We didn’t do this for a lot of years, so I really like doing it now.

Now I have help.

It was CRAZY, because the boys thought the garland was best used to drag around the house and wrap around there necks.  I couldn’t snap the picture fast enough.. once I realized that Micah was going to choke himself with it I thought I better watch him more closely instead of taking so many pics.

Taea putting on the topper

You won’t find “santa” on our tree.

Micah

But you will find monkeys climbing in, around and under it! 

1.  They didn’t have the orders.. Of course..

2.  We had to wait forever.. of course…

3.  They poked him and he bled for AT LEAST 15 mins… of course

4.  It took them like 35 mins instead of 20 mins to get the results….  of course.

5.  His blood counts look fine… of course, thank you Jesus!

Micah had his flu shot last Thursday (and MMR… once you go through chemo your body no longer has the immunization still in your body, you have to get a blood test to confirm this)  

Well, I noticed that he bled during the injection.  Since I am in the medical field I tried to rationalize it thinking “Well if the injection went through a small vessel, then bleeding is ok.”  Then his little legs were all bruised up from the shots. 
Ok, so why are they brusied?  Hmm.. well sometimes people bruise…Right?! 

Remember, I am a cancer mom.  No matter how much I try to run from it.  I am.  That is my normal.  Bruising and bleeding are not my favorite things when it comes to Micah.  IF it were Jarek or Taea I would have been sad for them, but not worried.

Then came Friday night….O thank God for Lorri.  

Micah slept horrible (as we all did) because he ended up with a fever and really bad congestion.  Perfect.

Monday comes around and I am not going to wait to get him in because I have learned that Micah just doesn’t fight infections as good as my other kids do, so he needs an antibiotic.

I express my concerns to Micah’s NP.  She agrees that the bruising isn’t very common with simple injections such as what he had..   So she sends us over for a CBC.

Keep in mind this is Monday almost 5pm.  SO after the rude nurse, I knew not to get my hopes up of getting the results that day.  (yesterday)  These are times when I never thought I would say this but I miss the oncology office in Florida.  They would poke his finger and you actually watched them put his blood in the machine.  You had the results in less than a minute.

Today goes by, me sitting on needles.  I left a message at 1030am.  NOthing… I call Elizabeth on her cell.. THANKS ELIZABETH!  And she calls the office and then text me at 215 saying they should be calling me soon.  At 345 I call back to the clinic asking what the heck.. “They are looking into it”   They call me back about 5 mins later//   “Mrs Albonico, I was just made aware that the lab couldn’t get the results of Micah’s blood test because the blood clotted.”  What?  I was furious.. What this says is… they didn’t run the blood fast enough.   She says.. “So can you come back in?” 

Your are kidding me right?  So, I am furious, but I go back in.  Same nurse.. and Lorri asks *already knowing the answer*  “What would make the blood clot like that”.  She answers “If they didn’t run it fast enough it would have clotted”  Hmm.. so at least she didn’t try to lie.

He gets poked again.  This time the bleeding wasnt near as hard as yesterday.. Thats a good sign right? 

Pastor Tony comes over to comfort us.  Thank you for that!  We sit there and wait.. impatiently I might ad.

Nurse goes.. “Angie, the blood clotted again”.  The only other option you have is to go over to the hospital and have someone else try to get them.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME????  

NO I am not taking him today to get poked again.  When in the world has a simple CBC finger stick been so freakin’ difficult?  In Micah’s WHOLE life I have NEVER had this happen. 

Now I have to take him again.. Please pray for comfort.

I know that is a long story, but to truely understand my frustration you had to hear it all.

Another night wondering, although I do have somewhat a peace. Maybe it is me just chillin’ out from all the endorphins that have been running wild… Maybe it was Pastor Tony laying his hands on Micah and praying.. Maybe it’s knowing that God, our creator, is in control.

This was a hard day, but it made him better!!!!!Today marks FOUR years since Micah's open heart surgery. Remember that?There is So much to say. I really should do better at this blogging thing. I use to be good at it! Does that give me extra points?Back before my schedule took over my life, I blogged quite often. Not so much lately.It's not that I don't have a lot to say, I do. Lots. Just not enough time to actually sit down and type it all.Today we went and had family pictures done. I will post them as soon as she gets the disk to me.. or at some point anyway.September was Pediatric Cancer Month. I didn't do much for it, honestly. I was So busy planning Freedom Sings that it took over my life! Mr. Del, was WONDERFUL. I am so happy that I now have new family members . (wink) The way he spreads God's word through his music is unreal.Lorri, Mr. Del, Me and E-Rock

You should really check out his music.  It’s crazy!

There was also the Buddy Walk!

