Breaking News!!! Wedding & kids update!!!

Well the kids are doing okay today... Sophie had some rocky moments, but they are both okay for now...

Sophie: Well, we got a good report at Sophie's Neurology appointment today. We got a call that it had been moved from 9:00 to 10:15, so we ended up finally getting to see him around 10:40 and he did a very thorough exam. This man is the best in the world at this disorder supposedly, so to see him give her a work up was mind boggling. I think he checked everything going on with her. It was great. It took a long time, but even though she was very shy at first, she warmed up. He speakes with an accent, so I think it took some getting used to. She said her favorite part was when he took the vibrating tong and put it on her hands and feet and tested how long it would take her to stop feeling it. He asked a ton of questions, and after she got over her initial shyness, I think she did really well. He wrote a bunch of notes and kept having to run out into the hallway to give his notes to someone and they would type it into the computer. He said that today was their first day on a new computer system. Lucky us! It just meant everything took ten times longer than normal, but it was okay. We all desperately want her to get better, so I think her opening up to such a qualified physician was a great thing. You can't put a time limit on that... He said that she is going to continue to have issues with what he is calling a "generalized disautonomic disorder" but that she should get better with the treatment he is prescribing. He also recommended that we increase her iron because she was severely anemic. He has also recommended vitamin D3 because her vitamin D was low and a few other prescriptions. He said that she should continue to improve.

Then.... we went to the lab. Sophie and I waited and waited until her name was called. She has MAJOR needle anxiety and this was no different. They called her name and said to go to the orange room and then someone came in to stick her. She looked for a vein for a long time. Then, she tried to stick my little angels hand. The woman said she was having trouble getting a vein and that the vein wasn't pumping so she called for back up. Three other techs came in. Sophie started hyperventelating, sweating and got really really red and hot. She was scared to death. The one kindof motherly tech started wiping Sophie's face off with a rag. Sophie started to calm down a little bit. Then the bad news...They were only able to get about 8 cc's and they needed more for the tests they wanted to run. Then, they said they needed to go talk to the supervisor to see if they could get the rest with a finger stick. Sophie started to get more upset. She was really having a tough time... They came back, and got the rest of the blood that they needed but not without a few tears. She is so anxious about bloodwork. I do everything I can to comfort her but her anxiety is through the roof. But, with a promise of going to my office for the balance of the day, Sophie did well. After many long hours at the clinic, we finally got to leave and she was happy as a clam sitting at my office credenza, drinking and Diet Dr. Pepper and playing her game. She's such a kind hearted little girl, it's hard for me to see her have to go through this.


As far as Aiden, the Adenoid/Tubes surgery is in just over a week and though I am nervous, I know he will be allright because he is in good hands. Though I know there could be risks, I also know that he's gone through tubes surgery before and he did really well. And, overall it really helped him have less ear infections than before.

WEDDING NEWS!!! Well... Here it is... After planning for a few months now and realizing that waiting 'til June 2012 with all of the trips back and forth, we've decided to move the wedding up! So, we are getting married in December instead. The wedding is going to be beautiful and we are all very much looking forward to it.

We're going to have a small wedding with our closest family and friends. We appreciate in advance, your prayers for a long and happy marriage. We are overjoyed!

Goodnight Friends,
J

Courage

C'mon PARENTS, GET OFF THE BENCH!!!

In the movie, Courageous, they call out absentee or lukewarm fathers, they call on them to GET IN THE GAME! While I agree that these men need to take responsibility, I feel that as women, we ALSO need to step up to the plate for our children (whether we are single or married) and instill in them the values we want them to mirror to the world. Regardless of whether we have a man who is willing to step up and be the father he needs to be for his kids or not, we still need to take a stand for them and point them toward the best choices possible. Parenting is no easy task, and I am by no means an expert. However, one of the most pogniant questions asked in the film is that if you knew today that your child wasn't going to be with you tomorrow, what would you change?

Would you color with her when all she really wants is time with you? Would you change the way you speak to your teenage daughter who gives you that smirk across the dinner table just to test you? Would you laugh more with the toddler who just wants to roll around on the carpet and be silly? Would you have that shoulder-to-shoulder friendship you know your college aged children are desperate for? Would you take the time to give him the one hug that you said you didn't have time for this morning? Would you listen more? What would you do?

Having two kids with recurrent medical issues, I have had a lot of time to think about this. To cry and think about what might be... and all I can say is that we must do the best we can, strive to be better parents than we know how to be, and savor the time we DO have. Live life fully today, and count your blessings one by one because TODAY, friends... TODAY may be all we've got.

In closing, I hope that for each and every one of you this causes you to take a moment and hug the ones you care about.

Dear God, Be with my friends who don't take the time to savor each moment with their children. Take their hearts and turn them towards You, so they might see grace and peace. It's in Your Son's precious name we pray, Amen.

Goodnight friends,
J

Where's my UMBRELLA??

 

WHERE'S MY UMBRELLA?? The state of Texas has been going through the worst drought since the sixties, yet in our house, it doesn't seem to stop RAINING. I know that the rain will stop eventually, but it's just hard sometimes to wrap my head around everything that is happening.

Just when I got Sophie out of the hospital, now Aiden's sick again. His tubes that were surgically placed in his ears just over a year ago have dislodged and now he has to have surgery again. Any time an epileptic has surgery, it can be bad. Praying to God for a positive outcome and that he does well. This time, we suspect the surgeon is going to take the Tonsils and Adenoids also. She's the same surgeon that did Sophie's surgery and I do trust her. And I know that this is a blessing, because I know the surgery will help him (as it did last time) but I just want them both to be HEALTHY for ONCE! And, I'd really like to have some BORING days for a change, but that probably won't be the case because both the kids are just going to have to deal with the chronic problems that they both have. Which means, I get to develop thick skin, and some coping mechanisms. It also means that hopefully, throughout all of this, the kids will both be stronger people and I will somehow keep my sanity.

I am pleased to say, Sophie is back at school today!  She has a letter of modification saying that she can be excused from PE and she needs to carry a water bottle with her but she's there. She is still REALLY light headed and not feeling well, but she's been told that she's just going to have to cope with it as well as she can, and we see the neurology team at TCH during the first week of November. I have also coached her that she needs to get up SLOWLY when she stands, and not overdo it. We will let you know what the plan is from there. Just so you know, the oncologist said that the Dysautonomia is not connected to the Histiocytosis and was likely present before the Histiocytosis diagnosis. It's just completely and totally frustrating that the episodes keep happening. I can't do anything but sit and watch it happen when it does. Luckily with some of the medications they have prescribed her, her symptoms are lessening a little bit. I pray that will continue. She had a couple of bad sinking spells last night.

