Heather Update: Day 4

We are writing today down as a good day. 

I went up to see Heather this morning and found her very tired after what she said was a 'very bad night'. She had a really bad headache last night and got very little sleep and after a day full of visitors with very little down time to nap she was exhausted. 

She had started her second round of plasmapheresis about an hour before I got there. Her platelet count was up from yesterday to 81 today! Yay God! Things in this department are heading in the right direction. 

Her kidney doctor came in while I was there too. Her creatine levels were down. Another yay! This may be due to gain in kidney function or just that the dialysis is doing its job. Would we love it to be regaining kidney function. Of course! But the dialysis doing what it is supposed to be is positive as well. Her urine production was also up. Not leaps and bounds but up!!!

The hemoglobin level was down however back to 6.6. Which resulted in another blood transfusion this afternoon. But we are praising God for the good in today and continue to pray for all of her levels to get to a great place. 

This afternoon was much better for Heather in terms of how she was feeling. She was able to get som much needed sleep and with the help of only aspirin, was headache free by the afternoon. She was in good spirits which was great to hear. 

Heather did want me to thank everyone who has sent flowers, notes, words of encouragement and of course all of you who are praying for her. There is zero Internet service in her room so she is unable to respond back on Facebook or via email. But she appreciates everyone's love and support! 

Please pray specifically for her hemoglobin level to jump up and stay up (12-16 is what they want). 

Platelets need to go to 150 for 3 days.

Kidney function to increase! 

Urine production to increase (yup Heather I just asked everyone to pray for your pee! :-)

100% healing!!!!

Heather Update: Day 3

Heather had a good day today. We praise God for this! He is faithful and has heard our prayers! 

All of her level are going in the right direction. Her hemoglobin was up from 6.4 to 7.8. Again we are working toward getting to 12. Her platelets were at 66 from 45 which means the plasma transfer (plasmapheresis) did its job for the first round. She had another treatment today so our prayer is tomorrow her levels with be even higher. The goal is to get to 150 and stay there for 3 days. Once that happens she may be able to come home. 

Her kidney function also improved today. Pray that there is visible evidence of kidney function. :-) 

Her spirits were up today and she was able to have a visit from her sweet Ava. Lots of smiles today. 

We are thankful for the progress today and pray everything continues in the right direction. She has a very long road ahead but we are trusting God will heal her body to 100%. 

Please continue to left Heather up in prayer! 

Praise God for today! 

Heather Update: Day 2

Today was a 'busy' day for Heather. 

They are currently treating her for Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) which is an abnormal premature destruction of red blood cells. It is something that mainly children get but clearly adults can get it too. It is from a certian strain of E. Coli. They do not know where the E. coli came from and frankly they don't care and we will never know. It is not a 100% diagnosis because the blood tests she had done Tuesday/Wednesday have not come back to confirm but they think this is what they are dealing with and are treating it as such. They also talked about it potentially being Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). From what I understand the treatment is similar for both diagnoses. 

The first thing they needed to do was a blood transfusion. Her hemoglobin level was down to 6.4 when it should be between 12 and 16. I was able to sit with Heather today and was there when they were giving her the blood which seemed to give her a boost in energy (I use 'energy' as a relative term meaning she didn't fall asleep on me:).

This afternoon, after I left, she started a procedure called Plasmapheresis. This is the process of removing the plasma from her blood and replacing it with healthy plasma. It's done with a big machine that takes her blood out, separates the plasma out, then adds the good plasma back into her blood. 

As of 8 tonight she was done with the Plasmapheresis and was starting her second round of dialysis. 

My parents went up there tonight and said she was doing 'much better' than last night. She was able to talk to them and was much more alert. 

Pleas continue to pray, pray, pray! 

*Thank you to everyone who has offered to help out with various things. We are grateful to have such loving and caring people around us.

Pray for Heather

Just to keep everyone updated on what is going on with my sister I thought I would post.

