Testing as an Inpatient

The past 48 hours have been busy since I last posted. The "clean out" procedures for his colonoscopy didn't go very well since Bryce refused to drink the laxative that was to get the process started. The doctor finally decided to admit Bryce to the hospital Sunday evening which was the beginning of our inpatient stay that didn't end until about 48 hours later.

The "clean out" involved starting an IV to ensure he stayed hydrated and a NG tub through his nose to his stomach to give him the "easy going" liquid. Bryce was pretty miserable and tired once all of this was hooked up and fell asleep about 11 PM in the hospital bed with me. About every 2 hours, he would wake up screaming, go the bathroom (I'll spare you the details), we'd clean all of us up and then he'd fall back to sleep for another 2 hours. By morning, he was certainly clean.

Monday morning we met the GI doc and his nurse for our initial visit. He took a history and talked about the week's events. Then, Monday afternoon, Bryce was put under general anesthesia for the first time to undergo the endoscopy and colonoscopy. Visually, the GI tract looked good but we won't have the biopsy results until Thursday.

Just when we thought we were going to be discharged, it was decided just before the scopes to keep Bryce as an inpatient for another 24 hours to do an impedance probe test. The impedance test is the same one we did in April and it was decided to redo it since Cinci does thousands of these so they have the expertise to interpret the results. This test will show us how often Bryce is refluxing. The probe was inserted into Bryce's esophagus while Bryce was asleep during the scopes and he kept it in until this afternoon (about 24 hours).

Bryce continued this morning with the previously scheduled Allergy Testing even with the impedance probe in place. The visit this morning consisted of an initial appointment with the allergist, skin testing and placed the patches on his back for the patch testing. Poor baby had 18 pricks on each of his arms to find out if he had anaphylactic reaction to a food. As suspected, it all came back negative. The patch testing will be read on Friday morning; it looks for a delayed reaction to food.

The staff at Cinci Children's have been outstanding. It's a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility with staff that truly care. It's wonderful to be in a place geared for children! Andy's parents were here through our inpatient stay which made things so much easier! We also saw my sisters on Sunday before Bryce had to go into the hospital.

The next few days should be a lot less intense with just follow up visits. Thankful, the testing is done!!! I'll post more when I can. Love to you all.

Arrived in Ohio

Hi everyone. I just thought I would post and let you know that we arrived in Ohio yesterday and are getting settled. The great news is that Bryce no longer has a fever and is feeling better!

The flight from San Antonio to Ohio overall went well for a 6 AM departure! Since we were in Dayton by noon, I called my sister, Tina, and she met us at Carollin Park for about an hour. We then traveled about 40 minutes south to the Drury Inn where we're staying. The hotel was full of girls here for a soccer tournament so Bryce had a great time running around, flirting with everyone. Last night, we unpacked and got items we needed to "clean out" Bryce.

Today we start the "clean out" procedures. That's all for now!

Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Schedule

This weekend, Andy and I are taking Bryce to Cincinnati Children's Medical Center to be evaluated by the Eosinophilic Center. As many of you know, we've been trying to get Bryce to the experts for months and it is finally here.

This trip brings many mixed emotions for us. I'm excited that Bryce will be in the best hands but also hate putting my son through so many procedures. The preparation for the scopes will be hard since he can't eat for 24 hours and we have to "clean him out." I also don't look forward to the allergy testing since the skin prick tests involve using his arms as pin cushions.

Of course, the hope is that we have some answers by the end of the week on what is going on with Bryce and his GI tract. Andy and I have two goals for the trip: find out what is bothering Bryce and walk away with a treatment/food plan. We know that we are probably not going to get any magical solutions but hope to know more then we do now.

We are lucky that the experts just happen to be in our hometown state of Ohio! The hotel we are staying at is a 10 minutes from two of my sisters. My dad lives in Dayton and has offered to help. Although Cleveland is still a 4 hour drive to Cincinnati, Andy's parents are going to drive down for a couple of days. We really appreciate having all of their support.

