Claire has another infection. I feel like I could just copy and past these posts now, since these infections just keep-a-comin'!! SO NOT GOOD!! It's in her PD catheater again and they wonder if the last one just didn't clear up 100% because it is the same organism as her last one was. She's on a different antibotic this time, Tobermycen, because she built up an immunity to the last antibotic she was one and it won't be effective anymore. Unfortunately, I think this new med makes her tummy hurt. She just doesn't seem to feel well/happy/herself since she's been on it....and her bowels have been rather loose. Poor princess. But something to be grateful for is that the infection site it starting to look better since they started the meds this past week...so that is a great sign that it is clearing up.
On a happier note...we get to go camping over the 4th of July weekend! I am so excited just thinking about it!!! We got permission to not do the night time/PD dialysis for 2 nights, but we will still have to come back to the hospital each morning for the Hemo dialysis. Can't wait to spend the weekend, in the woods, in a tent, eating out of a cooler, cooking on the camp fire, riding our 4-wheeler, and just being away from the normal routine!! SO FUN!
Still showing our hose...just about nearing the 100th showing! Claire is about 9.4 kg now so she's definitely nearing that 10 kg mark. Still at least a few more months down the road, but getting closer every day.
We're up to 93 showings on our house now! IS THAT NOT TOTALLY INSANE!! I guess we're just not supposed to move quite yet.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Randoms
Benson got a fish at a birthday party last Saturday. He named him Fubsee Me Benson. Fubsee for short.
Claire decided pulling out her hair is a fun thing to do. When she's board (driving in the car) she reaches up to her hair, pulls it out, and looks at it. Drops it and does it again. Not the elastic band in her hair...although she does that too if there's one in....but the hair itself! Hope she doesn't run out.
I'm getting over another round of strep throat. Feeling better after a little amoxacilin.
I joined facebook but have yet to decide the point of it.
It rained every day this week. Didn't mind it at all.
6 more showings this week. Every time we leave the house for a showing Benson asks, "are we moving today?"
Got some fabulous roll/bread/pizza dough/cinnamon rolls recipes from Enrichment Tuesday night and I can't wait to try them!
There's nothing quite like America's Funniest Home Videos for a good laugh.
My husband is amazing.
Claire decided pulling out her hair is a fun thing to do. When she's board (driving in the car) she reaches up to her hair, pulls it out, and looks at it. Drops it and does it again. Not the elastic band in her hair...although she does that too if there's one in....but the hair itself! Hope she doesn't run out.
I'm getting over another round of strep throat. Feeling better after a little amoxacilin.
I joined facebook but have yet to decide the point of it.
It rained every day this week. Didn't mind it at all.
6 more showings this week. Every time we leave the house for a showing Benson asks, "are we moving today?"
Got some fabulous roll/bread/pizza dough/cinnamon rolls recipes from Enrichment Tuesday night and I can't wait to try them!
There's nothing quite like America's Funniest Home Videos for a good laugh.
My husband is amazing.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Back again
I've decided my posts are either feast of famine. Short or long. Not very often or often. Here's a feast.
So let's just be honest here. I'm really getting tired of leaving the house for over 70 showings...1-2 hours per showing!! Not that it's a bad thing...it's in fact a very GOOD thing, to have so many showings....but it's just hard being gone all morning at the hospital and most afternoons for showings!!
We did get an offer last Saturday night, but it was a low baller. We countered, but they didn't keep playing the game with us. We're hoping another one comes in soon. Our house has never been so clean...never been vacuumed so much (Jared is a mad vacuumer)....and the kids have never wanted to "just go home" so often!! It's hard to explain to them why we can't be in our own home. On the bright side, we've done a lot of things together as a family that we probably wouldn't have otherwise done. Good family bonding time. Lots of drives (so they'll sleep). Trips to the library. Parks. Eating out, which is very unusual for us. And parking down the street so we can spy and see when they're gone! Good times.
