Sometimes I wonder why. Why me. Why Cody. Why us. Why now. And then there are the whens... When will this end. When will things get better. When will our lives return to normal. And of course the whats... What will happen next. The biggest one of all is What did I do.
Is there a plan? Am I just free falling? Surely there is a purpose to all of this. Am I being tested? Because let me tell you if I am, I'm failing miserably.
~jen
Monday, April 27, 2009
No real answers...
Today Cody had his appointment with our family doctor. I absolutely love our family doctor. He is patient, he listens, he explains, and he's someone we can trust. For the most part Cody's labs were normal. We are still waiting on the Epstein-Barr Virus titers. Our doctor added 2 more labs this morning to determine if there is any inflammation in Cody's body.
After a thorough assessment, Cody still has a moderate amount to tenderness to his right lower abdomen. This should have resolved by now. His doctor is suspecting Cody may possibly have an infection in his lower abdomen... possibly an abscess. He said this would explain the scar tissue forming so quickly from his appendectomy.
We will wait on all the lab results to come in. Based on what they show, the next step is to do a special test. I don't know the name of the test, but basically white blood cells will be removed from Cody's blood, radio activated, then returned to his body. A radiologist will then follow these radioactive cells and see if they accumulate in his abdomen. If they do, then that is a sign that he has an infection (abscess). I didn't ask where we would go from there. I'm afraid to even ask. I just want to take this step by step and try not to think too far into the future.
Cody's doing ok. He, too, is trying not to think to far ahead. The goal is to take things easy (as easy as an active 15 year old can accept), get plenty of rest each night, increase fluids during the day and listen to his body.
Please continue to remember him in your prayers over these next few weeks. We will follow-up with the GI surgeon next week, and then with our family doctor in 2 weeks. I should have all the lab work by the end of the week. We will know then where we will go next.
~jen
After a thorough assessment, Cody still has a moderate amount to tenderness to his right lower abdomen. This should have resolved by now. His doctor is suspecting Cody may possibly have an infection in his lower abdomen... possibly an abscess. He said this would explain the scar tissue forming so quickly from his appendectomy.
We will wait on all the lab results to come in. Based on what they show, the next step is to do a special test. I don't know the name of the test, but basically white blood cells will be removed from Cody's blood, radio activated, then returned to his body. A radiologist will then follow these radioactive cells and see if they accumulate in his abdomen. If they do, then that is a sign that he has an infection (abscess). I didn't ask where we would go from there. I'm afraid to even ask. I just want to take this step by step and try not to think too far into the future.
Cody's doing ok. He, too, is trying not to think to far ahead. The goal is to take things easy (as easy as an active 15 year old can accept), get plenty of rest each night, increase fluids during the day and listen to his body.
Please continue to remember him in your prayers over these next few weeks. We will follow-up with the GI surgeon next week, and then with our family doctor in 2 weeks. I should have all the lab work by the end of the week. We will know then where we will go next.
~jen
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Prayer Request
Cody will be going to our family doctor tomorrow morning for a check-up. Yesterday, his family doctor was filling in at the clinic I work at. He asked how Cody was and I told him about Cody's latest hospitalization and that we actually had an appointment with him Monday morning for a check up and lab work that his GI surgeon ordered. He suggested that we have the labs drawn this morning at my clinic and sent to the hospital so we will have the results for his appointment in the morning. I was happy that he suggested that... it's one less day of waiting and we will have the opportunity to discuss his labs and where we go from there tomorrow morning.
