RESULTS from Round One!

I have been a bit busy since returning home from Chicago, but I figured that Thanksgiving would be a perfect day to update everyone since we are SO THANKFUL this year.

Aiden's second surgery in Chicago was so much better than I ever thought it would be. Several of my friends had told me that expander removal was so much easier but it is difficult to really believe that until it happens. I had a little bit of anxiety the night before surgery but I was really surprised at how calm I felt the next morning. I am pretty emotional in general so I still thought that I might shed a tear or too at some point during the day but it never happened. I feel 100% comfortable with Dr. Bauer and I think that helped a lot. Aiden seemed a little scared but everyone around him was very involved in making him as happy as he could be. 

The one thing that drove me crazy this surgery was the wait. Last time it went by so fast but I was also a lot less anxious to see Dr. Bauer in the waiting room. I couldn't wait to hear the results this time. Luckily, Michael and I sat next to some very friendly people who helped pass the time. The surgery was only about 2 hours long but it felt like an eternity for me. When Dr. Bauer walked through the door, I could tell he had GREAT news for us.

The first thing he told us was that "WE DID GREAT." This has really stuck with me. The success of the surgery played a huge role in how Michael and I did expanding at home and I love that Dr. Bauer makes it a point to give us some credit. He told us that the back part of the nevus is completely removed and that a small portion is left on the upper chest and arm. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! I knew that we should be able to get a good amount off but I really had no expectations. It was such a huge relief. Dr. Bauer let us know that next time he would definitely have a chest expander and that he would decide later on what he would do with the arm so we may end up with two expanders again next time as well. I am confident that Dr. Bauer knows best and that the right decision would be made.

The rest of the day, we focused on taking care of Aiden as we were secretly dying to see results. It was so great to have him back in my arms. He had a little bit of a difficult time at first but soon enough we had him resting up. Unfortunately, he has become afraid of strangers so every time the nurse would come in, he would cry or scream. We knew that the best thing would be to head back to the hotel but Aiden had to be able to keep his food down before we could leave. It was a long day but we were back to the hotel about 6pm.

The next day, we headed off to Dr. Bauer's office for the big reveal. Mim was so excited to see us again and so were we. Aiden was a little unsure this time around and didn't like the dressing change very much but he did pretty good considering his fears. It is difficult for me to describe what it felt like to see the results for the first time. It was amazing and strange all at the same time. I had spent an entire year looking at his nevus everyday and now to see a lot of it gone was unreal! All I could say was "WOW," over and over again. Simply FANTASTIC progress. The stitches are never easy to look at but I will take that any day over constantly checking the nevus for any changes. Mim thought everything looked outstanding and was very happy for us!

I know you all have been wondering what the progress looks like so take a look for yourself. I haven't been able to get the best pictures because he doesn't like dressing changes so we try to make them as quick as possible but the pictures are still AMAZING!

Our little superhero gearing up for surgery!

The back as a newborn!

 DRUMROLL PLEASE...

After surgery! ALL GONE ON BACK!!!!!!

The front before surgery!

AFTER SURGERY!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who has been following Aiden's journey. We are very excited to have a break from expanders until March! I will continue to keep you updated on his healing progress. So far, he is doing well!

Have a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Last and Final Fill of Round One!!!!!

Tonight was a great night! It was the last fill of round one! Everything went so smoothly that I felt like a pro. I am so excited that I won't have to worry about expanding for another four months!

I was able to get in 20cc in the belly and 25cc in the back! The final total for the belly expander is 470cc and the back expander is 500cc! Isn't that amazing! I am so glad that we had such a successful round. Aiden did so amazing throughout the process and I am proud to be his mommy.

We will be leaving for Chicago on Saturday. I am oddly excited for this surgery to come. Seeing results from these past 12 weeks is going to be so amazing. Dr. Bauer and his staff is more than I ever could have dreamed of and I am so thankful for them!

Take a look at Aiden's bubbles! Next time you see pictures of him on here, they will be gone!!!!!!!! YAY!

His big belly at 470cc!

His big back at 500cc! 

Look at how wide he is!

Aiden's 9th fill

We were supposed to do Aiden's fill yesterday but I didn't want to do one on his birthday so we did it this morning. The hardest part now about doing the fills is keeping him still for 45 minutes while the numbing cream does its magic. It would be so wonderful if he would just sit through an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse but that lasts about 10 minutes! Daddy did everything he could to keep him busy but it was a long 45 minute wait!