Claire is a happy girl. She is starting to talk a lot more. Almost to the point where you can have some-what of a 'baby-talk' conversation with her! We can't believe how much she learns from Benson...at times she's just a little mini-Benson because of how she acts and the things she says. They both Grrrrrrowl when they don't like what you're doing. She loves to call for Momma and Daddda in the same tone Benson does. So fun to see.
Benson is having a little bit of a harder time going to his friends house each morning. It's almost been a year since Claire's been on the hospital dialysis and we've had this type of schedule. I think he's just getting tired of getting up and leaving each morning. The little breaks he has when family comes are a life-saver for him. Some friends he's still okay with going to, but other times, he just wants to come with me and Clarie or stay home and watch movies while Dad works upstairs. I took him with me twice this week...and he stayed home with Jared once. We'll see how the upcoming weeks go. He's a trooper. He's a sweet boy. And as I've said before, he knows how to sacrifice for his sister.
And me...I got spoiled this week. A few weeks ago, The Oxford Spa in downtown Denver sent some girls to do pedicures and manicures for the patients doing dialysis. Claire would have NOTHING to do with that. And didn't really even want them near us at all. She's not so fond of strange faces. The manager of the kidney center had the fabulous idea to see if they would allow me to come to the spa at a later time to do a pedicure/manicure. After she explained our situation and to both of our surprise, the spa actually has a "parent of the month" program and they wanted to invite me to come to their spa as their guest!! Sweet. I'm in. So Wednesday was my spa day!! I got to have a Swedish massage, a facial, and the best hair cut and style I've ever had!! It was so fun!! Definitely spoiled...and all for free! Can't beat it!
Until the next feast....
So let's just be honest here. I'm really getting tired of leaving the house for over 70 showings...1-2 hours per showing!! Not that it's a bad thing...it's in fact a very GOOD thing, to have so many showings....but it's just hard being gone all morning at the hospital and most afternoons for showings!!
We did get an offer last Saturday night, but it was a low baller. We countered, but they didn't keep playing the game with us. We're hoping another one comes in soon. Our house has never been so clean...never been vacuumed so much (Jared is a mad vacuumer)....and the kids have never wanted to "just go home" so often!! It's hard to explain to them why we can't be in our own home. On the bright side, we've done a lot of things together as a family that we probably wouldn't have otherwise done. Good family bonding time. Lots of drives (so they'll sleep). Trips to the library. Parks. Eating out, which is very unusual for us. And parking down the street so we can spy and see when they're gone! Good times.
Claire is a happy girl. She is starting to talk a lot more. Almost to the point where you can have some-what of a 'baby-talk' conversation with her! We can't believe how much she learns from Benson...at times she's just a little mini-Benson because of how she acts and the things she says. They both Grrrrrrowl when they don't like what you're doing. She loves to call for Momma and Daddda in the same tone Benson does. So fun to see.
Benson is having a little bit of a harder time going to his friends house each morning. It's almost been a year since Claire's been on the hospital dialysis and we've had this type of schedule. I think he's just getting tired of getting up and leaving each morning. The little breaks he has when family comes are a life-saver for him. Some friends he's still okay with going to, but other times, he just wants to come with me and Clarie or stay home and watch movies while Dad works upstairs. I took him with me twice this week...and he stayed home with Jared once. We'll see how the upcoming weeks go. He's a trooper. He's a sweet boy. And as I've said before, he knows how to sacrifice for his sister.
And me...I got spoiled this week. A few weeks ago, The Oxford Spa in downtown Denver sent some girls to do pedicures and manicures for the patients doing dialysis. Claire would have NOTHING to do with that. And didn't really even want them near us at all. She's not so fond of strange faces. The manager of the kidney center had the fabulous idea to see if they would allow me to come to the spa at a later time to do a pedicure/manicure. After she explained our situation and to both of our surprise, the spa actually has a "parent of the month" program and they wanted to invite me to come to their spa as their guest!! Sweet. I'm in. So Wednesday was my spa day!! I got to have a Swedish massage, a facial, and the best hair cut and style I've ever had!! It was so fun!! Definitely spoiled...and all for free! Can't beat it!