Here is some information about Disautonomia:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/dysautonomia/hic_dysautonomia.aspx

http://dynakids.org/what.jsp

http://www.aan.com/elibrary/neurologynow/?event=home.showArticle&id=ovid.com:/bib/ovftdb/01222928-200703060-00024

About this weekend…. I got away to see the Amazing Mr. P, and to clear my head. IT WAS TIME WELL SPENT!!! And, Sophie was at her dad's for the weekend. I did have to take Aiden to the pediatrician Saturday morning, but Adam's mom is a nurse so I thought it would be safe to take Aiden up there and get away from the rain for a little while. I had the time of my life. We witnessed two of his good friends getting married, which was beautiful. He is a Captain in the military and has served in Afghanistan, so it was a powerful service. I got complimented to no end about my amazing man, and what a difference his friends have seen in him since we started dating. I was totally humbled and honored (as I am by him much of the time anyway) by what all they said about him. He's an Amazing guy, and this was all confirmed AGAIN for me this weekend. And, to top it off, his oldest boy was baptized this weekend and I got to see it. I couldn't make it to his daughter's recent baptism because I was laid up from back surgery, but I was honored to be there for JR's baptism. It's an awesome and powerful moment to see a child decide for themselves that they want to invite Christ into their heart. Few things compare.

It always touches me when I am part of these Mountaintop moments in his life. I am so glad I went up to the hill country and got a chance to get away and things look more manageable now. Between doctors visits, medication dosing, and managing the responsibilities of a full time job, it does get overwhelming. I just see bright things on the horizon and I know that all is not lost. And, I know that God must think I'm really strong, because he keeps giving me more than I can handle. He's stretching me pretty thin, but somehow I know it'll be okay. God brought the Amazing Mr. P and I together and has changed us both from the inside out for the past few years, preparing us for each other. I can't wait to be his wife!

Have a great day friends,

J

Sophie

This was Last Monday... She was hospitalized for three days following this blog post...

I don't even know where to start. Sophie's not doing very well this morning. Her mobility is really decreased. We're waiting on TCH neurology to get back in touch with us, but we're having to wait several weeks to get in, and though she slept through the night, she did end up in my bed early this morning and was so dizzy this morning that she couldn't even walk down the hall without holding on to stuff. I even had to help her get dressed. She also said that she's having trouble showering, though she hasn't yet asked me to help her with that. I think it's just a matter of time. She gets so dizzy and nauseous every time she stands up. I'm wondering if I can rent a wheelchair or walker to help her get around. I don't think it's something that we need permanently, but it would do a lot in her being able to get out of the house. I can't carry her because of my back surgery (and the fact that she weighs over 130 pounds), but with her dizziness she can't do much... Contrary to today, Sophie had a good day yesterday. She was able to go to Kids XD. It did totally wipe her out, but she went, which I thought was good for her, considering... She got very nauseous and dizzy and lightheaded before bed and had a low grade temp. Adam's kids were here, so I think she wanted to put on a brave face for them.

God please help us get through this. Help the doctors realize that she is my HEART and she NEEDS to be seen! Give us peace.

Amen.

Have a good day friends,

J

What God Really Wants Us to Know!

The New Testament "Gamble" by John Lynch

"What if I tell them who they are?" What if I take away any element of fear in condemnation, judgment or rejection"?

"What if I tell them I love them, will always love them? That I love them right now, no matter what they've done, as much as I love my only Son? That there's nothing they can do to make my love go away"?

"What if I tell them there are no lists? What if I tell them I don't keep a log of past offenses, of how little they pray, how often they've let me down, made promises that they don't keep?"

"What if I tell them they are righteous, with my righteousness, right now"?

"What if I tell them they can stop beating themselves up? That they can stop being so formal, stiff and jumpy around me?"

"What if I tell them I'm crazy about them? What if I tell them, even if they run to the ends of the earth and do the most horrible, unthinkable things, that when they come back, I'd receive them with tears and a party"?

"What if I tell them that I am their Savior, they're going to heaven no matter what--it's a done deal?

"What if I tell them they have a new nature--saints, not saved sinners who should now 'buck up and be better' if they were any kind of Christians, after all He's done for you!"

"What if I tell them that I actually live in them now? That I've put my love, power, and nature inside of them, at their disposal?"

"What if I tell them that they don't have to put on a mask? That it is OK to be who they are at this moment, with all their junk. That they don't need to Pretend about how close we are, how much they pray or don't, how much Bible they read or don't?"

"What if they knew they don't have to look over their shoulder for fear if things get to good, the other shoe's gonna drop?"

"What if they knew I will never, ever use the word "punish" in relation to them?"

"What if they knew that when they mess up, I will never 'get back at them'?"

"What if they were convinced that bad circumstances aren't my way of evening the score for taking advantage of me?"

"What if they knew the basis of our friendship isn't how little they sin, but how much they let me love them?"

"What if I tell them they can hurt my heart, but that I never hurt theirs?"

"What if I tell them I like U2's music too?"

"What if I tell them I never really liked the Christmas hand bell deal with the white gloves?"

"What if I tell them they can open their eyes when they pray and still go to heaven?"

"What if I tell them there is no secret agenda, no trapdoor?"

"What if I tell them it isn't about their self-effort, but about allowing me to live my life through them?"

*****

I had the privelege to hear John Lynch speak this Sunday at my church (http://www.whatisgrace.org/). This was one of the most incredible messages in my recent memory. He talked about the MASKS we put on at church because in some way we believe that the "works" we do will get us into heaven. The Mask Wearers are totally missing the boat. Your ticket to heaven is already bought and paid for!!!

Have a great day friends!!!

J

Sophie Update... IS ANYBODY OUT THERE??

