MRI Complete

Justin had his MRI today. I told him right before they took him back for the procedure that he would have to have a shot for the anesthesia...he started crying. I felt bad when the nurse announced he wasn't getting a shot (at least he wouldn't be awake when they gave it to him...oopsie). So he stopped crying and was relaxed...scowling at me.

Tucson Medical Center has someone come and talk to Justin on his level about what is going to happen. The two times we have been at the hospital it has been a girls in her 20's who is very nice and really great with kids. She helped Justin relax and laugh.

Justin was given laughing gas then when he fell asleep they put in the IV. The procedure only took two hours...as opposed to the three hours we thought it would take. We knew they were finished when we heard Justin screaming. (It was good we were in the waiting room.) We were told that he woke up too fast and all his brain hadn't woken up yet so he was really confused and scared. The dr. gave his some narcotics to knock him out again and then he woke up slowly. We were at his side the second time he woke up and it was much better. The narcotics effect everyone differently and they made Justin sad. He soon snapped out of his sadness when we got fluids in him and a Happy Meal.

He was back to his happy self by the time we got home;) Thank you to my friends Autumn and Sabrina for watching Logan and Kali for arranging everything and for bringing dinner. We are spoiled. Thank you for those who fasted and for those of you who have put Justin's name in the Temples and for all the prayers...it means so much to us. We love you all.

We were told it would take 3-5 days to get the report and then our tech said it would be 2-3 days then the lady that gave me a CD of the images told me she would fax the report to me tomorrow. Since I do have the images on a CD I tried to view the images myself...how hard could it be!?!?!? I couldn't even figure out how to open the images, doh! It's probably for the best.

On another note...Logan started soccer today. He wouldn't listen to his coach, he just wanted to kick the ball around the entire time. He is a sporty little guy, very coordinated. We then went to my city league volleyball game where we were freezing and the sand on the court feels like sandpaper on your feet. I was miserable, but we won, YAY! I couldn't wait to get home and relax in a nice hot tub. I got the kids bathed and got Justin to bed and had run the water for my bath and was finishing up some stuff on the computer before jumping in when I hear Logan peeing. I run into the bathroom to see what is going on and he is standing in my tub of steaming hot, (relaxing and well deserved) water PEEING. Why is my life so awesome?!?!?!?! Let's just say Logan is completely done for the night...possibly longer! As mad as I was when it happened, I'm already starting to grin about it. That kid is a character. So lucky to have both Justin and Logan!

The Humbling River

I was watching Justin play his Transformer game this morning and I had him pause the game so I could talk to him about what was going on with his eye and hearing. After the game had been paused for a few minutes it started playing 'The Humbling River' which is the theme song for Tranformers: Fall of Cybertron. Justin said 'I love this song! I heard it on Youtube' he had tried to sing it the other day but couldn't remember the words. Justin  and Logan started watching Youtube so we could get tips to get through the PSP games. Now it has become a form of entertainment...they will watch the Youtube tutorials non-stop and just keep clicking on the links which lead to more Transformer clips and more clips and more clips...on and on.

Anyways, I felt this song was very fitting for our blog.

The Humbling River by Puscifer
Nature nurture heaven and home
Sum of all and by them driven
To conquer every mountain shown
But I've never crossed the river

Brave the forest, brave the stone
Brave the icy winds and fire
Braved and beat them on my own
Yet I'm helpless by the river

Angel, angel what have I done
I face the quakes, the wind, the fire
I've conquered country,crown, and throne
Why can't I cross this river

Angel, angel what have I done
I face the quakes, the wind, the fire
I've conquered country,crown, and throne
Why can't I cross this river

Pay no mind to the battles you've won
It'll take a lot more than rage and muscle
Open your heart and hands my son
Or you'll never make it over the river

It'll take a lot more than words and guns
A whole lot more than riches and muscle
The hands of many must join as one
And together we'll cross the river

It'll take a lot more than words and guns
A whole lot more than riches and muscle
The hands of many must join as one
And together we'll cross the river

...and the Results are in!

Dr. Sifontes called to let us know Justin's blood tests came back beautiful (her words). This means that things are pointing even more toward a chronic bone disease and not a cancer/histio. Relief...

When you hear chronic this means slow growing, long lasting, persistent or recurring. Most chronic diseases can't be cured completely and mean a lifetime of medications, dr. visits, discomfort, medical tests, therapies and sometimes surgery.

I have been looking up chronic bone diseases online and haven't found any that we want Justin to have...doh! We are just happy the blood results are good and look forward to getting the MRIs out of the way.

