Forts

What is it about a few sheets...

That can keep little people occupied for so many hours! I have so many wonderful fort making memories from my own childhood (watching conference in them, having sleep overs in them.) I would like to think I am an expert at it. The kids would have liked it to be permanent. I don't think Connor could have handled another week with it up. But it has been a good distraction with ALL of us being sick and therefore stuck at home.

I think Dylan is about to burst, he is on his second week of being at home, this kid is not ment for the indoors! I am also worried about all the bad habits we have formed due to my desire to baby my sick kiddos.

The Big Day

We have talked about today with Dylan for MONTHS!

Dylan's Tonsillectomy

He did a wonderful job, I would like to attribute that to my amazing Child Life Skills but he really was amazing himself. He knew everything that was going to happen and it really helped. He was a trooper taking his very yucky "silly medicine" (versed) and here he is being very silly...

The anesthesiologist even thought he was funny. By far the hardest part was waking up! Harder for mom or Dylan I don't know (notice no picture for that.) He slept all morning but then he was ready to be back to his old self. We are having to get really creative to keep this kid resting! Our doctor specifically told me he needed three days of REST!!! I will feel lucky to get two!

I know it wasn't a fun experience, but I hope I did him a favor! It definitely beats my three week recovery!

We also wish best wishes to our friend Ali (Dylan's best friend's mom) who was right behind Dylan for the same procedure.

Nini & Poger

The Same day my parents left, we were lucky enough to have Connor's parents come. They have such busy lives and we are so grateful that they could come (for the fun and for the help!)The kids had such a wonderful time with them since mom was practically in bed all week (tonsillectomy.) By the time all our company stops coming, my kids are going to think I am a boring mom.

They got to take the train ride at the Science museum in Durham! Along with all the endless fun there is to be had there! It might even make for a good reason to come to NC! Hint, hint- I am now taking trip reservations to fill up our summer!

They got to go bowling. I mean what kid doesn't enjoy rolling a massive ball in an effort to knock things over!

We just plain enjoyed them to death- I hope we didn't really! But we sure did have fun. Thank you for everything!

And we are still enjoying being horse crazy and our little snacks you made us! We still got our eye on you!

Should I Start a New Blog?

A few months back I was blogging far too much about my running and for a moment entertained the idea of starting another blog (to spare you all the boredom.) Then I thought "now that is silly, I would never have time to keep up two blogs!" But now I am considering a new blog idea: "all the health ailments of the Thompson family." Let me know what you think! I really would have plenty to say on this blog- for some reason it never ends. I am not complaining, merely, I think it quite funny.

On Friday I went in for my last consult before my tonsillectomy (that I am deathly afraid of- not the ectomy part they recovery part!) I have been reading on line and it is a good two week recovery. DO YOU HAVE TWO WEEKS??? For me that is almost as bad as having a baby! Boy will that ruin my running schedule! JK! A doctor at work had put a few ?'s into my head and brought them up with my ENT. She helped me rule them out and realize that it just might be best to get them out. My lymph nodes are always swollen- meaning they are in overdrive all the time working on something. So really it is not just the strep that is getting to me. With little kids at home and at work, the germs are never ending! (Note: I really think we had a bad run of strep that "crinkled" my tonsils, Thank You Cleveland!)

Right before we said goodbye I asked her to do me one last favor- to look at Dylan's tonsils. Bad move! Dylan's best friend got his taken out because of snoring problems and I know Dylan snores but not that bad. I have notices his are big and pointed them out to one of the many pediatricians we've had (can't remember which) who told me it was nothing to worry about. So I wanted an expert opinion, and it was on my appointment clock. She took one look at his mouth and said "those should come out, those are called 'kissing tonsils'" (and he's not even sick.) She went on to look at Ashlyn's- same surprised expression. She already knew what Corbin's looked like and added that his were also abnormally large. However, this is not something to be concerned about if there are not any other underlying problems. However, with Dylan, he has had some allergy symptoms, has bags under his eyes (which I hadn't even noticed), a snoring problem and he doesn't sleep much. All of which she believes are connected to his Tonsils. Needless to say, I came out with more than I bargained for. So the question of the day is: Should Dylan and I go in together?

Disclaimer: In my prior post, note- those are NOT my tonsils, just a picture on the Internet. I would never do that to you! And don't worry, I won't put a picture of Dylan's tonsil on here either, they are too big for my camera- literally! I knew I wasn't crazy!

A Record

Sorry for the graphic picture. This is what my mouth looks like- yep, strep again! This is the third time since Jan 1st of THIS year. And the 8th time in a year and a half. It does not help my chances that I work in a Children's ER. So that is where I picked it up when working on Saturday! So today I scheduled my tonsillectomy. I have been dragging my feet, but as you can see it hasn't done me any good. I am not excited, I have heard recovery it pretty ugly. But will it be better than having strep every 6 weeks, and risking passing it onto my family?

