Monday, August 26, 2013

Trek pictures are finally here!!

Here are photos from Trek! I know you have been waiting for them but I had to catch up first. But now that I am all caught up I can finally post pictures!
Ready even though it is 6 am and we have to go!
I know I look weird I was in the middle of saying something but I cannot remember what I was saying.
Aren't we wide awake and ready.  How do we look?
Loading things up in the truck we are going to be in since Rhett's things cannot go on the buses.
Trying to be more awake then we really are.  It is not working that way.
Working on setting up his oxygen for the trip up there.
Almost ready I am sure of it.
The last coil, finally ready. :)
I think this speaks for itself.
He is funny.
Just look at that face.  He so doesn't look awake.
Now that is what I call roughen it.
Nice and comfy, right?
Ok this is much better.
We have arrived!  Now getting instructing as a group.
Ok so I was closer to the speaker and I could hardly hear anything they were saying.  No wonder Rhett isn't paying attention.  LOL!
And we are off with our family.
When Rhett wanted to be with his family this is where he was the whole time we trekked.
Seriously love this open space.
He usually has to fix his oxygen since it slips easily.
Such a great family!!!
Looking back at where we came from.
I want to say over the hill and through the woods, but there are no woods.  Ha ha ha!!
Our first pit stop.  Didn't really want to stop but no choice when those in front stop.
We were the middle of the pack, good place to be. :)
Our cute family and their awesome sign.
And we are off again!
Girls turn and they rule!!
Ok the boys in this family rule too. :)  They were so awesome to accept Rhett and haul him when he wanted to be with them.  Thanks boys!
Loved every minute!!  So excited to be there!
I hope it is almost lunch time.  Don't know about everyone else but I am hungry.
We walked and walked.
And walked.  Fresh air and open space, LOVE IT!!!
What a dry trail, you can see the dust, but love this weather.
You can do it!
I hope those storm clouds are not headed our way.
Are we having fun?  Yes we are!
I want to live right here thank you! :)  Ok so not happening but it was great not hearing all the city noise.
Seriously it is raining right there.  Was that thunder?  Where is the lighting?
We are hiding from the lighting since we have oxygen.  Sad we had to stop and get wet. :(
Taking cover away from the wagons since they have metal.  We needed to stay with the wagon since we had metal attached to Rhett.
Frantically searching for cover of some sort.
Is there any way to stay dry?
Nope.  We are all wet now.  Can we say down pour?
Is it ever going to stop?  We can't go over the ridge until the lighting stops.
Finally we are off after a major down pour.  Then had to stop again and again.
Finally we are walking and the storm has moved on.  Look no dust! :)  Better for the asthmatics even though we are soaked to the bone and more.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of the puddles that we walked through.
Almost to our next rest stop!  Squish squish went our shoes. :)
Look it is there!
Are we still having fun?  Oh you bet!
Our pit stop is on the left and on the right is a different stake that was there.
Oh gosh, isn't this family a sight?
And it is starting to rain again, yes we are still happy.
Rhett wanted to ride in the truck since he was cold and tired and needed to warm up after going through the few down pours that we had.  We waited until it cleared up a little before we could head to camp.
And everyone has finally arrived and are setting up camp.
Camp is coming together nicely.  Too bad everything is wet, but heck at least it is almost bed time.
After dinner and set up we look around and are grateful to be there even wet.  Ha ha ha.
Almost ready to call it a night, by most everyone.
Dressed for bed and the first day is at a close.  Good night.
In the morning we needed to dry out lots of different things.
But first breakfast.  YUM!
Starting to look like a shanty town.  LOL!  I think this is what it was like way back when...
Stuff everywhere and everyone almost well rested and awake and eating.
Did I say shanty town?  Love doing laundry in the rain. :)  One of those carts is the one our family uses.
Found some shade for a little bit.
Are you ready for the next day trekking?  OH YEAH!  What a funny boy!
Most of the family discussing what they learned and thought about from yesterday.
Grateful for all the wonderful kids in this family that accept my son!!!  Thank you forever!!
All in our little families talking about yesterday's rain storms.
Our seats are our buckets of personal things.  Trying to stay off the wet ground.
The whole group in front of the food truck.  Let's have a snack, oh that is right we just finished breakfast. Hee hee hee.
It is almost time to break camp let's wrap it up.
Breaking camp is easier then putting it up.  Ha ha!
Everyone helps and pitches in to clean up.
Putting away the food to move on and making sure everyone is fit to trek more.
Ok once your family's things are put away now what?
You get to play!  Go ninja, go ninja, go go!!
Yep we are cool!  Ha ha!  Yes you are.
Are we all ready?  Remember to get all your stuff.
Rocking the look "Pa". :)
Looking around is everyone ready?  Nope.
Come on it is time to 
Have you got everything?  I guess it it time to line up to head out.
We make it look so easy!
Can't believe that this area was covered with tents and carts a moment ago.
The tents are gone and in the trailer ready to head out.
I know there were tents here too.
Getting all ready to go, just waiting for the trucks to go first so we can have potties at camp when we get there.
The head of the pack.  Waiting on the trucks.
Open spaces RULE!!  The trail ahead of us.
On the road again, oh I mean trail. :)
Enjoy the quiet scenery.
Anyone brought a swimming suit?  J/K so wouldn't swim in that.
Beautiful weather!  Rollin, rollin, rollin, keep those carts rollin. :)
What you looking at?  Oh nothing?  Why are you standing?
Break time.  Need to stretch a little.  Sitting is so very hard.  LOL!!
Ok so how long are these breaks?
I thought we just left camp, do we really have to stop? :)
Yes walking again!
You go family!  Look a pond!
Oh bummer I thought we were crossing the pond.  Ha ha ha!!!  JK
Sharp turn and fresh cow pies who could ask for more?
Turn but don't slip.
What a great group!
We were there just a second ago.  I think we are walking fast.
Come on girls don't be shy. :)
These boys are awesome pulling the cart!!
Great cart pushers!!  Rhett is hiding in there somewhere. ;)
And the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around.
Please no more rain not today we are still drying out.
Our first signs of animal life.  They are real, not fake. :)
Break time right before a cattle grate.
Baby cows are so cute!
Taking it all in.  Loving it!!
I can't believe that they are that far in front of us.
Go go you can do it!!!
Look there are the woods! :)
Camp!  Finally.  My feet were killing me.
More cows!  No worries.  I guess we are in their area.  Thanks for sharing the area cows.
They never got too close here at the camp sight.
Setting up camp takes great care and time.
To the east of us is camp.
We are trekking that direction tomorrow.
To the north east a lone tent of trail walkers.  I think it is cute there on it's own.
What to do after everything is all set up.  Play Ninja!  Look at those great kids helping Rhett with his oxygen!
Ready set go!  Play!!
Still in it and still have helpers!  So grateful for those boys to help Rhett get around a little better.
Go Rhett go!!  Almost over.
Winner is RHETT!!  He loves this game because he is very good at it.
Gathering for the hoe down after dinner.
More kids are gathering.
All the girls got freshened up and cute ready to dance with boys. :)
They are so not dancing.  Hee hee hee....
Learning the Do-Si-Do.  Awesome cowboy dancing!
You are doing good, keep it up.
There are so many kids and adults dancing.
Getting more instruction on how to dance.
Almost ready to really dance.
This is great fun!
Keep going it is all good.  You can do it.
Ready to play the music?  Maybe.
We don't have it down yet.
I think we are ready to dance to the music.
Can we start the music yet?
Does everyone have a partner and ready to swing it?
Getting more instruction.  Let's roll!
And the music starts and so does the dancing. :)
So not dancing.  Ha ha ha!!!
Taking a view of all the dancer.  Looking good.
Watching the dancer and enjoying just that.  Did you get a good picture?
Rhett and that water bottle were never able to part.  They are best buds.  See them dance?
Not sure why they are not dancing.  But it is sure fun to watch the dancing.
Yee Ha!!  You are dancing great!!
Great dancing!!
Not good dancer according to them.  Still would like to see them try.
Are we having fun?  Oh yea!
What awesome dancers!!
After all that walking it is great to see the smiles.
What a great stress relief dancing is for everyone.
Love all the dancing!!  So happy to watch.
I think they were tired so they just watched.
So much energy even after a day of trekking.
A dancing we will go.
Just chatting it up watching.
Swing your partner. :)
So much fun and lots of smiles.
Now why are you not dancing?
Who wants to line dance?
Oh looks like you are all ready to line dance. :)
Just gotten more water from the water buffalo.  Thank you for hauling water for us.
I am wondering if this was the electric slide.  Ha ha
Man do they love line dancing!  Oh yeah!
Aren't you looking the wrong way?  Ha ha too much fun!!
Do we like dancing?  Oh yea!!
Let's learn a new line dance! YEA!!
I think we got it!  Piece of cake!
We can dance forever!!
We are tired.  Can it be bedtime yet?
We want to dance forever!!
Yeah some Ma's and Pa's are rocking the dancing!!
Time to leave camp, headed out again.
Our camp was over that way.
Gathering together before the women's pull.
What a beautiful view!
The men are on their way and just the women are left.
Rhett is in the little four wheeler there with his oxygen.
Bye boys.  Yes many of us women were in tears watching those men and boys turn and walk away.
Rhett you pick up the rear ok?
Love you Rhett!  Please be safe.
Most of the men are not carrying buckets and that is the way it is suppose to be.
Looking back after starting the women's pull.
On a rest stop we found a pond with cows and the most cows we have seen gathered together.
So far so good.  Grateful that it hasn't been too hard.
We are ready to go.  Can we go yet?
One last break, since look up there on top of the hill!
There are the boys and men!  We need to go up there.
While we are waiting let's chat a little bit.
Holy cow look at that hill!
The boys look like little bushes and trees.
Seriously big hill!
Almost there.
Can you believe it?  We made it up this hill!
Waiting for the very last girl.
That is one steep hill and I know my lungs were killing me by the end, I needed to rest.
At the top of the hill these are what greeted us along with all the men and boys.
Lunch and a break.  Thank goodness.
Making shade on a hill that doesn't have any trees can be hard unless you have a tarp.
Love the view!!  Can I build a house here?
Gathering to talk about what happened and what was learned from the women's pull.
A little time to relax while thinking about everything learned after lunch.
Seriously love the views.
Breathe all that fresh air!
We are now going to head that way.
And we are off near the front of the pack and if I had a choice I pick the middle.
Way over that ridge is where we are going I think.  LOL!
Stopped for a break and to look around.  Love it!!
Over that ridge is the direction we are headed I do believe.
What to do while we wait?
Throw a football around!  Oh yeah!
There are many of us ready to leave so when are we going to start walking again?
We are off again.
Everything is finally dry!  It is hot but we are grateful for the dry today.
What a beautiful day to head home and walk forever.
Enjoying life and thinking about everything.  Can't wait to see my family again!
You are doing a great job!!  Keep it up.
This family is super fast and the kids in it are awesome!
I think I see another group of trekkers!
Not even close to stopping.
Open space! Love it!!
I think that is our pit stop!
It is!!  We are almost there!!
Finally a pit stop!!  Great!  My feet are killing me!
Rhett picked the truck so the trekkers headed out after a little while and rest.
Our last camp!  Now it is time to set up for the night
This is the direction that they all came from.
Last day taking a break after breaking camp and before we head out..
All the tents are gone now.  Beautiful!
Tents are gone and now we are almost ready to head out on the last day of Trek!
Lots of open space.
Hope we don't have to walk over that hill.
And off we go.
I wonder if some of those cars and trucks are our group.
After all that dust settled we walked on the road and then ditched the road asap.
I know I am so far behind but look at all hose kids and adults of our group.
I am getting father and father behind. :(  OUCH!
This is how is behind me.  Ha ha ha!
I don't mind these plants out here where they are not in my yard or hurting my kids.
The end is in sight!!  Finally!
So close I can almost taste it!
All empty and loaded!  We are headed home!!!
I couldn't get a picture of us after Trek but it was a sight covered in dirt. :)