Hopefully we will have some answers tomorrow morning. Cody seems to be feeling better these past few days. He tells me that he is so tired because he is working his hind end off in basketball these days. Apparently, there is no off-season. :)
As I've asked numerous times... please remember Cody in your prayers. Hopefully all of his labs will be within normal limits and his family doctor will tell me that Cody is fine and to stop worrying. :)
~jen
Hopefully we will have some answers tomorrow morning. Cody seems to be feeling better these past few days. He tells me that he is so tired because he is working his hind end off in basketball these days. Apparently, there is no off-season. :)
As I've asked numerous times... please remember Cody in your prayers. Hopefully all of his labs will be within normal limits and his family doctor will tell me that Cody is fine and to stop worrying. :)
~jen
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Taking a deep breath
Breathe in, breathe out. That seems to be all I can do these days. Just when I think things will return to some sort of normalcy, things go south. Or in my case, north. For the last 24 hours I've been vomiting up my toenails. Or at least it sure felt that way. Good gracious. I am sore from my abdomen around to my back. I feel as though I've been on a sit-up marathon. The vomiting finally ceased early this morning. I only pray that it doesn't spread to anyone else around here.
Cody is doing ok. He returned to school yesterday and is already caught up in all of his classes except art. I am worried about him, though. He is very pale. He just doesn't look healthy. He tells me he feels ok. He's not hurting. I can tell that he is worn out. He's going to bed early every night. Right now he's laying on the couch watching TV. I plan on taking him to our family doctor in a couple of weeks for lab work that his GI surgeon ordered. I want our family doctor to take a look at Cody. Of course, if Cody seems to be getting worse, we will go to the doctor sooner.
Please continue to remember him in your prayers. Also, I have a prayer request for me. I've applied for a school nurse position within our school district. This job would be the best schedule (well second best, the best would be a stay-at-home schedule) for the kids and I.
This is all for now. I'm exhausted. It's been a long day. Even though I didn't accomplish much today other then sit on my tush or lay in bed, I feel as though I've worked all day. I do have to return to work tomorrow. Ugh. How I wish I didn't.
Until the next time...
~jen
Cody is doing ok. He returned to school yesterday and is already caught up in all of his classes except art. I am worried about him, though. He is very pale. He just doesn't look healthy. He tells me he feels ok. He's not hurting. I can tell that he is worn out. He's going to bed early every night. Right now he's laying on the couch watching TV. I plan on taking him to our family doctor in a couple of weeks for lab work that his GI surgeon ordered. I want our family doctor to take a look at Cody. Of course, if Cody seems to be getting worse, we will go to the doctor sooner.
Please continue to remember him in your prayers. Also, I have a prayer request for me. I've applied for a school nurse position within our school district. This job would be the best schedule (well second best, the best would be a stay-at-home schedule) for the kids and I.
This is all for now. I'm exhausted. It's been a long day. Even though I didn't accomplish much today other then sit on my tush or lay in bed, I feel as though I've worked all day. I do have to return to work tomorrow. Ugh. How I wish I didn't.
Until the next time...
~jen
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
New Blog in the Works
I am working on a new blog to display my Uppercase Living creations. Hopefully you can use this blog to get your own ideas for using the Uppercase Living expressions. This is a work in progress, so it may be a few days before I get everything going.
~jen
~jen
Doing better...
Cody was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. We are still unsure what Cody's official diagnosis was. I guess it really doesn't matter since what was wrong is not an issue anymore. All of his lab results returned to normal, his abdominal pain is gone, and he feels better. That's all that matters.
He will have additional lab work in 2 weeks and then will follow up in 1 month with his GI surgeon. Please remember him in your prayers.
~jen
He will have additional lab work in 2 weeks and then will follow up in 1 month with his GI surgeon. Please remember him in your prayers.
~jen
Monday, April 13, 2009
Brighter outlook...
The x rays done this afternoon came back negative for any obstruction. His was able to have his NG tube removed this evening and able to start a clear liquid diet. Hopefully we will have good news in the morning and will be able to go home tomorrow.
~jen
~jen
More tests
Cody is currently undergoing a series of x rays of his small bowel. The nurse explained that this test will reveal any changes in the small bowel from narrowing to obstruction. His GI surgeon came by this afternoon and said that his CT did not reveal an obstruction. He ordered the x ray series and some additional lab work for in the morning.