March is not over!

I spoke too soon. Just after I finished my post last night Corbin woke up with a burning fever. After a lot of indecisiveness, I finally decided to take him in. Low and behold it wasn't what I thought (strep or teething) it was a lost tube and another ear infection! Good thing Corbin has his four week check up for his tubes on Thursday. Poor kid!

Strep loves me

We were feeling left out when Corbin has had so many health problems so...

It is hard to believe, but earlier this week I got STREP again. This is the 7th time in a year and a half! My doctor said I may have to have a tonsillectomy so that I won't keep getting it. I also could be a carrier of Strep- to be determined! What makes it hard is when I get strep I am practically useless for 48 hours. It didn't help that 8 hours after I was diagnosed with strep Dylan started throwing up. My first thought was that he got strep from me. However, he has also been battling bad allergies (NC is known for it's hard springs) and therefore Dylan got his first ever ear infection and is on his own dose of antibiotics. Luckily it was just a bug. Then the fevers for Corbin start climbing the next morning- we hope it is just those molars peeking through.

So long story short- we are hope that with the end of March also ends some of our minor health problems!!

Deja vu

So this weekend was one of those moments you say to yourself "haven't I done this one before, and it wasn't fun the first time!" So then you know your in for a treat. Luckily, somehow I picked a career out of this kind of thing! I truly have a testimony that Heavenly Father really does know me better than I do, and my future for that matter.

We were plagued on Thursday with the dreaded "throw-up bug" with Corbin. Like most of you we tried to get over it at home and a visit to the Doctor (who even gave us zophran) yet this guy wasn't getting any better. For two days he was completely lethargic- he couldn't even hold up his own head. When he was awake he was moaning in pain, and if he happened to fall asleep it was short lived. So you can imagine how our sleep was! We even made a little bed in his room and took turns camping out with him! Sounds fun huh! So by Saturday I knew we had to help this kid out and our home remedies were just not going to cut it. So I took him into work with me! I know, not what you thought! Not really, I was supposed to work in the CED (Children's Emergency Department) on Saturday but instead we decided to be "secret shoppers." "No big deal" I tell myself, "a little IV and we are outta hear." But then the dreaded words which I have heard before "He is not responding to his IV fluids and there is something else going on." For those of you who don't know we spent a week in the Hospital with Dylan when he turned two because of a stomach bug that turned into what they think was a kidney infection (in his ONLY kidney) which technically put him into "kidney failure" and we were lucky to finally get a nephrostomy tube surgically inserted through his back into his Kidney to allow it to work again! Whew! So after a bundle of "normal" ER visits in the past I thought those days were over! Here I am completely mystified. The ER Doctor abruptly declares she needs to look at his stool (luckily there was a time size one in there) and she automatically new what was up (FYI- if your kid has gelatenous stools go to the ER EMMEDIATELY!). She sent us immediately over to ultrasound and Xray to confirm her suspensions. And yes, Corbin also had Intussiception. As I understand it, the lymph nodes in his bowels were inflamed due to his virus and bowls then inverted themselves. The chief radiologist explained to me that he had to try to uninvert them immediately and if he was not successful, surgery was critical. I phoned Connor and he was blinded that our innocent IV trip had turned to surgery! He got the phone tree rolling and prayers were in the works. And I know that those prayers were answered! The radiologist then proceeded to insert a cath into Corbin's rectum, tape the cheeks tightly together to decrease the chance of Corbins body pushing it out. He then used the radiology equipment to inflate the cath tube in the right place and try to pull the lining back into place. This was unsuccessful. The radiologist then proceeded to try the same procedure only using a liquid. Corbin being such a trooper did not like any of this but he was so exhausted that he would sporadically fall asleep during all of this! The radiologist was able to move it only slightly and therefore he mournfully told me that surgery was the only thing that could fix it from here. This was the first moment I really melted. The poor kid already had surgery this week! We had to wait an hour or more for the pediatric surgeon to make it from his hold up at UNC to us. Meanwhile, Corbin slept surprisingly soundly for an hour. When he woke he was able to sit slightly. As we were prepping for surgery the ER Doc looked at him and told me that there is a small percentage of kids bodies that self univert themselves and because he seemed to be doing slightly better she wanted to just double check. I was all for it. We went in for another ultrasound and it was true! Corbin's body had used that little move done by the Radiologist combined with a really relaxed nap and it did it! So we got to go "relax" upstairs on the peds unit where I was able to chat with more of my CLS peers. I can't tell you how much more I learn every time about my career by being on this side. Corbin was also excited (understatement of the year) to finally be able to have a drink. During the day Corbin had spied my cup and the faucet (that are in just about every room in the hospital) and couldn't think about anything else. He was parched. He downed that pedialite, which I hear is disgusting, but he won't even touch it now! He sure did have a death grip on that bottle though. And boy was I SO happy to finally have him nurse again, after few days I was having my own swelling going on!
We are glad to say we are at home, Corbin is doing great and almost back to normal. We have many great friends who have taken care of us and we are so grateful to all of those who helped us with blessings and prayers! We know this was an answer to them!