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Amazing Moment

Rhett the other day asked me, “Why am I so weak?”

WHAT!?!?!

How could he possibly say that!

Ok so I did anything a mother would do and reassured him that he was not weak.  As a matter of fact he is one of the strongest people that I know. (Proud of my answer)
Rhett: “Mom can you explain your reasoning to that statement.  Why do you think I am not weak and why am I so strong?”

Me: (Totally in my head) CRAP!!!  What have I done???  Now I really have to think this through.  Oh headache.
(Out loud to Rhett) Well sweetie here is the deal.  You don’t have the body that you want.  You work very hard to stay healthy.  How many people or kids do you know of that have major surgery and are back at school the next school day?

Rhett: No one that I can think of.

Me: (Trying not to cry)So you have major surgery and are usually back at school the very next school day.  That takes a lot of strength that many people do not have.  You don’t sit there after the doctor breaks your ribs and say “I am dying!!!” You just deal with it.  You hardly ever take pain medicine and when you do it is only for a very short period of time.  You are so strong to get up every day struggling to breathe and still go to school and work towards good grades.  You struggle lots and it is ok to saw I am tired and I really don’t want to do this.  You amaze me and several people that I know and that you know.  You are strong.  You may not be able to bench press 300 lbs. but who do you know that can do what you do every day?

Rhett: (Trying not to cry) Ok.  Thanks mom.


Gosh what did I do to deserve a very special little spirit in my life?

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

First day of school 2013!

Rhett, Nikole and Gavin all went back to school on the 21st and they were so excited.  Dylan doesn't start until the 26th just because he is in Kindergarten.






Oh happy day!!!!  They went back to school!!

A Summer To Remember

Let me see where did I leave off.
After he finished the antibiotics he was finally able to walk again but slower than normal.
He struggled at school getting around and had help gratefully.  All the kids except Dylan had the CRT tests and I hope they did great, since that is what I expect.  After CRT tests were over there was field day at the deaf school for Dylan and a field trip for Rhett.  Gavin and Nikole both ended school on the 4th of June and Dylan graduated preschool on the 6th of June it was also the last day of school for Rhett.  We had such a fun time at the end of the school year.
I was grateful for the school year to end because I had so much going on.  Right before school was out Dylan saw the cardiologist and he is doing well.  He and Rhett also had a pulmonology appointment also where they both had a PFT and it was shocking to see to difference between the boys.
We found out that Rhett’s lung function has decreased again; his total lung capacity has also decreased.  Looking between Dylan’s and Rhett’s PFT results it is amazing the difference of their lungs and their chests.  The doctor was grateful that he could talk with me when Rhett volunteered to take Dylan to the bathroom.
Rhett has been struggling more than he used to and it is sad to see him this way.  He has changed a lot and I am not sure what to make of it. 
Besides his lung function decreasing he has gained a lot of weight which I am sure is really unhealthy and a sign of something.  I guess I should have him checked, even though I have had him check over and over again.  Here are pictures of his and Dylan’s PFTs.


