top ten v.21

wow!  it's been over 2 months since i've posted a top ten.  besides that, it's been a couple days since i've posted at all.  so.. let's see what i've been doing since last checking in here.

01.  the demon wants to start a little instagram "project".  he wants to take gumby and/or pokey and stage them in funny random pictures.   

02.  we spent last friday running around to various doctor appointments.  our first stop was children's hospital.  i saw these big letters - indicating the different parking areas - and thought they were pretty cool.  he first saw the surgeon and then GI.  thankfully, he was checked out and everyone is happy with where he is right now!  we stick with what we're doing and return in a few months.

03.  our last stop of the day was a trip to the oral surgeon.  the demon has to have braces ASAP and he has 9 "baby" teeth in the way.  he also has an impacted canine - and he's freaking out about the whole situation.  nothing i can say can ease his worries.

04.  i spent the rest of the day/evening friday cuddling with this monster.  he's so cute!

05.  the demon came to visit (grab a video game to take back down to his dad's house) and scared the bejeezus out of me! 

06.  i've avoided trains.

07.  i've found faces in strange places.

08.  we've had some couch cuddle time.  

09.  i've napped!

10.  because we had a stupid warm weekend (last weekend) we ran into some drying issues with my basement.  it's almost finished and once it's organize i will post some after photos!

enjoy your tuesday... i'm about 3 days late for dying my hair!

he cracks me up.

if you have kids i'm sure you've had the thought... "OMG!  I need to write that down so I can always remember that he/she said that!"  (or did that!)?  that's the exact moment i'm having right now.

i mentioned that i bought a new couch.   it's being delivered today and the old one is on the front porch.  sitting here, watching mindless television, i remembered what the Demon said right after i told him about getting a new couch.  i was expressing my excitement.  he didn't seem phased?  it wasn't like him.  

"Aren't you excited?"

"Eh, I guess."

"What's wrong?"

"I have a lot of good memories on the old couch."

"Aww, cuddle memories?"
"Oh, well yeah.  That.  But that's where we laughed and did the butt juice!"

(cracks up)

he kills me!!!  when he was first diagnosed with UC he was prescribed medicinal enemas.  to help relax him and turn the entire ordeal from embarrassing to hilarious - we started to call it "butt juice".  as i was sitting here thinking of all the times we've laid there and cuddled...his first memory of that couch is the hilarious butt juice.

he's amazing, and this is one story that i don't want to forget.

enjoy your weekend!

Top Ten V.20 - a Wednesday edition.

01.  BLAH.  if i could use just one word to describe how i've been feeling, lately, it would be that - blah.  i have been severely lacking my blogging mojo.  i also haven't picked up my camera since our pumpkin patch outing!

02.  the election is finally over.  living in ohio, it's been awful having political ads, telephone calls, and incessant campaigning shoved down our throats for the past few weeks.  the last few days have been UNreal.   in a matter of an hour we counted 32 commercials!!  crazy.  

03.  we're having another game night this friday! it's unbelievable since, over the last few years, game nights have been few and far between; especially game nights that involve the whole family.  i always get excited about game nights and it's something i look forward to for the whole week.

04.  i bought a new couch!  look, to some this isn't a big deal - i get it... but for me?  it's huge.  i just turned 35 and i've never had a new couch.  for some reason, our house has always been the catch all for hand me downs.  the new one is being delivered friday.  who knows, maybe i'll ditch game night and lay on the new couch all night.  :)

05.  if you've been a reader here for awhile you know all about my issues with thanksgiving.  we're not even attempting a bird this year!  the family, all 6 of us (possibly 7) are hitting cracker barrel and each of us will get exactly what we want.  absolutely no stress involved.  and if you do know me, you know i tend to "obsess"  so any reason for less worry is a plus.

06.  the Demon got his report card monday.   not good.  at the end of last year he was diagnosed with mild ADD.  i know people are quick to yell - no meds! or.. hurry, get him medicated!  after talking with him for a long time, we both agreed we needed to try something to help him focus.  he began taking a lose dose medication and we're cautiously optimistic.  he knows that it's not a miracle cure.  he knows he has to study and put forth more effort.  just as i've lost my blogging mojo, i've lost my "umph" on nagging and hassling him.  i can't study for him, i can't make him learn... he needs to realize what HE needs to do to succeed.

