Happy Number 5 to us!!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Good stuff
My new favorite lotion. My wrists have been bright red since January. Sometimes itchy. Mostly just annoying. When people saw them, they thought I had burned myself. I didn't know what it was...dry skin, eczema, or some other weird skin condition. I put some cortisone creme on it for about a month and it helped, but I just couldn't get rid of it! Last week, I finally gave in and payed the co-pay. And what did the dermatologist have to say: dry skin. Instructions: Put cortisone creme on twice a day and buy this lotion. (He suggested buying the soap too, but I didn't go that far yet. Gotta finish the gallon bucket from Sams first.) It's over the counter (I got it at Target) and it is WONDERFUL!! I seriously don't know how/if I can go back to using other lotions again! Lotion is another thing I am addicted to. Living in Colorado and washing my hands NUMEROUS (to say the least) times each day contribute to that. But this stuff is good. Hydrating. Even after I wash my hands, they still feel hydrated! I have never experienced such a thing. LOVE IT! And the red wrists are GONE! I'm stocking up!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Something Different
It's been quite a different kind of week. Good different. Starting with last Saturday. Jared took Claire to dialysis for the first time this year...meaning Benson and I got to spend some MUCH NEEDED one-on-one time together. It was like Christmas for Benson. He kept saying over and over, "Mom, I'm so glad you're home with me...at my house today!" He was thrilled to stay in his jammies, eat breakfast without us saying hurry hurry, we gotta go, and was ecstatic when I asked him if he wanted to go swimming!! "Just me and You...at OUR swimming pool? (the rec center) Let's DO IT, Mommy. I'll go get my swimming suit on. Hurry, we're going to be late!" What a great day!
Claire got another blood transfusion on Saturday, making that number 11. We are so blessed to have 2 very faithful designated doners from our ward who are able to donate for her whenever she needs it. She was all pink and energized again after getting her blood level up. It literally does save a life when you donate blood.
And our week just kept getting better. Jared took Claire in for dialysis on Monday and Wednesday this week.! (I took her on Tuesday because Benson needed to come with me and see the doctor. Labs for him are nice and stable. Right where we want to see them.) Having Mon and Wed off was the first non-holiday, week-day break I've had since we started hemo dialysis 8 months ago!! Wow. So what did Benson and I do? After enjoying a lazy morning together, Benson went to the joy-school that he goes to every Monday from 10-12. And I went grocery shopping. Any Mom with kids out there understands the joy, peace, and efficiency that comes by going shopping alone! Nothing quite like it! Wednesday morning, we went to the library together and got some fun books and movies. Then we came home and ground some whole wheat into flour (first experience doing that--very cool) and made some of Grandma Waite's delicious home-made rolls! Yum. I felt so 'homey' and happy to be doing 'homey' things!! It really was a great break! THANKS HUN for allowing all of it to happen!
It's like a new leaf has been turned over at our house now that Jared's done with school. He's done with work around 3:00 and we're almost at a loss for what to do with all of the time we have together! It's GREAT...we're just not quite used to it yet!! Benson suggested we go 4-wheeling today, which I'm sure we'll take him up on when Spring is officially here to stay!
But, the mini-break is over. Jared was transitioning to a different job this week, which is what allowed him to go to dialysis mon and wed, but he'll started full time as of today. So we're back to our regular schedule. He'll take Claire on Saturdays and I'll take her the rest of the weekdays. But I think we all feel so much more rejuvenated for the next go-round!
We got a letter last week telling us that Claire is OFFICIALLY on the kidney and liver transplant list at Mayo Clinic, but is not active until she's bigger. So she's gaining wait time, but we won't get the call for the organs until they activate her. Weight update: 18 months, 8.8 kg (19 lbs, 4 oz). 10 kg (22 lbs) is the goal for transplant.
