Doctor Feelgood

We had Kean's dreaded monthly cancer screening today.

Well, actually, it wasn't so dreaded.

I think I'm getting control of my fears a bit

or perhaps, I'm just too spent to get worked up.

Either way, all went well today-- other than

taking forever.

Kean couldn't wait to get out of there.

 Notice anything funny?

Yep, he's missing his pants.

I changed his diaper just after Dr. Camilo

did a thorough examination of his testicles

(Leukemia likes to hide in testicles)--

and Kean peed all over the good Doctor's hand.

 I don't think five minutes had passed since I'd gotten him

dressed when he let loose with a gallon-- and peed through 

his diaper, his pants and MY pants.  (He was  on my lap).

I know I've said it before, but sometimes I'm just in awe 

of the glamorous life I lead.

Driving home in urine soaked clothes is always a bonus.

Here's the good news though- Kean's counts

are looking so good (right where they are supposed to be)

we don't have to go in for two months.

Here's to the month of May being stress free!

Birth Control

Holland's teacher is either brilliant or a villain.

All the kids in her Health Occupations class have brought

home these mini terrorists.

 The computers inside have them crying at all hours- day and NIGHT!

And did I mention loud enough to wake up half the house.

Holland has a set of plastic keys-- she has to insert

into the computer to stop the baby crying when she needs

her diaper changed, burped, attention or to eat.

 There's also a panic key-- that if you get sick of it (or go crazy

from the lack of sleep), you can insert.  But that also means you

fail the project.  I learned today the mother of one of the girls

in Holland's class used the dreaded panic key.  (So don't blame her)!

Anyway, here's the beauty of it-- the experiment comes with

the added bonus of birth control.  Doubt any of these kids

will want to fool around after taking care of these half pint monsters.

The Humble Rock Star (How's that for an anomaly)?

In case you didn't know it by now:  Kean is a super star!

He was one of several honored kids at his school

this morning-- getting to eat breakfast with the principal.

 He was nominated by his teacher- Mrs. Hymas.

She nominated a boy and a girl in her Kindergarten class.

(Isn't she cute?).

 And of course, his wonderful aid was there- "Baker" as he calls her.

(Instead of Mrs. Baker).

 Funny thing is, he was totally unaffected by the limelight.

But did quite enjoy his donut and mine.

 They called each of the kids up to the front of the gym.

 There the principal (kinda) shook his hand, gave him his certificate

and passed him along down the line for high fives from 

every teacher and aid at his school.

 Then the entire audience clapped as we made our way back to our seats.

 Yep, a rock star who doesn't even know it.

Testing Torture

And so it begins.

Today was the first of three sessions at St. Luke's Children's Hospital

for Kean's IQ and Neuro testing.

 For him to continue to receive his budget for extra therapy and help,

the Department of Health and Welfare is requiring us to test his

IQ and abilities-- to basically prove he still has Down syndrome and

is still physically and mentally challenged.

Don't get me started on what a colossal waste of time and tax payers dollars

this ridiculous testing is-- I'm guessing some idiot parent scammed the system

and ruined it for the rest of us.

So test we must.

He was supposed to have this done last year when he turned five

but if you remember, he was on Chemo and so miserable, he

cried all the way through the testing (until I was crying with him).

Today, was much better. 

We spent the first hour in observation, answering questions

and bringing the doctor up to speed on his changes.

The second hour she tested him with toys and games

while I filled out question after question after question after question.......

One down.

Two to go.

Hodge Podge

Now that life is back to a more "normal" dull roar,

I've slacked off on keeping this updated.

So sorry.

Here's a quick run down of this past week's highlights.

We dropped Holland off (in her suit) and suitcase in tow

for a few days downtown at the state HOSA competition.

Don't worry, I'd never heard of HOSA either.

It stands for Health Occupational Students Association-

basically a club and competition for future health professionals.

She had a blast-- it was just kind of weird for us to have her away.

 And now that Kean's health has improved and he's getting his

energy level back up, it is time to get him back into regular

therapy.  He had his first Physical Therapy session in a pool.

 Every other week he will have therapy with one of his

former P.T.'s at a pool in the basement of a building over

by St. Al's.  

 My favorite part- I'm not so sure it was his - was when

she placed him in this contraption.

It is just a floaty but it buckles twice behind his neck and keeps

his head up while keeping his hands and legs free to flail

and kick.

 I think it was a little disconcerting for him in the beginning

but he soon was all over the place- acting like he owns the pool.

 Finally, my cute 97 year old grandmother was interviewed

by one of the local newspapers (Middleton) about her legacy.

Have I told you I'm one of 83 grandchildren!!!

Around our house, most of the time the girls don't call

her Grandma Great-- it's Grandma the Great!

And that couldn't be truer.

She is truly one of the wonders of this world.

Jelly Belly's

I'm a little late on this.  Actually, our whole family

was a bit late celebrating Easter together.

Since we were driving back from our trip to California last week,

we opted to hold the traditional Cousin's Easter Egg Hunt

at my folks house the other night.

 This was the year Kean got into the swing of finding candy

scattered about.

 We didn't do too much but the highlight in our family is a golden

egg (with five bucks inside) one with the name of each of the cousins

written on it-- and hidden relatively hard.

It keeps the older kids quite busy!
(Which is good, trust me).

 The girls were all so good at helping Kean find his candy.

 He'd take it over to Grammy and she'd help him put it

in his bag (we forgot to bring baskets-- lame mom).

I think Kean's favorite part of the whole Easter Egg Hunt

was not eating the candy in his bag (the good stuff)

but pawning jelly beans off of Grandpa.

(My dad always has a pocket full of Jelly Belly's).