07.  speaking of education... right now he's "shadowing" a friend at the high school of his choice!  again, i obsess.  i didn't warn the school of his bathroom issues.  on a normal day, he may only make the trip once or twice during school.  in reality, it shouldn't be a problem for him.  however, add in an experience in a new school and the stress of the unknown and the fact that he doesn't know where each and every bathroom is.. the potential is there.  he has inherited his "worry" from the best... he knows what he has to do and he also knows what to do if they (or anyone) questions his need to leave the class.  my hope is that being around his friend puts his mind at ease and he can enjoy the experience.  

08.  is anyone else ready for christmas movies and songs?!?!!

09.  and, snow!!

10.  speaking of christmas, i have seen quite a few of my friends talking about christmas shopping.  *@&!  i guess i better start finding out what these kids want!

enjoy your wednesday! 

my week on instagram

♦ loving my new wax burner.. now i just need to get some yummy fall scents.

♦ of course i have to have the Jeep smelling all autumn too.

♦ i got a new cd & i'm loving it.

♦ trains anyone?!

♦ apparently the boys are slowly sneaking out owls from my grannie's house and adding them to my collection.

♦ i found & purchased this cute halloween kitty from the thrift store.

♦ we had another dr's appt at the hospital.  he's not totally happy with the demon's progress but we're in a "wait and see" holding pattern.

♦ mao is continuing to play and his eating has increased!  

♦  i found this adorable little felt box at the dollar bin at target..but showed some restraint and left without it.

i hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!

hot.

whew.  this weekend was no joke, stupid, crazy, walk outside start to drip sweat, hot.  the plan for the weekend was to get the pool cover taken off, pull weeds from all around the back yard and begin to get the pool swim ready.  however, the thought of doing anything that required the slightest effort was met with disgust.  and, if i couldn't stand to be outside to do much of anything, i couldn't expect the demon to spend his weekend pulling weeds.  instead, we got the cover ready to be taken off - it was loaded with water - and sprayed a lot of poison on the weeds.

we also went to the movies!  the beast, demon and i saw dark shadows.  it was good!  afterwards we made our first trip to the sno shack.

i didn't sneak a picture of the beast, i'm not even sure why not.  they kept arguing with me that the little green "thing" in the picture was a turtle.  hmm.. what do you think?  i won't tell you where i stand.. but do you think that "thing" is a turtle? 

i'm not blogging as much as i want to be.  hoping that changes soon.  this thursday i am getting a new tattoo!  i'm both excited and, to be honest, terrified of the pain.  normally i'm not a big wuss when it comes to the pain of a fresh tattoo.  however, the last one i got left me really hurting - beyond just my arm.  hopefully, it was just a random, rare event and this one will be normal.  as normal as a tattoo can be.

friday the demon goes to the doctor for another scope.. a scope of just the pouch.  let's hope that nothing concerning shows up and we go about our daily business!  and, since friday was originally the last day of school, his last day will be thursday!  i'm excited about the summer.  <  that's something you won't hear from me very often.

until next time...

a rough couple days...

yesterday i received a phone call.  i didn't recognize the number so i let it go to voicemail.  it was science care.  i can't remember if i mentioned or not that for as long as i can remember my momma wanted to donate her body to science.  i was so happy when i found this organization.  they have been amazing and i 100% recommend them if you or your loved ones are interested in donating your body to research.  anyway...the message was letting me know that they were shipping out a very special package and it should arrive within 7-10 days.  i wasn't ready for that to be the message.  i'm not ready for my momma's ashes to come home..

today was the first trip to the pharmacy since she passed.  i was at the pharmacy at least once a week - normally more than that.  i was there so often that i never had to give my last name, they all knew which prescriptions i was there to get.  they were already told about my mom passing and i knew the first trip was going to be hard.  everyone expressed both their sympathy and shock.  it was amazing to see how much my momma touched people she never even met.  well, it shouldn't be.. because she was amazing.  but, it never gets easier to relive and retell the events that occurred.  

tomorrow marks a year since the demon's first surgery.  i didn't imagine having such mixed emotions.  we plan to celebrate by doing yard work, working on the dreaded pool, and going to the movies.  sounds fun, right?

oh yeah, and i made cupcakes.

