She's Done!

       Well folks, we are so incredibly happy to announce that our baby girl is nevus free.  She had her last surgery on the 8th of September and the surgeon was able to remove all of the large congenital nevus that once spanned her entire back.  I could have kissed him.  I told him that I would if he was able to get it all in this one last shot and he did!  Not to worry, I cleared it with Tad before I put the offer on the table! :) I am also fairly certain Tad could have kissed him too.
          So we are now cruising down the road to recovery.  She is healing everyday and returned to her crazy self soon after we were released from the hospital.  She had the drains out last week and just yesterday the surgeon was able to remove ALL of her non-disposing stitches.  That was an appointment I don't want to relive soon and the beauty of that is...I won't have to.  He asked us to return in 5 months to check the scar's line and healing.  5 months!!  We haven't gone that long EVER!  In the meantime we will be learning to walk more and jabber more and eat more fun foods.  She is at such a fun age, I look forward to the holiday season that rapidly approaching!
          I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your unbelievably gracious care and concern over the last year.  Many of your words, thoughts, and emails brought us through some pretty scary times.  Your prayers lifted us to a better place.  I have said it before and will say it again, we are truly blessed to have this little girl in our lives.  She has taught us so much about life, love, and the things that really matter in todays world. 
I have included some pics to illustrate the wonderful work of Dr. Miller.  There were times that I could have slapped him (waiting for HOURS in his waiting room) and them the times when I could have hugged him (removing the nevus in 3 surgeries, the loving touch he had with her, the times the headbutted hugged, the times he came in during the wee hours of post-op and loved her).   He was amazing in his work, after care, and his true compassion for helping kiddos like Kins.

Nevus, 5 days old.

Nevus, before 3rd surgery.

And now we are done!  Once these pesky scabs go away we will be looking good! LOVE Dr. Miller.

She is ONE!

Our sweet lil baby girl turned one this week!  It is hard to believe that time can move this fast.  We had a wonderful year, filled with challenges that in the end made us better parents, better spouses, and stronger in our faith.  We are blessed beyond words to be surrounded by such an amazing support system.  Our friends and family have been AMAZING.  Each has helped shaped Kinsley into the beautiful, intelligent, spunky little girl that she is today.  We celebrated her first year with a small gathering at Kris' condo.  Kinsley loved being in the spotlight (shocker) and fell in love with several of her presents, especially the Cozy Coupe.  

So much so that she wasn't super excited to get out and have cake...

So, it was back into the car we went!  She remained in the car as we opened presents and wrapped up the festivities.  We wheeled her out to our own car and when she was loaded into her car seat, she proceeded to cry half way home.  I guess she really did fall in love with the Cozy Coupe.  :)

And here we are. One year into this beautiful journey that we cherish daily.  Kinsley is slated for her next surgery September 8th. We pray that things go as smoothly as they did last time.  The Lord sure kept her close and we pray for much of the same.  Our surgeon has mentioned in passing that this COULD be the last time we meet for quite some time.  He won't make any promises but a family can hope.  As much as I love that man, I am ok with the idea that I don't see him for awhile!

Love to all,
      The Hase Posse

Life. Is. Grand.

Before 2nd Surgery

Good news on the nevus front...We met with Kinsley's surgeon yesterday and he was very happy with the results. I swear, every time I meet with him, I like him more.  That seems weird to say about a man who you trust with your daughters life but there is just something about his personality that has taken me a bit to get use to.   Don't get me wrong, he does EXCELLENT work, he is just not always super charming.  I suppose I am just accustomed to our amazing, wonderful, super caring pediatrician.  Our close second favorite doctor, Dr. Miller,  was happy with her incision and healing.  Sharing only a small concern with an area above the incision line. He removed a few stitches to lessen the irritation and sent his smiling patient on her way.  We go back in a month to discuss the next step.  He did mention that we might be looking at two more surgeries.  This is different from what we expected but know that he makes the best decision for Kinsley, her skin, and overall well being.  The pictures that I have added just don't do her nevus, or lack there of, any justice.  I sometimes have to look twice at her back because I don't recognize it.  It seems odd (and blissfully wonderful) to see clear, healthy skin there!

After 2nd Surgery

Great news on the home front...Tad started his new job this week!  He is working for a company here in town that contracts with Union Pacific.  He will be designing/drafting signals and lighting systems for their railroads.  Pretty exciting time for us as he enters the field he studied so diligently in college!  We are very proud of him finding this position during such a crummy time in the economy.  Other exciting things happening at home includes Kinsley getting some chompers and really showing us her outdoor voice.  She is working on her 4th tooth, completing her upper and lower pair of incisors.  She hasn't officially crawled yet but she is wanting too.  She scoots and rolls to the places she needs to go and I think she is perfectly happy doing just that.  As for me...school is wrapping up and I could not be more excited to spend the summer with my babe!  (Babes, is more like it).  Tad and I have many fun family things planned and are ready for nice weather, great friends, and our cherished family time! Tad turns 30 in July and will plan to celebrate lakeside with a few close friends.  Other big events this summer include one sister heading off to college, one sister getting hitched, and one sister having a baby!  Busy, busy!!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!  Tad, Kinsley and I will be venturing south to visit Tad's dad and wife!  We are very excited (and a little nervous) for our first big vacation as a little family!  Much love and God Bless!  

