Beginning Our Journey

Jul. 23, 2008

Just for fun

Just a comparison picture from a couple months ago to now.

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Jul. 23, 2008

What is keeping me so busy I do not have time to update my blog

Wow... I am busy! Justin has "praise the LORD" switched shifts back to the 5 o'clock start time. It is really nice but my computer time is more limited now. But it is a much nicer shift for our family! Thank you everyone who was praying for the change for us! Add to that... my wonderful husband decided to get us a pool! Which is awesome but MAN does it take up our time and energy! I have two little non-swimmers in floaties who want to be in from 6 am until bedtime but only stay in for half and hour to an hour. Get out and want in later. So 3 or 4 times a day I am in the pool with them. Sure I could say no but they really love it. And I like it too. Just wish they STAYED in longer. Ok, Alyssa would. Tristan is who gets tired of it. But being so young, everyone is in or out. So that leaves housework. Do not want to do it in the afternoon when Justin is up because that is family time for a short while he is with us. So I am stuck with housework at night. My normal computer time! We also had a really nice weekend. We went berry picking together. Then to the drive-in to see two movies. Wall-E and Kung Fu Panda. We like them both! I think Tristan likes Kung Fu Panda better as he slept both times we have seen Wall-E now. But he was all about the panda. A Great site to check out movies we like is Christian Spotlight on Entertainment If you are ever wondering about a movie and is it a good one to see, this is the site for you to check out! We do not watch anything without checking here first. Tonight my uncle, aunt and cousins came over. We had a nice night of swimming, McDonalds (SORRY MOM! THE KIDS PICKED - shhh we are supposed to be boycotting it I hear) and bowling. Here is Tristan with my cousin Charlie and my uncle Joe. Bowling So that is what has kept me super busy lately. We had clinic last Friday. Here are three pics from clinic. First one is the kids in the waiting room. Notice Tristan's arm? He always covers his port with his arm like that from the moment I put his numbing cream on in the evening until the next day! Here is mom with Tristan. She had to come this week with me since my mil could not get off work this week. And last, here is a picture of Tristan loopy after his spinal tap. Sorry so long! I will try to keep up better with smaller posts and more of them if I can! Try is the key word :)

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Jul. 14, 2008

First Field Trip of the Year

Today was our first field trip of the year. It was the most AWESOME DAY I have had in a long time! I decided last night that I would let my mom watch Tristan. That was probably the best decision I could have made. I know he would have had fun but Alyssa and I were able to get so much more out of today. I know he had a great time with his Grandma and Grandpa. Although when he found out we went berry picking he had a meltdown. The day started out with my good friend, and field trip planner, Danielle Picking us up to go to her mothers out in Slippery Rock. Danielle, her son, Her brother in law, Alyssa and I. We met another lady with her two kids that were going to follow us there. Once we get to her moms and do our potty breaks (hey, kids or no kids, this pregnant lady has to keep herself looked after) we headed over to see the Purple Martins. What a neat learning experience that was! The kids even got to hold a few of the babies. I was very impressed with Alyssa. This was her fist "real" trip where she had to listen and learn. She did really well for her age at paying attention and not causing a fuss. I had to laugh though, the kids seemed to enjoy finding the dead dragonfly as much as seeing the birds. After the birds, we went to a bird store. There they had a big window to view many different feeders. There were a TON of different kind of birds out there. Even, of course, a pesky squirrel, feeding from a feeder in the back. Alyssa asked the girl there lots of questions and was very interested in it! Then we headed back to Danielle's mothers house for blackberries and ice cream! Yummy! After our treat we headed out with buckets to pick some. Alyssa was so happy, she was not even whining when she got pricked with the thorns. Being around all the boys was making her brave. I had to chuckle at her. It was like she was trying to impress them all day. She was the youngest and also the only girl there. Well besides the moms. The berry trail ended at Danielle's Stepfathers workshop. He is a bee keeper! We did not get close to the hives but we did stand by the fence. We learned that the electric fence was to keep the bears out and the BACON on the fence was to get them to lick it to get a jolt and know "Ouch, I do not want to be around this!" We went inside and saw how honey was processed. We got to have a taste of the comb, Alyssa thought that was the coolest! You just had to spit out the wax. I have to admit, I like honey but not a ton. But it was amazing tasting! Then we headed back to the house to get ready to go home. Don't step on the Raccoon poop! On our way home we looked for baby monarchs under milkweed plants but did not have success yet. I think we are a tad early. But we will keep looking. Last year I believe it was more end of August, beginning of September when we got ours. We are getting anxious for them though. If you have never raised a butterfly you have to try it this year! It is so super simple. Just got find some milkweed plants and look under the leaves. If you find tiny or even bigger caterpillars then just cut the whole stalk down. Put a few leaves in a jar with a lid with holes, I use kleenax over a canning jar. Then change to fresh leaves when it needs them. If you take a big stalk and put it in water it will be enough to last the life of the caterpillar. You need do nothing else but sit back and enjoy! Here is a picture of the milkweed we looked under - incase you need to know what it looks like, like I did! And to end our trip, Alyssa had to climb the tree in our front yard as always. Tristan was still out to dinner with my mom and dad so I took Alyssa to Long John Silvers and then Wally world. It was a full and fun day!