Cody's symptoms are better. He's not nauseated and has had minimal pain.
That's all I know for now. Thanks for the prayers and phone calls.
~jen
Cody's symptoms are better. He's not nauseated and has had minimal pain.
That's all I know for now. Thanks for the prayers and phone calls.
~jen
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Once again...
... we find ourselves in the hospital with Cody. Last night he came home from a friend's house vomiting and telling me that he was having severe abdominal pain... just like before his bowel obstruction. He kept vomiting once he was home and his abdominal pain continued to worsen. I knew this was something we couldn't take a wait and see approach, so I took him to our ER.
Thankfully, there wasn't a soul in the waiting room and we were immediately taken to a room. After numerous tests, xrays, CT scan, another NG tube (I don't want to ever have to witness that again), and a sonogram of his liver, gall bladder, and right kidney... we don't have any answers. The on-call GI surgeon said this could be the beginning of a bowel obstruction and it's too soon to visualize it on the CT or xray. He did mention that Cody's liver function tests are elevated and there is some free fluid near his gall bladder. He doesn't have any gallstones, so I'm not sure it's a gall bladder issue. He has an elevated white blood cell count, which reveals an infection somewhere. He had a slight fever through the night, but is getting IV antibiotics. Our GI surgeon will return tomorrow and will take over Cody's care.
I'm anxious for answers. Right now, we have no choice but to take the wait and see approach. His vomiting has stopped. He continued to vomit through the night even after the NG tube was placed. His pain is under control. So for now... we wait. And pray. Numerous prayers. Prayers that never cease. Prayers for healing. Prayers for understanding. Prayers for getting through another set back. Prayers for strength to get through more missed days of school and work.
So, until tomorrow's update.... please remember us in your prayers.
Have a blessed Easter,
~jen
Thankfully, there wasn't a soul in the waiting room and we were immediately taken to a room. After numerous tests, xrays, CT scan, another NG tube (I don't want to ever have to witness that again), and a sonogram of his liver, gall bladder, and right kidney... we don't have any answers. The on-call GI surgeon said this could be the beginning of a bowel obstruction and it's too soon to visualize it on the CT or xray. He did mention that Cody's liver function tests are elevated and there is some free fluid near his gall bladder. He doesn't have any gallstones, so I'm not sure it's a gall bladder issue. He has an elevated white blood cell count, which reveals an infection somewhere. He had a slight fever through the night, but is getting IV antibiotics. Our GI surgeon will return tomorrow and will take over Cody's care.
I'm anxious for answers. Right now, we have no choice but to take the wait and see approach. His vomiting has stopped. He continued to vomit through the night even after the NG tube was placed. His pain is under control. So for now... we wait. And pray. Numerous prayers. Prayers that never cease. Prayers for healing. Prayers for understanding. Prayers for getting through another set back. Prayers for strength to get through more missed days of school and work.
So, until tomorrow's update.... please remember us in your prayers.
Have a blessed Easter,
~jen
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Prayer Request
Please remember my grandfather in your prayers as he undergoes some tests today.
Thanks,
~jen
Thanks,
~jen
Monday, March 30, 2009
Happy Birthday Cody!
Before you were conceived
I wanted you.
Before you were born
I loved you.
Before you were here an hour
I would die for you.
This is the miracle of love.
Happy birthday Cody. I love you so very much. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Love,
Mom
(Be sure and see the slideshow below. These are some of my favorite pictures of Cody. Clearly there could be over a thousand to post!)
I wanted you.
Before you were born
I loved you.
Before you were here an hour
I would die for you.
This is the miracle of love.
Happy birthday Cody. I love you so very much. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Love,
Mom
(Be sure and see the slideshow below. These are some of my favorite pictures of Cody. Clearly there could be over a thousand to post!)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
I am Woman...
