Detour

So we were riding along on Nick's road of recovery last month (and we were bragging about how things were getting back to normal) when we hit a DETOUR!! I had spent the night in Park City with my girlfriends when I get a call early Saturday morning that Nick has a fever of 102*. We knew this could mean rejection or infection so we took him to the ER. The doctor's tested for things like blood clots, pneumonia, or blockages to his liver. Every thing came back negative. They drained a liter of fluid from his lungs. They placed a drain in his abdomen to drain off any residual fluid that might have gotten infected. They did another liver biopsy (#3). They did another bone marrow biopsy (#3)! Then, his transplant doctor's started telling us about a rare (2%) post-transplant disease that could affect his lymphatic system.

Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease (PTLD): a wide spread spectrum of viral disorders associated with the Epstein Barr Virus that may range from a self-limiting mononucleosis ("mono") to a type of lymphoma. PTLD is a complication of a suppressed immune system.

From the liver biopsy they could tell that Nick had PTLD. They moved him to Huntsman Cancer Institute for a PET scan of his whole body. Later that night, they came up and told Nick they had found lymphoma in four different places! We were shocked and devastated. How could this be when he was doing so well? He had almost gained back all of this weight and had talked about going back to work the next week. We were very discouraged. They started chemotherapy immediately. Even though they told us that lymphoma is a very curable cancer to treat, they admitted that they don't see a lot of transplant patients to compare him to. His treatment was going to be very individualized. Their plan was to administer chemotherapy every 2 weeks for a total of 6 treatments. After 4 treatments, they would do a CAT scan to see what progress had been made. So, Nick stayed at Huntsman for 5 days after his first round of chemo. He endured it really well. He has had no nausea or vomiting. Overall, he just feels very "worn out". He has had some muscle soreness, but that is a side effect from a shot thats given to build up his white count. He has yet to lose any hair (although it sounds like that will happen.) He had another round of chemo last week which went really well again. After his first round, the doctor's were "extremely happy" with how much improvement they saw on his blood work. They have been very encouraging and caring.

So, we are ending the summer with a *bang*...... just like we started summer with a *bang*! We are very thankful for the two months that Nick had to gain his strength back. I know that has helped him in going through this new trial. We are grateful for all of our family and friends that have been willing to help us with babysitting, doctor appointments, dinners, and their overall concern for Nick and our family. I still feel strongly that everything will work out and Nick will able to regain his health and overcome this new diagnosis. He is an amazing man! He is working hard to fight this and move on! His body has been through so much this year, but we have also been blessed in numerous ways. We will continue pressing on!

Horse and Hitch

one of the decorated horse statues that are all over Ogden

Brielle wanted to ride on all the horses!

Emma and Isabelle waiting for more....

She never took her eyes off the parade!

In lieu of trying to catch up on the summer month we missed, we tried something on Monday that we have never done before: the Ogden Horse and Hitch parade. Now, if you know my girls, you know that they LOVE horses, especially Emma. She managed to put holes in at least 4 pair of pants this winter while she "galloped" around our house on her knees. She wants to buy a horse. She thinks that we will buy a farm for her when we are rich. She has her own stuffed animal horse named Spirit that she rides on. Anyway, we thought this would be a great outing for her. It wasn't as crowded as the Ogden Pioneer day parade and it was also cooler since it was at night. I think it will be a new family tradition (as long as the horse frenzy continues!)

Funnies

Emma: Mom, I'm so glad we have the car that we do.
Me: Really, why?
Emma: Because some people have cars that don't even have roof's and then they get rained on!


Overheard while the girls were eating Popsicles on our deck
Emma: Brielle what to you want to be when you grow-up?
Brielle: Ummm......Strawberry Shortcake. What do you want to be, Emma?
Emma: A cow-girl!