Two weeks ago she was in and out of Prime Care (Friday) and the ER (Sunday) with digestive/bowel issues. She was originally told it was just a severe stomach virus then after a trip to the ER was told it was possible Crohns or an infection. She was put on an antibiotic and started to feel better. All tests that were done came back negative for Crohns or anything serious. Well this past Monday, after being on the antibiotic for 7 days she started to experience nausea, migraines and dizziness. Doctors told her to stop taking the medication and if things worsen to go to the ER. So on Tuesday after things had not gotten better she went in where they discovered her platelets to be very low and she had poor kidney function. 

She was admitted on yesterday evening. This morning things were worse and her hemoglobin was low and her kidney function was even poorer. More tests were run, more blood work done with no conclusions as to what is causing her kidneys to shut down. 

The decision was made this afternoon to move her to Blodgett Downtown and start dialysis because her kidneys are shutting down.
Please pray for Heather, Mark, Ava, and the doctors. We just really want answers right now. It's very hard to wait. 

The Big One - 5 Years Old!

My Sweet, Spunky Girl; 

 My life is was forever changed five years ago today when God put you in my life. The moment I held you I knew we were going to get along just fine. You were wide eyed for almost three hours after you were born just taking in the world and people around you and you have been doing so ever since. You love new situations and meeting new friends. When we go to the pool with just our family you are always eager to see if there were will 'new friends' there. It is something you are very good at as well. People are drawn to your sweet smile and kind heart (at the pool the Barbie Dolls do help with first impressions :). 

You are always willing and wanting to help me when you can. Especially if I am baking. Your favorite things to make are Banana Bread and Monster Cookies. I do think you like to eat both more than you like to actually help make them but, don't we all.
Singing is your favorite pass time. You sing about anything & everything. Songs about Monster trucks for the boys, songs about Jesus, songs about bugs and flowers...you name it, you've come up with a song about it. I love listening to whatever you are singing because I know it is about whatever is on your mind and in your heart. It's beautiful to be able to 'see' that part of you so clearly.
Horses, horses everywhere! You are in love with horses. (You come by this naturally...mommy loved horses, and still do) We hope to get you some riding lessons this fall (Thanks to Auntie J & Mimi and Grandpa) which I know you are going to love. Daddy, Charley, Grant & I got you a Bryer horse barn for your birthday so finally all your ponies have a place to live.

We love you so much sweet girl. You are growing up to be a sweet, kind, compassionate girl who loves people, her family & Jesus. I could not be prouder of you.

I Love you!

Mommy

Lunch at Russ' with Amma, Aunt Heather, Ava, Harper, Grace and of course Mommy & the little brothers.

Lego set from Amma & Papa

Birthday dinner of her choice.

Birthday Cake too of course.

Sweet Sayings from my Children

Since Payton learned to talk I have been jotting down cute or funny or wise things that my children say. I wish I were better at it than I am but that is my 'mommy guilt' talking and I am learning to be greatful that I have any of it written at all. I thought I would share some with you. Some are really old and some are very recent. You may not find them as funny as Bryan and I do but some may give you a chuckle. 

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While at the table tonight Payton says, “I can do it! I’m SUPER PAYTON!” hehehe

4/20/11

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“Charley you’re my best friend.”

5/11 - Payton

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To Daddy, “Daddy, I will share my hair with you.”

6/30/11 - Payton

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In the car again with Daddy, Mommy & Charley.

Daddy – “ Is the baby in mommy’s tummy a sister baby or brother baby?” Payton – “I don’t want that brother baby Daddy. I want a sister.” Daddy – “You can pray to God and ask for a baby sister.” Payton – “God loves me Daddy”. Daddy – “He sure does Payton”.

7/1/11

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On Papa & Amma’s deck eating Sunday lunch. Payton had a gaser. Papa says, “Payton did you hear those ducks? That must have been a flock of ducks.” Payton with a huge smile, “No Papa that was my buns!”

7/3/11

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“Mom, my eyes are broken. They keep opening & closing.” – Payton while in the car. Two minutes later she was asleep.

7/1/12

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Daddy – “Grant, say ‘tractor’”

Charley – “Say John Deere.”