How do you begin to process this? Sophie has been sick since September 12. It's been one month today. We were ordered by her pediatrician to get seen in the Emergency Room after our office visit yesterday. Sophie had been feeling very sluggish and tired after having to go home from school mid morning yesterday. She had missed a lot of school this year so far, so in spite of her having her usual "headache, tummy pain, dizziness and sluggishness", I told her to suck it up and get to school. She didn't have a "fever" it was only 99.5, so I gave her Motrin and sent her on the way…

Well at 8:45am I got a phone call from the nurse. Sophie was there, and she felt terrible. She got on the phone and spoke to me in her puny voice, "Mommy, I don't feel good", I told her that I thought it might be the new medication they put her on and told her to lay down, get a glass of water and something for a snack and then to call me later. She called later and said she was MUCH worse.

She went home to my mom and dad's house and my mom called and said she had just thrown up a LOT. She said that Sophie was asleep but looked like she felt TERRIBLE. So I decided I would go home at lunch and assess the situation and go from there. I got home and saw Sophie lying on the couch and she was completely unaware of her surroundings and was sound asleep. I woke her up and asked what all was wrong. She said, I have a terrible headache, tummy pain, dizziness and I can't stay awake. She also said she was itchy all over. I decided I needed to take a ½ day and got her checked out at the pediatrician's office.

Sophie laying on the bed at the pediatrician's office. I can just see the worry on her face.

On the way into the pediatrician's office, she almost fell down twice and I had to catch her. I escorted her into the office, and helped her take a seat. All the while she clutched a bucket to throw up in just in case. We also had brought some wash clothes just in case there was "something" that might need to be cleaned up. So I checked her in and she continued to look pretty tired... leaning her head on me and then the back of the cushion. Luckily for us, it was the first appointment after lunch, so we didn't have to wait long. She was starting to look pretty green, so we were glad to get to a room where she could lay down.

The nurse came in and started to triage her. I said she's about to throw up everywhere, so I'd be grateful if you could just look in her chart and READ before you start asking me 100 questions. And, I had written out a nice little "cheat sheet" with all of Sophie's current meds, dosing, her doctors and their telephone numbers on them as well as her list of current symptoms that day. She looked at me like I was crazy, I said "We've been at this since November of last year, cataloguing symptoms and medications… you get good at it" she thanked me, took Sophie's vitals and then the doctor came right in.

Sophie liked the young doctor. I told her I had given the nurse this paperwork that might assist her in assessment, and she said that she would definitely take a look as well as at Sophie's chart. She reviewed Sophie's information in the symptoms… and Sophie began to fall asleep lying there. I told the doctor, this just isn't LIKE her! And She felt around on Sophie's tummy, looked into her ears and eyes, nose and mouth. She said her throat was red, but that she was more concerned with the enlarged spleen and LOW BP's.  So, the young doc went and got Sophie's pediatrician who knows us well. She said that she definitely thought Sophie should go over to the ER to get some labs & possible CT or Ultrasound. Sophie was still so dizzy someone had to help her to the car.

Sophie felt realy puny yesterday. Still managed PINK for her IV, though. Girl's gotta REPRESENT!

The Child Life Specialist at TCH, who made Sophie feel so much more comfortable. What you don't see on Sophie's outstretched arm is that the nurse is drawing 12 tubes of blood! Yikes!!!

 We got home after 9 hours of running tests on my precious Sophie with very few answers except to follow up with the pediatrician and Dr. McClain's (her oncology) team this week. In the mean time, Sophie still feels terrible, with nausea, weird rashes, abdominal pain, enlarged spleen and dizzy and I'm praying that someone sees SOMETHING on all these tests that might point to a reason! I'm so tired and worried. Sophie is home now, still feels AWFUL. She has a terrible headache and is very dizzy and lightheaded and though the spleen was on the large side of normal on Ultrasound, when we were in the office (Oncology and pediatricians) no one was even concerned about her spleen, so I believe in my gut that the spleen is enlarging, and that may be part of what is making her feel so rotten. The other factor is that her blood pressure readings are low 91/50 & 81/48 while she was resting prior to discharge. They came up to 105/55 when she was sitting up, but they didn't give any fluids or anything, so I am still concerned because of the dizziness/lightheadedness. She can barely walk, she's so dizzy. Normal for her is 115/78'ish... They gave her Zofran for nausea/vomiting when we arrived, but no fluids were administered. A bunch of labs were drawn and a sinus wash was done as well. An abdominal ultrasound was performed and they sent us home with three prescriptions for stomach issues in hopes that they might help.

Some of the most frightening numbers I've ever seen, though I know it could be worse.

I am praying in the name of Jesus that she is all right. She is going to the Pediatrician and the Dermatologist tomorrow. She's having a few punch biopsies in the morning and then her follow up with the pediatrician in the afternoon. We just HAVE to be able to figure this OUT!!! She still has a low grade temp and a myriad of symptoms this morning. Meanwhile my heart is breaking for my baby girl.

The last time she really felt well... First day of School 2011

Baby Sophie 2002, Easter

Dear God,
The storms that come about in our lives do not make me doubt YOU!!! I do not doubt WHAT YOU DID for ME on the cross. You still changed EVERYTHING for me when I realized that YOU love your children enough to send your only son to DIE for MY SIN! How could I wonder about who you are and why YOU would give Sophie and Aiden these illnesses, when this isn't of YOU at all? I know the NEW covenant and know that the promise of Jesus is to bear our sins FOR us (and our children), not to punish us for it. I want You to be with me right now dear Lord. Be with me, and be with my precious children, Lord. Be with them as they face the most difficult trials they have ever faced!!! Be with me, and walk with us as I see them through this. I only have the power to help them because I love like YOU showed me to love by loving me first! All I can do now is show love to the ones I love, and even the people I don't. All I can do is empty all my selfish thoughts and wants out at the base of the cross and fill myself with Your grace and Your peace. It's by that and that alone that we will be able to face anything, and I thank YOU, God. Help me to show Your unconditional love to my children and please give us peace.

Amen

Goodnight friends,

J

We have to do WHAT?? (and an update on the kids)

We have to do WHAT? A marriage class? But we've done this before! lol

I want to start tonight by saying, I have the most amazing fiance in the world. He has had to endure so much with us this year. From Histiocytosis (www.histio.org) that appeared in my daughter's system, literally days after we met, to Epilepsy and immune system issues with my son, the AWESOME Mr. P gets his name from being my rock, my fortress and the man I truly truly respect and look up to. He exhibits such grace and class and is a calming force in times of trial, and lately we've really seen our share... And he's romantic and loving and kind to my children, he has a heart for God and is more than I ever could have dreamed to find. I am blessed to know him. It has been one year today since the day we met, and I am a better person having him by my side. I can't wait to become the Awesome Mrs. P!

