first post of 2010!

Things here seem like they have been very busy and I never seem to make time lately to update this blog. Since Christmas it seems like a lot has gone on but then again not really. The weekend after Christmas we of course had to cancel all the plans for celebrating with Scott's dad and my dads side of the family. We also had to cancel the big party we were going to have for Keely's 2nd birthday. On Keely's birthday our family just had a little celebration here at home with cake and presents. It was a good time but we sure missed everyone else being able to celebrate with us. So we will be having an official party for her the 23rd of this month if the weather cooperates. We went to Branson the 30th and met Tatum's foster parents. We had a great time but unfortunately Tatum's foster mom got sick the day after we got there so we didn't get to see her much. On New Year's Eve we did go out to supper with Tatum's foster dad, their daughter, and one of her friends who were also staying at the condo. We had planned on coming home on the weekend but since Diane didn't feel good again on Friday we decided to head back to Lincoln. We did take our time and make a couple stops along the way. We stopped in Springfield at the HUGE Bass Pro Shop there just to look around. Then we also stopped in Kansas City and saw Keely's foster parent. It was great seeing them as well since it had been over a year since we saw them last. It was late Friday night when we got home finally. Luckily the weather was pretty good the whole trip and no snow to deal with in Branson. We took it easy all weekend and by Monday the girls started not feeling well and running fevers. Wednesday I finally took Tatum to the doctor because she was just getting worse and started not drinking and hadn't ate much since Sunday. I also wanted to get her spleen checked since the last couple times she had been to the doctor it was enlarged a bit. Well when we got to the clinic the doctor planned on just getting her some IV fluids there then sending us home until he felt her spleen. It was about double to triple the size it normally is. I hadn't felt it at all that day but a couple days before it was a little enlarged but not too bad. Wednesday I couldn't believe how big it was. So our doctor called Tate's doctor in Omaha and they decided that she should be admitted and make sure she wasn't having a splenic sequestration. Below is information about this condition that does happen in people with sickle cell disease. After we got to the hospital and the blood work results were back they determined that wasn't what was going on but there was some signs of infection so she was started on an IV antibiotic along with fluids. Her fever did go down in the evening but then came back up after she went to sleep. She was also very restless and waking up every 30 minutes or so complaining of something hurting but wouldn't say what. It was weird and seemed like she was kind of out of it when she was crying and complaining. They did finally give her some hydrocodone and she slept the rest of the night. When she got up she seemed to be feeling better and no fever. When the doctor came around she decided that we could go home on antibiotics. Tatum and Keely both seem to be feeling better now so hopefully they are about over whatever they had. All our schedules have been so messed up since the middle of December because of the kids being out of school so much. Before Christmas they had three snow days and then were off 2 weeks for Christmas. They returned back to school the 4th but since we had another snow storm with very cold temperatures they didn't have school last Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. I'm wondering if we will ever get back into a normal schedule. Since they have missed more than five days now they have to start making them up. I'm hoping they just take away from the week they are suppose to be off in March for spring break or just make some of the days longer. Their last day isn't until June 3rd already so I would hate to have them go farther into June. We did some respite a couple different weekends in the last month and that all went well. They were all boys and Tj really enjoyed having other boys his age in the house and is anxious for a brother. Scott and I went on a movie date this weekend and saw Blindside. I had went to it with Haley a while back and loved it and Scott wanted to see it so I was glad to see it again. Hopefully everyone is well enough this week so we can all go to the YMCA again. Haley and I have been going but since the girls have been sick Scott has had to stay home with them. They seem anxious to go back to the daycare there. I can't think of anything else exciting that happened since I last posted so I guess that's all I have for tonight.

ABOUT SPLENIC SEQUESTRATION

An organ in the upper-left area of the abdomen, the spleen filters out abnormal red blood cells and helps the body's immune system fight infection. Sometimes, as in the case of sickle cell disease, red blood cells can be trapped in the spleen, a condition known as splenic sequestration. The body reacts as if it were bleeding internally because the blood trapped in the spleen cannot circulate to the heart or brain. This condition can range from mild to life threatening, depending on how much of the body's red blood cells are sequestered.How can we detect splenic sequestration?When red blood cells are trapped, the spleen grows tender and becomes enlarged enough to feel in the upper left part of the abdomen. Doctors detect splenic sequestration by feeling for this enlarged spleen and testing for low red-blood cell counts. You do not need a medical degree to learn how to feel for an enlarged spleen, but it does take hands-on training and practice. Your doctor can teach this when you bring in your child for a checkup.How often should we feel for an enlarged spleen?If your child is doing well, then just feel for the spleen several times a week just to get practice. You should feel for an enlarged spleen if your child: Looks pale. In darker-skinned people, this may be easier to detect by looking at the lips, the inner eyelids, and the fingernail beds. Usually these areas are red or dark pink, but if they look light pink or white, then the child is pale.
Seems unusually tired.
Is unusually cranky or irritable, and perhaps has a headache. When the red blood cell count is very low, oxygen delivery to the brain may be inadequate, causing a headache.
Is sensitive to the touch in the upper-left part of her abdomen-the area above the spleen.If you detect an enlarged spleen or if your child is displaying any of the above symptoms, you should get her in immediately for a medical evaluation. This can be an extremely serious situation and speedy evaluation and treatment may save her life.Does splenic sequestration happen again and again?It might. The treatment options are:
Treat each recurrence.
Start a monthly blood transfusion program to prevent recurrence of splenic sequestration.
Schedule surgery to remove the spleen, which is called an elective splenectomy.