got a surgery date of Oct. 27th. Yes...I know....that is the Wednesday before Georgia/Florida but the DAWGS are just going to have lose without us this year.....my baby is more important. Until then we will continue doing what we have been doing. We are still doing therapy at home but instead of it being a set time each day it has come more a way of life. Don't get me wrong....we still have times that we sit down and really work on our skills and function words for the week, but it is a continual process. It NEVER ends!!

That is the medical update....since my last post Peyton has turned 2. He is every bit of 2 and into everything with the attitude to go with it. We have had a great summer but have stayed really busy. It will be time to go back to work in a little over a week and I'm not looking forward to it at all. I will post some updated pictures soon. Again, I am sorry it has been so long in between posts and I will do better!!