Kady Update

Yesterday was Kady's 2nd endoscopy.  All went well. We won't have any results for at least a week.  Depending on the Pathology reports here, the biopsies may or may not be sent out to Cincinnati Childrens hospital for a 2nd opinion.  Because she wasn't able to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, I was sure to schedule her first thing in the morning. 

This is how our day went...

We had a 7:30am check in time for a 9:00am procedure.  The anesthesiologist gave her some medicine before hand to relax her.  She looked, talked and acted like she was drunk.  Stumbling all over, slurring her words, eyes kept drooping and she had trouble holding her head up.  I tried so hard to get  a good video but couldn't.  Once she was nice and loopy, they wheeled her back.  This time they let me go back with her until she was put to sleep.  I was happy to do so and now wish I kind of hadn't. Not that I expected to see anything weird or traumatic, which I didn't, it was still REALLY weird and bizarre watching her get put under.  I held her hand as she looked up at me all drug eyed and drunk with a half smirk on her face.  They put the mask over her mouth and she cried and cried until she fell fast asleep and her limp, little hand slipped out of mine.  I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead and walked out of the room as they were prepping to put in her IV.  Honestly, I felt a bit light headed but didn't realize I looked like I was until the nurse and doctor asked me repeatedly if I was okay, if I wanted to sit.  Like I said...it was weird.  I can't really explain it.  It was just unnatural.  The actual procedure took only 10 minutes and everything went well. 

Now...

Recovery....

If ever there was a time I wanted to kill someone, it was yesterday after her procedure in the recovery room.  Again, nothing out of the ordinary happened.  I expected Kadence to be really out of it, confused, crying, snuggly, the whole bit as she woke up.  That's what happened last year.  Why I didn't prepare myself for something different, I don't know.  When the nurse called us back, she only let one of us back, she said Kady was yelling for Mommy.  So I went. When I got back there,she of course was half asleep, eyes closed, flailing all over the bed.  They were trying to get her blood pressure when she flailed over and hit her head on the metal side bar of the bed.  Fine, whatever.  That didn't phase me.  I just wanted to pick her up, so I did.  They weren't able to get her blood pressure anyways with as much screaming and crying that was going on.  For a half an hour straight, with all my strength, trying NOT to yank out any wires, IV's etc., I held her in my lap.  She screamed the entire time "take it out" as she continually tried to pull out her IV.  It got to the point that I asked the nurse to take it out.  She said, "not until she drinks some water."  Well, Kady wouldn't drink any water.  Kady had NO CLUE what was going on except "Ow, it hurts!!! Take it out!!!"  I knew that if they would take the dumb IV out she would calm down a bit and I would probably be able to get her to drink something.  The nurse insisted she couldn't and for another 15 minutes I exhaustively held her down as she cried for "Daddy." I told the recovery room nurse that if she wasn't taking it out or giving her something to calm her down, then she needed to take over and hold Kady.  I called Dom and told him to get back there to help me out not giving two sh*ts what anyone thought about us both being back there at that point and I began to get mad....VERY MAD!!  Yelling, red-faced, mad!!!!!  It was seconds before I was taking that IV out myself.  My thought was, if it's just precautionary at this point, get RID OF IT.  For pete sakes I was in a hospital, if something were to go wrong.  The anesthesiologist really wanted to keep it in just in case she started vomiting.  Again my thoughts, if she does and it's bad enough she needs an IV, then we'll put another one in.  I was pissed and of course Dom missed all the action by about a minute.  I was in total protective Mama mode.  I can laugh about it now. During this whole time the nurse was acting like we were idiots.  Talking to us as if we didn't understand what was going on and repeating the same thing over and over like we didn't hear her and respond to her the first five times.  At one point she tried to hand me Kady's water bottle as I struggled from dropping her on the floor.  I couldn't help but to look up at her like she had three heads and say "Really? I can't hold her and grab that too."  Needless to say, I WAS RIGHT. ((grin))  Kadence DID calm down a bit and DID begin drinking water.  We didn't end up staying in the recovery room as long as we probably should have.  Neither Dom or I really cared at that point.  We wanted to get home.  I'm not sure they wanted us to be there any longer anyways. LoL.


and now....

....We wait.

The many faces of Kadence

Happy

Mad

Scared

Sad

Excited

Funny Face

 This is the outfit she wears and wand she holds when she refers to herself as the Queen...of Fire!