Money well spent!

I had a Sam's Club membership years ago but let it expire because I really was not taking advantage of the deals.  It wasn't so much that I didn't want to shop there, it was more about not having room to store the large packages of everything they sell.  A week or so ago I started to do some research between the Costco and Sam's memberships.  Sam's was cheaper so that where I decided to go. 

After my first trip I started to think I made a mistake.  The toilet paper that I was hoping to find wasn't there.. his hiney is very brand specific.  The packages were just as big, if not bigger, than I had remembered.  There is no way I can possibly store 36 freakin' eggs in my fridge.  I felt like I just threw away my money....

I did find one amazing thing on that first trip (that isn't at all new) and I took a risk with buying it because I had never eaten it before.  With this diet, a string cheese is a low point (normally) yummy treat.  A few weeks ago I had a coupon for Sargento Light string cheese.  BLECH. I was so disappointed and really regretted not buying what I had in the past - the Weight Watcher's string cheese.  Well, getting back to Sam's, I stumbled upon big bags of Mini Babybel Light Cheese.  The Demon was hesitant to try the "Light" cheese but he dove right in and loved it!  Each little cheese is also just 1 point and so much better than any string cheese that I've ever eaten.  Score!  I'll never go back to string cheese again.

However, even if I found absolutely nothing on that first trip, what I found the next day online blew me away. 

A little back story:  The Demon has to take about 20 anti diarrheal caplets a day.  He ran out on Thursday so I knew we had to run to CVS or Walgreens (they are both close).  Here is the price breakdown for nearby stores for:    

• CVS (96ct)...........$20.99
• Walgreens (96ct)...$16.99
• Walmart (72ct)......$ 4.98

Because of the price we would always go to Walmart but, on Thursday we didn't have the time.  We ran into CVS and I was stunned by the price.  I bought a small box of 24 for $6.29.  Basically, 1 day = $6.  I planned on running to Walmart the next day and, once again, stocking up on their 72 count.  

Then it hit me... check Sam's website.  I can't explain the reaction I had when I saw their price.

Yes.  You are reading that correctly. 

I wanted to clear the shelf!!  But, I only bought 3 packages. 

I think the $40 I spent on this membership may just have been the best $40 I've spent in a long, long time!

Nothing to complain about!

"would you PLEASE stop taking pictures of me!?!"

First things first - I love that the Demon is grounded from his iPod because now I have plenty of time to play.

 

I guess the appointment with Endocrine was a success?  He's still holding strong at 84lbs which is just where his GI Doctor wants him to be with his weight.  As far as his height goes he's remains in the 5th percentile.  Since October of last year he's grown almost an inch.  I assume that's not much but it's what we're used to and really no surprise.  He's been on the growth hormone almost a month now so we weren't exactly expecting a huge change today.  

They have the cutest little fire truck in the waiting room for the children waiting to enjoy.  However, I'm sure it's a petri dish for every germ imaginable.

While we waited in the exam room, we both had a little fun with the dry erase boards that are made available...

seriously, he's so sweet :)

haha.. I kill me.

Dr. K is happy with where the Demon is with his dosage so we continue with the treatment plan and are scheduled to see him again in 4 months.  When I asked how long he thought the Demon would have to be on the hormones he confirmed what I was afraid of... "most likely 2-3 years".  We continue to treat until his growth plates fuse - however long that takes.  I suppose the longer the better.

When we came home we were greeted with the daffodils in full bloom!  Lookin' good!

I can't believe it's already March!  I have a whole 'lotta catching up to do with this weight loss THING.

Enjoy your weekend!

