Move Over Walter Payton, There's A New Sweetness In Town

Conversation at story time today regarding the ending of a book showed the kids finding a treasure and becoming "rich."

Nolan: Momma, what does rich mean?

Me: It means having a lot of money to do anything you want. It also means having lots of love in your life to make your heart full.

Nolan: I'm rich.

Me: You are?

Nolan: I'm rich because you're my mom and I love you.

Me: < wiping tears>

A Hello In The Clouds

So, it has been a month since I posted in our little family blog. A month spent swimming, going to amusement parks, playing in the sandbox, taking lots of senior pictures, and preparing for our first BIG family vacation.

We took the kids to Washington D.C. for a couple of days and then on to the Outer Banks, NC. The moment our feet hit the sand in the OBX, we were in love and are already talking about next year.

On the way home from the OBX, we stopped in Uniontown, PA to visit my Grandparents grave. It was an emotional ride once we crossed over from Maryland. Lots of memories flooded my mind. As I told the kids stories about going to Laurel Caverns or taking Pappy on rides up the mountain to get fudge for my twin cousins, I got teary-eyed. The thought that my Granny Pike would have had such a great time with my kids made me sad. We went right through town and I saw what used to be the bowling alley, the Gallatin Bank, the Medicine Shoppe, and the Long John Silvers that has a huge treasure chest for kids to pick out of. Things and places I haven't thought about in a long time.

As we were driving in the mountains, I looked into the sky and saw the smallest sliver of a rainbow. It has not rained at all, so I'd like to think this was Granny Pike's way of saying "Whoopie! You are here!"

The Party Crasher

Nolan is the typical boy. Loves firetrucks, police cars, tractors, etc. BUT his favorite truck of all times is the airport crash truck.

When one pulled up at touch-a-truck this past weekend, he was thrilled.

It seemed that they were going to let the kids climb up the ladder to the roof of the crash truck. I thought this was a little dangerous, but my kids hoped into line behind about 6 other kids. Turns out those kids were that particular fireman's family and he was giving them a little extra special treat. I started to steer Reagan away by the shoulders and it was then that I see Nolan's little butt being helped up the stairs.

Somehow, they thought he was "with" the family. The little shit wormed his way onto the top of the crash truck!


See, I told you he loves the crash truck!

The Missing Martian

My Dad didn’t much care for crowds so I don’t think he would have done many adventures with the twinadoes and I. (I totally know the three of them would have been fishing buddies at Gilson Park though.) There has never been a time where we’ve been out and about and I got to thinking, “Gee, my Dad would have had fun with his Grandkids here.”


Until today.

The twinadoes and I were putting our Great Lakes Science Center membership to good use today and included were tickets to a special exhibit, “Facing Mars.” When you go into the exhibit you have to choose which gate to go through by answered the question, “Do you want to travel to Mars?”

Bingo.

Right up my Dad’s alley. He enjoyed nothing more than sitting in his backyard on a Saturday night, smoking a stogie and drinking a beer. All the while staring up into the night sky and pondered what and who was out there.

He was a trekkie. His favorite t-shirt said "Beam Me Up Scotty."

I can imagine, as a child, his life’s ambition was to be an astronaut. (Sad to say I don’t really know the answer to this question.)

He would have loved this exhibit.

I actually got choked up and tears welled in my eyes because I could just imagine the three of them going from station to station learning about life on Mars; laughing when they did the “Mars Hands” and the “Mars Dust Storm” and him comforting them when they got afraid in the dark during the “Can You Last Two Minutes On Mars” part.

Yep. That day they would have been three peas in an outer space pod.

The Final Draw

I got a little tricky and took Nolan in for his bloodwork a day early. The waiting is always so torturous for me and his test was scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, which is my birthday. I just didn't want that day to be filled with aniexty (not that my birthday is a big deal anymore. I'm not acknowledging them after this year, so maybe this should have been a big one, huh?)

Anyway....back to our super platelet maker. His count today was 347,000 which is a slight increase from the last draw. The nurse then said, "well, this is your lucky day. NO MORE BLOOD DRAWS!"

No birthday gift could ever top that deep breath I was finally able to take when I hung up the phone.

Not all kids or adults are as lucky as Nolan and ITP becomes a chronic disease requiring treatment when platelet counts drop to levels that could cause internal bleeding. The treatments all have side effects and the surgical removal of the spleen is often a final step.

I am so thankful we only had to explore two treatment options. They both involved antibodies extracted from the plasma of THOUSANDS of blood donors. So thank you to those thousands of donors that help save people's lives on a daily basis.

Thank you to several of my friends that donated in the weeks after Nolan was first hospitalized. That meant a lot to me.

If you don't already donate, please consider stopping the next time you see a Red Cross blood drive. You never know who you may help!

Every drop really does count.

MULTX

I haven't said too much on this blog about my photography company, multipleXposure photography,  but I had several sessions in the last month that make me smile. I can't explain how much I enjoy doing this. Taking the pictures, editing the pictures, and seeing them in print is so much fun for me. I think I finally understand what it is like to LOVE your job.

