"I pulled my first cow out of a toilet today"

Yesssss, I am happy to be able to give the ROTO ROOTER service man a new story to tell.  After two weeks of trying everything we knew to do to unclog the toilet in the kids bathroom I gave our friends at ROTO ROOTER a call this morning.. We should receive a discount after a few more calls to them...LOL

They did take longer than they had in the past to retrieve the object(s) from the pipes.  First came a necklace followed by a cow... A COW??!!  I didn't even look in the bucket to see what necklace and what cow came about.  I just know that if Caleb and Isaac's Little People Farm is missing the cow I do not have to go on a mad search for it.

The upside is that this is another great story to tell the grandkids...

Update on Tonsil Removal

11 days post op and I would say, twins are back to normal.  As a matter of fact, no pain medicine was given today at all.  They are still eating softer foods, cookies, hot dogs, ice cream, apple slices.  But I really think they are safe to get back into their favorite crunchy foods.

My take on if the Risk was Higher than Reward:  It was a long recovery with an ER trip for IV fluids on day 7, but overall, seriously the recovery was way better than I was expecting reading over blogs of other's experiences.  Anxious to see if this in ANY WAY affects their speech.  There is a tiny part of me holding onto some hope that they may just start making some more sounds now that they don't have obstructive tonsils making it difficult for them.

Risk higher than Reward... Tonsils and Adenoids

After waiting three years to get the twins tonsils out.  Getting second and third opinions.  Being told the "the risk is higher than the reward".  And having countless worrisome illnesses...... They got their tonsils and adenoids out last week.  Tuesday, July 31st to be exact.  Four days later we were able to go home. Here is a run down of our crazy week:

Monday:  waited for our surgery time phone call that came around 2:30 pm.  Arrival time in morning was to be 6:45 am.  We had made prior plans with my good friend Betsy to stay with her this night to be closer to our destination for Tuesday.  I tried to give subtle explanations to boys on what was about to happen to the without giving them to much information.  When Tom arrived home we made our way to Pittsburgh for the evening.  As the boys "Last Meal" we took them to their favorite restaurant, Burger King, for their favorite sandwich a Whopper Jr.  Caleb had a front tooth that was terribly loose and I kept asking Tom if he should just go ahead and pull it so Caleb doesn't swallow it.. I have HUGE tooth fobia.. I haven't pulled any of my kids teeth yet;  Tom said since he was being put to sleep in the morning we would just ask them to do it. When Caleb started his Whooper Jr. the tooth was there, when he finished it was not!!!

Tuesday:  5 am wake up time, and our day begins.  We get to hospital and boys are excited to play with toys in waiting room.  Called us back promptly to begin vitals and getting them ready.  As we are going over information about procedures for both boys I realized there had been an error with Isaacs surgery.  He was to have tonsils and adenoids removed and third set of ear tubes placed AND dental work done.  The dental work was not on schedule and quite frankly it was an emergency that he get his teeth looked at while sedated today.  To back up five days, Isaac had an ER trip that totally stumped mom and doctors as to what was wrong.  I thought it was constipation related, it was not.  They check for UTI, it was not.  After giving him some Motrin and settling him down they sent us home.  Next morning we awoke to the left side of Isaacs face is swollen from his eye to his chin.  Back to doctors office to which they "guessed" it was perhaps an abscesses tooth. So I called Children's Thursday and had dental jump in on Tuesdays planned surgery.

It did all work out and we are thankful because Isaac ended up having four teeth extracted.  One of which was most likely the cause of the facial swelling, the other three were baby teeth that needed to come out because the adult teeth were erupting.

Isaac enjoying his room with a view before surgery

Close up of my cutie Isaac on Verset

Caleb having a hard time holding up his head on the Verset

And he's out... daddy putting on his ID bracelet that he wouldn't allow on before this

Both boys were in recovery by 11am.  

We were informed by the ENT that Isaac did not receive ear tubes again as expected.  His right ear they removed the tube and cleaned out the ear wax and found a hold his in ear drum so didn't place tube.   When he looked into his left ear he found a large hole that concerned him.  He stated that we would have to do a hearing test when we came back into his office to see if there was any hearing damage.  He stated that there would have to be something done about this problem, but did not offer options just yet.  Hours of sleeping off anesthesia and they awoke in rater happy moods.  