Until the next feast....
Thursday, May 21, 2009
update
Well I guess now is as good a time as any to catch up a bit. Life has been pretty busy around here the past two weeks. We had some wonderful, surprise visitors show up on our doorstep a week ago Monday. Ryan, Megan, Torsten, Brysen, Brice, Aleena, Mom, Breon, and Grandma Waite!! WOW!! What a fabulous week we had together. It's been about a year since we've all been together and we enjoyed every minute we had. We packed A LOT into a short amount of time: playtime at the parks, Chuck E Cheese, Golf, Rockies Baseball game, "nature" visit to Colorado Springs to the Garden of the Gods and waterfalls, BBQ Birthday celebration for Mom, Denver Aquarium, and laughs, fun, games, and memories galore!! Brice, Megan, and Grandma Waite also took turns coming to the hospital with me for Claire's dialysis and seemed to enjoy seeing what our daily mornings were really like....and I DEFINITELY enjoyed the company there with me!! It was just all around an exhaustingly GREAT week! Wouldn't have traded it for anything! Benson was in heaven, playing with Torsten and Brysen each day. Whenever I referred to them as "friends" he reminded me that they were more than friends, they were cousins!! Right he is. That meant TWICE the fun!! One other cute thing about Benson....when we told Benson we were going to Garden of the Gods in CO Spgs, Benson asked..."Is that where Jesus lives?" Too Cute!
Alas, the fun came to an end as we said our good byes. But this week we've had a little switch up too. Jared and Benson went to Idaho for Jared's brother's graduation from High School this week. Congratz BEN! So Aleena stayed out here with me to help me out and give me some company while they're gone. What a fabulous, giving sister I have. She is amazing. Life is much quieter around here with the boys gone. Can't wait for them to get back, but glad they're able to spend some time with family. Wish we were there.
Still no change with our home. Showing it like crazy...nearing 50 showings now...but still no offers. All is good time.
Claire's infections are doing better. The one in her blood has been cleared...YEAH!! The other one in her PD catheter wasn't completely cleared by the end of last week, so they extended the antibiotics another week to see if it will go away. The infections site is 'looking' better, so we're hoping it will be gone when they test it again this week. She's still on antibiotics for both infections until Tuesday of next week. How nice it will be to come home after our regular 3 hr session instead of staying an extra hour after for antibiotics! I just can't be grateful enough for the miracle of modern medicine, though. It has literally saved Claire's life over and over again. And speaking of saving Claire's life, she did get another blood transfusion on Tuesday which also literally saves her life each time she receives blood. What a miracle.
So now I'm just trying to relax a little with the company gone and the boys in Idaho. It's been a nice week to wind down and enjoy some quiet time.
And just have to say what a sweet husband I have to write such a sweet Mother's day letter in behalf of Claire. Made me cry. He's my everything.
So since I'm supposed to be relaxing, I think I'll go read a book and fall asleep when my little heart desires! Well, not exactly...after I get the medicine ready for tomorrow, start Claire's nightly milk feeding, and make sure the house is clean for a showing tomorrow...then I'll go do my thing! Night.
Alas, the fun came to an end as we said our good byes. But this week we've had a little switch up too. Jared and Benson went to Idaho for Jared's brother's graduation from High School this week. Congratz BEN! So Aleena stayed out here with me to help me out and give me some company while they're gone. What a fabulous, giving sister I have. She is amazing. Life is much quieter around here with the boys gone. Can't wait for them to get back, but glad they're able to spend some time with family. Wish we were there.
Still no change with our home. Showing it like crazy...nearing 50 showings now...but still no offers. All is good time.