Justin is unaffected by all of this. He is his happy go lucky self. Just imagine him skipping around with a transformer in his hand...constantly.

Abnormal Hearing Test...the Beginning

So...things never get dull around here. Believe dat! First of all...thank you everyone for the prayers, fasting, texts, kind words, phone calls, thoughts, hugs and emails. We have felt your prayers and love through the Spirit and know that Heavenly Father is mindful of what we are dealing with and that He loves Justin completely.

Justin had a hearing test at school that showed he had loss of hearing in his left ear. We were encouraged to see an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor ASAP. So, long story short the ENT ordered a CT scan due to hearing loss and the visible bulge of his left eye. Next business day after the CT scan we get a call that Justin has a mass growing that is causing his eye to bulge. The ENT can't say if the mass is affecting his hearing or not but he did say that he and the Radiologist agree that the growth looks benign. I really don't remember much about the conversation after he said benign.

Long story short...when Justin had his CT scan I asked that our Primary Care Physcian (Dr. Sifontes) receive a copy of the report. Dr. Sifontes called me last night and asked that we come in to her office today. She used to be an Oncologist and felt Justin had Histiocytosis which is a disease that eats away organs/bones. Let's just say we had a very emotional night last night.

This morning Dr. Sifontes calls after speaking with a pediatric oncologist (oncologist diagnose and treat cancer) and an orthopedic (bone) specialist. She now believes he doesn't have histiocytosis...but has a bone disease instead. The oncologist requested blood tests and the bone dr. wants an additional MRI ran of Justin's spine. What we know at this point is that Justin may have a chronic bone disease that causes his bones to calcify (harden) and thicken and has a side effect of growing lesions/tumors. The dr. checked Justin over to see if he had any other bone growths on his body and everything was fine except on the left side of Justin's back was shaped different then the right...like it stuck out more on the left side?!!?!?!?hard to explain. So, still we don't know exactly what is going on but Dr. Sifontes feels optimistic that whatever Justin has is treatable and maintainable. 

Dr. Sifontes should be calling within 1-2 days with the blood results. We also have the 3 MRI's scheduled for Tuesday, April 9. The MRI will give the doctors more info about the growth and size of whatever is growing and where they are growing.

We are grateful to have dr. Sifontes working with us and spending so much of her time with Justin. She talked with us for an hour today with an office full of people waiting for her...she really cares about Justin and wants to assist in anyway she can.

We received some good news yesterday that Jason's pay won't be cut 42%. We appreciate all the prayers!

We will update the Blog as we get info. Thank you again for all the support. I appreciate all of you listening to me talk about this...I am usually not as open and have felt relieved in talking about what is happening. I think if I kept things inside I would have a massive explosion or meltdown. So thank you for being there for me and us.

Lunch in Vegas with Jose Andres

For Jason's birthday this year we headed to Vegas and met Janet & Ardean and Mark, Ashley and sweet little Heath. We booked the trip to attend Bon Appetit "Uncorked". Jose Andres a famous Spanish chef made Paella for us at one of his restaurants in the Cosmopolitan. It was amazing and we are already planning to attend next year! Here is what our 13 course meal consisted of:

Course 1:

Chupito de Gazpacho Estilo Algeciras
Chilled Spanish Soup Made with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, and Bread

(This is served chilled...full of veggies, very good!)

Course 2:

Endivias con Queso de Cabra y Naranjas
Endives, Goat Cheese, Oranges and Almonds

(This was one of my favs...eating a flower petal was so fresh taste...yummy!)

Course 3:

Endivias con Queso de Cabra y Naranjas

Endives, Goat Cheese, Oranges and Almonds

Course 4:

Gambas al Ajillo
Shrimp Sautéed with Garlic

Course 5: (Before mixing)

Huevo Frito con Caviar
Fried Organic Egg Topped with Caviar

(I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this dish!)

Course 5: (After mixing)

Huevo Frito con Caviar
Fried Organic Egg Topped with Caviar

Course 6:

Escalivada Catalana
Open Fire Roasted Red Peppers, Eggplant, and Sweet Onions with Sherry Dressing

Course 7:

Setas al Ajillo con La Serena
Sautéed Wild Mushrooms with La Serena Potato Purée

Course 8:

Paella Valenciana "Rafael Nadal"
Paella with Chicken, Rabbit, and Green Beans

(Jose made 2 huge pans of this in front of us before setting down to eat. It was interesting to see the differences from Jason's method's. The two main things were that Jose used a ton of olive oil...I mean a ton...it was really good but I think I prefer a little less and the other difference was he used water instead of chicken stock. i am excited for Jason's next Paella to see if he incorporates any changes!)

