What has consumed my life...

Many of you know that Shane started the long process of jaw reconstruction about 7 years ago with braces. 2 1/2 years ago we had what we thought was the hardest and most intense surgery. They reconstructed both the upper and bottom jaw. The recovery was frustrating at times, but not as bad as we thought. Liquid diet for a few weeks, then soft foods, but it consistently healed.

In July, we had the last step before they could finish the entire process and fit teeth. We would be finished soon! or so we thought.

In July, they did a bone graft in Shane's jaw. They used a ton of medical stuff (can't remember what it's called, but it's all "foreign material") Long story short, Shane's body rejected the graft, and he has had infection after infection since. The week school starts, his jaw on the right side shattered.

As a side note, his doctor is LDS, which we didn't know until recently. The first doctor who looked at it after it broke said there was nothing wrong. His doctor came in and within a minute of looking at him knew there was something very wrong, and ordered the xrays the help figure it out. We had been praying that the doctors would be inspired to know what was wrong and how to fix it. I know that Dr. Liddel was listening to the spirit that day.

So, they had to do immediate surgery to take out all the bone fragments. Then they put in a titanium plate to replace his jaw bone. The pain from this surgery was more severe than any he has had. After 3 days in the hospital, they sent him home. Initially, he was on the mend. Sore, but getting better. Nothing is easy though. Last Saturday he notices that his neck is sore and it is hard to swallow. He heads back to the doctor and they say infection is setting in. (He has been on antibiotics almost consistently since July 10th). Today, we go back in and find out that the only way to fix this is to be admitted to the hospital so they can hook him up to IV antibiotics, culture the infection and drain it.

We are currently waiting for the phone call that a bed is available at the hospital to start the process. Hopefully this will fix it. They think he will be on PIC line antibiotics for 6-8 weeks. In the midst of all this, Shane is supposed to be finishing his last semester. Hopefully we can get him home soon, so he can get to class.

On another note, Austin is NOT enjoying kindergarten. He complains of an upset stomach everyday, and tries to tell me that his forehead is hot. Hopefully after all of the upheaval in his life settles down, he will too. He has a great teacher who is a good mix of love and strict. She doesn't let him get away with trying to go to the nurse or to go home.

That's my life...be jealous!! :)