Good Times

What a great week so far...and it's only Monday!

Trenton's count is at 56,000. I was quite surprised by this as I knew he took a dip a few weeks ago. So hopefully that means he jumped right back up, and will continue to climb.

After going to Children's this morning, we got to go to the zoo with a bunch of cousins! Rick and Sara are in town, so I've taken most the week off work. Trenton has been so excited to just hang out with the family.

A few of the highlights so far:

Sorry Dad

Sorry, I was getting grief for not posting in a while. But there hasn't been a whole lot to report. I realized it's been a while since Trenton got his blood count, so I brought him into Children's last week to get checked. We had to wait an exceptionally long time for some reason, but luckily they have lots of great toys and they brought out the little plastic car again. Otherwise, I don't think we would have made it.

Anyway, he got his blood work done and he's up to 45,000! Not too shabby. I really thought (and of course, hoped) that it would be much higher. He doesn't have a lot of bruising and the petechiae are gone. But it's still up, and I'm very happy about that. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

I finally convinced Tyler to take some pictures of our OWN kid, and the wait was certainly worth it. Here's our little monkey:

Surprising

Trenton's count is at 36,000 today. I was expecting a lot worse! He's been pretty bruised lately, and has had a lot of petechiae on his stomach, so I was really waiting to hear some pretty low numbers. Being sick can also lower his counts, so I was worried this last cold he had may have hurt him too. But he's hanging in there!

Tyler and I just got back from Texas last night, so Trenton was able to stay with Papa and Grandma DeRidder for a few days. He seemed to have had a blast. I can't show any pictures because the only one's I received he was naked!

As soon as Tyler is done with some wedding photos, I'll start pressuring him to take Trenton's 2 year pictures. So I'll be sure to post those :)

Reflections

It's so weird to think that two years ago today we were in the labor and delivery room at St. Joe's, actually getting induced at about this time. The little bugger's heart rate would drop after contractions, so the docs wanted him out a little quicker.

Early the next morning we were introduced to this tiny little red-headed thing that has since stolen my heart. It's certainly been an adventurous two years! It's also hard to believe that we've been dealing with this crazy disorder for almost a year (in December).

I also found out today that my cousin had the same illness when she was little. I heard some talk of that, but my mom confirmed it while visiting my aunt and uncle in Michigan. Strange. She had to have her spleen removed when she was four, but I'm trying not to think that far ahead yet.

We will do blood work next week. I told the scheduler I'm not in any big hurry, because I'm afraid to hear the numbers. Trenton looks pretty badly bruised lately, and has the spots all over his belly, so I'm not real optimistic.

Nonetheless, Trenton continues to amaze me every day. He finally learned to say his favorite neighbor's name, can jump like a pro, and Tyler swears he changes the TV channel to cartoons while he's getting ready in the morning.

Happy Birthday buddy! (maybe wish for some platelets when you blow out your candles tomorrow!)

Down

I had to take Trenton to the doctor yesterday for an ear infection, so had them check his blood count since we were already there. I usually go to Children's, and I was reminded why! They really are super sweet, but can seriously not do kid's blood draws nearly as well as the Children's nurses. But, he got through it. He kind of started to help the two nurses it apparently required, so they were pretty impressed. They think he should be a doctor.

Anyway, they called today to let me know that it is only at 29,000. Tyler's trying to convince me that it's still higher than it has been, and is still optimistic about it continuing to climb. I figure one of us can be a stressful mess, and the other the level-headed one. That seems to work well for us.

Rising again

Trenton is at 59,000 today! He was, once again, so brave! Tyler and I are happy, but trying not to get too excited. He definitely looks a lot better lately, and continues to have an abundance of energy.

I took this picture this afternoon to show just what a happy little man he is. He's really starting to like the dog too.

Thanks again to all of you for your constant support, cards, help, etc. We continue to feel extremely loved and cared for!

Holding Steady

Trenton's latest count was 25,000. Just a slight dip, but still the wrong direction! Our doctor still wants to hold off on doing the next treatment. He keeps saying that when kids start to get better, it can go up and down like this.

We did get a little into what the treatment would be like, and it sounds a tad nastier than we've heard before. But he cut off the questions and said, "we're not there yet." He's still very sweet and I'm really glad we made the switch.

Trenton is so good when we are there, the doctors just laugh. They always feel his belly to feel for the spleen, and he just pulls up his shirt and giggles. When we get his blood taken, he usually sits on my lap to do it. But Friday, he just got up right there on his own. I asked him if he wanted to just sit by himself, and he said "yea!" Which he did! He just sticks his little finger out and watches the blood drip. He certainly does not get this trait from his father! (who can't even watch ER without getting nauseous). Sorry Tyler.

When we were leaving, a firetruck was pulling up to do some sort of training, and they were letting the kids play in it. Trenton just stood with amazement, but only wanted to watch from a safe distance. He hasn't gotten brave enough to actually go inside. He did get a cool sticker though!