Kady talk continued....

i love that "nuk" is "milk."

i love that "tooth" is pronounced "toop."


i love that she refers to "penguins" as "pipins"

i love it when she calls her sister "Zoe monster"

i love how she says "tundle" instead of  "tunnel."

 i love that "Xylophone" is "Xyleephone."  Not shabby for a 2yr old.

i love that  "Dr. Cheek" really is "Dr. Sheik."  Apparently we visit her G.I. Dr. too often.

i love how she says "poo-yea" for "put it away."  Sounds like a fancy French word huh?!

i love reading books to her and everytime we go to turn the page she says "nudder one page."

i love that  "butterfly" and "flower" are "blahfly and fower."  It's cool to add and delete letters as you wish.

i love how she plays "hine-um seek" which really  is "hide and seek."  She hides in the same spot every time.

i love that every time we go to the park (regardless of what park ) she says "lellow shlide" meaning "yellow slide  and remembers to go "feet first" like I taught her giggling as she says it.


i love to hear her say every day with a hug  "mommy/daddy, i glad you here!"

Picture of the Day

I could stare into those eyes all day, every day

A bit of sad news came our way this morning, for me at least.

There is a sweet young boy named Robbie.  He turns two in just a couple weeks.  Robbie is referred to as Baby R by my family and I.  Baby R was my nephew Ethans roomate during his NICU stay at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane.  Baby R was born early, somewhere around the 25 week mark and that was the cause of his stay in the NICU.  Throughout his time there, my brother Kip and Tia became good friends with baby R's parents.  They are a quiet and caring couple.  Lived just outside of Spokane.  The Ronald McDonald house downtown put them up every time Robbie was re-admitted.  They were kind enough to attend Ethan's funeral, continue to keep in touch with Kip and Tia and have spent time hanging out with my family at my parents house for Bbq's.   Needless to say the 3 of them have been in my thoughts and prayers daily since the first time I met them almost 2yrs ago. 

Today we were informed that Baby R has yet again been admitted to Sacred Heart Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. He is VERY ill.  He has been put on an Oscillator (a much stronger version of a ventilator) and has become Septic (blood infection).  He also has European RSV.  I couldn't tell you what European RSV is.  All in all....NOT GOOD!!

My wish today is, if you find yourself reading this post, you pray for sweet baby R and his family.  I do believe in little miracles and I'd really like for baby R to be one.

Left: Ethan,  Right:  Robbie 

Fall of 2009

"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him." ~Pablo Casals

Potty Training 101....

If in fact your child feels as if they are going to fall in the toilet...let them sit backwards.

GREAT STRIDES walk for Cystic Fibrosis 2010

Another year, another great event, another awesome turnout, another BIG thanks to all our friends and family who donated, walked and supported Team Ethan!!

Team Ethan

"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." ~Lao Tzu

A typical phone conversation with Kadence these days goes a little something like this....

"Hi Daddy.  Hi Mommy.  Hi Daddy.  Hi Zoe.  Hi purse.  Hi duck.  Hi sheep.  Hi color.  Hi Dora.  Hi boots.  Hi Daddy.  What doing?  Pick up poopie?  Oh! Okay. See you.  Bye bye."

Whatever she sees, she says hi to.  And this can go on forever.  Our little comedian.  Love her <3

Zoe's Story

It is amazing to say the least what a difference 4 weeks now 7 weeks has done for Zoe and her severe acid reflux.  I have been nursing now for 3 weeks with no problem.  Something they thought I wouldn't be able to do.  She still takes her meds 3 times a day and refluxes but has had only one vomiting episode. Yippee!!!  She weighed in at a healthy 9.6lbs today and doctor said she looks great.  She wakes up only once a night, has been for weeks now.  I'm thankful to have been blessed with good sleepers.  Zoe's Cystic Fibrosis testing came back negative.  Yippee again!!!  I was sure it would as she's shown no signs.  The CF test they ran would not tell us if she carries the CF gene however, so that will be something we will look in to in the future.  We'll worry about that when we have too.  For now, hopefully her health continues on the upswing as she grows and gets stronger.

Thank you God for little miracles....he knows our plate is already  full with Kady's health issues.

"A real friend knows when to listen. When to stop listening. When to talk. When to stop talking. When to pour wine. When to stop pouring and just hand over the bottle."

