Complications!!!

Poor Ash!!!!!! We went into the hospital on Tuesday for a C.T. Scan to check that the plates were in the right place on Ashling's knees. We thought this was a standard practice after eight-plate surgery.
But it turned out that the plates on Ashling's right knee were too high and too small. Apparently the surgeons had decided to put different plates in her two knees???? and the ones on one side weren't sitting where they should have been. They had actually been a bit suspicious of such!

Of course we didn't realise any of this until Tuesday and needless to say, we were extremely upset and angry. So poor Ashling had to go through the whole thing again 48hrs later, on Thursday morning. They took out the two plates and 4 screws on her right knee and then replaced them lower down on the knee. The surgery went well and this time, they had the foresight to actually get the CT scan done while she was still in surgery and make sure that they had put them in correctly.

So now Ashling is trying to recover from yesterday's surgery, with fresh wounds and wounds that had nearly healed on her right leg, as well as the wounds on her left leg that have nearly healed. She has been absolutely amazing and our hearts have bled for her over the past few days. She's the bravest person I've ever known.

Feeling very disheartened with the medical system right now! But I suppose at least the mistake was noticed and rectified now, rather than in 6 months time.

Thanks for reading this xxx

Surgery - done and dusted!!! Yay!!!!

Ashling finally had her knee surgery on Monday, third time lucky!!! And it was, it all went swimmingly well and I can't believe we're only 36 hours post-op and we are at home and Ashling is asleep!!! Woo Hoo!
Ashling's legs are sore but she's on strong medication and it seems to be keeping her pain in control. Obviously she' s bit frustrated about not being able to move her legs, but she's improvising already! She has such a strong will. We're so happy for her that the surgery is done and dusted. We have to go into the hospital next week for CT scans to check that the plates and pins are all in the right place on her knees, so hopefully that will all go well.
Take Care xxx

Postponed Again - 5 minutes before the surgery was meant to start!

Happening on Mon 20th mid-morning........fingers crossed. x

Surgery postponed by a week - Fri 17th Sep instead

Ashling's surgery was postponed on Friday as the surgeon had to take bereavement leave. It's been postponed by a week. It will be happening next Friday the 17th at 2pm instead.

Thanks for your love and best wishes. xxx

Back from Ireland

Well we had a fantastic trip home. We managed to catch up with a lot of our close friends and all of our family. It was just brilliant spending time with them and introducing them to our 2 little munchkins. Speaking of whom, they absolutely loved Ireland, meeting everyone, and being spolit rotten by family and friends.
The main reason we went home was for Ger's sister's wedding, that of Denise and Finbar. It was a fantastic day! An amazing wedding. Ashling was her flower girl, which was just such an honour for her. She and 2 of the cousins, who were the two page boys, went up the church as a little trio, the 2 boys either side of Ashling on her little bike. It was adorable.
Anyway, we're back in Auckland now....with a bang. Came home to a letter from the hospital with a date for Ashling's knee surgery...this Fri 10th of Sep. She is having plates put on her knees and these plates will guide her growth and hopefully help to straighten the bend in her knees. If you'd like to know more about the surgery, have a look at
http://www.eight-plate.com/treatment_overview.php
Please say a wee prayer for her. Will be in touch. Thanks for reading this xxx
Photos and videos from Ireland to follow in a few days xxx

Leaving Tomorrow....for Ireland!

We're so excited...finally heading off tomorrow.

Will be in touch from home. xxxxx

Twinkle Star!

Ashling and her lovely cousin, Katie...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tPc6qRfQXs

Getting ready for our trip to Ireland.....exciting stuff.
Only 6 more sleeps before we leave xxxx