What would you pack?

There isn't a day that goes by where I don't hear at least once "Mom, can we go to Grandma's house, PLEASE?" Both girls love grandma's house. This last week our car has turned into our airplane. We make sure our seatbelts are fastened securely when the fasten seat belt sign is on, and are always preparing for take-off and landing. Tonight over dinner Brooklyn shared with Eric what she is planning and preparing to pack when we go to grandma's. Here is a small list of some of the things she said:

cookies, oreo cookies, chocolate chip cookies, cookies with M&M's, fruit snacks, goldfish, suitcases, suitcase skirt, skort dresses, dresses, church dresses, Tiger Lily, Tiger's bed, couches, mama horsies, daddy horsies, toys, milk, water...

Eric then asked her if she'd pack some cookies and she says "oh yea, and some cookies." Can you guess what a staple is in my snack packs on airplane rides? What do you expect when you travel as the only adult in the group. Obviously we can't wait for our next trip to Grandma's house.

The rest of the story...

Here is a little more history that lead to Brooklyn's

colonoscopy. About 6 months ago I noticed some blood in her poop as I was changing her diaper and as I cleaned her up she had something sticking out her bottom. It was about the size of your fingertip and would protrude 1/4 to 1/2 inch. I would push it back in thinking that was better than leaving it hanging out. Her next bowel movement would be normal so I wasn't too concerned. The mystery thing, the polyp, would appear occasionally along with a little blood with her bowel movements. At first I thought she was pushing too hard and read about rectal prolapses appearing in children who were potty training, but she never seemed to be pushing or straining that hard. Then the last few months it would be there 98% of the time she went potty whether in her diaper or in the toilet. I asked a couple pediatricians, one said just give her some miralax (I disregarded his advice and don't think I'll see him anymore) and the other said it depends on what is causing it and referred us to a gastroenterologist.

I made an appointment with the gastroenterologist and in we went (a month or so later). Since I would push whatever it was back in, the GI doc was unable to see what it was and did a rectal exam. Fortunately the polyp was close enough he could feel it with the exam and was able to determine that it was a polyp (which is much better than a rectal prolapse). He said at this age you don't worry about cancer or anything but it's a juvenile polyp and said that 30-35% of the time there are more polyps throughout the colon. We then scheduled a colonoscopy to go in the next week and remove the polyp and see if there were anymore. If there were 5 or more polyps he said it would then be a genetic disorder and we would have to have a colonoscopy every 3 years to monitor them. That I was not looking forward too. I was then given the directions to get Brooklyn prepped for the lovely procedure. She was to be on a clear liquid diet starting at midnight on Tuesday and drink 3 doses of miralax at 1, 2, and 3pm. Then before bedtime I was to give her an enema. I was not looking forward to that either.

I stocked up on popsicles and apple juice and made a trip to the video store to give us some good distractions. I also made a trip to the toy store and purchase a few new books and puzzles to have as incentive to help her drink the miralax. Overall Brooklyn did really well. She didn't complain too much and really only said she was hungry just a couple of times. She drank the first 2 doses of miralax with just a little coaxing. Though I honestly felt like Harry Potter in the cave with Dumbledore making him drink all the liquid in the basin to get to the horcrux. Just a little more, you're almost there, you won't have to drink anymore once you finish this. Here take the last sip... I know her poor tummy isn't that big and to have her drink 8oz. every hour for three hours is a lot for her little system to handle.

The third dose I had to get creative and quickly threw together a treasure hunt and told her the

first clue was at the bottom of her glass and after she'd drunk it all she could get started. (Note: Don't put miralax in milk and have the child drink it fairly quickly, it will come back.) She finished it, got her puzzle prize, complained that her tummy hurt and I reached for a bucket! After a nice warm bath, some carpet cleaning, another movie, and a trip to the pet store as a distraction (while Daddy and Sadie had dinner) we came home, finished the last task of the prep and settled in to watch another movie before heading to bed.

We got up early to head to the hospital. Poor Brooklyn was tired and anxious and didn't say much. We checked in, changed her into some hospital jammies(which she wasn't thrilled about at all), then got her ready for the IV. She knew that she was going to have a poke at this appointment and she wasn't looking forward to it.

The nurses said they would hold her down, but as soon as the one nurse moved into position Brooklyn started crying and really trying to get away. I assured them that I would do it and that Brooklyn would do better if it were me. Eric stood at her head speaking comforting words as best her could and I held her as they put in the IV. She did really well and didn't fight at all once it was in. She is so brave. The nurses gave her some stickers since she did such a good job. We were then ready to head down to the Endoscopy floor.

