Little Butt.

 

Sam loves this little spatula.  It's a naked little stick figure {with actual butt cheeks} and Sam always says "Look at his butt Mom" and then giggles.  It's pretty cute.

Sam's MRI.

Last Friday, Sam had his MRI to completely rule out Retinoblastoma Cancer.  We checked in at the Children's Hospital at 9am.  From there we got to head up to his room and endure the pain of 4 sets of eye drops.  The first drops they gave him was the Lidocane {to numb his eye for the eye exam}.  I guess those can burn pretty good, so from then on out he was terrified to get drops. 

 

Yeah.  We had to go through that 3 more times.  It sucked.  The nurse had to literally PRY his eye lid open and get a drop in there while he was screaming "Daddy Daddy Daddy".  It wasn't fun.  For him OR me.  But we made it through! ;)

 

While we waited I broke out the squinkees.  A new toy for a special little boy who was not having a fun morning.  He loved them.  So glad I brought him something special.  From there we got wheeled down to MRI.  I got to ride on the bed with Sam...I think that made him feel a little better about everything that was going on.  Then once we got down there the nurse said just one more set of drops...I could have killed her at this point.

Next it was time for Sammie to go to sleep.  Luckily I got to hold him on my lap while he wore his mask.  I really forgot just how awful that stuff smells.  Poor Sam.  He fought it.  He kicked the guy trying to help, screamed and cried.  Tried to rip the mask off his face, then a few seconds {which seemed like an eternity} later he was a limp noodle.  I won't lie, that was pretty hard to see...but I kept it together.  If my Mother in law wasn't there I think I would have lost it.  Thanks Kris, for keeping me strong!! :)

 

{Sam still knocked out.  They put his IV in while he was under anesthesia - Thank God!!}

So Tufty did his eye exam and then showed me the picture he took of the back of his eye.  I could see where the leaky blood vessel was and how filled the eye was with this extra fluid.  It was pretty much covered, and Dr. Tufty thought it had been going on for quite some time.  Which just made me feel awful for not knowing.  He told me that he thinks Sam is in Stage 3a of Coats.  Which is pretty progressed.  It's the last stage in which Cryo therapy can be used and effective.  It's too late for Laser.  In stage 3b the retina is completely detached.  Luckily he said Sammie's is still attached.  AND!!!!  NO SIGNS OF ANY TUMORS - NO CANCER!!!!  That was a HUGE weight off my shoulders.

So now I just feel like it's another hurry up and wait.  We got results, but because his Coats Disease was so far progressed, Dr. Tufty is sending us to Minneapolis for treatment and surgery.  I am hopeful they can get us in for surgery this week.  That would make me feel so much better.  It's just a matter of taking the whole family up there and dealing with this.  Ethan will probably have to miss a few days of school, but hey - who ever said playing hookey for a few days isn't ok!? :)  I hope to hear from the Dr. today as to when we will head up there.

 

{I took this of Sam after he woke up and was more cheerful - his eyes were super dilated}

This picture was pretty interesting.  In a Coats eye, it will look white in a picture with a flash.  You can kinda see in his left eye it's not as red as his right eye - more white.  Interesting isn't it?  Once the retina has totally detached, it will forever be white.

Coat's Disease.

On Friday, November 11 {11-11-11}, we took Sammie into the Dr. for "Lazy Eye".  You can see it in the picture below. {It's his left eye}  You can see his right eye is looking at something and his left eye is wandering up and out.

 

Anyways, we went to the eye Dr. in anticipation on leaving with a patch.  We left with a diagnosis of Coat's Disease and glasses, which he will now wear for the rest of his life.  

What is Coat's Disease?  The way I understand it is, there are abnormal blood vessels behind the retina that are "leaking" protein into the eye.  The protein can build up, causing the retina to swell.  This can cause the retina to tear away {which will cause blindness}.  It's not something that can be stopped.  There is no treatment for it.  Laser surgery or cryo-therapy might help slow it down, but it can only be performed when the disease is in certain stages.  It is not hereditary, it was just something Sammie was born with and typically shows up between 5 months and 8 years.  Usually by the time it's caught it's so late that not much can be done.  He's so young and unable to tell us his eye is fuzzy, and that he can't see.  It's a very rare disease and typically shows up in little boys {more so than girls}.