2 Thumbs up!

The reaction after being told "no scopes!" today at the doctor appointment.  He's doing great.  His trips to the bathroom have decreased from roughly 12-14 times (including night) to 1 trip overnight and 5-6 during the day.  We're still hopeful that they will go down to 4-5 during the day with some time.  Since January 19th, he's grown 1/2 an inch!  That's fantastic!!  They are also very happy with his weight.  For his height, he's completely on track at 84lbs.

As we were leaving I stopped at the front desk to schedule his 3 month (yes!! 3 month) follow up and then we made the trek to the Jeep in the bowels of  the Children's Hospital's parking garage. When I told him that we don't have to see Dr. F until May he said "Then it will be one year since my surgery."

Wow!  One.  Year.  

I almost can't believe it's almost been a year.  I'm so thankful I went through with the decision.  He's thankful (most days) that it's over and done with.  I have to admit, I was a bit nervous going today.  I was sure Dr. F was going to suggest the scopes.  I was wrong!!  I didn't mind being wrong.. today.

Today was a good day.

It is still WINTER.

Yesterday morning it snowed.  As I was walking into my office I noticed the tulips were peeking through the snow.  Really??  This whole Winter has been very boring if we're talking about the weather around here.  Is it too much to ask for just one snow day?  Please?  I'm almost willing to give up the rest of Winter.. and you know Winter is my favorite.. for just one heavy, snowball quality, accumulating snow.  Point me in the direction of who(m) ..which one is it?... ever I have to talk to and I'll take care of the rest!

After school yesterday the Demon handed me my Valentine gift...

Yum!!  The piece missing was a toffee type of crunchy piece of candy (did that make sense?).  I ate half and the Demon was kind enough to finish it because I wasn't too fond of the taste.  The other piece of candy in this picture that has a bite taken out is also a piece that I tried that he will finish.  I was on the search for caramel.  I turn away to watch something on TV and turn back to this...

How is he going to bite into my caramel!?!  He's lucky he's so cute and agrees to eat the pieces that I don't like... or else I'd have to whoop him up for doing such a rotten thing on Valentine's day.  ♥

If anyone is wondering what I decided on as his gift - here is a sample...

I very rarely agree to him eating these nasty sticks of "meat", but even so, he asks for them every time he sees them in the store.  Along with these gross, greasy sticks he received a pack of pencils, pack of pens, some candy bars that I know he'll eat (Twix, Hershey's chocolate) and a cool Crayola Wild Notes notebook.  This kid loves to write so this seemed like a fun way to accomplish what he loves.

Tomorrow we see his GI doctor for a follow up visit.. let's hope they're happy with his weight! 

More of the Unknown.

This is the note the Demon left for me Monday night.  I saw it before bedtime and I replied.  Today we enter the world of human growth hormone.  Today he receives his first injection.  I won't lie and say I'm excited.  I'm not excited.  This is not the road I wanted to take but I have to support the Demon.  He has lived through so much during his 13 years that would leave many of us crying out "why me!?"  but, not him.  He has rarely complained over the course of his Ulcerative Colitis roller coaster.  Little complaints about having to go to the bathroom 16 times a day.  He rarely complaining of enemas and 26 pills a day.  He never complained about getting little to no sleep then heading to school for the day.  Hell, the only time he complained during the two surgeries was one night when the ostomy bag refused to stay adhered.

Over the course of the last 4 years he has had only one constant complaint... his height.

He wants to be taller.

I never knew the depths that his height bothered him until we were in a doctor's office, almost a year ago.  I was shocked when he opened up to the nurse and doctor.  Why them?  He and I are so close and I had no real idea how upset his was about his height.  It was after that appointment that I had to take in a deep breath and leave everything to God.  I have to believe that he has brought us to this point and I have to have faith that this is what is right, for my son.

I've never been one to preach the whole "Let go, and let God.."  but this is what I've had to learn to live since deciding on the surgery last year.  We've done everything on our end to boost his growth and this is the last resort.  For me, a very scary decision.  It's all very unknown to me, but, I have to believe that everything is falling into place and that deciding on the growth hormone is the right choice. 

I have to believe it, if not for me....for the Demon. 