Anyone else out there like to watch American Idol? I hate to say I'm addicted, but I think I kind of am! That is literally the only TV I watch (except for an occasional episode of Glenn Beck) but I don't like to miss it! We had a Relief Society get-together this Tuesday at 7:00 that I really wanted to go to and I DID. But felt so much better about being there knowing Jared was home recording it for me! We don't have the TiVo thing, but amazingly, VHS still does work quite well to record! Just a confession I had to make!
Great week. Stress level waaaaaay down now that I have my husband back and the kids get their dad. Nothing quite like Dads. No one can take their place. Smiles all around when he's around!!
Claire got another blood transfusion on Saturday, making that number 11. We are so blessed to have 2 very faithful designated doners from our ward who are able to donate for her whenever she needs it. She was all pink and energized again after getting her blood level up. It literally does save a life when you donate blood.
And our week just kept getting better. Jared took Claire in for dialysis on Monday and Wednesday this week.! (I took her on Tuesday because Benson needed to come with me and see the doctor. Labs for him are nice and stable. Right where we want to see them.) Having Mon and Wed off was the first non-holiday, week-day break I've had since we started hemo dialysis 8 months ago!! Wow. So what did Benson and I do? After enjoying a lazy morning together, Benson went to the joy-school that he goes to every Monday from 10-12. And I went grocery shopping. Any Mom with kids out there understands the joy, peace, and efficiency that comes by going shopping alone! Nothing quite like it! Wednesday morning, we went to the library together and got some fun books and movies. Then we came home and ground some whole wheat into flour (first experience doing that--very cool) and made some of Grandma Waite's delicious home-made rolls! Yum. I felt so 'homey' and happy to be doing 'homey' things!! It really was a great break! THANKS HUN for allowing all of it to happen!
It's like a new leaf has been turned over at our house now that Jared's done with school. He's done with work around 3:00 and we're almost at a loss for what to do with all of the time we have together! It's GREAT...we're just not quite used to it yet!! Benson suggested we go 4-wheeling today, which I'm sure we'll take him up on when Spring is officially here to stay!
But, the mini-break is over. Jared was transitioning to a different job this week, which is what allowed him to go to dialysis mon and wed, but he'll started full time as of today. So we're back to our regular schedule. He'll take Claire on Saturdays and I'll take her the rest of the weekdays. But I think we all feel so much more rejuvenated for the next go-round!
We got a letter last week telling us that Claire is OFFICIALLY on the kidney and liver transplant list at Mayo Clinic, but is not active until she's bigger. So she's gaining wait time, but we won't get the call for the organs until they activate her. Weight update: 18 months, 8.8 kg (19 lbs, 4 oz). 10 kg (22 lbs) is the goal for transplant.
Anyone else out there like to watch American Idol? I hate to say I'm addicted, but I think I kind of am! That is literally the only TV I watch (except for an occasional episode of Glenn Beck) but I don't like to miss it! We had a Relief Society get-together this Tuesday at 7:00 that I really wanted to go to and I DID. But felt so much better about being there knowing Jared was home recording it for me! We don't have the TiVo thing, but amazingly, VHS still does work quite well to record! Just a confession I had to make!
Great week. Stress level waaaaaay down now that I have my husband back and the kids get their dad. Nothing quite like Dads. No one can take their place. Smiles all around when he's around!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Sock Game
Claire had too much fun playing with her socks and looking for Dad!
On a medical note...we got another oxalate level back and it wasn't what we were hoping for. It was 75.1 It is what it is. At least it's not 100. Too bad it's not 50. We're still hoping and praying the medicine will help.
We also took another lipid level today and things are looking better there. Previously, her cholesterol was 348--now it dropped to 292--below 200 is normal. Her triglycerides were 880--now they are 615--normal is below 119. SO they are obviously still HIGH, but at least headed in the right direction. She's taking fish oil and niacin which are helping, but they don't believe her lipids will ever get normal until after her transplant and is off dialysis. SO I guess we're doing all we can and we'll just keep doing it!