This is Rhett's PFT.

This is Dylan's PFT.

You can probably see the difference between the two PFT's of Rhett and Dylan and see where I am just in awe that they can be so different.

Rhett’s is so much smaller than Dylan’s even though there is such an age difference.  This is the one of the differences between their syndromes.  They have the same syndrome but there is a difference in severity between them.  Like Rhett’s lungs are smaller than Dylan’s but Dylan’s airway is more sever (smaller) than Rhett’s.  Dylan also has more oral problems than Rhett.

Rhett’s and Dylan’s last day of school was on Rhett’s birthday so we had a busy day.  That morning I had to take Dylan to the ENT to get junk out of his right ear.  He had a whole bunch of stuff in his little ear.  Then I took him to school just in time for his graduation.  He was sure cute seeing him with his friends.  He is such a happy boy and it was fun to watch him be so patient until he got his reward in the ceremony for the preschool classes.  Rhett had his well-child and he seems to be healthy, my only concern is that he put on a whole bunch of weight.  June was crazy trying to get the house all clean and organized.  Nikole has missed a lot of swimming this summer so far.  That is how crazy busy we have been.

After all this so far I struggled to get things ready for Trek for Rhett and me, since Rhett really wanted to go.  (Trek for those of you that don’t know is where there are “families” made up of a ma and pa from people in our church that have some youth assigned to them to be their children through the time you are out on trek.)  Well we all dressed as pioneers and went to Deseret Land and Live Stock on July 17th and we trekked for 3-4 days we came home on the 20th after walking around 30+ miles during all those days.  Rhett rode in the cart the whole way except for 2 legs of the whole trip and again during the women’s pull.  He got tired and increased his oxygen but still enjoyed the trek and all the time that we were there.  So let me tell you a little bit about what went on during trek.  

It was amazing.

We all met at the stake center early Wednesday morning and loaded all of our buckets, (everything we were allowed to take with us besides our sleeping bags, pillow, blanket, and coat, was in a 5 gallon bucket) in waiting buses and trucks.  Well mine and Rhett’s things were loaded in the back of the bishop’s truck since we were riding with him. (You see because Rhett is on oxygen he is not allowed to ride on vehicles unless there is a way for the oxygen tank/tanks to be contained and held in place.  The only way to travel is in a personal vehicle if it is not contained and held in place.)  We ended up putting 40 oxygen tanks in the back of his truck and 1 extra to the one he was attached to in the cab.  He had a converter that he said would run the concentrator that we also loaded in the back of his truck.  The converter didn't work and we found out soon after leaving the church house since Rhett said he wasn't getting enough oxygen.  (Come to find out after trek there were 2 blown fuses.  So it didn't work but we were able to use a generator at night that way I wouldn't have to be up every 3 hours to change the oxygen tanks.)  So I had him plug himself back into his portable tank.  We just used his tank on the way up to the location and we did end up changing it before we got there.  When we got there we found our family but we still had to label our buckets and lids so Rhett hung out with his family and friends and I labeled his and mine bucket.  I applied bug spray to myself and then flowed Rhett as we all gathered together to go over directions and great ready to start.  After a prayers and directions the truck that we rode up in was attached to a trailer of port-a-potties and everyone got their carts and loaded them all up and we were off.  Rhett sat on top of the buckets with pillows and we were off in line with a whole bunch of other carts and families.  We had our water bottles full and spray bottles full ready for anything.  (Man we were reckless and unknowing.  Ha ha ha ha ha….)  So we walked, well…. Rhett rode and everyone else that were not in the support vehicles walked.  We walk for a long time up and down hills and even around some of them.  We came over a hill and saw our support vehicles and port-a-potties.  

IT WAS LUNCH TIME!!!  Yeah!!  We were all hungry.  

We had a good break and had some food to help our need of energy to push and pull the carts and we were off again after filling our 2 five gallon containers  that goes on the cart and all of our water bottles again.  We were off again walking, pulling, and pushing.  Rhett was cute spraying the family as we walked in the hot sun.  I think there were many prayers for rain because it soon started raining.  It was coming very slow at first and then without notice it dumped on us.  Lighting, thundered, and poured rain and hail.  We sat hunkered down for 15 to 30 minutes and when the lighting stopped and the rain let up we were walking again.  As we got going again walking this time in mud, (because it rained so much) we got over the ridge and only a little ways away and it started dumping rain without notice so we were scrambling again to cover the cart and Rhett along with all the kids next to another ridge.  We hunkered down again waiting for the lighting and thunder to stop so we could keep going.  After another 30 minutes or so we were walking again almost all of us drenched in rain.  We finally made it over the ridge and the rain slowly let up and there were serious puddles because we were not able to walk on the trail because we were slipping so much.  The rain finally let up and slowly let up again.  As we continued walking through the puddles and even falling into one on our way to the “rest stop” before camp.  

WE MADE IT!!!  Oh happy day!!  

No rain and as we looked around you can see the clouds and know that the storm wasn't gone gone but just not dumping.  At that “rest stop” Rhett decided we was really cold and wanted to ride in the truck.  I was grateful seeing as his and my coats and everything to keep us warm was at camp.  Knowing what the pioneers partly went through was humbling.  As we got in the truck his lips were blue so we checked his sats and they were good at 97 so apparently he was really cold.

As soon as we were in the truck it started raining again.  Oh my bad not raining I mean pouring.  We sat there in the truck and warmed up and snacked since we were both really hungry.  We watched the rain and saw all of his trek family and everyone else that was not injured hunkering down to wait out the rain again since there was yet another ridge to cross.  There was a “camp“ right across the road from where they were all hunkered down for a different stake that was scrambling to make dinner for our stake since they saw that we were stuck. Of course we didn’t find this out until Friday night.  As we traveled to camp in the truck Rhett fell asleep and I think I did too.  It is nerve racking to wonder if lighting is going to hit an oxygen tank or two.  We waiting in the truck after we got to camp until our group finally arrived.  We found out that those pulling our gear in the trailer decided to pull out all of our bags and let them sit until everyone got there and set up their tents and everything.  There was some stuff that was completely soaked from sitting in the rain.  Then there were others that were not wet at all.  We all set up and at least it didn’t rain anymore.  But we had the best food EVER!!!  We didn’t have to cook our own meals since there were no fires allowed, so those in the stake cooked.  After a rough first day I was very grateful not to have to try to cook anything and keep Rhett away from any fires since he had his oxygen turned up.  After his nap Rhett mingled and talked and visited and played with all these other kids that were there it never bothered him if they were in his ward, family, or school he was a friend to everyone that I saw.  I was grateful that we were sleeping in the bed of the truck with the concentrator that puts out Rhett’s oxygen.  Not only does it put out oxygen it also puts out HEAT!!  Oh yeah baby living it up!! J  So that first night we were nice and warm and we were drying out all of our wet things from the fun rain storm.

