Waiting, waiting and more waiting...

There has been much waiting on our part. I tend to be a person that like to make a list for each day and be able to cross of what I have done. It seems like for the last month my list has entailed calls to doctors to get clearance, schedule testing and then wait for days for call back. I am beyond frustrated. As anyone who has read this blog surely knows that I have also been frustrated with our urology situation. Yesterday was our visit with the new urologist, which should have been our first urologist when she was just a few months old. The wait to see him is long and I should have been patient. The visit went so well yesterday. He actually examined Annabel, when neither of the last two in almost 4 years has touched her unless in surgery. I was also shocked when he asked if it was time for me to cath her. When I answered yes, he said he want to get a urinalysis and do a culture. Wow, I was so amazed that he was going to actually acknowledge that she had infections. By Friday, he will be placing her on an antibiotic and she will stay on one until the surgery. The last urologist didn't want her on antibiotics and said she would always be positive for bacteria. He also wants her to sleep with a catherter in during the night which should help me get more sleep. He also had a very warm bedside manner which is so encouraging. I like the fact that he had a timeline and also a plan for Annabel. I had mentioned that Annabel needed urodynamic test prior to her surgery for the tethered cord. He said we should have this within two weeks and then proceed with surgery. The test she is waiting is called CMG which test for pressure in her bladder. I am curious as to why the two other urologist have never performed this test on her. So of course, for the first time I left feeling so good after a urology appointment.

I have been so blessed again with another sweet mom who is willing to donate her breastmilk to Annabel. On our way home we stopped to pick up some milk and was able to see her beautiful daughter. She is producing more milk than her daughter is needing and is so willing to share with Annabel. God has sure brought some beautiful people into my life and hers. It was such a relaxing and beautiful day and I was so grateful for our new urologist and to meet Annabel's new milk mommy.

Kourtni(our Nanny) is still diligently working to produce milk. At this time she is producing enough so that Annabel has one full feeding a day. She is listening to all the advice anyone offers as to help increase her milk production. From what we are told that this amount is good for this early.

All of the kids are doing well. Derek is still going to our local college and taking classes. Him and Linzy drop off often to entertain Annabel and I am so thankful for that. Tara is working hard and comes by each and every afternoon also to play with her. Tyler will be home for 3 days for Thanksgiving. He will return on the Friday after Thanksgiving and will leave for Iraq Dec. 4th. I think this good-bye will be incredibly hard for all of us. Major prayers will be needed for me to let him go at the airport. Carly and Colette are busy making their college visits. They have applied to six and already have received confirmation from four. Of course, not yet their number one choice. They were gone for the weekend to visit with their dad at a college about 4 hours away. The home was so quiet and it made me realize that this year is flying by and so very soon, they will only be coming home to visit. It was just yesterday that I was bringing them home from the hospital. So many time I wished they would hurry and grown up. I should have wished less and just enjoyed all the good, crazy times. I can't begin to imagine how much Annabel will miss the activities that they bring to our home.

Thank you for taking the time to catch up on Annabel and her family. The prayers as always are appreciated and I will let you know when the surgery is schedule and for specific prayer request.