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Jul. 12, 2008

Homeschooling at the crazy house.

Homeschooling - this is going to be a very busy week for me. I am so excited that my friend Danielle has invited us to join her to her mothers house on Monday. We will be seeing Purple Martins and visiting a bird store. Also berry picking! I am thrilled!!! I think the kids will really enjoy the experience but not as much as I am looking forward to it! And berries to boot! Then this week, either Tuesday or Wednesday, Justin's aunt is coming to visit us. She will be "gaining knowledge" of how I homeschool. HA HA HA that is such a funny thought. But hopefully I will not scare her and can give her some of what she needs. I guess the biggest thing is - normal people can do it and it does not always have to be perfect! She homeschooled last year and wants to come join me for a day. She is going to give this year another try. The other day, my kids and I were doing Sonlight Science. We were on the float or sink experiment. Simple but kids love it. Tristan was having a blast! He must have tried our objects 5 times each! And each time he would jump up and down screaming - "it floats!" or "it sinks!" This is what the stinker does when I am doing homeschool with Lyss He GLUES my counters to paper! I gave him things to keep him busy. Counters, cups, glue, paper, popsicle sticks etc. What did he do? Glued my counters! What am I going to do with that boy? Each time I turn my back he is mixing or doing something. Yesterday I had a water bottle on my table. I drank most of it. Left to put clothes in the dryer while the kids were busy eating their bean soup. I come back and cannot find my bottle. Ok... check to see if I took it to the laundry. No. Nowhere. A while later I am getting a can from the can cupboard. Inside is my water bottle halfway filled with bean soup just sitting on the shelf! TRISTAN CHARLES! lol I could go on and on with stories. He keeps me on my toes and very busy! Here is my angel I never have to worry about her mixing or pouring or spilling (unless she is trying hard to get her own stuff instead of having me help) behind my back! She was such a good child! Oh she is getting her own mischievious side though. She can be bad with the rest of them! But I never worry with her. If I tell her not to do something - she listens! Friday is our next clinic date for Tristan. Keep him in your prayers as it is spinal tap day. Fun fun fun.

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Jul. 5, 2008

Hey blogging buddies

I was upstairs putting pictures on my computer and thought I would share some with you. Here is my 20 week preggo picture, I am 21 weeks now. Do not mind my washed out make-up in this picture. Blah. oh well. And here is my little guy and his cute fuzzy hair, he was doing "school" here. Mom and Dad got Alyssa new roller skates so here is Tristan in Alyssa's old ones. I had these hidden but they came out now that they can live at Grandmas and Grandpas! lol And we went to see the fireworks last night. I had my kids in Red, White and Blue but they had their night time bath already so they were in other clothes for fireworks. This is what Tristan did the WHOLE time and Alyssa did half the time. PLUGGED their ears! lol They really did enjoy them though. Hope you all had a happy 4th!

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Jun. 26, 2008

It's a...

I had my ultrasound today! Thank you for all your prayers. It was a very good ultrasound. The baby was right on target with weight (13 ounces) and measurements. The heart rate was 160, nice and good. And it is a BOY!

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Jun. 24, 2008

Picture of the kids with grandparents.

