December 2007 Archives

Well, we are ready to put 2007 behind us!  Wyatt had a very happy Christmas.  He was very excited about leaving cookies and carrots out on Christmas Eve for Santa and the reindeer.  So excited that he actually ran right past a pile of presents on Christmas morning to see if those cookies were still there.  We had a nice and peaceful Christmas. We even had some snow.  We spent some time outside and Wyatt made his first snowballs...some of which landed right on mommy's backside.  The joys of living with a house full of boys??  

Wyatt continues to do well and we are so happy that he has not had to go back to the hospital.  The doctors and nurses were very honest with us about the possibility of returning due to infection.  So, we are always on pins and needles waiting and hoping that he escapes that part.

His counts are holding longer but he still needs transfusions to keep his numbers up.  The need is less frequent than when he was in the hospital so hopefully we are moving in the right direction.  He is making some cells just not enough.  We are looking forward to the time when he can hold his own without blood products.  We keep reminding ourselves that 'slow and steady' often wins the race.  Wyatt's 60 day post transplant bone marrow biopsy is scheduled for next week.  Those results will let us know exactly what is being produced in his marrow.  So, again we say...grow cells, grow!!!  We have become quite the cheerleaders.

Well, we never got around to sending out cards this year.  We wish you all a healthy and happy New Year!

Well, we have survived our first 72 hours without help.  Amazingly, we have somehow managed to have someone here to help us since we arrived in October.  We are lucky to have such a great support system.  My mom, my aunt and Steve's sister have all logged in some days here in Minnesota as well as Steve's parents.  I think that June has probably spent more time here than she has at her home in Virginia Beach.  We were a little nervous to be on what our friend Brian calls 'man on man defense' but we have survived...maybe not as clean or as well fed but we have survived.  There were some moments when Steve and I wondered who exactly was running this show?  I think the answer to that question was Wyatt and maybe even Owen.

Wyatt sent a letter to Santa last week to let him know that he is temporarily in Minnesota.  He has a much better understanding of Santa Claus this year than he did last year.  It would be great to take him to see Santa but that's not in the cards this year.  He did; however, catch a glimpse of Santa in the parking garage at the hospital.  Why was Santa in the garage???   After much 'thought and discussion', we decided that Santa had probably parked his sleigh on the roof of the garage.  We are learning that sometimes you have to do some quick and creative thinking as a parent. 

Wyatt cannot be around live or fake plants at this stage in the transplant process.  So, we are celebrating with a mini fiber optic Charlie Brown tree and that works just fine for us!.  Christmas and the holidays certainly have a new meaning for us.  We will settle for anything as long as we can all be together. 

We are heading into a warm spell here in Minnesota.  It's going to be in the 30's all week.  And, honestly, it actually does feel warm.  Never thought I would say that but I guess it's all relative.

Wyatt had a good weekend.  He is feeling well and his Aunt Beth is visiting for a few days.  A new playmate!  They have been playing spaceship all morning.  It's nice for Steve and I to be relieved from duty for a few hours.

As I have written before, Steve and I are truly touched by the support we have received from so many people.  Wyatt's friends at Oceana Naval Base had a fundraiser just this past weekend.  It was organized by our good friend Todd and his squadron - The Pukin' Dogs.  It was a bike poker run.  Now, I didn't know exactly what that was but it sure sounded like fun.  Turns out it is a motorcycle ride to different locations to pick up cards which then become your poker hand.  Perfect for Wyatt as he loves anything to do with transportation - planes, cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, etc.  I can't wait to show him the picture of the participants and their bikes!  The money raised will be donated to the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund. 

Also, thanks to Wyatt's preschool, All Saints, for all the little reminders of his good buddies waiting for him back in Virginia Beach.  He has been looking through the photo album and wondering when he can go back "to that playground".  I think the novelty of a new new place is wearing off and he is ready to get back to his old house and all his friends.  It is sad to hear him talk about missing things but it also makes me happy as I know he is feeling well enough to want to get back and play again.  We keep telling him that he will get there soon - just keep growing those cells my little friend!

Wyatt is still at home and still feeling well.  His counts are bouncing around which is what the doctors expect with cord blood transplants.  We try to remind ourselves to just listen to the doctors but it's tough not to feel discouraged when those numbers go down - we are still in the difficult waiting period.  We are looking forward to the time when Wyatt starts making all the cells he needs on his own with no help from medications. 

Wyatt requires blood transfusions every few days.  We are constantly reminded of the importance of donating blood.  So, if you are able and you have the time, blood donation is an amazing gift.  We encourage you to donate whenever possible.

We are thrilled to be together as a family again.  It's nice to all be in the same room.  :)  But we do miss all the folks at the hospital who took such good care of Wyatt (and us!)  They have a difficult job and they do it well.

Wyatt and Owen are having fun getting to know each other again.  It's a lot of fun to watch.  Owen really LOVES his big brother.  We do have some occasional sharing issues but for the most part, it's good times.  It's a great thing to listen to them laugh together.

We are actually enjoying the cold weather here.  Not sure I would like it so much if I lived here but for a short term experience, we like it!  Although, on a particularly cold and windy day, Wyatt did ask to go back to his 'old house' where it's not winter. 

Wyatt was discharged from the hospital this past Saturday!  So, finally, our first homecoming!   He is doing well and feeling happy to be out of the hospital.  He is still getting some medication through his central line which means Steve and I have become temporary nurses.  So far, it's going well but it's certainly more than we ever wanted to know about nursing.  We are both a little anxious about it as a mistake could be costly.

Our big task now is persuading Wyatt to eat.  He is not very interested but we keep trying.  Wyatt has never had much of an appetite which we now know is a result of his Fanconi Anemia.  For those of you who have been around during a mealtime with us, you know that we go to great lengths to persuade him to eat...sometimes dancing, cheerleading routines, sometimes parades, sometimes eating contests,etc.  We have been reduced to some really silly levels. 

Wyatt is still on a very strong antibiotic for another week.  After he completes it, we will know if his most recent infection has cleared.  Unfortunately, the doctors suspect that it is a resistant bacteria that might require them to remove his central line.  We really hope that will not be the case.  So, we keep our fingers crossed that this infection will be gone for good.

There is LOTS of snow here.  Wyatt really enjoys the drives to the clinic.  He likes seeing all the snow.  I guess you appreciate everything when you have been inside for 40 days!  Today, he found a frozen spider on the balcony...very exciting!  Especially for someone who likes bugs as much as Wyatt (just like his Dad!)

It's hard to believe Wyatt has been in the hospital for over 35 days.  Some days it feels like forever.  Other days, not so long.

His counts continue to rise which is great news!  His infection is still hanging on and causing him to have some painful days.  It always feels like some good news mixed with some bad news.

Wyatt has received some special gifts recently.  His cousin Cameron made him a very special book.  Also, Cameron's first grade class made Wyatt a book filled with Get Well Wishes.  Wyatt can't read yet but he can recognize his name on each page.  Wyatt also received some get well cards from a class in Pennsylvania.  When he is feeling well, we try to read each one of them.

Wyatt's counts have finally started to come in!  Today, he is at 1.0!   If he can hang on to these numbers for a few days, he will actually be able to go outside his room.  Unfortunately, he is still feeling sick from his current infection.  But the doctors are confident they have it under control and hopefully he will be feeling better in a few days.  

It is snowing like crazy here!  I joked with Wyatt this morning that it might come up to his window.  Thinking now  that it might not be a joke afterall.  We don't see a lot of snow in Virginia Beach.  We're enjoying it!  And it will give Steve the opportunity to wear his 'puff daddy' jacket.  He swears it's the warmest thing he has ever owned.