Me and Micah Buddy walk 2010

It was a lot of work going around local businesses and asking them to carry the buddy bucks for us.  But it was a great fundraiser!  And it was WONDERFUL going around and seeing all the hands everywhere!  Thanks Donkey for all your help.. <<wink>>

Chris Burke, Lorri, Micah and Me

Chris came and did a great concert at the Buddy Walk.  What a great inspiration!  We raised about $20k!
I also finally got to meet a little girl who was just recently adopted through Reece’s Rainbow.  We had been praying for this little one to be adopted.  It was so great to hold her!  Praise God another one of his angels saved.  If you don’t know anything about Reece’s Rainbow, you really research them.  It will touch your heart.  They are helping families adopt children from other countries (with Down syndrome) so that they are not put in institutions at age 4 to die.  (That is a fact by the way, literally, to die from neglect or abuse)

Jimmy came up and visited.  (the only family I have left pretty much)  It was so great to see him!  I have to admit wierd with Jeanelle not being with him, but still wonderful! 

Rob,Jimmy, Taea and Me

He got to stay a week. That was nice.. wish it could have been longer!

I have been super busy with Zumba too.  I have 3 classes a week now and that is about all I can squeeze in!  I did get to go the the convention in August in Orlando!  It was so great to see some of my old Zumba ladies!

Well, that’s all you are gonna get out of me now.. Just gonna add some pics and hit the road.. Not feeling so hot right now, fighting a cold.. uggg…  Thanks for listening!

Micah Sept 2010

Jarek Sept 2010

Grandma Mari and Micah

O yeah, Robs mom came out to for a visit.  I worked a lot but I know Rob really enjoyed having her.  Thanks Mari!  We miss you!

crazy cats

www.j1insoles.com

www.thinnail.com

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010 7:58 AM

By Sylvia Booth Hubbard

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For many years, coffee was considered a vice, linked with sleepless nights and cigarettes. But scientists have discovered that coffee contains potent antioxidants that can fight numerous ailments, including heart disease and diabetes. According to the American Coffee Association, 54 percent of Americans drink coffee on a daily basis, and they drink, on average, over three cups each.

Most studies examined the effects of caffeinated coffee. When decaffeinated coffee was included, the benefits were usually reduced.

The diseases coffee can benefit include:

• Dementia. Drinking moderate amounts of coffee during middle age — classified as three to five cups daily — can decrease the risk of dementia by 65 percent, according to a 2009 study by Swedish and Finnish researchers.

• Liver disease. In those who drink too much alcohol, those who drank the most coffee — more than four cups every day — reduced their risk of developing alcoholic cirrhosis by 80 percent.

• Heart disease. Research associated with The Nurses’ Health Study found that women who drank two to three cups of coffee daily had a 25 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease. Along the same line, a Spanish study found that men who drank more than five cups of coffee each day lowered their risk of dying from heart disease by 44 percent, and that women who drank four to five cups each day reduced their risk by 34 percent.

• Prostate cancer. A recent study from Harvard Medical School found that men who drank the most coffee slashed their risk of developing the fastest growing and most difficult to treat prostate cancers by more than half when compared to men who drank no coffee.

• Gout. Drinking four or more cups of coffee each day dramatically reduces the incidence of gout, say U.S. and Canadian researchers. Men who drank four to five cups daily lowered their risk by 40 percent, and those who drank six or more cups daily reduced their risk of developing gout by 59 percent when compared to men who didn’t drink coffee.

• Breast cancer. Coffee can either reduce the risk of developing breast cancer or delay its onset, according to Swedish studies. They found that coffee alters a woman’s metabolism and produces a safer balance of estrogens. Women who drank two to three cups of coffee a day reduced their cancer risk by as much as two-thirds, depending on the specific type of breast cancer.

• Diabetes. Enjoying six or more cups of coffee daily can cut chances of Type 2 diabetes by 54 percent in men and 30 percent in women over those who don’t drink coffee.

• Parkinson’s disease. Several studies show that drinking coffee lowers a man’s risk of developing Parkinson’s up to 80 percent — and the more the better.

• Colon cancer. A Japanese report found that women who drank three or more cups of coffee every day slashed their risk of developing colon cancer in half.

What’s responsible for coffee’s healthy benefits? Most researchers believe it’s the antioxidants (polyphenols or flavonoids) in coffee, but there are hundreds of compounds in coffee that may be partially responsible.

Thanks Vic for the link!  I was SOOOO thrilled!!!

 

Now, stay off my coffee!  BOO ya!

We are promoting the 2 products that we have developed.  ThinNail, Treatment for Thick Toenails.  Visit www.thinnail.com  Our website has a whole new look!  (still work in progress)  and J1 Insoles.  They are the generic arch support.  We specialize in arch supports for flat feet.  We also have other ones that are for people that have normal/high arches.  That website isn’t ready yet, but bookmark it because I hope it will be soon.   www.j1insoles.com
(j1 stands for Jesus first in soles..)  get it?

Anyway, enough about business! 

