Croup 4 Christmas!

On Christmas Eve Isaac woke up about 3:30 with croup. I did the usual stuff for croup, first was cold saline in the Nebulizer, second I gave him Dexamethazone (a steroid) to open his airway. We got so little sleep the last two days are kind of a blur and blend together. Christmas Eve he went to bed earlier than usual but still very late for a kid, only to wake up again at 1:30 AM with croup problems again, repeating the croup treatment (saline and steroids). He figured out Santa had just come and had to start ripping open presents, He would open one and then say "Where is my name, Where is my name?" Meaning "Where is another present with my name on it?" Isaac opened everything he could find saving only three he couldn't find to open later that morning. Then everyone but me stayed up to watch "Rattatouie" (because I was up until almost One AM doing Santa business). Isaac woke up again at 8:30 in the morning with more croup and a Saline treatment. After, he had everyone wake up again to open presents. During all of this I was having extreme arthitis pain in my back due to the huge snowstorm that hit us on Christmas Eve. I did my best to let the kids enjoy their day, I let them play and be noisy, make messes etc. I went to bed last night late and very exhausted. I slept soundly most of the night only to have bad dreams about croup issues. Isaac has learned more about croup than anyone his age. I couldn't even count all the times Isaac has had croup on my fingers and toes if I wanted, I would run out. If you can't tell I'm worn out and frusterated. However, I still know that it could always be worse. I am thankful that it hasn't been as bad as it could be. I have learned well from the past and don't even want to go there with the possibilities. I feel my body fighting, I have swollen glands in my neck and minor headaches. I am hoping my body wins before I am down in bed.

Another Flu Bug!

Anybody have some good Flu Bug Repellent? Isaac had the flu shot but got one that it probably missed. At around 6:30 this morning he woke me up crying because his heart was "Beeping" (that is what he calls it when his heart races or pounds too hard). I got him his heart medicine to see if that would help and tried to go back to sleep. He kept waking up lethargically and complaining about his heart. Around 7:45AM he started coughing like he was going to vomit. A few minutes after 8AM he threw up. It was scary because he was so pale and sick. He went back to sleep and threw up a couple more times throughout the morning. Late morning he started to feel better and act more normal. He really had me worried, I thought it would turn into a hospital visit. I was fortunate my neighbor was willing to take them to school, especially when we had a big snow storm hit us in the middle of the night. If anybody notices, our family seems to get sick a lot and that is why I get so nervous about normal everyday things like school during flu season. We are extra cautious and do a lot of hand washing, hand sanitizer, not touching common surfaces when we can avoid it, etc. I was thinking last night "I am so thankful we are healthy right now". Not a healthy day ever goes by without me remembering to be thankful for it. If you are feeling good today, don't take it for granted. When you feel good, take time to give service, even if it is just a quick call or dropping off something special for someone. It doesn't always take money, just a minute of your time.

Polar Express

We had a Wonderful time on the Polar Express yesterday with many Make-A-Wish Families. The trip was sponsored by KBER radio, Trailways bus, Heber Valley Railroad, Cricket and Subway provided Lunch. This photo is from last year when we went, I didn't have good batteries for my camera yesterday. It was exciting to run into an old friend of ours from about ten years ago, although it was bittersweet. Her son is a "Wish Child" due to cancer, it breaks my heart to see them in their situation. All of the kids there were so cute. A few of the kids got up and sang Christmas carols solo something like Karaoke without any background music. The kids were amazing! On the train they handed out bells to the Believers they were all engraved with the words "Believe 2007" It was one trip we will remember for a long time.

If there's Sunshine in Your Heart

You can send a shining ray that will turn the night today and your cares will all depart, if there's sunshine in your heart today.
Although it is over cast and gloomy weather today there is sunshine in my heart. I am happy that things are looking up for a little while for our family. I love this time of year when we hear from friends near and far all to wish us Merry Christmas. It's nice to get something besides Junk mail and Bills in the mail for a change.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Kyler and his family today, they are having a storm today. Kyler is having Heart Surgery. I pray for a beautiful Rainbow over him and his family. May they see pink in Kyler after seeing so much blue.