When we got up in the morning everything that we wore was dry including our shoes.  Ok so there were the socks that I wore that were still wet but not as wet as they were.  He he he…  So, we got ready had breakfast and talked about things that we learned from the day before.  Then we had lunch packed up the cart and everything and then we headed out to the next camp site.  That site was about 4 miles or so away from the first camp site.  That was a pretty easy walk and thankfully it stayed dry.  But by the time we were walking my left foot was really starting to hurt me.  No it was not blisters it was like I pulled a muscle or something like that in my foot. After we got to the next camp site I had to walk around bare foot since my foot hurt really bad.  I talked with the nurse and she told me not to overdo it and try to make sure it is elevate it at night.  At this camp site Rhett was able to wander and play more since we had more time.  He played Ninja Destruction and he is the ultimate Ninja.  He won every time that he played it, and it didn’t matter who he played.  I wonder why he likes it so much.  He also played football with some other kids in the stake and they just enjoyed playing with him.  I lost him a few times since he likes to wander.  When I found him before the hoe down he was playing Big Booty.  It is a cute game and it makes you think.  LOL!!!  During the hoe down Rhett liked to sit there and watch as the kids learned how to dosey doe and line dance and then just kick it around and dance. After dinner and dancing it was bed time and I was grateful to get off my feet and I knew that Rhett was tired.  That night was so much colder than the night before.  Even Rhett said he was cold that night too. 

The next day was again an early day and after breakfast and packing up again we were on the trail again.  Rhett wanted to ride in the cart so again I was walking.  But that day after going a mile we all stopped and the boys and men left the girls and women and walked away.  It was the women’s turn to do want other women that came across the plains without husbands due to missions, war, or even death.  The women didn’t stop and pout they picked up the pieces and kept walking with everything that she had with her.  It is called “the women’s pull”.  It was so hard taking Rhett and putting him in the four-wheeler and giving him his oxygen and key and turning and walking away.  It took everything I had not to cry.  It is like a huge separation that has to happen and it hurt so badly.  We said a prayer and sang a song and gathered together to help each other since there were some like me that really struggled with the separation that we were facing.  As we headed to our carts I turned and looked up the path and saw the men walking away.  Rhett who was in the four-wheeler was at the back of the line of men as they walked away.  I just wanted to cry.  We got our water bottles filled and made sure that all the carts had enough girls and women to go for at least a mile on our own.  Oh yeah, I forgot we were also told that it was a silent pull, which means that if we needed to talk it was to be a whisper.  We mostly walked in silence.  After walking and pushing for a while my asthma started acting up and it was getting harder for me to breathe but I know that I couldn’t stop.  I wasn’t sure when I would see Rhett again but I did ask some men to make sure that he stayed safe while I was not with him.  So as we walked there was a girl what was having a very hard time and we needed her to breathe slower since it was too fast.  I went to see if I could help since I needed to slow my breathing too (I just didn’t tell anyone).  On top of me needing to slow my breathing, I do know stuff about the medical field if I do say so myself.  The carts that were stopped after a while started moving and went around us (meaning the girl and everyone there helping her).  After a while were started walking and we finally made it to the top of a huge hill.  At the top of the hill, the men had made lunch and we all ate and worked on trying to recover from hiking up that hill.  After lunch we had a fireside type of gathering to talk about what we learned and how it helped us.  After that Rhett wanted to be in the cart again and we were off once more to walk through the mountains.  Man that was a killer because we ended up walking another 8 plus miles after walking up that hill.  At our next pit stop Rhett asked if he could ride in the truck since he actually took a pillow and lay down in the cart while we were hiking.  So we got in the truck after a little break and rode to the camp site.  This site was where we had lunch on the first day.  After we got there I got some help and was able to pitch the tent that the “ma and pa” brought with them before they got to the camp site.  There was only a little tent to set up and a canopy.  It was great since I think that our “family” was the first one to have their tents set up.  This was the last night camping out.  Rhett was exhausted and asked me to get his pillow and more oxygen and he just lay down under the canopy of his “family”.  This evening I had an opportunity to talk with the trail boss (our stake young men president) and his wife.  I was about to get some info to help Gavin and all my other kids.  Since she is a therapist, and was able to give me some advice and she is going to look into more help for me.  It was good to be able to get a little insight and some info.  After that it was “family” time, so that night we shared stories of our pioneer heritage with our “family”.  Rhett was so excited to share his story.  We found out that we are related to the wife of one of our stake presidency.  I was surprised, I shouldn’t be but I was.  It was a great spiritual experience and we ended up having a great night.

In the morning we packed up and headed back and to where we started from.  By that morning my feet were killing me but Rhett wanted to ride in the cart and so I walked.  It was funny since I was falling behind every cart that was on the trail.  The funniest part was that I had a chance to talk to the girl that I was helping to breathe during the women’s pull.  She told me that she remembers reading to Rhett when they were both in elementary.  But I found out that she just graduated.  I was happy to have a chance to get to know her a little and be able to talk to her.  It was so quiet walking and seeing nothing around.  It was so peaceful and I was grateful for the opportunity to be able to take Rhett and I look forward to being a trail walker when Nikole can go.  We got back to where the buses were and all had a snack and more water before getting on the buses and in trucks.  But we loaded into the truck and came home.  

When we got back I had Rhett shower since he was covered in dust, dirt, and sweat.  After he finished, I had a chance to shower.  It never felt so good to shower and get clean before in my life.  I was amazed at how we actually looked different than we did before we showered.  LOL!!!
After getting back from Trek we needed to go to the store to get birthday things since the very next day was Gavin’s 8th birthday!

I thought of this the morning of the 21st….  One day the Lord looked at a sweet angel who was in need of a special home.  He said you are someone very dear and important to me, and I want you to know you are going to struggle and it is going to be hard but I know of a special place just for you.  Then the Lord looked at me and my husband and said I want him to be in your family.  You are to care and tend to this special spirit since he is very important to me.  He is going to have some special needs that only you can fill.  I expect that you are going to struggle and it is going to be a challenge at times, but I know that you can help him and he help you.  Watch over him and help him grow and help him remember me and how much I love him.


We had a small birthday party since, we were asked to have a combined birthday party for all the kids in the family that had a birthday at the end of July, since there was family going out of town during a their child’s birthday.  So we had two parties for Gavin and he loved every minute of it.  On Gavin’s birthday Emily and her kids flew into town and were able to come sing happy birthday.  It was a wonderful surprise.  He was so excited to turn 8 and then be baptized.

The 24th of July is a huge holiday here and for the first time ever we meaning all my kids and daddy and I slept on the parade route.  It was amazing!  I wasn’t able to sleep very well but at least I got some rest.  Since my brother and his wife and baby came into town the night that we slept on the parade route.  My sister and her kids were into town before my brother.  So we saved a place on the parade route and had a good time.  As soon as the parade was over we headed home to get things ready for the joint birthday party.  Just so you know I picked the best cupcakes EVER!!!  I honestly didn’t have any leftover, they all got eaten and fast.  Here is what all the cupcakes that I made were similar to:

Daddy helped do the faces on them I did the hair and the Twinkie heads. J

After the birthday party at the school playground near the park that we watch fireworks from we decided to head over to the park to see what space we could find to watch fireworks from.  We got this great location on a hill that faced where the fireworks were going to be going off.  We set up our canopy and chairs and put some blankets down and just waited for everyone else to show up.  I am not even sure how long we waited but it was a little while and then what do you know people came. J  I was just glad to have enough space for everyone in our group that wanted to be there to be able to be there.

The very next day Dylan went in for surgery.  He had to have eye muscle surgery again on the same eye that he has always had surgery on, which is the right eye.  He went in mid morning meaning around 9 or 10 and it was a very short surgery compared to other surgeries and we were able to leave that afternoon/evening meaning around 4 or 5 that day.  It was only him and me after we came home, since all the other kids were at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Dylan asked to play a game and I was ok letting him since I had to help him remember to leave his eye alone, because he pulled off the patch and we were told to not re-patch if he pulls off the first patch.  But if he does pull it off then no rubbing for a few weeks and no swimming for a month.  He was really cute playing a game with himself.  Here is a video that I took of him playing with himself.