Rules of Friendship
Rule 1: Friends don't have to be exactly the same. Friends have similarities but they also have their differences. The key to opening up the world of friendship is not only to expand on similarities but to accept each others faults. Because you can't ever judge your friend.  A true friend would stick up for you no matter what the consequences are.
Rule 2: Friends have to argue! No one likes to but it is necessary to be healthy. Cause if you agree on everything, either the government has expanded cloning subjects or someone isn't being true and is trying a little too hard.
Rule 3: You have to be comfortable together or else you just aren't going to click. If you feel edgy around the person then something isn't quite right.   Nothing ever sounds stupid, funny, or unbelievable to a true friend, and you never feel stupid saying whatever it is.  Friends can sing at the top of their lungs and not worry about singing the wrong words or being out of tune.  You can do something or nothing with a best friend and still have the best time.
Rule 4: Friends love unconditionally. They have thier little angry moments but what's done is done and all is forgive and forget. Why let something that happened in the past ruin what happiness you could have in the future?  A true friendship has many memories, both good and bad, but all important. Your heart is forever touched by a true friend, no matter how things end up.
Rule 5: Believe in love at first sight because there is the equivalent in friendship. Some people think that you have to know someone really well to become good friends. Trust me, it's not true. If the first time you really spend time together you talk for 25 hours straight until 4:30 in the morning about some topic you thought no one else in the world understood, that's real love at first sight.

Steps on How to Be a Good Friend
Step 1: I suggest that if you want to be a good friend you become friends with someone you actually like. This automatically eliminates all teachers, politicians and people who get rid of school holidays.
Step 2: Once you have found someone you have things in common with, you should expand on this and get to know your friend better. Perhaps inviting her to your next BBQ or even talking to her now and then could help.
Step 3: If you mutually decide you have some things in common, good - you have found yourself a nice new friend. If you don't have anything in common, don't worry and keep searching - there are plenty of other fish in the sea!  Remember that everyone is a friend until they prove otherwise.
Step 4: Now yes, this friend will require quite a large proportion of your time, because naturally both parties need to be enthusiastic for a friendship to blossom. This means that you will need to support your friend in all their chosen paths, but be prepared to advise them against treading through dangerous waters.
Step 5: A friendship which is built upon mutual trust, respect, support and (my favorite) the acceptance of differences and the right to be an individual will foster other benefits such as loads of fun times where you party together or just hang out and share secrets (now don't deny it - these are the benefits that you were just itching to hear about!!)
Step 6: Well, now that you've found a friend, you should work on keeping them (that is if you want to be a good friend and not just a friend fling). My best word of advice would be to continue with the above steps, make your friend feel loved and wanted and show you do care about them. If they're down and feel like they have no one in the world, prove them wrong by rocking up to their house with a bunch of sunflowers and a bottle of wine (or cordial, depending on how old you and your friend are) and talk through their concerns with them. If you're not the flower type, take them out for a big night on the town for a sure fire way to lift their spirits!

Just remember, friends are forever. But only if you keep it that way. Don't diss your buds, love them instead. And when they drive you nuts, love them that much more for being just a little bit different and maybe just a little bit quirky!

Easter Eggstravaganza

This year Kadence was finally old enough to really enjoy Easter.  As she gets older, I look more and more forward to holidays.  It's moments like these that should make anyone want to have children.  I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Friday we spent the afternoon dying Easter eggs.  Somehow I  was more excited about dying Easter eggs than Kadence.  We managed to have a ton of fun regardless and it's always great to be doing things together as a family.  Thankfully there are no hazards to report just one stained table cloth and 10 stained fingers.

This is how Zoe decided to spend her time as we dyed Easter eggs.  As if the girl needed more beauty rest.  I do admire her choice in eye masks.

We discovered these handy window decorations stuck to many different surfaces.  They moved around the house day to day from the fridge to the fireplace to the windows and the slider door.

"The Goods"

 

Saturday we attempted to go meet the Easter Bunny at Springs Preserve.  It was so packed we ended up at the mall across the street.  Kady was pretty excited to "see" the Easter bunny.  Knowing she'd be scared to death to actually "meet" him, we opted just to wave and skip waiting in the long line there also.  Maybe next year.

Sunday was fairly routine.  Dom woke up early to pick up coffee and Einstein bagels.  He even surprised me with an Easter basket. We attended Easter service, came home for lunch and naps, hid Easter Eggs and hunted them down....twice.  It's quite possible Dominic and I enjoyed watching Kady find "another one. Egg!" more than she did.

