Pics pics & more pics

Even though we have been sick most of spring break, we were able to have fun times in front of the TV watching NCAA basketball. The boys seem to want the Memphis Tigers to win. While out for fun today they had their faces painted. Carter went for the "Memphis" written across his forehead. Cole was more on the wild side. This surprised me as he is not one for stuff on his face. The tiger face only lasted till Stu awoke from his late nap.

Be sure to check out the Easter pics on the Monday, March 24 "Hello" post.

A Sickly Pair

Well, Dave and I did get this sickly bug early this morning. We were a sight later this afternoon lying in the bed.

My MRI at 11:45 this morning was rescheduled to Monday the 31st at 9:45. Can you imagine being sick in a MRI tube? No thanks. This is the second MRI since the December 12, 2007 surgery. My doctors appointment is on Tuesday.

Carter (Dr. or nurse Carter) did a fine job today in our home taking care of everyone. He even made Stuarts breakfast of wafflesand served me pedialyte. That stuff tastes awful.

Stuart is struggling with diarrhea today. He is more stable, though. Pray that his bowels solidify.

I'd take brain surgery over this stomach bug anyday!
k-

The 4 o'clock Flu

Yesterday (Thursday) morning around 4:45 Cole awoke with the vomiting. This was dejavue to the 4:30 AM Tuesday episode with Carter. Yet, Cole gave us an alarm wakening by bursting into our room to say "I'm throwing up!" He ran back to their bathroom and made it just in time to the toilet. Flipping the blanket off the bed I hurried to help him. While in the bathroom, Dave said "I guess we need to call this the 4 o'clock flu." The only problem with that one is that at the ER they tested Carter for the official flu and it was negative. It must be some awful stomach bug.

Stuart woke up sometime around 6 AM with odd crying and I swept him into my arms held him close as a three year old does not know how to handle vomit. I could care less about my pajama top. It can be washed. Stuart calls his vomiting "I spit up." We ended up training him on the official throw up bowl that the boys carry around the home when sick and away from a bathroom.

It was one crazy morning, Cole stayed up in his room on the third floor while Stu was down on the second floor couch. I was coaxing Cole to come to the couch so I could be with them both and not run up and down the stairs checking on each of them. He was concerned about walking. I think he wanted to bring his beloved bed belongings to the couch so I asked. He did. His special blanket and pillow went to the couch. All was better so I could be with them on one level.

Cole ended up getting over the buggie by noon. Fluids were staying down. Yet obviously rest was needed. Stuart not so blessed. He was concerning me. Dehydration looked near at the noon hour. Fluids were not staying down. When he awoke from his nap I called the pediatrician. We arrived at the office for a peace of mind. Dr. McKinney is off on Thursdays so Dr. Joe took his patients. We ended up "testing" his vomit. Stuart received in the exam room a trial size Pedialyte and was given a tablespoon of fluid every five minutes on the clock. If he could hold it down in thirty minutes we could go home if not...ER would be in the future. His eyes were sucken and he could of benefitted from an IV yet it wasn't absolutely necessary per Dr. Joe. I agreed as Stuart was being more himself in the exam room.

Don't you know? They almost always perk up by the time you arrive to the pediatrician. I didn't mind for I wasn't looking forward to another ER visit.

In the van returning home, Cole expressed his thankfulness of having beds and couches to rest on. I was thankful that the bug came after 4 in the morning so a good nights sleep wasn't hindered as much. Two o'clock would be a different story.

Today was a good day as we had some sweet time together. The older boys have been bummed that their spring break wasn't all that they had desired. We did not go to Nascar Speedpark like we had planned for Tuesday and cancelled a Thursday playdate with friends we hadn't seen in a while. Tuesday was too cold anyway. Oh well, there are other fun days ahead.

Last night didn't lend itself to a post. Go figure!

Almost forgot... I have a MRI tomorrow (Saturday) at 11:45 in the morning. My follow up oncologist appointment is on Monday, April 1 with labs taken prior to that time.

