Ian continues in remission

So last week was super busy. It actually all started on Friday the 17th when Ian had an appointment with nuclear medicine at University hospital to have his kidneys scanned. It was an all day event. On Monday the 20th, Ian was sedated to have his brain and spine scanned and then we were back on Tuesday the 21st for an Echocardiogram, a clinic visit and then to the Rapid Treatment Unit for a sedated Lumbar Puncture! To say that I was emotionally drained and exhausted would be an understatement. I don't know any parent who enjoys watching their child endure so many scans and invasive procedures! By Tuesday night I was so done! Poor Ian ended up getting another spinal headache just like I knew he would. Fortunately, I was prepared this time and so I had a presciption from the doc for oxycodone and a case of coke for him. This time around it wasn't as severe as last June. Nevertheless, it hurt to watch him be in pain!

So the good news is that as of today, Ians brain and spine scans show no evidence of disease and the report on his spinal fluid I got back today is that there is no evidence of malignant cells. We are so grateful! However, his scans showed some enhancement/inflammation around the optic nerves and the doctor suspects it is as a result of the chemo therapy he has had. He has an appointment with an ophthalmologist on the 4th of May and I am praying and hoping that the inflammation will resolve itself and leave Ian without any permanent damage. The last thing he needs is to have vision loss with being hard of hearing. One neat thing is that Ian continues to grow taller and gain weight. He is now 40 and a 1/2 inches tall and weighs 38 lbs. He's in the 90% for his height. Most people think he's closer to being four than just having turned three!

I continue to have faith in the blessings Heavenly Father has promised Ian and I know He has a plan for Ian's life. Ian is my hero and such an amazing little boy! He has been through so much and he is so brave and does what needs to be done. He has a great sense of humor and he is so sweet and loving! How did I get so lucky to have him as my little boy? As far as I'm concerned I got lucky with all three of my amazing little men! Bryce and Spencer have been the best through everything as well! Last week, I had to take Bryce and Spencer to get their immunizations updated. We finally got the green light to get some shots they couldn't have while Ian was undergoing his transplants. Anyhow, Bryce was first and from the moment the shots were administered he was hysterical. All the way out of the clinic he was crying and shouting "Stupid needles, don't touch my legs" and so on and so forth. Even in the van he was crying and unhappy! Spencer had four shots and cried when the shots were given and then stopped when I picked him up. He was super brave! As we were leaving Ian kept asking "How about me, I want shots!" He was serious and insistent! I couldn't help but laugh! This kid is seriously asking to be stabbed with needles! He wasn't terribly happy when I explained that he had to wait another six months before he could have shots. LOL!!!!!

I'm glad to have the shot thing done with. Bryce is officially registered for school and I know he is going to do so well! It also looks like Ian might be attending a preschool for the hard of hearing and the deaf! That means I will be all alone with my little Spencer during the day! Nothing is official with Ian, he has an evaluation in May, and so I hope that he qualifies. Apparently it's not enough to be hard of hearing, you have to have some severe cognitive deficits and fortunately Ian isn't showing signs of cognitive delay! That boy is as sharp as a tack! I did run into a woman at Costco who asked me about Ian's hearing aids and said that her little boy attended the Utah school for the deaf and blind and that he was really enjoying it and that he didn't have to have cognitive delays. So if the Davis County School district determines that Ian doesn't qualifiy for their program, I am going to look into this other Utah program.

Again, I am so grateful for the Lord's tender mercies on our little boy and towards our family! I am grateful for priesthood blessings and I am grateful for the sweet peace and comfort that comes from a loving Father in Heaven. While our life is challenging and can be exhausting and stressful, it is worth it all! I have a greater appreciation for my Savior and for the privilege of being a parent. While not easy, I'm grateful for the lessons I'm striving to learn!

Walmart Easter Bunny....

We ran into the Easter Bunny at WalMart yesterday and he talked us into some free pictures.... Mike and I think he looks a little possessed but the boys enjoyed the experience! Can't pass up free!
Anyhow, we hope all of you have a very special Easter holiday as we celebrate our Savior's resurrection. How grateful I am to the Savior for His beautiful and precious gift!

Spencer didn't quite know what to think at first....

Here he is getting more into it... Bryce not quite smiling and yet enjoying himself....

Introducing LARRY and MO....

Ian got his hearing aids last Wednesday. He has named them "Larry and Mo". His hearing aids are pretty sophisticated... they can be programmed for a classroom environment to tune out surrounding noise and if the teacher uses a microphone his hearing aids will pick it up and it will be like he is being taught one on one with the teacher. Larry and Mo are programmed to Ian's specific hearing loss and as time goes on and they are able to gather more information from Ian through hearing tests they will be programmed even more specifically to Ian's needs. I am so excited for Ian! He will need a speech evaluation to determine whether he will need some speech therapy or if he can catch up on his own with regard to being able to pronounce words more clearly. Anyhow, things are going well! We have been so blessed!

Bryce and Ian Singing....

So, I have been trying to teach the boys some primary songs. Bryce and Ian both enjoy singing, however Ian has a harder time because he doesn't always hear all the words or rather the sounds that the words make and thus has a difficult time singing the songs correctly. Nevertheless, they both really love to sing their hearts out and I video taped them singing the latest song I've taught them. I make them sing it when they are being obnoxious and mean to one another.

Fun Pics....

This would be Spencer enduring a breathing treatment. I had to give him breathing treatments every six hours for about five days. He was not a happy camper! I'm just glad that it did the job and helped him breathe easier! Not fun to have a sick kiddo!

Mike celebrated his birthday in March. He's in his 30's somewhere and no we didn't have enough candles to put on his cake. I'm sure the cake would have been set ablaze had we had enough. LOL! He's a good sport. I just love teasing him about being older than me. Which isn't hard to do especially since I'm only 25 and will be for the rest of my life! LOL! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Who knew a blue storage container could provide hours of senseless entertainment for my boys???!!! They had a blast cramming themselves into this container and insisted that I take pictures of them enjoying themselves! Funny thing is that Ian had the hardest time fitting inside it, I think the big head was the problem.

Here's Bryce taking his turn.....

And little Spencer who actually started this little game.....Funny boy!

Grandma and Grandpa are here....

So Grandma and Grandpa arrived on Wednesday. It was so funny, for about a week leading up to their arrival we kept telling the boys that Grandma and Grandpa were coming for a visit. Bryce was so excited and Ian had the complete opposite reaction! He kept telling us that he didn't want them here. Mike and I laughed because his reaction was very forceful and a little shocking coming from a kid who loves his grandparents. Anyhow, we determined that he associates them being here with his hospitalizations. I suspect he thought he would have to go back to the hospital. Fortunately, he has warmed right up to them and I don't think he's worried anymore about a return stay at Primary Children's.

I'm so grateful that the boys get the opportunity to know their grandparents! Mike's parents are the best. They really enjoy the boys and genuinely want to spend time with them. Of course it's been nice from my perspective to have some adult company during the day while Mike is away working a 12 hour + day. I sure hope their visit doesn't go by too fast!