So, with some trepidation, I enrolled. I had no idea how this would work; the Awesome Mr. P in another city, and me in Houston, but we'd give it a shot. We were both committed and wanted to be certain we were prepared in every way to walk down the aisle next June. So, we did it. I talked to the director of the class to be sure that doing the Skype thing would be alright with everyone, and they agreed. The Awesome Mr. P and the Future Mrs. P (that's me) would both be going through this journey toward marriage, even though we would have to work out the technical side of the course as we went along.

The course we are studying is called Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs. I read through my workbook that first night, just to be SURE that what he was saying was going to go in line with what I wanted for MY marriage. It makes me laugh now, because I was being such a girl. MY marriage? REALLY? I am certainly NOT the kind of girl that wants to wear the pants, and there I was trying to take control of the situation, and what I needed to think about was how I was going to LET Mr. P take the reins, and through that, let God take the reins.

What the course is about is the point that men need RESPECT like they need air to breathe. They would rather be left alone and unloved out in the cold than be disrespected by peers. Women on the other hand, need LOVE like they need air to breathe. Not that they don't need respect and men don't need love, but it's a different level of need. This is a critical NEED. Women would rather be disrespected by their peers than be left out alone and unloved. (para. Eggerichs)

I was always sure I was a relatively liberated woman, until I heard what he had to say... you may not completely agree with him, but I do think he's doing a lot to teach us not only how to respect and love each other through the vows of marriage, but also how to better parent our sons and daughters. He talks at great length about how the unkind words and tumultuous marriage of his parents led to major insecurities on his part that he has been working his whole life to resolve. I don't ever want my kids to hurt like that.

Update on the kids...

Sophie is battling a sinus infection and also had a biopsy on Thursday of some spots that flared up on her arm. Additionally her oncologist has requested that she come in on Thursday of THIS week to have a few additional biopsies of places on her skin. Eventually we will get some results. The not knowing gets me every time...

Aiden has his own share of issues this week. He has an ear infection (again) because his tubes have dislodged. And, the ENT wants to take his tonsils and adenoids out as well, but we can't seem to get him well enough long enough to do the surgery. She started him on a new antibiotic today and we are hopeful that it will help. For the four days of "healthy" we had this month, I am truly grateful. Here are some pictures from those days....

Goodnight friends,

J



BREAKING NEWS...

Well we got some really great news yesterday. Sophie’s art has been chosen by her art teacher to be part of the display in the district’s current Administration office display. The artwork was chosen from artwork by students from students in Kindergarten – twelfth grade from selections throughout the forty-five campuses in our district. I am so proud. I don’t even know which piece of hers was chosen, and I can’t wait to see the display! I will most certainly post pictures as soon as they are available.

 

Ahhh… Back to school. Nothing like being back to school… The movie “You’ve got Mail” affectionately discusses back to school’s essence as “Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” The affection is somehow lost on us… For us, back to school really means that the cesspool of germs and viruses is running rampant through the halls. Sneezy, Viral, Snotty Mucus-riddled children wiping their noses and then slobbering down a water fountain just really makes me wish I could wrap both my kids in bubble wrap before send them off… But then again, the ridicule that would be directed their way would be unparalleled and I would rather save them both the horror of that humiliation. Unfortunately, in our case, that’s how we look at things. It’s not the most ideal thing in the world as far as my children are concerned. With Sophie suffering with Histiocytosis and now Mononucleosis, and Aiden having Epilepsy and Hypergammaglobulenemia, it makes for an interesting season to say the least. Both kids have missed a lot of school thus far. The first two weeks of school it was a bad stomach bug. Included vomiting and diarrhea and temperatures and we all passed it around. Aiden and Sophie both had to go to the ER with that one, but for different reasons. Aiden because he was absolutely dehydrated. He had to receive IV fluids because he couldn’t eat or drink ANYTHING without throwing up which also meant he couldn’t get his seizure medicine, so we HAD to get him well enough to take his meds. I am hopeful that as their immune systems get stronger, they will both see a break in all the viral illnesses. Sophie’s was different. She presented last Saturday with chest tightness and dizziness. So, I automatically assumed she was having a Histio relapse, but she wasn’t thank God. She tossed her cookies as we were sitting in the ER waiting after triage had seen her and moved her to the front of the line. It’s not good to have a kid with an illness that gets moved to the front of the line… but both of mine do. When you walk into the ER and tell them your kid has tightness in her chest and dizziness and she’s got Histiocytosis and is treated at Texas Children’s Cancer Center, you’d be surprised how quickly they push you to the head of the line. Unfortunately, I have spent WAY too much money this year on copays, prescriptions and coinsurance amounts. We are totally just spent…

 

I am hopeful that this year will turn around and that next year will be better as far as medical expenses go. It could be so much worse, and I am thankful for all we DO have. I am blessed beyond measure…

 

Have a great day friends,

J

Aiden Update, the end of an era & fundraising for Histio!

Well li'l man got very sick overnight. My prayer request is that it is just a virus and isn't something more serious. I'm exhausted, I've been up since 3am. I am going to try hard to make it through the day today, but I'm dragging along. The only thing that keeps me going is my fiance, sending me kind words of encouragement through the day. The hope is that this day will be over soon and that I can go home and get some rest. I'm VERY sleepy. I'm not trying to whine, it just is what it is...

Today is the end of an era at my company. We have sold our entire crude oil business (our largest business segment) to another company and today is the last working day for the 10 employees of the new company that remain here. Their stuff is all being boxed up today and is moving out officially tomorrow. I am going to miss all of them for different reasons. It's been great spending the last two years getting to know these people, and in many cases their families as well. It's been a long time coming... the announcement, that came on the heels of the firm being announced Houston's most profitable private compnay, was made a few months back. I just know the employees are ready to move on and that things may be different at the new company, but they do have jobs. That's the silver lining in all of this...

I am also collecting donations for the Hisito Cure foundation today! So far, we're up to almost $200 that will go directly to Hisitocytosis research. I couldn't be more excited! Yay! I will be mailing them directly to the foundation after the event on Saturday. Please contact me now if you want to send a check our way, and get in on the action!

Here's the email I sent...