Although my little ones put a nice big smudge on the camera lens for these pictures, i thought they were good and wanted to share. Look how pudged out Tristan got from his steroids! He is on an eating frenzy this week. But with past months, we will have a good time of eating, then end of the month I can barely get him to touch his food. So he pudges out, then gets thin again. But you can really see it in his face. He is such a cutie patootie though!  Here he is with my dad. Alyssa took that one. Then Tristan wanted to take one. He said, sit down for a family picture! So that is my mom, me, my dad and my daughter :) And since we are posting Grandmas and Grandpas, here is my mother in law with my kids and my niece Esmerelda.

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Jun. 24, 2008

Preggo Picture

Here is a picture of me at 19 weeks pregnant. My ultra sound is Thursday Morning at 10:30. PLEASE pray for open legs and a clear shot! I was blessed with tons of hand me down clothes for my kids. So in return we blessed back by handing them to others that needed. I have no clothes for this baby so I need to find out! I have friends willing to hand me down and yard sales baby!!! but I need a willing show from this little on on Thursday Morning. So prayers would be appreciated!

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Jun. 24, 2008

Alyssas First Day of First Grade!

Ok, so we decided to go ahead and start school back up. I know that when this baby comes I will want time off, when Christmas comes, when our Make a Wish Trip to Disney comes... so lots of breaks planned for. Why not start now and get a jump on things so I am not feeling guilt when we do break later. I am having such a good time with this year already! Alyssa is doing so wonderful! I guess our break from finishing Kindergarten in April until starting her First right now, really matured her! The work is more of a challenge and takes more time but she is really enjoying it! And I am impressed with the quality of her work, writing and even double checking things! So two days under our belt and we are off and running! And enjoying it!! Even though the look on Alyssa's face tells a different story in the picture above! lol ETA - oh and what is with the first grader and the sippy cup? Well you spend $$$ on books and give a glass of grape juice to your kid! lol No way am I having grape juice spilled on our school books the 2nd day of school!

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Jun. 21, 2008

Things I never thought would be happening to us...

My friends just keep blessing me more and more. Thank you to everyone who had a luminary  or balloon in honor of Tristan at this years Relay for Life's around the US! I posted a picture of our dear friend little Philip and his mom with one for Tristan. They are from Texas. We also got pictures from Oregon and Maryland too! My good friends Larisa and Kym each participated and showed me a picture. It is such a great honor to have such amazing friends. _________________________________________________ Another event that we just went to last night, that I never thought we would be apart of was this years Dream Night at the Zoo sponsored by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. We had a great time! It was after the zoo closed, all these amazing kids were able to have a nice night out. There was free Carousel Rides, Free Train Rides, Free Cotton Candy, Behind-the-scene tours, live animal presentations, Bio-fact table, Fire Breathing Entertainment, Face Painting, Stingray Touch Tank, Strolling Puppet Stage, Free Safari Cars and Log Rides, and Mini Sundaes. We did not have time to do it all! It was such a nice night. See Tristans little head peeking in front of Alyssa's horse Here is a homeschooling fact for everyone here, This lady told us that a rhino's horn is NOT made of bone. It is compressed hair! Alyssa's favorite part was the fire breathing people. She watched them like 20 times and never tired of it! She was amazed. The kids keep telling me about it over and over.

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Jun. 12, 2008

Tristans hair.

Tristans hair is getting sooo thick now. Well thick for him! I LOVE IT! My mil tells me that sometimes chemo and the process of the hair going and coming causes it to change colors. I would LOVE it if it stayed this color. Tristan hair is like a caramel blond color! Even when he was a newborn with his hair just growing in, it was always darker. But look at the comparison, I should have taken it in the bathroom tonight when I wanted to, but I snapped a pic of him in bed with the night vision. I am going to get a pic of it all fluffy tomorrow. But this is tonight in the dark and summer of 2007. Look at the color difference. He no longer looks bald. It just looks like he was blond and we  shaved his head and it is growing back in. We do not get looks anymore at all. He is getting a nice tan on his head too so the sun could be lightening it. He usually wears a hat and LOTS of sunscreen but sometimes it comes off. Tristan has clinic on Tuesday. Just vincristine in his mediport. No spinals. But pray for us because it has been a long time since we went last and I have this feeling it will not be pretty again.

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Jun. 9, 2008

Wow what a busy weekend!