The Hase Posse

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! WHERE?

Well, the blessed day has finally arrived.  We received word this morning that Kinsley's MRI was completely clear.  Not a single image that was second guessed or anything.  Well, I guess that is not entirely true...of course baby girl had herself a severe ear and sinus infection, but we can get through that.  I feel with this news that God had lifted this boulder on my shoulders and given me a wonderful opportunity to teach my child to cherish every single day.

As I type this she is snuggled up in her bed, dreaming sweet dreams.  She took this second surgery far better than the first and continues to keep us in awe.  She was under for over four hours, and in our arms by 3:00PM yesterday.  She was eating, smiling, and playing by 6:00PM.  She slept well at the hospital, only crying when those meanie nurses gave her the yucky pain meds!  We chuckled at the fact that she was more annoyed with the taste of medicine than her 6-inch incision on her back.  Friday brought many visitors who she welcomed with her big, cheeky grin.  She played with everyone, only stopping to eat and sleep.  We brought her home this afternoon and she picked up right where she left off.  She is trying to roll at every opportunity and wants to sit up badly.  We are trying to keep her somewhat restricted, but who knows how long that will last.

I thank you all for your continued support, love, and prayers on this wild journey.  We have not won the war, not by far, but we sure kicked some nevus butt today.  I will thank God daily for the rest of my life and continue to pray that our fellow nevi buddies are safe and healthy.  Much love from the Hase Posse.  We are going to relish this time on Cloud 9 for awhile!

Jesus is Kinsley's homeboy!

We are super excited for this weekend.  We're thrilled to have lots of grandparents in town to see Kinsley and most excited to have her baptized on Sunday!  It is such an incredibly important day and we are so thankful to have so many loved ones to share it with.  My mom made her her baptism gown out of her wedding dress and I cannot wait to post pics.  She did an AMAZING job with it and I am sure it will bring me to tears to see Kinsley in it tomorrow.  I am also thankful that mom finally got to put her Home Economics degree to good use and bust out the sewing machine.  Pretty sure she will now be addicted to making clothes for the Kinster.
Lots to get done before tomorrow morning!  I know the most important part of tomorrow will be witnessing Kinsley begin her journey as a child of God but before then, I must prepare!  I pray that the rain passes us so we can enjoy lunch on the deck. Lord knows it will be a squeeze getting 20 people comfortably seated inside the house!  But it will all work out, it always does.  Thanks for everyone keeping up with the Hase Posse, we love you all.

On a very sad note, I am asking for prayers for the Marakis Family as they lost their little one to complications to CMN and NCM.   May God give them the strength they need to get through this rough time.

Everything in moderation...

I am sorry to have ignored the blog for so long. 

I have learned in the last few months that this whole nevus thing is a pretty shady, pun intended.  I can talk to one doctor and turn around and get completely different information from the next.  I try and sift through the facts but that is the trouble when you have a daughter that is one in 500,000...you just don't have the facts.  I dive into the internet (not my best friend) and spend hours on 'blogspots' reading about other little ones battling the same condition.  I compare war stories, I find comfort in others writings.  I get lost.  I need to stop.

I guess I am trying to take this all in without it taking me all in, and failing.  Miserably.  I have learned that if I let me mind do the walking, we end up in some pretty scary places.  I need to find a happy-medium.  I have got to learn to deal with the waiting and the gray areas and the things that are out of my control. I have got to trust God and know that he will never give me more than I can handle.  So this is it, on this beautiful (looking) day, it's windier than crap out there,  I am going to make myself a promise.  I am going to move forward with life and everything that it may have in store for us with a smile on my face.  No more "woe is me."  No more worries...okay that is a lie. But I will promise to only worry in moderation and at a pace that does not intrude on any other area of my life.  I will look at each day as a gift and resist the temptation to research this stupid nevus.  I will wait patiently for her next surgery and MRI.  I will remain strong and positive and diligent in prayer.  I will because I can.

Surgery Date Changed

Hello everyone! 
Wanted to let you all know that we have rescheduled Kinsley's surgery for May 5th.  The doctors agreed that an MRI was necessary but could not get it scheduled for the same date. (to ensure only one time under anesthesia) So we shall wait to perform both procedures on May 5th.
Other than that, all is well with The Hase Posse! Kinsley officially turned 7 months on Wednesday.  She celebrated a bit too hard at daycare and was asleep by 6PM!   She is a rolling machine and loves to roll around the living room.  She has even taken to rolling in her crib and sleeping in different positions.  Needless to say, the entertainment continues!