Top Ten V.4

After being in the hospital, again, last week I thought I would dedicate this Top Ten to the stay.

Top Ten things the Demon and I hate about spending time in the hospital...

01.  Absolutely no privacy.  People... from the nurses and doctors to the housekeepers and the people that come for the dirty linens.. no privacy at all.

02.  No sleep.  That one is pretty self explanatory.  But for those that may have missed my rants - a normal night consists of a nurse or PCA coming into the room around the clock (every 4 hours) to check vitals.  In between those sleep interruptions, a nurse is periodically checking the IV site.  Add to those disruptions housekeeping coming in, every. single. night. at 1:30 am to change out the garbage bags.  Miserable.

03.  The furniture is SO uncomfortable.  From the bouncy type of chairs, to the wooden rockers, to the crappy sofas... all painfully uncomfortable.  The brief moment of comfort that I experienced while the Demon was in the hospital was laying next to him on the hospital bed.

04.  The worst shower curtains.  I think they take a regular size shower curtain and cut it into thirds.  The damn curtain doesn't even completely close across the opening.  

05.  The fact that the freakin' cafeteria is on the exact opposite side of the hospital of the Demon's room.  ARG.  I wish someone would invent a real life "Wonkavator".  We need one that goes sideways - from Location A to Location C.

06.  The smell of the linens.  P U.  I imagine it has to do with the sterilization of the blankets, sheets and pillow cases, but they reek!  Normally, I bring blankets and pillows from home.. but this time I was not going to haul a lot of crap for, what I was hoping to be, a short stay.

07.  The lack of choices for television channels.  Now, I understand this is a Children's hospital.  I don't expect ScyFy or LOGO or anything freaky.. but really?  Not even TBS?!  TVLand?!  SOMETHING!?  My brain can only handle so much Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network before I start mumbling, incoherently about Dora sleeping with Spongebob.

08.  Every morning there is a tribe of people with mobile computers in the hallway.  A friend has described this mob of people as the "traveling circus".  It's crazy!  I assume they discuss each patient and their treatment plans.  The only problem with this group of doctor/students is that they take up the ENTIRE hallway.  They don't even move if they see you walking with your child as that child is trying to drag an IV pole.  It's awful trying to navigate the group, of what seems like 20-25 ppl, to get to and from your room.

09.  We get no notification of transport coming to take the Demon to either an XRay or other various tests.  We get a knock on the door... ready or not... "I'm here to take you to radiology."  Huh?  Hold on, let me grab my PANTS and we'll be right with you.  Grrr.

10.  And, because this bears repeating.. the level of discomfort the pull out sofa provides is mind blowing.  You can't imagine (unless you've had the misfortune of sleeping on one at the hospital) that such a "cushiony" piece of furniture could be so awful.  There were nights when the cold, hard floor seemed like a better option.  At least, you expect the floor to be horribly uncomfortable!

I want to end this "bitch" fest with a positive.  We, here in Cincinnati, are SO incredibly blessed to have this Children's Hospital in our backyard.  People, that are fortunate enough to not experience overnight stays (or just have never had to visit the hospital for any reason) don't realize how lucky we are to have the level of expertise that this hospital provides.  So, if you're one of those fortunate people, count your blessings.  We count ours every time we leave.  Spending just 5 minutes walking the halls will put everything into perspective.  ♥

Nothing ever goes as planned...

Even the best laid plans (trying to post every day) seem to get screwed up when you toss in an unexpected ER visit turned into 2 nights in the hospital.  Grrr!  

Tuesday morning the Demon woke up and everything was fine.  After coming home from next door (every morning he goes next door to help my Momma before school) he went to the bathroom.  Everything was pointing to another normal morning.  He walked down stairs and mentioned his stomach hurting.  Because he had missed 3 days of school last week there was not a chance in the world he was going to be staying home.  I reminded him of how hard school was when he was first going through the UC diagnosis and he managed to survive.  So, reluctantly, he agreed.