We took the kids to Idlewild Friday. My parents and my family. That was so fun! Tristan got to meet Spiderman! How perfect is that!? We did not know he was going to be there! It was a very awesome day. Hot but awesome. Too bad we could not go to Soak Zone. That would have made it better. But with Tristan's mediport we are not allowed. So since he cannot, none of us do. I had a little scare Friday morning with some spotting. It lasted for a good bit. But so far since Friday afternoon I have not had anymore. This pregnancy sure is keeping me on my toes with worrying. Sigh. Thank you all for the prayers. Saturday we went to the inlaws and the kids made a huge slip-n-slide down the hillside. Wow that was dangerous but they had a blast and thankfully noone got hurt! Then we hit the Ford City bike trail. Justin picked Tristan up a new bike and helmet. Alyssa had gotten a new bike for Christmas. They did so good! We like to go to a small side of the trail where no one normally uses. it is shaded and I do not have to worry about the kids hogging both sides. Tristan had never rode a big boy bike before so I was happy to have it private. He did learn to brake and was doing fantastic! Justin and I walked. Sunday we had a little family crisis scare. So Justin and I got woken up to a phone call at 5 am when my sister in law (to be) had not gotten home from walmart and she was no where to be found. Cell phone died to top it off. So after lots of prayer and crying, she called from a gas station lost! Praise the LORD nothing happened to her or my niece who was with her. Wow that was a reality check! We were exhausted! Emotionally from our scare, and Physically from the weekend. But I am really glad we decided to go to church. I had thought about just going somewhere in Butler (moms church) because it would be quicker and easier. Alyssa had a party in Sunday school and she would have been devastated if she had missed it! It was her teachers last sunday class - the church gives them off for the summer. But then she moves to the 1st grade class so thank goodness she did not miss this week!  Oh and we are not the people who regularly skip just because we are tired either. I am just saying we thought about not driving the whole way from Butler to Kittanning instead. But today is Monday. Back to the grind of the week. :) It was a nice and full weekend. Here is one more cute picture of the kids and I from Idlewild. I have TONS more pictures but I talked so long in this post I will just limit it to one.

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Jun. 6, 2008

oh wanted to share what a sweet friend of ours did

Our dear friends Suzanne and Philip (a.l.l. Leukemia) were doing their relay for life and they sent me these pictures. I was very touched and thought it was such a sweet thing. I also got a really sweet t-shirt in the mail from another online friend Tanya. I have to get a picture of Mr. Tristan wearing it to put up. It is a great T-shirt that says B>cancer (be greater than cancer). I have the best friends!

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May. 30, 2008

Back to the land of the living...

What a week or two this has been. Last Monday Tristan spiked a high fever and we ended up in the ER again.  I am soooooo thankful for all our good friends who covered our family in prayers. Well we found out later in the week what the fever was from. Tristan caught hand foot and mouth. Oye... the day his sores came out was the day Alyssa came down with her fever/headache/sore throat. And sadly... it was also the day we were planning on going to Idlewild. So that trip was canceled. Alyssa was so bummed. It was going to be such a fun weekend. We were planning the zoo and picnics too. But that was not in the books for us. We stayed close to home to not spread our germs. Man am I ready to get out and about again! The kids and I took walks to keep us from going stir crazy but go figure we get sick on the first nice weekend of the year! Here is Tristan and his sores. Praise the LORD Alyssa never got the sores though! She would have been a peach to deal with. Tristans hair is growing and we keep calling him "peachy" Alyssa being a nectarine fan, not peaches did not understand why we called him that. Guess it has been a long time since we tried to give her a fuzzy peach! lol anyways... his hair is growing in light and fluffy for now. Hard to get a pic of it. But I think in about 2-3 weeks he is going to have a nice head of hair! Here are a few other cute pics I took the other day. Ok, ok. how many pictures can you look at of the same kids huh? Good thing it is MY BLOG! bwahahahaha I can put up as many as I want And in other rambling news, I went to walmart today. I saw a million people I know! Hello all my blog fans that I saw today! Made me realize how long it has been since I updated. So even though I was a cleaning fool tonight, actually putting away the folded laundry (I know mom - scary huh? I mean when I am pregnant, it just makes no sense for me to fold the laundry, trudge it upstairs to put in drawers and head back down only to have to go back up to get it for the kids to wear the next or even same day - I mean what is the point?) I decided to jump on before bed to update. Just for you! We are on summer vacation for homeschool. I am busy arranging my schedules for next year. I am just about ready. I am very pleased with the things I have put together to use for Alyssa. Tristan I am going to play it by ear I think. I am not going to start into sonlight until at LEAST Feb... and might just wait until the next year to start him in prek. I will just do what I did this year and give him busy work while I work with Alyssa. I have MORE then enough things to keep him happy and learning. So that is my LONG update.  Have a super night! oooh ETA (editing to add) - I had my drs appointment on Thursday and I got to hear the heartbeat again. Always nice. And I scheduled my big ultrasound. A little bummed because the dr said make it in 2 weeks from now. But I guess they were booked or something because I did not get in until 4 weeks. So June 26th it is. Pray for open legs for us! We want a peek at the sex because all my clothes went to friends to bless since I figured we were so blessed. And now I need baby clothes! So knowing the sex sure would make yard sale-ing nicer for us!