One down, one to go

Tad's results came back on Friday and we are very happy to announce that no new growth was detected!  With him in the clear, all we need now is the same news with Kinsley.  While at the Mayo Clinic we received a call from her Dermatologist.  She had been at a convention and brought Kinsley's case to one of the leading pigmented skin specialists.  She made recommendations and suggestions for our dermatologist.  It was simply amazing to get this call from a gal that we saw ONCE.  Dr. Finnegan has already proven that she wants to join the fight and we could not be more thrilled.  We still await the order for the MRI from our pediatrician and hopefully we have a date set soon.  In the meantime, we are going to get out and enjoy this spring weather as a family!  Talk to you all soon!

If it's not one MRI, it's another!

Greetings from Mayo Clinic.
Tad and I are up here for his yearly visit to Dr. Lagerlund.  Mayo has been great to us the last couple of visits so we are praying for much of the same.  Kinsley stayed at home with Grandma Kris because something tells me an active baby and hours of waiting room sittin', don't mix.  We were so sad to leave her for the first time since having her but know that she is getting lots of snuggles.  Coming here together has reminded us of the freedoms that we were so familiar with before Kinsley.  Bittersweet if you ask me.  It was sure nice to brush my teeth with two free hands this morning but man, I miss her already.  So often I hear people talking about how they are "running to the store real quick" or "popping in for a quick drink" and I think to myself about how those days are gone.  For a moment I envy their freedoms, but that is just it, it only lasts a moment.  Truth be told I would rather be with her any given moment and am happy to have sacrificed my freedoms for her giggles, cuddles, and even her toots in church!
Well, Tad is almost done with his first test so I better gear up for the next waiting room!  Thanks for following along and wish us lots o' luck on this St. Patty's Day!

Amazement #456563

She always amazes me!  Kinsley and I have been battling colds the last few days.  It has been hard watching her struggle to breath right and it is even harder knowing I gave her the stupid cold!!  But she is such a trooper, most times during the day you would hardly know she had a fever or a cold!  She plays right on through the snot, sneezes, and cough.  Makes me think this is all a ploy to get more solid foods and not so much boring BM from a bottle!!  Chunkers ate cereal, green beans, sweet potatoes, and peaches today!  My mom told me today that she was going to turn orange if I didn't give her some greens!  Kins wasn't a huge fan but of course ate them anyway.

Kari, at Dr. Miller's office has called to let us know that Kinsley's next surgery will take place April 14th at 9:15AM.  This calls means two things 1) insurance has approved the procedure once again (YAY!) and 2) we will be one step closer to removing the large nevus completely.  People told us the surgeries would get easier as we go and I suppose they think this because we know what to expect but it's so not true (so please stop telling us this).   Picking up your baby from the recovery room is never easy.  We just pray that we get control of her pain early on, rather than waiting like they did on the first one.

We are still waiting on word from our pediatrician about scheduling the MRI.  I have resisted the urge to call for a few days now.  I Suppose it is time that to let Jesus take the wheel, at least that is what Carrie Underwood would tell me.  Well, I must log off my blog and do some homework.  Lord knows that isn't going to get done itself. 

I will write again when I hear back from her pediatrician.  Hope everyone is having a lovely week.  If Kinsley is feeling better tomorrow, Tad and I will head up to Mayo for his yearly exam!! 

Because I need to.

I have gone back and forth for a few weeks, battling my urge to start this blog.  I am not doing this because I am bored.  Lord knows you cannot be bored with a 6-month old on your hands.  And  I am definitely not doing it for sympathy.  I am doing this for me and for the betterment of my family.  I need to tell people our story.  This story will be filled with joy, perseverance, and maybe a few (very few) moments of sadness.   I have decided to create this blog as a coping mechanism for me and also a way to keep all of my friends and family in tune with what is going on with...THE HASE POSSE.
Many of you know our story and some of you may not.  I will lead you through our battle with this stupid nevus and continually update you on how our baby girl continues to surpass our expectations.  She is not terminally ill and she is in no way held down by what God has given her. She was born with a giant hairy nevus (do not Google this, promise?) and two small satellites.  There is no known cause for this birthmark. I am sure that it happens for a reason and this reason is something that I am bound and determined to find out.  God has blessed us with this girl, giant hairy nevus and all, and we cherish every second with her.
 Kinsley is almost 7 months old and is awaiting her second of three surgeries to remove her nevus.  She has been blessed with wonderful skin and we have yet to need expanders.  She will undergo an MRI in the very near future to see if there are additional lesions in her brain or spinal cord.  God willing, she will be clear and from there will continue to monitor her brain and spinal cord.  She bounced back faster than her mama from the first surgery and we can only pray that the second and third go as well.  We have an amazing, and I mean AMAZING, pediatrician who has worked day and night to make sure she is in the best of hands. 

I hope that you all tag along with us as we conquer this stupid nevus.  I say it is stupid because at this time in the fight, I can't quite figure it all out.  I am going to honest and real on every post so I am sorry if I offend anyone.  I owe it to my family (and myself) to be upfront with this and you can expect nothing less.  Welcome aboard folks, The Hase Posse is about to kick some nevus butt.