Isn't he funny! :)

After surgery it was time to think about Gavin’s baptism.
Gavin had asked daddy long before he turned 8 if he would be willing to baptize him.  Daddy said yes and worked until he was able to.  Gavin was baptized on July 27th while with family and a few friends.  We got it cleared on the 27th because Aunt Emily from NJ and Uncle Brian from NZ were in town and they were not going to be in town for a long time.  But we also has a family reunion August 3rd.  Gavin was so excited to get baptized and was giddy.  It was cute to watch him not even being able to hold still.  He asked people to give talks and he picked the songs and he picked out who said the prayers.  It was awesome since it was special just for him.
Opening prayer – Rhett
First song – When I am Baptized
Talk on Baptism – Grandma R.
Baptism
Confirmation
Talk in the Holy Ghost – Grandpa R.
Closing song – Nephi’s Courage
Closing prayer – Nikole
This was the program and it was made just for him.  I was happy that he was able to pick things that he wanted and liked for his baptism.  He is a special spirit and I do believe that he needed to have a special baptism, which he did get.  He was just so excited just to have daddy baptize him.  So daddy baptized him on July 27th and it was very wonderful.
Soon after that Dylan actually got his hearing aids and was so excited to be able to get them and have them after waiting all this time.  He knows how to wear them loud and proud, when he keeps them on his head.  HA HA HA!!!  So he has a blue hearing aid and a red hearing aid.  The red one is more powerful and bigger than the blue one.  His molds are awesome and colorful.  They are neon yellow and neon orange.  Here are pictures that I took while he was getting his hearing aids.  He is so cute!!!  I loved that he was listening and then all of a sudden he would say, I heard that, and then smiled and laughed. 

After getting the hearing aids the very next weekend was Summerfest!  I was so excited since all my siblings were going to be there and it was going to be the first time in a while since I have seen them and spend time with them.  We left late Friday night and didn’t arrive until midnight.  Gratefully my wonderful sister and cousins pitched a tent for our family before we arrived so we had a place to put the kids down as soon as we got there.  Saturday came faster than planned but not really. LOL!  Once up and moving it was great seeing all my cousins, uncles, aunts, grandma, parents and siblings.  We had an opportunity to go the cemetery and help clear the tombstones of grass and dirt or we fixed the window s on the shed or build a fence for grandma.  We did that until noon and then it was lunch.  After that it was visiting and then swimming and then more visiting.  Saturday night like normal we do a talent show.  I was thinking of recording it but I was busy holding this little one.


But my funny siblings came up with a great song to sing during the talent show.  It was a fun song and everyone loved it.  As soon as I get a copy of the song I will have it posted. J  Saturday night after the talent show was visiting time and also night games for the kids.  After bedtime finally it was Sunday and some headed home and some to church and others just hung out.  During church Gavin was at breaking point and I took him out of the room and talked to him.  He wanted to go home.  I think he didn’t get enough sleep and was really tired.  But he was ready to blow.  So I asked one of my cousins if he would be able to take him since I was busy with Dylan and his cousins.  He was ever so willing to take him.  I picked him up and he was so willing to come to me.  I handed him over to my awesome cousin and headed off to deal with little boys.  By the time church was over Gavin was out cold.  I am not sure when he went to sleep but I was grateful not to have to deal with his temper.  We got back changed and took down the tent after having lunch and in between visiting with family.  As people packed up and left there were tears and hugs all around.  I am ever so grateful for my wonderful family.  We headed out with my father since he was so nice and wanted to spend more time with us. J  We were finally home and ready to unpack and get everything clean. 

Monday was gratefully a laid back day for our family.  Daddy took time off work to go to scout camp with Rhett but the camp site was too high in elevation for Rhett so we had all week together.  Tuesday was bug killing day and I also had a hair apt with my sister.  That was fun!  Gavin also had a well-child appt that day.  He is healthy!  Happy dance!! J  At that time I talked to the doctor about Rhett’s sudden weight gain.  The doctor told me that he wanted me to call and get Rhett in to see an endocrinologist to check his hormones and thyroid to make sure they are not acting up.  So we are going to add another doctor to his list of doctors.  Tuesday we meaning my sister’s and I also took all our kids to a splash pad and tie-dyed shirts.  It was so much fun!!  The kids ran in the water and then dyed shirts.  As soon as I could we came home and the kids went down early since they were tired and I was too but I didn’t sleep, I went back to help my sisters finish all the shirts and then I gave my nephew’s blanket back to my sister.  Then it was a race to see what we could get done.  Thursday Gavin and Nikole went to the dentist and had a good experience which I am truly grateful.  Gavin has no cavities and his teeth are great!  Nikole has one cavity but she will have that taken care of when she has her tooth extracted.  Friday there was a dentist apt for Rhett and Dylan.  It was a great week for teeth.  Ha ha ha!!  Dylan’s teeth look great; Rhett’s need a lot of work.  Saturday we took the kids to see Turbo with Hope Kids.  They really enjoyed it especially Dylan.  We are grateful for the opportunities that we have with our kids like this.  Thank you C.R. and Amy and Hope Kids.