Now, knowing my son, I knew I'd eventually get a phone call to come get him.  Normally, it always comes when I sit down at work with my lunch.  I waited until 1pm to grab my cottage cheese...and I finished eating.  Sure enough, about 1:30pm I get him.  Instead of being the compassionate mommy, I questioned him wanting to leave so late in the day.  Instead of feeling bad that HE was feeling so bad.. I was angry.  

"Seiously?  It's already 1:30?  You couldn't have waited an extra 2 hours??  What do you plan to do when we get home??  Fine.. I'll come get you."

The ride from school to the house was pretty quiet.  I guess, I was more frustrated than angry.  We were not in the door for more than 5 minutes before he ran to the bathroom and threw up.  It was then, that I realized something was not right.  He had not gone to the bathroom at all since early this morning.  Something was wrong.  Not pooping + vomiting = blockage.  At this point I had 2 calls into the surgeon's office.  But I was not going to sit around for them to tell me what I already knew I should be doing.  We left for the ER.

After some blood work, an xray and a CT scan (12 hours later..)  we were given a room and told that there was a small blockage in his lower small intestine.  Nothing that would require immediate surgery, but also nothing that can be ignored.  The plan was to do a scope in the morning to "dislodge" the blockage.  Once we finally did get a room I still had to run home and take care of some things.  By the time I got back to the hospital the Demon had gone to the bathroom (with no intervention) and started to feel better!  

The next morning he's taken down for a new xray and the scope was canceled.  He was kept one more night for observation and we were sent home.

The verdict:  He has a ton of scar tissue.  This scar tissue is now making it very easy for blockages to form.  This problem could happen again tomorrow, 2 months from now, 2 years.. maybe it may never happen again.  If this situation occurs much more the only option the Demon has for treatment would be surgery to remove (or clean up) the scar tissue.  Hopefully, it will not come to that point.  Because, to be honest, we're both sick to death of the hospital.

This time last year.

August 25, 2010
Update on the 1st day.

"Today....was....AWESOME!!!"

He said he had a great day. Didn't go to the bathroom once. All of his friends are back again. He's sitting in the front row, he doesn't like that.. BUT Momma does. Hopefully, that will keep him in check.

He said "This year, I am going to be better - more organized!" I sure hope so. Last year was rough.

Even though he didn't go at all during the day, he did manage to go to the bathroom 4 times this evening. That brings the total to 7. Not going in the right direction!!! I call the doctor Friday to check in and give him the update on how the demon is doing.

I'm optimistic that, after the first week of school jitters go away, he will improve.

He has to.

above is the blog entry i made exactly 1 year ago.  today, i was going to post something very similar as yesterday was the 1st day of school!  so i thought.. let's take a look back in time...  just like last year, he had a great day.  he didn't go to the bathroom at all during school which is surprising since at home he seems to go almost immediately following eating a meal.  he's been practicing "holding it" which is great!  (tmi?)  this year his class welcomed 2 new students.  although, one of the students isn't exactly new to the demon.  he recognized her and knew right away that she was from his former school!  he never said anything to her about knowing her from carthage, but he is going to today.  i told him it may make her feel more comfortable knowing she actually knows someone and he happily agreed.

from the above blog post there is one glaring difference from what i was going to post today.  while last year he was in the beginning stages of an UC flare.. this year he's UC FREE! I can't begin to tell you how great it feels to see him so happy.  he's not rushing to the bathroom cramping.  he's not weak from the lack of sleep or any other reason associated with an UC flare.  i don't know the exact words to describe the feeling i have because i don't think "relief" accurately describes what i'm feeling.  i was so worried before surgery - not knowing if i was making the right decision.  even after the first surgery and all the complications, i was regretting the decision.  when i saw him in such pain in the hospital..when he was saying that he regretted the decision it was hard to not feel responsible for all of his pain.

but today, august 25, 2011 we have finally reached the other side of ulcerative colitis.  no more pain, no more wound, no more meds.  he is happy and healthy.  

and i am thankful.

what the.. tan?

geez.  in 8 days the demon managed to get crazy tan.  i guess you don't notice such things when you see someone every day.  it's when you are snapping weekly pictures that you are able to notice subtle changes.  anyway, sorry for rambling.. here is the wound update (plus impressive tan).