Sophie and I are going to Galveston this weekend to raise money for the Foundation with a group of patients that are seen by Sophie’s oncologist and his team (Dr. M & Dr. A) at TCHCC. We are asking for everyone we see that day to just give $1 for Histiocytosis Research. Every dollar they earn goes directly to research. They have recently received a small grant from the National Institute of Health that should cover administrative costs, but their research is still very expensive. Right now there is no known cause, and no cure... People diagnosed with Histiocytosis live with it their entire lives, and many die very young.

I just wanted you to know what we’re up to because this is our philanthropic effort, and I think it really could do a lot of good for a lot of kids with Histiocytosis. If you would like to donate, please let me know.

EMAIL ME AT: jodimmorgan@yahoo.com to get involved!!!

Kids, Histio & Fundraising

This has been such an eventful week I couldn't let another moment pass without posting. I have to first update you about my li'l man, Aiden. He is now 2 years 4 months old. I never thought he'd make it past the first month of life, much less to be a thriving and happy two year-old. He has a few developmental problems that have gotten more pronounced over the last few weeks. There is a right food "drag" going on with li'l man. Last night, I got an email from his OT with Project Tyke. Here is what she said.

"Got to see Mr. Cutie this afternoon and boy, was he "on"!  He performed all my motor skill challenges which emphasized him manipulating lids in twisting, pulling, pushing and visually/bilaterally problem solving the containers. (I had just begun saving containers from the kitchen and he really liked finding the hidden toys within.) Worked super hard and just kept trying....Continue to tuck things into pockets and wallets, and have him help to remove them...

I also challenged him to maintain good balance when reaching for items positioned above his head, right and left sides, just a bit out of reach. He became a little annoyed by this but mixed up with running and "stop/go" games, he just pushed through it.... He requires work in maintaining his stance, while engaged in language or learning or using his hands.  It's harder for him to sustain so activities such as yoga, karate I suspect would be harder than activities like soccer or baseball, physically I mean.

He worried me a little bit too. He was demonstrating a big toe drag on right foot.  I'll watch this closely and after talking with one of our physical therapists today, he may end up requiring an orthotic.  Notice at home if occurs at certain periods of day (on weekend). This toe drag may just be some weakness coming through, and so have him play games like toes up and lead into doorways, stairs with right foot to see if we can strengthen. Pretend to make circles/letters with foot ABC's.....Sometimes kids will temporarily look weak "distally" when they are in a growth spurt period.

Anyways, keep up the great work at home and he seems so very happy at his school. He names his friends, is talkative and interactive, such a big boy!!

Any luck locating information about service dogs? D."

So, I responded with…

"I noticed the right toe drag, too, but I thought it was just the CP? I'm not opposed to the orthotic just know that whatever needs to be done, we will heed your recommendations."

 

And, this morning early, she sent me…

"yes of course, with Cerebral Palsy there are the tone abnormalities but not always evident what is tone or weakness....certainly not pulling into position of toe pointing (hypertoncity) but kind of falling in to so the question is low tone (hypo) or weakness. So best practice with this would be to see if can influence his function by strengthening prior to accommodating it with orthosis.   He could also benefit from some kinesotaping for support so that he doesn't appear clumsy if toe dragging persists.  So, I'm "on it" and I'll watch very closely and keep you informed."

 

And I just said, "Thank you SO much"

 

Here I am thinking it's all related to his CP, but it's a real abnormality nonetheless and needs to be monitored. So… here we go again. Pushing ahead with the little guy, though I think he is making progress every day. I don't need him to be some sort of tri-athlete or anything; I just want him to have every possible advantage. And in his case early intervention is key.

 

So now here is the update on Sophie. She has officially lost five pounds. No small feat when you're growing up as well as trying NOT to grow out. Sophie is eating right and exercising and I am so proud of her. Attending a diet/nutrition program at her age isn't what I wanted for her, but it is helping, so I'm all for it.

 

As for the other exciting thing going on in our house, we have a houseguest from another country this week. We have opened our home to a patient who is battling RDD (A version of the Histiocytosis Sophie has). They were desperate to come see Dr. M to get help and to possibly receive a treatment plan because no one in their country would or could help them. Unfortunately, contrary to what a lot of people believe, there is a huge problem with socialized medicine. You have to wait for 6-8 weeks to get an MRI or CT and Dr. M was able to schedule her test immediately. The patient will have a thorough treatment plan soon and I am so blessed that they were able to come here to get the help they need from Dr. M. They also said that in their country if you have a blood disorder you can't EVER be on the transplant list. Can you imagine needing a liver for your dying child and not be able to get one for them??

 

I just hope the best for this patient and all patients coping with Histiocytosis. Actually we are going to go to Galveston soon to assist with a fund raising effort that will directly affect the cancer center where Sophie goes for her treatment. I hope we can raise some money to assist with the research efforts for Dr. M and his team. Every dollar raised goes directly to research so I'm so pleased that we might be able to help, even if it's just small potatoes. Every little bit counts.

 

I am also blessed that my fiance is supportive in this effort. I am so honored that I get to be with a man who is not only willing to help others right along side of me, but doesn't stand on a soap box, pretending that he is all holier than thou. He just acts... simply. He doesn't put the kind and generous things he does all over the internet and make a big announcement about all the nice things he does. He just does them. That to me, is the personification of Christ in the world. That is why I love this man so much! He is humbly serving others and he doesn't even really realize he's doing it because it's just a sincere act. Just who he is. That is why I call him The Awesome Mr. P!

 

Well have a great day friends!

J

 

Crazy Day!

Well, I had to be away from the office today... BOTH kids were sick. So here's the scoop on everyone...

Sophie has some sort of bug. It latched on Saturday and didn't really let go. She still managed to play and put on a smile when Adam and the kids were here, but she was very tired and congested. Last night she broke out into a horrible sweat and drenched her bedcovers with perspiration. I woke her up and gave her some Motrin because she felt hot, but she didn't have a temp, from what my thermometer read. She is really only one half the reason I stayed home. I needed to take her in and figure this out. I knew Dr. D would have an answer. She didn't know EXACTLY what it was, but said she suspected it was viral. So we wait... She said she'd either start to get better in 3-6 days or worse. ugh...

