Emma-Isms

"Mom, please stop talking to me like that.  I can't stand it.  Don't you even know me at all?"

"Don't worry about me, Momma.  Just be worried about yourself."

While emptying the dishwasher......"I can hold sharp knives Mom.  I'm really very asponsable."

My all time favorite...."You're a great Mom!"

Mark & Janet

This may be a long shot but I feel compelled to post this on  my blog.  We have some amazing friends named Mark & Janet.  They have been hoping to adopt for three years.  Please, if you know anyone who may be interested in placing their child for adoption, forward this video to them.  I can't think of anyone else who would be more kind, loving and committed to a child.

Never A Dull Moment

Sometimes I wonder if good health will ever come back to our family.  I try not to complain, really I do.  But sometimes I think that I'm one big complaint factory.  Here's the latest.

*Disclaimer - This first part is all about poop.  Read at your own risk.  

Since bringing Nathaniel home, we have struggled to get him to poop regularly.  He never really has.  We have tried Miralax, enemas, different formulas, prune juice, etc.  Nothing seems to help.  He generally poops about every two weeks or so....and when he does it is awful.  He screams in pain.  The stool comes out hard and huge.  We just want to cry for him.  His stomach is very distended.  He looks like a little pregnant woman.  It is so sad!

I have taken Nate to the doctor and they have told me that it isn't unusual for micro-preemies to have issues with pooping.  Sometimes it just takes their little bodies longer to get everything working right.  They gave us new things to try.  We've tried to no avail.   

As you know, Tyler has Hirschsprung's disease and he has a colostomy.  Hirschsprung's is a genetic disease, meaning it is something you are born with.  There is a section in the colon and intestine that is misshapen.  Therefore, once the poop gets to that point, it can't go on.  The misshapen section is missing the necessary cells, called ganglion cells.  This prevents you from being able to poop, causing constant constipation.  Most children are diagnosed with Hirschsprung's shortly after birth when they fail to pass the meconium.  This is how it was for Tyler.  They realized right away that he was sick and he had his colostomy placed very early in his little life.

Sometimes kids aren't diagnosed until they are older.  I didn't realize this until just recently and didn't really think that Nate's problems could be Hirschsprung's.  However, I started reading more about it and realized that some kids are diagnosed later on.  I decided it was time to call Tyler's GI doctor and get Nate in to see him.

I took him in a couple of weeks ago and the first thing the Nurse Practitioner said was that she suspected Hirschsprung's.  I was really hoping she was wrong and that maybe there was some other explanation.  She did switch him to a soy based nutritional drink,  just in case it was a milk protien allergy.  She also ordered a host of tests, including a barium enema x-ray.

Nate had the x-ray last week and it showed the classic signs of Hirschsprung's.  There is a section, just near the rectum, that is misshapen.  The saddest part of the x-ray was seeing just how much poop is backed up into his intestine.  The radiologist pointed it out to me and I could clearly see it, all the way up.  It went almost all the way to his appendix.  That made me cry.  No wonder my poor baby is in so much pain and agony.  No wonder his tummy is so big.  After seeing that, I was almost hoping it was Hirschsprung's just so we would have an answer and be able to get him some relief!

The only sure way to diagnose Hirschsprung's is to do a rectal biopsy.  They take tissue samples from the sections that are misshapen and if they are missing the ganglion cells, that is the certain diagnosis.  Nate goes in on Tuesday for the biopsies.  Once we have the results, we will know for sure and we can make a plan.  He may have to have a colostomy and he may not.  It just depends.  Either way, we are ready and hoping that we can just get him some relief.  

Okay, that's the end of the poop story.  :)

As for the rest of our health issues....my foot is infected.  Not sure what that is all about.  I went in to have my stitches removed on Wednesday.  For a few days before that I had felt kind of yucky.  Running a slight fever, chills, extra tired, etc.  I thought maybe I just had a cold or something.  Apparently not.  The incision site is infected and there is redness all around there as well as in the ankle and foot.  My foot is swollen about three times the size it should be.  Needless to say, she started me on some strong antibiotics.  Hopefully that will knock it out.  Honestly, this darned ankle is just one frustration after another.  

The kids are sick.  Again.  Both Emma and Nate have yucky coughs, runny noses, and complaints of ear pain.  They are headed to the doctor today.  Tyler has a yucky nose but none of the other symptoms, thank goodness!  We are on constant fever alert for him but so far he has been doing well.  

I suppose that's it for my complaints today.  :)  I'll update as I know more about Nate.  As always, your prayers are greatly appreciated!!

The Emmalee Tree

We rent our house from the greatest guy!  He is truly kind and we are so thankful for him and for our nice home.  Also, Emma has him wrapped around her little finger.  :)  

Jason was here planting some new trees the other day.  He is always very good about including Emmalee as his "helper".  They planted this cute little tree and he snapped a picture of her.  I'm curious to see who grows faster!!

Points To Ponder

For as long as I can remember, my grandma has had a plaque hanging in her hallway. It reads, "Never Judge Another Indian Until You Have Walked A Mile In His Moccasins."

As a child, I never really understood what that meant. As an adult, I am beginning to comprehend.

It is so easy to look into the lives of others and question their actions, motives, etc. It is easy to look at others and think how easy they have it and wish to switch lives with them. It is easy to look at others and judge, one way or another, good or bad.

The hard part, at times, is loving people no matter what. Loving them and accepting them and lifting them when they're down.

I'm learning. I'm learning that even if you go through the exact same experience as someone else, you will handle it differently. You will get something different out of it. You will learn different lessons. You will apply those lessons to your own life and your own circumstances. Perhaps your choices are right and perhaps they are wrong. There are many times when you will go back and reevaluate, try again, learn something new. That's all part of life.

Brent and I have been through some of the most difficult experiences of our lives in the recent past. We have struggled. We have tried hard to understand the lessons that our trials are teaching us. We have tried to apply those lessons to our lives and allow them to strengthen us. Sometimes it is easy and sometimes it isn't.

Through it all, we have been lifted and loved by others. We have been strengthened and helped. We could not make it through our trials without the love and help we have been given. We have been sent Earthly angels and because of you, we have made it. We will never have the words to thank you. You are truly loved and appreciated.