the wound looks to be healed.  it's going to be a gnarly scar  and i imagine the skin is going to be fairly sensitive so we're going to keep bandaging the wound until the weekend.  but seriously?  the tan?  what the crap.  he's only been able to swim without the bandage for like 10 days or so?  hmm.. this picture kinda looks like he's an oompa loompa?  the only editing i did was add the date!  oh well, thank god he inherited his complexion from him dad.

today is first day of school!  i'm hoping that his day goes smoothly.  i started him back on the probiotic shake this morning.  he said that he thinks it help settle down his tummy from the grippo episode from the night before.  let's hope!!

last day of summer vaca...

bittersweet!

i have a love/hate relationship with school starting.  i love the routine, getting off of work earlier and the fact that fall is just around the corner.  cooler days and halloween!  i hate waking up early, homework, projects and the early bedtimes.  i'm hoping that the routine helps my funk.  i don't even know anymore.

blah!

anyway... i took yesterday off with the plan of taking the boys to kings island one more time before back to school.  then i realized the demon had to go with his dad at 4, so change of plans.  instead, we spent the afternoon at chuck e cheese.  the kids had a great time wasting spending all their tokens tickets and buying crap trinkets.  after lunch and a few errands we spent an hour or so swimming and then off went the demon to his dads for the evening.  

after eating dinner and spending time at his dads house he came to a hard realization.  he cannot eat grippo's bbq potato chips.  i've repeatedly told him that it wouldn't be a good idea to eat them.  but, does he listen!?  of course not.  i just hope this experience has opened his eyes and he remembers the discomfort and numerous trips to the bathroom and does not eat them again.  i also hope this passes quickly and he's back to normal self soon.

today is an early night.. i just hope i'm able to fall asleep at a decent hour.

progress.

i think we can thank the pool time for the quick healing of the wound.  now, if the weather would cooperate we could get the demon back in the water.  the water is much too cool to be enjoyable!

a good day.

ignore the white, it's desitin.

what a great doctor appointment we had yesterday.  okay, so the doctor was running an hour late.  okay, so we didn't get to go to the zoo because - 1. it was packed and 2. we didn't get out of the doctor until almost 4:30 pm.  but, we didn't care.  the demon was cleared to swim!  we only have to change the dressing twice a day!  

since the surgery the demon makes about 7-10 trips to the bathroom.  seems like a lot, and it is, but it's trips that are cramp free... blood free... disease free - which makes such frequent trips not all that bad.  the only problem we do run into is that we need to be by a bathroom, especially after eating.  another plus from the doctor appointment was that he added imodium into the mix.  he's supposed to take 1 tablet in the morning and 2 at night.  hopefully, that will allow the demon to sleep through the night without making the 1-3 bathroom trips overnight and lessen the trips during the day.

i think *i* can tell a difference with the wound.. can you?  it appears smaller.  it looks "healthier" too, if that's possible.  but, who knows?  maybe it's just me and i'm seeing what i want to see.  

whatever the case... it was a good day.

it's okay.

i love a dinner that people laugh so hard that choking and spiting of food occur..even if i'm the one that is doing the choking.  it's all good so long as it's followed by tears of laughter.  i think people of golden corral may have applauded as we walked out the door.  and, that is okay.

i love school shopping.. even if the total for the bill is close to $200.  i love laughing so loudly in target that my nephew and brother are able to find the demon and i from across the store.  i'm sure people may have applauded as we left target too.  and, that is okay.

after the summer that my brother and i have had, i love that we had 2 hours of roaring laughter.. even if it was for only 2 hours.

today the demon has a follow up appointment with the surgeon.  i'm confident that he will be happy with the way the wound is looking (i'll spare you the pictures, although, if you're a friend of mine on facebook you've seen it :)) and hopefully we can decrease the frequency of the dressing changes.  after the hospital we are going to the zoo.  a much needed mommy and son day at the zoo.  i'm sure pictures will soon follow.

and, maybe...just maybe, more laughter will follow as well.

Not too much to say except that..

...we're home and we're happy.