Now tell me how I can't get scared in future episodes of the innocent "stomach bug?"

Might I say he makes this gown look super cute and I ALMOST wanted to take it home with me! I also found it very funny to watch him try to feed himself with his arm that had the IV in it (his elbow was tapped to a board so it couldn't be bent.) And he couldn't get enough of that fish tank!

Your Thoughts and Prayers

WERE HEARD!
Thank you to all of those who kept Corbin in their prayers. It went great!!! We were hit with a "big" winter storm last night and I was worried that the surgery could be cancelled. Luckily, it wasn't (but the rest of the world here shut down for a few inches.) It all went very well, except the waking up part- but to be expected. Corbin's wonderful ENT said she drained a lot of puss from both ears. I can't imagine what that must feel like for Corbin! He already is so happy! Thanks for thinking of us!

Sweet Monday

On Monday Corbin will be the owner of a pair of these:

I know most of you don't have the foggiest idea (yes, double meaning, Corbin's last few months have been foggy in hearing) what this is. Corbin will be getting tubes in his ears. A very common procedure and I am very excited! According to the ENT specialist, the poor kid has had a constant ear infection for the last 5 months! He has been on 4 different antibiotics, which mask the problem and then it flares back up again. I have great hopes for what life will be like after Monday. I am hoping for longer naps, no waking up at night, better eating and less irritablility! I will let you know how it goes. I might have to be reminded that he is a Thompson boy, and sleeping does not run in his veins anyway. But a girl can always dream, right!

P.S. Thank you to all of those who commented on my last post, it was incredibly fun to have so many great memories brought back to my view. If you haven't done this one on your blog, you should!

All Cooped Up

Sadly I can say I don't think I have left my house for three days unless it was straight to the doctor and back. With us all being sick and the weather being wet, we have had to get pretty creative!! This is what we were up to yesterday...

Luckily it was as much fun as it was 10 years ago!!

Best supporting Wife

With all those movie awards I decided I need one too. So I gave myself the best supporting Wife award and this is why...

Yep, I went to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans with my die hard Utah fan of a husband. And here I am even sporting a Utah shirt (don't worry, BYU is still my first love.) I have never been to New Orleans before but it was gorgeous. Here are a few pictures mainly of the French Quarter- one of the many amazing bands we heard, one of the many beautiful tour carriages, the classic beautiful building, General Beauregard's home, the Cathedral, the convent, the trolley, the flea market's abundance of Marti grass apparel, the holocaust memorial, and the old fashion ferry.

Then for the game day fun- tailgate party, Corbin decked out for the game, at the game, fun with the band, "super fans" dressed as an "incredible Ute fan" and Ute Indian, and all of us (Connor's Cousins and us) around town.

I saw a little shop that was named:

I mean doesn't a name like that draw you in? Even for the items they sell.
It was a great trip, but it ended in another strep diagnosis for me (as well as an ear infection.) You didn't think I could get it again did you!!! But Corbin got it the worst- he has and ear infection, strep, and cutting not one, but TWO teeth. Poor guy. We are officially SICK (no pun intended) of traveling, so y'all will have to come see us instead. Next post will be Christmas and New Years I promise.

Third Times a Charm?

Many of you have asked...

"How is Corbin doing?"

I bet you got this reply...

"He is doing much better."

BUT HE'S NOT!!!!!!

Yep, we still have an ear infection (assuming it is the same one) which is causeing breathing problems, running nose problems, sleeping problems, crankiness problems, mommy not sleeping problems, sick of shoving medication down this throat problems, and nursing problems!

So we are now on our third anitbiotic- each one has been sequentially "stronger" than the last. I hope this one is the one the kills it and we can get back to our "normal" life. Actually, he has been such a trooper. If I hadn't known what was really going on I would have just guessed he was a little irratible because of teething, but it's sadly much more than that. Poor guy, we love him so much.

Third time's a Charm?

You'd think a family couldn't get strep throat three times in only 8 months! Cleveland has it in for us I guess. I don't know if it because I am working in the nursery, but I have ended up starting it the last two times! I thought I had kept it to myself, low and behold, 6 days later Connor came down with it, then Dylan had a throw up party yesterday. I had them swab Ashlyn at the same time for good luck. Ironically, I was very grateful to hear that she did have it! Now we can relax and all be on the pink goo all at once (well- my doses ended this morning, so cross your fingers.) I mean, it can't get any better than trying to take care of a family on your death bed, then ending up nursing an extra "kid" to health. Thankfully infants RARELY get it. However, with Ashlyn all over him, who knows.

Do you think we are out of the clear for a little while?