I'll post updates if I get a chance while in Cinci. Here is our schedule.

Saturday, Sep 27
Fly from San Antonio to Dayton, arrive near noon
Staying at Drury Inn in Sharonville (2265 E Sharon Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241)

Sunday, Sep 28
1:00 PM
Colonoscopy Prep Begins
Only clear liquids for the next 24 hours

Monday, Sep 29
9:00 AM
Clinic Visit
Dr. Franciosi (Gastroenterology Center 2nd floor Building C)
1:30 PM
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy
(Report to Same Day Surgery Registration 3rd Floor Building B at 12:00 PM)

Tuesday, Sep 30
9:00 AM
Allergy Testing
(Allergy Department 5th floor Building C)
Allergy Patch Testing to follow Skin Test
1:00 PM
Appointment with Social Worker (Report to Allergy Waiting Area)

Wednesday, 1 Oct
10:00 AM
Education and Lab Tour
(Report to Gastroenterology Waiting Area)

Thursday, 2 Oct
9:00 AM
Follow-up appointment with Dr. Franciosi (Gastroenterology Center 2nd Floor Building C)
Appointment with Dietitian to follow
Speech Therapy

Friday, 3 Oct
9:15 AM
Patch Test Reading (Allergy Department 5th Floor Building C)

Friday, 3 Oct to Monday, 6 Oct
Driving to Cleveland to celebrate Andy's Mom's 60th Birthday

Tuesday, 7 Oct
Flying from Dayton back to San Antonio

Cape Cod

We went to Cape Cod at the end of August until after Labor Day. It was a wonderful 10-day trip where we enjoyed the cool air, seafood, the ocean and family.

We stayed with Andy's grandfather, Bompie, who still lives by himself in Orleans, MA. Andy's brother, Scott, came from Boston both weekends we were in town to play with his nephew. Nanna and Bampa Huntoon drove down from Mentor, Ohio to spend a week with us on the Cape. In addition, we also had Lisa's godparents, Laura and Hasty, make their first visit to the area; to see us and beautiful Cape Cod.

The beaches at the Cape are beautiful, especially the way the tides come in and out.

Nanna and Bampa took Bryce to the beach many afternoons all on their own! Bryce LOVED being at the beach. Bryce was a little cautious of the waves. Most of the time, he would follow the waves, walking toward the water when it went out to sea and then walking back when the waves came in. One day with Nanna and Bampa, he got brave and actually played in the waves!

Uncle Scott reading an airplane book.

Andy and Bryce at the beach in the morning while Lisa slept!

Bryce watching the ocean.

Bompie bought us lobster one night! It was soo good to eat fresh, delicious lobster. Bryce enjoyed playing with the claws.

Big shoes to fill! (Hasty's shoes!)

Checking out Hasty's beard.

Laura cuddled up with Bryce who's in his Nini (Uncle Kevin's blankie).

Out to dinner with Laura and Hasty thanks to Nanna and Bampa babysitting!

Bryce was thrilled to spend time with Bompie.

We celebrated Bompie's 91st birthday while we were at the Cape.

First Haircut

It's funny how, as a parent, you have certain expectations. I had this fantasy that getting Bryce his first haircut was going to be a special, enjoyable event. I knew he wouldn't sit still long but I thought he would be fascinated by the new setting, the mirrors, the chair and the "superman" drape. I had the camera and an envelope ready for the first pieces of hair to take home.

Then reality sets in.

The haircut started out with my fantasy. . .Bryce was in a great mood and he was fascinated by everything. But then my hairdresser started to cut his hair. It wasn't long before he was crying and then sobbing. He hated it when the scissors got near him. We would stop, distract him with something and he'd calm down. But if those scissors came near his head, especially his ears, he would get soo upset again. My hairdresser finally finished his hair while I distracted him with a candle and the blow dryer. It's not the most even hair cut but at least we finished.

Later, I realized that the reason he probably got so upset was that the scissors may have reminded him of getting his ears checked. Since he had an ear infection a few weeks ago, he has had his ears checked frequently and he always screams at the doctors office. Let's hope he learns a new association to scissors. . otherwise.. . .he may just have to have long hair!