Miracles in reading

Last Night Isaac realized for the first time he could read Hop on Pop. It was so exciting to see him read the book with very little help. This was the first time he even tried reading the book. Last time we read the book it was several months ago when he had not put words together yet. Isaac is not even in Kindergarten yet and he can read and spell words so well, it is amazing. He is reading words younger than either of his sisters did at his age. Isaac loves the Library, it is his favorite place. It is interesting that Isaac loves the place I worked while I was expecting him as much as I do, maybe even more. Honestly I believe he was watching me from Heaven before he was born and grew to love it there. The Library is part of Heaven on Earth. I am sure my friends at the Library agree with that statement much of the time. Although I know there are people who occasionally come in the library making it an unpleasant experience. Some of what is so amazing about Isaac reading is that doctors predicted that before he was born he would have brain damage due to his Hydrocephalus. The doctor that first talked to us tried to convince us that Isaac had too many problems and might want to consider abortion. NEVER would I even consider it even if it meant I would die. I do not believe in taking away anyones chance at survival away. I am so thankful for the Many Miracles I've been able to experience as a mother. Many people would laugh at the things I see as miracles, the simplest things can be a miracle. It is all in your perspective. Once you get that perspective you see everything in a different light and you realize how blessed you really are.

Oh What a Day!

Monday morning Isaac started the morning with a bloody nose around 8am. Isaac had nose bleeds off an on throughout the day, at some of the most inconvenient times. On the Freeway coming home from the Cardiologist appointment, At 3:15am, 5:15am, 6:00am, and 7:00am. At 6am I prayed desparately for two hours sleep. I was really hoping my prayer would be answered with a yes, at 7:00am I gave up trying to sleep knowing it would just be interupted by more bleeding. Around 7:30am I was thinking Why was the answer No, (I am still feeling the stomach ache left over from the flu & I am really tired). At 8:00am I got my answer. Brianna's 1st grade school teacher called for help with her class due to a flat tire she was experiencing. I consented to help but had difficulty getting there on time with the chaos getting my three kids out the door plus the little girl I babysit. We got there a few minutes late and my kids had to report to the office for being late. I am wondering what the rest of the day will be like. I am hoping I can catch a nap before I turn into a moody mother. I am suprised I have maintained my cool all morning, I feel like an emotional basket case. Yesterday's Cardiology visit turned out Okay, I had good results as well as bad. Isaac's oxygen Saturation was between 90-92 (a complete miracle). His chest pain is still unexplained which worries me. He had two episodes of chest pain yesterday before we went to the Cardiologist both at times he was resting. The Cardiologist said when he has chest pain check his pulse, if it is over 200 bpm call him immediately. We will just keep a close eye on him for another six months and he will have an Echocardiogram then. Some of you hopefully understand my fear and frusteration. I worry myself sick sometimes that his tricuspid valve is leaking and wondering if he will be okay. I just continue to try to live each day to the fullest appreciating the fact that I can still hold him, laugh with him and enjoy watching him grow. I hope this roller coaster is ready for a long ride up and can stay steady for a while without any lower points than this. However I feel like a whimp compared to some of the other families going through tougher times than this, check other Heart family blogs and you'll find much lower areas of the roller coaster. I am so thankful for my Heart Family we have such a wonderful support group, I wish I could do more and hopefully will when I feel better. I also have a wonderful family that cares, I just wish we weren't all so busy with our crazy lives. Hopefully we will find a time this month to get together.

Flu Bug Still Here!

I wish I would have had the Flu shot now. The Flu bug is really annoying me.
I have been miserable with the Flu all day today and some of yesterday. I am really hoping and praying this is the end of this Flu episode. I am really worried about Isaac and Brianna getting it now. I think I am at the tail end of it. It has been a difficult day. Isaac is scheduled to see his Cardiologist tommorrow, I hope that everything runs smoothly. I am a little concerned about his heart function, he has had some problems lately that give me worries (frequent chest pain etc.)