Love Isaacs cute lil toes peeking out

When asked if they wanted a drink Isaac refused, Caleb was given the option of milk or apple juice.  He chose apple juice and drank one.. then two... then three... then four!!!.... then FIVE.. That is more apple juice than he has ever drank in his entire life??!! WOW I wasn't expecting this.

Wednesday;  Both boys woke up a little more tender than the day before.  Both of them offered drinks in the morning and again Caleb signed Apple Juice and enjoyed his beverage while his brother just looked on.  And from there it went downhill... they ate their ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner and no drinking.. we were told that the ice cream counted as a drink so we tried as often as we could to feed it to them all the while hoping that they would not get sick of ice cream before it was over.

Isaac

Caleb

Thursday;  Today was the kind of response I was expecting from the get go.  Today the boys had to be coaxed for everything.  They were refusing to drink, refusing to eat ice cream and basically sleeping all day long perhaps to avoid the pain.  When I voiced my concern on their pain level today the nurse explained to me that it was not uncommon for children with Down Syndrome or Autism to have a delay in pain.  Unfortunately, we have a double whammy with this.  It was a day for mommy and daddy to just cuddle with them and try to keep them comfortable.

Caleb yelling at me to STOP taking pictures

Praising God that we had an iPad to entertain them

By the evening assessment Caleb's heart rate was elevated and he was showing signs of dehydration.  We were told to try to get anything in him that we could or they would be hooking him up to IV again.

Friday; Today when they woke up we were right on the drinking for them.  We offered them everything that was available.  Milk, Apple Juice, Choc. Milk, Rice Milk, Ice Water, Orange Drink... Finally, Caleb drank a full glass of rice milk.  We were being discharged!!! They suggested that sometimes kids do better at home in their own environment, and we agreed.  PLUS, we had to leave this day because we were to go and pick up Caleb and Isaac's brother and sister at Pennsylvania Christian Camp in the morning to bring them home from their week long camping experience.

little playtime before our car ride home

Saturday and Sunday; each day we are seeing improvements.  Isaac much more than Caleb.  Isaac is eating soft foods and drinking like a champ.  Caleb is drinking very little and refusing any food, but drinking enough to have a wet diaper.  What we have noticed the most is when they are medicated they are practically normal, without any pain or signs of discomfort.  They watch tv and hum like they are having a jolly ole time.  When it comes time for meds they turn into little tigers.  Scratching, headbanging, crying, screaming, pushing, throwing, you name it.  Isaac is doing WONDERFUL with taking his meds.  They are on Roxicet for pain and Amoxicillian for antibiotics against infection.

So was the Risk Higher than the Reward??  We are still in the recovery phases.  Tuesday through Thursday is the "watch them closely for bleeding" days, so I am on my guard for that.. but so far, other than the refusal to drink and eat they are acting better than I thought they would.  Seeing them in pain is heart wrenching, but usually when we give them their pain medicine they are good for about four hours.  I am so anxious to see how they are in a month.  They are snoring a little still, but I am certain that there is swelling.  Their breath is a little better already and I am a tiny bit hopeful that perhaps they will start talking a little more after they are healed up.

2012 Hanzely Family Reunion

Great Grandma Hanzely with all her great grandchildren, what a beautiful photo!!!

It seems like it has been such a long time since our last reunion.  We try to  hold them every other year but we have had a few weddings over the past few years that we went three years since our last reunion.  Since Great Grandpa Hanzely passed away we began holding the reunions down at our family pond instead of at the Great Grandparents house to make things easier on Great Grandma Rita.  Our last reunion the Hanzely boys attempted making a water slide down the hill into the pond.  It was, of course, a big hit so this reunion they worked hard to top the last water slide and make this one even better... OH BOY did they!!!!

There was a water pump that took water out of the pond, through a hose at the top of the slide.  The slide was made up of first a layer of cardboard, then plastic from Uncle JR's greenhouse, and rubber tires along the edges to keep from going off the plastic.  I would guess the slide to be about 40+ yards long, down a nice steep hill into our very fun very large pond.  The slide was for sure the big attraction of the reunion this year.  Everyone showed up in their suits ready to take on the hill.  So much fun, so many photos, I just had to make a montage of all the fun to share:

You know is hot out when.....

The water table not only is a place to splash and dump water, but a pool to cool down!!!  Isaac decided that he had enough with only using the table to dump a bucket or two, he wanted the full experience himself.  And after looking at the photos below, who can blame him if its indeed this much fun :)

Oh how I love a hot summer day!!!!

What can Words Do?? (Part Two)

I have waited until receiving the proper confirmation in the mail before blogging about this matter.  I received that paperwork today.  I have prayed about this and tried to think about how to share this information without pointing fingers or letting any angry words take over the point I want to make.

Here goes...

I was reported to Children and Youth Services for possible neglect and/or other concerns regarding my twins Caleb and Isaac.

8:25 am May 1st, 2012.  I had just gotten Camille and Elijah off to school.  The twins were playing in their playroom still in their morning diapers.  Both boys were really suffering from a sinus infection that they so graciously decided to share with their mama.  I was very hoarse this morning and not at all feeling well.   I was fixing my morning coffee when I hear a knock at my door?? As my mind starts wondering who was knocking at my door at such an hour, I start chuckling thinking that Camille and Elijah missed the bus and were trying to be funny to ask for a ride to school.  As I approach the door, still in my morning attire, I see a young man with a name tag on a lanyard hanging around his neck.  Puzzled I open the door and ask "May I help you?" to which he answers "I am so in so from CYS, I need to come in your home."

I was very curious what would have made a CYS representative come to my home so bright and early in the morning.  I was wondering if it may have been due to an incident that recently happened with another family member and he was wanting my statement.  As we approached my kitchen island he set his books down and opened his paperwork.  Curiosity really had me now.

"He stated that we have been reported for two different issues.  The first was neglecting medical treatment for my twins and concern that I had sent them to school with pink eye.  He also went on to state the second issue was that it was reported that we have SEVERAL dogs in our home pooping on the floor.  We have two children with Down Syndrome living in our home who may not know that dog poop was unsafe and were known to eat off our floors.  There was concern for their health."

When I heard these allegations, I immediately starting wondering who in the world would have done this to us.  I was literally in shock.  The CYS case manager had several papers for me to sign and then he had to check the welfare of the twins.  They were both playing..in their dirty diapers... sick and congested in the play room.. UGH!!!  Then the case worker stated that he had to look in our refrigerator to make sure there was adequate food in there for our children and then he had to look at the children's bedrooms.  I complied with all of his requests and tried to wear a friendly smile.  He stated that the issue of dog poop all over the house was going to be closed immediately because he did not see any at all upon his visit.  He would then go ahead and call the doctors office and maybe the agency that our TSS workers are from to see if they had any concerns.  He was very nice and handled everything in a very nice, calm professional manner.  I bid him goodbye and it was then that the personal anguish began.  After I had some time to really think about this.

As I sat there allowing my mind to wonder... my feelings became more and MORE hurt.  I began to cry realizing that someone out there really thought that I was not a good parent.  Someone out there really thought that we were neglecting our children.  Someone out there really thought that I would actually do something to jeopardize my children's health.

I had just taken my twins to the doctors a week prior to this visit from CYS, as I too suspected they may have they may have had pink eye.  I was assured that it was a bacterial form of pink eye and was not contagious.  There really wasn't much we could do about it but keep them cleaned off.  Doctor prescribed an eye drop to try to put in, but doc and I both knew I would probably not be able to get these drops in because of their sensory issues.   They DO NOT like things put their their mouth, ears or eyes.   I was told that if I could not get drops in to just be sure to wipe their eyes with a warm wash cloth in the morning to get their eyes open and cleaned up.  I did this daily.

The second issue stated that we had SEVERAL dogs in our home?? I have a little tiny black pug named Rosco..one pug...one tiny pug.  And I will confess that Rosco still has accidents in the house.  Daily??.. No! A few times a week??  Yes.  I pick up the accidents promptly, I disinfect and make sure the area is clean.  Where does Rosco frequently have his accidents?? In the boys and girls bedrooms, because my inlaws who used to live in our house before us had a dog who also had accidents in these rooms.  It happens, I don't like it, but it does and we clean up after the dog.  We DO NOT feed the twins off of the floor in their bedroom.

Let me explain how we "feed off the floor"..  The twins are getting so much better with self feeding.  They are starting to use utensils, they are starting to eat a bowl of cereal at the table and not throw the bowl before finishing it all, they are transitioning very well to sitting and eating as a family.  Before this they would not eat out of a  bowl, they would not eat on a plate, they would not eat anything out of a bag.  When they wanted their cereal or popcorn, I would offer it in a bowl... 100% of the time, they dumped their food on the floor.  I attempted several times to have them pick it up and eat it out of the bowl.  They down right refused.... I opted to have them eat verses fight with them each time with the result of them not eating.  Today this still happens but NEVER EVER in a spot that the dog may have had an accident in.  They are not allowed food in their bedroom and honestly have never even tried to eat in there.

I almost feel like I am making excuses as I type but I am just trying to set the stage for my feelings and my blog post.

Words can and do HURT!!

Words can and do make one feel like they are not doing a good job!!

Words can and do make one feel as if every action is judged and critical judgement at that.

I do know who made the report.  I do not know why this person felt that the "alleged neglect" was enough to report our family to a county children and youth service to come in and investigate us.  This person knows our family and has been in our home.  This person knows how much I do for my children, both educationally and medically.  This person knows the challenges I face, yet the intense love that I feel for each and every child in my home.  This person also knows where my husband and I both work.... these allegations could have hurt both of our careers.   (I am not implying that people with good careers do not do wrong!)

What this person does not know...  we call the doctors office so much for our boys they know us by name, the doctors office appreciates our input and suggestions on things to do with and for the boys,  we travel to Pittsburgh so many times a year to make sure the medical attention our boys receive is what they need (this is 2 1/2 hour one way and difficult to do so often, but we do it), we have worked SO HARD with our boys to get them to where they are today, we have advocated for fair treatment of our boys and have put their faces out wherever and whenever we can to promote acceptance, we have gone above and beyond with our time and patience to be good parents to all five children.  We know and understand that raising identical twins with multiple disabilities is a challenge.  Its a challenge that my husband and I have fully accepted, but it is also a challenge that no one has ever written a rule book on or even instructions on... We are not perfect, we are not trying to be.. But one thing that I can say for sure is that I fully rely on our Dear and Precious Lord to guide us and give us wisdom that we can find no other place.  It is with that wisdom I have chosen to pray for this person who made the call to CYS.  It is with this wisdom that I have shared my story with my church members and have asked for their prayers and advice.  It is with this wisdom that I will allow this situation to make me grow, to educate, to advocate even more than before.

So if you have read this far...Thank You.. If you have not read What can Words Do?? (Part One) please do.  I also welcome constructive comments on what would you do in this position?

Why am I blogging about this?? Because if I can just teach one person that before you do something so hurtful, so judgmental to someone.... PLEASE if the children are not in immediate danger, call the family.  State that you have a concern, hear their reply before calling a county agency to come in and investigate.  If this person would have just given me the courtesy of a phone call.... I could have explained that I already had them to doctors, that we do not have several dogs and my children are safe.. Not to mention... this person DOES NOT EVEN COME INTO MY HOME... how did this person feel obligated to report health and welfare concerns when they don't even come into my home.  I have TSS staff who come into my home almost daily, who are mandated reporters, and they did not feel the need to make report.  Instead, we WORK on the issues, they state any concerns and we actively work on fixing them.  I am just saddened that this person does not feel like I am approachable.  I would think that I am probably one of the most approachable people I know, or at least I really try to be.

I am also blogging because I forgive this person.  I wish I knew the motives or the outcome the person was hoping for and expecting to come about.  The paperwork has came back "unfounded" and "case closed", but the hurt feelings will last on and the accusations have made an imprint on my heart.

What have I done???
I have not contacted person yet, but am thinking of the contacting supervisor.  I have pulled them out of their preschool for the rest of the year and I am not sending them to summer school.  I can not honestly send them without feeling we are being observed in a critical way.  Any other suggestions??

Hidden Treasures on my iPhone

 I recently received an email message telling me that my iPhone was reaching maximum capacity in memory.  I was wondering how in the world this could be because I really don't have a whole lot on there.  Low and behold I look at my photo album and see that I had over 800 photos and about a dozen videos.  I never hook up my phone to my computer (guess I better start) so I uploaded all the photos to my computer and sat and looked through them today.

My children ALL steal my iPhone from time to time and from the photos I saw today, apparently they ALL take photos when they steal my phone from me.

I have to admit I totally enjoyed looking through them all and sure laughed more than once.  Here are a few I must share:

ELIJAH photos:

one of the twins rubber fidget toys broke and this is how Elijah decided to use it.....

Do NOT attempt this at home!!!!

CAMILLE's photos:

Random Twin Photos:

Looking through all of these photos almost makes me feel as though I just unpacked my summer clothes only to find a $20 bill stuck in a pocket of my shorts :)  I may just have to ask my kids to take my phone more often and take some photos, its kinda nice to see things through someone else's view..