Thanksgiving and Randomness :)

***This is a repost from Caden's Caring Pages which were written while we were waiting for, and after Caden's Cranial Vault Reconstructive surgery***

I would like to say a big thank you to all of you who take the time out of your day to come to this page and look at what we have to say regarding Caden's care. I know that I speak to many of you individually and tell you what is going on, but to also come online afterwards, really means a lot. It is a different level of caring. I appreciate it more than you can imagine.

There have been a few friends that have really stood up and helped us more than we deserve. To respect their privacy I will not mention their names, but they have truly gone above and beyond with all they have done. Some have donated their time to come over and help with the house and Caden, while others have given monetary gifts. I know that not everyone can do a monetary donation to help us out, especially in this economy- and it is definitely not expected by any means. But those of you who have blessed us financially, Remember that God is watching over you and I believe He will rain down blessings on you for your unselfishness. The surgery is going to cost us around $6000.00 (after insurance *sigh*) and with the amounts that have been donated and currently raised, we are at : $1340.00... So we are getting there! We are still planning on holding a benefit dinner and bake sale after his surgery to help recoup some of the money. And those that are donating their time is just as much appreciated! I am excited about spending time with my friends during this crazy season, and I believe God placed them in our life during this specific time to get us through this trying time.

Today is Thanksgiving, the day that we stuff ourselves silly and then go and take a long and relaxing nap....unless you are a mommy. Then you don't get to nap, you start cleaning and resume chasing the little people in the house making sure they stay out of trouble. Seems like women drew the short end of the stick, but you know, I wouldn't have it any other way. I am completely in love with Mr. Caden. Everything he does makes me smile. And now that Christmas lights are being placed on houses, it makes our evening walks just that much more special. Watching Caden's eyes dance with excitement as we pass by house after house with blow up santas and snow men and colorful lights fill me with delight. Christmas is by far my favorite time of the year and I hope this excitement passes on to Caden. But since today is Thanksgiving, I must at least say what I am thankful for: I am thankful for the usual: a roof over my head, clothing that fits, cute shoes to wear and food in my belly. I am thankful for a husband that works hard on a daily basis to provide the above blessings and who loves me unconditionally. I am blessed that I got to marry best friend. I am thankful for a strong marriage that is centered completely around God. Without God we are nothing, and He is the cord that binds us together. I am beyond thankful of my precious bundle of joy that God entrusted us with this past Nov 2, 2010. Caden Thomas Harshman. It hasn't been easy this entire year with raising Caden, but with God's help and with Grammy Lisa, Aunt Sam and other family and friends we made it through! I am thankful for the beautiful new home that we were blessed with! I am thankful that my husband, whom I adore, is allowing me to work part time in order to allow me to spend more time with our beautiful son and to get time to feel better. I appreciate that more than he can imagine. I am thankful for all of the blessings that God has given my family, those that are evident and those that I have yet to see. I am truly thankful for my most prized accomplishment of all time: my precious son, Caden. Even though he has to have a major surgery that is going to last 8 hrs, which makes Mommy's heart want to stop, I am thankful that we are able to have this surgery with the best surgeons at the best children's hospital. God is watching out for us. I am thankful that the doctors listened to Mommy and Daddy when we kept telling them we were concerned because of how small Caden's soft spot was and how quickly it closed. Because of that we are having this major surgery, which tears at our heart strings, but it will allow Caden to have the chance at a full and healthy life. Without the surgery Caden has a 17-20% of becoming handicapped, 50% chance of becoming blind or have auditory issues, %100 chance of having an elongated, deformed head which can cause increased inter-cranial pressure which may later in life cause Caden to have seizures or other various issues. I am extremely thankful that God has provided all of the technology and education with the physicians to provide Caden with this surgery. Caden is such a bright and happy ray of sunshine in my life. He is by far, with his daddy, the best things that I have ever been given. I am a woman without worldly riches, and I suffer daily with chronic pain. But I am a woman that is blessed beyond measure. I serve an amazing God and I love my life! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

What Can We Expect?

***This is a repost from Caden's Caring Pages which were written while we were waiting for, and after Caden's Cranial Vault Reconstructive surgery***


Little man is getting oh so big! ‎"Uh Oh!" are Caden's words of choice these days...and yes, Caden, throwing Mommy's wallet and car keys in the cat's water bowl is "uh oh!" He has officially taken off and started walking! He was taking a few steps at a time before but now he is off like a rocket! He amazes me every day with all of the things that he is learning and doing. He makes me oh so very happy!
So plans have slightly been changed regarding the bake sale to help pay for Caden's surgery. Due to the time of season with the holidays around the corner, unfortunately I am unable to get a spot to hold a bake sale with any retail facility at this time. Salvation Army and Toys for Tots are filling the company's calendars at this point. But that is ok, Cayce and I have been talking and we decided we will still try and do the bake sale, but do it after his surgery instead. It might also help because we will have actual pictures of his head and scars and people will be able to believe that the surgery is real and not a scam. Thank you for those who have offered to help me with baking and manning the bake sale. As soon as we get an actual date I will let you know so we can get the ball rolling!
I have had many people ask me about Caden's surgery and what exactly is going to happen. We will find out for sure on Dec 14th when we have our appointment with the Plastic Surgeon. However, we already have been told what to expect and it isn't pretty. They will be cutting Caden in a zig zag pattern from ear to ear. The reason for the zig zag is so that Caden will not have a permanent part in his hair later on. Cayce's scar from this same surgery is straight from front to back and he has a very obvious scar, and hopefully this will be prevented. The surgery lasts about 8 hrs (which will be complete torture for Mommy and Daddy). The Neurosurgeon will be there to make sure that Caden's brain is protected and the Plastic Surgeon will be doing a CVR (cranial vault reconstruction) which will reshape Caden's head and also allow for it to grow using desolvable screws, plates and sutures. I have been speaking to several mommies of children that have had this surgery and they said that the worst part happens about 48-72 hrs after the surgery. Caden's eyes will swell shut from all the pressure that happened during the procedure and it will stay that way for a few days. They say that makes the babies very upset- which I can completely understand. The first day or so they will have Caden on Morphine to keep him comfortable and sedated so that immediately after the surgery he can heal as much as possible. The surgeons tell me that Caden will be well on his way to healing after just 2 weeks and should be nearly COMPLETELY healed in about 6 weeks. That just amazes me! I know that with God watching out for him that this surgery will be ok and that he will make it through like the champ that he is and he will heal beautifully! I got permission from one of the mommies to use a few of her pictures of her beautiful little girl to post so that you all can see what Caden's future holds. Be prepared, the pictures will pull at your heart strings...