Aiden's been sick for weeks and though I thought he might be getting better, he took a turn for the worse over night last night. He can't breathe well at all and has so much congestion, I had no clue what to do for him. So, after myself or my mom sleeping with him for the last four nights in a row, nudging him because he would stop breathing in the middle of deep sleep, we knew it was time. Dr. D said it was a bad infection of the sinus and that he had some fluid in his lungs. When the doctor looks down at your kid and says, "poor little guy", you know it's not good. So, she prescribed an antibiotic and a breathing treatment for every six hours, she encouraged us to go see our ENT (the one who also diagnosed Sophie's Histiocytosis whom we love) TODAY. She urged us to call and say that she said that he needed to be seen. So, later this afternoon we got in to see the ENT.

Sophie was so cute, she insisted on going with us, because she wanted to thank her herself. I thought that was SO sweet. We got into see her, and the first think she said when she saw Sophie (who still felt kinda lousy) was, "You're a celebrity", obviously referencing the Katy Magazine article. You can read it here: http://www.katymagazine.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Katy-Texas-My-Story-Helping-Sophie-Heal-Katy-TX.pdf. I thought that was SO sweet! Sophie just smiled and blushed. I don't think she knew how to handle it. Then we got down to business... li'l man was siiiick.

She looked in his ears with the otoscope and said that his tubes (installed on 2010) had dislodged and that one of his ears was pretty infected also. She said that we needed to let this upper respiratory/bronchial thing play out and then she would recommend a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy for li'l man. She wants to follow up in six weeks. Knowing how sick he gets when he gets sick (high fevers, seizures) and that his snoring has gotten significantly worse as he's grown, she really understands his case and we think she knows what is best. I believe we will schedule the surgery and she said he may have to have a new set of tubes in his ears at that time. I prayed to God that no one in our family would have to have surgery for the remainder of this year, but sadly not the case. While we were there she also observed that Aiden hasn't gained any weight since April. 31 pounds and holding.

It's frustrating because I have one kid who looks at a brownie and gains 10 pounds and another who can't gain weight though he eats... a LOT... Well I guess another day, another bunch of fun for us.

On another note I had a great weekend with the AMAZING Mr. P and his brood of gorgeous and precious children. Here are some fun pictures to enjoy!

Hopefully the kids are going to continue to see better days in spite of the stress we are having to go through now. I am so completely grateful that I have my family to stress about. I also am really blessed to have such an AMAZING fiance to lean on. And, he knows he can lean on me to. I know the next 9 months are going to fly by. I can't wait to marry him! I just pray that my kiddos are heeealthy!

May the Lord Bless You and Keep You Tonight, Dear Friends,

J

What the???

Okay… Here's an update on everyone…

Sophie
Ladies First, so we'll talk about Sophie first. Sophie is doing really well, a happy fourth grader. I am hopeful that she won't have any symptoms having to do with her Histiocytosis EVER, and the doctor has cleared her to wait 'til November to see him at the Cancer Center, which is a HUGE BLESSING! Because of the delay in needing scans, we went ahead and travelled over to the Merle Norman store and got her ears pierced! She's a big girl now and I think this was a real coming of age moment for her. She's not a "little girl" anymore, even though she will always be my precious little girl. I am so excited for the girl she is and the woman she is becoming. Amazing to watch!

Aiden
Aiden is having more struggles than normal lately, however. It's upsetting to me to talk about, because he's been through so much. He's such a remarkable survivor. I never thought I'd be sitting her writing about Aiden. After all, I didn't expect him to make it out of the NICU after 32 days being born at 30.5 weeks with too many apneas and bradycardias to count as well as a level III IVH... much less, make it to two years, four months old!  But... back to my point, he is currently having struggles with seizures and his Cerebral Palsy. He appears to have a greater degree of weakness in his lower extremities than we had originally suspected and is continuing to sit in a "W" posture, like a baby in lieu of "criss cross" like most kids are able to do at his age. He is also having no right or left handedness and is struggling with gross and fine motor skills especially on his right side. Thankfully, the ECI people are getting involved again and have recommended him for physical and occupational therapy. This is a great intervention and helped him immensely when he was enrolled when he was 6 months old.

And, last night he had a seizure again. It's so hard to deal with, especially right now considering I can't lift him because I am only three weeks out from having the back surgery. It was about 10:45 when I was getting ready for bed and I heard this rustling and whimpering coming from his room. He then started SCREAMING bloody murder from his crib. I walked in to find him on his back (he's a tummy sleeper) and he was all spread eagle which is the position is is usually in after a seizure. He always has this kind of powerful reaction after a seizure. Sophie even woke up, jumped out of bed, and helped me by carrying her screaming little brother into my room. I got him a warm wash cloth and laid down next to him and attempted to wipe his face and head and calm him. But, at that point, he was still screaming for Nanny. I called her and let her know she needed to come because I thought more seizures were eminent. For a few moments before she arrived, Aiden calmed down a little bit because we were able to FaceTime with Adam (aka. The Amazing Mr. P). Once mom arrived, he was really foggy looking, just staring off into space once he calmed down, for what seemed like forever. He just laid there with his eyes open in a daze. Eventually, he fell asleep, but I think the whole thing just freaked him out. He's getting to the point where he is able to formulate more thoughts and put together sentences so I can only imagine he was thinking, "what the HECK just happened to me?". Obviously he doesn't remember what happened before... Babies just don't remember that far back.

Once Aiden was back in his bed, I went in to check on Sophie who had, understandably, migrated back to her room. She was still awake (barely) and I told her how amazing she was and how I hated that she had to help, but was so thankful that she had been there to lift Aiden last night. Again this morning, I praised her efforts and quick thinking because she knew what had happened. She heard and seen the whole thing. I just hate that she had to be so close to this, it scared her to death, but some instinct kicked in and she just did what she needed to do to help him. It was an incredible sight to see.

It's days like this, tired, and hurting when I am so thankful for my fiance. He was so soothing to Aiden last night. He said one word and Aiden looked at the screen and instantly just calmed down. I really don't think Adam knows just how much this meant to me. He's such an amazing dad. I cried like a baby when it was all over. I just curled up and laid in my bed, powerless to hold or console Aiden, and I just felt completely incompetent. I went into the living room about an hour or so after my mom took Aiden, and saw them cuddled up on the couch. Yet, Aiden still laid there with eyes like saucers. I then suggested that mom lay Aiden back down.in his crib so maybe he would calm down the rest of the way and sleep.

Me

As far as I am concerned, other than having a few new gray hairs because I have had to rest so much and can't tend to my kids like I would like, I do get stronger each day. I am working full days now, but have to lay down after each work day and I also have to walk quite a bit during the day so I don't get too stiff. I am really ready to go home and lay down at the end of the day, but I am enormously thankful to be back at work. The routine and the challenges of the work day really help.

