Mira goes to ER for a Shunt Revision

Keep Mira in your thoughts today. Instead of getting ready for her birthday this Friday, she’s in the hospital having surgery to revise her shunts again. Poor little angel.

In case you’re not in the know — Mira has Spina Bifida. You’d never know there’s anything going on with her, but she does have two “drains” or shunts in her skull to drain the excess fliud from her brain ventricles down into her stomach cavity. When one of these shunts fail, the pressure builds and makes Mira display unconventional behavior and have severe headaches. Jen had to take her into the ER Tuesday night and she’s now scheduled for surgery this afternoon.

It is a pretty straight forward procedure, but with any surgery (especially in her head), there are inherent risks. And it’s certainly no way to spend your birthday. Not only that, but it’s only been a year since her last revision and her beautiful hair has finally grown back just to be shaved off again. :(

Well - I’m pulling for you, Mira. She’s a trooper, but the hospital’s no fun when you’re about to turn six.

iPug T-shirt

The cool folks down at Monkey in a Dryer sent Mira this nifty T-shirt. Like anywhere, Mira has no problem making new friends. Guess she left an impression while we were waiting for Jeanie’s shirt.

Mira likes it lots. Thanks, Drea!

Viruses and Snot

It’s that time of year again. Little kids go to hang out with other little kids and bring home a schoolyard version of Ebola or the Nimda virus.

Mira’s been out all weekend. Her cough sounds like a cross between a phlegm-launcher and someone sucking on their athsma respirator. Poor thing. She gets 20 hours a day of Nickelodeon because the coughing keeps her awake.

Then Bob came down with it, so we canceled our Sunday brunch plans.

Now I’ve got the shit. Damn-it-all-anyway. Effin’ viral infection that you can’t do a damn thing about. Nasty, creepy, snot producing, booger infested nose-swamp. Eight boxes of Kleenex a day, Dayquil, no energy or brain power and worst of all — no beer. :( Being sick sucks and a sinus infection is worse. So back to bed for all of us.

(How did Jen avoid the plague?)

2 Days - 2 Fairs

And that equals a whole ton of walking. (Mira wasn’t willing to share her stroller with me, so I had to huff it the whole time.)

Jen had to work, but Mira and I went with Grandma and Grandpa to the State Fair. On arrival, Mira’s biggest concern was eating a corndog. She was quickly distracted by baby animals, however, and deep-fried stick food was waylaid until later. It was important to say hello and goodbye to each and every little barnyard creature in turn. Can’t miss any!

About one hour in, we did start to shovel grease on a stick into our mouths. Rinsed down with all-you-can-drink milk from the dairy booth. Mira made sure to spill some on her shirt to go with the cherry Icee, sprite, and water already there. I had the best damn turkey sandwich in the world, though. Plenty of tabasco and BBQ with pulled turkey on a hoagie bun. Yummy! read more »

Need Brains...

Just for future reference:

Mira was a zombie today. Giving Zombie hugs and such (who knows where that came from.) But — point is, we all know that Zombies need brains.

Brains, braaaiiins, braaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiins…

But Mira’s zombieness goes as follows:

I don’t have a brain, I don’t have a braaaiiin, I don’t have a braaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiin….

And I of course just want to be able to remind her of this when she’s about 16 or so.

Super Mira or Self-proclaimed Cat-girl

Mira got a super hero kit from her grandparents. It included this red cape and other super paraphernalia. When worn, it transforms Mira into Catgirl, defender of barbies and stuffed animals everywhere. It also makes her strike this pose when standing still, (although standing still certainly doesn’t happen often.) Sid has been recruited to sidekick status, but I’m not sure he understands his role too well. Unless the evil-doers come in the form of chew toys, his super abilities probably won’t help much.