Just being a mom,

kate

What A Day

4 am I awoke with an odd sound down the hallway. The boys bathroom light was on and as I was getting closer the sound was more familiar. It was vomiting. Poor Carter was up. A nice colorful rust color splotch on the carpet was outside the bathroom. (We had red sauce for dinner) Unfortunately he did not make it to the tile in time. What a surprise to him and I. He was feeling fine at bedtime. After some clean up we both tried to get some sleep yet- unsuccessful. Carter threw up less than an hour later. No thanks to the water he had after the 4 am event. It obviously didn't settle well in his tummy. The vomit cycle was about every 30 to 40 minutes. He was up along with I till Stuie awoke around 7:30. Little Stu laid in bed with an exhausted Mommy. We eventually made our way downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast. Cole awoke as well for food. Carter was given ice chips as he wasn't desiring food - understandably. He kept vomiting after any type of liquid. Many thanks to our neighbor, Jennifer for helping with the carpet clean up. I think we need to think about investing in a steam cleaner. I had called her to see if she would stay at our home (I didn't want Carter to leave the house) so I could run to the store to rent a steam cleaner and she so graciously offered her green machine. I think that was the name of it. Also thanks to Ramona for picking up some Pedialyte. It is not fun to go shopping with three kids in tow especiallywith one being a sickly child. Carter was worsening in his sickness hour by hour. By 10:45 the bowels started moving a little too quickly(if you know what I mean). No fever thankfully. At lunchtime a decision was made to take him to the ER for IV fluids as he was crying with no tears.

Topping things off...Dave was in Texas on a business trip. I was in a quandary in trying to find someone ASAP to help with Cole and Stuart. I was being sensitive to the possiblity of Carter having the flu and not wanting to expose another family.

OK back to the ER...
We arrived after a fast lunch for Cole, Stuart and myself. The hospital staff questioned Carter about his pain, ailments, etc. He was complaining about a headache and feeling"woosy". His right arm was hurting as well as his stomach ("6" on the pain scale). He so wanted a drink for he was thirsty, yet afraid to throw up due to hurting.

After many questions I asked if they were thinking appendicitis. They said yes, yet no fever is a good sign among other things. His bloodwork showed elevated WBC's which is normal I assume for a virus. He was given Zofran in the IV for his naseau. I also requested the flu test to be performed. We ended with an x-ray.

We came home by dinner time with an exhausted Carter. He went to bed after a bland meal.

The flu was negative. He just had some bug today. Stomach rating by him a "2" by the time we left. Hopefully no one else will get it.

Kudos to Cole for his help in packing a fun backpack for the hospital. Stuart and him were very well behaved. Even the nurse spoke highly of their behavior. I attribute some of it to Cole along with a TV in the room.

It was my first time at the Missouri Baptist pediatric ER and it was wonderful.

So glad Dave is home.

Needing some rest,

kate

Hello

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

I hope you had a blessed Easter. I had wanted to write but, time again did not permit me to do so. Dave has been somewhat fatigued the past few weekends. Family along with work are wearing him out. He will be travelling out of state sometime this week.

I will try to post some pics from Easter service at church with the boys. The above passage was from our service. It was so compelling. I would not do it justice by giving you the notes. I will have to download the sermon to hear it again.

Carter received for the first time last week some eye glasses. I really wanted to post that. It is odd seeing him with glasses. He loves them and protects them. He is wanting contacts prior to baseball season officially starting as he is a pitcher and the glasses feel odd with a hat(so he says).

Spring break for Carter and Cole started on Good Friday and runs all this week. We are hoping for good weather so we can do some outside activities around town. They really want to do Nascar Speedpark at the Mills Mall which is a good 45 minute drive. They have go-carts inside and out along with some games inside. It is difficult to take a toddler to this as I will need a sitter for Stu.

My mom is currently taking care of my grandpa whose congestive heart failure is taking its toll on his body.

Not as planned

Last night after Cole's party I was exhausted. I had hoped to post some pics for you yet went to bed early. Dave ended up waking me for my pills, Zofran wait an hour then the last day 5/5 for second round of chemo. This morning has not gone as planned. Noticing the fish tank was filled with gunky food...Stuart arrived. While I was overseeing the problem with an empty food container he stated "I feed fish tank, Mommy." "I see Stu." He was up at 2 am turning on all hallway lights and I wonder if he fed the fish at that time while he was getting a drink in the boys bathroom. I think he was getting a drink. Dave wondered early this morning (prior to finding out about the tank fiasco) if he was sleepwalking. I rule out sleepwalking. We had fast food last night. It was Cole's choice in the dinner he wanted. Cheeseburgers and cheese fries. Salty for us. Ooooooooo but good. We needed our potassium this morning for sure to aid in the sodium intake last night.

This morning was spent cleaning a fish tank and taking a late shower. Not something I wanted to do so early in the morning (shower yes, fish tank no) with an upset stomach. The fish tank smelled awful! I had just drank my morning smoothie. Yuck! Double yuck.