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May. 20, 2008

YAWN! I am so ready for bed!

I am ready to crawl into bed. My leg is aching bad! With Tristans pregnancy and this one, my right leg just aches! From the hip down to my ankle! Oh the memories came rushing back of how long I ached with Tristans pregnancy! I think until I had him! Well round two! Heating pad here I come! But I figured I owed you all to come on and thank you for prayers for Tristan. I know my good friends were praying as my mom called the prayer chains. THANK YOU! Monday mom and I took the kids shopping. Tristan napped in the cart, HE ALWAYS falls asleep in the car on the short way to the store!  And when he woke up was feeling fine. We got popcorn at target and headed to walmart. He was fine in walmart until I got him out of the cart. Then he decided he wanted held by my mom and was NOT going to let her put him down. We tried, he threw a fit and practically climbed her. Embarrassing! Mom held him longer and said she noticed he was feeling warm. So we got our bread and checked out. I got home and found the thermometer and was getting a reading of 100.5. Ok... almost the magical 101 number that all leukemia families learn to dread. I called the nurse on call and told her that it was that high and also informed her of us being around a sick friend the other day. She told us if it was not 101 then just wait. So I paced. I knew Justin would not be happy if I waited too long. So mom went home to let the dog out to pee and I decided to wake Justin. He only had 4 hours of sleep. He was not thrilled and of course super worried. He got the thermometer and I have NO CLUE what I do wrong! NO CLUE! HE got 101.8 on one side and 101.9 on the other. And when we did get to the ER his temps were confirmed as the true temps. So off we go to childrens. Monday around 4ish. We were there in the ER until 10. We got home at 11. They took blood and are seeing if it grows bacteria. It has 24 hours to show nothing then we should be clear. 48 hours they let it test to see if it grows anything. He was given a STRONG antibiotic and told to come back to clinic for his appointment. He got to come home accessed. That made him happy. So we had a super nice day at clinic. Tristans temps are gone. Just as fast as they came yesterday, today they are gone. I thank you all for your prayers! He went ahead with his normal treatment and is doing fine. A tad cranky but his temps are down and we are chugging along as normal. I guess it was a 24 hour viral bug or something. No clue. But thanking God for keeping his hand on Tristan. It is really a scary thing when they spike the fever so fast and you are rushed to the ER. Tristan got a super cool hat at clinic today. Although it should say "Cancer Fears my Savior!" But hey, he lives in us so this works too I am not sure if I will get him to wear it much. He put it on to show grandpa but that is about it. lol He prefers ball caps. Now I am off to bed! Thank you all! I have the most amazing friends in the world! I appreciate it and I know it is your prayers that carry us through! Thank you!

