If You Can't Beat 'em...Join 'em!

I think the toy David missed the most when he was away from home was the Jeep. One of the first days we came home, David asked Jason to ride with him in the Jeep around our property. Jason of course explained that he was too big to fit in it so David thought for a minute and then asked if Jason could follow him in his tricycle. Once again daddy explained he is too big for that. Then David said "you can follow me in your truck!" And Jason replied "Yes, yes I can." To Jason that somehow seemed like a perfectly acceptable thing to do. They have been doing it daily and have decided its called "jeeps n trucks". Ever since, David has been asking me to do the same. For a week I kept telling him that it was a daddy thing to do, not a mommy thing to do. Since they go in one big circle around the house, it just reminded me too much of NASCAR, which is the one sport I just cannot get in to! Alas, I think it is a lost cause. Last weekend Jason had the race on TV and David got all into it. He spotted the m & m car, decided he liked that one and started cheering for it. Jason said he almost cried real tears when it wrecked! David wanted it to win sooooo bad. Anyway...yesterday I decided, if you can't beat 'em, might as well join 'em! I really enjoyed driving Jason's truck and listening to his XM radio... I must admit, its not too bad of a game!

Can I Get A Break Already?

Wesley has another ear infection. This makes number 6 and he isn't even eight months old yet! Ugh. Back to the ENT we go. Can I get a break already, especially regarding health issues? Let's focus on the positives...I was really impressed with the ENT when we took David, and Wesley will see the same doctor. If Wesley does need tubes, we've already met our deductible, and hopefully he will be too young to remember it...However, he did start crying the minute the pediatrician walked in the exam room today. Wesley knows who puts the otoscope in his ears-it really hurts him-my poor baby!


Speaking of health...I thought I would share what David did in school today. He made a set of teeth with "smarshmallows" (as David calls them) and learned how to brush properly. He even got a toothbrush and some toothpaste to take home! This got David all excited about brushing his teeth tonight. I just love it when something he learns at school makes my life easier ; )

A Mother's Love

This week was full of highs and lows. I'm living in "survival mode" just doing what is necessary to get by because I'm still in a little bit of shock about everything that has happened to me. I keep telling people that "my brain has turned to mush!" But...with each new day I am getting better and stronger. I overdid it one day this week and paid for it the next day. Lesson learned.

Jason had to go out of town for work a few days this week, but my mom and Jason's mom took turns staying out here with me. I have seen the depths of these two mother's love for me and its awe inspiring! They continue to push themselves to the limit by helping me cook, clean, and take care of the kids all the while sacrificing their own chores at home (not to mention some much needed rest). I have a lot to live up to in these two great women.

David had a definite rough patch this week. He's not able to express his feelings about how all of this has affected him (i.e. I was scared, I didn't like being away from home and my own bed, etc.) and so his emotions have built up and unfortunately he takes it out on me. I think we have made some progress though. "Fixing" these behavioral problems is my top priority right now, and I know firsthand the healing a mother's love can do!

Here are my two favorite highs from this week. A picture of a gift David made for me at school for Valentine's (aka "Valentimes") Day, and a new video of Wesley. Enjoy!

Back To Reality

Friday I had a follow-up appointment with my nephrologist. It was quite a sobering experience. I'm not sure I fully understood how bad it had gotten when I was in the hospital. The doctor said I actually went into acute renal failure and two other major organs-my liver and heart were starting to stress as well. I mean, I knew I was in bad shape and had a pretty good idea of what was going on, but I think I just finally realized how bad it really was! I have lost 20+ lbs of fluid since leaving the hospital. It is so strange to me that I could fluctuate that much in weight so quickly. What a disease! Like I said before...minimal change? What is with that name?

