15 down and 5 more to go!

So I hate to exercise, but what I hate even more is the extra 20 lbs I have been packing since Porter was born. So in January I decided it was time to do something about it. First thing first… I gave up soda and dropped 5 lbs the first two weeks. I also started doing Zumba. For those that don’t know Zumba is aerobics with a Latin kick, and I was hooked the first class it went to. It is a fun cardio work out and I am down a full pant and lost a total of 15 LBS. More importantly I have energy and love it! I “shake what your mama gave ya” two times a week. That is it. Who knew that two hours a week could be so rewarding.

We will see you in six months!

Yesterday Porter had his post-op follow-up visit with the neurosurgeons

AND…

Everything looks great! His head has shrunk about a half of a centimeter.

Over the past month he has become a different child. He is sleeping through the night. He can run and jump with both feet off the ground. His vocabulary has quadrupled, and most importantly when he falls down he grabs the area that is hurt instead of his head. The surgeons are very pleased with his progress and we are following up with them in six months! We couldn’t be happier!

Murphy's Law

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We hate to have any plans because that is when “Murphy” always changes our plans. For Easter we had planned to go to the dunes with some friends. But Thursday morning I got a call from Ben telling me, that I needed to book him a flight to Denver because his dad was in the hospital. Ben’s mom has been in Salt Lake for about a month helping Ben’s very pregnant little sister and her family, so Grammie asked if Ben would go and take care of Papie. While Ben was in the air Papie had surgery to remove his appendices. Ben arrived at the hospital shortly after Papie got out of surgery.

While Ben was taking care of his Dad, I decided to surprise the kids and take them to St George. My parents and my sister Brooke and her family were there for Springs Break. I woke the kids up early Friday morning and we were in St George by lunch time. The kids were so excited to see their cousins. We played, swam and giggled all weekend.

We celebrate Easter in St. George Mallory and Drew received their wake board (got it used at a paw shop for $30) life jakets, beach towels and sunglasses. Porter received a Tonka truck! We had so much fun watching General Conference and hanging out with family.

Ben came home last night. His dad is recovering well, and I have two new nieces. Britt had the twins last Friday and everyone is home for the hospital and is doing well. As luck would have it I have a cold and cannot go see the babies. Curse MURPHY!

Surgery update!

Surgery went well. The surgeon said that when he made the whole to place the shunt the fluid skirted out like a sprinkler. So it was a good thing we got the shunt placed. We were released on Friday afternoon. Then the vomiting started. Since P’s equilibrium is constantly adjusting, he gets sick a lot. We have spent the last 72 hours camped out in our family room and it has paid off. Porter has not lost it for 24 hours. He is up and playing and most importantly eating. So I think I am going to unpack my hospital bag today, YEAH!

Third time is the charm, RIGHT?

This morning we met with the neurosurgeons to discuss a treatment plan for Porter. We have agreed to operate and have a shunt placed tomorrow. Porter’s skull is growing faster than the brain. The shunt will allow the excess fluid to drain from his head into his abdomen, where it will be absorbed. With the fluid level under control it will allow the brain to grow simultaneously with the skull. The surgeons are optimistic that the shunt will be temporary. We are praying that it is. We will keep you posted.

Waiting for spring! We find ourselves in March longing for warmer weather. Ben is busy building rock walls and biding landscaping jobs. I am trying to “spring” clean the house. The kids are climbing up the walls and waiting for the warm days of summer :) when will spring come? My poor crocuses have come up and are trying to bloom but they get scared with the surprise snow storms. No signs of tulips or daffodils yet. GRRRRRR! Here is more of an update… Mallory is doing very well in school. She loves reading and writing stories. Drew also is doing very well in school. He loves reading and playing video games. Porter is a hand full. The terrible two’s have hit! He is always making messes! I snapped this video while he was in the shower. It makes us laugh! Last week we met with a pediatric ophthalmologist at PCMC. Porter does have mild Papilledema (pressure on the optical nerve). The doctor felt that it was not doing any damage at this time but would like us to discuss a treatment plan with the neurosurgeons. So we follow-up with the surgeons on Thursday of next week, unfortunately we are not out of the woods yet.

Its not bad but its not good!

Yesterday we took Porter in for his 3 month head scan. According to the surgeon his results are, “not bad but their not good.” Porter’s brain is completely symmetrical now and there are no signs of the cyst. However, he is still producing an abnormal about of fluid. The excess fluid is not putting pressure on his brain (which is good) but it is possibly causing his head to grow abnormally. The next treatment step is to have his eyes checked for pressure on his optical nerve. Our ophthalmology appointment is schedule for the first week of March. Then we will follow-up with the surgeons, and discuss further treatments.

For right now we are loving our high energy “Chunk, Chunk” and praying that he heals soon!