That Sunday was family pictures since all my siblings were in town and their kids.  When I get all the pictures I will post them.  It was very emotional for me since my brother and his cute little family were going back to New Zealand the very next day.  I am not sure when I am going to see them again.  With Rhett’s health the way it is I am not sure what is going to happen and it makes me just cry.  I will deal with it when the time comes but still it still hurts just thinking about it.
Sunday I went to a support group support meeting for family and friends of those with an addiction, and it was nice to be in the same room with people like me.
Monday was a rough day.  My brother and is family came over for a little bit before heading to the airport.  I think the goodbyes would not be so hard if you know when you are seeing that person or persons again.  If you have no idea that is what makes saying goodbye really hard.  Before they left I got pictures of each one of my kids holding their baby and sitting in between them.  Nikole tried to get pictures of me doing the same thing but they really didn’t turn out.  By the time my brother left we were both crying and trying to gain control even though we were sad.  I hope it won’t be long before I see him and his family again but I am not sure. 
Tuesday was a good day.  We were finally able to relax and try to catch up on several things that we were not able to do before.  Then I get this call to take the kids to the water park and play in the water.  Also meet both my sisters and tie-dye shirts with all the kids and for all the adults.  So I helped tie a lot of the kids shirts and they had so much fun picking out colors for their shirt and the way they want their shirts to look.  We came home I put the kids to bed and went back to help my sisters finish up and clean up.  I brought all the shirts that are in my house with me.  I just left them in my car in their bags after I got home.  I figured that we couldn’t do anything else with them until a later time.
Wednesday the 14th of August, Rhett woke up in the middle of the night and told me that he couldn’t breathe.  So I called and asked for help from the home health company on top of ordering more oxygen.  So they came out and they couldn’t help until we talked to a doctor.  So I contacted the doctor and he said that he needed to bring Rhett in since he said that he needed to listen to Rhett.  Dylan also had an audiologist appointment that we went to but then had to leave before being seen since Gavin was out of control and looked like he was going to break the chairs.  So I called to make a different appointment but had to leave a message because no one answered the phone.  Later that afternoon I went to help a friend with her son’s IEP.  It turned out to be a great meeting and I was happy to be able to help.  So that night I get a call from the doctor’s office to let me know that they contacted home health to get a different concentrator.
Thursday I ended up taking Rhett into the doctor since I had talked to him over the phone the day before and he really wanted to listen to Rhett.  As soon as the doctor said that everything sounded fine with Rhett, I brought up Gavin and the behavior that he is exhibiting.  His behavior is really starting to make me nervous and also think that something is severely wrong.  He recommended that I take him upstairs to see a psychologist.  So I told him to see if he can contact them to see when I can set it up to see if there is anything that they can think of to help Gavin and our family.  He told me that he would contact their office and put in for a request.  As soon as we were done at the doctor’s office we went to my parent’s house to finally take care of the tie-dye shirts that were in the back of the car.  When I got there my sisters were almost ready to start rinsing the shirts.  We started with the kids that were outside first and worked our way through all the shirts.  It was awesome!!  The shirts turned out amazing!!  I will post pictures in a different post.  After that we hung out and chatted since that was my sister’s anniversary but her husband was really sick so they were just hanging out at the house that day.  After a while I had to say good-bye and head home with my children.  I was sad because I knew that would be the last day I saw my sister and her family for a while since they were going back to New Jersey the very next day.  Gave her a hug and told her I loved her and left.  I later got a call from the psychologist office to set up and appointment for that following Monday.  Couldn’t wait!
That Friday Dylan had an eye appointment to follow up from the surgery that he had a month ago.  The eye doctor said that he looks great and that his eyes are much more even than they were before.  He was pleased with the results and asked to come back at a later day to just keep following him.  After that we headed home and got home just in time to turn around and head out to the Off Broadway Theater with Hope Kids.  The show was Charlie’s Aunt.  Super funny!!!  I would totally recommend the OBT if you are ever in town.  The kids enjoyed it; except for Dylan he fell asleep.  This isn’t the first time.  I think he does that because it is long after bed time for him and that is why he gets too tired to stay awake.  But it was good.
Saturday was a kick back day and relaxing before school starts the next week. 
Sunday daddy had to go out of town for work.  Gavin and Rhett got into it before a meeting that I needed to attend.  So I took Gavin with me where it turned into a battle and I was looking forward to the psychologist appointment the next day.  It was at least an hour long battle and then I mentioned America’s Funniest Home Video and he completely did a one eighty and was finished.  WHAT!?!?  It is so hard to keep my head on straight when he pulls tricks like that.  I was so tired after our battle I slept for a few hours.
Monday came and we cleaned getting ready for school to start.  After a little while it was time to take Gavin to his appointment.  After we got there he shut down on me and crawled under the chairs.  He refused to come out and when it was our turn the psychologist just had the front desk person watch him.  She and I went in and talked about everything that I am noticing and what concerns that I have.  She was able to look up records from all the counseling that I had taken him to at PCMC which helped a lot.  I found out that he was diagnosed with a mood disorder.  It would have been nice to know that before, but I guess better late than never.  She recommended neuropsychological testing to get a better idea of what is going on.  We talked about how to help him in school and the differences between a 504 and an IEP.  I hope I can get enough info and guidance to help him be the best he can be.  Gratefully it was the only thing that we had going on that day besides cleaning and getting ready for school to start.
Tuesday was the last day before school started!  We got a lot done and I was as excited as the kids.  We went to back to school night for Nikole and Gavin.  They met their teachers and saw their classrooms.  Gavin accidentally wrote on the white board with a permanent marker and got told not to do that.  So he left the room ad decided to not go back in no matter what.  So that was that for him and we went to Nikole’s classroom and saw her teacher for the first time.  She was surprised to learn that her teacher is her friend’s mom.  The kids were so excited that they didn’t want to sleep. J  Silly kids don’t they understand that they need sleep to get up early and make it to school on time.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Seriously I promise it is coming

I promise my next post is coming it is just really a lot of updating and we have been through a lot so that is why there is a lot to go through.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

This is dragging (update from February through April)

February was a month that felt like it wasn't going to ever end.  Maybe it was the stress of the kids not getting their homework done on time or maybe making valentines for Nikole, Gavin and Dylan to take to school.  I was so stressed out I almost forgot to call and get more oxygen!  Crap!  Good thing I remembered just in time to get more brought out since almost all of ours were empty.  Then I still forgot to call the doctors and make an appointment for Rhett and Dylan.  It is a good thing I have a calendar or I would forget so much.  LOL!!  I guess I better start writing down times to call to make these appointments.  It is really hard to keep on top of things when you feel like everything is hitting you all at once.

One thing that has been very trying is to get help for Gavin since he can have major shifts in his mood.  Meaning, from going to this sweet boy who is laughing and playing, to one kicking and screaming.  No idea what sets him off but when he blows I almost want to yell "HIT THE DECK!" LOL.  I know that sounds mean but I don't mean it in a bad way, it is a way I can look at the situation and try to help him overcome this horrible problem that is facing him.  After talking with someone that helps children she said that she just got back from training on brain trauma and how it affects children.  After talking with her and going over things that Gavin does I figure that he has brain trauma from the surgery that he had when he was 3 months old.  He has been getting counseling and some of the help that he needed.  They helped him to communicate a little bit better, even though he still has problems with his temper he is getting better at using his words.  I hope that he will continue to improve and use his words more often than not.

Nikole is very self conscious right now and worried about fitting in and having friends.  She has been had a really hard time at school this year and has found out that there are several kids out there that lie and are just plain mean.  She has struggled through this whole school year, but she made it through this year and is looking forward to next year.  I am not even sure who her teacher is which really sucks but I guess that is life at the moment. But it really became apparent that she isn't ready to have very many friends and those that she does have she cherishes.  It is nice to see her trying to make some friends even if it is one friend at a time and most of them are not even her age.  I guess that those kids her age just are not ready for someone as amazing as her.

So Rhett just had surgery on Thursday March 28th on his knees since he was knock kneed.  They had placed plates in his knees to help them straighten out, but the plates cannot stay there because they would then make him bow legged.  This is the only surgery he had since they are not going to do any more chest expansions, because they are not helping.  They put in the plates in when they expanded the chest.  They did that twice, one at a time in each leg.  But during this last surgery he had both the plates removed.  He had a hard time recovering but thanks to the pain cream that he had he was walking and not limping within 3-4 days.  Super proud!  I was so excited since I have never seen him recover like that especially when they are working on his legs.  After a week on Saturday morning he couldn't walk and his lag was super swollen.  He was in intense pain and was just lying there.  I gave him ibuprofen and put the cream on his leg.  In the middle of the day I was concerned and called the orthopedic surgeon on call and they asked about fevers which he didn’t have.  The doctor said to watch it and that I wouldn’t want to spend the weekend in the hospital.  Of course I never want to spend time in the hospital but if it is going to help my children I will, not problem.  So we watched it overnight again.  Doing the same thing as we did Saturday we went through Sunday.  In the afternoon I called the hospital again and talked to a different orthopedic surgeon on call.  I took some pictures of his knee and emailed them to that surgeon.  After he looked at them he said it was a skin irritation and a rash, told me to watch it and it should get better unless he spikes a fever.  I sent the same pictures to his orthopedic surgeon that did the surgery and I talked to his assistant while I was on the phone with her he contacted her and said, “That is cellulitis and we need to get Rhett on antibiotics now.”  We put him on antibiotics and he still was not able to walk and do too much with his leg that was swollen and sore.  I would take pictures and send them to the doctor and be in close contact with them.  It got worse and then slowly started to get better.  He ended up having finished the first antibiotics and had to call out for another dose of antibiotics.  It took almost a month to heal but it finally did thankfully.