Claire's infections are doing better. The one in her blood has been cleared...YEAH!! The other one in her PD catheter wasn't completely cleared by the end of last week, so they extended the antibiotics another week to see if it will go away. The infections site is 'looking' better, so we're hoping it will be gone when they test it again this week. She's still on antibiotics for both infections until Tuesday of next week. How nice it will be to come home after our regular 3 hr session instead of staying an extra hour after for antibiotics! I just can't be grateful enough for the miracle of modern medicine, though. It has literally saved Claire's life over and over again. And speaking of saving Claire's life, she did get another blood transfusion on Tuesday which also literally saves her life each time she receives blood. What a miracle.
So now I'm just trying to relax a little with the company gone and the boys in Idaho. It's been a nice week to wind down and enjoy some quiet time.
And just have to say what a sweet husband I have to write such a sweet Mother's day letter in behalf of Claire. Made me cry. He's my everything.
So since I'm supposed to be relaxing, I think I'll go read a book and fall asleep when my little heart desires! Well, not exactly...after I get the medicine ready for tomorrow, start Claire's nightly milk feeding, and make sure the house is clean for a showing tomorrow...then I'll go do my thing! Night.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mothers Day!!
Dear Mom,
Happy Mothers Day to you. Wow where do I start. How about here, your the most AMAZING mother I have ever seen in my short time here on earth. Every morning you wake up at 5:45 am to read your scriptures, pray and get ready to take me to the hospital for my daily dialysis. The great thing is you are always happy to see me when I wake up, you always put a smile on my face just seeing you.
At dialysis I always hear other mothers complaining about their issues with their kids and themselves. Its funny that your the happiest and most cheerful person in the hospital. I have never heard you say a negative thing about my health problems which always makes me feel good about myself. I am so grateful I get to spend 4 hours every day with just you and me, our together time. Thanks for teaching me so much during our time together at the hospital. No matter what happens to me at the hospital you are always there to make me feel safe and comfort me.
When we get home I love playing with you, Benson, and dad. You are always so happy no matter how long the day has been for us. After dinner I love getting ready for bed so you can read my favorite books, pray, and do sweet dreams. Sometimes I can't wait till the morning so I can spend another day with you. I am so grateful that you are my mom, I don't know what I would do without you. I hope you have the best mothers day ever.
P.S. Thank you mom for saving my life every single day. I really couldn't live without you.
Love Claire
Happy Mothers Day to you. Wow where do I start. How about here, your the most AMAZING mother I have ever seen in my short time here on earth. Every morning you wake up at 5:45 am to read your scriptures, pray and get ready to take me to the hospital for my daily dialysis. The great thing is you are always happy to see me when I wake up, you always put a smile on my face just seeing you.
At dialysis I always hear other mothers complaining about their issues with their kids and themselves. Its funny that your the happiest and most cheerful person in the hospital. I have never heard you say a negative thing about my health problems which always makes me feel good about myself. I am so grateful I get to spend 4 hours every day with just you and me, our together time. Thanks for teaching me so much during our time together at the hospital. No matter what happens to me at the hospital you are always there to make me feel safe and comfort me.
When we get home I love playing with you, Benson, and dad. You are always so happy no matter how long the day has been for us. After dinner I love getting ready for bed so you can read my favorite books, pray, and do sweet dreams. Sometimes I can't wait till the morning so I can spend another day with you. I am so grateful that you are my mom, I don't know what I would do without you. I hope you have the best mothers day ever.
P.S. Thank you mom for saving my life every single day. I really couldn't live without you.
Love Claire
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Home, Health & Faith
It's definitely not a fun thing to have your house on the market. I'm sure any of you who have been there-done that understand. Keeping it clean actually isn't the worst part. It's having to leave every time someone wants to come see it. Of course, it's usually during nap time or dinner time...and they give you a 2 hour window to be in your home for 10 minutes!! Not the ideal set-up if you ask me. On a good note, though, we have had a lot of showings since we've had it listed. 30 plus in a little over 3 weeks. Just gotta keep waiting till that one person comes and falls in love with it! Still waiting. Patiently waiting. Any day now!!