So, if you need some pictures give me a holla.

Stable

Today was the first time the hemotologist mentioned the word "stable" in regards to Nolan. "Holding his own" was another one.

His count was 339,000; a slight rise from last week. He is 6 weeks post WINRHO treatment. By now there would most likely be a drop-off. The medication is out of his system and his body is doing what it needs to do. With that said, ITP is its own beast and that could change tomorrow, but we are hopeful Nolan is not going to be "chronic ITP" and this was a one time ordeal.

We are hopeful he is in that 80% this time.

Keep those platelets going, buddy. "To infinity and beyond!"

The Safety Dance

One of my favorite childhood memories was going to Safety Town. It was an actual town built in a fenced in area of the elementary school playground. I remember feeling so important because the mayor (Morris Becker, if you grew up in Eastlake) came and gave us our certificates.

The twinadoes did Mentor's Safety Town recently. Sadly, our fair city no longer has programs like this due to poor money decisions in the 1990's.

They seem to have enjoyed themselves and were excited to go every morning. There were no tears or prolonged goodbye's, just a quick kiss and off they went. I guess I should be happy they are so well-adjusted, huh?

On Day One, they were sitting in the classroom while the teacher explained some things to the parents. I looked over at my boy and this was his look. Total boredom. I suppose this will be his standard look all through school.  He wanted out of that classroom and on the town to ride the big wheels we had seen when walking in.

Day 1: Traffic Safety/Water Safety

Day 2: Fire Safety/Poison

Day 3: Police/Bike Safety

Day 4: Bus Safety/Stranger Danger

Day 5: Graduation

Drumroll Please....

329,000 and blood draws moved to every other week!!!

I know after (too) much research that nothing is predictable with ITP and the bottom can fall out at any time, but I've just got to keep hoping that isn't going to happen and he is on the road to recovery.

He feels fine, he is acting fine, he certainly looks fine.

Again (and again and again) thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and cards. It means a lot to Bill and I.

214,000

Yesterday's count was 214,000! Maybe Nolan's body is finally doing what it needs to do instead of eating platelets faster than he could make them. Only next week's blood draw will tell, but this little increase with no treatment is a good sign.

So, keep doing what you are doing and hopefully Nolan's body will do the same.

Here Come The Butterflies

For Easter, Reagan got the butterfly habitat she was so desperately wanting.

About 2 weeks ago, the larva arrived and they set up house. It was amazing how quickly they grew and then after about a week, they climbed to the top of the jar they had come in and turned into chrysalids.

They have just been hanging around on the side of the habitat for another week and yesterday I noticed one was breaking through. It is an interesting process to watch. I remember doing this in first grade as our final project for the year. However, I do not remember there being blood when the butterfly emerges.

This morning I noticed another butterfly trying to break free. We took a break from our morning chores (emptying the dishwasher for me; watching Curious George for the twinadoes) to watch.

Yesterdays butterfly started crawling up the side of the habitat and we watched the other one flap its wing trying to break free. Amazing.

I know you are surprised, but I had my camera. Nolan went to get his, of course, it was nowhere to be found. (Nolan has trouble putting this back where they belong. Sure, he picks up his mess, but who knows where it goes.)

Reagan found hers and starting taking pictures and asking me if she "had the right angle". Meanwhile, Nolan starts this radio announcer type voice, saying, "folks, we are watching it as it happens!"

Just another morning at our house.

Prayer Pics For Nolan

My friend, Tonia in Jupiter, FL sent these pictures to me. They are made from palm fronds.

They came at a moment when I needed them most, just after finding out Nolan's counts had dropped this past week.

So, Tonia, thank you!

Long Weekend

What a glorious weekend we had. Not too much rain, got some things accomplished, and spent time with friends.

Tomorrow is blood work day, so I'll be back to being on pins & needles.

Ready to ride the rails with Thomas The Tank Engine.

 Looking out for "alligators" since it was so swampy.

 ready to party at winking lizard luau.

 My boys.

 Helping Uncle Sam get the fire goin' for smores.

Bounce & Slide

Nonny & Grandpa's 30th Anniversary

The best cupcakes ever. Salty Caramel is my fave :)

Some friends didn't have as good a weekend as we did. Our friend, Bob, lost his mom and my friend, Mary's mom is in the hospital. If you have a good thought to spare for them, please do. Their moms are a very important part of their lives and this is a difficult time for both of them. It is hard to see your friends hurting when there isn't much you can do.

A Kid Is A Kid Is A Kid....

So this blog is usually about my kids, but today I'm going to talk about three other kids:

Monika Martic, Alex Skrabski & Kayla McCauley--They are high school kids doing college course work and work study through Ohio College Tech Prep.

I've never met these kids, but my husband is mentoring them through his work, Avery Dennison. He has done this for several years and this year these hardworking kids have managed to win the regional & state competetion for the mobile app they designed and can now move on to 2011 SkillsUSA National Leadership competition. 

Or can they?