Super Saturday

the cute faces of my girls!

the metal slide--practically extinct!

chillin' in the shade

a little windy!

almost too big for the toddler swings!

running....running...always running

On Saturday, Nick wanted to get out of the house so we decided to pack a lunch and go play at the park. We went to Hooper Park because it is close by, totally in the shade, and has swings and a playground. It is fantastic! The girls had fun even though it was a little windy. After nap time, we went to the Ott Planetarium at Weber State where they were showing free star shows thanks to R.A.M.P. We watched two shows: one about a duck named Dudley who learns about the stars, and in the other Wilbear the teddy bear learns about flying. They were cute shows that kept the girls entertained for an hour and they also handed out glow-in-the-dark stars (which don't really work). Then we headed to Farr's ice cream shop to indulge in some delicious ice cream. Caramel Caribou: my new favorite! (I can't wait until their new store opens in Clinton!) It was a great way to end the day--sticky and tired!

Our July Vacation

at the Gateway

Brielle didn't like the fountain surprise

Do we dare go in?

happily on "vacation"

Gracie, Brielle, Emma, and Ike after lunch

our hotel room--how quickly we can make it messy!

Emma enjoying the pool

Brielle NOT enjoying the pool!

Awww! Relaxing with Dad!

So another reason I like the 4th of July is that our anniversary is right after it! This year was our 9th anniversary! Wow! Almost into the double-digits! We decided to "treat" ourselves to a night away at the Little America (we couldn't go too far because Nick had to have labs drawn Monday morning!) It was wonderful! We got to relax, talk, reminisce about previous anniversaries, and reflect on the last few months. It was weird because it was also very quiet! Without the girls we could have a whole conversation without being interrupted! Who knew? On Monday, we did some shopping in Salt Lake, ate lunch at Cheesecake Factory (yum!), and saw a movie. Then, we went home, picked up the girls and brought them back to Salt Lake for mini family vacation. We took them swimming in the hotel's pool and let them stay up late eating chips in bed. On Tuesday, we went to the Gateway to see Ice Age 3. We met up with Nick's sister's family after that to have lunch at Applebee's and play in the fountains. We had worn Nick out by then, but it was a great getaway that our whole family needed!

The Start of Summer

I love the 4th of July! The fireworks, BBQ's, the increase in American flags flying, patriotic songs, the heat, the parades, and the official start to our summer this year. June whisked by as our family tried to make it through each day. I went back to working which meant on Monday's and Fridays the girls went to their babysitters and Nick got a ride to the U for lab work and then had someone come over to "tend" him. Tuesdays meant visits from the physical therapist and home health nurse. Wednesday's were filled with lab work at the U in the morning and clinical appointments in the afternoon. Mingled in there were birthdays, Primary meetings, Father's Day, and rain (which ruined any backyard plans I tried to plan for the girls). Besides a few minor tweeks with Nick's recovery (he needed two IV infusions of magnesium because it got too low), June was awesome for him! He has gained about 5 pounds a week and is just a couple pounds shy of his normal weight! He walks without aid, gets up on his own, and is able to walk quite far. At the end of June his doctors decided that he only needed labs drawn twice a week and that it could be done at McKay Dee! Yeah! They also dropped the every week visits and now see him every other week. Yeah! Yeah! The first week of July we didn't know what to do with all the extra time! (actually we celebrated with some family fun!)
We went to the Hooper parade on the morning of the 4th (Nick usually hates parades, but this one was perfect for him!) Then, for lunch Nick wanted to go to Chili's and use a gift card he got for Christmas (he actually enjoys food now!) That night we went to Nick's aunt's house for a BBQ and to watch the Riverdale fireworks (her house is so close we watched it from the front yard.) It was a really fun day and we felt almost normal again! Since then we have been playing as hard as we can--trying to make up for the month of summer we missed! And I have a few pictures to prove it!

My 2009 Theme Song

"THE CLIMB"
~by Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa!

This song has become one of my favorites lately. Not only does it fit with my life the last few months, but I have heard it numerous times on the way to the hospital. I think the first time I heard it was the day Nick got a liver and I was driving down to sign the consent forms and be there for his surgery. I think this song will always remind me of that moment.