...and I can change out a worn out bicycle tire. All by myself. Without breaking a nail. I am so proud of myself that I was able to make the day of a 6 year old. I got a great big thank you and a hug after changing the tire (by the way... it was the back tire, so not only did I have to take off the rear wheel, then struggled with getting the tire off and back on the wheel, I had to deal with the chain as well!), loading the bike into the Pilot, driving to the nearest gas station, airing up the tire, driving home, unloading the bike and then a quick walk around the park. I was the hero. Me. All by myself. Well... almost by myself. Caden held the bike and handed me the screwdriver. We make a great team, he and I.
:)
~jen
:)
~jen
Friday, March 20, 2009
Venting
This is one of those venting posts which I will probably regret later. However, I have to vent. I have just spent the last TWO hours cleaning Caden's room. I'm not done. Thus the venting. How much stuff can a 6 year old have? Let me tell you... too much! So much that you don't even know where to begin. I so wanted to close the door and never look back. I've filled 2... that's 2 of the big industrial strength black trash bags. TWO of them full of stuff. Junk. Broken toys. Toys with missing parts. Every fast food restaurant in town's kid's meal toy. Broken crayons. Dried out markers. Art projects from 2004.
I just found the carpet under Caden's bed. You would not believe what he had shoved under there!
You would think that after 2 hours of cleaning, I'd be done. I'm not done. I still need to dust, vacuum, and strip the bed. Then I'm done.
Next up the hall closet.
While I am venting... can I just tell you my kids are slowing destroying my home. The home that we never thought would be ours. We finally saved and saved to purchase new furniture that is all our own. And now, our 2 children are slowly destroying everything. I won't list all the damage, but let me tell you one or both of our children has left their mark on every piece of furniture we own.
I don't know how to cope. It seems as though every time I turn around something else is broken, scratched, torn, dirty, stained, not working, lost, destroyed.
Enough venting or else I'll really let loose and bring up everything that I've been holding onto since 1992.
~jen
I just found the carpet under Caden's bed. You would not believe what he had shoved under there!
You would think that after 2 hours of cleaning, I'd be done. I'm not done. I still need to dust, vacuum, and strip the bed. Then I'm done.
Next up the hall closet.
While I am venting... can I just tell you my kids are slowing destroying my home. The home that we never thought would be ours. We finally saved and saved to purchase new furniture that is all our own. And now, our 2 children are slowly destroying everything. I won't list all the damage, but let me tell you one or both of our children has left their mark on every piece of furniture we own.
I don't know how to cope. It seems as though every time I turn around something else is broken, scratched, torn, dirty, stained, not working, lost, destroyed.
Enough venting or else I'll really let loose and bring up everything that I've been holding onto since 1992.
~jen
Friday, March 13, 2009
A sonogram and a banquet
Monday I had the privilege of going to Karen's (my sister-in-law) first sonogram. I was so honored that I was asked to go along with her and my mother-in-law to see my niece or nephew for the first time. It was amazing. I quickly went from standing in the back, against a counter, to sitting right beside Karen staring in awe at the monitor above us. Tears filled my eyes as soon as we could see the heart beating. Did you know that the heart starts beating 18 days after conception? 18 days after egg and sperm (sorry to those who just became squeamish after reading sperm... opps, sorry, said it again!) come together, the heart starts to beat. Amazing. Did you know that at 12 weeks this baby is fully formed. All of it's organs are present and functioning (except for the lungs). And at 12 weeks this baby can suck it's thumb! Absolutely amazing and miraculous.
We watched in amazement as this little baby moved his/her arms and legs. It was beautiful.
Thank you Karen for inviting me to go. It was a wonderful experience that brought back memories of my sonos of Cody and Caden. It meant so much to me that you allowed me to take part in that special moment with you and your mom. It was amazing.