The Hunt...

...and now it's time for an Easter glass of vino!

"The resurrection gives our life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what our circumstances."  ~Robert Flatt

Picture of the day

I can't remember where I came across this but I saved it because it's pretty funny.  I think we have all had a job/career at one point or another where we've wanted to say/do this...Enjoy!

Resignation letter

Dear Co-Workers and Managers,
As many of you pr ob ably know, today is my last day. But before I leave, I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know what a great and distinct pleasure it has been to type "Today is my last day."
For nearly as long as I've worked here, I've hoped that I might one day leave this company. And now that this dream has become a reality, please know that I could not have reached this goal without your un-ending lack of support. Words cannot express my gratitude for the words of gratitude you did not express.
I would especially like to thank all of my managers both past and present but with the exception of the wonderful Saroj Hariprashad: in an age where mis-communication is all too common, you consistently impressed and inspired me with the sheer magnitude of your mis-information, ignorance and intolerance or true talent. It takes a strong man to admit his mistake - it takes a stronger man to attribute his mistake to me.
Over the past seven years, you have taught me more than I could ever ask for and, in most cases, ever did ask for. I have been fortunate enough to work with some absolutely interchangeable supervisors on a wide variety of seemingly identical projects - an invaluable lesson in overcoming daily tedium in overcoming daily tedium in overcoming daily tedium.
Your demands were high and your patience short, but I take great solace knowing that my work was, as stated on my annual review, "meets expectation." That is the type of praise that sends a man home happy after a 10 hour day, smiling his way through half a bottle of meets expectation scotch with a meets expectation cigar. Thanks Trish!
And to most of my peers: even though we barely acknowledged each other within these office walls, I hope that in the future, should we pass on the street, you will regard me the same way as I regard you: sans eye contact.
But to those few souls with whom I've actually interacted, here are my personalized notes of farewell:
To Philip Cress, I will not miss hearing you cry over absolutely nothing while laying blame on me and my coworkers. Your racial comments about Joe Cobbinah were truly offensive and I hope that one day you might gain the strength to apologize to him.
To Brenda Ashby whom is long gone, I hope you find a manager that treats you as poorly as you have treated us. I worked harder for you then any manager in my career and I regret every ounce of it. Watching you take credit for my work was truly demoralizing.
To Sylvia Keenan, you should learn how to keep your mouth shut sweet heart.  Bad mouthing the innocent is a negative thing, especially when your talking about someone who knows your disgusting secrets. ; )
To Bob Malvin (Mr. Cronyism Jr), well, I wish you had more of a back bone. You threw me to the wolves with that witch Brenda and I learned all too much from it. I still can't believe that after following your instructions, I ended up getting written up, wow. Thanks for the experience buddy, lesson learned.
Don Merritt (Mr. Cronyism Sr), I'm happy that you were let go in the same manner that you have handed down to my dedicated coworkers. Hearing you on the phone last year brag about how great bonuses were going to be for you fellas in upper management because all of the lay offs made me nearly vomit. I never expected to see management benefit financially from the suffering of scores of people but then again, with this company's rooted history in the slave trade it only makes sense.
To all of the executives of this company, Jamie Dimon and such. Despite working through countless managers that practiced unethical behavior, racism, sexism, jealousy and cronyism, I have benefited tremendously by working here and I truly thank you for that. There was once a time where hard work was rewarded and acknowledged, it's a pity that all of our positive output now falls on deaf ears and passes blind eyes. My advice for you is to place yourself closer to the pulse of this company and enjoy the effort and dedication of us "faceless little people" more. There are many great people that are being over worked and mistreated but yet are still loyal not to those who abuse them but to the greater mission of providing excellent customer support. Find them and embrace them as they will help battle the cancerous plague that is ravishing the moral of this company.
So, in parting, if I could pass on any word of advice to the lower salary recipient ("because it's good for the company") in India or Tampa who will soon be filling my position, it would be to cherish this experience because a job opportunity like this comes along only once in a lifetime.
Meaning: if I had to work here again in this lifetime, I would sooner kill myself.
To those who I have held a great relationship with, I will miss being your co-worker and will cherish our history together.  Please don't bother responding as at this very moment I am most likely in my car doing 85 with the windows down listening to Biggie.