I think I mentioned in my last post that Rob and I decided to go to Pierre to have Micah’s ABR done.  Well, we did that this week.  Looks like that as long as his tubes are open that he is hearing in the just below normal range.  We have to keep a close eye on it to see because his hearing will change as he gets fluid or anything in his ears.   I just want to say that everyone that helped us during our Pierre trip was AWESOME! 

Jarek got really sick a couple of weeks ago.  Well we all did (except Rob) but Jarek got the worst of it.  He got RSV and an ear infection.  We had to do breathing treatments and everything.  Not fun.. It was quite scary.

I also had to go to Georgia unexpectedly on January 28th.  I got a call from my Godfather on Wednesday night saying that my Godmother Jeanelle was going to be going home to the Lord soon.  That was all he had to say.  I hopped on a plane the next morning at 6am.  I stayed up all night praying and begging the Lord to let me just see her one last time and tell her goodbye.  I mean literally, begged. 

Well, as I humbled as I was he allowed it.  He allowed me the chance to be with her for about 3 hrs!  Then all of a sudden she opened her eyes, looked directly at me, as if she was saying, “I see you and I will see you again”, she took her last breath and closed her eyes.  I made sure to tell her to please tell my mama hey and I much I love her.  It was amazing to know that Jesus was right there in that room with me.  I felt him.  No doubt.

Anyway, it’s been a very emotional time , again, in my life.  But you know, when you think you can’t take another second, the good Lord is merciful and hears you.  Thank you Jesus for that.

  First:

Jarek’s 2nd birthday was Jan 17th.  It was a fun day.  Nothing outrageous, just fun.  I only invited a select few people.  Ordered some subs and a cake from wally world, and threw some chips in a bowl and called it a party!  The man of the hour was adorable of course! 

Birthday Boy!

The theme was DINOSAURS… Or in his words.. doah dow.. (don’t know how to spell that!)  

2nd bday cake

I think I was more excited about the cake…of course it was chocolate. 

 Thanks to those few who came out and celebrated this very special day with us! 

 SECOND:

 Frosty the snowman! 

 We had a great time a couple of weeks ago sledding and building this snowman.  

Hug Frosty!

I know, Frosty is missing some key parts to his face, but hey he has sunglasses.. He is cool as ice… haha get it.. ice.. Dang I am funny! 

   Ummm… no…(jarek’s words) 

 Smallest kid eating the biggest snowball!

   Excuse me Dr.  I had a BOY not a GIRL! 

  

O no miss thang

 You’re a tiger, that’s right, talk to the camera, you are adorable, growl, wow your doing awesome… and I’m spent..

    

All I have to say is don’t leave your daughter in the bathroom alone with your boys or these are the kind of things that happen!
   

Speechless

THIRD:

Micah had another hearing test on Friday.  He was such a good boy!  He sat still and did everything that he was suppose to do.  Unfortunatly that wasn’t enough to get an “accurate, complete” test.  Needless to say he failed both the OEE and the sound booth testing.  Needless to say it looks like the ABR is our only choice.  ABR is a test where they put these wires down into the ear canal and get readings from the nerves.  This is an extremly accurate way of knowing how much hearing loss he actually has.
OPTIONS:   

1.  Sleep deprive him and hope that they can keep him asleep long enough to get the test done.
2. Try to put him asleep in the office and do it. (NOT REALLY AN OPTION CAUSE I AIN’T A GONNA DO IT!)
3. Drive 4 hrs each way to Pierre SD so that they can put him under in the OR and perform the test. 

Looks like #3 is winning in my book so far.  I just don’t think #1 is worth the risk.    

Please say a special pray for God’s will in my life.  I am really searching for what it is he wants me to be doing.  Thank you.   

    

 

    

Bust a Cap!

Don’t make us bust a cap in your a**!  Just kidding!  This is me and Lorri as we played in the snow with the boys.

Jarek

Ok so you can’t tell but Jarek has like 3 layers of clothes on!  HAHA..

He loved it out there.  Now if they only made gloves that were waterproof that fit the little ones, that would be wonderful! 

Micah is doing better with the snow.  If you recall a post before about how much they hated it, he is doing much better. 

Micah

  Again the problem kept being that the mittens would keep falling off.  And I tell you what, he had a reason to fuss because ones your hands get cold it’s over! (hence the next 2 pictures)

Micah PO'd

Jarek PO'd

So that trip outside didn’t last that long, but longer than the time before!

Taea

Not sure if you can tell but that is Taea.  She of course has a little more fun in the snow.  Right were she is standing is probably about 2 ft of snow.  (no this is NOT a snow drift) 

END RESULT=HAPPINESS

Eating it

Yes that’s right.  That LOVE to eat it! 

We went out the next day (yesterday) and we had a lot more time out there.  Of course I didn’t take pictures because it’s kinda hard to drag the kids through snowdrifts as high as 3-4 ft and take pics at the same time!  It was fun letting the kids sled though. They really liked it. 

But, enough is enough.. Snow Snow go away… don’t come back another day!