Little Bump in the Road

I know there are a lot of people wanting updates with Gage, so here is the long of it.  Gage's stomach started hurting Friday, his appetite had been poor all week.  He tried eating Saturday night and threw it all up, along with his meds shortly after. Not to mention the explosive diarrhea. He moaned all night about his stomach hurting, finally falling asleep around 4 AM.  Needless to say, he did not enjoy his Easter treats Sunday morning.  He laid around Sunday and started feeling a little better Sunday afternoon and even ate a little bit and played with cousins.  Monday he felt a little weak but wanted to go to school.  Went to school and did really well.  Ate some lunch, was acting like himself when he got home from school and even went out and helped pick up rocks in the field (funnest thing ever).  Ate dinner that night, but ended up throwing everything up again. Moaned again all night about his stomach hurting.  (Creepy reminder of the Lindsey heart failure days, including that sick pit in our stomach) All in all, he ended up missing Saturday night meds and part Monday nights.

We called California a couple times to keep them in the loop with what was going on.  Yesterday, they wanted an echo done on him.  So, we packed a bag and headed to the ER in Boise.   The echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) looked good, which was really reassuring, meaning no heart issues.  They ran some blood tests and stool and blood cultures.  The blood tests showed his kidney's were saying "ouch" with his dehydration.  The heart team was concerned with his kidneys and wanted him flown to California so they could watch him from here.  He really perked up after a fluid bolus in Boise and was "starving" (music to my ears).  He ate and held everything down and hasn't thrown up since.  His stomach is feeling better and he is acting like himself.

So, what is the plan.  Repeat his echo (they like to see their own and confirm there is nothing wrong with the heart) continue blood draws (his kidneys already looked better after the IV fluids) and see where he is at tomorrow.  Hopefully we can be released tomorrow and get home in time for prom this weekend. Summary of what has happened, he had a viral gut bug, got too dehydrated and couldn't keep some of his meds down, but is feeling better. 



In other news, since we haven't updated in a really long time.  Sierra headed back to college last week.  She had winter semester off from school and was at home working.  It was really nice to have her back home, but she was  really ready to be back out on her own.  She has had great biopsies and just had an echo that looked really good.  She isn't sure she still wants to do nursing, so this semester is an exploration semester to see what is out there.  Hopefully she finds something she will love.

Megan just finished registering and confirming housing for Utah State University.  I can't believe we are going to be down to 3 kids at home.  It makes me sad that our family is shrinking.  I am not looking forward to this stage of our lives.  I had the opportunity to go with Megan and 11 other students to Washington DC this last week.  It was a lot of fun and a great experience.  I had never been there before, so it was very exciting.

Lindsey is growing up and doing great.  She has echo's every 3 months, but biopsies only once a year.  She is doing track with Megan and is loving the social life that comes with it.  She is very excited about prom this weekend and is getting better at driving.

Hunter participated in FFA this year and found his love and niche for parlay.  He has always been a great debater with his parents and siblings.  Good to see that energy go to better use.  He has matured quite a bit this year and I am proud of him and the choices he is making.

Gage celebrated his 2nd year anniversary April 5th.  these last 2 years have flown by compared to the prior 2 years.  Lindsey celebrated her 6th.  Time just keeps marching on.

I can't say we are the proud owners, it is more like "what were we thinking" of 6 ducks, 8 (teenage) hens, and 3 chicks.  One of which we incubated from our own eggs.  Making a total of 11 chickens, 2 roosters, 11 chicks and 5 ducks (one disappeared) a dog and a cat.  We have decided that we definitely like chickens better than ducks.  Ducks are very smelly and messy.  We will probably only ever own the 5 and if they fly off for the winter, I won't feel bad.

That is everything in a nut shell. We will probably go home tomorrow if everything turns out looking normal.