 

We are contemplating looking into a service animal for Aiden. I want to collect information and see if this would be a good idea to help recognize when Aiden is about to have a seizure.

 

After what happened, I realize several things about my life. I am happy in spite of having some rough days mixed in sometimes. Everyone has those. My kids are phenomenal little miracles and I am so blessed to have the family that surrounds me and the love that is around to support us and keep us sane. I am most thankful also, for the love of Christ, without whom I don't know sometimes how I'd get through this. Just remember, when you give your life over to Him, He doesn't guarantee that things won't be awful sometimes, He just guarantees you won't ever be alone.

 

I don't want to slam anyone over the head with the God thing, but it's so true and it's truly changed EVERYTHING. I have a comfort and strength about me that I haven't ever had before. That's all because of God. I just know that even if he doesn't deliver us from our struggles and we have to endure CP, Epilepsy and Histiocytosis for the rest of our lives, at least we will be surrounded by the love of Christ. And, at least I have two beautiful children to share these moments with. I am blessed to have one more day to tend to a seizure, to wipe away someone's tears or be by their bedside if they need chemo one day. I am thankful, humbled and thankful.

 

Have a great day friends,

J

 

THANKS Y'ALL!

Well I can tell you one thing, it's a LOONG road to normal from this back surgery. I'm relieved to feel better after all the pain I had suffered with for so long, but it's just hard to readjust as well as deal with not being able to pick up my son or travel anywhere for six weeks!
 I had back surgery on 08/08/2011. It was a lumbar laminectomy microsurgery aka. microdiscectomy (see earlier post). I am slowly but surely getting back to normal, but am not on nearly so much medication and the pain is very real, though it does get better with each day. I have read all of the latest fashion magazines, am up to speed on the bridal trends of this year and I know all about a family I never wanted to know named Kardashian. I never thought I'd be so entrenched in pop culture at my age, but that's what happens when you can't do anything. On the bright side of things, I am gradually getting back to normal.

I just wanted to let y'all know we're hanging in there. And, it's not like we haven't had anything newsworthy to talk about, but I am physically challenged when it comes to sitting upright. I will update you more as time goes by and I continue to heal.

Tonight, I just wanted to stop by to say THANK YOU for your prayers and support during the surgery. The flowers and gifts were GORGEOUS! Additionally, I am humbled by the generosity of those of you who brought meals by for us. I am extremely grateful to have such wonderful family and friends right now. Thank you SO SO SO SO much!

Big hugs going out your way tonight friends,
J

Surgery for Mommy, Medical Message and Prayer

Well I kissed and hugged sweet Sophie good-bye when my mom and dad arrived that morning at 6:30am. Mom was waiting in the car for me so we could make our way to Methodist for the surgery. One that had been on the back burner for way too long because of Sophie and Aiden's health issues. But, now that my GI Doctor had cut me off of all Anti-Inflammatory drugs because my stomach has been torn to shreds, it was time to make a decision. It's not like I can be on pain medicine for the rest of my life, and I have been on it for way too long... It was sad to say good-bye to Sophie knowing that the last time she had heard the term "surgery" it was she who was going under the knife. Petrified, my little one was up at 5:45am to be sure she could see Mommy before I left. I assured her that the kind of surgery I was having wasn't to "find out what it is", but rather we already know what it is because of the fancy pictures I had shown her on the MRI, and that my surgery was so I could walk better and have less pain. She acted like she was all right with that, so with a tight squeeze, I was out the door.

The ride to the hospital was by far one of the longest I had EVER had. The preop instructions forbade me from taking my pain meds or eating or drinking anything past midnight. After review of the preop instructions, I also noticed something VERY disturbing. There seemed to be some debate on whether they were operating on my right or left side of the L5-S1 disc. I definitely wanted to get that cleared up ASAP!!! I thought I distinctly remembered them saying LEFT, and since that's where the majority of my pain has been, I had to make certain to clear that up. During the painful drive there (NPO after midnight, remember) I felt every bump, every jerk of the wheel, every stop light... Excruciating! The good news is that my sainted mother drove me to the hospital and stayed there for what was probably a gut wrenching day for her, and the pain I was in also quite literally drove home the need for the surgery. When we got to the check in desk, we were pointed to the preop room where I was told by the nurse there that I could have had the pain med after all! WHAT??? Ugh! I asked if I could have one to take the edge off while we waited. I was the second surgery of the day. She said yes, and that she was so sorry that the pre-op group hadn't explained this. I downed the medicine with a tiny wallow of water and started to feel a little better and had a short siesta.

Just then there was a knock on the door. It was anesthesia. A nice young woman walked in to get a brief history on me and before she could start her spiel, I said, "There's one big question mark here. Is it Left or Right???" She assured me with a blank stare, that I would have a chance to talk to the Neurosurgeon BEFORE I was cut on, so I listened to her. She was a bit perplexed herself and I did notice her looking through the file where she saw that the word "right" had been written repeatedly. She told me that she just did the anesthesia side, but would voice my concern. I felt a bit like a child getting a pat on the head at that point... Could someone PLEASE answer this question?? Ugh

The transport team walked in as anesthesia was wrapping up, and said, "They're ready for you!", to which I said, "nobody's cutting on me without knowing what side... MMMkay!!!???" Just about that time, the doctor rounded the corner and said, "I know you", trying to be clever. I said, "Good to see you, Doc, could you PLEASE tell me what side you're cutting on? There seems to be some confusion on the paperwork!". He then pulled out an index card that said, "Morgan, L5-S1, Left", and showed it to me. He then asked, "what side is the pain on?" and I said "BOTH". He then said, "Well if the pain is on both, doing a discectomy on the left only won't help much, will it? What did the consent say that you singed?" I replied, "I thought it said Right" but then I explained that I thought that the resident that was with him that day I came for my office visit said Left Side L5-S1! " He then directed the transport staff to wheel me back into the room to wait some more. He said that he would get to the bottom of it. He was IRRITATED at the nursing staff that hadn't properly prepared the forms. He told us he would go prepare new forms and would go look closer at the MRI. Upon his return, he said, it's definitely a LEFT L5-S1 herniation, and it's a BIG DISC," and he went further to explain that it was large enough and could very well be causing the bilateral pain I've been having. He then took hid sharpie out and marked on my skin where he would operate.

So, new consents were hastily signed and they rolled me in to get the IV installed and I was sure we were almost there. Someone asked, "is 10 ready?" and they yelled yes and pushed me down through Dunn Tower OR to room 3. I saw all the docs and nurses lining the halls and exclaimed, "Are we having fun yet?" just another day at the office for them, One of the British doctors looked down and said, "Good luck, and thanks for asking". The transport team stopped me in the hall in front of OR3. A nice young nurse came in and said, "I'm a nurse anesthetist that has a cocktail that makes you relax"... We got to talking about the anesthesia (I guess I get talky when I am on the medicine. I thought, "Relaxing Is good at this point", and I pleaded with her to put me WAY under and we both laughed. I could tell that this wasn't her first rodeo. They wheeled me into the OR, and then the anesthesiologist came in and put a mask over my nose and mouth. She said that it was just oxygen and told me to think of happy things to think about, so naturally I started thinking about Adam and our upcoming nuptials. As I looked around I noticed the neat stereo equipment and TV set up in the OR. Pandora Radio - fully wired. Adam had told me how they listened to Pandora in the OR at Scott & White, but this set-up was neat. It almost made me want to be awake so I could rock out with them. Nah, not quite....

So the next thing I remember, I am waking up in ACUTE pain in recovery. I started crying and gasping for air and was trying to say, "Help me", but no one could hear me because my voice was so hoarse. I looked around and couldn't see a nurse or anything much because my eyes felt like they were glued shut. I finally got them opened, and tears ran down my face. I finally saw a nurse, who said that everything was going to be okay as she pushed some pain meds through my IV. At that point, I got really sick and was glad she was right there at that point. Her name was Liz. She kept saying, "It's okay honey, deep breaths", and told me to think of family... friends... things I like to do for fun... I quickly came around and she gave me something for nausea. I felt so much better. My first question for the nurse, besides "Help me?" was "How long did he actually operate?" and she said an hour and a half. TWICE the time he told us that it would take in the pre-op area. I wondered what went wrong and she said that she would look into it and either she would let me know or the doctor would.

At this point, I am sure I was talking Liz's ear off. I told her about the C-section recovery nurse, Shannon that had been such a wonderful comfort during the moments after Aiden's birth at 30 weeks gestation. I expressed my gratitude for recovery room nurses and shared with her the story of the recovery room nurses that meant so much comfort to Sophie during her recovery from the curettage of her Histiocytosis tumor. The world greatly underestimates good nurses! Having had both yesterday, I was thankful for Liz. Thankful by a LOT.

At that point, I was taken by the waiting room where we picked up my mom. She was happy to see me. I can't imagine the fear she must have felt when a 45 minute surgery turned into an hour and a half. On second thought, that reminds me of exactly what happened during Sophie's surgery and I just apologized to mom that it took so long. She said that the doctor had come into the waiting room to tell her I made it through surgery when he was done. She said that he also told her that it was a BIG disc, and that it took quite a bit of dissection because it was really stuck in there. He said I should start to feel relief from pain over the next week and that I need to be careful not to over do it, but that I should really feel a lot better. About the time we made it into the recovery room, he came by, and told me much the same thing. I thanked him profusely for making sure things went well and how appreciative I was for his talent. The moral of this story is ALWAYS ask for a "time out" before you have surgery! You don't want them operating on the wrong part!

About the time he left, I dozed and the nurse came in to wake me up with Apple Juice and Cranberry Juice as well as some crackers. I told her that I got sick in the recovery room so she said, probably best to stick to water until I get my bearings. So, I went straight for the water. My throat was sore and I needed hydration. After downing the apple juice I asked for more water and the nurse got me up to walk around. I was impressed that I was able to pass the criteria to be able to go home very quickly. I rested for a bit, and then I was allowed to go home. Home... just where I wanted to be!

Needless to say I made it through surgery just fine and was home by about 5pm after what was another bumpy ride home... It's always comforting to arrive home when you've been dreading a procedure for years. I had contemplating doing this some time ago, but when the GI doctor said no more anti-inflammatory meds, and that I was cut off because my stomach was such a mess, and the pain started to creep in with a VENGANCE, I knew it was time to act. After two opinions from two very skilled doctors, I feel like, I got the very best care possible. I pray that the recovery goes smoothly and I am able to be the best mom to Sophie and Aiden and best mom and soon to be wife to my future husband "The Awesome Mr. P" and his family. I look forward to the quality of life I will have if this surgery was a success and I am able to recover properly. Now it's up to me to discipline myself enough to know not to bend or lift for six weeks, though I will probably be back to work in just a few weeks. I am really looking forward to that!

To my Histio Family, I will tell you, I mentioned Histiocytosis to about every nurse, nurse anesthetist, doctor and tech I could get my hands on. I encouraged them all to look it up, and even though they probably thought I was nuts, I just wanted to let them know about so maybe, if they see a case of it going forward, they won't miss it!

Thank you to all of you who have held us in your prayers. Thank you to my church, who had food delivered to us last night for last night's dinner and breakfast this morning. Thank you to my fiance, "The Awesome Mr. P" for driving three hours with his four children in tow to be here for me to help me heal. We are so humbled by this gesture and grateful that I can just focus on my getting better instead of worrying about anything. This has been pretty painful, but hopefully the pain will improve as healing begins. Now to get some sleep! Big hugs from all of us to you!

Healing prayer
Dear God,
We know that illness doesn't come from You! You are there to see us through...
We know that you are the God of comfort, guidance, peace and truth
We know that everything we do should be to glorify YOU and build each other up
When given the opportunity You call us to be an example to others by how we handle ourselves in crisis.
We know as we heal from disease or physical challenges or deal with terminal illness,
If we lean on you, O Lord, we will find comfort and peace,
We know that You are the God that has delivered people from illness and has also comforted the ones who can't be healed.
Help us to feel your omnipresence as we go through these days.
Help us to continue to lean on you and believe in you through the doubts that creep in because we are human.
You are strong, invincible and are a rock to lean on to be our refuge in times of trouble.
Help us to remember and be grateful for the Grace you sent in the form of Jesus Christ who died on the cross while we were yet sinners so that we may not have to suffer, but have eternal life with You in heaven.
(John 3:16 para)
AMEN!

Talk to you soon dear friends,
Jodi