Mohawk!

This weekend, as we prepare for Cameron's surgery on Wednesday, we went to go get his hair cut! Thank you SO much Dar (at Creative Styles in Swanzey, NH) for being the best Mimi and always making Cam so excited for his haircuts (and watching Sesame St, or playing games, or snuggling in bed)! We decided to have him get a mohawk because they'll be shaving one side of his head, so we figured we'd just start off symmetrical and cut the other side too!

Just before we got there, Shawn decided he'd see if Dar would have time to give him a mohawk too (and she did!) so now they match - and Cam loves having the same haircut as Daddy!

Once they both had their hair cuts, Cam promptly stated that it was now "Mommy's turn!". Sorry, no pictures to share of my mohawk. ;)

We have to head up to DHMC on Tuesday afternoon for Cameron's pre-op appointments, blood work and meetings. Then we'll be hanging out that night before getting admitted at 6:30am on Wednesday. We'll surely keep everyone updated this week! We're so thankful for the continued prayers, notes, donations, love and support. <3

GO RED SOX!!!

Incredible Generosity

There is absolutely no way to express the magnitude of thanks that we have for the generosity, support and love shown to us and to Cameron. As we sit here on Sunday, ten days before Cameron's surgery, we know we are truly blessed with an incredible support system and we can focus our energy on helping Cameron before and after his surgery - without worrying about missing work. The CYRiously Cameron's Pasta Dinner, organized by Meaghan, Sam and Becca was outstanding! Shawn and I were overwhelmed by the number of people who came out to the dinner, and by those who donated or bought tickets even if they couldn't make it over. We had so much fun hanging out with everyone, laughing, chasing kids around and eating delicious food donated by Spumoni's Restaurant in Pawtucket, RI and Ramunto's in Keene! Along with the always mouth-watering cupcakes by my very own Awesome Auntie Pattie! :) They collected so many amazing raffle prizes, really, they were fantastic! It was honestly above and beyond anything we could have ever asked for or expected. The entire day was fantastic, from start to finish!
Here are some pictures from the day:
Cameron and I made these signs to help people find camp!

The delicious cupcake display!

I don't know what we did to deserve to have these people in our lives, but we are truly lucky! Meaghan, Sam and Becca (and Caleb!) - The minds behind the operation. :)

So many friends and family came to support us! We sure feel the love <3

A little blurry, but I couldn't leave this one out. Cam modeled the hats and scarves that were part of the raffle. Haha!

Shawn talked to Dr. Bauer on Thursday evening to get some of our little detail questions answered. We wanted to know just a few things.
1. How long will the surgery take?
We actually have to get to DHMC the day before his surgery, so we'll be going up on Tuesday Oct 29th to do all of Cam's pre-op "stuff" like a physical, blood work, last meeting with Dr. Bauer (and probably Dr. Morse). That's all at 2pm, then we'll hopefully be spending the night at David's House (http://www.davids-house.org) because Cam will be admitted at 6:30am on Wed. Oct 30th. He needs to have an MRI right before the surgery, so they'll be sedating him just once for the MRI and operation. Dr. Bauer suspects it'll take 3-4 hours total. He'll likely spend at least the first day in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, then transferred to CHaD, then hopefully home by Saturday!

2. Should we shave his head?
Dr. Bauer said normally they try to hide the incision in a girl's hair, but it's much harder for a boy with short hair, so he said it would probably be good to shave it. Then Cam won't be so shocked when he sees he's missing hair on half of his head. We're thinking of giving him a mohawk. -:)

3. What exactly should we expect in regards to recovery?
He's suspecting that after the first week and a half Cam will be okay to go back to Preschool, since he only goes for 3 hours. He wants him to wait at least 2 weeks before returning to a full day of daycare, but even then, we'll have to just see how he's doing. We live so close to his preschool that we can just go over in about 2 minutes to pick him up if he was having a hard time, but daycare is a little further away.