05/2013

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“Mommy I want a sister.” – Payton

“I know honey. If you pray to Jesus maybe he’ll give you a sister.” – Mommy

“Jesus puts babies in our bellies?” – Payton

“Yes Honey.” – Mommy

“When I grow up He’ll put a baby in my tummy too?” – Payton

“ I pray that He will someday yes. When you are married.” – Mommy

“I think I will name that baby Sarah. Don’t you think that is a pretty name Mommy?” – Payton

“That is a very pretty name honey.” – Mommy

“That is what I am going to name my baby then Mom.” – Payton

“Ok honey but you and your husband someday will have to decide together on your babies name. Just like Daddy and I decided together when we named Payton Renay, Charley Garyson and Grant Michael.” – Mommy

“But Mooommmm…I told you I am going to marry Cole (Meiste)!!” – Payton

Slight giggle…”Ok honey then you and Cole will have to decide on the name of your babies.” – Mommy

06/6/13

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“ I love really love Grant. He’s the best! I like playing with him.” – Charley

June 2013

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At the swimming pool after learning to jump off the side all by herself. (Daddy has been working on this for years with herJ)

“Dad I think I feel something. I think it’s courage.” – Payton

7/14/13

 

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I was explaining to Payton (after not making her sandwich right…made peanut butter & jelly not just jelly J), that I don’t always get everything right because I am human then Charley chimes in…

“No you’re not mommy!”

me – “I’m not human?”

Charley – “ No, you’re Mommy!”

I guess Mommies are not human. J

7/16/13

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At the park Grant through wood chips in Aunt Jami Eldean’s wagon. I asked him to look at me so I could say ‘we don’t throw wood chips and apologize’. What did he do? Turned around and said ‘Cheese’!. Ha! I think I may take his picture a lot.

7/29/13

Happy Independance Day!

We always enjoy the 4th of July and this year was no different. I feel like this year we had 4 straight days of the '4th of July', which I'll take. We did a ton of boating and 'beaching'.  All four days to be exact. By the end this mama was sick of packing up three kids and a hubby to go on a boat and to the beach but it was well worth it.

We started off the 'weekend' on Wednesday night by heading to the Potter's for some grilling out. They have an awesome blow up slid that P just loved and C & G learned to love after a little convincing.

Thursday was the traditional pancake breakfast and car show at Graafschap church. Once again, a huge hi with the kids. The Critter Barn was there this year with a ton of animals which is always great in our book.

Looking at the fire trucks with Papa.

"Hey, want to torment these baby ducks with me?" "Sure!"

"What? Most people don't sit down to pet baby goats? Say it's not so!"

 My in-laws so graciously let us use their boat for the day so we packed up the kids and all the gear and headed to the beach to meet up with friends. The kids ran around like crazy and we thought for sure they would all fall asleep on the ride in...but nope, the little one was not going to let that happen. :) So we did naptime at home. 

Headin' to the beach in Grandpa's boat cuddy.

Captian G!

Boys lovin' the beach. Good thing Leuw has his goggles on...hahah

Future Girl Next Door

 Then we headed to the Marina for our annual grill out and fireworks. At bedtime I drove G over to Amma & Papa's for bed (we picked him up later). Not sure who was happier, G to have Amma & Papa to himself or Amma & Papa to have only G.) C got to stay for the fireworks for the first time this year. He was a trooper even when the fireworks didn't start until 10:45! P was good but after a few of the fireworks she was ready to go home to bed. But we stayed for C. We didn't want to leave early on his first ones. Needless to say we had a LONG day and both P & C were tired when we got home.

Excited about the sparklers.

 Friday was kind of a down day. The kids went to Amma's to play for the morning while I ran some errands. But in the evening we still fit in a cook out at the Yacht Club and a swim.
Saturday and Sunday were both beach days on Grandpa's boat.
Thank you Grandpa & Mimi for letting us use the boat so much! We love it and it's WAY easier than taking the dingy out with all 5 of us.
What a bunch of beach bums!  ;-)

Brotherly love.

This is how we do boating after a long day on the beach.

Playing with Auntie J.

Best Smile EVER!

Me & My Girl

So Sweet.