Catching Up from November to January

Just catching up since November.  We have been busy with "normal" life and it has felt great!  We moved right on from volleyball into basketball.   First came Hunter's junior high basketball with a with a 9 and 3 season.  Jason was the coach and did an excellent job.  Hunter then joined an AAU basketball team in LaGrande, which has been really good for him.

Megan's basketball season started right after her volleyball ended.  It has been a good season.  Not as strong as volleyball, but dang fun to watch none the less.

Sierra survived her first semester of college. She was excited to come home for Christmas, but ready to return once break was over.  Unfortunately, she is on a track system, so she will not go back until the end of April, due to having winter semester off.  She is staying at home and working, which will be great for her savings account.  She and Gage will have biopsies in February.  She did really well with taking care of herself in college.  Figured out her blood draws, medication and doctor appointments.  It was a big relief to see her take on that responsibility.  We still have a little work to do on communicating with doctors, but all-in-all, she did great. She had some great roommates and made some life long friends.

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's and enjoyed participating in our family traditions in our own home.  We continue to appreciate whatever time we have in our home and don't take it for granted. We are never sure how long it will last.

Lindsey, Gage, and Hunter are also involved in the skiing program.  Jason went up on Friday, and had a tough time keeping up with Gage and Hunter.  Gage 'bombed' Trouble Creek and other runs.  He loves to ski with his buddies especially Range.

Honestly, it is sooooo nice that we are not reporting any heart issues at this time.
Till next time

Hunter's AAU team

Gage's November checkup

November 16, 2018

Sitting on a plane heading to Boise and thought I would check in.

Gage had a routine biopsy today at Stanford.  It has been 2 months since his last checkup and had a 1A rejection last time.  This time around his heart pressures were perfect and unchanged.  We will get the heart rejection results tomorrow.   Other than that there is nothing to report on his heart condition.  He has been doing great and loves to wrestle and play football (none of which we or the heart docs are crazy about).

Lindsey’s health is great.  She only goes to Calif once a year for checkups.  Sierra see's a heart doctor in Idaho Falls, but is still monitored by Calif Docs.

As for life, it has really been cookin’.  This last fall has been filled with Lindsey and Megan’s volleyball, Hunter’s junior high football, deer and elk hunting, school, church activities, and dropping Sierra off at BYU-Idaho.

The volleyball team did really well this year.  They went 33-1, with the only loss coming in the state championship round. It was an exciting year watching them make it all the way to the finals with no losses. 

Sierra is doing well at college…so she says.  We will see her for Thanksgiving in Utah at Grandma and Grandpa Colemans.

Through December I will be coaching Hunter’s junior high basketball team.  This has been a huge time commitment and a bit stressful trying to manage 22 boys of ALL skill levels from the 6^th thru 8^th grade.   We are having less than a perfect season but we are learning a lot and hopefully giving the boys a good experience.  But I am loving it!!

Till next time,      

Jason

Update, Gage got a 1A.  Not a zero, but still pretty good.  They will see him back in 3 months.

Megan's volleyball tournament in Redmond. Dang fun.

 That is Bambi, Nurse Practitioner in Calif.  We have known her since the 2012 ' Lindsey Days'.

 Mrs. B.  Gage's 2nd grade teacher in Calif.

 Yah, that is a rubber chicken the class was playing with.

Our cousin, Dallee Jo had her appendix burst.  She should be close to getting out.

 Deer hunt crew back in late Sept.

 Yah, that my Woman!!

 And those are Sierra's awesome roommates.

 Hunter and I down the canyon at Deer camp.

 I LOVE this shirt!!!!!!

 Then off to elk camp with the boys.

 There is a spike packed on Rush.  But ya got to look for it.  

 But I tell ya, we work hard for the elk we get up in the Eagles.

 Mr Aurelius at Halloween.

 More state volleyball tournament!! I might get a little excited.

 Just beat the #3 team to advance to the championship game. 

 Couldn't beat St Paul in the final game, but 33-1 is not a bad record.