Jan/Feb Update

January and February have been very busy months.

I started back to work for CCFS as a DD case manager on January 17th. We had a virus go through the end of January and Christina got it the worse. Of course her breathing was compromised again. She developed a 104.5 fever out of the blue and the motrin wouldn't bring it down so we wrapped her in a warm wet towel and when the toweled cooled it cooled her down as well. I took her to the clinic to be seen and they tested her for Influenza but it came back negative so she diagnosed Christina with Viral pneumonia and sent her without listening to her lungs. I asked if it was RSV or Pneumonia she said could be but we will wait and see and then do more testing later if she gets worse. So we took her home and put her back on Nebs twice a day with many baths because she wasn't eating or drinking and had only one wet diaper a day. She got through it finally after a week of sleepless nights. Thank goodness for Joe. I couldn't never had gotten through this without his help.

Our healthy little girl: Not another picture Mom:()

Then the end of January we took Michael to a Pediatric Gastro Dr. in Sioux Falls. He had a Endoscopy and they tested for everything, cancer, celiac disease, liver disease, diabetes etc... Everything came back fine. The stomach biopsies showed deteriation of the stomach and esophagaus lining caused by reflux. He is better since the switched his medicine. He has lost 27.5 lbs but he is eating again. A little bit every hour. He has his energy back and is much happier. He wishes he could wake up tomorrow and every thing would be better but it's a slow healing process. When we first met the doctor two weeks ago they were very stoic and somber....didn't see a smile. I thought that was their personalities but when we met with them on yesterday they were very smily. I think they were really worried something very serious was wrong. Good thing I didn't realized it. The Doctor told Michael to keep eating and slow down so he doesn't use up all his calories but we are just estatic we are getting our Michael back after three months:) The lesson learned.....no antibiotics unless dieing;)

Here are pictures of Michael before and after his sickness:

We went to Sioux Falls for Michael's follow up appt on Valentine's Day. When I got home Joe and the kids had made his infamous Spaghetti and Meatballs. Anthony baked homemade frech bread and we had wine. Maria had made decorations all over the house and cards.

Here is what we came home to:

This Saturday, the the kids had piano competition. They memorize two pieces and are given a score of 1-5. After a child received 15 points or the years they receive a Gold cup. Maria received a 5, Michael received a 4, Anthony received a 5 on both piano and organ. This year. Michael has earned his 15 points to receive his first Gold Cup for piano and Anthony will received his first Gold cup for his organ.