Later that evening Mike and I went to Cody's basketball athletic banquet. We were so pressed for time that I didn't get any pictures of Cody before the banquet. He was so handsome in his dress clothes. Here are a few pictures from picking up the dates (we took Cody and 2 of his friends and their dates) and at the banquet:
(Can you see Cody's good friend and team member, Willson, sneaking around behind us to get in our family picture? Crazy Willson!) :)
Even though the majority of the banquet was to honor the varsity teams and the seniors, it was a great banquet. I sure hope it's not our last basketball banquet with Cody. I want to be one of those senior moms watching their child sit at the head table with their Sandie basketball banner displayed behind them! :)
~jen
Saturday, March 7, 2009
One Little Monkey
This is what I found our little monkey doing in our living room this evening! Let the countdown begin to our next ER visit! :)~jen
Friday, March 6, 2009
Happy Late Birthday(s)!
I know I am horrible person to not have blogged about all the birthdays (especially my husband's!) that happened Wednesday. Truth be told... I have been so busy, blogging has been put on the back-burner for the past several days!
So, Happy Late Birthday to Michael, Tiffany, Renay, and Sadie! All four of these special people share the same birthday! I hope you all had wonderful birthdays.
~jen
So, Happy Late Birthday to Michael, Tiffany, Renay, and Sadie! All four of these special people share the same birthday! I hope you all had wonderful birthdays.
~jen
Saturday, February 28, 2009
New Posts
I couldn't sleep this morning, so instead of fighting myself trying to go back to bed, I thought I'd blog a little. Be sure and read all the way down as there are 4 new posts!
I hope you enjoy your Saturday! I'm headed to Groom this morning for an Uppercase Living open house that Sandie and Marcia are having for me. It's my first party and I'm a little nervous, but comforted at the same time that there will be many familiar faces there! Hopefully it will be a great party and everyone will have fun.
I'll post some pictures of my latest creations later this afternoon.
Wish me luck!
~jen
I hope you enjoy your Saturday! I'm headed to Groom this morning for an Uppercase Living open house that Sandie and Marcia are having for me. It's my first party and I'm a little nervous, but comforted at the same time that there will be many familiar faces there! Hopefully it will be a great party and everyone will have fun.
I'll post some pictures of my latest creations later this afternoon.
Wish me luck!
~jen
Codyism
I'm not sure I've ever posted a Codyism before. I've done several Cadenisms, but I think this is a first for Cody.
Yesterday after picking Cody up, I could tell he was excited. He had the biggest grin on his face while walking towards the car. I knew something was up with this child.
I asked what he was smiling about. He answered that first, he had made a 91 on his Biology 6 week's exam (hallelujah)... we were both smiling at that point... and that he and Chase had come up with some plans for this summer. (Chase is one of his best friends and his good golfing buddy.)
I was curious about these plans for the summer.
It wasn't much longer and I heard the words... you know he's turning 16 in a couple of months.
There are 2 things (well, there are probably more than 2, but for now... we'll just focus on 2) that I am dreading over the next 13 months: Cody's friends who will be turning 16 over the summer months and Cody turning 16 next March.
Without pause, Cody quickly begins spilling the plans. First, we plan on taking a trip together to New Mexico to play a little golf at Sandia.
I looked at him and asked "BY YOURSELVES?" (calmly, of course).
Cody, dumbfounded and in awe that his mother was asking that question answers (while rolling his eyes none-the-less), "yes... just the 2 of us... what's wrong with that?"
"Let me count the number of wrongs with that plan. #1 no. #2 no. #3 no. You are not driving anywhere long distance with a 16 year old. No."
(I am sure Chase will be a very responsible 16 year old driver, but I was once 16... and it wasn't that long ago... I remember and I know what 16 year olds do once they get behind the wheel a few times!)
Cody, quick with a response to any no... "Well, what about Dallas? That's our 2nd plan for the summer."
Me: "What about Dallas?"
Cody: "We thought we could drive to Dallas to play golf and stay with Granny and Papa or Marie and Joey. You know, I could go visit them while we are there."
(Awe, that's sweet of you Cody to want to go visit your great-grandparents and aunt/uncle/cousin, but the answer will still be no.)
