Friday Update

Jason is doing a little better this week, but still not doing as well as we had hoped. We have been told that once he starts feeling better, he should make rapid progress. I'm not sure if this will apply in his case, but we can always pray that way, can't we? He is still down most of the time, but has been able to be up and out a few times this week. I am especially glad of this because the baby is making me sicker and sicker. I went to the doctor on Thursday and had another ultrasound. We saw a wiggly baby with a beautiful heartbeat. If I didn't feel so sick, I'm sure I would be more excited ;-)

Monday update

After a restful (lazy) weekend, I knew I had plenty to get done today. I woke up overwhelmed with everything and wondering how I would ever get through it all. God worked things out better than I could have planned. My mom called this morning and offered to help. I delegated grocery shopping to her, which she accomplished and even delivered them to my home and helped put them away. I went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription, and then spent the day doing general straightening and working on a mountain of laundry (its still going!!). My mil came over this evening and made dinner for us (baked potatoes--Yummy!), cleaned my bathroom and did some general straightening, laundry, and loving on the kids, as well. The kids needed the extra attention, and it mommy and daddy a break.

Jason has been up more today. He has been able to be a little more physically active, and his incision is looking much better than it did last week. He had not been wearing his CPAP at night, because it makes it difficult for him to lay as comfortably. After wearing it last night, he woke up today in a better mood and seemed to be more interactive with the kids. I think it makes a big difference in how he feels. The surgeon's medical assistant called to check on us today. She seemed pleased with the improvement and is expecting Dr. Hemric to be back in the office in a few weeks.

Lazy Day

Today has been a very lazy day. It was planned intentionally after our busy day yesterday. I was completely worn out. We are all still wearing our pajamas (except for "Miney" who just came out to the kitchen twirling in a fancy dress she pulled out of her closet). Last night, I went to our local library book sale, where I was able to purchase many of our books for next school year at much cheaper prices. I came home with a cartload and was pleased with my finds. Many of my books are nice hardbacks, which I'm hoping will wear well through all of the kids. I always pray before I go, and the Lord has never disappointed me. I also get a few fun (meaning non-school) books for each child (per their request), and they always squeal with glee and attack the cart as soon as I walk in the front door :-) "Eenie's" favorite book choice was an Elsie Dinsmore book, "Meanie's" favorite choice was a rocket and space book, and "Miney's" favorite book was "Baby Beluga". My favorites were hardback copies of "Burgess Bird Book" and "Burgess Animal Book" with color illustrations :-) I'm glad to see my children enjoying books. We have already read several of them and enjoyed looking through the pictures on several others. At some point, we need to stop reading and clean house. It looks like a war zone in here :-)

"Eenie" update

I took "Eenie" to the doctor this afternoon. The doctor checked and could see exactly what we were seeing as far as her lymph nodes, but nothing definitive came back on the short labwork today. They did a strep culture, urine and blood work. The doctor said the rest of the labwork will not be back until the first part of next week. She said in the meantime, "Eenie" should take it very easy, because there is a chance she could have mono, or even some other virus that is attacking her body. If things change, we can call over the weekend.

Another trip to the doctor :-0

I am going to be making another trip to the doctor today. "Eenie" seems to have something strange going on. She has complained for several weeks of various issues--headache, stomach problems, fatigue, etc. She has been extra moody and tired and has not eaten very well, but we had attributed all of these things to stress. She is carrying an extra load right now with Daddy being sick and Mommy having morning sickness with the baby. A few days ago, we noticed a lymph node in her neck was swollen, and yesterday evening, the entire side of her face swelled up. She also told me that she was hurting in her arm pits and several other places. I believe she has an issue in her lymph nodes. If she had other signs of illness, such as a cold or virus, I wouldn't be as concerned, but we are wondering if she might have mono. If she does, we have been working her very hard and want to lighten up the load for her. Please pray that we find some answers for her in this doctor's visit.

Update after doctor visit

Jason's stitches are abcessed. We have ointment to treat the wound and are also using moist heat, which Jason says feels good. The pain medicine does absolutely nothing, so he is no longer taking it. He did take some Tylenol PM last night and seemed to sleep much better because of it. Because Jason is so resistant to antibiotics, the doctor is hesitant to prescribe any more. We don't feel it would do any good unless he got it by IV. If Jason starts running a fever or vomiting, we are to call the doctor back. A fever could mean an infection that would need to be treated in the hospital, and vomiting might mean an obstruction. Jason's appetite has faded and he has been very nauseous, but, so far, he has not begun vomitting. This doctor has helped us adjust our expectations, somewhat, for Jason's recovery. We had been told that he should no longer be needing pain meds and that his wound should be relatively healed. However, his steroids change all of this for him, and his recovery is going to be longer and harder than most patients who have this operation. The doctor considers that all of the problems he is having are not unusual for someone taking steroids and with Jason's medical history. Please keep praying for healing and pain relief.

Getting ready to go to the doctor

We will be leaving for the doctor's office, shortly. The streets are somewhat icy, so please pray for our safety. I'm also really struggling with morning sickness (who ever decided to call this *morning* sickness, obviously never had it). Pray for the doctor to have the wisdom and discernment on how to proceeed with Jason. We do not want him to miss anything that needs to be found. Also, that the Lord will expedite the process. I'm not sure how this will work with the appointment being so late in the day.