Check yes or no!!

Raising girls is a whole different ball game than boys. Not harder or easier, just different. Earlier in the school year, I found a few notes stuffed in Addison's lunch box. My first, second, third and all the other reactions happened all at once. I laughed and was thinking HOLY COW *probably some other words thrown in there too* just to get started.

After I got over my initial shock that yes, these were written by a boy in her class, and yes, this was real, I pulled myself together. I asked her about the letters and she told me that yes they were from a boy in her class but that he was really bothering her. She said she has told him no and he will not leave her alone. Addie tried a few more days, and I told her that we would ask her teacher for help if it didn't stop. She got another note so we did ask both her teacher and one of my counselor friends to help. 

Thankfully, he "moved on." Addie told me that at one point one of her other friends liked him and she told her friend, "We are NINE. Not 30 or 40, just 9. We are kids. We don't need to "like" anyone, we're just kids!" If I'm being honest, the thought of anything of this sort makes me want to run for the hills. But, I know it's coming. And it's coming sooner that I would like. I know we won't be ready, but we are trying.

Jackson's infusions

It has been a long start to the school year for Jackson. We realized last week that it was the first week he made it all week in school without going home because he wasn't feeling well. The week before he also would have made it, but we took Friday off to go to Disneyland where Addie was dancing. But back to this. It's December, and he just had his first FULL week of school where he made it all week without needing to go home.

We still don't have answers. Back in April, when they started Jackson on M-W-F antibiotics to hopefully buy more time in between infections we hoped that would help. It didn't. Then he did a 6 week course in July. We hoped that would help. It did while he was on them, but within weeks, everything was back again. Since the 6 week course of antibiotics in July, he's done two more rounds of 6 week antibiotics (currently finishing one now). 

As we follow up with his doctors, everyone is in agreement that there is something they don't know. That something would definitely help them figure out how to treat. First round of genetic tests didn't turn anything up, which is reassuring, but also not. Given the nature of the genetic testing, it still doesn't rule out what they were testing for because it is ever evolving. In October we sent in spit samples for a full genome testing to see if it will help at all. We are still waiting for those results. 

It's been rough at home. Jackson hasn't felt well. Which means he is irritable, mean and just plain not happy. For the rest of us, walking on egg shells became our mode of operating. It was tenuous at best. When we saw the Immologist in early November, towards the end of the appointment, I told him we have to do something and we have to do something different. I'm losing my kiddo. His illnesses are affecting EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. Thankfully, our doctor listened and heard me. He pushed forward and ordered subcutaneous IGG (SGIG) infusions every two weeks. Basically, our IGG is what helps us fight off infections. Jackson's is low. This infusion puts it back into his body, hopefully allowing his immune system to function better. 

Jackson's first infusion was the weekend of Thanksgiving. We met a nurse at a hotel (they typically come to your house, but due to where we live this was becoming more of a headache than it needed to be) who trained us on the whole procedure. Infusion for Jackson takes about an hour and a half. He had 3 small sub-Q needles poked into his stomach or a few other sites where the medicine goes. Jackson was a champ. He was hopeful that this would help and was willing to try anything. The infusions initially make him tired, but wow. What a difference. We saw the Immunologist the Monday after his infusion which was on Saturday. He felt better. He was calm, happy, joking, laughing, talking, not irritable. My kiddo was back. 

That first week I know everyone's guard was still up. What we saw was the first week was great. The second week was still better than before, but was not as good as the first. His second infusion was two weeks ago and we did it at home. Success again. We are switching to a 4 needle infusion to hopefully help with the bumps after. Last week, not only did Jackson make it through school, but he had two hour soccer practices 3 nights and a soccer game one night and Saturday morning. A month ago this would not have been possible at all. 

We infuse tomorrow night, and see the Immunologist again right after the New Year. This trial is a 6 month trial. I'll be honest, I am worried about what happens after that. We haven't had that conversation with the Immunologist. Also on the list is to let him know the differences in week one and two. According to what he said at our last appointment, we should see a consistent and steady improvement in between treatments. 

As the doctor said, "it's great to see him acting like a normal kid." 

It's been a really long time since we have seen his smile and it warms my heart!!!!!!

Go Broncos!

To start of the Thanksgiving week, we all headed to Bronco country to see Dave's sister for the weekend. We left the Friday school got out, and everyone was pretty excited. All was smooth sailing until we were eating. I'll admit I didn't see it coming, but Jackson had a lot of anxiety about flying and it completely bubbled over. To the point where I wasn't quite sure we were going to be able to get on the plane. I am thankful for some quick texts with Grandma H, who gave us some other ideas and they helped. He got on the plane and the flight was smooth. Some movie watching and yummy snacks got us there in one piece. 

We got to go see the new Marvel movie, which was actually really good. We also got to go see the movie "Wonder" which was amazing. All of us cried, many times. It is definitely a family favorite and one that everyone should go see.

The big highlight of the trip was the kiddos first Bronco game. After church, we went out to eat and from there, Deb, Dave and the kiddos went to the game. It wasn't much of a game, but they sure did have a good time!!!!

We spent through Tuesday there and then headed home for Thanksgiving. Traffic was horrendous, and I was reminded once again why I hate Thanksgiving travel. We don't usually go anywhere because Dave always has to work Friday. It was a good week though filled with firsts and many thanks!

We're going to the zoo

Early in November, we met my sister and her kiddos at the Zoo. Why we haven't done this before, I don't know. But now that we did, we have learned we won't go on a major holiday....but we definitely will do it again (minus the bee sting at the end).

I will do a better job of packing us lunch. Then we won' have to wait in lines and can just munch along the way. 

As always, the monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas were a definite favorite!

Towards the end of our time, everyone was definitely getting tired. Jackson wasn't feeling well (he started the day out not feeling good). Then Parker got stung by a bee. And we still had to hike back to the cars...ARGH!

While we definitely will do this again, I will definitely plan a little better next time. Live and learn!