#5

Sitting at the San Jose airport heading home. Rough day today. She had to get another IV put in for her last dose of IV Steroids. Took them 5 pokes to get it in. Not Fun! She got the treatment and we were out the door to catch the bus, train and now plane.

We have to come back in 2 weeks for another treatment of IVIG to fight off the anti-bodies.

Her energy level and appetite are way down, but hope she perks up as we head home and she can get some rest and home cookin, away from all the monitors, nurses and pokes.

Till next time
Jason

Update #4

Still haven't received anti-body results yet, can take a while. However, results from tests 2 weeks ago were negative for anti-bodies. That is great!!

So, this morning she is going to get her last dose of IV steroids (which means another IV). I still have not told Sierra that yet. Once the IV is done, we we are cleared to go home today, (Friday).

We will then come back in 2 weeks for a clinic appointment, echo, blood work etc. By then they will know the anti-body results from this biopsy.

Drs have increased her meds, but all in all, we are glad to be going home.

Update #3

Just got word on the 1st half of the biopsy results.

Background first.
2 types of rejection, Sierra has been battling both.

1st = cellular rejection, white blood cells attacking. Biopsy takes pieces of heart the tests for this. 2 weeks ago she was a 2. 0 = NO rejection, 4 = max rejection.

2nd = humeral rejection (spelling who knows)
This is the anti-bodies in the body fighting heart. Very complicated tests to test for this, and quite new. Been testing for this is last few years. Sierra has been fighting this rejection as well with monthly IV treatments.

SOOOO, She got a 1a for cellular rejection. We are VERY excited for that. I was expected much worse. We would like a zero, but this great for now.

Now we are waiting for the anti-body rejection test. Once that is in, they can determine a plan of attack. We are definately not out the woods yet, we may have to stay for new and possible aggressive treatment for the anti-bodies. Hopefully not.

We will keep posting
Thanks again for your comments, love, support and prays.

sierra Update #2

Sierra had her biopsy yesterday afternoon. She was supposed to go in at 11:00 but didn't go until 4:00 pm. I am so very proud of her, she finally did her biopsy awake. Usually they put her under general anesthesia, but this time she was so brave. She stayed awake while they just numbed the site where they do the biopsy. She decided that maybe she'll do awake every other time.

No results of the biopsy yet. They did say her pressures were high in one chamber of her heart. So, they gave her a second dose of steroids. A lot is pending on the results of the biopsy. We still don't have a lot of answers. She is looking and acting great! Thank you for checking on us.

We are back

Sierra had a routine checkup in Boise yesterday and the doctor saw some things that were concerning. The heart function is showing signs of stress and rejection. So after talking to Calif doctors, they decided to have her in Calif. Stacy was already started home to Oregon when she got the final call.


She took Sierra to the Baker ER and they gave her some IV Steroids. Then at 10:00 pm Sierra and her Daddy were life flighted her to Stanford. Needless to say, we are in a bit of shock.


We got here at 1:00 am, they did there own echo, ekg, x-ray, and blood work. We finally got to sleep around 4:00 am.

She is scheduled for a biopsy at 2:30 pm (about an hour from now, we hope).

We are ready for some good news, her last biopsy was a '2' and still had some anti-body rejection on top of that. So please pray for our little girl.

We hope to be home for the Bingham reunion about a week from now.

Thanks again for your thoughts, prays and concern.
Jason

Summer Pictures

Hi Guys, I didn't have early meetings at church so I decided to update.
The pictures are out of order, but you can figure it out.

First of all, Sierra is acting well, takes her meds. We head back to Calif on Aug 11 for the same tests, Biopsy and IVIG. We are hoping and praying for better news. The dr's have said the '2' rejection she has 'should' reverse its self. We will have to see. For those interested, we are going to fast next week, August 2, for better results. Your prays are always a huge strength to us. FYI, August 3 is Sierra's 3 year anniversary for her new heart. Thank you.

All the girls have swimming lessons these next 2 weeks. They are very excited.

Stacy's sister Kelly with her 3 boys came up to visit, along with Kelly's sister in law and her 3 kids. Needless to say, we have a house full with 11 kids. Good fun.

Below are some ranch pictures mostly for Justin, my brother in Germany (her you go bro)

This is the west wall of the shop we are going to start working on.

This is the ceiling of the main shop area. We have finished the lights and even put in 2 ceiling fans.

Saturday, Nick Coxs (hilary's husband) and I went up behind Wolf Creek to get fire wood. This is half of the wood we got, Nick has the other half.

This the North Powder Library float used for the famous 'Huckleberry Days Festival' in North Powder. Our kids are there somewhere.

More Huckleberry' Days

Breakfast Sunday morning with 11 kids

Hay starting to come in. Dad bought a big baler. The fun just continues

We are haying the flat pasture right now. Need to keep the swather running.

Califonia update

Sierra and Daddy went to Calif for biopsy and IVIG. The treatments went very well. Biopsy on Tuesday was done in less than 4 hours. (usually most the day). Then the IVIG on Wednesday. The 12 IV infusion went well. She was a trooper.

However, around 2:00 the dr's came in and gave us the news.

A '2'. Meaning she is a level 2 (0ut of 4) for rejection. This is new territory for us. In fact we are in a bit of shock right now. Not sure what this means. Doctors increased her med's a small amount and will see her in 4 weeks (again). We are getting tired of California, but very greatful for doctors.

We need to call them back and find out more about what this means. We will let you know.

Thanks for prays, love and concern. I guess the worry will never be over, till it's over.
Jason

Chard

Here are few cute pictures of the gang. Hunter, Sierra and Lindsey and trying some of Dad's Chard. Mom will not cook or eat it, but Dad thinks it is great. The jury is out with the kids.

Sierra and I head to California this week for Biopsy and IVIG treatment. Same as the last 2 months. She is still on new heavy med's. Hopefully we can get a zero on the biopsy and do the 'zero dance'. We will update as we get info.





A lazy summer afternoon.

Happy 4th of July!!

This 4th of July was a BLAST!! Jason's cousins that he grew up with here were all up visiting. We were lucky enough to get to hang out with them. They are a lot of fun! Friday, we went up to Anthony Lakes and fished, rode our bikes and ate, and even caught a small fish. Saturday we started the morning off with a 10K race. Yes, I am a little numb in the head, but I did cross the finish line. Then we watched the parade, which Megan and Jason were asked to be in at the last minute. We ate their famous bar-b-Q lunch, went to the rodeo and ended the evening at Jason's Uncle Allen's. We laughed, ate, played wiffle ball, ate some more and then watched fire works. It was so great to have such fun family around and spend time with them.

Everyone playing cards at Anthony Lakes.

Jason, Sierra, Megan and Hunter with the fish they caught.

Sierra, Hunter and Jason and a picture of the beautiful Anthony Lakes. It is only a 25 minute drive from our house. We don't know why we don't go there more often.

Sierra eating her chocolate stuffed marshmallow smore.

My running partner Rhonda and I at the end of the 10K.

Just a cute picture update of our kids. Megan today.

Sierra and Lindsey looking through a magazine. I am not sure what Lindsey's look is all about. She really was enjoying it.