Here is the one picture I took after the haircut.

Playing in the Puddles

We've had some good rain recently and have been playing in the puddles. Both Bryce and Brody have enjoyed the water! Here are some pictures and a video clip. See if you notice the embarrassing thing Bryce does in the video! I almost didn't post the video because of it. . . but it's Bryce. . .being a kid. You'll hear Brody too. . . wanting me to play with him!

Laughing

Every now and then I'll catch Bryce laughing at something on TV that he must find hilarious because he just laughs and laughs. I LOVE it. This time, I caught some of it on video. It was Sesame Street and the guy was trying to catch the spotlight which kept moving. The video clip is probably the 3rd time he's watched it since we record Sesame Street. Even then, he couldn't keep his balance and he got the hiccups from laughing.

Ohio Trip: Nanna's and Bampa's

Our Ohio trip began and ended at Andy's parents house. Nanna and Bampa provided us all the things that aren't easy to take on a plane like a stroller, diapers, wipes and toys (many of them Andy's). After a few days of visiting and playing, my sister, Renee, flew into town from Long Island to be my "nanny" during the trip.

In front of Andy's house, they were putting in new water lines. Bryce visited the construction trucks ever chance he got!

Bryce and Nanna on the porch with the beautiful day lillies.

Swimming at the same pool Andy grew up at. Nanna had fun reliving the memories.

Playing with Bampa.

Watching baseball.

On the drive back to Mentor, we stopped for a break and ended up at an Ohio Buckeye store. Bryce decided to take a break with Brutus. I bought him an Ohio State football and within a day, he started to say "football." Now, all balls are "footballs!"

Bryce enjoyed getting to spend so much time with his Aunt Renee and I appreciate the help!

Ohio Trip: Lisa's Relatives

While in Ohio, we made our way to Perrysville, Ohio to visit my relatives. We stayed at the family farm which is where my dad grew up. My dad met us at the farm and visited relatives with us.

We spent most of the first day with Aunt Vivian and Uncle Ted. It was nice to visit with them and Bryce enjoyed all of the "new" toys. Even though Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bob were right in the middle of moving, they drove over from Ashland to have dinner with us. Below is a picture of Bryce on Aunt Vivian's tire swing which is probably 20 years old and still swinging children!

The next day my cousins, Patty and Doug, invited us to go boating with them. I have fond memories when I was young, going boating with Patty and her family. It was the first time I tried to ski and was pulled around on a tube. I thought they were the coolest cousins ever!

Here is my cousin, Patty, and my dad.

Below, Bryce is on a "surf board" that Patty and Doug used with their children (now grown!) as the first step in learning to ski. Bryce loved being pulled around on it. Doug then tried putting Bryce on the jet ski. Bryce was okay with it until he started the engine. . .then he wanted off!

Doug driving the boat.

Ohio Trip: Dayton Pictures

I know it's taken me a while but finally here are some pictures from our Ohio trip in July. These are pictures from our Dayton visit.

We got to see one of my very best friends, Liz, and her son three times while we were in Dayton! Liz met us at the hotel our first night, we visited at her house one day AND she was brave enough to go with the entire Wendling clan to Middletown park. Below is Liz and John, who is 9 months old.




We also got to see one of my co-workers from the Donut Haus. Shawn met us at Mr. and Mrs. Thompson's house (Emily's parents) for a visit. Below is Bryce with Shawn's daughter, Samantha. It was a bit surreal to see Samantha playing with Bryce at the Thompson's house. We were about Sam's age when Emily, Liz and I played there.



My brother, Lonnie, and his family drove up from TN to visit with us while we were in Dayton. We all stayed at the same hotel in Middletown which made things very convenient, especially since there was an indoor/outdoor pool and a hot tub. When we weren't at a park with the kids, we were usually at the pool. We also spent a lot of time with my mom and my sisters, Tina, Renee and Colette.




Bryce and I in our hotel room.