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May. 17, 2008

A visit from our friend Joshua and a few other rambles

Our good friends Kevin and Joshua came over to visit tonight. Kevin's wife Amy was working. I swear Amy we love you too! It seems like the only time they get over here is when she is working! I do not want her to start wondering if we do not like her or something :) Tristan was taking lots of pictures so I made him sit and snapped one of Joshua with him. Kevin was commenting on my blog and said he wanted to see Joshua on it! So with parents permission here are our handsome boys! Tristan is 3 of course and Joshua is almost 2! Next month if I am correct. Boy he is growing so fast! The last time Alyssa played with him he was walking but favoring crawling. She was AMAZED that he was walking and talking! She kept coming in and telling me what he was saying and doing. The kids played really good together. Of course to the dads delight... The two boys went upstairs (I carried him up Amy) and brought down the 2 pink barbie cars and the dump truck and monster truck lost out on what they wanted to play with!) oh my. hee hee Anyways... So that was our evening. That and gutting a HUGE fish Kevin  brought. I am going to KILL him in the morning when I wake with morning sickness and have to make the kids breakfast. I am going to love the smell of my fridge I am sure. Shuddering just thinking about that! So Tuesday is clinic day again. Please say a prayer for Tristan. As you might notice in the picture, he is shirtless. Gaining more confidence every day... I have a sinking feeling Tuesday is NOT going to be pretty. A month off is nice for me but Tristan is a different story. It is harder on the kids. So prayers that we glide through it would be GREATLY appreciated. Nothing exciting happening. Just blood draw and push chemo. No spinals this time. I am anxious to hear if any of our meds change. I received a letter in the mail from the hospital saying that our study was suspended due to the Dexamethesone causing problems... and to not be surprised if things change. My mother in law (and me really) is thinking nothing will change since we are in maintenance and not on high amounts. But I would LOVE to hear that our amount is being cut back or gone all together. On one hand I would LOVE that. But on the other I want what is BEST. And if it is gone or cut back, I would worry about it not being the best. God knows. So of course we just pray and what he wants us to do, we pray happens. Tristan has a head of fuzz now. It is so cute! Some lady asked Justin at the video store today if we shaved it with a razor. Um.... Justin said no, he had just finished a heavy chemo round for his leukemia. The lady was like "I do not know what to say to that" lol Justin takes things so to heart. I would have laughed or smiled. It really bothers him. That is ok. It is how he deals with it. To me, I LOVE when people ask about my special man. I do not mind telling people about him and I am PROUD of him. I love to tell them what a strong and mighty kid he is. I feel bad though because it seems like everyone asks Justin. The other day a little girl came into the store and said "look mommy that kid is bald" Tristan turned to my mom and said "where Grandma?" hee hee. He has no clue! I mean he knows but he has no clue what bald is. Justin started telling him he was going to mess up his hair and Tristan will take off running squealing no! It is funny. Oh my, this got long. Sorry! It has been a while. I will not get so winded next time :)

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May. 10, 2008

A few pictures.

How Tristan's hair is growing back in My mom and dad brought Tristan an outfit for him to play dress up with. Since he ALWAYS wants to play with the girls. He liked it a lot! We went to a birthday party today. It was a lot of fun! I think Tristan had too many sweets though! :) His teeth are showing signs of it :wink: To let you know Alyssa was around here too! lol She has been soo busy playing with her cousins that she does not want to stop for pictures anymore. She is growing up so much!

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May. 5, 2008

Just some Rambles

Apr. 29, 2008

Sunday Tristan got to go to Sunday School Again

It was such a nice day on Sunday! Tristan got to go back to Sunday School. He really enjoyed himself even with being in a new class that he has never went to before. He went once to this class but we went to the afternoon service and since changed to the morning. His teachers emailed me pictures of his first day. It was very nice of them and Tristan enjoyed looking through the pictures with me this morning. He was telling me all about it! Here are a few of the ones they sent me. As you can see, it looks like he really enjoyed himself. And I think he heard the story too because I asked him what his teachers name was and said "was that Mr Tim?" and he said, no his name was Paul! lol And you can see the story was about Paul and Silas so he must have been listening at one point!

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Apr. 22, 2008

Picture Entry

Thought I would share a few I have not posted in a while. Here is Alyssa painting the other morning And What GREAT kids I have! Alyssa was such a big help pushing Tristan the other day, Too bad though, I had him thinking the red swing was for my niece Emi and not him, Alyssa got him swinging back in it. Blah. Fell asleep in it A Priceless picture of my grandmother and my son Camera was in the car when Alyssa was hugging her good bye or I would have snapped one of her too. And Tuckered out from Grandmas sleepover and playing with her second cousin Mary

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Apr. 22, 2008

WE MADE IT TO MAINTENANCE!