We finally made it home yesterday. I am happy to be alive and at home with my family. I'm trying hard not to get too overwhelmed too quickly. My body physically won't let me overdo it (just taking a shower is so very tiring right now) but my mind is all over the place. Jason has me trained to only plan the next 12 hrs of each day and that really helps me to not get too stressed out. Jason and my mom have been amazing. They still work tirelessly to ensure my every need is met. My mom has been trying to recover from surgery herself since December and finally had to go back to work on Friday. She came out here today though and took me grocery shopping since my diet is so restricted. Most of my all time favorite meals are no good for me now, but it helps that I do like a variety of foods. Jason is so tired from commuting from work, home, hospital, kids drop-off, kids pick-up, the never-ending list of store errands, bills, dogs, etc. etc. etc. He keeps pushing through it though. Boy did I do something right when I married him.

Wesley has actually been a real trooper through all of this. He now takes a bottle with ease. He is quite a socialized little boy. When David was this age, he was already very wary of anyone new holding him. Wesley doesn't care who holds him as long as he gets some attention! David probably needs the most prayers of all of us. He is such a sensitive little boy. His security blanket was ripped out from under him this past month. Any change in schedule really affects him and there has been no regularity to his days as of late. I am hoping a little extra TLC at home will help him get back to his usual self.

I'll leave you with two pictures of the kids that were hanging up in my hospital room which were my constant motivation to get better!

Sionara To Salt

Well, I am finally out of the hospital, and in the words of my nephrologist "You don't mess around. When you get sick, you get sick!" After 12 days, 2 X-RAY's, 2 EKG's, 2 ultrasounds, one biopsy (not to mention all sorts of other fun small tests and lots and lots of medication) later...I'd have to agree with him!

I am nowhere near back to 100% yet, but I think I have finally "turned the corner" on the road to recovery. I still have 15-20lbs extra fluid from swelling on my body right now. Its crazy to be "blown up" and yet dehydrated at the same time. My fluid intake and outtake is strictly monitored. I am currently only allotted 2000 mg of sodium-that's only one teaspoon of salt per day!!!!! So it is only freshly prepared meals at home for me for a while. Fortunate am I that my parents are both wonderful cooks who have already been so creative to add variety and some taste to my diet! I have a follow-up appointment on Friday with my nephrologist and I am hoping to learn a lot more about adult minimal change disease and how this will affect my life from here on out. Although I have my theories about how I actually contracted this disease, I will truly never know for the sure. What I do know is that I will be on a combination of steroids/immuno-suppressive medications for at least six months.

But, Enough about me...I have some serious thank-yous in order. First off to Jason and my mom who have been by my side every moment possible. I'm absolutely positive I wouldn't be here right now if it hadn't been for their foresight and intervention into my medical care. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Goodrow Gang for taking in their Godson Wesley and making sure his every need was met. Julie even accomplished the impossible task of getting Wesley to take a bottle! To my personal "maid brigade" who came in between my two hospital stays to clean my house! I'll never forget waking up and asking my mom who was there and her telling me "Julie, Becky, and Amanda. They came to clean the house. They wanted to help so we let them." What amazing friends I have! Becky also brought us a meal that day which not only tasted delicious it was made with her special brand of love. We also had two meals brought over from our friends the Simmon's which were sooo appreciated. Amanda, my dad, and Jason's mom have taken turns watching David. This is no small feet for any of them, especially Amanda who not only has her two year old Lana to watch-she is pregnant with her second daughter and due in May! For Matt and Christy, Clint and Mandy, Joel and Julie, Becky and Jason, Priscilla and Steve for visiting me at Emory. I said it before, and I'll say it again-"it was truly chicken soup, er, em bulldog brew for the soul". For Becky's dad affectionately named "Papa" by his grandchildren who brought me communion on Sunday-what a gift! To my sister who has been watching Charlie Dawg for us. To my friends/blog buddies who sent an edible arrangement to me-I felt so loved! And last but not least all those who have been calling, texting, and praying for me and my family continually! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Words truly can't express how humbled and grateful I am. Once again, continued prayers are appreciated for my quick and full recovery!