One Day at A Time

***This is a repost from Caden's Caring Pages which were written while we were waiting for, and after Caden's Cranial Vault Reconstructive surgery***

I'm sitting on the couch watching Caden play around me. He is so smart and inquisitive. I love watching him- as he stares at things I can see the little wheels in his head working. I can't wait to see what he will become when he is older. Whatever he decides to do, I know that he will be absolutely amazing.

It still hurts me when I see him smile at me because I know he has no clue what is going on and the battle that I am fighting in my heart. I know that him being oblivious is good...we don't need another person freaking out! I just know that he trusts me with all that he is, and I want to make sure that I take the best care of him possible. I don't have a choice with this surgery. I would be a terrible mother if I didn't do it. How can I run the possible risk of my incredibly bright child becoming handicapped? I can't. I have to give him a fighting chance. He will never remember it; all he will know when he is older is from the stories we tell him and the pictures that he sees.

I get aggravated when people tell my husband and I not to worry. "Try not to think about it.", "You are overreacting", "It's not a big deal." All of the above is probably true and everything WILL be ok, BUT he is still my baby. I fought for 9 months to keep him inside of me. If you know my husband and I and the story of my pregnancy then you know I had a terrible pregnancy and Caden is a miracle child- literally. I know I am more overprotective than I should be, but if you went through what I did then you would understand. As December 20th gets closer I close my eyes and take slow deep breaths. When I dedicated Caden at church, I gave Caden back to God. I know that he is in God's hands and I need to leave him there. I do appreciate the love and encouragement that my friends and family have given us. It makes this difficult time easier to go through. Just don't tell me that this isn't a big deal, because it is, especially to me. I have been reading blogs of other parents who have been through this with their child and their feelings echo mine. Seeing pictures of their tiny baby with their eyes swollen shut and drains and tubes everywhere right after surgery pulls my heart strings. I know that we will be in the same position soon. But then I see the 'after' pictures and the child is happy and beautiful and you can barely tell they had such a traumatic surgery just 6 weeks prior. I know that we too will have some 'after' photos...one day at a time.

So for now I continue watching my son play and hand me cheerios that are soggy from his slobber. He makes me smile, and I know that it will be ok. We can get through this, one day at a time.

The Big Day is Scheduled

***This is a repost from Caden's Caring Pages which were written while we were waiting for, and after Caden's Cranial Vault Reconstructive surgery***

We've been having to wait for Caden's Neurosurgeon and his Plastic Surgeon to get together and discuss the plan of care for Caden. We finally have an appointment where we will speak with both of the surgeons to find out exactly what they are planning on doing and what we should expect. That is scheduled for December 14th.

Now that we have that appointment we have his actual surgery date scheduled for December 20th. From what I have been told, Caden will be in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) for 3 days after the surgery and then will be in a step down unit for about 2 days. That means we will be discharged on Christmas Day. A healthy Caden will be the best Christmas gift of all!

I have had several people ask why are we doing the surgery during Christmas. It's not because we want to, but it is the soonest that we could get the surgery scheduled. We are on the early cancellation list, so if there is an opening sooner we will try and take it. We want the surgery to be completed by the end of the year because 1) if we wait I am going to get an ulcer stressing about it- and yes, I am giving this to God, but Caden is still my baby and 2) we have already paid the crazy deductible and really don't want to have to repay it at the start of the new year.

I cannot express my gratitude for all of you who are praying for our family during this time and for those of you who have given monetary gifts to assist for paying with his surgery. It helps my heart to know that we are not alone during this trying time, that we have many friends and family that truly care. If there is any changes to Caden's appointments I will make sure to let you all know.

Recently Caden just had his FIRST birthday! Can you believe it? A year has come and gone and my little boy has gotten so big and has changed so much right before our eyes. He still will only walk a few steps and then say "nah, crawling is so much easier." His new game is dropping things and saying, "Uh oh!" and it never gets old...ever. I can't wait to see what this upcoming year has in store for us. I know that Caden will continue to grow into a happy and healthy, rambunctious little boy- at that is the way it is supposed to be.

Our Beautiful Family

Kisses from Grammy

Thumbs up! Yummy Birthday Cake!

Worn out Birthday Boy! What a Day!