Big news today! We have started maintenance! Which is where we will call home until our leukemia journey is over. Wow... you know I cannot even imagine it being "over" I cannot wait for the day but it seems so unreal! Today we went to clinic and they took Tristan's blood. They tested it and said his ANC  was 1,300 which is our magic number that needs to be over 700 I think to start the round. Could be 900. Either way, 500 means no going in public. So that was good. His hemoglobin was only 7 though and under 7.5 they transfuse. So we waited to hear if they were going to transfuse or not. They took more blood to test and type incase he needed a transfusion. Turns out, upon testing it he was producing "baby blood" (what nurse Rose called it) so they did not transfuse expecting by tomorrow his hemoglobin to be way up fine. So all that commotion and we went on to his spinal tap. They started cleaning him up and were ready to start and I realized - um... no one put any numbing cream on his back! He had his loopy meds but... still. We decided to just go for it since that only numbs the skin and in one second they would be past that part... Poor baby! But he did fine. Yes he cried but I think it was because Rose was holding him more then pain. He is one TOUGH cookie! They did not drug him up really good this time because his hemoglobin was so low. So he was on a smaller dose then normal. It was not the best situation but Dr. Terri did a QUICK and awesome job and was done in no time flat But Tristan was not as out of it as he should. He was actually COUNTING to 10 with us when we said 10 more seconds and you can get out from under Rose. (putting Methotrexate in his spine) Then they saw it took too long so we had to count again! lol Poor Tristan. He had a melt down and wanted to sit up right away. I know it upset the dr and nurse but I ended up letting him. When he is not drugged up he does NOT want to stay laying flat. It is worse on him then a headache from the spinal would be. So he did get up to eat and drink and calm down a little. It was just a bad day for him. He has caught our family cold and was up all night coughing so he was just moody. When we went to leave the clinic he started to cry. WHY? No one knows. But anyways, he cried from clinic to Falk Pharmacy until about 20 mins later. He takes tantrums like this at home. How I deal with him is I put him in my room, shut the door and tell him I do not want to see him until he is finished with his cry and tantrum. We found spanking and corner only make him rage more. So we do not do that when he tantrums. But being in the middle of the hospital there is no where I could take him to calm down yk? So we were stuck. When we are not away from him he takes LONGER to get it all out. Sigh. He did calm down and feel asleep in the car. Then we stopped for lunch and he cried again being woke up. But he then fell asleep on my legs in the booth. So Maintenance... what does this mean? Well we are now down to monthly clinic visits for the remainder of the years. We will get Vincristine at clinic and every three months we have a spinal. He will have a daily chemo pill and every Tuesday we are Not at clinic he will have 6 extra chemo pills. Pretty much the same deal we had before (between our intense treatments) but skipping the 6 pills on clinic day changed. Tristan handled it well last time and we expect him to again. Oh he will also have 5 days of steroids every month. Fun. Here is Tristan starting to get some loopy meds for his spinal... too bad the sun came in the shades on his head like that, And here he is with his car using his Port tail as a gas hose to fill it up!

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Apr. 16, 2008

TOS Spring Magazine Promo

Apr. 14, 2008

Family updates. Tristan, Baby and Alyssa :)

Apr. 9, 2008

Well.... we came home accessed again!

Apr. 8, 2008

I bet you thought I forgot about you!

Good morning! Today is clinic day again. (Good thing Tristan cannot read yet because he is on my lap as I type and would not like that news!) Last week went AMAZINGLY (Divinely) well!  Tristan flew through with ease! PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!! Thank you all for praying! Today is our last milestone to reach until we hit maintenance. We go today to get chemo then get two weeks off,  And we are to maintenance! Here is Tristan with one of his visiting nurses, Rene. And here is a pic of Alyssa, she was singing and dancing for my mom! She was singing to and Alvin and the Chipmunk Cd.

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Apr. 1, 2008

Day 1 of our second half of intense treatment.