Me: "If I won't let you go to New Mexico, what makes you think I'm going to let you and Chase drive the same distance but in a different direction? NO, Cody."
Cody: Ever quick on the draw... "Can we at least drive to Dalhart to play golf with Russell?"
Me: (long explanations are not working at this point, desperation is starting to set in) "No."
Cody: (sighing) "What about Plainview, can we at least (sarcasm's setting in) drive down to Plainview to play golf?"
Me: (time to nip this in the bud) "You will not be traveling further than Canyon (15 minutes south of Amarillo for you non-local readers!) with any one who is 16. Period. End of discussion."
End of discussion never works.
Cody: "What about north of Amarillo, how far can we go?"
Me: "Don't push it Cody."
I did eventually explain to Cody my reasons why he couldn't go and he reluctantly, and all the while he thought his mother was crazy, accepted.
Later that night, the discussion came up with Mike. Mike's answer after rolling in laughter was "you're not driving anywhere past 45th and Bell with Chase!"
I told him he could at least go to Arden road, so Chase could occasionally bring Cody home from golf!
~jen
Yesterday after picking Cody up, I could tell he was excited. He had the biggest grin on his face while walking towards the car. I knew something was up with this child.
I asked what he was smiling about. He answered that first, he had made a 91 on his Biology 6 week's exam (hallelujah)... we were both smiling at that point... and that he and Chase had come up with some plans for this summer. (Chase is one of his best friends and his good golfing buddy.)
I was curious about these plans for the summer.
It wasn't much longer and I heard the words... you know he's turning 16 in a couple of months.
There are 2 things (well, there are probably more than 2, but for now... we'll just focus on 2) that I am dreading over the next 13 months: Cody's friends who will be turning 16 over the summer months and Cody turning 16 next March.
Without pause, Cody quickly begins spilling the plans. First, we plan on taking a trip together to New Mexico to play a little golf at Sandia.
I looked at him and asked "BY YOURSELVES?" (calmly, of course).
Cody, dumbfounded and in awe that his mother was asking that question answers (while rolling his eyes none-the-less), "yes... just the 2 of us... what's wrong with that?"
"Let me count the number of wrongs with that plan. #1 no. #2 no. #3 no. You are not driving anywhere long distance with a 16 year old. No."
(I am sure Chase will be a very responsible 16 year old driver, but I was once 16... and it wasn't that long ago... I remember and I know what 16 year olds do once they get behind the wheel a few times!)
Cody, quick with a response to any no... "Well, what about Dallas? That's our 2nd plan for the summer."
Me: "What about Dallas?"
Cody: "We thought we could drive to Dallas to play golf and stay with Granny and Papa or Marie and Joey. You know, I could go visit them while we are there."
(Awe, that's sweet of you Cody to want to go visit your great-grandparents and aunt/uncle/cousin, but the answer will still be no.)
Me: "If I won't let you go to New Mexico, what makes you think I'm going to let you and Chase drive the same distance but in a different direction? NO, Cody."
Cody: Ever quick on the draw... "Can we at least drive to Dalhart to play golf with Russell?"
Me: (long explanations are not working at this point, desperation is starting to set in) "No."
Cody: (sighing) "What about Plainview, can we at least (sarcasm's setting in) drive down to Plainview to play golf?"
Me: (time to nip this in the bud) "You will not be traveling further than Canyon (15 minutes south of Amarillo for you non-local readers!) with any one who is 16. Period. End of discussion."
End of discussion never works.
Cody: "What about north of Amarillo, how far can we go?"
Me: "Don't push it Cody."
I did eventually explain to Cody my reasons why he couldn't go and he reluctantly, and all the while he thought his mother was crazy, accepted.
Later that night, the discussion came up with Mike. Mike's answer after rolling in laughter was "you're not driving anywhere past 45th and Bell with Chase!"
I told him he could at least go to Arden road, so Chase could occasionally bring Cody home from golf!
~jen
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