Sierra Biopsy Update

Sierra got a 00000!!! Her last biopsy showed a zero rejection. We haven't had a zero in over a year. This is very good, however, this was her annual biopsy and they measure more things than regular biopsies. This biopsy showed that her coronary arteries were significantly more narrow than they have ever been. This is usually an early sign of rejection, but they don't know if it is from her recent episode of rejection healing or if something else is starting. Thus, they switched her meds all around and started her on a new med called rapimune. This will put us going back to Cali in 1 month for another biopsy to see how she is doing on the new medicine. All in all she is acting and doing great.

Sierra, Gage and I got to go to Cali this time and Jason stayed here with the kids. He picked us up from the airport on Thurs with a completely packed minivan and just enough room for the three of us and our suitcase. He had to pack us for my family reunion that was from Friday to Sunday. He did an amazing job! The reunion was a blast and it was fun to spend time with my siblings and the kids' cousins. We usually fight the dust with all the kids up camping, but with all the rain this years theme was worms. My nephew Stetson was brave enough to attempt to eat one after being persuaded with money. Needless to say it didn't quite make it all the way down before everything came up. Great memories!!

The kids digging for worms.

The whole gang at the mouth of Minatonka cave. We never actually got to go on the tour they were sold out. Maybe next year.

Stetson and the worm

Down the Hatch!!

It's Good to be HOME!

It is great to have everyone home and together. We surprised Sierra and met her at the airport. It was great to see her face light up. She is doing great. Still fatigues quickly but looks great. She will go back to California June 16th for her next biopsy and another IV immunoglobulin treatment. Until then, we will enjoy our week and a half of the start of summer vacation.

Thursday we celebrated Jason's birthday. It was a lot of fun and enjoyable to have everyone together. There was a crazy rain storm and he got a bar-b-q for his birthday. Needless to say we tested it out in the garage instead of outside on the deck. While we were getting ready for the party we found a black bird in out wood stove. I attempted to get it out with my hands but got a little timid and it ended up flying out of the wood stove and hitting Hunter in the face on his way out. (I didn't know little boys could hit octaves that high). Our brave daddy caught the bird and put it outside. It was quite a little adventure.

Sierra coming out at the gates in the airport. Being swarmed with siblings.

The wild black bird.

Jason's Bar-B-Q.

Birthday cake with lots of helpers to blow out all those candles.

Gage working at eating ashes during the bird fiasco.

Sierra coming Home!!

Sierra had her appointment with the doctor's this morning. Her echo was normal and the reading of her halter (the heart monitor she has to wear for 24 hours) was normal. She got the green light to come home!! She still has a little bit of swelling in her face and abdomen and periods of tiredness, but doing great otherwise. They increased her lasix (water pill) and think the swelling is from her kidney function being down just a little bit from being on the cyclosporin. So, bottom line, a few medication adjustments and we'll see you in 2 weeks!!

Just a side note. The x-ray for Lindsey came back and they decided she didn't have viral pneumonia. Her chest x-ray looked fine. However, that doesn't answer her shortness of breath, so they are doing a pulmonary function test tomorrow to get more answers. A little frustrating to be told that Monday, when we were worrying about her being contagious all weekend and keeping us from going to Cali. Oh well, it all works out. Thanks for checking on us.

More Pictures for Jason & Sierra

Just some more pictures of the yard for Jason and Sierra. Hope you guys get to come home tomorrow. We REALLY, REALLY, miss you!

View from the back deck.

The garden with the untouched shed to the side.

Close up out the kitchen window.

View directly from the kitchen window.

Gage Crawling (CONT)

Gage Crawling

Gage has been doing the military crawl, but just this week started the official crawl. Nothing on the floor is safe. Sorry Jason I have tried for the last 3 hours to get this video to download and it won't. I will try again later.

Sierra is doing great we are just waiting for her clinic appointment on Wednesday to find out if she gets to come home or not. She will have a biopsy on the 16th of June. She will be home for about 10 days and then we turn around and go back. We will gladly take the 10 days home if they will give them to us.