Brooklyn sat on my lap in the wheelchair for the ride down and then we were transferred to her gurney where I sat with her. I pulled out one of the new books I'd bought and started reading to her as the last preparations were being taken care of. They were ready and wheeled us both, while reading "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" into the procedure room. She was being so brave and the nurses were so great with her showing her and explaining to her what they were doing as they stuck on the stickers to monitor her heart rate and oxygen levels. The anesthesiologist then gave her the medication through her IV and within a minute or two she stated to doze off. I then climbed off the gurney and gave her reassurance that it was ok to go to sleep and told her how much I loved her and how brave she was. As she drifted off and settled, the nurses were quickly finishing putting oxygen on and waiting for Eric and I to leave the room to go to the waiting room.

It was hard to leave seeing my sweet Brooklyn lying there. Most of my worry was the emotional aspect of how Brooklyn was going to do and if we had to do this every 3 years how that was going to go. Inside I really felt at peace that all would be just fine. The nurse that took us to the waiting room said the procedure would take half an hour tops. I was shocked when in 15-20 minutes the doctor came to get us. He showed us the pictures and the polyp that he had removed was in a vial in his hand, it was a little larger than a marble. The good news was there was just the one polyp and that it had been removed. No follow up was necessary. I was so relieved that it was over and that it was so quick. We then got to go sit with Brooklyn while she was waking up from the anesthesia.

Brooklyn was sleeping quite soundly, the nurse came in a couple times to try and wake her up. The first time there was no response. The second time, it looked like there was no response but when I said her name her eyes shot open and she sat bolt upright. You could tell the poor girl was scared to death until she saw Eric and I there. The nurse was surprised because she didn't get any response and had turned her back to check the monitor.

We then had the nurse bring Brooklyn some grape juice and some water to drink. Which she guzzled both of them in no time. Her little countenance radiated one of relief. She was a whole new girl. She was playful and happy and asking questions about everything. She had been saying that she didn't want to get her bottom fixed and that she liked to bleed. I assured her that it would all be ok and that the doctor would fix her bottom so that it wouldn't bleed anymore. She asked how he'd do it and I told her the doctor would go in and clip it off. "It will hurt?" she asked all concerned and I again reassured her that it wouldn't and that the poke was probably going to be the worst part. We were all relieved that other than the IV which she didn't complain of at all other than the initial placing all went well.

Then it was time to remove the IV so we could go home. Brooklyn watched and tried to help with great interest. Asking many questions and wanting to see where the poke was. I think she may have put the bandaid on herself. As we were getting her dressed to go home she was happily singing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." Eric then pushed both of us in the wheelchair out to our car and we headed to Burger King to get her favorite, chicken nuggets and chocolate milk.

I was so grateful that there was just the one polyp! Phew! No need to worry about doing all of this again every three years. We said many prayers and know that many prayers were said in our behalf. Brooklyn and I talked a lot about who was praying for her and how many people love her. I know I felt enveloped in the love of our family and friends and I know Brooklyn did too. She was so proud of herself and I know she feels better knowing that her bottom isn't going to bleed anymore. She has looked at the pictures of the colonoscopy several times and is proud to show them to visitors when they come over.

Brooklyn came home a whole new girl saying things like the doctor fixed my bottom so it won't bleed anymore! She has expressed her relief multiple times and has also commented about how much she loves everyone as I thanked them for their prayers and let them know everything is all right.

Since our return home diapers have been a thing of the past. It's almost like her bleeding was holding her back, and I'm grateful she was still wearing diapers for all the prep work! It's been amazing! It's almost like she literally transformed into a little girl overnight.

Thank you everyone for all your love and support. We have truly been blessed and your prayers have been felt in our behalf. Thank you!! Here is some video that I took just after she had woken up. I like to think that her nose was itching so much because of all of your thoughts and prayers that were with us that day.

Colonoscopy? Seriously?

Today I took Brooklyn in to the doctor to check out some troubles we've been having with her GI tract. Turns out she needs to go in for a colonoscopy and possibly have a polyp removed. I was kind of in a state of disbelief as I was thinking that my 3 year old is needing a colonoscopy when I myself have never had one (nor do I look forward to having one). Seriously she's 3 years old! I'm really hoping that they don't find very many polyps for if they do then she'll have to get a colonoscopy once every 3 years. Talk about fun. I don't know what's going to be more fun being the parent who has to force all the prep work and keep a three year old from eating solid food for a day, or being the one who actually has the procedure. How do you explain this kind of stuff to a 3 year old? Needless to say I'm not looking forward to it.