Course 9:

Espinacas a la Catalana
Sautéed Spinach, Pine Nuts, Raisins and Apples

Course 10:

Carne Asada con Piquillos Julián de Lodosa
Grilled Hanger Steak with Piquillo Pepper Confit

Course 11:

Ensalada de Coles de Bruselas con Albaricoques, Manzanas, y Jamón Serrano
Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apricots, Apple, and Serrano Ham

Course 12:

Pastel de Chocolate y Avellanas
Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with Praline Ice Cream and Salted Caramel Sauce

Course 13:

Flan al Estilo Tradicional de Mamá Marisa con Espuma de Crema Catalana
Spanish Custard with 'Espuma' of Catalan Cream and Oranges

There were 6 to each table and each plate was shared between 2 or 3 people. Everything was sooo amazing. I can't wait to go again next year. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome....the more the merrier!

One tip: Sit furtherest away from the kitchen so you are served last...we ended up with extras because we were always served last...but we didn't mind when they would bring out the extra plates....yumm-o! Luv U Jose Andres!

Jose kept making fun of Italians...which was so funny. He was so entertaining and such a joy to watch. Pellegrino was a sponser and we loaded up on that while everyone else loaded up on beer and wine..all you can drink (hence the "uncorked" aspect) and Jose was certainly drinking all he could...;) Great chef, great event...hoping to visit more events next year while returning to this one for sure!!!!! Maybe Bobby Flay will be on the line-up next year...I would love to see him live as well.

Janae & Ali Visit the Desert

Janae and Ali (Jason's two youngest sister's) came and visited us on Easter and stayed for the week. We really enjoyed their stay. Justin loves having company and having an extra person around to play with. Ali and Janae were no disappointment. During their visit Jason took them to the Cereal Box on the UofA campus. It is a restaurant that serves different cereal concoctions like the zinger which has fruit loops, coconut, strawberry jam and stuff like that.

'The Cereal Box'....so quaint and casual...and it is located on the back side of the main

strip of restaraunts by the UofA campus (away from the bars).

 This is the menu. Not only do they have a bunch of different cereal concoctions

they also have panini's. 

 This is the "Zinger". Logan isn't a good eater unless it includes sugar or cheese.

During Ali and Janae's visit we also headed down to visit family in Bowie. Jason and I had visited Jared and Melanie a few weeks prior to this visit and discovered they had put in a fire pit. (Jason's dream yard includes a fire pit for cooking paella.) So we headed down to make paella. This is the beginning of the dish. Jason was taking the pictures and cooking so this is the only one we got. Melanie Allred has some really good photos on her facebook page if you want to see the finished product. Yumm-O.

We always feel so loved when family makes an effort to come see us and to help us break up the monotny of everyday desert life. We love you Ali and Janae!

Logan's Birthday

I can't believe my little Logan boy is 1!

 We celebrated Logan's birthday at a Mariners Spring Training

game with Uncle Christopher and Aunt Susie

 Justin loves his Uncle Christopher!

Aunt Susie, Uncle Christopher and
Logan (with dad's hat on).

 We were sitting right behind Ichiro, one of Jason's

Logan taking a close up of the game.
He is now walking.

favorite players.

Mom and Logan

We headed to Cheesecake Factory after the game

where theybrought Logan a little surprise. Logan

was half asleep.

Dad & Justin enjoying the game.

 Justin and Logan in their new Spain outfits. 

 Logan's birthday cake!

Dig in!

Stuffin' it in. 

 Yumm-O!

Still not finished!

 Justin and Logan. Looks like Logan is getting a little

disoriented.

...and he's finished. (Who is cleaning this mess up!@##$#)

Family 2010

I just finished our family pictures for my family scrapbook. I have a scrapbook for each child and then one for the family which I scrap all our family pics. I thought they turned out cute.

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus

I took Justin to the Clubhouse to sit on Santa's lap.

Justin couldn't get over the fact that Santa didn't have his reindeer with him.

Logan just stared at Santa...he was in awe!

Mrs. Claus reading to the kids. Justin is in the middle on the left side.

Family Pics

We just had family pics done; Jessica Burnette took them and did a great job. We had the photos taken at La Placita Village. Justin and Logan were great. Here are some of my favorites: