"Within NORMAL limits!"

The phrase "within normal limits" is heard in the medical arena to indicate that certain lab results fall between a predetermined "range of normal."  This week, Davis' liver and kidney functions were finally reported to be in that range of normal limits.  I have learned not to hold my breath while awaiting the results each time we draw labs, however, I have to say, the anticipation rules my every thought for the day.  As we are finding that more and more labs are beginning to fall within normal limits, I am brought to my knees in gratitude for the many prayers heard and answered.  We continue to try and balance the immuno-suppressive drug to a therapeutic level and watch his red blood cells for improvement.  Davis is relieved and thankful, that so far the side effects of increasing the dosage to reach those levels has not kicked back in...quite yet.  The hope is that the side effects will not be as drastic as last time around.  Here's to hoping and being "within normal limits."

With the phrase within normal limits reported today, you know me and my new found need to think deeper about life, I began to ponder the meaning of this term. I have always been intrigued by the mere thought of the word or sentiment "normal".  While having children people would comment, "did you have the baby the "normal" way or by cesarean?"  Are your kids normal?  Is your skin normal, dry or oily?  I once saw a show that depicted if you have lied about your weight on your driver's license then you are normal.   I think if there were such a thing as normal, this world is far from what Heavenly Father would ever term normal.

As we try to find new norms in our life, often every day, I find myself looking at life through different eyes. As if it's not enough to deal with a cupboard full of meds and allergies with kids, our puppy now has potential allergies.  I laughed at the regimen set out for each one of us... and the dog... to hopefully get us back to "normal". Ben is wondering if being almost ten and not liking the fright of Halloween is normal?  When walking through the Halloween store, he started out tough, then gradually with the uncomfortable bombardment of skank and gore, got closer to me until the physical weight of his lean pushed me off balance. He so innocently looked up and expressed, "mom, I for sure like Christmas better than Halloween."  He's had a rough go at feeling normal this week.  A huge topic of conversation lately has been who can take pills and how many.  Davis of course wins hands down in both categories.  Ben is just in awe at the handful that Davis and Courtney can take now with minimal effort, drama or gagging. We have tried everything from smashed in jam to swallowing, to the pudding cover-up method.  So this week, I unintentionally added salt to his wounds, by announcing that Molly(the puppy) had grown-up a little this week and could now take her pills without being disguised in cheese.  Ben quietly replied, "well, she's grown-up more that me then!" 
Fittingly, he chose to be a "Don't Worry Be Happy Hippy" for Halloween. 


Ryan chose a carefree cowboy after an inspiring trip to Lyman, Utah for a great weekend in true wilderness boy heaven.


Then once again the thought...ahh, to be a six-year-old, thrilled that you can officially sing  All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, be excited that your face "actually looks like a Kitty, thanks mom," and exclaim after Trick-or-Treating..."I am so candy rich!"

Gone are the days when the cupboard is full of lotions and creams that were purchased just because they had a nice aroma.  Instead phrases like "age-defying", "anti-wrinkle" and my personal favorite, "youth enhancing", stare back at me  (yes, I confess to supporting the billion-dollar-a-year racket and join those grasping for their youth).  I must recognize a new norm of a 40 year-old body reminding a 21 year-old willing mind that boot camp is not a reasonable work-out option any more!   Davis and I have bonded lately in the realization that our bodies just don't do what our minds are willing to attempt without severe aches or reprimands!  Besides the trivial for mentioned aging norms and dog allergies, I am constantly amazed, concerned and slightly frightened at the confusing messages sent by our world of political, spiritual and financial "norms."

Looking around I feel the ever strong urgency to hold tight to the one constant I know.

Where there's a will...there's a way!

We had a huge week that all-in-all is clear-as-mud!  Let me try to elaborate.  A steady increase and maintenance in most labs, gave Davis the go-ahead energy to fulfill a strong desire to get back into ball.  Despite other labs that will require further testing and an appendix stone that will require surgery, he has gradually willed his way to playing and trying out for a baseball team.

My saying for this week has been; we have many places and goals ahead to reach,

 however, we are so grateful to NOT be were we have been. 

The CT scan follow-up was clear enough in combination with the plateaued immunity numbers to take him off the anti-fungal medication. With this change, we are hoping to see some of the side-effects go away. Bonus: the daily pill count was decreased by 6 pills. Of course they did add two others...We will repeat all the scans in 4 weeks. Other labs indicate that his red blood cells are for unknown reasons too large. Here is where it remains a little muddy in trying to explain. I got the new order and gathered all the different colored tubes from the lab. We will draw the usual Tuesday labs along with quite a few more to look for reasons for the large blood cells. We are good at realizing to celebrate the successes for what they are with anticipation that the next struggle is just around the corner. Bring it on!


I am still in constant amazement at the strong and gentle will of this boy.  When told that he would have to have the surgery to remove his appendix stone, there was a 2-second noted look of discouragement, followed by his words, "okay let's get it taken care of as soon as possible so that I can start to gather strength and energy towards playing ball."  I am increasingly tender at every simple milestone such as throwing a ball that is reintroduced into our lives.  It is incredible the beauty of watching such daily events come back into our schedule.  I am teary at every little outing and accomplishments that are the present and I hope and anticipate the big ones of the future.  I try to remain stable as I see how our family was thrown into forever changes over the past few months. 

I am happy to report, that the past few weeks have finally given way to thinking beyond survival.   I finally got thank you notes done and costumes started and even had a few thoughts about Christmas.  We celebrated our UEA weekend close to home. We affectionately termed it Unique Entertainment Activity weekend. As we spent time with family and friends over fire pits and movies, the simple life was in full force.  Blanket tents covering most of the basement were built by the little kids, but enjoyed by all.  Frisbee moments at the park were also among the fun.  We gathered all of our gift certificates, school awards and punch cards and went on a treasure hunt of sorts around the town.  By the time we were done we had visited several shops, been bowling and dinner consisted of Costa Vita Salads, Wendy's hamburger and fries, Mimi's cafe' kids meal and appetizer, Winger's appetizer and of course a Marie Calendar pie.  It kind of sounds gross all listed out like that, however, it was a good adventure and a great buffet!

The weeks following medication changes always keep us on our toes.  Stay tuned.

To sum up the week!

In order to fly, all one must do is

simply miss the ground.

                                                                                                                                       - Douglas Adams

Just for this week, this sentiment has replaced my analogy of survival via treading water with just your nostrils above the water line.  We are proud to report, we did not crash land once in the past week.  We did have a few tips of nausea and low energy, causing our flight to wobble slightly.  Everyone is back in school for the first day in a week after a run with strep and croup.  It hit Davis the hardest, but he is hanging in there.

We had a great conference weekend.  This quote also applies to the overwhelming warnings and cautions of the world that seem to be increasing with each passing year.  I think perhaps that's why these words struck me this week.  The words simplify and basics have floated in my head for quite some time.  Everything from  the personal to the physical and especially the spiritual basics have recently caught my attention.  With priorities being drastically rearranged over the past few months, the desire to place first things first is ever stronger in my heart.   Sometimes I want to fly so high above it all that I am not content with the beauty of flying close to the ground.  My goal for this week is to enjoy the flight, as close to crashing as it is at times, however, still flying.

Davis' labs once again for the most part maintained.  Only one med changed this week as a result of a high level.  He did get the report of the highest hematocrit that he has had since March... So for this week, we will soar on the wings of that good news.