I noticed this past week that Aiden's expanders were not softening up as much so I wasn't expecting to get much in. Besides, I am still taking it easy since the incision area is slightly irritated. Aiden did great. A little bit of tears but I credit that to being upset that he had to sit in a controlled environment some more. I got a whopping 20cc in the belly and 25cc in the back. Aiden now has totals of 450cc in belly and 475cc in the back. Even though it was a small amount, it sure did make a big difference. I am so glad that we are near the end because its getting a little uncomfortable for him, especially in the car and on the changing table. Luckily, after a doctor's appointment today, Aiden won't have to go anywhere in the car until we head to the airport since we are in quarantine now.

Take a look at his growing bubbles!

His clothes are getting a little hard to get over such a wide area but they will fit perfectly after surgery!

Playing with a new birthday toy right after his fill! 

Aiden's First Birthday

Today is Aiden's first birthday and it amazes me that an entire year has gone by already! There certainly have been times throughout the year that seemed like time was moving slow but for the most part, it feels like a blink of an eye. When I look at Aiden, I am one proud mommy. He is one of a kind. His personality lights up the room and he absolutely loves every bit of attention that he gets.

Thinking back on November 1, 2010 brings back such an emotional time in my life. When I woke up that morning at 4:30am, I most certainly didn't expect to be so scared or have so much anxiety after he was born. For weeks I didn't know how to feel. I was happy, sad, anxious, scared and blessed all at the same time. I had the perfect little baby boy with a bunch of unanswered questions. I cried randomly and thought the worst. It was definitely not how I pictured the day to go but I am happy that its now just a memory. 

I am so thankful to be in a much better place today that it brings tears to my eyes. I knew there was no way I would get through today without crying just a bit. It was a tough time in my life but I wouldn't take it back simply because I wouldn't have the same Aiden. I am so much stronger now that I have questions answered and a huge support group. Nevus Outreach has been a life changer. Without them, I would have made decisions not knowing that they would have been a mistake due to being badly misinformed. I have also made lifelong friends  in the process and I love knowing that Aiden has plenty of little buddies who he can relate to when he is older. Thank you to all my friends and family for being there throughout this year. I would have fallen apart without you. 

Today was a FANTASTIC day. Michael and I took him to Disneyland for a few hours and he had a blast. We were even able to get a picture with Goofy, which he always enjoys! Then, we headed home to get ready for a small party. Due to surgery being so close to his birthday, we decided that it would be more fun to do his bigger party after we get back from Chicago but I still wanted to do something to celebrate his happy little life today! So, we invited a few people over, had some dinner, opened some presents, and let Aiden have his first taste of cake! He wasn't too sure what to think of everything but we all had a blast watching him experience his 1st birthday. Here are just a few pictures from today.

Grandpa and Grandma Rexroat

Uncle Trevor and his girlfriend, Lisa

Grandpa and Grandma Savage

Our fun neighbors...Audrey, Mike, Joyce, Monique, Juliann

Aunt Renee

Juliann giving Aiden a birthday kiss! 

Mommy and daddy with their birthday boy!

Aiden loves characters at Disneyland

Opening gifts...of course, Mommy opened them ALL

First Birthday cake...he was really unsure what to do with it. Hardly made any mess at all. 

Even though I am sad that his birthday snuck up on me so fast, I am so HAPPY because this means that we are now less than two weeks away from leaving on a plane back to Chicago. We are back in quarantine now until we leave just to make sure that Aiden does not get sick before surgery. It's hard to stay cooped up in the house but I just can't risk it, especially in the middle of cold and flu season. Luckily, we leave one week from Saturday so its not as long as the first surgery.

Thank you so much to everyone who has followed and supported Aiden's journey thus far! I will continue to keep you all posted...we have two more fills to do and then Dr. Bauer is going to work his magic on removing nevus! I am so excited to see results!!!!

With only a few hours left of this day, I would like to wish my little Aiden a HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY one more time! Also, a happy birthday to his nevus twin, Brayden, who was born on the same day as Aiden! We crossed paths back at our first Nevus gathering in Arizona and have been friends ever since!

Goodnight everyone!!!!!!!!

Ahh...Success!!!

We did Aiden's 8th fill tonight and everything went so great! There were no tears and absolutely no issues. Aiden even cracked me up because on the front expansion, he decided to smack me in the face with his Mum Mum (rice snack) as if to tell me to hurry up and get this over with.

I did not get a large amount of saline in but that was ok because we are at the end and I refuse to over do it. We have been keeping the incision area really clean and moisturized but I am not going to take any chances by pushing the skin too far. So, I put 30cc in the front and 20cc in the back. Aiden now has 430cc in the front and 450cc in the back. He is really looking huge!

 I am so proud of my sweet little baby and I am really happy that we only have a few more fills left! He is such a trooper and I am really excited to see him without his bubbles.

Check him out after 8 fills...

His little armrest at 430cc!