I am grateful that of my two children that this happening with Brooklyn. She is such a good patient and is so interested in medicine. Brooklyn was quite apprehensive about the visit with the doctor. No one wants a doctor to get too personal with things, but she did very well and cooperated. The doctor wanted to run some blood labs on her to get some preliminary results before the procedure. We went to the lab and I didn't tell her where we were headed or what was going to happen until we got into the actual room for the blood draw. She sat on my lap and I began to explain that it would be a quick poke and then we could see her blood come out into a little tube. Poor Brooklyn then resisted, as all normal kids would, just to the cleaning with the alcohol wipe and drying with the cotton ball. Then as the time for the poke came I held her tightly in my arms as she bravely watched the tech stick her. Brooklyn didn't even cry. She just watched and held real still. I wish I could have seen her face. She relaxed once she realized it didn't hurt like a shot does and seemed fascinated by it. After it was all over she wanted to be sure to show her daddy her bandaid and the white thing under it (the cotton ball). I think the hardest part was telling her that we get to go back to see this doctor again next week. She asked if she would get poked again and I had to tell her yes because they will put in an IV for the procedure. She is one brave little girl.

I'm just impressed by the faith and blind obedience that she has in me as her mother. That all will be ok. I truly wish that I could be more like a little child like my sweet Brooklyn. That I can just reach up and hold someone's hand and trust that everything will be ok. Deep inside I know that and can feel it, but sometimes that external physical reassurance makes a big difference.

*Aside*

I had to laugh one of our toy baby strollers got stepped on and the handle snapped off. I tried to superglue it back together last night, but it didn't last long. Brooklyn brought the stroller to me and said that Heavenly Father could fix it. She's right He could. I told her I didn't think He would because He leaves things up to us to take care of down here most of the time. I'm just glad I don't hear "I want to kill Jesus!" nearly so often anymore. :) Scriptures are full of violence! I do hear in regards to answers to prayers that "Mama will do it" frequently. I love my girls and I'm glad they love me too.

Half Marathon's are Fun!

I recently just completed my first half marathon. Let me tell you from experience that a half marathon is SO much easier than a full marathon! The race felt really pretty good, not including the first three miles that it took my knee to loosen up and stop hurting, but other than that I loved it. The scenery and trails through Park City, UT were beautiful. The morning air was cool and crisp and you could see your breath before the race began. The usual race day excitement coursed through my veins and the lack of sleep the night before always makes me wonder why I even try to sleep. But try I did.

There is something about crossing that starting line knowing you have prepared and done a good job in training. As I'm running along the course and watch as the mile markers go past, I seemed to feel more and more confident and wanted to run a little faster. That is until the lovely gu entered my system and hit my stomach like a rock! That slowed me down for a mile or so at least. But once the benefits of the quick carbs kicked in I was ready to go. The downhill back to the finish was gentle and it almost felt like coasting in. I was approaching mile 12 and could feel some fatigue in my back and abs. My legs felt strong and mentally I was excited. The finish line was approaching. I rounded the last few corners saw my sister Val there and heard her cheer for me, then spotted my parents with my sweet little girls and my cousins Kelly and Kayla. It's always so nice to have people waiting for you at the finish and I've done enough races by myself to truly appreciate having someone at the finish to greet you and tell you good job. This half marathon seriously felt easier than the 10 mile trail run I'd done a few weeks beforehand. Maybe altitude doesn't make all that big of a difference... : )

Now if only I could figure out what is going on with my knee. It's been acting up for several months now. Hurting terribly after a long run, or any run. The week before the half I was in San Francisco and just walking around town I was dying. Limping around and in a good deal of pain. I was having doubts if I could even run the half marathon the following week. But after a 3 mile warm up run I knew I could tolerate the pain and the longer I ran the less it hurt, well, that is until I stopped running. Then it's a completely different story. But I made it through and now I'm hoping to get some good reason as to why my knee is so painful. MRI was done Friday and x-rays show the joint itself is still great. I'll keep my fingers crossed it's a fairly easy fix!

The irony is now that it seems that I can't run or probably shouldn't I really want to lace up those running shoes and head out the door. Why is it when you can you don't and when you can't you really want to? I guess I'll just have to wait and see what's up with my knee and then plan my next race!

Waiting for the Mail

Yesterday I brought the mail in and saw a letter that I had been waiting for. I knew that the letter contained the results from Eric's board exam that he took in June. It always seems like I am more anxious about them than he ever is. I handed him the letter and told him he might be interested in this. Then he said he'd open it after we got the girls tucked in bed. What?!? You're going to wait when you've already waited a month and a half?!? I'm always shocked that he can just wait like that. I told him he was lucky that I hadn't opened it for him already. But sure enough after the girls were tucked in he opened it. The result? He passed!! Hooray! He scored well placing in the 75% of all those who took the test. Congratulations Eric. I'm so proud of him. He has worked so hard and it's always nice when it pays off.

I typed "Dr. Eric Hogan" earlier and it kind of took me by surprise. I guess I've known for quite a while now that he was going to be a doctor but I guess I had just never put the Dr. in front of his name. CRAZY! It might take some getting used to. But it does have a nice ring to it. : )