Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Looking Back at God's Provision

AJ's day went well.  His pain has decreased and we visited with the pediatrician today.  She agreed that he shows signs of a partially blocked urethra.  It could be blistering or strictures.  We hope it continues to get better on it's own. We are scheduled to see the pediatric urologist in two weeks. We would like to be prepared for any problems that might arise in the future.

AJ's foot is infected tonight.  It blistered last night into a blister that encased half of his foot.  We drained it and he soaked in a tub with vinegar.  I hoped that would take care of it but tonight the blister re-inflated and he has a lot of drainage and pain.  We treated it and he is going to sleep now.  Hopefully he will feel better in the morning.

Today I celebrated my 50th birthday.  It was a good day. Looking back I can see so much of God's planning and care in the details of my life.  I am so thankful for what He has done and I look forward to what He has in store for the future. Of this I can be sure...

Romans 8:38-40  (English Standard Version)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, 
will be able to separate us from the love of God 
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers.  Tonight, as I type, KJ is struggling and very sick from a new medication she started.  We have stopped the medication and hopefully her pain will resolve and she will get some sleep.

I'll end with a picture of AJ and his Dad.  They both received matching sweatshirts from Scott's place of employment.  AJ was so excited to look like his Dad.



Barbara



 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Nice while it lasted

Normal was nice while it lasted.

Please pray for AJ as he is showing signs of his urethra closing. We have an appointment with the pediatrician tomorrow. If his symptoms worsen tonight we will head into the emergency room.

I will update later.

Thanks,

Barbara and AJ

Friday, March 16, 2012

Normal is a good thing!

We are feeling "normal" lately.  No big medical crisis and lots of fun activities with nice weather to match.  Here are the pics of what we have been doing.

We have a new teenager in the family. 
Congrats KM on turning 13!.  

She had a swim party that everyone loved, 
AJ is Up the Slide...

...And Down
No, he didn't go down standing up.
I was helping him get down without any more bumps 
so I took the picture late. 

Jackie spends her afternoons waiting
 for AJ to come home from school.  
She lays on the couch where she can watch 
out the window for his bus.  

These next pictures are especially posted 
for AJ's older sister, KJ and his older brother AF
Hint, hint...

AJ is trying out many different ways to wear his hat...

So that he picks the best one...
to wear to a Twins game...
Please, Please Please take me?  
I look so cute; come on, you cant resist my silly face!

This last picture shows the beautiful 
weather we have been having.
We seem to have jumped from winter 
to summer and missed spring.
The kids have been outside at every opportunity.
This is JR using her artistic ability on our cul-de-sac.
She and her friends from high school worked on it for a couple of days.  

We have the best looking street in town.  
For those wondering, 
Yes, I did teach her not to play in the street;
I guess art follows different rules.

We are thankful for the quiet times to rest 
and focus on our heavenly father.  

Philippians 4:8-10
Finally, brothers; whatever is true, whatever is honorable, 
whatever is just,whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, 
if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
What you have learned and received 
and heard and seen in me, practice these
things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Barbara  






Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Blessed to be Leaving

We are getting discharged. I've had about all the TV I can handle - AJ could keep on watching but he is eager to escape too!


It was determined that the dilatation was too aggressive and that his esophagus and maybe even his stomach sustained too much damage.  He is going on Carafate.  That should coat his stomach (and esophagus) if I can get him to swallow it rather than putting it in his g-tube).  His bleeding has slowed down and when we check his stomach contents; it is mostly old blood.  The Carafate should protect and allow him to heal.

It's supposed to be almost 60 degrees today so we are planning on going home and walking to the park.

Thanks for your prayers and assistance.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; 
let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

Barbara and AJ

Monday, March 5, 2012

Back in the Hospital

Just a quick note to update you.  AJ is back in the hospital with internal bleeding.  They have ruled out his upper throat area so it appears that the bleeding is coming from his esophagus (which was dilated last Thursday).  Tomorrow we will discuss doing an endoscopy.  It carries the risk of causing more damage to his throat so for now we just wait.

Thanks for your prayers.  AJ is resting comfortably and I hope to sleep as well as possible on a bed in his room.

Barbara

Friday, March 2, 2012

Because He Lives

Today would be Rachel's 27th birthday.  She was our firstborn daughter.  


I can celebrate today because my Savior Lives!

Barbara 

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Happy Birthday Jackie!

Tonight we celebrated Jackie's birthday.  Jackie is AJ's service dog in training.  She is one year old and next week will graduate from her first formal obedience class.  She and AJ have a lot of fun together (sometimes too much) and we wanted to share our celebration with you.  AJ was still not feeling the best but he enjoyed eating a little bit of cake. Jackie had doggy peanut butter ice cream treats.  She wasn't too sure what to think of the cake and candle (she actually hid under the couch for a while) but AJ had fun blowing the candle out.


Happy Birthday Jackie!

Barbara and AJ

Successful Dilatation

AJ is home after a successful dilatation of his esophagus.  I have not heard the specifics yet but was told the news was only good.


More good news came from his airway exam.  His airway is considered to be almost a size 6 which is the same as an adult airway.  This is very good news considering there was a day when his airway was the size of a coffee stir stick.  His vocal cords showed some thickening which she thought is due to coughing and EB.  This would be the reason for his hoarse voice.  She is not concerned about it and we were told that we could go much longer between appointments.  Here is the picture of his airway:
They took very good care of AJ and he appears to have come home no worse for the wear.  He is sick with nausea and vomiting but it will get better as the day goes on.  We are very thankful for the great medical care and for God's hand in caring for AJ.

Barbara and AJ