This is Jared's VERY LAST WEEK of grad school!! HIP HIP HORRAY!! He'll be done-graduated-completed-finished with 2 1/2 years of graduate school at DU and will officially have his MBA in finance. Happy DAY!
Jared and I had a rare opportunity to go see a movie on Friday night, thanks to our neighbor watching the kids. We saw "New In Town" and it was so FUNNY!! Jared and I are still laughing about it today! Just a fun movie (only rated PG) with some fun humor that will definitely make you smile!
On a medical note...we got another oxalate level back and it wasn't what we were hoping for. It was 75.1 It is what it is. At least it's not 100. Too bad it's not 50. We're still hoping and praying the medicine will help.
We also took another lipid level today and things are looking better there. Previously, her cholesterol was 348--now it dropped to 292--below 200 is normal. Her triglycerides were 880--now they are 615--normal is below 119. SO they are obviously still HIGH, but at least headed in the right direction. She's taking fish oil and niacin which are helping, but they don't believe her lipids will ever get normal until after her transplant and is off dialysis. SO I guess we're doing all we can and we'll just keep doing it!
This is Jared's VERY LAST WEEK of grad school!! HIP HIP HORRAY!! He'll be done-graduated-completed-finished with 2 1/2 years of graduate school at DU and will officially have his MBA in finance. Happy DAY!
Jared and I had a rare opportunity to go see a movie on Friday night, thanks to our neighbor watching the kids. We saw "New In Town" and it was so FUNNY!! Jared and I are still laughing about it today! Just a fun movie (only rated PG) with some fun humor that will definitely make you smile!
Monday, March 2, 2009
A Woman's Work is NEVER Done!
I'm not complaining. I'm just saying.
It's a TRUE statement.
Post dialysis today....I went on a walk with the kids. We played outside. Took Claire's stool sample to UPS. Ate an Oreo. I went through the mail. Gave Claire milk. Payed bills online. Gave Benson a bath. Cleaned up the kids rooms. Warmed up dinner (sunday leftovers are the best). Milked Claire. Cleaned the dishes. Reviewed Benson's sunday lessons with him. Finally took care of the kids Valentines box, candies, and valentines. Started Claire's dialysis. Milky Milk Time. Got the kids to bed by 7:00. Cleaned the kitchen. Picked up the floor. Thought about tomorrow's dinner. Cleaned syringes. Loaded them back up with medicine. Cleaned the milk container. Loaded it back up with milk. Ate another Oreo. Started the towels in the wash. Got Benson's Special Water ready for tomorrow....and I could still clean out the fridge, sweep the floor. Throw another load in the laundry. Clean the basement. Pick up our bedroom...and the list goes ON!!
I'm sure all of our lists could go on and on! It's knowing when to say ENOUGH that counts!!
I'm going to bed. (after one more Oreo.) :)
It's a TRUE statement.
Post dialysis today....I went on a walk with the kids. We played outside. Took Claire's stool sample to UPS. Ate an Oreo. I went through the mail. Gave Claire milk. Payed bills online. Gave Benson a bath. Cleaned up the kids rooms. Warmed up dinner (sunday leftovers are the best). Milked Claire. Cleaned the dishes. Reviewed Benson's sunday lessons with him. Finally took care of the kids Valentines box, candies, and valentines. Started Claire's dialysis. Milky Milk Time. Got the kids to bed by 7:00. Cleaned the kitchen. Picked up the floor. Thought about tomorrow's dinner. Cleaned syringes. Loaded them back up with medicine. Cleaned the milk container. Loaded it back up with milk. Ate another Oreo. Started the towels in the wash. Got Benson's Special Water ready for tomorrow....and I could still clean out the fridge, sweep the floor. Throw another load in the laundry. Clean the basement. Pick up our bedroom...and the list goes ON!!
I'm sure all of our lists could go on and on! It's knowing when to say ENOUGH that counts!!
I'm going to bed. (after one more Oreo.) :)
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