So far so good! Tristan woke up very upset to have me putting his cream on. It was so sad! He cried so hard. He would not take his amox. So he did end up missing todays morning dose. Mil said to just let it go because we had to go and there was going to be NO forcing it into him. It will work out ok because I really am looking like I am going to be one does short anyways. I got 4 more days today and if they gave me exact amounts... then I was one does short. Not sure what I do wrong. Anyways... So we get to clinic and were early! We got there at 8 for our 8:30 appointment. So we wait. Get in and start treatments. He was very upset about the port access. But they do NOT hurt him. It is obvious by no reaction when the needle goes in. You can tell he does not feel it. But he cries anyways. For his spinal he was a little goofy with his meds. Kept saying "Nunny, nunny" What he says for Mommy when he is being baby like. When I say "Say MOMMY" He can. Anyways... he was saying that and tensing up. They had to stop and give him a second to stretch and start again. He was stopping the flow with his muscles. But they ended up getting a good tap on him after that. He had to drink and have IV fluids in him. The chemo he is getting this week is something we have never had before. And in order to get it, he has to be well hydrated. Which since he was not allowed food or water for the spinal... was tough. Tristan had a MAJOR meltdown when I told him he had to drink his pop. (Caffeine to help him not get a spinal tap headache) He threw a crying fit. Not mean but sobbing upset. I think what was happening was the spinal tap meds were wearing off at the same time I was trying to get him to drink something. Anyways... Nana came to the rescue with Cheesies And he ate them like a champ and then wanted to drink. So with two bags of fluids, and 2 pops, Tristan was able to get his chemo. He also had to pee in the bottles so they could check his pee to how diluted it was. To make sure he was hydrated. So they gave him these bottles that he LOVED playing with! (AND YES MOM THEY WERE CLEAN AND NEW! she cracks me up by asking that! Sure they would give him dirty ones!) He was cracking us up, pretending he was an elephant. and putting cheezies in one, and more! When we went to leave it was ADORABLE! Tristan was walking out holding his arm down straight and looking at himself and each of us like he was getting away with something. We did not tell him he was going home with it accessed. All the way to the parking garage we could see him eying up his mediport and then us. We sat down outside and he leans over to Nana and says "Hey Nana! They forgot to take my pinchy out!"  I about died laughing! He was like - hey!!! look what I got away with! Or like the fish on the end of NEMO where they get to the Ocean in the bags and are like "now what" He finally got his wish. THey did not deaccess him but... now what? He had to take this thing home!?!? He is doing well with it. He is guarding it but was in an AMAZING mood tonight! So far so good. Zonked out on the way home I think we have a long week ahead of us. The clinic told us to give him his Nausea Meds every 8 hours and do not let it go. Even if he is not sick give them to him to head off the Chemo sickies that he might have. We might get fever, vomiting, diarreha etc. We also have to get him to drink drink drink. That is going to be fun trying. He is on a new Chemo pill at home for 14 days. It is harder then the other stuff. We will get home care for 3 days. And go back next Tuesday for another spinal and more chemo. Then we get two weeks off! And we hit MAINTENANCE!!! I cannot wait! Maintenance will be once a month Chemo down at clinic (Vincristine) with 5 days steroid. Every day Chemo pills. Then the three weeks we are off clinic we will give him another chemo pill once a week. Then once every THREE months we get a spinal. And that is what it looks like for the next 3 years. I am excited to get there! Keep praying! Thank you everyone! we cannot tell you enough how we appreciate your prayers and support!

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Mar. 27, 2008

My beta numbers, spotting and hearing from friends

Mar. 25, 2008

Rambling updates

Mar. 23, 2008

Philip Update and Pics from Us!

Little Philip has ALL Leukemia Just like Tristan. We are very happy to hear that good news since ALL is the more common form and much higher cure rate. He also go the "all clear" for his spinal fluid. Which is great news. His port is in place and he was getting steroids. That is what his mom said. So their journey begins. I am so happy to hear things are going well. I will let you all know later if she starts a blog or something. For now they are at the beginning stages where she is in the hospital still in the confusion Whirl Wind. And soon Suzanne will have a newborn to take care of. So lots on her plate. Not sure how much computer time she will get. So keep Philip in your prayers when you pray for Tristan. I will have to ask her if we can put a picture up so you can think of his face when you pray. Not sure right now how they feel about his picture on public blogs. And some pictures  I was going to post yesterday.... My sweet kiddos the other morning watching TV I told you he was back to being steroid boy! My goof balls in the bath tub. That is a water droplet and shadow on Tristans chest. Hair, Now you see it And Now you don't Excuse the duh look, I took it in the dark room and his eyes were not happy with the flash! And just for comparison... here he is on day one of Treatment on Feb 26th. So less then a month before. He is a total different kid. I love him so much. But it really is like I have two different kids. He melts my heart.

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Mar. 21, 2008

My heart is breaking right now for a dear friend.