October has been a very busy month. I can't believe it's already over. Thankfully we got the kids to the pumpkin patch/corn maze on the one weekend Drew was feeling well.
And I'm adding this one to show what a terd Meagan can be. Getting a good picture of 5 kids is quite a chore. More often than not she shuts her eyes on purpose (or sticks out her tongue or makes a funny face) just as I click the picture. So here's my payback
Drew caught a cough somewhere and that brought on a major increase in his seizure activity. Because of the increased seizures I was using his magnet more (it turns on his VNS). My mom had agreed to watch the boys for me while a ran to pick Meagan up from the college. Before I could get back mom had called to say Drew was having pain in his neck. This is the complaint he had back in May when his lead went bad (the lead goes from the pulse generator and hooks to his Vagus Nerve). I decided to bring him home and watch him. I could tell him implant was still going off but as his seizures increased and his pain intensified I became more concerned. I called the Nurse Line and we were quickly on our way out the door for the hour+ drive to Seattle Children's. Our Dr (who we love and cherish) would wait for us in clinic to make sure he was seen. Thank heavens his lead & generator were fine.
The cough was causing more seizures so I used the magnet more, using the magnet more irritated the Vagus Nerve, irritation of the Vagus Nerve brought on pain and discomfort, pain and discomfort brought on more seizures. It was a rough few days until we got that nasty cough under control.
The next weekend Drew was chosen to be the MAW "Lucky DAWG" at the University of WA football game. It was such an awesome experience. He carried the football they gave him around for days. It even went to school the next week, in his backpack, so he could share it with his classes. Watching him tossing the ball with the Husky Mascot was so overwhelming. It was definitely one of the highlights of his day. Two of my sisters, one BIL, one niece and two nephews got tickets to the game to support Drew. MAW gave us tickets for Drew, Steve, Zander and I. My mom was all too happy to stay home with the little ones. The highlight for me, besides tossing the ball, was to be on the field with a flag that big while our national anthem was sung. I have never seen a flag that big before and as the color guard started the flag rippling as they sang
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave I couldn't help but cry. Then the National Guard did a fly by. Very cool. A day forever etched in my heart.
Here's pictures I took
And the pictures MAW took and sent to us on CD
We also attended a balloon release at my kids school for our sweet friend Mara, who lost her 11 mo battle with DIPG Brain Tumor. She is one of the most amazing little girls. Her family's some of the most wonderful, christ-like people I know. I've learned so much from this family and am very honored to have them as friends/neighbors. Here's my girls just before the launch (the boys were with their classes) and a picture of the sea of purple pearls in the sky
And one last picture, that still brings tears to my eyes. It's taken hours and hours of practice and an amazing amount of determination.
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