Updates .. I've been MIA

I am so sorry I have been so MIA.  I miss blogging so much and I hope to pick back up to a few times a week.  These three kiddos are so fun and are keeping me sane most days.  So many exciting things have been going on.  First, I realize I never updated about Owen's rejection and the plan.  We increased all his anti rejection medications and steroids.  We will re-biopsy in November and if we get another 1B, then we will likely move forward with a series of six radiation treatments.  We are going to stay hopeful and pray we knocked his rejection to the curb.  He looks and feels great!

 

Owen still doesn't have a teacher from the school and it has been a bit of a hot mess.  I can't get started on that right now... aaaaahhhh.  My kids are all thrilled about Halloween tonight!  Focusing on the good.  We carved pumpkins on Sunday which is not my favorite activity, but it's tradition, and I love traditions.

Logi didn't really carve, but he was sure good at stabbing it over and over and over....

I passed my Chemistry Final and am officially never taking another Chemistry class again.  That was brutal!  I was so thrilled and maybe a bit proud, so we celebrated with fish tacos in downtown Gilbert.

This past Saturday we celebrated a bridal shower for Rustyn's fiancé, Nataly. Logi was over the girly stuff and decided to skinny dip in the ice cold pool instead.

Owen got a wicked shiner when " a robber broke into our home and he beat them up"... but he really just tripped on a box and wacked his face on the door.

We had the ward Halloween party this week and Logi was all about running around and handing out candy.  My kids are more about dressing up and care less about the candy. 

Oh.. A BIG DEAL!!  Owen ditched his GTUBE!!!  He has always had a feeding tube, and got his Gtube placed shortly before his second birthday.  That tube saved his life on many occasions and it's amazing that he is healthy enough to finally get rid of it.  I took it out at home and the surgeon gave me some stoma putty to use on the sight.  It still leaks several times a day, but I hope it heals up soon so we can avoid another surgery.  He is so self conscious about his scar.. his body looks like Frankenstein.. pretty sure this is just adding to his battle wounds.

Other big news is that Owen is so excited to be baptized soon.  He loves his Savior so much and has the best testimony you've ever heard.  The missionaries have been so great!  My kids adore them so much.  Logi always gets excited when they come over and says "Jesus is my friend."  Adorbs!!

Life has been wild and crazy and emotionally draining.  I am deep in my semester of Anatomy and I am so excited to finally get my nursing school application turned in by the end of the year.  When life gives us lemons, we make lemonade... I've been making a lot of lemonade (metaphorically) lately.

Happy Halloween!!  Be safe!

Rejection Again.

Less than 48 hours and we are home again.  Owen had another monthly biopsy and things looked great!  His pressures are 2 with a wedge of 7, his echo looks great and he is gaining plenty of weight.  We got the blessing of our team to remove his gtube and he is totally thrilled, but nervous at the same time.  Owen is the best travel buddy and just goes with the flow.  We were at the hospital bright and early on Wednesday and his biopsy went really well.  We had an impromptu transplant clinic in the surgical recovery area after his echo.  He ate his body weight in saltines while waiting for discharge.. he was starving.  All his labs looked great and we were excited to break free.  

We always make our rounds and visit the nurses at the hospital.  We visited Cam in the CVICU and he is still fighting so hard and even smiled a few times.  We called Janesa as we left the hospital and headed into San Fransisco to play.  My sister in law did my makeup and showed me how to apply it so I look amazing.. then I pretty much bought everything in her MAC store.  We ate salmon salad bowls on Filmore street and then headed back to Palo Alto.  It was just what I needed.

We headed back to Palo Alto to have dinner with Nicola and the girls.  Then Kip came by the hotel lobby to chill with us for a while.  Owen loves to hang with the 20 something crowd and chat about video games.  We got to bed late and were at the airport bright and early.  

Now for the not so great news.. Rejection score came back a 1B again!!  Seriously.. it's so frustrating.  He's doing great otherwise and I am choosing to stay positive.  The team will discuss him today and let me know the game plan.  

(This is the hotel elevator and it's tinier than a closet.  Owen needed a snack late at night so we took the old creepy elevator down to the lobby.. eek)

Back home..

Little Logi got to chill with "Missy Sussy" for the past two days.  Parks, Zoo and he was spoiled rotten.  Kam and Carson held down the fort and I am so grateful for all they do.  As we walk the halls of the hospital I feel proud of us.. proud that we made it through the toughest year ever.  Every corner we turn there is a friendly, familiar face and I am quickly reminded of how we did it.  Feeling grateful and blessed.

Hello October.

October is here and it is my favorite time of year.  September was a tough month for me, one of the toughest.  I have been discovering myself again spiritually, mentally and physically.  We all started back to church and I didn't realize how much I missed it.  Owen is wanting to be baptized soon and has shown such an deep understanding of his relationship with his Savior.  I started back to school which I thought was going to always be out of reach.. perhaps I felt like I wasn't smart enough.  Physically I have been busting my buns working out and can now run two miles, which is a huge feat after sleeping in a hospital room for a year.  I am changing, growing, and choosing to love me.  Putting myself first in all things and these three are only showing love and encouragement along the way.  

Kam has been amazing and so loving.  She has been overwhelmed with school and getting things ready for college applications.  It's so exciting to look at applications deadlines and help her get things organized and ready.  We are so excited to go on college tours this fall.   I couldn't be more proud of this girl!

This little bug has been growing so fast!!  I checked his height at the doc yesterday and he is up to 39.5"... another half inch and we can hit up Disney.  He gives the best snuggles and smooches all the time.  He has a new Paw Patrol obsession and is so excited about Halloween decorations everywhere.  He isn't a fan of bedtime, but I know that will change one day so I embrace our wild evenings. 

Owen is doing great too.  We just had his cardiology appointment at Phoenix Children's this week and his echo looked great.  The new meds haven't caused any mouth sores yet, which was his biggest concern starting back on it.  He has an appointment with the general surgeon coming up as well as biopsy and dental work at the hospital.  His PT continues twice weekly and he's doing so well.  We met with Brett yesterday to get casted for new foot orthotics to support his flexi ankles until we can build up those glutes.  School has been a hot mess, but after meeting with the district directors this week, we have a "game plan"... if not..  we will just have to make a change.  He is happy and now that the weather is cooling off we are going to get him out walking more and maybe even hiking.

This is the happy part of my days.  Life is full of happiness we just have to look at the positive and choose to wake up with a good attitude and a smile on our face.  PS .. look at all the chub on Owen.. it's such a drastic change from the skeletor I took into transplant.  God is good and has blessed me more than I can express.  Happy Fall!!!