Pictures

What a way to end winter!  Like a blanket on a cold day, we have been engulfed in warmth and have shaken the chill of winter from our bones.  This week has just been amazing!  From a picnic in the park, followed by countless walks, as well as chalk drawings and sprinkler runs it has been the best March I can ever remember!

Despite all the fun of the week we also had a number of appointments for Cole as well.  We started Monday with a seven vial draw.  Initially the immunologist told us her test results would take a few weeks, however they have already contacted us.  Unfortunately, Cole's tests show he is "naive" to all of the viruses they were looking for.  In other words, he has never had experience with these viruses, thus has not made any antibodies against them.  The hope was that the tests would show some antibodies against one of these viruses as it would indicate Cole's ability to handle these kinds of infections without serious problems.  Since they do not, we will continue keeping our man in his virtual bubble, prolonging the avoidance measures we have been employing for a while longer.  We'd rather be safe than sorry since it has been explained that any possible contraction of these illnesses could not only be serious, but life-threatening for Cole.  The sooner we know about any likely exposure or infection the sooner aggressive treatment with antivirals or IVIG can begin.

A year ago I think my head would have spun with the thoughts of intravenous treatments with one of my kids, but now, I have come to expect the unexpected in terms of what all of Cole's doctors might tell me and accept any test or treatment without blinking an eye.  When the girls were his age, I cringed at the idea of their shots, now, I realize shots are a piece of cake!  Honestly, right now I am more concerned with Cole's continued weight loss than anything else.  Losing weight tangible while all the rest is merely a matter of if.  Maybe that's an odd way to look at all this, but we are more or less no longer social exposures are pretty limited and that eases my mind a tad.

After the blood draws, Cole saw his pediatrician for a routine appointment.  Other than the additional weight loss, things looked ok.  At this point, Cole is now down about two pounds in the past month.  At least our doctor reassured us that we were doing all the right things to promote healthy eating, and ultimately, weight gain for Cole.  It would be a matter of whether or not he actually wanted to eat that would determine whether he would gain soon.  Since everything looks good right now, we just need clearance from g.i. and we will be able to move forward with a minor surgery we have had to put off for Cole.  Hopefully we can schedule soon so he is recovered before summer.

Once we were done with the back to back appointments, I wanted to enjoy the day with my two littles.  While we have to avoid crowds, as well as enclosed spaces, Cole's stroller on a quiet trail is just fine.  Since we have not been out as much as we were with the girls, it's funny to see Cole's entire face blaze with amazement as he discovers bits and pieces about his world.  Both Gwyn and Cole were fascinated with a pair of ducks in the park.  Gwyn's quacks and Cole's claps and giggles while the ducks waddled, flapped their wings, then splashed into the pond were absolutely priceless!  Just like the sounds of laughter floating through the neighborhood while the kids rode their bikes and ran through their artificial rain, these tiny moments have etched themselves alongside my other favorite memories from my time as mom, creating pictures of how I always imagined life with kids would be.  This is how I will choose to think of these days, even though indelible images of antiseptic waiting rooms and offices often monopolize my mind.