A Merry(?) Christmas...

So...I'm at WINCO on Christmas Eve picking up a few items for our traditional Christmas Eve Fondue.  I decided to peruse the fruit aisle just to see if any of my favorite dipping fruits happened to be a reasonable price.  (That's the problem with doing fondue at Christmas...everything is out of season!)  To my delight, I discovered that they had a bag of kiwi for 98 cents!!  Can you believe that?!?  I couldn't.  So as I stood and stared making certain that I was understanding correctly and wouldn't get up to the register and be charged $98 for the bag...a woman stood next to me and marvled with me.

She then proceeded to enlighten me on all their family traditions in regards to what Santa left in their stockings...fruit and nuts.  Being the polite soul that I am I stood and acted interrested...it was however, Christmas Eve, and I felt obligated.  It was all good until she said, "because, ya know, we're about the same age and when we were young candy was a novelty, and we didn't get any in our stockings..."

I don't think I heard anything she said after that, because I was staring at her thinking, YOU look really old, and do I look THAT old??  I'm sure that when she was growing up and would ride the wagon into the penny candy store it truly was a novelty.  I, however, grew up in the 70's and 80's, and while we consumed MUCH less candy than my kids do now, we did frequent the 7-Eleven on our bikes during the summer and enjoyed a treat or two!

So, my goals for 2010 will all be centered around making myself look 87 years younger.

Another "Brain Test"...

Don't let the scowl on his face fool ya.  That kid loves the attention he gets when he has a "Brain Test" (EEG).  What kid wouldn't?  You get to stay up until midnight the night before, wake up at 5:30 the next morning, not to mention the doting nurses and a trip to McDonald's before going back to school for a measly 3 hours...I mean really!

I know it looks as if he's just had major brain surgery, but they just have to wrap up his head so the wires stay in place during the test...and with his massive locks of curly hair...he needs some serious wrapping. 

After our last appointment a few weeks ago, the doctor decided it was time to do another EEG to get a better idea of where we're at...because at this point no one really knows anymore.  This time they did a Video EEG so that they could use it for a better reference down the road. 

It is always an interesting experience.  They get him all hooked up and then start recording his brain activity.  For the first 1/2 hour they just have him watch cartoons...they give me a button to push every time I notice him having a seizure...this just puts an extra marker on the record to make comparisons with. 

The next part is the pinwheel.  Hyperventalation induces seizures, so they give him a pinwheel and have him blow quick breaths on it for 3 minutes.

The next part is my favorite...the sleeping part!  They turn off the TV and lights and have him sleep for 1/2 hour...just as any concerned mother would do, I too take a nap so he doesn't feel all alone in his napping--I'm thoughtful like that.

Then just when I'm hitting my REM sleep they wake us up and put a strobe light thingy like 3 inches from his face.  He keeps his eyes closed, but for about 3 minutes or so varying light patterns flash.  This is where I like to do some break dancing.  You just have to take advantage of moments when you're in a room by yourself and there is a strobe light available.  At least that's my motto.

More cartoons while they take all the wires off and get as much of the goop out of  your hair as possible.  Quite honestly I often wonder why they even take the time to try...you really need a full wash down to do the job, and with that kids hair--well, it's just not pretty.

So...the results of the EEG??  I don't even know how that kid is functioning.  He is amazing to me.  The doctor called and said the test showed that Luke was having an average of 13 seizures per HOUR.  Do the math...that's upwards of 312  a day.  Back to the drawing board...clearly the new medication is not working out, so for now they have had us put him back on the Zarontin.  We will meet with his doctor in a couple of weeks to see where that takes us again. 

Say a little prayer for our Lukie!

On another note...I overheard a neighbor asking Seth if he ever got to stay up late...his reply, "No, but my brother Luke did last night because he had to get a brain test today..."  I was too tired to explain...

Same Sun

Rachel was required to submit a poem for a publishing contest in her writing class.  I believe it's the same "Young Poets of America" contest that she won in 4th grade.  Whether or not she is selected, this is definately a heart felt writing and will go down as my favorite!!  How blessed we all have been with wonderful LIFE LONG friends from the south!!  We love you!!

"Same Sun"

for Hannah & Sophie

                                            I can't remember having two better friends,

                                            Than two down in Texas...always an ear to lend.

                                            They always gave hugs, when needed or not,

                                            And could make up the best games on the spot.

                                            I miss them so much since I moved here from there,

                                            I miss their laughs and fun...an amazing pair.

                                            There's just one thing I want them to see,

                                            Because this thought is always with me;

                                            Just remember, when you look at the sun,

                                            2,000 miles away, I can see the same one.

A busy little beaver...

Things have been busy around here. Which is good...for the most part. I've been taking a lot of pictures for people lately, and am having a blast. I even getting to the point where I don't have to ask Jared a million questions on what to do on Photoshop. I love it! Here is a picture I took Wednesday...There are a million more, and when I get them done I may post some more. This was a favorite of mine...