I’ll try to remember what things have been going on here in the past 3 months.
ARWEN:
She started Speech Therapy classes after having her second set of ear tubes placed.
She then failed another hearing test following the tube placement.
1-5-09 she had an ABR ( Auditory Brainstem Response ) performed
The ABR test is reliable, objective, noninvasive and painless. Brain wave activity
in the auditory centers of the brain is recorded in response to a series of clicks presented to each ear.
She was lightly sedated for this test. The test revealed Mild-Moderate Hearing Loss…very sad, but we
are very grateful this issue has finally been diagnosed and is not worse. This degree of hearing loss will
require hearing aids~$5,000-$6,000 that insurance will not cover!!!! Most insurance companies will not pay
for hearing aids….. 
Time to apply for and break in a new credit card!!!! Let’s see now, an active 3 year old with 3 grand
hanging off of each ear …I think I will either get some super glue or insurance!!!! Seriously I can’t wait to see
the improvements that she makes once she can hear better.
Just before we got the news of Arwen needing Hearing Aids, I decided to buy myself a new camera…bad timing on my part for sure!
So we are selling our gorgeous Nautical Corner Crib…we no longer need it anymore anyways, so if you know anyone interested just
let me know.
Aubrey:
Now 5, with no more talk of wedding plans!!! She loves to draw, color, write and place stickers everywhere.
The family portraits always reflect a very happy family.
Todd:
I refer to Todd as the “Donovan Vortex” if you keep a safe distance you will be alright
and you can just watch the show…scary at times, but usually very entertaining!
Unfortunately, if you get too close…you get sucked in!!!! At that point it is very
difficult to ever get back out of the Donovan Vortex (DV), and if you do get out, it should be a
lesson learned…but it never is for me. I guess that I must think I will develope an immunity
against the effects of the DV, but it never happens.
What is he doing? EVERYTHING!!!! Aside from working FT and being daddy & husband,
he has started USF to work on his Masters Degree in Music. He finished his Masters Degree
in Biblical Studies in August last year from Dallas Theological. He did the extension
classes here in Tampa. He is also performing with various Opera Companies here in Florida.
he has done several competitions in New York and I am sure will be doing more. There is
really way too much going on with the Vortex…I mean Todd, to mention it all here so I
just try my best to keep his website updated. http://ToddWDonovan.com
Myself:
Following my second medical opinion, this time with a Neurosurgeon, I was told I needed to have
the cervical disc between C6-C7 removed and those two vetebrae fused together using cadaver bone
(Anterior Discectomy with fusion).
I feel this Neurosurgeon, is one of the best around, so if I end up deciding on surgery he will
definately be the one to do it. Right now the pain is being well controlled, although I am still
reminded of it daily. The initial pain was unbearable, but I have been very careful and I think
taking a month off of work to allow my body that initial time to heal has made a big difference. For now Dr Clarke is keeping a close watch on me…thank you all for your prayers. My primary concern and focus right now is getting Arwen into some good hearing aids.
The girls this past Christmas:
I finished Aubrey’s 2006 Digital Scrapbook!!! So now I have 2 years worth of books to do for
both girls in order to catch up. http://www.lulu.com/content/2752839 (it takes almost a full minute to download if you want toview the book online)