As for the second round chemo (Temodar) effects, it consisted of a crampy stomach early in the morning, fatigue throughout day but not as bad as Saturday the 8th. A rash is here as well but in a different location.

Enough said here are the pics from Cole's special day! I especially love the close up picture with his Lego Bionicle toys. Notice his chocolate lip with Mommy and Daddy. The choco chip cookie cake was wonderful!

Happy 8th, Cole

Happy Birthday

Cole

is

8

We are looking forward to a kid party after school today. I will try to post some pics later on. Keep checking in.

kate

Expelled Documentary

This is a documentary that supposedly will be out in April. It interested me. We were informed of it the other night.

http://expelledthemovie.com/video.php

Like to know your honest thoughts.

Kate

Fatigue sets in

Last night, the second round of chemo cycle was started. Fatigue set in this morning. I fed the boys their Saturday morning breakfast at 7:15. Took my shower. Went back to bed. I stayed there for four hours starting at 9:30ish. As a morning person, I tend to be more productive around the home during these hours of the day. I awoke from my fatigue to a personal "to do" list. I am more and more thankful for the hot meals people have so lovingly served us on various evenings. My energy level has been lacking in the kitchen arena. Keeping pantry and fridge items stocked along with meal planning has been a challenge.

With this fatigue today, I relunctantly stepped down from chaperoning Carter's upcomingThursday field trip. I sent an email to his teacher.

Today has been a quiet Saturday at home. Basketball season unfortunately has ended. Baseball has started yet, cancelled today. Not sure why, might have been due to weather. Whatever the case, God knew what kind of morning I was going to have.

Please pray for Dave. Holding up the fort is a big task when I am down.

Thanks for hanging with us on this one.

k-

Professional Motherhood

The following website offers encouragement to mothers. Press play audio to hear Jill Savage's 30 minute message given through Focus on the Family.

http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/Default.asp

Every Mother's Prayer

author unknown

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day,

With little time to stop and pray,

For life's been anything but calm,

Since you called on me to be a mom.

Running errands, matching socks,

Building dreams with building blocks.

Cooking, cleaning, and finding shoes,

And other stuff that children lose.

Fitting lids on bottled bugs,

Wiping tears and giving hugs.

A stack of last week's mail to read,

So where's the quiet time I need?

Yet when I steal a minute Lord,

Just at the sink or ironing board,

To ask the blessings of your grace,

I see them in my small one's face,

That you have blessed me all the while,
As I stop to kiss that precious smile.

Round 1 updated results

My current oncologist, Dr. Needles, appointment was today at 11:45. As for the updated results from round 1 of chemo: Bloodwork looks good. A follow up MRI will occur towards the end of March with my next doctors appointment on Monday, March 31. The kicker of it all - I have gained 8lbs. since January 3. Aghhh! I knew my pants were not fitting well lately. I attribute it to slacking on the strict personal diet of no sweets. Yes, sweets have been introduced. My body is showing signs of it. Especially in my complexion a few days following the indulgence.

I will be starting oral chemo, Temodar, this Friday, March 7 for five consecutive days.

We are contemplating some changes regarding medical doctors. Please pray for wisdom.

k-

Short & Sweet

I am hopefully going to make this post short and sweet with minimal words. Just wanting to update you on certain details.

1. Cole was able to see by surprise his long time friend, Drew, Friday after school for a few hours.

2. Outpatient therapy for me should be totally complete with a plethora of HEP's (home exercise program) incorporating the usage of the left side hand/shoulder, feet/leg and involving putty,therabands, and a therasponge, some manual balance, also muscles not knowing I ever had. Please pray for time management.

3. It seems evident after the second surgery my ability to divide my attention/ multi tasking is difficult. I will try to give some specific examples later. Please do not hesitate to remind me in a post comment in a few weeks.

4.This afternoon Carter, Cole and I enjoyed the great spring like temperature outside with a long bike ride. I was thankful due to a longing I had a few weeks ago in taking the boys on a bike ride but knowing I would have been unable with my left sided limitations. It was good to be out enjoying the day after a short nap.

5. Had bloodwork taken this morning. The results to be known on Monday at oncologist, Dr. Needles, appointment. Will start 5 day oral chemo, Temodar on Friday, March 7 if he deems necessary. (depending on the blood counts)

Short and sweet,- hope you are doing well.
k-