We saw Dr. Tufty this morning, who confirmed the diagnosis.  At this point I am not sure how well he can see out of his left eye.  I do not know at what stage the Coat's Disease is at in his left eye.  The good news is it usually only effects ONE eye.  His right eye seems to be ok.  He will forever wear glasses to protect his good eye...the glasses do nothing for his Coat's eye.  The Dr. saw swelling behind his eye today.

This disease could eventually leave him blind in his left eye.  It all depends on how far it is progressed and what kind of treatment is available.  Dr. Tufty was amazing with Sam.  I am relieved that he will be the one caring for Sam through this life long process.

Sam has to go under anesthesia next week so the Dr. can get a better more thorough look into his eye.  He wants to also make sure this is not Retinoblastoma {which is cancer}.  He said the symptoms mask Coat's Disease and Sam is at the prime age that Retinoblastoma shows up.  He will also have an MRI to rule this out.  

All this will take place next week {Happy Thanksgiving right??} So I will keep you posted as to what information we are given.  Please keep Sammie in your thoughts and prayers!!

Mommy and Daddy LOVE YOU SO MUCH SAMMIE!!

Photo Allowance!

Ok.  So I keep getting an error message when trying to change my photos on the side of my blog...something about exceeding my photo allowance and that I have to "host" them through a 3rd party site or buy more space {that's not happening} So I am thinking about moving my blog?  Or should I find somewhere to host my pictures?  Anyone ever run into this problem?  Any suggestions??

Family Pictures :: Fall 2011

My best friend and awesome photographer Breanne, took our family pictures while she was visiting in October.
I got the disc in the mail today and want to show you some of her amazing work.  She captured my family in some awesome photos, that I will cherish FOREVER.  Thank you SO much Breanne, words cannot express how happy I am with them!!  Here's a few of my favorites.  I don't know how I am going to choose which ones to get blown up!!

 

 

after seeing these pictures...I wish we wouldn't have cut Griffin's hair!!

 

you can really see Sam's "wandering eye" in this picture and the one below...more to come on that later...

 

Aren't they awesome?  Just what I wanted!!  Thank you so much Breanne!!

13 Months!

I know.  I've been terrible at taking Griffin's monthy pictures.  He's just so...wiggly.  I can't seem to get any good shots unless he's in his highchair! ;)

If you can't tell...he's totally into making silly faces now.  He's getting better at walking, but is still a little heavy in the middle...which he ends up running and falling hard.

He loves to paly in the trash-can {gross I know} and especially loves to throw things away...like the brand new $45 stride rite shoes Mom just bought....

He is babbling lots.

Still loves tp play in the middle of the night...and he refuses to be awake ALONE! ;)

He loves his Big Brother's {mostly Ethan - Sam can be pretty rough on him}

Loves noodles with butter and cheese, and still loves baby food.

Loves playing chase with the boys around the house.

Enjoys playing in Sadies dog bed, and chasing her around too.

He really likes to empty out every single cabinet in the bathroom and all his dresser drawers.  I don't know why I even bother organizing them.  Seriously.

He is my little love muffin.  I love you Griffin!

My Little Sicky.

Poor kid...has had a fever all week.  A high one.  Like 103.4.  We finally took him in Friday, and found out he had strep.  I knew it.  I just had a feeling.  He's on antibiotics, but he still hasn't moved from that spot on the couch in 7 days.  {only to take a bath and sleep}  He's wanted Daddy right by his side the whole time...even at night.  Nick has been lucky enough to sleep in Sammie's bed too.  Poor baby.  I hope he starts feeling better soon!  Love you Sam!

Trick or Treat!

This Halloween, Sam and Griffin were sick.  They both had the stomach flu, and Sammie's progressed into Strep Throat.  I felt horrible for him.  He wanted to go trick or treating so bad, but only went to a few houses, with his burning fever.

Griffin found the mustache less than funny.  Poor guy.  We couldn't even put him in the stroller to go around the block...he was that sick.

Sam really wanted to go.  I thought I had him convinced to stay home and rest, but once Ethan was in his costume...there was no changing his mind.

Mr. Mario.  He had a blast!  Ended up going with Grandpa, cousin Dylan and Uncle Corey.

Thanks Grandpa!