As nerve-wracking as it is, and as fast as it is coming up, we are looking forward to this opportunity to give Cameron the chance to change his life. While it's still about a 50/50 chance, it's certainly better than nothing.
Again, we can't say thank you enough for absolutely everything from the dozens of people who have poured out their love and support for us. We'll continue to keep everyone updated as the day approaches!

Speechless.

Shawn and I are feeling overwhelmed with thanks over the outpouring of love during the last few months, and especially the last few weeks. When people are put into tough situations, you hear the word "deserve" come up again and again. That we "deserve" the help, or -- that, like Cameron -- we "deserve" to be taken care of, too. Never once did (and we still don't) feel that we "deserve" anything from anyone. We are parents. We are doing everything that we can to make sure Cameron gets the best care and has the best opportunities available, just like every other parent would, be it brain surgery or choice of crayons! Talking seizures and surgery have become part of our daily lives over the last two and a half years. My mom reminded me recently about a time around two years ago after Cam had had a bad seizure. I used to cry and worry and call my mom (yep, I'd call my mom - thanks Mom!) almost every time Cameron would have a seizure. She had told me once that some day it would become second nature, that we would just get used to it, as we had already learned that Cameron would probably not just "grow out of" his epilepsy. Two and a half years later we are discussing brain surgery without (too much of) a flinch.

I wish everyone could meet Dr. Bauer and Dr. Morse! For two men who do most of their work dissecting children's brains, they're incredibly confident and really put us at ease each time we talk with them. Cam had his 3 year check up recently and his Pediatrician, Dr. Eric Goodman, had said that he could never be a brain surgeon because, "It's scary!" Damn right it is, but it's worth it if Cameron can go on to live a normal life afterward.

He has started physical therapy at preschool now! We got an email from the PT at school with a little update. "Cameron's motor output is a bit variable. Last week his right leg seemed weaker and he was having more incidences of tripping and just a tougher time in general moving in the classroom and during therapy. Each week he shows greater ability to participate in P.T. more readily. He is a delight!!!!!!!!!!" He's also become a regular at the nurse, like a daily regular. Cam told us today that the nurse has "books and a cool ice pack!". Haha...

We wanted to send a big shout out to the First Presbyterian Church in Ogdensburg, N.Y. Shawn's cousin Becky had her church do a "prayer bear" for Cameron. They pass this cute teddy around church and each person says a prayer for the person to whom the bear will be sent. Such a special gift, and Cameron loved it! Thank you all!

Last night I got a call from a couple of my best friends: my cousin Meaghan, high school BFF Sam and (well, they tried to get Becca, but she lives in the woods and barely has cell service :-P) to let me know that they had organized a benefit dinner for Cameron. I was speechless. We had never even thought about people wanting to help us. As I said before, we are parents. We do what we have to do for Cameron, and we make it work as best as we can. We want everyone to know that we are in absolutely no way expecting, anticipating or hoping people would or will help us. The thoughts, prayers, cards, etc., have already exceeded our expectations. We are honestly and truly so grateful for everyone's willingness to help!

I promised the girls that we would help spread the word about the dinner! Meaghan created this site to get information about the pasta dinner and to purchase tickets. http://cyriouslycam.eventbrite.com I know they've already organized a bunch of raffle prizes, ranging from clothing to baked goods to gift certificates. Best part is, by purchasing a ticket to the dinner, you automatically get two raffle tickets! It's also the day of Keene's Pumpkin Festival, so if you're in the area and want to swing by camp, or if you're not and want to come to Pumpkin Fest and have yummy food, we'll surely be making our way there. Bring pumpkins to carve too! :)

A page on Go Fund Me was also created for anyone who wishes to contribute directly to Cameron's medical expenses.
http://www.gofundme.com/CYRiouslyCam

We are so lucky and feel so blessed to have so many people in our lives that love Cameron and want to help. Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts! We really can't say it enough.