Back to playing right after his fill!

Some Halloween fun!

If you live in my area, come check out our garage sale on October 29th (this Saturday) from 7am-2pm. Let me know if you need my address! We have a lot of great stuff for sale and a portion of it will goes to Nevus Outreach!

Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!

One Crazy Week

This week has been crazy. Let me fill you in on what has been going on...

On Monday, I called Dr. Bauer's office to talk to Mim about Aiden's incision area. We were having some slight issues with redness and a tiny amount of drainage coming from the ends of both the belly and back incision. Besides the drainage, this really hasn't been anything new but I wanted to be reassured that nothing else was going to come of this. Mim told me to keep the area really clean (more than usual) and continue with wet/dry dressings if any drainage continued. She said it wasn't too bad and that it was fine to go ahead and expand but to take it easy. They also decided to put him on an antibiotic for the remainder of expansion. I am not a huge fan of him being on antibiotics for that long but at the same time, I do not want the expanders or anything else to become infected so antibiotics it is. 

I planned on doing the expansion later in the day on Monday since we got the all clear but my plans did not work out. I have been battling with fevers off and on for a few weeks now as well as a cough and Monday was just not good. I couldn't get my fever to go down so I decided to head to the ER. I felt bad because my husband had made plans with a friend who is moving out of state but I really had no other choice at this point. Long story short, it was nothing major. They gave me a shot of antibiotics and some cough syrup to help me sleep. 

On Tuesday, I wasn't feeling all that great but it was our anniversary so I was determined to rest up and start feeling better. Michael and I had plans to stay at Grand Californian Hotel that night and since we couldn't cancel, we decided to still go. Before we left, we did Aiden's 7th fill. He was a little impatient with us but other than that, the fill went great. I only put in 30cc in each expander since I was told to take it easy but anything is better than nothing. His belly is now up to 400cc and the back has 430cc. He sure is looking big! 

I love when I capture pictures of him like this because it simply shows you that he is NOT bothered by this. He gets around like any other baby his age would. Sure, he has a little bit of trouble if the belly gets in his way but he picks himself up and moves right along. 

After doing the fill, Michael and I packed up and headed out! Aiden had a blast hanging solo with my mom while we tried to make the best of our evening. We did get to spend a little bit of time at the park and even ran into some good friends of ours! I was actually starting to feel better and we had a really good dinner at Napa Rose. Unfortunately, the rest of my night was not as good, as I battled another fever, but it was probably due to not resting as much as I should have that day. Nevertheless, we still had fun and I am so happy to have Michael in my life. 

The next few days were a little rough for me as I was still battling not feeling well but I managed. I am finally starting to come around today so I am happy about that. Aiden's incision area is slowly coming around to looking better so that's another good thing. Hopefully we can get at least three more fills in and our little superhero will be ready for surgery #2! 

Now I have to start getting ready for our garage sale next Saturday! We have decided to get rid of our storage center to help cut our expenses down. So, we are selling the stuff that won't fit in my parent's house...which is a lot! If you are in our area, come check it out from 7am-2pm on October 29th. A portion of the proceeds will be going to Nevus Outreach so its for a great cause! We will also be selling Aiden's cookbook so if you haven't picked up your copy, stop on over! 

Thanks again for everyone who has supported us through this! These next few weeks are going to fly by! Michael, Aiden and I will be heading back to Chicago three weeks from today! We are so excited to see results from round one! 

Finally Another Fill!

Last Thursday would have been another fill for Aiden but he was still coughing and Dr. Bauer wanted to make sure he was better before we did anything with the expanders. Aiden's stitches that were left in were also causing some issues so it was just best to leave it alone for a few more days. By Monday, he was in a much better place so we decided to attempt a fill after Michael got home from work.

We changed up the scenery a bit to help distract Aiden and made sure he had plenty of snacks and juice to keep him busy. For once, I did the belly expander first. This one always surprises me on how much we can get in. It already felt pretty firm but we managed to get in 50cc! That expander now has 375cc and I can't believe it!

The back expander went fine but we were only able to get in 30cc. I thought that was strange because it had been so soft for weeks now but I didn't force it because I knew how sensitive the area already was. Then a few minutes after filling it, the expander got really soft again. At first, I thought that maybe the expander was leaking so I emailed Dr. Bauer just in case. He assured me that everything is fine and that sometimes the expanders don't always act the way we want them to.

It's hard to believe that we are past half way there already. We only have about 4-5 fills left and then we will be back on a plane to get these bubbles out. I am glad that it went by so fast!

Check out his newest look....

375cc in belly, 400cc in back

Just after the fill...happy as can be!

Don't forget to get your copy of Aiden's cookbook before they are all gone!