They expected to receive more financial assistance from their high school, but they are not. Avery has kicked in everything they can and a couple of other companies have kicked in some cash, but they are still about $3,000 short of their goal.

This blog explains the project.

They might not be my kids, but they are someone elses hardworking kids and they deserve this chance to shine.

If you can spare a few dollars and help them out, please donate here.

Look at it as an investment in all of our futures!  

Thank you!

Going Up

Nolan's platelet count was 369,000 today. That is awesome news!
Raegan, Nolan's nurse, (ironic, huh) warned me to not get too excited as they could still fall, but we'll take this victory and try not to think about it for one week when he has the next blood draw.

I still can't help feel like I need to hold him back from being rough and tumble with his sister and friends. I've told him NO so many times when he asks to do things that it has become my standard answer. He has taken it all very well and, for the most part, not done the things I've told him to do. His gestapo sister has also helped keep him in line. They were playing at the neighbors (diagonally behind us) and I was sitting on our deck and I could hear her telling Nolan, "remember you are not allowed to bounce in the trampoline."

We will just keep doing quiet things, like visit our animal friends at the zoo, play at the Botanical Garden, and visit all the local libraries, while slowly working back in the other stuff.

A Breath

Nolan's count on 5/20/10 was 203,000! That is a great number and in the normal range. His little body just has to keep producing those platelets and not eating them up. He has a blood draw next Wednesday, so we have a few days to catch our breath until then.

Keep those prayers coming!

Nolan got a message from Sacramento, CA for his "Prayer Pics For Nolan" from my friend Nancy

And Today's Number Is....

Platelet count for today 67,000. Normal is 150,000-450,000.

Before the treatment yesterday, they were 23,000. At that number they restrict kids from anything that could cause a bruise or internal bleeding. No trampoline, no bike riding, no bouncing on the bed, etc. I've even read that doctors have taken away kids rocking chairs when they go below 20,000. (What made that story even harder to swallow was that the child had autism and that was his comfort mechanism.)

Keep the prayers and thoughts coming that these #'s continue to rise and stay there.

They consider anything over 50,000 out of the danger zone for serious (and internal) bleeds, so that takes a little weight from my shoulders for this moment.

He sure doesn't look or act sick, does he?

Here is another "Prayer Pic for Nolan" from my friend, Samantha. She and I were co-workers and were pregnant together.

I can't say it enough, but we are so thankful for everyone's thoughts and prayers. Friends have added him to large prayer groups, Reagan told the lady parked next to us at Aldi about him today and she said she would pray for him, and all the virtual hugs and thoughts are a comfort. As our friend, Diane, who brought us a great quiche and two pies for dinner (thanks again Diane!), said last night, "how could he not get better with all these people praying for him!"

It is hard for me, as his mom, to not focus on the negative of the research I've been doing (google is your friend....sometimes!) . It is the hardest thing you have to do when you have to watch your child suffer and you can't do a darn thing about it.

Today's rise is a step towards victory, but there is still a long way to go, and as we've learned quickly, it is a roller coaster.

Nolan Update

I took Nolan to the hemotology clinic at CCF (which is also the children's oncology clinic) this morning. The plan was to be seen and treated there instead of being admitted to the hospital as long as I was comfortable taking him home.


the numbing cream was put on his ridiculously bruised arms, I met with the doctor and fellow who will be on Nolan's case. Of course, there will be no immediate answers. This could resolve in a few weeks, months or never. It's just wait and see and we all know how patient I am.

They decided since the IVIG didn't work as they hoped, that we would try a new medicine, WINRHO. Two blown veins and three sticks later, the IV was finally in. It was terrible. My heart actually hurt for him. The transfusion took a lot less time than the IVIG, 20 minutes as compared to 4 hours, so I was thankful for that. We are home now, but have to go back in tomorrow for a blood draw.

Today's experience was way more traumatic than the ER/ambulance/hospital stay for both Nolan and I. The blown veins were painful for him and hard for me as his parent to watch him be poked over and over with no success.

The reality has set in that this is something that is going to affect our lives for the indefinite future and severly limit the activities Nolan (and therefore Reagan) will be able to do.

Once again, your thoughts and prayers are appeciated by us all. We are lucky to have so many caring people in our lives.

Today's Prayer Pics For Nolan....And He Needs Them

Nolan's platelet count dropped to 18,000 so it is back to the hospital for him on Tuesday morning for another round of IVIG. Of course, he couldn't be in the 90% that only need 1 round and are fine. :(

As I posted yesterday, my friend Ashley started a "Prayer Pics For Nolan" campaign and we got some really cool ones today. Thanks again, Ashley! It is heartwarming to know that people took the time out of their day to think of my little guy (and his twin sis, too.)

The Zahn family- Clearwater FL.

The Lin Family Chesterland, OH

Mercer Babies San Diego, CA 

 The Augustine Family Eastlake, OH

Eadon Family, Cleveland OH

Fatima Gomez- Catalina Island, CA

(I would really like to visit Fatima and thank her in person, beautiful, right?!)



Thank you everyone that has posted messages on facebook and called us. We all appreicate it very much.