 I will update with more info asap and with photos since I know I have a lot of photos that need to be posted.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Valentine's Day




I hope everyone had a wonderful day!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

What a catch up...

Wow it has been over a few months since I lasted posted anything.  I feel horrible, but things have been happening so fast that I just never have time to do everything that I need to do.  There are time that I struggle to stay up and on top of everything.

We had a very good thanksgiving at my sister in laws house.  The kids had a blast and I was so happy that Dylan stayed dry the whole time!  Well he was pretty proud of himself. :)  Dylan is such a cutie and he enjoys staying dry and in big boy underwear as much as he can.  He likes it so much that he had a very funny expression on his face when he didn't make it to the bathroom after he was in a diaper for the night.  I couldn't help but laugh even though it was almost midnight.  Ha ha ha!!!

Gavin, Nikole, and Rhett had a blast playing with cousins and just enjoying the day which was a blessing to me.  It was great!!

December came and went and it was dragging so bad but now that I look back it was a like a blink of an eye.  LOL!!!  Go figure...   During December we had sickness hit our house really hard the week before Christmas.  I was super sick with something I am not even sure because they couldn't diagnose me at all.  That was super frustrating!  I pretty much stayed home as much as I could and slept oh so much.  The first day that I felt like I could get something done was January 1st.

The kids had a great Christmas thanks to so many people that helped our family.  We have a tradition that our kids will get presents for their siblings even if it is something small.  That way they have to think of other people and it has helped so much.  They actually get so excited to get things for other people it is wonderful.  It makes me smile to see them thinking of their brothers and sister depending on who is shopping.  Then wen they open the gifts on Christmas the watch so happy and excited for those they got the gift for just to see their face.  That is one of the most wonderful things that I enjoy seeing at Christmas.  We also went to the Festival of Trees.  The kids really enjoyed it but I know they with they had enough money to get things that are in the gift shops that they have there, or even buy a tree or something like that.  I just love seeing all the hard work people put into items to help Primary Children's Medical Center.

With the new year brought on even more challenges that we had to deal with on top of birthdays in January.  Dylan ended up with the flu the week of his birthday.  He missed out having treats on his birthday with his class but they saved it for when he was able to go back to school after he was feeling better.  We decided to do cupcakes and have him only blow out a candle on one instead of him blowing out candles on a whole cake and giving us all the flu.  We had a little party with him and it was just us since everyone that was going to come have kids, and I know they didn't want to get sick and I honestly don't blame them.  On top of that Gavin had a virus the same week and then a stomach issue the very next week that caused him to stay home for a while.  He was miserable I felt so bad for him.  When I talked with the teacher there were several kids that were out sick so at least he wasn't the only one that was out sick.

On Nikole's birthday it was about the same as Dylan since Gavin was having a stomach problem and Dylan had just gotten over the flu.  We did the cupcake for her too.  She had a great day.  I cannot believe that she is 11 and is not even 5 inches shorter than I am!  She is going to be taller than me and I think it is going to happen soon.  LOL!  We had a surprise in the form of freezing rain on her birthday.  That was super crazy.  I think if I remember right she came home and told me that she had fallen when she was walking to and from school.  I almost fell while I was outside too.  It was rather funny.  Nikole took treats for her class and barely had enough for her class.  I am glad that I had gotten the big bag, it was treats for Dylan and Nikole and their classmates.

The same week that Nikole had her birthday and right after Dylan's birthday Rhett, Dylan, and Nikole all had doctor appointments that week, starting on Monday.  The first appointment was the orthodontist for Rhett and Nikole,  Rhett just got some more rubber bands and Nikole had a visit with him to see if she is ready for braces.  She has to have 3 teeth pulled if they don't come out on their own. :(  She is not happy about that since she has had so many pulled, but we will see if that is the case.  The second appointment was a well child for Nikole and Dylan on Monday.  We got to the doctor early since we left the hospital early and the wonderful doctor that we have was willing to see us during his lunch so we wouldn't have to wait for a hour to see him.  The appointment went ok. found out that Nikole needs to see the eye doctor.  I wonder if she will need glasses.  Oh well we will be seeing him soon.

Tuesday was a cardiologist appointment.  Rhett had an exercise study with ECHO.  They got him down to 60 without oxygen and walking on the treadmill.  His appointment was a super long appointment and it was just sad, since they wouldn't let me in the room to watch.  When I saw him they were taking him to a room.  As soon as we got to the room waiting for the doctor to meet with us the nurse closed the door and Rhett just broke down and started crying.  I felt so bad for him.  As I talked with him I found out that they made it really hard for him to breath and he was really upset that they had to do that to him.  He was also almost as white as a wall from the lack of oxygen and the exercise that he got walking on the treadmill.  The doctor said that his levels are up when his is without oxygen but it is too small to measure with oxygen.  So he has to take speical meds to help him keep his pressure down.

Wednesday was an audiologist appointment for Dylan and Rhett.  We had to make it out to Taylorsville to see the wonderful audiologist that we saw when Rhett was little, but after we moved it was just too far to drive there so often so we would go somewhere closer but seeing her again was wonderful.  I got some paper work taken care of and we looked over the hearing loss for the boys and  talked about hearing aids types that were available for the boys.  Dylan decided that he didn't like the hearing aid that he is borrowing from school.  It was a good meeting since Rhett's hearing aid is broken and trying to get it fixed doesn't look like it is going to happen anytime soon.

Friday was a pulmonary appointment for Rhett to get lung function and volumes.  Gah!  That was a day I would much rather never repeat, ever!  We got there even after the freezing rain the day before and the snow and everything.  So glad to make it there safe.  They took Rhett back and had him doing a PFT(Pulmonary Lung Function), I waited for what seemed like forever, but more like 1 hour.  After he was done he came back and was playing with his rewards, ie: toys from the reward box for doing a good job.  So before the doctor was able to come into the room Rhett went to the bathroom and within 5 minutes after he left the doctor came in and decided to tell me the results.  He went over everything from the previous 2 PFT and compared it to this one that he just did.  Lets just say that he dropped in function and everything except for total lung volume.  The results for the lung volume just stayed the same from the last time it dropped back in August.  We are going to retest him and Dylan later this spring and see if the air quality had any effect on this last PFT.

This pictures are Rhett's PFT results from August and then again from January.


August PFT
 
January PFT


I also have the terminology that I know will help explain lots of this. I have listed the terminology below, and if you have questions I am more than willing to answer them.

Terminology and Definitions

FVC - Forced Vital Capacity - after the patient has taken in the deepest possible breath, this is the volume of air which can be forcibly and maximally exhaled out of the lungs until no more can be expired. FVC is usually expressed in units called liters. This PFT value is critically important in the diagnosis of obstructive and restrictive diseases.

FEV1 - Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second - this is the volume of air which can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs in the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver. It is expressed as liters. This PFT value is critically important in the diagnosis of obstructive and restrictive diseases.

FEV1/FVC - FEV1 Percent (FEV1%) - This number is the ratio of FEV1 to FVC - it indicates what percentage of the total FVC was expelled from the lungs during the first second of forced exhalation - this number is called FEV1%, %FEV1 or FEV1/FVC ratio. This PFT value is critically important in the diagnosis of obstructive and restrictive diseases.

FEV3 - Forced Expiratory Volume in Three Seconds - this is the volume of air which can be forcibly exhaled in three seconds - measured in Liters - this volume usually is fairly close to the FVC since, in the normal individual, most of the air in the lungs can be forcibly exhaled in three seconds.

