I'm a 10!

I'm not bragging, although my sweet Leopold would think I'm a 10. I'm referring to the fact that my hemoglobin is now 10. Yeah! I never thought I would be so excited to have a double digit hemoglobin but I am. My iron levels are still very low so I will receive IV iron again this week and then next month. My hematologist says if that doesn't do it then he will drop the "atom bomb iron" on me. My comment to him was "say what!!!" He very casually said that it could cause a fatal allergic reaction (like that was an every day occurrence in my life). He then told me that is why he would admit me to the hospital to give it -- so I could be monitored. My Ob-Gyn called me a medical marvel because I seem to do the most remotely possible medical things. Those small chances of 1-2% of the normal patient population are usually 100% for me. So, to say the "atom bomb iron" makes me a tad nervous is an understatement. Hopefully the regular (non-fatal, allergic reaction) iron will do the trick. Let's all pray that. The first dose did very little so I'm concerned. I'll keep you posted. Life is never boring.

Sophie

Update

We are alive and well. Both girls were at camp last week. Sasha at Youth Camp (she can't be old enough) and Yellow Bird at Horse Camp. Leopold was at a teaching conference all week that he likes to refer to as Teacher Camp (he was a wee bit jealous of the girls). So, keeping in line with the rest of the family, The Mini Mister and Mommy had our own little camp.

I did receive my blood transfusion and am feeling much better. I'm now in the 9's. Yeah me!

I have pics to share but the computer has died and I can't find the installation disk. I will either have to find it or order a new one. So, as soon as things are fixed I will post.

Just letting everyone know that we are alive and well.

Love,
Sophie

Livin' at 7

My hemoglobin is in the 7's now. I was in the 9's then the 8's and now the 7's. I had IV iron about 5 weeks ago and we had hoped that would help but it didn't so now I sit at 7. I'm tired and pale. They are setting up a transfusion for me this week. I tried to avoid it but it looks like I will have no choice. I ran for an overhead delivery last week and was so short of breath that I thought I would need resuscitating before the baby. Luckily I recovered before the baby arrived. Whew! So, I should get blood soon and will hopefully get some color back in me. I'm pretty pale right now. I'll keep you posted.

Sophie

Visiting The Mini Mister Fan Club

While we were at the hospital delivering the toys, we made the rounds so everyone who worked so hard keeping The Mini Mister alive could see how amazing he is doing. These are only a few of the people that poured themselves into this child. It is because of them and the love and care they gave him that he is the amazing child he is. The doctors love to recount the times that they were caring for him and "he almost died". That makes my mommy heart cringe now. I was there for some of those moments but to hear them now is hard. One of the doctors today reminded me of the time that it was thought life support should be removed because he just wasn't going to make it. Look at him now. He is a living, breathing, walking (we are working on that) miracle. To all of you wonderful people that took such good care of him, I want to say Thank You!! A million times over, Thank You!!!!!! Because of your determination and love I have my beautiful son. And for that I'm forever grateful. Love to you all!!!

Proud Parent Moment

Several weeks ago Yellow Bird began working around the house and neighborhood to raise money for charity. She even recruited her sister and friend to assist her. She said that God had put earning money for others in her heart. I was proud of her but truly thought that she would want to use the money for the Nintendo DS she wants so badly. She was true to her word though and used the money she raised to buy toys for the children's hospital where The Mini Mister lived for so long. She was a little disappointed in how little her money bought (a good financial life lesson) but it made her more determined to earn more money so she can buy more toys. I'm so very proud of her. We delivered the toys today. We are now collecting Pamper points so she can give the free diapers we get to someone in need. We go through lots of Pamper's at work so I'm collecting them there. I have many co-workers gathering them for me and Yellow Bird will put them in the computer so we can earn free diapers for those in need. She has a huge heart of gold. Feel free to forward any Pamper's points you might have and aren't using. The number is in the inside of the diaper packs. You just peel it off. So, if any of you have extra points lying around, send them my way. I'll keep you posted on the diapers we are able to give away.

The Mini Mister got shots

The Mini Mister had to go get his shots today. There were a few brief moments of fun with Yellow Bird before the torture began. I was a little disappointed that he only weighed 21.4 pounds but when he was plotted out on his growth curve it was perfect. They had fattened him up quite a bit in the hospital and now that he is eating by mouth and not tube he is leveling out. We are going to up him to 3 cans of Pedisure a day but overall he is doing great.
I wasn't sadistic enough to take pictures during the shot giving. I was actually about to cry. He only cried for about 30 seconds but it made me sad. He has been through so much that I hate putting him through anything else. You can see the residual tears in his eyes when we got to the car.
Here is one of the owies. He got 3 shots. Yuck! He did great through it all.