On a not-so-good note, Claire just can't seem to get a break. She now has an infection in BOTH her dialysis catheters--PD and Hemo. NOT GOOD!! I just feel so bad for the little one. Her PD catheter has been infected for about a week now and so far the antibiotics haven't gotten rid of it. The doctors and nurses keep telling us that Pseudomonious (the name of her particular infection) is such a HARD infection to get rid of. She on an IV antibiotic, an oral antibiotic, and topical cream antibiotic applied to the site. If between these three it's not gone by the end of this coming week, she will have to have the catheter removed and have another one placed on the other side of her tummy.
We just found out today (Saturday) that she now has an infection (different from the PD one) in her hemo catheter. ((YES, this is the new catheter she just had placed a few weeks ago that is now infected)) She spiked a fever while on dialysis on Friday (a good indication that an infection is possible) and sure enough the blood cultures proved positive. So she started yet another IV antibiotic on Friday to try to get rid of this particular infection. The IV antibiotics are given through her catheter line and have to be administered after dialysis....meaning an extra hour and a half after her 3 hour regular dialysis. They'll give her hemo infection two weeks from Friday to be treated with antibiotics and if it's not gone by the 22nd, they'll have to pull that line and put another one in...somewhere...I'm afraid she's going to run out of room on that little abdomen of hers! SO NOT FUN. And to top it all off, she got a yeast infection from all the antibocis killing off the good bacteria in her body that usually keep yeast infections away! So changing the diaper now is NOT a fun experience. Poor thing...I just feel like she's getting worked-over in every way possible.
I've been learning a lot about FAITH lately and it must be for a good reason. We've put our faith in God as we've put our home on the market and have complete faith and trust in Him that things will work out according to His will and timing. We're not worried about it. We don't doubt. I now need to apply faith to Claire's infections. I am worried. I don't want to see her have to go through one, maybe two more surgeries and new catheters. Faith must replace my fear. I will have faith and trust that this too will work out according to His will and timing.
On a not-so-good note, Claire just can't seem to get a break. She now has an infection in BOTH her dialysis catheters--PD and Hemo. NOT GOOD!! I just feel so bad for the little one. Her PD catheter has been infected for about a week now and so far the antibiotics haven't gotten rid of it. The doctors and nurses keep telling us that Pseudomonious (the name of her particular infection) is such a HARD infection to get rid of. She on an IV antibiotic, an oral antibiotic, and topical cream antibiotic applied to the site. If between these three it's not gone by the end of this coming week, she will have to have the catheter removed and have another one placed on the other side of her tummy.
We just found out today (Saturday) that she now has an infection (different from the PD one) in her hemo catheter. ((YES, this is the new catheter she just had placed a few weeks ago that is now infected)) She spiked a fever while on dialysis on Friday (a good indication that an infection is possible) and sure enough the blood cultures proved positive. So she started yet another IV antibiotic on Friday to try to get rid of this particular infection. The IV antibiotics are given through her catheter line and have to be administered after dialysis....meaning an extra hour and a half after her 3 hour regular dialysis. They'll give her hemo infection two weeks from Friday to be treated with antibiotics and if it's not gone by the 22nd, they'll have to pull that line and put another one in...somewhere...I'm afraid she's going to run out of room on that little abdomen of hers! SO NOT FUN. And to top it all off, she got a yeast infection from all the antibocis killing off the good bacteria in her body that usually keep yeast infections away! So changing the diaper now is NOT a fun experience. Poor thing...I just feel like she's getting worked-over in every way possible.
I've been learning a lot about FAITH lately and it must be for a good reason. We've put our faith in God as we've put our home on the market and have complete faith and trust in Him that things will work out according to His will and timing. We're not worried about it. We don't doubt. I now need to apply faith to Claire's infections. I am worried. I don't want to see her have to go through one, maybe two more surgeries and new catheters. Faith must replace my fear. I will have faith and trust that this too will work out according to His will and timing.
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