FEV3/FVC - FEV3% - This number is the ratio of FEV3 to the FVC - it indicates what percentage of the total FVC was expelled during the first three seconds of forced exhalation. This is called %FEV3 or FEV3%.

PEFR - Peak Expiratory Flow Rate - this is maximum flow rate achieved by the patient during the forced vital capacity maneuver beginning after full inspiration and starting and ending with maximal expiration - it can either be measured in L/sec or L/min - this is a useful measure to see if the treatment is improving obstructive diseases like bronchoconstriction secondary to asthma.

FEF - Forced Expiratory Flow - Forced expiratory Flow is a measure of how much air can be expired from the lungs. It is a flow rate measurement. It is measured as liters/second or liters/minute. The FVC expiratory curve is divided into quartiles and therefore there is a FEF that exists for each quartile. The quartiles are expressed as FEF25%, FEF50%, and FEF75% of FVC.

FEF25% - This measurement describes the amount of air that was forcibly expelled in the first 25% of the total forced vital capacity test.

FEF50% - This measurement describes the amount of air expelled from the lungs during the first half (50%) of the forced vital capacity test. This test is useful when looking for obstructive disease. The amount of air that will have been expired in an obstructed patient is smaller than that measured in a normal patient.

FEF25%-75% - This measurement describes the amount of air expelled from the lungs during the middle half of the forced vital capacity test. Many physicians like to look at this value because it is an indicator of obstructive disease.

MVV - Maximal Voluntary Ventilation - this value is determined by having the patient breathe in and out as rapidly and fully as possible for 12 -15 seconds - the total volume of air moved during the test can be expressed as L/sec or L/min - this test parameter reflects the status of the respiratory muscles, compliance of the thorax-lung complex, and airway resistance. Surgeons like this test value because it is a quick and easy way to assess the strength of the patient's pulmonary musculature prior to surgery - a poor performance on this test suggests that the patient may have pulmonary problems postoperatively due to muscle weakness. MVV can therefore be viewed as a measure of respiratory muscle strength. One major cautionary note is that this test is effort dependent and therefore can be a poor predictor of true pulmonary strength and compliance.

Ok so after having the terminology and the results you can tell me what you think.  It was just hard getting the results and then comparing them side by side like that.

After that appointment I get home and it was a mess.  But on top of that daddy was taking Rhett and Gavin to a scout overnighter at a cabin. I was at a loss.  I was already really upset about the test results and then having to deal with the mess by myself with Nikole and Dylan just put me over the edge.  It was not pretty.

To follow up with all this info here are some pictures to make up for all the missing pictures as I haven't posted any in a while.


Love this Christmas present.  LOL!!  She is funny!
Yummy!  Before school and fresh fallen snow.
One, two, three... jump!!  Loves swimming.
Love Christmas eve!  So happy.
It is hard to do face time if you don't have your hands.  LOL!
So there are some more recent pictures. I will have to take more pictures and post them soon.

Monday, November 19, 2012

AWESOME!!!!

Nikole started swimming on the Jr. Panthers swim team the beginning of October.  She practiced Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  The first week of practice she had a meet that Saturday and did AWESOME!!!  It was her first swim meet and I was so happy that she did her best!!!

 
This was right after a great race!


Gavin is taking swimming lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  He is trying to beat Nikole so he is working extra hard at swimming so that he can get on the swim team.  Ha ha ha!!  Too bad boys and girls don't actually compete against each other.  They are going to kick some butt when they get better!  I cannot wait to see how they do, and how amazing they will be  together on a team with each other.

Rhett had his surgery on the 18th of October.  Then we had a pleasant surprise and Rhett was released from the hospital on the 20th!  Holy cow!!!  Seriously this was a VEPTR revision meaning they broke ribs on the left side and expanded it out all at the same time.  When he had the same surgery in March/April he wasn't released from the hospital until the Monday following the surgery.  But for every revision he has always been released the Monday following the surgery.  I was so happy that he was doing so well.  He also told me that he wanted to go to school on Monday after surgery to see the faces of everyone.  HA HA HA HA HA!!!!  I bet some of their faces looked shocked that he was at school.  I know I was sure surprised to see him go to school so soon after surgery.  I know that his name was in a few temples and there was family and friends all praying for him.  So he had a few hundred thousand people praying for him the week of his surgery and especially on the day of surgery.  To see his recovery was amazing!!  We went to a Halloween party since the other kids really wanted to go and Rhett was a great sport and went along too.  He did stay in his wheelchair which was fine by me I was just amazed to see him up and out of the hospital.  He went back to school the following Monday with a doctors note and medicine.  He has done great!

The kids picked out costumes that we already had at the house since we didn't have the money of the time to do anything else.    Dylan picked out a dog, Gavin was Darth Vader (again), Nikole picked out a costume that I got for myself a long time ago(was a witch), and Rhett decided to be Phantom from Phantom of the Opera.  Wow was a lucky to get out of this holiday so easy at least that is what I thought until Halloween.  Ha ha ha!!!

Aren't they cute!!

This is less than 2 weeks after surgery.  I am just glad that we had everything at home and we even made Rhett's mask.  So on Halloween this is what I get when Rhett comes home.


Do I looked like I was burned by acid?
Does it cover my make-up?

It was funny to see him really worried about his make-up. LOL!! He went with Nikole, Gavin, and Dylan with daddy out trick or treating.  When he came back he starting peeling off the make-up and when I saw his face it was swollen and itchy.  It was like his whole half of his face was covered in hives.  Found out that the make-up was latex.  I guess that latex precaution that he has had at the hospital is now an actual allergy. :(  How frustrating!  I called the nurse the very next day and let her know so know they know at the school.

By the beginning of November we were on a roll.  All the kids were back in school and things were back to normal, except the kids were playing with the on off cold thing that keeps going around.  Grr... those nasty cold bugs.

I have actually needed to put everything that I do in my calendar so I can see what I do and where all my time disappears too.  Ha ha ha!!  I honestly didn't realize how busy I really was until I did do that and now I am amazed that I have time for anything.

On November 9th I noticed there was some infection in Rhett's incision from this surgery he just had.  I called the doctors office Monday sent some pictures to them and they called out medicine for Rhett hoping that would help.  When we went to go get it from the pharmacy it wasn't there!  Holy cow so the next day when I called the doctor's office we played phone tag all day.  I did find out where they called it in at.  I called the doctors office to see if they could call it in to the pharmacy closer that I asked them to the first time.  After that they did, I called the pharmacy to find out if they got it and find out how much it was going to cost that way I could be prepared.  That is when I was told that the insurance wasn't going to cover the costs until Saturday.  I was really frustrated and found out that it had been filled out at the other pharmacy.  It was a MESS!  But we got it worked out and got it but it wasn't until Wednesday morning when he got his first dose.  By then it was half way up his back and for a few days he was in quite a bit of pain.  I felt horrible for him but there was nothing that I could do other than give him his medicine and hope for the best.  But even by today it was still gooey and yucky red and inflamed.  At least he isn't in pain that I know of but he hardly tells me unless it is really bad.  So I am just not sure if this infection is going to go away on it's own or if he is going to have to go back into the OR to be cleaned out.  Just his luck...  I guess I will find out this week.

Look at my cutie! He was helping daddy clean out his work car. 

I will do a follow up post after I find out what is going on with Rhett and after I get some great shots of the Festival of Trees.
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